SALISBURY — Teens participating in Rowan Public Library’s summer reading program, “Beneath the Surface,” are learning about underground cities and tunnels, exploring fossils and gems, and discovering places and things hidden beneath the surface.
Taking a slightly different angle on this theme, the following reading selections introduce teens who are operating underground in some manner. Spanning a variety of genres, all of these books feature teens who are beginning to question the status quo.
• “Matched” by Allyson Condie: All of her life, Cassia has never been given a choice about anything. The Society dictates everything: when and how to play, where to work, where to live, what to eat and wear, when to die, and most importantly to Cassia as she turns 17, whom to marry. When Xander appears on-screen at her matching ceremony, Cassia knows he must be her ideal mate — until another face appears for an instant before the screen fades to black.
• “The Loud Silence of Francine Green” by Karen Cushman: It’s 1949, and 13-year-old Francine Green lives in “the land of ‘Sit down, Francine’ and ‘Be quiet, Francine’ ” at All Saints School for Girls in Los Angeles. When she meets transfer student Sophie Bowman, she’s inspired for the first time to think for herself about issues in the news — the atomic bomb, peace, communism and blacklisting.
• “Little Brother” by Cory Doctorow: After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, 17-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right.
• “Legend” by Marie Lu: In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, two 15-year-olds, Day, a famous criminal, and June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover they have a common enemy.
• “Shadowfell” by Juliet Marillier: Fifteen-year-old Neryn must hide her magical ability in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has outlawed magic and ordered everyone with magical powers be captured. When she sets out for Shadowfell, a training ground for a rebel group, she meets a mysterious soldier and the fairylike Good Folk, who tell her that she alone can save Alban.
• “Delirium” by Lauren Oliver: Lena looks forward to receiving the government mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable and happy life. That is, until 95 days before her 18th birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.
You can unearth these and many other great books at Rowan Public Library this summer.
Summer movie series — Headquarters, Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (PG); July 23, “Calendar Girls” (PG-13); July 30, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
East branch, Mondays, 4 p.m.; Monday, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (PG); July 22, “Holes” (PG); July 29, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
South Regional, Wednesdays, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (PG); July 24, “Holes” (PG); July 31, “The Neverending Story” (PG).
Movies are free and all ages are welcome. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Movies run through Aug. 20. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Children’s summer reading program — Rowan Public Library’s “Dig Into Reading” weekly programs run through Aug. 1 for children ages 12 months to rising fifth-graders. Children can earn prizes by reading throughout the summer. Those who complete their Treasure Map can pick out a free book.
Tiny Treasures: 12- to 24-month-olds, each program lasts about 30 minutes and runs for four weeks. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East Branch, Mondays, 10 a.m.; South Branch, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Little Diggers: 2-year-olds, Each program lasts about 30 minutes and runs for four weeks. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Fossil Finders: 3- to 5-year-olds, each program lasts 30-45 minutes and runs for seven weeks. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.
Paleontologists: Rising first- through fifth-graders, programs last about 45 minutes and runs for seven weeks. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 2 p.m.; East, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Cleveland Town Hall, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
July 15-18: Dapper Dionne, stories by Justin Dionne.
July 22-25: Discovery Place Science Reach, A Matter of Science.
July 29-Aug. 1: Blue Moon Puppets, Pea Pickin’ Tales.
Beneath the Surface teen summer reading: Teens participate in the Beneath the Surface Summer Reading Program at RPL. Rising sixth- through 12th-graders will explore the underground through fun events, activities and reading.
All teen programs are through July 25 for sixth- through 12th-graders. Programs will be 3:30-5 p.m. at all locations: Tuesday, Headquarters; Wednesday, East; Thursday, South.
Each teen will receive a booklet to keep track of the library dollars they earn. Those dollars are then used to enter various raffles for prizes provided by the Friends of RPL and other local sponsors. Winners will be announced at the end-of-summer Masked Ball at South Branch on Aug. 1, 3:30-5 p.m.
Upcoming programs include:

Scratch the Surface: July 16-18. Scratch crafts and more.
Beneath Your Feet: July 24-26. Underground cities and tunnels.
For more information, check the library website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location — Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South, 704-216-7728; East, 704-216-7842.
Book Bites Club: South (only), July 30, 6:30 p.m., “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. Book discussion groups for adults and children meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information, please call 704-216-8229.
Displays for July: headquarters, Fiber Guild; South, water colors by Rowan Doll Society; East, photo display by Bonnie Cagle.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.