New picture books!

One of the most exciting things about working in a library is days when new books arrive! We received a shipment today, so I wanted to let you know about four of the new picture books we have here at the library.

Big Snow by Jonathan Bean
It’s that time of year where people young and old sit around, sick of the cold and ready for it to snow! In this book a young boy tries to help his mom with chores around the house but is so excited about the possibility of a snow storm that day, he has a hard time focusing. Who doesn’t remember the feeling of staring out the window waiting for the snow? It’s a delightful book with great illustrations, a perfect treat while waiting for snow to fall.

Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story by Hena Khan
This book is a fun way to chat with kids about different kinds of holidays. Although this book discusses the month of Ramadan which doesn’t occur until June 2014, it’s a good time of year to introduce traditions that other people celebrate to youngsters. This book has simple, informative text and beautiful illustrations.

Duck Sock Hop by Jane Kohuth
This book is all fun. It has bright silly illustrations and silly text that matches! It’s a fun read aloud book with its easy to read rhyming phrases. This book will have you giggling until your own socks fall off!

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter, MA CCC-SLP
This book tells the story of Sam, a young boy with Asperger Syndrome. When the book

begins, Sam is undiagnosed but throughout the book we get to see how Sam is different and are eventually introduced to Asperber Syndrome. This is a great book for anyone to read—and a wonderful way to introduce kids to this subject. The illustrations are beautiful and text is not too challenging, a good book to read and discuss together. 

Posted by Meredith, our intern.

Winter Books Already!?

It sure is feeling like winter outside and winter is such a great time to snuggle up inside with a good book. We have some fabulous winter non-fiction books here at the library—everything from folk tales, to poems, to winter crafts and games. The non-fiction section is always a great stop for fun relaxed learning and “cold-day-stuck-inside” ideas. Here are just a few of the titles we have:

Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur
This is a beautiful book that goes through the alphabet with acrostic poems. Each poem describes a different wintertime theme or occurrence. The poems are short and the illustrations are beautiful. This would be a great book for younger and older children to read together—young kids will appreciate the alphabet and older kids will likely get a kick out of the fun acrostic poems.

Rabbit’s Snow Dance by James & Joseph BruchacHave you ever wondered why rabbit runs

so fast and has a short fluffy tail? Search no more! In Rabbit’s Snow Dance, a traditional Iroquois story, you can learn both! Plus, it never hurts to read a story that highlights the importance of patience and listening to your friends.

Winter Day Play! by Nancy F. Castaldo
This is a book full of activities, crafts, and games to enjoy indoors and out! There are tons of ideas in here to make any snowed-in day lots of fun.

Under the Snow by Melissa Stewart
This is a beautiful book about what animals in nature are doing in the winter while we’re all out playing in the snow.  It is wonderfully illustrated and shows lots of animals from ladybugs napping in rock walls to wood frogs frozen solid in scattered leaves on the forest floor. This would be a great book to read before a hike in the woods on a snowy day.


I hope you head to the library and check out some of the great non-fiction (and fiction!) winter books! There’s lots of choose from and winter is the perfect time to stalk up, snuggle in, and read.


Posted by Meredith, Library Intern

Dorrie the little witch

We’re doing some weeding here at the library and are stumbling across some really great, seemingly forgotten books.

It’s well known that kids love books that are part of a series—that way you don’t have to leave the characters you know and love; you just get to know them better!

One character worth getting to know is Dorrie the little witch. We have a bunch of Dorrie books, written by Patricia Coombs.

These books would be great as a read aloud book for youngsters making the transition from picture books to chapter or early reader books. There are beautiful, fun and lively illustrations that document Dorrie and her cat Gink in all of her adventures living in Glumglen with all the other witches.  Dorrie has adventures that range from getting turned into a frog to “teaching herself” how to fly to troubles with a mysterious houseguest to more! There is lots of fun to be had when you’re a little witch whose hat is always crooked and socks never match.

Just because Halloween is over doesn’t mean it’s time to give up on witches, ghosts and ghouls! They’re fun all year long.

Pick up a Dorrie book today and enjoy getting to know this spunky little witch.

Posted by Meredith, Library intern

Celebrate the Sox with some good books!

It’s no secret that the Red Sox won the World Series, why not celebrate by picking up some great Red Sox books at the library? We have several that cover different topics related to the Sox: famous players, kids’ experiences at games, and even a Fenway  alphabet! Here are a few of the titles:

There goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived 
By Matt Tavares
This is a biography of legendary hitter Ted Williams. It has large beautiful full page pictures and is easy to read aloud or independently. Plus, Matt Tavares is a local author/illustrator living in Ogunquit, Maine—so that doubles the fun!

Zachary’s Ball 
By Matt Tavares
This is a picture book about a child’s experience at a baseball game and even involves a magic baseball! It’s sure to be a hit with any young (or not as young!) baseball enthusiasts in your household. 

Ballpark Mysteries: The Fenway Foul-Up
By David A. Kelly, Illustrated by Mark Meyers

This is a short chapter book for baseball fans. It is the first in a series of ballpark mysteries—each taking place at a different famous stadium. This is a great mystery for younger readers and has illustrations scattered throughout the story. 

