---

The King County Library System (KCLS) and the South Seattle Emerald are teaming up to bring you the “South End Scoop.” Dig into this community-centered column each month for great book, music, movie, and event recommendations from your local librarians. 

KCLS’ annual Summer Reading Program begins on Monday, June 17! Each year, we challenge King County residents to track minutes spent reading during the summer to help keep minds active and engaged. 

Here’s how to participate:

• Visit your KCLS library to pick up a reading log or sign up online.
• Set your daily reading goal — we recommend 20 minutes a day — and read anything you like from June 17 to Aug. 31.
• Join us for special events and activities throughout the summer.
• Track your time spent reading to earn prizes.

Get started — and celebrate Pride Month! — with these great titles, selected by KCLS Librarian Shel Grinstead.

Explore the Pride book list curated by staff for more reads about LGBTQIA+ history, culture, and stories.

LIBRARIAN PICKS  

Kids (Ages 3–7)

Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener
Read about queer joy and generational queer communities in this fun and vibrant picture book. Marley is a nonbinary kid with a lot of anxiety. They don’t like crowds or big noises, but they love their grandparent Zaza. Zaza is up for an award at Pride this year, and Marley has decided this will be the year they go to Pride. Joëlle Retener’s wonderful book explores healthy ways for young children to cope with anxiety, celebrates intersectional identities and activism, and includes an accessible and important LGBTQ+ resource guide.

Kids and Tweens (Ages 8–13)

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo
This coming-of-age graphic novel follows Indu, a young boy from the moon, who struggles to find community when he and his mother move to Earth to become part of a new blended family. Indu begs the moon to let him come back, and the moon responds with a promised return date. Will Indu go back when he finally starts making the connections he wants? With a unique Indonesian perspective, vibrant illustrations, and transgender discoveries, this book is a perfect Pride read.

Teens (Ages 14–17) 

Wish You Weren’t Here by Erin Baldwin
The careful truce between not quite enemies Juliette and Priya is put to the test when Priya shows up to Juliette’s safe place, Fogridge Sleepaway Camp. Even worse — Priya is Juliette’s cabin mate. As childhood rivals, they agreed to avoid an all-out war in order to survive their small-town politics. Every summer, Juliette gets to escape Priya and feeling like “too much.” Now that their worlds are colliding, she has to find a way to cope. This sapphic rom-com is full of swoon-worthy chemistry and is a great pick for readers who like hate-to-love tropes. 

Adults (Ages 18 and Older)

Every Body, directed by Julie Cohen
Follow the journeys of three American intersex activists, River Gallo, Alicia Roth Weigel, and Sean Saifa Wall, who are leading global change for intersex people. This informative documentary interweaves themes of biological sex differences and the human body with the personal experiences of the three activists starting in childhood. Director Julie Cohen’s powerful film shares deeper perspectives and information on mistreatment of intersex children and encourages global change for medical practices and binary thinking.

Recommendations courtesy of KCLS Librarian Shel Grinstead. Shel is a teen services librarian at the Tukwila Library. When not at the library, Shel enjoys going to concerts, playing cozy games, and trying out new handicrafts. Drop by “Game On” on Wednesdays after school or check out one of their art programs throughout the year.

UPCOMING EVENTS  

KCLS offers a variety of in-person and online events and activities for all ages! All events are free. Find one that interests you at KCLS.org/Events.  

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom 

Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 
Renton Library 

Juneteenth commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States and is a federally recognized holiday. Learn about, recognize, and celebrate the rich history of African Americans and cultures across the African diaspora. Enjoy events and activities for all ages. 

Author Voices with Dr. Mahvash Khajavi-Harvey: Daylight Forever 

Saturday, June 15, 2–3 p.m.
Newcastle Library 

Local author Dr. Mahvash Khajavi-Harvey discusses her memoir Daylight Forever, and her dark and lonely escape from a terror-filled childhood as a Baha’í in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution and the Iraq–Iran War. She will also talk about the story of the 10 women who were executed 41 years ago in Iran because of their religious beliefs. 

A campaign, #OurStoryIsOne, has been created to share their story and amplify the voices of those who are still fighting for equality.

