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.