F is for Fenway Park: America’s oldest major league ballpark
By Jerry Pallotta, Illustrated by John Dykes

Explore Fenway Park with your young readers with this alphabet book! It has rhyming poems and information on topics that range from the green monster to Kenmore Square! What better way to meet baseball in Boston? 

I hope baseball fans of all ages will enjoy these titles and come check them out at the library! 

Posted by Meredith
Library Intern

ABC at the Library

The selection of alphabet books available has really changed since I was young. I remember alphabet books with simple illustrations and one or two words about a subject—“A is for Apple” “B is for Bumblebee.”  We have a great collection of creative and exciting alphabet books that explore the topic from a variety of angles.

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray

This books follows a cute puppy’s plot to devour a delicious and freshly made apple pie. The illustrations and words are simple and great for young readers or as a read aloud book. What’s more appropriate for the season than apple pie? Yum.

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham

This book is a hoot. We begin the story with Zebra trying to keep all animals and objects in line to be photographed for his alphabet book. Everything is going great through letter “C” and then Moose comes along. Moose is so excited to be in an alphabet book that he shows up in the strangest of places and causes quite a ruckus. This is a quick and very funny read with a wonderful twist at the end.

D is for Dancing Dragon: A China Alphabet by Carol Crane (Non-Fiction)

This is a great alphabet book for older readers. It explores China through the alphabet and has both short rhyming text that accompanies the beautiful pictures and longer paragraphs that discuss the topics in more depth.  This could easily function as a resource for a paper or project about China for school.

A is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet by Stephen T. Johnson (Non-Fiction)

This is also an alphabet book that could draw in older readers. It shows abstract art images and then has crazy –rhyming- tongue-twisting text to go along with each. This would be a lot of fun to read aloud and see
who could conquer the word aerobics present on each page. This book could also function as a “Look and Find” book, an example would be—“on the B page, find the broken bowl.” Most pages lend themselves well to this and some “Look and Find” challenges are even written into the text.


So before you dismiss alphabet books or think they are just for very young readers—come see all the alphabet books available here at the library, you might be surprised! 







Posted by Meredith, Library Intern

If you loved Ivy & Bean, try these...

Moving from beginning readers into longer chapter books is exciting, but finding books that appeal to your child, especially boys, without overwhelming them can be a challenge. Then you find books your child LOVES, but that author just doesn’t keep up with your child’s voracious reading appetite. I’m thinking about the Ivy & Bean series. One can read ten books pretty quickly. Fortunately, we can introduce some equally engaging stories. Unfortunately, they are written for girls, not boys. I don’t understand why publishers seem to think girls read more than boys.

Anyway, if you like Ivy & Bean, then try the following series.

Ling & Ting by Grace Lin. Ling & Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same. In each book, the sisters prove they are different. Enjoy Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same and Ling & Ting Share a Birthday.

British author Hilary McKay has created an endearing character in Lulu. A lover of animals, each of the titles – three so far – finds Lulu helping either a duck, dog, or cat find a new home. The black & white illustrations intersperse throughout the book make it a winner for those reading longer stories.

New to our shelves is the series about Heidi Heckelbeck written by Wanda Coven. Heidi has been homeschooled, but goes to public school in second grade. Each book in the series – eight so far – addresses a particular problem that will resonate with young readers. For example, in book one, Heidi Heckelbeck has a Secret; Heidi must learn how to deal with bully, Melanie Maplethorpe.

We have plenty of other suggestions to keep your child interested in
reading.

Some of my favorite stories

Robert Bright was inspired to write his Georgie the Ghost series after he caught his children peering under their bed looking for a ghost. Considered a classic, the stories follow the adventures of Georgie, a friendly ghost who lives with the Whittakers.

We have several different variations of the traditional tale about the Teeny Tiny Woman who discovers a bone while walking outside. Placing it in her cupboard, she is awakened in the night by a voice demanding, “Where Is my bone!”  Try the Teeny Tiny Woman by Arthur Robins.
 
Prolific author, Tony Johnston pens another of my all-time favorite ghost stories, The

Ghost of Nicholas Greebe. Set in Colonial Massachusettes, the ghost of the recently-buried Nicholas Greebe haunts his farm after a dog takes one of his bones on a long journey that spans almost 100 years.

In The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg the origins of a stranger seem to have a mysterious connection to the weather. A good book to share for those who love to pore over illustrations.

And no list would be complete without a Henry and Mudge story. Here, in Henry and Mudge and the Yellow Moon by Cynthia Rylant, Henry and his dog Mudge watch the leaves turn, meet with some Halloween spooks, and share Thanksgiving dinner.

Happy Reading.
Mrs. C

Have you tried the author Claudia Mills?

Claudia Mills has been a prolific author for many years. One of my favorite is the Gus and Grandpa series for emergent readers. Friendships are important to children and here we read about the close relationship between seven-year-old Gus and his seventy-year-old Grandpa. Grounded in real life, Gus and Grandpa have many exciting adventures.

In her chapter books for students in grades 3 and up, Mills tackles some all-too-true dilemmas children face.

Dealing with overprotective parents is the topic in How Oliver Olson Changed the World. Afraid he will always be an outsider like ex-planet Pluto, nine-year-old Oliver finally shows his extremely overprotective parents that he is capable of doing great things without their help while his class is studying the solar system.

