Last week the East County Regional Library kicked off its Teen Book Club with a relevant book to this day and age.

The first book club meeting was held Tuesday, Sept. 11. The second one will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.

“We are already getting feedback from the kids . . . some really positive feedback,” East County Regional Library Senior Librarian Head of Youth Services Angela Hall said.

The September book, “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas, is about a young girl in an urban setting who straddles the fence between two lifestyles. She said the girl lives in an urban community where crime is high, but goes to a rich prep school.

The books stems around the young girl witnessing the fatal shooting of her best friend.

“I thought it was an unjustified shooting. It is in light of everything that is happening, something they could relate to and connect with,” Hall said of why she chose the book. “I wanted to start out with a strong book to start our book club season.”

The book club is geared towards ninth through 12th grade students. A middle school book club will begin in the spring.

“I only read young adult literature. The writing is so much better,” Hall said.

She said she wanted to start a Teen Book Club because youths do not have time to read for pleasure anymore.

“I want them to read for enjoyment. I want to ignite the passion for reading for the sake of reading and not because they have to,” Hall said.

The October book features “Everybody Sees the Ants,” by A.S. King. The book targets the topic of bullying. Lucky Linderman, Hall said has developed an odd way of coping because no one hears him.

“At some point he finds his voice and confronts the bully without violence,” she said.

The Teen Book Club will meet Tuesday, Oct. 9 and Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. to discuss King’s book.

“I’m OK if it goes longer as long as we have an awesome discussion,” Hall said.

A Cyberbullying: Just a Click Away program will also be held in October for teens from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Although November’s book has yet to be determined, the club will meet on a weekly basis. Hall said it’s about keeping the momentum going.

“I don’t want to loose my audience. I need them here every week, participating and discussing that book,” she said.

For more information, call 239-479-4636, or stop by the library at 881 Gunnery Road.