tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070912060952244842024-03-19T01:33:06.297-07:00PCL Book SpaceBooks and news from the Youth Services Department of the Parkland Community Library, Allentown, PAHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02935662503608121049noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-28626122530791706612011-03-18T06:54:00.000-07:002011-03-18T06:54:56.676-07:00Battle and Bad Kitty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNFk3J98Ytz2wS-rbscb1sNMjO3QzipHj9AIJx9BDIWHVxfiQABvrCGWiGvH7qIlDWuwHz_VUWV3pC8weir0r5Y99WKioGxLDlbtKeDLifWRI_bU2zYqqaeFdg9BAj08GMxMGUUn_p4k/s1600/BadKittyNapping.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNFk3J98Ytz2wS-rbscb1sNMjO3QzipHj9AIJx9BDIWHVxfiQABvrCGWiGvH7qIlDWuwHz_VUWV3pC8weir0r5Y99WKioGxLDlbtKeDLifWRI_bU2zYqqaeFdg9BAj08GMxMGUUn_p4k/s200/BadKittyNapping.png" width="200" /></a></div> Nick Bruel's<i> <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=50291709%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=17%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Bad+Kitty%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=93942&RecordNumber=93942&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=50291709&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Bad Kitty</a></i> has turned into a mini-dynasty. What began with a short and hilarious picture book has turned into a continuing series - two picture books and three, soon to be four, longer books. Bad Kitty is ba-a-a-ad with a capital B and Bruel's illustrations are bright, colorful, clever and chaotic. Check out <a href="http://badkittybooks.squarespace.com/">Bad Kitty's website</a> for more information on the books, Nick Bruel and for games, too<br />
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<a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/">Back to the Battle!</a> This morning's contest was between <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=49373361%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=the+odyssey%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=142605&RecordNumber=142605&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=49373361&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>The Odyssey</i></a> by Gareth Hinds and <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=49373361%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=One+crazy+summer%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=141703&RecordNumber=141703&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=49373361&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>One Crazy Summer</i></a> by Rita Williams- Garcia. Newbery award-winning author Karen Hesse was the judge.<br />
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Alas, I have read neither of these books. I skimmed through <i>One Crazy Summer</i> because Williams-Garcia is an author I truly admire and her books are well written and heartfelt. And <i>The Odyssey</i> has not been on the shelf since the library bought it. I am a library girl. Don't do book stores so much.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lHcnVPBdeuouveLKzWSyftu1j36VoGHDNtdKcsQfY96UcTzmP7KE5FqYoH3H5veAVi7D9YgtaW70RwKFeOP3dW-tqP1DokDgLGKOy_Agr_rfJGJJyy0CjvrhOyvtRo9U5kvyllNObek/s1600/odyssey_cover_400px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lHcnVPBdeuouveLKzWSyftu1j36VoGHDNtdKcsQfY96UcTzmP7KE5FqYoH3H5veAVi7D9YgtaW70RwKFeOP3dW-tqP1DokDgLGKOy_Agr_rfJGJJyy0CjvrhOyvtRo9U5kvyllNObek/s200/odyssey_cover_400px.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>Hesse does a <a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/">very thorough job </a>of explaining her choice. <i>The Odyssey</i> is the winner!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-33454093487503054022011-03-17T10:01:00.000-07:002011-03-17T10:01:06.717-07:00Next Match-up Round 1<i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=85605616&RecordNumber=143758">Hereville : how Mirka got her sword</a> </i>by Barry Deutsch squared off against Kathi Appelt's <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=85605616%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=Keeper%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=139338&RecordNumber=139338&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=85605616&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Keeper</a>.</i> The judge was Susan Patron. <br />
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<i>Hereville</i> is a graphic novel set in the Jewish Orthodox community of Hereville. Although Mirka tangles with fantastic characters - a talking pig, a witch - the time period is today. Mirka wants to be a dragon slayer and she also loves arguing with her step-mother, a woman who loves Mirka very much. The book is about independence, and about learning about one's place in a larger community. It is also about facing obstacles and being a kid, regardless of the social rules that surround you. The artwork is clever, the dialogue is realistic and often funny. And the book introduces the Jewish Orthodox community to a larger audience. What's not to like?<br />
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<i>Keeper</i> is her name and she is convinced that her mother is a mermaid. She is so convinced that she sets off in a boat to find this absent mother. Keeper has been raised by a small seaside community, including her mother's best friend. Her search for her mother, her dog's struggle with the ocean and the way her community wraps itself around her and swaddles her with love make a wonderful story. This is almost a fantasy.<br />
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The similarities between these two books are clear. Both heroines are being raised by people other than their mothers - people who love them and want to keep them safe and whole. Both girls want desperately to be other than they are. Mirka wants to fight dragons; Keeper hopes to be half-mermaid. And both girls set off on an adventure to make things different in their lives. Nice job of matching books, BOTKB crew!<br />
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Patron chose <i>Keeper</i> to go on to the next round. What a difficult choice that had to have been! Both books are winners in my eyes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-2984523493946273422011-03-16T10:01:00.000-07:002011-03-16T10:01:42.800-07:00Still Round 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvOstuUuSvpy1sas1uBqRf0uutUkL1bRZbicd0ogfVaAv4H-E9C9wra-Vtv4NY5fE14JLlbN1enlOGE_QqfiEYMULFGyvWjSqX09yuqjC0V8Bz7etB-EiwPdI1R2hOOR0l7Kj-vwCuDU/s1600/dreamerbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvOstuUuSvpy1sas1uBqRf0uutUkL1bRZbicd0ogfVaAv4H-E9C9wra-Vtv4NY5fE14JLlbN1enlOGE_QqfiEYMULFGyvWjSqX09yuqjC0V8Bz7etB-EiwPdI1R2hOOR0l7Kj-vwCuDU/s200/dreamerbooks.jpg" width="157" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtXibolNOOh0Jq4TEUWohpIgt2K8bQdtAD9iOYZpQx0YtRXRpU0bKIgf43y57y89sCzS7TEVPuuWitKBWdXTzGf3ZeJq_TV7suSuPnIr_Ajx_fs76xQfM48HIQHWT8v27WQ0dxlRYD8U/s1600/barbiebooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtXibolNOOh0Jq4TEUWohpIgt2K8bQdtAD9iOYZpQx0YtRXRpU0bKIgf43y57y89sCzS7TEVPuuWitKBWdXTzGf3ZeJq_TV7suSuPnIr_Ajx_fs76xQfM48HIQHWT8v27WQ0dxlRYD8U/s200/barbiebooks.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreamer-Notable-Childrens-Books-Readers/dp/0439269709"><i>Dreamer</i></a> by Pam Munoz Ryan went up against <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=65203137&RecordNumber=142596"><i>The Good, the Bad and the Barbie</i></a> by Tanya Lee Stone. Barry Lyga had to make the decision that sent one book on to round 2.<br />
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His decision making process forced him to delve deeply into the skill of the writers and the intent, impact and content of each book. And it's fun to read as well. <a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/">So read what Barry has to say </a>before you go any further. I'll wait.<br />
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Done yet? Well, if you are done, you don't need me to tell you the results. And if you DID read what Barry had to say, you are probably just as baffled as I am about his decision. Did you or did you not think he was going to choose the other book?? I know I did.<br />
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<i>Dreamer</i> is the fictionalized account of the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda's childhood and it is written with touches of magic realism as befits the subject. The book was a joy to read; I felt as if I was being carried along on a river surrounded by the sounds and sights that the young Neruda experienced. Neruda's words and Peter Sis' artwork made the whole book even more dreamlike. This book is a masterpiece.<br />
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<i>The Good, the Bad and the Barbie</i> is detailed, structured, and informative to the max - a very complete history of the Barbie doll and the way it influenced popular culture and vice versa. Peppered with photos and with quotes from Barbie aficianados and critics alike, the book is cleverly written. And, wait, this book is a masterpiece of an entirely different kind.<br />
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It's like comparing a luxury hybrid with a Hummer, or a butterfly with a honey bee, or a glider with a cargo plane or a....Actually, it's not like any of those comparisons. It's like comparing a novel to a work of non-fiction. <br />