Kelsey Green Reading Queen shows the darker side to those with a competitive nature. When the principal of her school says he will shave off his beard if students read over 2,000 books in a month, Kelsey Green is determined to read the most books, thus getting her name on a plaque. In order to meet that goal, Kelsey reads very short books, not the longer ones she usually enjoys. Of course, by the end of the book Kelsey discovers what’s important: that reading for fun is a lot better than reading for a competition.

And, in her latest, Zero Tolerance, Mills places seventh grade honor student Sierra Shepard in a difficult situation. Sierra comes up against her school’s zero-tolerance policy after she accidentally brings a paring knife to school. While spending her days in detention with the so-called troublemakers, Sierra learns that the lines between right and wrong can be very blurry.

I have a few more books by Mills that are favorites. Stop in and ask me what they are.
   

Teaching children about 9/11

Wednesday, September 11 marked the 12th anniversary of 9/11.  Many of the students who frequent our Library, those in middle school, were too young to remember the actual day. They were shown a movie as part of a class and afterwards many told us they were “freaked out!”  One 7th grader said that the movie was too upsetting and she didn’t like having those horrible scenes replaying in her mind. “I just know I’m going to have nightmares like forever.”

While it is important for our children to learn about historic events that shaped us, maybe the best way to introduce something like 9/11, something of that magnitude, would be best shared using a book.

The best book for children grades 3 and up is

America is Under Attack: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown.
The narration moves chronologically through the morning: from the plane hijackings to the crashes at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania; from the rescue operations to the collapse of the buildings. What I love most about this book is that instead of using actual photos, the book is populated with Brown’s vivid watercolor illustrations which capture the emotions of that day, allowing children to absorb the information from a safe distance. We want our children to grow up happy and eager to face their world, not the opposite.

Other great books that show the healing side of the event include:

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah
    “A young man studying in the United States when the World Trade Center attacks occurred, returns to his homeland of Kenya and after relating the story to the Maasai of his village they present a gift to the American diplomat from Nairobi for the grieving American people.”
 

Fireboat: the heroic adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman.
“A fireboat, launched in 1931, is retired after many years of fighting fires along the Hudson River, but is saved from being scrapped and then called into service again on September 11, 2001.”




 


The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
“This 2004 Caldecott Medal winner is a lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.”

Children are growing up too fast, being fed books and movies where the subject matter is far beyond their emotional development. Treat them like the children they are and slowly introduce these topics in a gentle, loving way. 



Click here to read another point of view on sharing 9/11 with children.

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt

It certainly has been a very busy week in Youth Services. While putting away the summer stuff and making new displays for back-to-school, we’ve had four classes from the Middle School visit for a tour and book talks, Connie’s Bookworms Book Club met for the first time Wednesday, and Lauren and I are planning our first Teen Advisory Meeting of the year (it meets next week Tuesday). Add to that the children, over the age of 10, who come to the Library after school. I tell you, "the joint is jumpin'."

Yet, with all the activity, I still found time to read a book!

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt.
Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn is worried. He’ll do anything to save the swamp he loves, Bayou Touterelle, from being developed into a theme park. (Complete with a female world-class alligator wrestler, Jaeger Stitch). Read how Chap, two raccoons, and the ancient Sugar Man save their swamp. Add to the plot the search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, the Lord God Bird. If Chap could prove the thought-to-be-extinct bird still inhabits the swamp, he knows he could save Bayou Torterelle. Told from multiple voices, this wild romp begins slowly, but picks up speeds as it races towards the final conclusion.






Appelt is the author of numerous books, including The Underneath, a 2009 Newbery Honor book.

Pair The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp with The Race to Save the Lord God Bird by Portland, Maine writer, Phillip Hoose.

Go here to listen to an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.

Welcome back! It was a busy summer.

We had an incredible summer in the Youth Services Department. Over 700 children signed up for summer reading. We had over 1000 children attending our summer programs and helped over 700 children find a great book to read. Busy, busy. 

Now it is back-to-school time. As many of you know, the Library is the preferred hangout for afterschool. We strive to be a safe and welcoming environment, but because we are a public library, meaning people of all ages use us all day long, the heavy influx of students between 2:30 and 4:00 pm often far exceeds available seating space. 

Also be mindful of the fact that we have a policy that states children under the age of 10 are not allowed to be in the Library without an adult. Please, click here, and take a few minutes to read our afterschool expectations. Thank you.

THERE WAS A LOT OF READING GOING ON IN SCARBOROUGH, MAINE THIS SUMMER!

Today is the first day since June 17, when our Summer Reading Program began, that the children's room has been quiet. It was a wild and busy summer. We had a total of 712 children sign up (including those in middle school). 300 turn in their Reading Logs. Twenty teens attended their finale held on Wednesday, August 7, and over 500 came to the End of Summer Reading Ice Cream Party on August 14. The Friends of the Scarborough Library generously funded our summer program and events, plus they also scooped ice cream.  The Youth Services staff thanks everyone who made our summer crazy busy. It sure was fun, but it is nice to have some quiet time to put the summer things away and ready the room for the school year.

George Washington's Teeth!

