It's no surprise that I’ve been a reader forever. Menus, cereal boxes, adult novels – anything that sat still and had writing on it was fair game for the younger version of me.… continue reading

By Rachel F.   July 20, 2017   

It's pretty much summer time and I don't know about you, but in the summer, I get the urge to travel. However, being a grown up comes with the fact that you can't just up and take off… continue reading

By Rachel F.   June 14, 2017   

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month , so I thought I would share some exciting developments in the world of Asian American superheroes!   There's a brand new Hulk in… continue reading

By Rachel F.   May 3, 2017   

I hear tell that April is National Letter and Card Writing month and I thought, well, you could always write to your congressperson , but in addition, you could also read some books about letter… continue reading

By Rachel F.   April 26, 2017    1

Excited for the new live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast ? Me too... kind of? Maybe? I hope it will be amazing? Either way, good or bad, at least we'll always have all kinds of different… continue reading

By Rachel F.   March 17, 2017   

Everyone has always been so hot and bothered for those Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. Is it the togas? Is it young Harry Hamlin in that total camp classic Clash of the Titans movie from the… continue reading

By Rachel F.   March 15, 2017   

I have weird memories of being a teenage girl—I’m pretty sure that I thought I was right about everything when maybe I was in actuality not so swift on the uptake. It’s… continue reading

By Rachel F.   January 11, 2017   

It's winter! It's the holiday season! You know what would be a great idea right now? Escaping into a collection of Young Adult wintery/holiday themed novels while your mom tries to get you… continue reading

By Rachel F.   December 23, 2016   

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... to be a lady who likes comics. One day you get to celebrate the appearance of the first African American woman to own a comic book store on a… continue reading

By Rachel F.   December 21, 2016    1

Do you have a favorite YouTuber? Maybe you love John and Hank Green and their community of Nerdfighters ?  Are you more of a Vine (RIP) enthusiast? Whomever your fave and on whatever… continue reading

By Rachel F.   December 13, 2016   

The Field Family Teen Author Series and the Free Library of Philadelphia connects students, teachers, libraries, and authors through a successful series of author visits with teens throughout the… continue reading

By Ann P.   December 8, 2016   

It’s National Native American Heritage Month and the Free Library of Philadelphia is celebrating by reading books by authors who write about their Native heritage. We’re especially… continue reading

By Becky F.   November 8, 2016    1

It’s that time of year again—the beginning of fall when temperatures start to fall and the pumpkin spice must flow. That means it’s almost Teen Read Week —the week of… continue reading

By Rachel F.   October 11, 2016   

I love a graphic novel—and even better I love a graphic novel memoir . There is something so much more intimate about reading the words AND pictures when someone shares her story. Or maybe… continue reading

By Rachel F.   August 24, 2016   

Sometimes you just can't believe the story someone is telling you . Maybe it’s because it seems too fantastical or maybe it’s just because the storyteller is untrustworthy. Maybe… continue reading

By Rachel F.   August 19, 2016    2

On Monday, January 4, the Library of Congress (along with the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader ) announced a new National Ambassador for Young People’s… continue reading

By Rachel F.   January 5, 2016   

I've written before about some of my favorite Young Adult titles this year, but I'm not the only librarian who loves reading YA. In October, three of our librarians—Erin H. from… continue reading

By Rachel F.   December 29, 2015    2

When new acquaintances find out I’m a librarian, our conversations generally go in one of two directions—either people apologize for not reading enough OR they quiz me about the latest… continue reading

By Rachel F.   November 17, 2015    4

Last weekend in Chicago, a room full of children's and teen librarians erupted in cheers, gasps, and wild applause for the newest batch of books chosen for the Youth Media Awards, administered… continue reading

By Sarah S.   February 6, 2015   

Summer Reading is here . For those about to take on the challenge of the School District of Philadelphia’s official lists (or anyone who knows a student who must), we’d like to salute… continue reading

By Adam F.   May 30, 2014