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So, which book moves on to Round 2? I'm surprised but not entirely baffled by Lyga's choice. The Winnah! is <i>The Good, the Bad and the Barbie! </i>(A slight pause is followed by thunderous applause.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-31926276214080910952011-03-15T18:49:00.000-07:002011-03-15T19:05:05.864-07:00Day 2: The battle wages on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqW2EoH3wyafcX-ODMPsFSPe2wkQbPoJpp754Sf0QpBt00ncEXhMctbKy30g-9XCMxQeS90TKJID93Lib_Tip_z1JKgI35D-7isZ9qgjAyANMCeT2v1DB4f37uqolnFvL3KL5SSzwqWI/s1600/conbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqW2EoH3wyafcX-ODMPsFSPe2wkQbPoJpp754Sf0QpBt00ncEXhMctbKy30g-9XCMxQeS90TKJID93Lib_Tip_z1JKgI35D-7isZ9qgjAyANMCeT2v1DB4f37uqolnFvL3KL5SSzwqWI/s200/conbooks.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>Today's contenders were<a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=175510131%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=17%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=a+conspiracy+of+kings%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=137768&RecordNumber=137768&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=175510131&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"> <i>A Conspiracy of Kings</i> </a>by Megan Whalen Turner and <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=178395651%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=17%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=countdown%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=139624&RecordNumber=139624&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=178395651&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Countdown</i></a> by Deborah Wiles. Talk about comparing apples and oranges. "A Conspiracy of Kings" take place in an ancient kingdom and is filled with strategy and political wrangling and battles and intrigue, kidnapping, slavery and clever maneuvering AND it kept me on edge the whole way through. If you've read the other books in the series, you will appreciate how the friendships between Eugenides, the king of Attolia, and the Sophos, the young king of Sounis, change after Sophos ascends to the throne. The connection between Sounis, Attolia, the third kingdom of Eddis and the threat of the Mede against all three has as much to do with personalities as it does with borders and battles. I need to read the rest of the series now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9EOmVtukJdbqc9pU5-OIlXi5tOqCiWPZFJk2MyxkioeAcVDUjpqcAM-ugBH3iPLbKkmfR2ZGlPrxMJbSeq91WD3nDGZF1cN_YC9XXs9XOF6Hri5xSsxuFqXyI-ivcCOKk-L1LIjspY4/s1600/countbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Deborah Wiles wrote an absorbing account of a young girl's loss of a friend against the background of the Cuban Missile crisis in the 1960s. <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=175510131%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=countdown%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=139624&RecordNumber=139624&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=175510131&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Countdown</a> </i>sandwiches the day to day life of 6th graders and their families with news clips, photos, quotes and biographies of the major players during the 1960s. Civil Defense drills and plans for a bomb shelter indicate how frightening the stand-off between the United States and Cuba was to the people who lived through it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9EOmVtukJdbqc9pU5-OIlXi5tOqCiWPZFJk2MyxkioeAcVDUjpqcAM-ugBH3iPLbKkmfR2ZGlPrxMJbSeq91WD3nDGZF1cN_YC9XXs9XOF6Hri5xSsxuFqXyI-ivcCOKk-L1LIjspY4/s1600/countbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9EOmVtukJdbqc9pU5-OIlXi5tOqCiWPZFJk2MyxkioeAcVDUjpqcAM-ugBH3iPLbKkmfR2ZGlPrxMJbSeq91WD3nDGZF1cN_YC9XXs9XOF6Hri5xSsxuFqXyI-ivcCOKk-L1LIjspY4/s200/countbooks.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>So which of these very different books will move on to the next round? I would have had a very difficult time choosing. One book is full of long ago intrigue and adventure. The other book hits close to our daily lives and helps put what is happening today in context. Both are written masterfully and the stories are absorbing for very different reasons.<br />
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<a href="http://www.danareinhardt.net/">Dana Reinhardt</a>, the judge of this match, chose <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=175510131%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=countdown%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=139624&RecordNumber=139624&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=175510131&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Countdown</i></a>. <i>Countdown </i>will go up against <i>The Cardturner </i>when Round 2 begins in a few days.<br />
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Tomorrow, Pam Munoz Ryan's lyrical book, <i>Dreamer, </i>goes up against <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=177739987&RecordNumber=142596"><i>The Good, the Bad, the Barbie</i></a> by Tanya Lee Stone, a complete history of America's favorite doll. I'd hate to be the judge of that match-up. The only things these books have in common is their bookiness! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-75608202225631917172011-03-15T10:49:00.000-07:002011-03-15T16:09:05.717-07:00Battle Has Been Joined!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDYrz_Nnka7zsvHDnnlOvkynWZSDVur3Fc9tW1KkXK_jIqlYfNkcdQ-uz23XKEBRaRjbHrx5QqHiX01QWfe5NR12ZfuR6zf8lNMvXvYqwdRbOZJ0KE_bSbOLF1YDkv1pVZa2_IT-9vFk/s1600/goodbye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDYrz_Nnka7zsvHDnnlOvkynWZSDVur3Fc9tW1KkXK_jIqlYfNkcdQ-uz23XKEBRaRjbHrx5QqHiX01QWfe5NR12ZfuR6zf8lNMvXvYqwdRbOZJ0KE_bSbOLF1YDkv1pVZa2_IT-9vFk/s1600/goodbye2.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/2011/03/14/round-1-match-1-as-easy-as-falling-off-the-face-of-the-earth-vs-the-card-turner-a-novel-about-a-king-a-queen-and-a-joker/">The Battle of the Kids Books began yesterday</a> when Judge Francisco X. Stork had to decide between Lynn Rae Perkins "As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth" and Louis Sachar's "<a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=113485386&RecordNumber=138590">The Cardturner</a>". Stork's books are more complex studies of teen boys in challenging realistic circumstances. Knowing a little something about the judge enabled me to hazard a guess about which book he would pick even before I read either of these titles.<br />
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"As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth" drops a teen boy in the middle of nowhere without a cell phone!!! OMG! as the teens might text! He proceeds to meet a series of very kind and quirky people; one in particular helps the lad hunt down his parents who are on their first ever romantic getaway. The parents thought their son was at a month long camp. And they ALL assumed their new home and dogs were in the care of the grandfather. The book is fun and fascinating while evoking a dreamlike feel at the same time. There are boxcars, sailboats, trucks, diners and late night meals and a trip to a tropical island as well. <br />
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"The Cardturner" is about bridge - the game - with a capital B. 17-year-old Alton is drafted into driving his blind great-uncle to duplicate bridge matches. His blind great-uncle is very rich and Alton's parents are positively gleeful about Alton's indenture. Alton is surprised at how quickly he gets sucked in by the complicated almost manic game of Bridge. Well, I found this book fascinating. I could NOT put it down. It helps that I am a terrible bridge player myself and find the game frustrating beyond belief. Alton's longer explanations, bracketed by whales to let the reader know they can be skipped, and his shorter summaries - for readers who wanted to skip the explanations but needed basic knowledge - were a stroke of genius. The relationships that developed between Alton and his great-uncle and Alton and the other bridge players, including one younger teen girl-type, are well-drawn. Good book.<br />
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My guess about what book would be chosen yesterday was right. Can you guess? Take a minute now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETUTGivz8CZqyARp3YH5afvVn17F1ErpLu7dyjkCJas7H4M2uecCdYxZXUpUJeRBT5_oAd_0cDyGt_PCB0KDFE9cvoW-5kmjFMNiYdJcB9-kdBHBbiwWAWkMpYTYlcOGIl1zKV0facek/s1600/The+Cardturner+Big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETUTGivz8CZqyARp3YH5afvVn17F1ErpLu7dyjkCJas7H4M2uecCdYxZXUpUJeRBT5_oAd_0cDyGt_PCB0KDFE9cvoW-5kmjFMNiYdJcB9-kdBHBbiwWAWkMpYTYlcOGIl1zKV0facek/s320/The+Cardturner+Big.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>Give up? Stork chose (wild cheering) "The Cardturner", just as I knew he would.<br />
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Today was another decision which I will post in an hour or two. I want to give you time absorb the awesomeness of yesterday's contest.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-85811484932745989562011-03-11T06:18:00.000-08:002011-03-11T06:18:19.794-08:00Wimpy Kid Contest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU9Un2TMnqztqxP9Bclr0s4LR1mMiVf7DG6w2rcdneadQJ9kJKxM98Xsp9uShMHjY8Gs8Kq-4gKuBk4a2jNhqXGb-BOplVlzoN15a59As2vjAuTduqEYXxwOlAuarr4H9r_PbjhS_sIo/s1600/contest+wimpy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU9Un2TMnqztqxP9Bclr0s4LR1mMiVf7DG6w2rcdneadQJ9kJKxM98Xsp9uShMHjY8Gs8Kq-4gKuBk4a2jNhqXGb-BOplVlzoN15a59As2vjAuTduqEYXxwOlAuarr4H9r_PbjhS_sIo/s320/contest+wimpy.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU9Un2TMnqztqxP9Bclr0s4LR1mMiVf7DG6w2rcdneadQJ9kJKxM98Xsp9uShMHjY8Gs8Kq-4gKuBk4a2jNhqXGb-BOplVlzoN15a59As2vjAuTduqEYXxwOlAuarr4H9r_PbjhS_sIo/s1600/contest+wimpy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">http://www.wimpykid.com/contest/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kids!!!! Win money for yourself and the library of your choice (Parkland Community Library, of course!)</div><span id="goog_1805764071"></span> <span id="goog_1805764111"></span>Enter the Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Comics Contest. <br />