What do you do when you wake up in the morning, looking for fun?
Do you brush your teeth, ch ch ch ch, ch ch ch ch
(You brush your teeth – sung by Raffi)

Did you know our first president, George Washington suffered all his life with problems with his teeth and worked hard to save them?  Deborah Chandra & Madeleine Comora, in George Washington’s Teeth tells what really happened to George and his teeth. Hilarious, and fully illustrated by Brock Cole,  history buffs, or those who find teeth brushing a bore, will find much to enjoy in this delightful romp about the father of our nation.

Pair this book with The Many Faces of George Washington: remaking a presidential icon by Carla Killough McClafferty. Though the content and language is far above the reading level of George Washington’s Teeth, the reason for selecting The Many Faces of George Washington are for the full color photographs that suggest what Washington might have looked like during various stages of his life because of the problems he had with his teeth.

In George Washington Plants a Nation by Peggy Thomas; Painting by Layne Johnson, using diaries and letters about Washington’s efforts to create a self-sufficient farm at Mount Vernon mirrored his struggle to create a free nation.

See you soon!

Spotlight on a new book!

Bridges and Tunnels: Investigating Feats of Engineering
By Donna Latham; Illustrated by Jen Vaughn

Have you ever driven across a long bridge or driven through a dark tunnel and wondered how they were built? New to our shelves, Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate Feats of Engineering explores the innovation and physical science behind structures our world depends on. The book includes trivia and fun facts illustrating engineering ingenuity and achievements, activities and projects to learn more about the engineering process and to embrace trial and error.

Pair Bridges and Tunnels with other books about bridges: Bridges! Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test by Carol A. Johmann and Elizabeth Rieth, The Brooklyn Bridge: a Wonders of World Book by Elizabeth Mann, Bridges Are to Cross by Philemon Sturges. For more in-depth information about this topic, watch the movies Bridges and Tunnels, both based on the books by award-winning author David Macaulay.

A NEW INFORMATIONAL BOOK: ERUPTION! by Elizabeth Rusch

A new informational book has arrived at the Scarborough Public Library. It is Eruption! : Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives by Elizabeth Rusch. It is an amazing science book that traces the development and work of the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP).

Share this book with your children. It reads easily and is packed with breath-taking photographs and is a very suspenseful read. Then, afterwards, go here to read Rusch talk about How Research Made me Throw Up on the blog I.N.K. : Interesting Nonfiction for Kids.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FROGS, SNAKES, AND SHARKS!

Do you have someone at home who loves FROGS and SNAKES and SHARKS?
   
If so, you’ll want to check out Everything You Need to Know about Frogs and Other Slippery Creatures (DK. 2011), Everything You Need to Know about Snakes and Other Scaly Reptiles (DK. 2013), and Everything You Need to Know about Sharks and Other Creatures of the Deep (DK.2012).

Learn about the lives and times of these animals from all angles.

A fascinating read, the books are packed with information on habitats, breeding habits, as well as oddities, shocking facts and anatomy, this information is presented through close ups color photos and diagrams, quizzes, games, engaging text and innovative, high quality design, making it perfect for in depth research or a quick dip for fast facts.

Perfect for summer reading.

BOOKS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER

Summer got off to a slow start because of all the cool temperatures and rain. My! There sure was a lot of rain. With water levels high right now, lakes and ponds are interesting habitats to investigate.

To prepare for your adventure, let me suggest some great summer stories that are perfect for all ages.

Summer Story by Jill Barklem. This small-sized picture book is reminiscent of Beatrix Potter, where animals live along Brambly Hedge and enjoy many adventures.

Summer is Summer by Phillis and David Gershator. "Colorful illustrations and rhyming text present a celebration of summer from a child's perspective."

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming. The introduction to the season takes on a fresh approach. Fleming adds colorful illustrations, done by pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils, with the bouncing, rhyming text that never tires with repeated readings.

Learn about the seasons with Pond Year by Kathryn Lasky. “Two young girls enjoy playing and exploring in the nearby pond where they discover tadpoles, insects, wildflowers in the summer, and a place to ice skate in the winter.”

Nature writer, Jim Arnosky, in Beaver Pond, Moose Pond, explains how one beaver dam can turn a whole meadow into a watery home for all kinds of animals.

Pond Walk by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace. "One summer day, Buddy and his mother take a walk around a pond and observe the animals and insects that live there."

We have many other great books celebrating summer and ponds on display in the Youth Services area. Stop in and we will be happy to introduce you to other terrific reads.

HOW TO STOP THE SUMMER SLIDE

I’m sure, as you surf the Internet you will stumble upon articles, all written by experts, telling you how to prevent the summer slide. Educators explain how students who do not read anything all summer long loose important reading skills, causing them to struggle upon returning to school in the fall.

How do you stop the slide? Simple...Read.

Barbara Merritt, K-8 Resource Librarian at the Scarborough School Department sent home a letter to parents detailing how to stop the slide.

1.    Sign your child up for a free Scarborough Public Library card.
2.    Join the Scarborough Public Library’s Summer Reading Program

It is that simple. We have lots and lots of books on our shelves waiting for your family to check out. Why buy books when you can get them for free? And, when you visit the Library the Youth Services staff can aid you in selecting the best books for your child(ren). We are trained and well-read. If you prefer ebooks, go here for an explanation on how to find them.

