New Fiction Review: In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace

By K.D. McCrite
298 pages
Best for grades 4-7
Copyright: 2011
Call Number: J MCCRITE

In the first book in the new April Grace series we meet the nearly 6th grade girl from the Ozarks, her family, and neighbors. Some call her a hillbilly and a hick, but we learn through this first person account how she solves mysteries, observes people, and stops two terrible tragedies in just one book. What I love about this title is how April Grace is a very real character and how all of her family members and neighbors have clear personality complete with likable parts and failings. Even April Grace.

After I got over the shock of a historical fiction book taking place in 1986 (shoulder pads, new-fangled VCRs, dramatic eye shadow and everything!). I couldn't put April Grace down! A good winter break read when you want to loose yourself in the summertime.

Click here to view this title in the catalog.

-JW-

Book Review: The Romeo and Juliet code

By Phoebe Stone
Call Number: J STONE, P
For ages 8-12 years old

Living in London during World War II, 11-year-old Felicity must go to Bottlebag, Maine to stay with her father’s estranged and kooky family. Once she and her parents arrive, she realizes that there is so much about her parents, Winnie and Danny, that she doesn’t know and that no one is willing to tell her. Her lively uncle, aunt, and grandmother change the subject whenever she asks where her parents are and when they will return. When letters start arriving from Portugal, Felicity is convinced that they are from her parents but her uncle refuses to tell her anything about them. With the help of her adopted cousin, Derek, they find the letters and discover they are written in code. Clever, charming, and persistent, Felicity won’t stop looking at the clues around her until she finds out the truth about her parents. This light spy novel is filled with humor, a little bit of romance, mystery, and plenty of heart!

Check our catalog for this title.

-ML-

Holiday Movie

Come enjoy a holiday movie for the entire family!
Thursday, December 22nd

2 p.m., auditorium

All ages welcome, but children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult.-SC-



Lego Build-at-Home Contest Results

Here are photos of all the entries of our first-ever build-at-home contest:

All the entries were great so we had a hard time choosing the winner. The winner of the contest is Zak K.!  Honorable Mentions go to Cameron & Samir. The entries of all contestants are show below. Thank you to all who entered! We will have another Lego Build-at-Home contest again sometime, but for now if you enjoy building with LEGOs® or Duplos®, please join us for the Brick & Little Builders progam. This is a drop-in program on the second Saturday of each month. The next session is:

Brick & Little Builders
Saturday, January 14, 10:30-11:30 AM
We encourage adults to join their kids as they create with LEGO/Duplo blocks (bricks for older and little kids will be separated). No registration required. Ages 3-11 with their adults.

-sv

Monday, December 19: Penny's Puppets

It's the time of year we've all been waiting for... Winter Break is just around the corner! You might be thinking what in the world can you do with your kids while they're out of school.

Why not drop by the library? Fun things are happening almost every day next week starting off with a puppet show!

Mr. Moose goes for a winter walk and meets all kinds of new friends and gets caught in a snow storm. Come and walk, sing and dance in this winter frolic fun puppet show.

Penny's Puppets 

Monday December 19, 2011 

 2:00 PM

All ages are welcome and no registration is required.

We hope to see you there!

Rest in Peace Russell Hoban

It has come to my attention that Russle Hoban, author of Bread and Jam for Frances (among many other classic children's books) has passed away.

Frances has always been one of my favorite picture book characters because of the issues she tackles and how she expresses her feelings through song. We've mentioned her before in this blog, too. (When my sister shared this new with me she mentioned that she feels as though she should sit under the sink and sing a sad little song.)

For more information you can visit the School Library Journal article linked here.

Click here to view all of Russell Hoban's books in the catalog.

-JW-

Jingle Babies

December 21st, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Come wiggle and jiggle to some festive music and make a card to send to the North Pole!
For children ages 0-6 years, and their families.
Library meeting rooms A/B

SC

Día de Manualidades del Invierno/ Winter Craft Day

Día de Manualidades del Invierno/ Winter Craft Day

Martes, 20 de diciembre, 1:00-2:00 PM

Tuesday, December 20, 1:00-2:00 PM

Ven y haz manualidades del Invierno, escucha un cuento bilingüe y canta villancicos en Español. Para familias con niños de edades entre 2 y 10 años.

                                          No se requiere inscripción. ¡Gratuito!

Come make holiday crafts, hear a bilingual story and sing some holiday songs in
Spanish. No registration required. For ages 2-10 with their families. Free!

-sv

December Programs for the whole Family

So many great things are happening at the library this month! Be sure to take some time out to enjoy the free puppet shows, crafts, puzzles, dances, movies, and stories!

-JW-

A Bad Kitty Christmas

by Nick Bruel
E Bruel (Christmas)
2011
for ages 4 and up

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, not a creature was stirring...Except for BAD KITTY." Bad kitty just can't be good, even at Christmas time! She continues to cause mayhem as she zips through the alphabet three different times. She escapes into the city, where she makes an understanding friend. Meanwhile, you can guess Puppy tracks her in the snow, and you can follow his progress along the bottom of the pages. The story ends on a happy note with a warm ending just right for the holidays. All your bad kitty fans will be delighted!-SC-

Check our catalog for this title."