<span id="goog_1805764114"></span><span id="goog_1805764115"></span><span id="goog_1805764072"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1805764110"><span id="goog_1805764081"></span><span id="goog_1805764082"></span></a><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1805764110"><span id="goog_1805764086"></span><span id="goog_1805764087"></span></a><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1805764110"><span id="goog_1805764088"></span><span id="goog_1805764089"></span></a><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1805764094"></span></a><span id="goog_1805764112"></span><span id="goog_1805764116"></span><span id="goog_1805764117"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1805764118"></span><span id="goog_1805764119"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1805764120"></span><span id="goog_1805764121"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1805764122"></span><span id="goog_1805764123"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-35547889345873163502011-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:002011-03-07T13:05:46.263-08:00Very Short PostMarch 20th is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Day!! Hooray for little green caterpillars that eat a LOT! Check out the <a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/features/hungrycaterpillar/index.html">Very Hungry Caterpillar page</a> for wallpapers and to download activity sheets. WARNING:! This website is a commercial site and will try to sell you adorable caterpillar related items.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-12276708193213095852011-03-05T19:11:00.000-08:002011-03-07T13:07:13.147-08:00All things SeussThis past week has been all about Dr. Seuss, with birthday celebrations (he'd be 107 years old!) and <a href="http://www.nea.org/readacross">Read Across America Day.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZgeV7pe0ly_F1fdxeTym91YrNK0GaDcs8L6DoR1rCdKFIO_7_cGikBhWChldjRsCDwFSMEpZHHL3dhXFPMZLS4e_mZZNm_jUzDw2xyN6sH-V5GK6FCLxqc1thrSL619CB1KZvfzCrsM/s1600/Dr.+Seuss+2011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZgeV7pe0ly_F1fdxeTym91YrNK0GaDcs8L6DoR1rCdKFIO_7_cGikBhWChldjRsCDwFSMEpZHHL3dhXFPMZLS4e_mZZNm_jUzDw2xyN6sH-V5GK6FCLxqc1thrSL619CB1KZvfzCrsM/s200/Dr.+Seuss+2011+007.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Teen Teller leads her Seuss Trivia experts, including Thing 1, at last Saturday's party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Parkland Community Library celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday last weekend with a Dr. Seuss birthday party complete with red and white striped hats, stories and games. <br />
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Check out the websites in the Featured sites sidebar for Seussical fun and information. Dr. Seuss's pioneering work with beginning readers has spawned thousands of imitators. And his signature character, the Cat in the Hat, has gone on beyond reading readiness and into the world of science and nature.<br />
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Educators and young readers alike owe a lot to Dr. Seuss. We doff our hats, striped, dotted or covered in peace signs, to this wonderful author and artist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmGW-o7xOk9oejYq16xM-YKvgLHhEye3DtPlS90ErQ-CN4fG3nMEtnbxW1vjhIEpqh0-4NgqYgWeV52mbwl1EB_ZJVo6WXheoj2U8j8OWYAumwTmdFsUqTkTAAsGYmwba8R-eFG7CFVk/s1600/Dr.+Seuss+2011+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmGW-o7xOk9oejYq16xM-YKvgLHhEye3DtPlS90ErQ-CN4fG3nMEtnbxW1vjhIEpqh0-4NgqYgWeV52mbwl1EB_ZJVo6WXheoj2U8j8OWYAumwTmdFsUqTkTAAsGYmwba8R-eFG7CFVk/s200/Dr.+Seuss+2011+005.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Teen Teller in the green hat, consults with her team of Seuss trivia experts in the Facts and Figures Seuss Trivia Game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-75440700472269590522011-03-02T16:20:00.000-08:002011-03-02T16:20:20.516-08:00Women's History MonthWelcome to March, Women's History Month!<br />
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There has been a trend in children's books to write short, illustrated biographies for younger readers. In the past year there have been several books written about women in vehicular sports, race car drivers, pilots and even cyclists. <br />
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<i>Soar, Elinor!</i> by Tami Lee Brown is the surprising story of young Elinor Smith who got her pilot's license in 1928 at the age of sixteen. She was a daredevil pilot and is famous for being the first pilot - ever - to fly under all four bridges on New York City's East River and she did it in a single flight. The illustrations show just how daring this stunt was.<br />
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<i>Fearless : the story of racing legend Louise Smith</i> by Barbara Rosenstock is full of beautiful paintings of the bulbous nosed cars of the 1930s and 1940s. Louise Smith got her first race car driving job as a "stunt" to drum up business for her sponsor. Once she got a taste of the excitement of racing, there was no turning back for Louise. The stories of her racing successes and escapades are fun and fast-paced.<br />
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<i>Tillie the terrible Swede : how one woman, a sewing needle, and a bicycle changed history</i> by Sue Stauffacher tells the story of Tillie Anderson, who first revolutionized cycling outfits for women in the 1890s and then proceeded to win bicycle race after bicycle race. Readers will enjoy the clever drawings and reading about the bicycle craze of the end of the 19th century.<br />
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Stretching back even further, Charley Parkhurst drove stagecoach her entire life and no one knew she was a woman until she died. In <i>Rough, Tough Charley</i>, Verla Kay writes about Charley's rivoting life in rhymed couplets describing how Charley masqueraded as a stable boy and became a very able stagecoach driver. In simple verse, Kay also explains why Charley's disguise was necessary for a woman who wanted to follow that career. The realistic oil paintings are accurate to the time period of the mid-19th century.<br />
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Women, wheels and wings combine to make great reading for Women's History Month.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-70069123688801325782011-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:002011-02-17T12:24:22.438-08:00Good news, Bad news, maybeThe good news is that we have some great stuff going on during February!<br />
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On Monday, Feb. 21st, children and teens, ages 7 and up, can join the Youth Services staff as we play Games on the Rug and other games, too. Checkers, Chinese checkers, (my favorite), mancala, Parchesi AND Rivers Roads and Rails, and Apples to Apples and Dominoes. Younger children can play if their parents stay with them.<br />
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On Sat., Feb. 26th, from 2 to 3 pm, the Parkland Community Library will hold its Annual Dr. Seuss birthday party. This program is open to all ages. Tellers Too will do a Reader's Theater presentation of a Dr. Seuss book, Mrs. Karen will tell a Dr. Seuss story and there will be songs and games! Please call 610-398-1361 ext. 19 to reserve a space. This program will occur at the South Whitehall Township building.<br />
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The other news, good or bad depending on the day and where you sit, is that I am retiring - right after the Dr. Seuss birthday party. I hope to publish a port or two between now and then. After 22 years at the Parkland Community Library, I will turn my energies to other things. It's not over yet, though, so keep reading.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-55841028292555528002011-02-14T12:31:00.000-08:002011-02-14T12:31:59.803-08:00Battle of the Kids BooksThe brackets are cast and the sixteen contenders have been chosen. The judges will be revealed on February 22nd, and then.....and then...<a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/">.SLJ's 3rd Annual Battle of the Kids Books</a> will commence.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamHpbCfsLng_lGAS-5d4Z1OmZszZfQ1S2q5A2mN8WR-U0iGuvP9XZlMiqrIyLP7Wbu_-4KUU2jJmP3-a7Fby1k4R-VyaN1cYI2XsuB0MYt1c5-ZWdmH0F575GJ7gqxmhXINmbHCIdBZw/s1600/goodbye2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamHpbCfsLng_lGAS-5d4Z1OmZszZfQ1S2q5A2mN8WR-U0iGuvP9XZlMiqrIyLP7Wbu_-4KUU2jJmP3-a7Fby1k4R-VyaN1cYI2XsuB0MYt1c5-ZWdmH0F575GJ7gqxmhXINmbHCIdBZw/s1600/goodbye2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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It is always fun to see what books make this honored cut of 16 out of the thousands of fiction and non-fiction written for middle grade readers and teens. Then the challenge for Mrs. Chaply and myself is to actually read or have read all the books or enough of them to make an educated guess about which book will move on to the next round.<br />