LET THEM READ WHAT THEY LOVE
Let your child read whatever they want. Summer reading is supposed to be fun. Some children go back and re-read childhood favorites. For some it could be the Piggy and Elephant series by Mo Willems; for other’s it could be re-reading all the Harry Potter books. Whatever your child selects, it does build their reading skills. What are some of your child’s favorite reads?

REMEMBER
For all students who complete the summer reading program – by turning in their reading logs by August 10 – they will be invited to the Grande Finale where they will get a free book AND, at school in the fall, will be honored with a special celebration with their teachers and/or school librarians. Pretty cool!

Enjoy!

7th Grade Reading List -- Choice

This summer, 7th graders have been assigned to read two books. One is a book of their choice. That means they can read anything they want. Anything! Maybe it’s the new Sarah Dessen book, The Moon and More or the next installment in the Theodore Boone series written by John Grisham.

The other book must have the theme: CHOICE. Confused? Most of the parents and soon-to-be 7th graders we’ve helped in the last few days are very confused. Students are taught early about the different genres:  fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, science fiction, and humor, but selecting a book based on its theme is a bit more challenging.  We don’t have a sticker to put on the spine that identifies the theme.
But, never fear! Your librarians at the public library can help.

The theme CHOICE is when the main character is forced to make a decision -- a choice -- that will change him in some way.

Let’s look at Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers. Set in 1967 during the Vietnam War, seventeen-year-old Richie Perry is uncertain about his future, so he chooses to enlist in

the Army. Richie has some unrealistic ideas about war which are challenged when he witnesses firsthand the brutality and senseless loss of life during his year-long stay in Vietnam. Richie made a choice to enlist and throughout the book he must deal with his decision and we, the reader, sees how it will forever change him.

Other books would be:
Peeled by Joan Bauer. In an upstate New York farming community, high school reporter Hildy Biddle investigates a series of strange occurrences at a house rumored to be haunted. But when the school principal forces the newspaper to suspend operation, Hildy and the other student reports find a way to publish the truth.

Hanging on to Max by Margaret Bechard. “When his girlfriend decides to give their baby away, seventeen-year-old Sam is determined to keep him and raise him alone.”

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. “In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses.”

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larsen. After inheriting her uncle's homesteading claim in Montana, sixteen-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks travels from Iowa in 1917 to make a home for herself and encounters some unexpected problems related to the war being fought in Europe.The Library is very happy to recommend other books where the character, faced with a tough decision, must make a life-changing choice.

DIG INTO READING - SUMMER 2013

Dig Into Reading is our theme for the 2013 Summer Reading Program, which is generously funded by the Friends of the Scarborough Library. You can sign up at the Library or online. The deadline for registering is July 20. The Scarborough Public Library believes that children experience enough pressure throughout the school year, so our summer reading program is designed to be easy and fun.  All participants who turn in their reading logs by August 10, regardless of how many books or time spent reading will receive a FREE BOOK. We want to be sure your children stays motivated and avoid the Summer Slide. 

We have a reading program for children of all ages. Check out our Teen page for more information on our Teen Summer Reading Program.

HOW OUR PROGRAM WORKS

After signing up, we hand your child a reading log. Inside readers keep track of all the books they read on their own or books read to them.  We even accept audio books or if participants read to others, such as younger siblings, cousins, or as a mother’s helper.  Use library books or your own books, it makes no difference to us. We just want to be sure children are reading.

THE WALL OF FAME

Each time you visit the Library, bring the reading log. The Youth Services staff will stamp and give out stickers to place in the log. Then, participants will get another sticker to place on the WALL OF FAME. It’s a different color for every week! Stickers for THE WALL OF FAME are for visits to the Library, not to reward any quantity of books read. 

HOW DO WE FINISH?

Finishing is easy! Just turn in your child’s reading log by August 10. That’s it! By turning in the logs, children will then be able to attend THE GRANDE FINALE at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14. At the party, we return reading logs, pass out certificates, and then children can select a FREE BOOK. (There are lots to choose from!) 

         OPTIONAL FUN – THE TREASURE MAP

In your child’s reading log there is a Treasure Map. Each square is a suggestion for a type of book or activity to introduce the variety of books found in the public library. For example, “Sample a Cookbook” encourages children to check out a cookbook and try a recipe. Other suggestions include, “Learn about Mummies,” “Read a Fairy Tale,” or “Read an Award Winning Book.” Start anywhere. Pick and choose squares or move sequentially.  Children who finish 12 squares will have their picture taken in front of the WALL OF FAME and the Library will make them a badge or refrigerator magnet.

AND DON’T FORGET THE TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Back by popular demand are some Trivia Questions.  This year we’ve given tips for searching in our online OPAC.

HOW TO I GET MY NAME ON A BOOKPLATE?

Children who finish 12 squares AND answer correctly the Trivia Questions will have their name placed on a bookplate that will be placed in a new library book. If you gave us your email at the time of registration, we will notify you of the author and title of the book the bookplate will be placed in.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS…

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding how the summer reading program works. Email: Kids(at)scarborough(dot)lib(d0t)me(dot)us or phone: 883-4723 ext 6277. We try and make it as simple as possible, but we want to be sure no one feels left out.  

