Middle School Resources at the Library: 6-8th Grade

Need an extra hand with homework, craving music to ignite your study session, or would you rather be reading comics? How about racking up those community service hours or scoring a free ride to your next adventure? The library is your launchpad for all this and more! 🚀📚🎶🎧

Homework Help

📚 Brainfuse

Chat with an online tutor, schedule a private study with friends or send a question and get a response in 24 hours.

📚 Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints

Strengthen persuasive writing with pros & cons.

📚 Gale in Context: Environmental Studies

Dive deeper into environmental issues that affect people globally through overviews, journals, news articles, and more.

📚 Gale Interactive: Science

Learn more about biology, chemistry, earth science, human anatomy, and download .stl files for 3D printing science models.

📚 Newsbank

Read all about current events in the U.S. and abroad.

📚 LinkedinLearning

Accelerate your learning with lessons by experts.

For a complete list of online resources, view our Homework Help webpage.

6th – 8th Grade Recommended Reading:

Digitally read comics on any device from Comics Plus:

For recommended books to borrow from PACL, view:

Middle School Reading Recommendations - by California Department of Education (CDE) and the California Teachers Association
PACL staff created lists - by your local librarians
TLAB (Teen Library Advisory Board) Recommends - by your peers

Events

The library offers several events for middle schoolers! Check out these out:

Leisure Noon Origami - Join us on select Sundays for origami. All skill levels welcome!
Meditation - Need a break from the stresses of school? Improve your mental and physical health in mindfulness meditation sessions held on Saturdays at Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries. All levels of experience welcome and no registration required.
Year of Letters - Express yourself with handcrafted greeting cards and letters.
Chess - Do you have a passion for chess, want to improve your game, or learn from your peers? Look forward to joining us soon at Mitchell Park Library!

📅 View our Events page for more!

Volunteer Hours and Community Service

If you’re at least 13 years old, then you can blog for the library and earn volunteer hours by writing book reviews, creating music lists, or submitting personal photography!
Join us in person during TLAB meetings to discuss how we can improve the library for you or what upcoming library programs you’d like to see! As of August 2025, TLAB is currently on hold.
Volunteer for Friends of the Palo Alto Library. Learn more about the many jobs volunteers perform at FOPAL, plus their special benefits by visiting their website.
Visit the Teen Volunteering in Palo Alto page to view more opportunities!

Local Resources

Palo Alto Link Teen Service - Palo Alto Link offers free rides for teens, 13 to 18 years old, to specific Palo Alto destinations identified as supporting teen mental health.
Allcove - Support for young people ages 12 to 25 with mild to moderate needs in mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, family support, and more!
Project Safety Net - Project Safety Net (PSN) mobilizes community support and resources for youth suicide prevention and mental wellness. We are a coalition working on community education, outreach, and training; access to quality youth mental health services; and policy advocacy.
MakeX - MakeX is a free community makerspace in the Cubberly Community Center that offers access to cutting-edge digital tools, power tools, and building materials. Any age is welcome, however children under the age of 12 must come with a parent or guardian.
Mitchell Park Teen Center – A hub for middle and high school teens to connect and engage, with weekday hours during the school year.