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In the first round, for instance, Lynne Rae Perkins' <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=257789632%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=as+easy+as+falling%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=138632&RecordNumber=138632&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=257789632&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth</i></a> goes up against<i> </i>Louis Sachar's <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=257789632&RecordNumber=138590">The Cardturner</a>.</i> In one book (<i>Falling), </i>a boy is stranded in the middle of nowhere just because he wants to make a cell phone call. In the other, a boy is recruited to turn cards for his blind uncle as the uncle plays tournament bridge. I haven't read either of them!! But that will change in the next couple of days. I haven't read <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=260280531%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=17%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=a+conspiracy+of+kings%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=137768&RecordNumber=137768&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=260280531&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>A Conspiracy of Kings</i></a> by Megan Whalen Turner OR <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=260280531%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=1%26SearchType=0%26SearchData=countdown%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=139624&RecordNumber=139624&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=260280531&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Countdown</i></a> by Deborah Wiles either. But I will!<br />
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Take a look at <a href="http://sljbattleofthebooks.com/brackets/">the brackets</a>. Next week the fun begins. And even if I am retired before the end of the Battle, I will find a way to share my insights and reading triumphs with all of you through the whole exciting contest!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-55934651305278384642011-02-08T12:50:00.000-08:002011-02-08T12:50:46.452-08:00Teddy Bears and Puppy DogsThe Parkland Community Library will be the place to be during February, 2011. On Saturday, Feb. 12th, certified therapy dogs will be here to listen to young readers and to visit with anyone who wants to pet a puppy. These dogs are wonderfully calm and love children. Please register for this event by calling the Youth Services department at 610-398-1361 ext. 19.<br />
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On Tuesday, Feb. 15th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, everyone can celebrate Chinese New Year and the Paper Lantern festival by attending the Annual Teddy bear Costume party. Dress up those teddy bears and come out for an hour of fans, fireworks(!!) and fun. Please register for this event in advance. This event will be held in the South Whitehall Township Building.<br />
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The fun doesn't end there. On Monday, Feb. 21st, from 1 to 3 pm, there is another Games on the Rug event for children from the ages of 7 and up. (Younger children can attend with a parent.) Play the games printed on the meeting room rug - Checkers, Parcheesi, Chinese checkers, mancala - or play Apples to Apples or Rivers, Roads and Rails. Please let the Youth Services department know if you will attend by calling 610-398-1361 ext. 19.<br />
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And we will celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday early this year with a party on Saturday, Feb. 26th from 2 to 3 pm. Join the Teen Tellers and Tellers 2 for stories, songs and games in honor of Dr. Seuss. Please sign up in advance for this event by calling 610-398-1361 ext. 19.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-29267688964874770662011-01-27T13:01:00.000-08:002011-01-27T13:12:48.994-08:00Snow poetry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHwjSO4SBB9bu7mvq1Fwh1BIEl58AVGU1CKhunVto8xoQnQNGWntvmOvyGOmTKD-kCnxIiY_N2TVdJDMH7yn8wXsLRkmURjWpMsavQ6uPhpMmgTMgVPSteeT6tFLm8w8o9v4VmNr24Rw/s1600/winter-road-v72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHwjSO4SBB9bu7mvq1Fwh1BIEl58AVGU1CKhunVto8xoQnQNGWntvmOvyGOmTKD-kCnxIiY_N2TVdJDMH7yn8wXsLRkmURjWpMsavQ6uPhpMmgTMgVPSteeT6tFLm8w8o9v4VmNr24Rw/s200/winter-road-v72.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div>The drive to work was absolutely beautiful this morning. The trees were loaded with snow and the stark white against the very dark gray or black of bare branches was awesome - especially since the sun was shining.<br />
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All that winter beauty reminded me of a haiku I once read:<br />
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<i>How many million / flakes will it take to make a / snow day tomorrow?</i><br />
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Or how about this one?<br />
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<i>Icicles dangle / begging to be broken off / for a short sword fight.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHwjSO4SBB9bu7mvq1Fwh1BIEl58AVGU1CKhunVto8xoQnQNGWntvmOvyGOmTKD-kCnxIiY_N2TVdJDMH7yn8wXsLRkmURjWpMsavQ6uPhpMmgTMgVPSteeT6tFLm8w8o9v4VmNr24Rw/s1600/winter-road-v72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Both of these haiku, sticking to the traditional lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables, were written by Bob Raczka, and can be found in his book, <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-1186&RecordNumber=140866">Guyku : a year of haiku for boys</a>.</i> Raczka and his partner in rhyme, illustrator Pete H. Reynolds, <a href="http://hmhbooks.com/guyku/index.html">have a website</a> for all the guys - and gals - who appreciate short verse. Write your own haiku, guyku or galku, about snow and ice or about school or winter or waiting for spring - or anything at all!! Haiku is fun and simple. Write one today. There's no school.<br />
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One of my favorite winter poems is "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert Service, the story of a prospector who freezes along the shores of a frozen lake. Before he dies Sam McGee begs his buddy to cremate him so that finally, Sam will be warm again. The friend tries to fulfill Sam's dying request. Service's rhyme and rhthmn makes this a clever poem that is haunting as well. You can find the poem in the book <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-1209%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=the+cremation+of+sam+mcgee%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=111862&RecordNumber=111862&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-1209&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Scary stories</i></a> illustrated by Barry Moser. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a poem that begs to be read out loud.<br />
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Douglas Florian, Jack Prelutsky, Robert Frost, Jane Yolen, all these authors have written poems about winter, its beauty, its problems, how much fun snow and ice can be. Check the sidebar for some other poetry about the coldest season of the year.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-61662192772635282522011-01-21T08:06:00.000-08:002011-01-21T08:17:16.223-08:00Picture Book Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdp59c1bkl9WKj_8PDR6qiBBmsvtGIf5mWp7avJAdKi8_jj_OtxzxtzbTSsCSZ8iS6i2Wyh502uTe9gWovHIefc-OwrE6hukrM9yosvNq_uGmXqPf8JYE-ExIsML_ukidbTti_JfQQ5I/s1600/amosmcgee.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdp59c1bkl9WKj_8PDR6qiBBmsvtGIf5mWp7avJAdKi8_jj_OtxzxtzbTSsCSZ8iS6i2Wyh502uTe9gWovHIefc-OwrE6hukrM9yosvNq_uGmXqPf8JYE-ExIsML_ukidbTti_JfQQ5I/s1600/amosmcgee.gif" /></a></div>Last week, the American Library Association announced the winners of the Caldecott Medal, given to the illustrator of a picture book published in America. The winner for 2011 is Erin E Stead for her illustration of <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-483&RecordNumber=140734"><i>A Sick Day for Amos McGee</i></a>, written by Philip C. Stead. The illustrations have a textured, handmade look, almost old-fashioned in feel. The story is delightful. Check the book out today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NJlcKikdx0aI_1TvG7kOruq6oGJq04r7EKNMdxEKz9Yx-W8nPUomuAvHA9fjZwQWPEC1hPrWviUG-chyb0egjou_wzo9PztG-IbRoIxfj-FDqP1eJ3Ly2DCktPXoRAMpBAQUCHTQH8w/s1600/chicken.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NJlcKikdx0aI_1TvG7kOruq6oGJq04r7EKNMdxEKz9Yx-W8nPUomuAvHA9fjZwQWPEC1hPrWviUG-chyb0egjou_wzo9PztG-IbRoIxfj-FDqP1eJ3Ly2DCktPXoRAMpBAQUCHTQH8w/s1600/chicken.gif" /></a></div><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-502&RecordNumber=140438"><i>Interrupting Chicken</i></a> by David Ezra Stein won Caldecott Honor status. This story of a father trying to read bedtime stories to his little one is hilarious. The little chicken interrupts every story to warn the players of upcoming dangers and to change the endings.<br />