ONE MORE TIME

1. Write down in the reading log the books your child reads on their own or is read to them throughout the summer.

2. With each visit to the Library, we will stamp and sticker their logs and give them another sticker to place on the WALL OF FAME.

3. To get a FREE BOOK, turn in reading logs by August 10. The Grand Finale will be held at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14. 

4. The Treasure Map and Trivia questions are optional. They are ways to keep things interesting.

See you all @ the LIBRARY!

Wanted: Book Donations For Upcoming Sale

The Friends of the Library are requesting book donations for their Annual Book Sale, June 21-23, 2013. Proceeds from the Book Sale are an important means of support for Library programs and collections. Please do not include textbooks, condensed books, or magazines, but all other gently used books will be gratefully accepted. Place your books in bags or boxes and leave them in the lobby of the Library during business hours. Note that the Library opens at 10 am Monday thru Saturday and 1 pm on Sunday. If you
have a large load and need assistance, please contact Donna Snyder at dlscpa@maine.rr.com. Proceeds from the Book Sale support the Library. For more information about the Friends and Friends activities, visit http://www.scarboroughcrossroads.org/libraryfriends/

One of the things the Friends of the Scarborough Library support is our summer reading program. From the Kick Off performer, weekly incentives and programs to our Ice Cream Party Finale, the Friends make it all possible and we are grateful.

Speaking of the summer reading, the program begins the minute school is out on June 17. We will start signing up the week of June 10th. Our theme this year is Dig Into Reading.

More information to come…

Timothy Tunny Swallowed a Bunny by Bill Grossman

Timothy Tunny
Swallowed a bunny.
The bunny got stuck in his throat.
“That bunny looks funny,”
His mom said, “but Honey,
Be thankful it isn’t a goat.”

And so begins this hilarious collection of verses by Bill Grossman. The eighteen poems are about people caught in unusual situations and are accompanied by an illustration by Maine artist Kevin Hawkes.

Hannibal
“Good morning,” said Hannibal,
Greeting the cannibal.
“I’m Hannibal. How do you do.”
“At the moment you’re Hannibal,”
Responded the cannibal,
“But soon we’ll be calling you Stew.”

My favorite is Poor Dad. A witch has imprisoned poor Dad in a bottle of pop. The children can’t free Dad, “and were sad when we had/To return him for the nickel deposit.”

Each verse has a tongue-in-cheek twist that will have families roaring out loud with laughter.

Celebrate National Poetry Month by reading Grossman’s other book,  My Little Sister Ate One Hare, also illustrated by Hawkes and is equally entertaining.

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Library will be closed on Monday, April 15 to celebrate Patriot’s Day. For families with children in school, Patriot’s Day marks the beginning of spring school vacation week, and for some the Boston Maraton, but actually Patriot's Day commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. (What year did those battles take place?) 

History is exciting to share with your children. To learn more, start off your reading with:

Let It Begin Here! Lexington & Concord : First Battles of the American Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin.

Listen, my children, and you shall hear/Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, is the opening line of the exciting poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It recounts the danterous ride Rever made to from town to farm to sound the alarm that The British are coming! We have several copies illustrated by different artists in our collection.

The American Revolution for Kids by Janis Herbert has 21 activities to make learning fun and memoriable.

And, if your family still is interested in learning more about America, read The American Story: 100 true tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong.

If you have teens, grades 8 and up, who love historical fiction, a really great book to offer them is Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War. Isabel and her friend Cruzon's story continues in Forge. Separated from his friend Isabel after their daring escape from slavery, fifteen-year-old Curzon serves as a free man in the Continental Army at Valley Forge until he and Isabel are thrown together again, as slaves once more.

Stop in to the Library during vacation week for books, movies, music CD’s, and more.

The 2013 Maine Student Book Award Winner is...

 

Lost Trail: Nine Days Alone in the Wilderness

by Donn Fendler

with Lynn Plourde; Illustrations by Ben Bishop 

2nd Place

The Unwanteds

by Lisa McMann

3rd Place

Sidekicks

Dan Santat 

Go to the the MSBA site to see the complete ranking list.

Congratulations to all students who read from the MSBA list all year and voted!

Click here to see the 2013-14 list.

April 2, 2013 is International Children's Book Day

Tuesday, April 2 is International Children’s Book Day. It recognizes books originally published outside the United States and now available from U. S. publishers. Here are some favorites from the past. Joan Aiken (Wolves of Willougby Chase), Anthony Browne (Gorilla), Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo), Anne Fine (Mrs. Doubtfire), Kenneth Grahame (Wind in the Willows), C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), A. A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh), Michael Morpurgo (War Horse), Philppa Pearce (Tom’s Midnight Garden), Rosemary Sutcliff (The Eagle of the Ninth), P. L. Travers (Mary Poppins) and so many other’s it is difficult to list. You must be familiar with these contemporary authors such as Eva Ibbotson,(Secret of Platform 13),  Phillip Pullman (The Golden Compass), Hilary McKay(Saffy’s Angel) and…. J.K Rowling!

Here are some titles from 2012 separated by reading level that are available at the Scarborough Public Library.

