October Teen Activities
October Teen Activities
Teen Action Council
The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, Oct. 1 in the Community Room at 4 PM!
Teen Crafts
Get crafty this spooky season! Teens ages 12–18 are invited to join us on Thursday, October 2 at 4 PM in the Community Room to make their very own witch’s brooms. Whether you’re decorating for Halloween or just love a good DIY, this hands-on session is all about creativity and fun—and you’ll leave with a magical little craft to take home!
Chess and Game Club
Game on, Mondays! Tweens & teens (ages 9–18), come master your moves every Monday from 4:30–5:30 PM in the Community Room.* Join Nick Allison—our guru of games and strategy—for chess, board games, and all-out fun. No experience needed, supplies provided. Let the games begin!
*Come at the same time, same place on Oct. 27th for our annual Pirate Dice Competition!
Young League of Writers
We’re excited to announce updates to our beloved writing group for young authors ages 12-18! Join us October 8 & 22 from 4-5:30 PM for engaging sessions divided into two parts: 45 minutes for sharing and discussing each other’s work, followed by 45 minutes of free writing time with snacks! We’re also planning occasional guest author visits.
Sharing Your Work: Submit up to 2,000 words as a PDF or Google Doc to programs@madisonlib.org by the Monday before, or bring a typed, printed copy to the meeting.
Whether you’re working on poetry, short stories, novels, or any other creative writing, the Young League of Writers provides a supportive environment where young authors can grow, learn, and connect. We can’t wait to see what stories you’ll bring to share!
Dungeon Master Boot Camp
Calling all teen storytellers and strategists! Join us for the Teen D&D DM Bootcamp on Friday, October 10 at 3:30 PM in the Community Room. Designed for ages 13–18, this epic session will help you level up your Dungeon Master skills—boosting confidence, sparking creativity, and turning every campaign into a legendary quest.
Teen LEGO Club
Calling all brick magicians and LEGO fanatics! Join us for a spooktacular Teen LEGO Club on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 4 PM in the Community Room! Teens ages 12–18 will compete to build the most hauntingly beautiful Halloween scene—creativity, chills, and bragging rights await!
AsiaPop!
Join us for AsiaPop! on Friday, October 16 @ 4–5:30 PM in the Community Room! Teens ages 12–18 are invited to dive into Asian culture through crafts, food, movies, and more. This month’s spotlight: Korean Knots—a stunning traditional art form symbolizing good fortune, health, and longevity. Come create, connect, and celebrate!
Family Friendly Films
Join us for FREE Family Friendly Films this October! We’re showing a new favorite that is perfect for movie lovers of all ages.
- Friday, October 17 at 3:30 PM: Flow (2024, PG)
Bring the whole crew for an afternoon of fun! Just a friendly heads up – we encourage parents to prescreen films to make sure they’re the right fit for your little movie fans. Kids under 12 need to be accompanied by someone 14 or older.
See you at the movies!
Cook with a Book
Calling all teen sleuths (ages 12–18)! Join us on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 4 PM in the Community Room to whip up a mystery-worthy treat—lemon bars inspired by the iconic Nancy Drew. Solve the recipe, taste the results, and enjoy a delicious afternoon of culinary fun!
TeenTober: Murder Mystery
Calling all teen detectives (ages 12–18)! Join us Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 PM in the Community Room for a thrilling night of mystery, pasta, and plot twists. The Teen Action Council will play the suspects—can you crack the case before dessert?
Pirate Dice Competition
Ahoy, young buccaneers! Hoist the colors at our Pirate Dice Competition on Monday, October 27 at 4:30 PM in the Community Room! For scallywags ages 9–18, this high-stakes showdown will be captained by none other than Nick Allison, our captain of fun and cunning. Dress up as your favorite pirate, gather your mates, and set sail for an hour of fun, laughter, and excitement as you roll the dice for treasure and glory!
Teen Short Story Contest
Calling all young writers ages 12-18! Love storytelling? Have a favorite holiday? We want YOUR creative voice!
The Challenge: Write a short story (up to 4,000 words) featuring ANY holiday from ANY country as your inspiration – Halloween thrills, Christmas magic, Diwali celebrations, National Donut Day fun, or whatever sparks your imagination!
The Prizes:
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Grand prize winners will receive a $30 Barnes & Noble gift card OR an elegant feather quill pen & ink sets
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ALL contestants will receive a prize!
How to Enter: Submit your typewritten story via email to programs@madisonlib.org between October 1-18.
Ready to share your story with the world? Visit the Teen Zone or stop by our Circulation desk for complete rules and submission guidelines. Your holiday tale awaits!
Idaho Teen Reading Challenge
Calling all teen readers! The Idaho Teen Reading Challenge is here! This statewide reading challenge from the ICfL invites you to explore 8 books across 10 different categories.
How to Join: Sign up at our Children’s Reference desk, Madison Jr. High Library, Madison High School Library, or online with the Beanstack app.
Track & Earn: Track your progress on Beanstack or pick up paper tracking sheets at any of our libraries. Collect a prize after each book you read at the Children’s Reference desk or during visiting librarian days at school. Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered to win a $30 gift card (drawing on May 1)!
BONUS: Digital Badge Art Contest! Design a digital badge for one of the reading categories and submit it to programs@madisonlib.org by October 31. Winners receive a $25 credit from IDEAL – Idaho’s 529 College Savings Program, and your design will be shared with libraries statewide!
Ready to read? Sign up today and check out the 10 categories on the Teen Zone!
Armchair Traveler Challenge: Apprentice Artist
Reading can inspire creativity and we are painting a masterpiece! Take an epic journey with us this year as we explore the world of art, from color and style to history and industry. Armchair travelers will read books to create a portfolio of canvases that earn them opportunities to enter the final drawing for our grand prizes. Any reader who joins us for even a portion of the trip will receive small prizes along the way. Ages 15 and up will join the adult challenge, while 14 years and younger will be enrolled in the Junior Apprentice challenge. Sign up today at the Library Circulation Desk! See more details here.
The Maltese Falcon meets My Name is Asher Lev in Alaska. An alternate time line puts post World War II Jews in a temporary sanctuary around Sitka. Now throw in a puzzling murder that no one wants to be investigated.