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1650261194"><i>Dave</i></a><i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-503%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=dave+the+potter%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=142983&RecordNumber=142983&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-503&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"> the Potter : artist, poet, slave</a> </i>written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier was the other Caldecott Honor book for 2011. This picture book biography covers the life of an African-American slave who was renowned for his beautiful pottery and his moving poetry. This book is perfect for Black History Month and for anyone who appreciates art.<br />
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For a list of past Caldecott winners, <a href="http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal.cfm">click here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-18647075808821831852011-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:002011-01-17T08:20:04.314-08:00Award winners!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCvrs4-BanTHAaLFHIyEeRUpnJvNPS0Zy8Gt2RAdHJwHzQVuNfSCLmHyWUPlB-5wtQeJIuLetPMG0H26es8XB7nOiQrP08yHGHqAArMMKMdFonKI4GkXI_cYnsSXyWODHsW-Cb7bCAGs/s1600/238_MoonOverComp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCvrs4-BanTHAaLFHIyEeRUpnJvNPS0Zy8Gt2RAdHJwHzQVuNfSCLmHyWUPlB-5wtQeJIuLetPMG0H26es8XB7nOiQrP08yHGHqAArMMKMdFonKI4GkXI_cYnsSXyWODHsW-Cb7bCAGs/s200/238_MoonOverComp.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>The Newbery and Caldecott awards were announced last week to great fanfare at the Annual Winter Meeting of the American Library Association.<br />
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<a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-325&RecordNumber=141999"><i>Moon over Manifest</i></a>, a first novel by author Clare Vanderpool, won the Newbery award for 2011, given to the best book published for children in America. In 1936, Abilene Tucker is sent to Manifest, Kansas, to stay with her father's old friends. There she finds keepsakes that lead her and two new friends - and eventually the whole town - on a quest to solve a mystery that is 18 years old. Vanderpool's writing is refreshing and the time period, characters and story will keep readers involved and intrigued.<br />
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The Newbery Honor books for 2011 were <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-337&RecordNumber=139337"><i>Turtle in Paradise</i> </a>by Jennifer L. Holm; <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-352&RecordNumber=139725"><i>Heart of a Samurai</i></a> by Magi Preus and <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-341%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=17%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=One+crazy+summer%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=141703&RecordNumber=141703&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-341&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>One Crazy Summer</i></a> by Rita Williams-Garcia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxInRH-JKGedWvjj8Vdc4rzArtD-qoiEK4BIiOZhN35bJDMSTa2dNBzYKEba8J5y7UPD1RZu-PNxMPMTiHC43B-OX-XPHDVIXPQsbDQEsB1BENK0LSyICwQ26hv4sz0aD2k7hj1z22AT8/s1600/heartsamurai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxInRH-JKGedWvjj8Vdc4rzArtD-qoiEK4BIiOZhN35bJDMSTa2dNBzYKEba8J5y7UPD1RZu-PNxMPMTiHC43B-OX-XPHDVIXPQsbDQEsB1BENK0LSyICwQ26hv4sz0aD2k7hj1z22AT8/s200/heartsamurai.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>All four of these books fall into the category of historical fiction but the writing is fresh and current and young readers will enjoy the escapades and adventures that the main characters experience. <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1367171132"> </a><i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-352&RecordNumber=139725">Heart of a Samurai</a> </i>is particularly interesting since it is based on the true story of the first Japanese citizen to ever visit America, a teen shipwreck survivor named Manjiro. Manjiro's adventures on whaling ships, then in Massachusetts in the 1840s, in the gold fields of California and eventually at home in Japan are fascinating and based in fact.<br />
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Those of us old enough the remember the 1960's hate to admit but that time period is now part of history. In <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-418%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=one+crazy+summer%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=141703&RecordNumber=141703&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-418&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">One Crazy Summer</a>,</i> three sisters visit their estranged mother over the summer of 1968, and they find a woman dedicated to civil rights, poetry, printing and the Black Panthers. <br />
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Jennifer L. Holm's <i>Turtle in Pardise</i> takes place in the Key West of 1935. Turtle is sent to live with her cousins in Key West while her mother works as a housekeeper. The children run their own baby-sitting business, search for treasure and make Turtle part of their wild family. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDDoc5zdZUAOf9XpMzdtG3xza9D31pMF9pfZ6L3OjhanwCgWKC2B2BozlfAww-IcmkCIf7oeOgswPnVQYNxDKGqGfGyJkLSHJCHuG5baim5YW2qZWTooltKc9Ls6ImCizhmGi-b0UHO4/s1600/turtle-in-paradise-201x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDDoc5zdZUAOf9XpMzdtG3xza9D31pMF9pfZ6L3OjhanwCgWKC2B2BozlfAww-IcmkCIf7oeOgswPnVQYNxDKGqGfGyJkLSHJCHuG5baim5YW2qZWTooltKc9Ls6ImCizhmGi-b0UHO4/s200/turtle-in-paradise-201x300.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>Next post will talk about the Caldecott winners. There are some surprises and some delights among the winners of the Cadecott awards.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-55720111576602531852011-01-04T11:44:00.000-08:002011-01-04T11:44:54.463-08:00YA titles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3h2_8Y-QdpkdTu0trzRqkXxqr82Y0M9nShmmxh5UJ_YbLl4-UUNg9x3LZo8l0Mp3tGSONtr0WXUGhvmORZMyyCTtZAm1haeMlR0x5PXh6H2iqOYQ_uixcyFGuwP8fBx2PjO4brTp42w/s1600/midnighcharter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3h2_8Y-QdpkdTu0trzRqkXxqr82Y0M9nShmmxh5UJ_YbLl4-UUNg9x3LZo8l0Mp3tGSONtr0WXUGhvmORZMyyCTtZAm1haeMlR0x5PXh6H2iqOYQ_uixcyFGuwP8fBx2PjO4brTp42w/s200/midnighcharter.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>When the library first received David Whitley's <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-616&RecordNumber=134818"><i>The Midnight Charter</i></a>, I read the first and last chapters. (I sometimes do this, to get a feel for the books. I don't recommend this as a habit.) The last chapter only posed more questions, making the book very appealing. Here's the set up. In the city of Agora, everything has a price; lives, emotions, time, even compliments. Every transaction is sealed with a contract and the contracts are all stored in the Registry Office. Two teens work for Dr. Theophilus and his grandfather, Count Stelli, the Great Astrologer, in Count Stelli's tower. When Count Stelli bans his grandson from the tower, Lily trades places with Mark and goes into the city with Dr. Theophilus. Mark stays behind and is trained to be the next great astrologer of Agora. Neither teen knows that their individual choices are being watched closely by the Director of the Registry. Mark allows himself to led deeper and deeper into the contractual world of Agora. Lily works against those endless contracts and starts a charitable shelter for debtors, the lowest of the low in Agora.<br />
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Whitley's descriptions of the different ends of Agoran society are lavish and complete. The ways that people's lives are controlled by the contracts they sign create a labyrinth of deception. Secret societies, murder, theft, chicanery, treachery - it's all in <i>The Midnight Charter.</i> Read this atmospheric - almost nightmarish - fantasy/adventure. The book is suitable for teens through adults.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-59918434146104264042010-12-30T11:49:00.000-08:002010-12-30T12:04:24.118-08:00Orphan Quiz<span style="font-family: Arial;">How well do you know your orphans in literature. <a href="http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/uploads/Orphans%20in%20Literature.pdf">Click here</a> to print out the Orphans in Literature Quiz.