Kindergarten – Grade 2

COAT, Janik. Hippopposites. illus. by author. France.
Each spread introduces both predictable and surprising contrasting concepts with a hint of humor as a hippo is the focus; an unexpected tactile experience is also added. Bold colors and shapes bring fresh thinking about the world of opposites.

DAVIES, Nicola. Just Ducks! illus. by Salvatore Rubbino. UK.
“Quack-quuuack” begins this story of a young girl’s daylong observations of mallard ducks–with information points about them juxtaposed throughout fluid mixed-media illustrations–until she imagines the next morning’s cacophony of quacking.

GRAHAM, Bob. A Bus Called Heaven. illus. by author. Australia.
Young Stella discovers an abandoned bus with a sign that says “Heaven” and with the help of neighbors transforms it into a vibrant community center. Droll watercolor and ink illustrations enlarge the celebration of diversity and neighborliness.

KRISHNASWAMI, Uma. Out of the Way! Out of the Way! illus. by Uma Krishnaswamy. India.
The lively text chronicles the changes over the years as a village path becomes a busy city road. In the middle of the path a tiny sapling grows into a giant tree that nurtures the people who gather under it. The colorful folk art captures the diversity of life in India.

MACLEAR, Kyo. Virginia Wolf. illus. by Isabelle Arsenault. Canada.
When Virginia is feeling particularly glum and wolfish, her sister Vanessa resorts to painting the imaginative garden Virginia describes as Bloomsberry. Digitally assembled art conveys the emotional swings and love the girls feel toward each other; loosely inspired by the lives of writer Virginia Woolf and her sister, Vanessa Bell.

ROGERS, Gregory. The Hero of Little Street. illus. by author. Australia.
A young boy dodges some bullies by entering the National Art Gallery. When a dog escapes from inside a van Eyck painting, the boy follows the pup into the 17th century through another canvas. Their adventure is told in lively, wordless cartoon style.

SIF, Birgitta. Oliver. illus. by author. UK.
Oliver, a bespectacled loner, is happy playing alone or with his puppets. Quirky illustrations in muted browns and greens, with a mouse and future buddy, Olivia, hidden in most spreads, invite multiple readings.

Grades 3 – 5

HARTNETT, Sonya. Sadie and Ratz. illus. by Ann James. Australia.
Young Hannah calls one of her hands Sadie and the other Ratz. Brief chapters and black line drawings reveal Hannah and her hands’ mischief, especially when they behave badly with her brother. The unexpected conclusion is humorous and satisfying.

IBBOTSON, Eva. One Dog and His Boy.  UK.
In this riveting survival adventure, a boy, his beloved dog, and an endearing cast of homeless animals journey across England to find safe homes. The exciting tale is full of slapstick humor, hair-raising chases, and a satisfying conclusion.

MCKAY, Hilary. Lulu and the Duck in the Park. illus. by Priscilla Lamont. UK.
Lulu sneaks an abandoned duck egg into class knowing her teacher has a strict rule against animals. When the egg begins to hatch, Lulu worries about the consequences. This is a gentle school story generously illustrated, adding to the drama and humor.

MORPURGO, Michael. Shadow. UK.
A man and his mother escape the Taliban in Afghanistan and seek asylum in England but are arrested. While awaiting deportation, Aman’s friend Matt, Matt’s grandfather, and a courageous spaniel, Shadow, work together to rescue them. This story provides hope for civilians entangled in the complexities and horrors of war.

VOAKE, Steve. Hooey Higgins and the Shark. illus. by Emma Dodson. UK.
What better way to earn money than to capture a shark using ketchup. Or display the world’s biggest sea urchin masquerading as a World War II mine. Hilarious happenings augmented with exaggerated drawings seem to be the realm of Hooey and his best friend, Twig.

Grades 6–8

DOYLE, Roddy. Greyhound of a Girl. UK.
This unusual ghost story involves four generations of women in one family who come together to take a dramatic midnight journey into their past. The distinctive writing with its lilt of Irish dialogue lends authenticity to this haunting family story.

ELLIS, Deborah. My Name Is Parvana. Canada.
In the last book from “The Breadwinner” series, Parvana, now 15, is helping in a school for girls in Afghanistan. Her fate is revealed as she is imprisoned and interrogated at a Coalition military base. This compelling story provides insight into personal loss during conflicts.

Grades 9–12

WEIN, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. UK.
War and espionage, friendship and loyalty are explored in this story of Julie, fighting for her life after being captured by the Nazis, and Maddie, trying to find and save her. Their final meeting tests the verisimilitude and depth of trust and loyalty and love.

Meet Violet Mackerel

Have you met Violet Mackerel ?

First published in Australia and now released in the US, readers will love these stories written by Anna Brandford about an appealing girl and her mission to think outside the box.

Violet lives with her family, her mother, big brother, Dylan, and big sister, Nicola. In Violet Mackerel’s Remarkable Recovery, six-year-old Violet looks on the positive side of things when she learns her tonsils need to be removed. She hopes the experience will bring her a new friend and the change in her voice will make her an extraordinary opera singer.

When she sees a blue china bird that costs ten dollars at the Saturday market, seven-year-old Violet tries to figure out how she can earn the money to buy it. In the end, by thinking outside the box, Violet comes up with a clever plan for getting it. Read, Violet Mackerel and the Brilliant Plot.

