Part of the Story

NEW DATE: Join us on February 8, 2024 at Martin Library to attend our 7th annual Part of the Story event! 

Register for Part of the Story

Jump to 2024 information

Part of the Story

Part of the Story is a book-based program that engages teens in grades 9-12, in exploring an important, real-life issue affecting them and their community. A regional author’s book is selected, and the author is invited to take part in the day. Each teen gets a free copy of the selected book when they register (while supplies last). Teens help choose the theme each year!

Part of the Story is a welcoming, safe event where teens can have rich conversations about topics that matter to them, in community with supportive adults. Teens build connections with one another, gain important knowledge and skills, and recognize that they can make a difference. Teen voices matter!

Past topics include “Immigration,” “Body Image,” “Bullying,” “Social Justice,” “Addiction,” and “Teen Mental Wellness.”

What to expect

The day includes a light breakfast, an interactive conversation with the featured author, small group activities and discussions with “Human Libraries.” A Human Library is a person who shares their experience and expertise with others. Teens break for lunch, which we provide.

In the afternoon, attendees will have a conversation with Lamar Advertising about raising awareness around the day’s topic, and work together on creative billboard designs. One groups design is chosen by a panel of judges to be displayed on billboards around York County. Billboards are provided courtesy of Lamar Advertising.    Teens are an important part of the story.

Part of the Story 2024: Relationships

The topic for 2024, chosen by prior-year teens, is Relationships.

The 2024 Part of the Story book is The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by celebrated author and artist Laura Lee Gulledge. Gulledge is an Eisner Award nominated cartoonist, teaching artist, musical librettist, and collaborative muralist based in Charlottesville, VA. Her works explore visual storytelling at the intersection of wellness, whimsy, comics, co-creation, neurodiversity, and citizen artistry.

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr features themes such as: friendships, battling your inner doubts and fears, mental wellness, and more. All registrants will receive a free copy of the book that has been signed by the author. Before attending the event, teens are encouraged to read it and join the author discussion on January 18.

Register Now!

Register for the 2024 Part of the Story on the event page.

Stay in the Know

Each year, teens provide suggestions during Part of the Story to inform the topic of the following year. 

If you’d like to stay in the know about this and our other great programs for teens around York County, you can sign up for our Teen eNewsletter on our email signup page. (Add other newsletters if you like!)