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So many great books are written about orphans. Pip in Charles Dickens' <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-591%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Great+Expectations%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=50547&RecordNumber=50547&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-591&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Great Expectations</i></a> gets a lot of exposure since this novel is often required reading. Dickens stars orphans in some of his books and uses them as supporting characters in many others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Louisa May Alcott wrote about orphans as well. Rose Campbell, in <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-604%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Eight+Cousins%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=79338&RecordNumber=79338&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-604&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Eight Cousins</i></a>, is a solitary orphan who moves in with a large family of cousins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The title character of <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-588%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Understood+betsy%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=49691&RecordNumber=49691&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-588&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Understood Betsy</i></a> by Dorothy Canfield Fisher is an orphan who reluctantly gets to know the "other" side of her family when the aunts who raised her become desperately ill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Barbara Brooks Wallace has made writing about orphans her stock in trade with such fun titles as <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-587%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Barbara+Wallace%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=37639&RecordNumber=37639&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-587&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Peppermints in the Parlor</i></a> and <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-584%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Barbara+Wallace%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=22765&RecordNumber=22765&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-584&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Sparrows in the Scullery</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just this year (2010), author Maryrose Wood introduced Miss Penelope Lumley, a fifteen-year-old orphan, in the book, <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-595%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=wood%2c+maryrose%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=136875&RecordNumber=136875&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-595&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>The Mysterious Howling.</i></a> Penelope must play governess to three other orphans, who have all been raised by wolves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Take the quiz to read snippets about other famous orphans. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/uploads/Orphans%20in%20Literature%20Answers.pdf">Click here</a> for the answers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Have a wonderful New Year's Eve. Celebrate responsibly! </o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-12274877233721056762010-12-23T09:58:00.000-08:002010-12-23T09:58:37.440-08:00YA Favorites and orphansThe Youth Services Favorite Books for Teens 2010 is now available. <a href="http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/uploads/Favorite%20YA.pdf"> Click here</a> to download this list.<br />
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There is no way that the YS staff would be able to hit every great book written this year. TeenReads.com counts on teens to keep the website up to date. Teens read and write reviews for TeenReads. Some of the books are superb, some are just fun but they all have found readers who loved them. Nominate your favorite book of 2010 by going to the <a href="http://www.teenreads.com/features/ccba_nominees_2011.asp#form">TeenReads' Best Books Nomination list</a>.<br />
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Let the Youth Services staff know about books that you loved. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVMxbJwULBniVBBuedvaFI6qVSQZ704Lz0gNvfiK5ZbCDAso-JrruZZFV9AlCIlagTMdlxTvuz9mDvVozDzCB8HhD9FyRaOjJx-szRvbope6JjPaRYwr4YhHND6Rd0XCsbxtdgygoU2E/s1600/behemoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVMxbJwULBniVBBuedvaFI6qVSQZ704Lz0gNvfiK5ZbCDAso-JrruZZFV9AlCIlagTMdlxTvuz9mDvVozDzCB8HhD9FyRaOjJx-szRvbope6JjPaRYwr4YhHND6Rd0XCsbxtdgygoU2E/s1600/behemoth.jpg" /></a></div>One of my choices for a Favorite Books is <i>Behemoth</i> by Scott Westerfield. It's the steampunk sequel to <i>Leviathan. </i>The story of an alternate World War I continues as two teens work together to insure the one's safety and possibly stop the war before it begins. The steampunk elements are well done and the illustrations are amazingly detailed.<br />
Both of the main characters, Deryn, who masquerades as a boy named Dylan, and Alek, the heir to the Austrian throne, have lost parents. In the first book, Alek's parents are assassinated. Deryn's father died before the book began. Being an orphan makes plot development a whole lot simpler, since there are no pesky parents to get in the way.<br />
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Look at all the famous orphans in literature. Starting with <i>Oliver Twist</i>, probably the most famous literary orphan, the concept of a child or teen set adrift on life's choppy ocean without parents to guide or control them is compelling for both the writer and the reader. <br />
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In this list of Favorites, at least four of the books feature the adventures of orphans. Check out the list and see if you can guess which books are "orphan" stories.<br />
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I recently read <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-751&RecordNumber=121645"><i>The Willoughbys</i></a> by Lois Lowry. In that book, the four children are not orphans but they sometimes wish they are. When their less-than-perfect (understatement alert!) parents leave them in the care of a Nanny and sell the house while the children are still living there, the five of them - Nanny and the four children - become "orphans" and are thrown out into the street. This book is a tongue-in-cheek romp through orphan story stereotypes. Lemony Snicket fans will enjoy <i>The Willoughbys.</i><br />
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Next week, I will give you an Orphans in Children's Literature Quiz. For the quiz, the word orphan will be defined as "any child or teen whose parents are dead or absent." <br />
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Enjoy your holidays and read, read, read.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-66389658965558411572010-12-21T11:41:00.000-08:002010-12-21T11:53:28.852-08:00Finally FAVORITES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uekP9GkWSvqAo9vSsgye_hhTl4Nq6uZV272Ak5ZRY9hjTjLwewJlh2J2PPE8jHLIjBuWTp3_MXnJI5fpvEHpdxpcSe9vn14uaZgrVqsdTVb9PTAahjAbpdDWG5L826gEM-4mG7emxeA/s1600/instructions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uekP9GkWSvqAo9vSsgye_hhTl4Nq6uZV272Ak5ZRY9hjTjLwewJlh2J2PPE8jHLIjBuWTp3_MXnJI5fpvEHpdxpcSe9vn14uaZgrVqsdTVb9PTAahjAbpdDWG5L826gEM-4mG7emxeA/s1600/instructions.jpg" /></a></div>My absolute favorite book for 2010 was Neil Gaiman's <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=YSM&Branch=,0,&FormId=-683&RecordNumber=139341"><i>Instructions</i></a>. This beautiful picture book visits archetypal fairy tale instructions and takes the reader on a journey far away and back again. I want to give it to everyone who is embarking on a new phase of life - births, graduations, weddings, new jobs. The book gives everyday choices a magical quality.<br />
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To download a pdf. of my list of Favorite Picture Books, Juvenile Fiction and Juvenile Non-Fiction of 2010, <a href="http://catalog.parklandlibrary.org/Parkland/uploads/Favorite%20books%202010.pdf">click here</a>. I formatted it as a booklet. So print it out and carry it with you. A list of YA favorites is on the way. I will not venture to mention a date for that since I have not kept to my predictions very well in the past.<br />
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Here are highlights of the Favorite Picture books, besides <i>Instructions</i>, of course. <br />
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<a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-687&RecordNumber=140438"><i>Interrupting Chicken</i></a> by David Ezra Stein features a young chick who simply can NOT let her father finish any bedtime story. This book is laugh out loud funny.<br />
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<a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-690%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=10%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=the+quiet+book%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=141984&RecordNumber=141984&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-690&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>The Quiet Book</i></a> by Deborah Underwood. You will be surprised at how many different kinds of quiet there are!<br />
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Jerry Pinkney has updated a Nursery Rhyme classic with his stunning rendition of <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-695%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=20%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=Jerry+Pinkney%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=141541&RecordNumber=141541&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-695&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Three Little Kittens</a>.</i><br />
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This next one is for Cooking Channel and Food Network fans. <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-699&RecordNumber=141693"> <i>Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly</i></a> by Carolyn Parkhurst follows poor Henry as he attempts to play "cooking show" with his little sister, Ellie.<br />