If you have enjoyed the stories of Ivy & Bean (Annie Barrows) and Clementine (Sara Pennypacker) then you will definitely want to check out Violet Mackerel.  The humorous, thoroughly engaging text is well-written and accompanied by simple black and white sketches that complement the story.

There are two books available now, with more on the way.

NEW MAINE STUDENT BOOK AWARD LIST

It's out! The Maine Student Book Award Committee (MSBA) has published their 2013-2014 list of books. Students will begin reading from this list after April. The titles in red mean they are available to read through out Cloud Library, which means they are available anytime, anyplace.

2013-2014 Reading List (2012 copyright)

Aguirre, Jorge. Giants Beware!
Airgood, Ellen. Prairie Evers.
Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan.
Bauer, Marion Dane. Little Dog, Lost.
Beck, W. H. Malcolm at Midnight.
Bell, Juliet. Kepler’s Dream.
Cerullo, Mary M. Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster.
Coville, Bruce. Always October.
Evans, Lissa. Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery & A Very Strange Adventure.
Fearing, Mark. Earthling!
Fforde, Jasper. The Last Dragonslayer.
Fleming, Candace. On the Day I Died.
Healy, Christopher. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.
Hearst, Michael. Unusual Creatures: A Mostly Accurate Account of Some of Earth’s Strangest Animals.
Hunt, Lynda. One for the Murphys.
Kelly, Lynne. Chained.
Key, Watt. Fourmile.
Korman, Gordon. Ungifted.
Kraatz, Jeramey. The Cloak Society.
Lacey, Josh. Island of Thieves.
Levine, Kristin. The Lions of Little Rock.
Lewis, J. Patrick, ed. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry.
Lin, Grace. Starry River of the Sky. .
Messner, Kate. Capture the Flag.
Meyer, Marissa. Cinder.
Nielsen, Jennifer A. The False Prince.
Palacio, R.J. Wonder.
Pennypacker, Sara. Summer of the Gypsy Moths.
Poblocki, Dan. The Ghost of Graylock.
Preus, Margi. Shadow on the Mountain.
Ritter, John H. Fenway Fever.
Rodkey, Geoff. Deadweather and Sunrise.
Rusch, Elizabeth. The Mighty Mars Rovers: the Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity.
Schlitz, Laura Amy. Splendors and Glooms.
Sheinkin, Steve. Bomb: The Race to Build -- and Steal -- the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.
Stead, Rebecca. Liar & Spy.
TenNapel, Doug. Cardboard.
Thomson, Jamie. Dark Lord: The Early Years.
Voorhoeve, Anne C. My Family for the War.

The Tripods Trilogy

Long before The Hunger Games, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and even The Giver by Lois Lowry, there was The Tripods Trilogy. Written by British author John Christopher (1922-2012) during the middle 1960’s, the series was a gateway for children into science fiction. The titles in the series are: The White Mountains, City of Gold and Lead, and Pool of Fire.

In the series, Christopher depicts a world, low-tech and almost medieval in nature, suffering under the control of aliens who can only survive Earth's inimical atmosphere by moving around in deadly tripodal machines. In this world, children, at age 14, are fitted with a mind-controlling cap that keeps them, and all the adults, docile.  Weeks before he is to be capped, Will Parker and his cousin Luke secretly run away to join a band of uncapped people far off in the Alps. The book follows Will and a group of uncapped adolescents as they bravely confront the menace of the Tripods. In the end, the results they achieve are not entirely what they expected.

I do recommend this series to students who like the dystopian genre.  The writing is engaging, and the story has a depth not often found in newer titles. The only disappointing aspect of this series is the absence of strong female characters. It is all about boys coming to the rescue. There is no Katnis Everdeen at their side. Yet, I believe the quality of writing and the fast-paced adventure makes these worth reading.  

P.S. I hear this series is being made into a movie.

Stickman Odyssey by Christopher Ford

What is the hottest graphic novel right now at the Library?



Stickman Odyssey by Christopher Ford.  In this humorous take on Homer’s Odyssey, Zozimos, banished from his country by his evil stepmother, has many adventures as he prepares to return home to claim the throne that is rightfully his.

In book two, The Wrath of Zozimos, the exiled prince Zozimos, in his quest to reclaim the throne of Sticatha from his evil stepmother, has fought golems, matched wits with a sphinx, and overcome his own ineptitude to, well, stay alive. Now, with his homeland finally in sight, he and his band of misfits ready themselves for battle. Only it's not quite the fight they were expecting.

Draw with stick figures, this is part a heroic adventure and lowbrow humor is a mad romp through this classic tale. Kirkus Reviews says, Readers may feel as though they're flipping channels on a remote, and every channel is showing an action movie. Maybe, but here at the Library boys are sitting back and savoring every bit of the story.

Stickman Odyssey is perfect for those who have already devoured Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and Mary Pope Osborne’s Tales from the Odysse. For more mature readers, ages 14 and up, try Troy by Adele Geras. Told from the point of view of the women of Troy, this novel portrays the last weeks of the Trojan War, when women, sick of tending the wounded and men are tired of fighting, bored gods and goddesses find ways to stir things up.