SilverKite Community Arts: Juneteenth Celebration 

Tuesday, June 18, 1–2:30 p.m. 
Online 

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the full emancipation of African American enslaved people. Artists will discuss the history of Juneteenth and its lasting impact through storytelling, music, movement, and reflection. Come for community building and thoughtfulness in celebration of this special holiday. The class is facilitated by Merri Ann Osborne and The Mahogany Project.

Summer Reading Extravaganza 

Thursday, June 20, 3–4:30 p.m. 
Burien Library 

Join us for an exciting afternoon to kick off Summer Reading! Dive into a world of creativity with a variety of crafts and activities — create a vibrant sun catcher, make a cool magnet, get transformed into a character with face painting, and more! Don’t miss a spin on the prize wheel for a chance to win prizes.

Living Voices: The Right to Dream 

Friday, June 21, 3:30–5 p.m.
Woodmont Library 

Watch a dynamic solo performance with archival film that transforms history into a moving, personal journey. Discover the struggle and sacrifice for Black civil rights, through the efforts of a young African American activist coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement.

Celebrate World Refugee Day 

Saturday, June 22, 12–5 p.m. 
Foster High School, Tukwila 

Celebrate and honor refugees from around the world. Enjoy live performances, explore cultural tables and nonprofit resources, meet small-business immigrant owners, play in the kid zone, get free food, and more! Parking is available on-site and on the street. Co-sponsored by the International Rescue Committee, the City of Tukwila, and Wide World for Refugee. 

Make Pride Stickers 

Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Bellevue Library 

Celebrate Pride Month by designing your own sheet of stickers celebrating your identity and the LGBTQIA+ community. Get hands-on experience in the Bellevue Library Makerspace with the Cricut Maker’s print and cut feature. 

Explore Printmaking & Watercolor through Land & Place 

Saturday, June 22, 2–3:30 p.m. 
Renton Highlands Library 

Collaborate with IndigiQueer artist Eileen Jimenez (Ñätho) to create artwork that reflects our experiences and relationships with Land and Indigenous joy through linocut. Practice printmaking from pre-carved blocks and watercolor to co-create art. Sponsored by Allied Arts of Renton.

PawsWithCause Painting Party 

Monday, June 24, 3–4:30 p.m.
Sunset Neighborhood Park, Renton 

Paint a portrait based on a real shelter pet to help the animals be seen outside of cages and promote adoption. All materials are provided, including paints, brushes, and pre-sketched canvases. All experience levels are welcome. Sponsored by Allied Arts of Renton and the Renton Municipal Arts Commission.

Summer Resource Fair for Kids 

Tuesday, June 25, 5–7 p.m. 
Kent Library 

Discover resources, activities, and programs that are available at the library and Kent community agencies during summer break. Drop in for fun activities, snacks, and giveaways.  

Campfire Songs Guitar Workshop 

Tuesday, July 2, 6–7:30 p.m.
Fairwood Library 

Bring your guitar and learn some songs to play during your next camping trip. All skill levels are welcome. Designed for middle and high school ages. 

Suited for Space with The Museum of Flight 

Friday, July 5, 2–3 p.m. 
Boulevard Park Library 

Learn about the vacuum of space by investigating how low-pressure environments affect the human body. Using household materials, design spacesuits for a marshmallow astronaut. Then, test your design in a vacuum chamber. All materials are provided by The Museum of Flight.

Singing & Playing/Cantando y Jugando with Marco Cortes

Tuesday, July 9, 4–4:45 p.m.
Burien Library

Join Marco Cortes for a bilingual English/Spanish concert for children and families with music and songs from different countries. Una programa en Inglés y en Español para niños y familias con música y canciones de diferentes países. 

Create Your Own Laser Cut Bookmark

Saturday, July 13, 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Bellevue Library

Artist Amina Quraishi will teach you how to create a laser cut bookmark inspired by geometric and floral patterns from Islamic art and architecture. Take your finished bookmark home after the class!

NEED A LIBRARY CARD? 

Residents in the KCLS service area (in King County, outside the city of Seattle) can sign up instantly for a physical card to access our full collection, or a digital eCard to access our digital collection. Visit KCLS.org/Library-Cards to get started. Contact Ask KCLS at KCLS.org/Ask if you need assistance with your account, or call 425-462-9600 or 800-462-9600. 

---

📸 Featured Image: South Seattle Emerald and the King County Library System (KCLS) are teaming up to give you book, media, and event recommendations each month via the South End Scoop.

---