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If your favorite picture book of the year doesn't appear here, or on my list, please let me know. I'll share your suggestions with the other readers of this blog.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-32238060883761306192010-12-15T15:56:00.000-08:002010-12-15T15:56:02.622-08:00More gift ideasI love books but I also love libraries. So, when it comes to suggesting books as gifts, I prefer books most people won't find on library shelves. Books that have pages that flip or move, books that invite readers to scribble inside or tear pages out - these make excellent gifts for children and teens. <br />
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Other types of books I enjoy to give - and receive - are books that give instructions, like cookbooks or craft books or how-to books. <br />
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Here are some activity/recipe/instruction books for children and teens.<br />
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<i>Make Art Mistakes : a creativity sketchbook </i>978-811870764 Chronicle $16.99<br />
This book includes graphic scenes that the reader can add words and drawings to. All ages. <br />
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<i>Papertoy Monsters</i> by Brian Castelforte 9780761158820 Workman $16.95 Offers cardboard punch-out models to build and inspiration for more. Ages 9 - up<br />
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<i>This book made me do it: cool things to make do and explore</i> by John Woodward 97810756668815 DK $19.99. Instructions for landing a plane, knitting, staging a ghost hunt, treating hypothermia and baking a chocolate cake are just a few of the instructions in this book that I have decided is going to each of my 10 year old nephews! Ages 10 - up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlco091cqSglqsFkBrBV4yMndkkliMzrUYW9P94rzSRqMexgQVAIJnHN4ShOepujdZwIY3GXBP1MxfJdqZgi6ZQ_SRxn4ki9JD8TLqdinh9dNbg3XCYw_S3cJiDuglvmb-5m8c8JJx-Zo/s1600/workbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlco091cqSglqsFkBrBV4yMndkkliMzrUYW9P94rzSRqMexgQVAIJnHN4ShOepujdZwIY3GXBP1MxfJdqZgi6ZQ_SRxn4ki9JD8TLqdinh9dNbg3XCYw_S3cJiDuglvmb-5m8c8JJx-Zo/s200/workbook.JPG" width="166" /></a></div><br />
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<i>Do Something : Change the world! a handbook for activists</i>.<i> </i>Workman 13.95 97807661157472 This handbook helps youngsters analyze problems they hope to solve and gives the steps needed to organize, understand and work toward change. Ages 9 - 12 <br />
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<i>Wind Power : 20 projects to make with paper</i> by Clive Dobson. Firefly, $24.95 9781554076598 Instructions about wind powered models abound with a discussion of the uses and problems of wind power. Pretty technical and a lot of reading is involved. Still the models look fascinating. Ages 10 and up.<br />
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My list of favorites of 2010 will be posted on Friday! Keep reading. <br />
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<span style="color: #888888;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-22161880721651438242010-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:002010-12-06T09:26:28.471-08:00Gift ideas and Favorite Books 2010The PCL Favorite Books of 2010 survey is up on the <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/">Parkland Community Library's homepage</a>. Take the survey and you may even win a prize. Prizes include Wii game accessories and gift cards and more prizes are being selected. The survey runs until December 27th. And in January, 2011, the PCL staff will pull together all of those nominations and post our patrons favorite books of 2010.<br />
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In the meantime, here are a few titles to consider for holiday gift giving. The titles below are the type of book not usually found in Library collections - except for the record books of course.<br />
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<i>Flip-o-Saurus</i> by Sara Ball and Britta Drehsen is put out by Abbeville Press. This book allows the reader to flip the feet, torso and heads of different dinosaurs to create new prehistoric monsters. The text explains the differences between the different types of dinosaurs.<br />
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<i>Harry Potter : a Pop-up Book</i> is based on the wildly popular film versions of these children's blockbusters. Bruce Foster created this book and Andrew Williamson illustrated it. It is published by Insight Editions and lists at $34.95 but is cheaper in online markets.<br />
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<i>The Robot Book</i> by Heather Brown will delight little engineers and their moms. The book is about a little robot and how he is put together. Every page has a piece that moves. Bloggers are excited by this title published by Andrew McMeel. It retails at $16.99.<br />
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<i>The Guinness World Records 2011.</i> It's already here and it's amazing. This book will delight anyone who is interested in the biggest, smallest, longest, shortest, most or least of <i>anything.</i><br />
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Boxed sets of favorite series are always a hit and there are a lot fo series to choose from:<br />
<i>Fancy Nancy </i>by Jan O'Connor for the pretty fancy girls between the ages of 3 and 8. (and up. We all want to be fancy sometime.)<br />
<i>Ivy and Bean</i> by Annie Barrows. These friends have wonderful adventures just being girls.<br />
<i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</i> by Jeff Kinney. Present a whole set of the escapades of Greg Heffly to a pre-teen, girl or boy.<br />
<i>Dork Diary</i> by Rachel Renee Russell is a series that pre-teen and middle school girls are eating up.<br />
<i>Percy Jackson</i> by Rick Riordan for adventure and loves of mythology between the ages of 9 and adult.<br />
<i>The 39 Clues</i> by various authors, follows the adventures of clan members who are trying to win a huge inheritance.<br />
For fantasy lovers, don't forget <i>The Sisters Grimm</i> by Michael Buckley.<br />
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There are so many hot series out for children and teens, it's impossible to keep up with them.<br />
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My next post will include suggestions for teens and stand alone titles.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-78344938614576242962010-11-24T08:29:00.000-08:002010-11-24T08:29:48.032-08:00Old favorites for a nostalgic holidayHappy Thanksgiving, everyone! Enjoy your turkey and your family and remember all the things for which you are grateful. No matter where you are or what is going on in your life, there are small things that give your days light.<br />
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Libraries count among those things. (And, no, we are not open on Thanksgiving but we are open on Black Friday!) A trip to the library is better than a trip to the Mall because you come away from the library debt-free.<br />
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Right now, I am going through children's fiction to make sure that the books on the shelves at the Parkland Community Library are books that children want to read. I have run across some old favorites - some of them written in and about simpler times. Some of these stories were read by my parents and they make friendly reading today.<br />
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The stories of Louisa May Alcott are couched in the language of 19th century America but the characters and their values are timeless and enduring. Check out <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-275%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=2%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=alcott%2c+louisa%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=42610&RecordNumber=42610&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-275&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Little Women</i></a> or <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-275%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=2%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=alcott%2c+louisa%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=64562&RecordNumber=64562&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-275&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Little Men</a>.</i> Although each book tells a story, the chapters are little tales in themselves and can be shared out loud.<br />
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L. Frank Baum wrote <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-284%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=The+wizard+of+OZ%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=57561&RecordNumber=57561&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-284&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>The Wizard of Oz</i></a> and all of its sequels. Once again, the language is charmingly old-fashioned but the books are full of adventure and fantasy and peopled by strange creatures.<br />
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The books of Thornton Burgess deal with animals who have human problems - trickery, jealousy, greed and mischievousness. <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-272%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=burgess%2c+thornton%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=3813&RecordNumber=3813&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-272&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Animal Tales</i></a> and<i> <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-272%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=burgess%2c+thornton%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=77683&RecordNumber=77683&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-272&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,">Mrs. Peter Rabbit</a></i> are two of Burgess's titles in the collection at the Parkland Community Library.<br />
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Elizabeth Enright's <i>Melendy Family</i> series starts with <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-286%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=16777216%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=The+Saturdays%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=39440&RecordNumber=39440&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-286&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>The Saturdays</i></a>. That story revolves around the adventures that the Melendy children have after they decide to pool their allowances. Their weekly allowances are mind-bogglingly small in today's economy. The adventures are adult-free and creative. Read the rest of the series to find out how the Melendy children grow and change.<br />
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Eleanor Estes <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-288%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=2%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=estes%2c+eleanor%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=126103&RecordNumber=126103&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-288&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Moffats</i></a> are another family to love. Widowed Mrs. Moffat manages quite well with the help of her lively and creative brood. I particularly love the chapter in which Rufus gets his own library card in <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=ItemTitles%26Config=pac%26FormId=-288%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26IdIsDataNumber=0%26DataNumber=550159233%26NotAddToHistory=1%26Count=11%26ItemField=2%26SearchAvailableOnly=0%26PeriodLimit=-1&DataNumber=0&RecordNumber=43163&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-288&ItemField=2&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Rufus M.</i></a><br />
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The Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Lovelace have a club of their own fans. Right now, most of Lovelace's books are in storage. Bring them back by putting a hold on the titles. Get a taste of this series about the friendships among pre-teen and teen girls by checking out <a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&LastResult=Search%26Config=pac%26FormId=-292%26Branch=,0,%26LimitsId=0%26StartIndex=0%26SearchField=34%26SearchType=1%26SearchData=lovelace%2c+maud%26NotAddToHistory=1%26ItemsPerPage=10%26SortField=0%26PeriodLimit=-1%26SearchAvailableOnly=0&DataNumber=41925&RecordNumber=41925&SearchAvailableOnly=0&FormId=-292&ItemField=1&Config=pac&Branch=,0,"><i>Heaven to Betsy</i></a> which follows Betsy and Tacy during their first year of high school.<br />
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The list of beloved authors goes on and on and grows longer and longer. Which of the authors our children crave today will still be on the shelves - or downloadable - when their children are learning to read? Jeff Kinney and his <i>Wimpy Kid?</i> Suzanne Collins of <i>The Hunger Games?</i> Mary Pope Osbourne and her <i>Magic Tree House?</i> And what about some of my all-time favorites? I've listed them below. Will they still be around in 40 years? I hope so.<br />
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<b>Lloyd Alexander</b> -<i>The Prydain Chronicles</i> form a fantasy series that still entices and delights.<br />
<b>Betsy Byars</b> - With numerous Newbery Awards and Honor books to her credit, Byars' books chronicle the day to day life of American children in sometimes difficult, sometimes hilarious and often suspenseful circumstances.<br />
<b>Susan Cooper</b> -Her <i>Dark Is Rising</i> novels lean heavily on the Arthurian legends to create fabulous fantasies.<br />
<b>Sid Fleischman</b> - Funny, fast-paced, well-researched, Fleischman's novels offer accessible historical fiction and the occasional fantasy.<br />
<b>L. M. Montgomery</b> - <i>Anne of Green Gables </i>was only one of Montgomery's heroines. <br />
<b>E. Nesbit</b> - Old fashioned, tongue-in-cheek fantasies were Nesbit's stock in trade.<br />
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This is just the tip of the iceburg. I will list other favorite authors in further posts. Visit with these old friends; share them with your children. And enjoy your Thanksgiving!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-27806251089398766662010-11-11T09:28:00.000-08:002010-11-11T09:28:57.779-08:00Stories on CDThe online survey never happened. I apologize. It WILL happen soon. So keep an eye on this space.<br />
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Has anyone noticed how busy the highways are? Commuting on Rte. 22 takes longer and longer as the holidays approach. I have found a way to "shorten" the drive. I listen to stories on CD. Books on CD take forever to finish and I find myself sitting in the car waiting for a chapter to finish. BUT stories are finished in 5 or 12 minutes and make the slow traffic on the road bearable.<br />
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Look for CDs by Bill Harley, Donald Davis, Willy Claflin, Odds Bodkin, the Lehigh Valley's own Chaz Kiernan and his daughter, Emily. (They each have their own CDs.) Dovie Thomason shares Native American tales in her Cds. Heather Forest is a renowned teller and teacher. <br />
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Most of these CDs can be found in the Children's CD collection. Check one out today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-77456494943791092922010-11-04T08:29:00.000-07:002010-11-04T09:54:50.987-07:00First PCL Youth Book AwardsDear Blog Friends,<br />
A lot of wonderful books for children and teens are printed every single year. This year seemed like a banner year, especially for teens and preschoolers. SOOOO let me know which books were your favorites this year. What books caught your attention, made you think, made you want more, more, more?<br />
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Next Wednesday, Nov. 10th, check this blog for an online survey. The survey will ask for your favorite book in several categories. No matter when the book was published, if you read it this year, and it made an impression on you, type the title in. When that survey ends, the top five books in each category will be published online and you can vote on your favorites in another online survey.<br />
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Paper ballots will be in the library as well. By December 20th the surveys will be complete and winners will be announced.<br />
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Please take part in this fun event. Anyone who takes either survey will be entered in a random drawing for prizes!<br />
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Start thinking about the best books for children or teens that you read this year. And watch the nomination process begin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-907091206095224484.post-78082256921151885612010-10-26T10:19:00.000-07:002010-10-26T10:19:44.437-07:00Election time and new non-fictionThe midterm elections are "too much with us", as the Bard might say. Bombarded by television and radio ads and dinnertime phone calls, most of us will rejoice that the season is over, no matter who wins next Tuesday.<br />
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The Youth Services department has just added a couple of series that can answer some of the questions that all of these ads might bring up. What DOES a Senator do? or a Congressional Representative for that matter? A new series called <i>How Our Government Works</i> looks at the jobs of senators, representatives, governors, mayors and even the president and describes what each position requires of the person holding it. The books are written for elementary school students, in grades 3 through 5.<br />
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The Constitution is mentioned a lot in political debates and in political ads. In the series <i>Six Questions of American History</i>, (written for grades 4 and up), one of the titles deals with the history of this important American document. <i><a href="http://www.parklandlibrary.org/TLCScripts/interpac.dll?LabelDisplay&Config=PAC&Branch=,0,&FormId=-410&RecordNumber=141429">Who wrote the U.S. Constitution?</a> and other questions about the Constitutional Conventions of 1787</i> by Candice Ransom provides a close look at the people who drafted the Constitution of the United States of America. To read the entire Constitution, divided into sections and Amendments,<a href="http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html"> go to this link</a> It is a VERY long document.<br />
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Other titles in the <i>Six Questions of American History</i> series deal with the history of canals in America, why the Pilgrims came to the New World, and why the Cherokees moved West. <br />
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And parents, don't forget to vote next Tuesday! May the best representative, senator, etc. win.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0