A BOOK SCAVENGER FINDS A BOOK

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman is a book lover's adventure that's described by the author as a mix of geocaching, scavenger hunting and Bookcrossing.com.  In this story, people hide books and provide clues online for others to decipher in order to find the hidden books and with each successful find the hunters earn points.  

San Francisco, California is the next city Emily and her family are headed for on their quest to live in all 50 states.  Her parents' jobs and nomadic lifestyle has left her with one thing that she clings to and can always count on to do in each new city, The Book Scavenger game started by Garrison Griswold.  As soon as she arrives in the city, Griswold is mugged and in the hospital.  Emily finds a book thinking it's part of the game but as she and her new friend, James, begin to decipher each clue and code they realize this new game has become more and more dangerous.  

For 5th-8th grade readers who really enjoy decoding, a mystery and an adventure in one of the most amazing city in the country.  

AUTHOR VISITS LIBRARY

Don't forget, Miss Meghan's mom, children's author, Nancy Raines Day will be visiting our branches this week to share her new book What in the World?  Numbers in Nature.  She will read from her new book to all the toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners who would like to join us. A craft time will follow the reading. There will be three opportunities to meet Nancy.   

Tuesday, October 6, 3:30 pm, Children's Room 


Wednesday, October 7, 3:00 pm, Pacific Park 

Thursday, October 8, 10:45 am, Casa Verdugo

Once Upon a Time Bookstore of Montrose will have her books available for purchase and signing.  

THE AUTHOR IS COMING!

Children's author, Nancy Raines Day will be visiting our branches next week to share her new book What in the World?  Numbers in Nature.  Join us for a reading and craft time and check out a few of her other books. This event is perfect for toddlers and up.  


Tuesday, October 6, 3:30 pm, Children's Room 


Wednesday, October 7, 3:00 pm, Pacific Park 

Thursday, October 8, 10:45 am, Casa Verdugo

Her books will be available for purchase and signing thanks to Once Upon a Time Bookstore of Montrose. 

WORDS ARE WAITING TO BE READ---NEW IDEAS TO FILL MY HEAD

Young Hippo is very excited to visit the library with her father.  She explores the different subject books in hopes of finding great books for herself.  As she discovers the different sections, her imagination takes her into each story. 

Books for Me! by Sue Fliess, gives children an understanding of the different kinds of books that are available at the library with many references to classic children’s literature.  Illustrator, Mike Laughead's  wonderful artwork brings the book titles to life in each page.  The amazing illustrations and rhyming words in this book emphasize the joy of reading and libraries.  A must-read for all children!

HAVE YOU READ THE MOCKINGBIRD BOOK?

When Lucy, Elena, and Michael receive their summer reading list, they are excited to see To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee included, but not everyone in their class share their enthusiasm so they hatch a plot to get the entire town talking about the this Harper Lee classic. They plan controversial ways to get people to read the book, including re-shelving copies of the book in bookstores so that people think they are missing and starting a website devoted to targeting "the mockingbird." At first their efforts have the intended buzz and people are hungry for the book, but soon things spin out of control and they unwittingly start a mini revolution in the name of book. 

In this slim novel, I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acompora will inspire middle grade readers to want to read this  American classic.  This is not a story for everyone, but for mature readers from 6th grade and up.  

WHY NOT READ ALOUD?

Read Aloud 15 MINUTES. Every child. Every parent. Every day.


From birth to age 3 are critical years in the development of a child's language skills. 

http://www.readaloud.org/15minutes.html 

GROW BRAINS GROW

Come in and check out some books to read aloud to your child this month.  If you don't have a lot of time, why not request them online and we will hold them for you so you can just zip in and zip out.  Our Central branch is open everyday of the week.
HAPPY READING! 

READING THE YEAR AWAY

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng is a sweet book about growing up and growing apart. Fourth grade has brought all kinds of changes for Anna. When her best friend, Laura, starts hanging out with a new group, Anna finds comfort and friendship in the books she finds at the library or her classroom.  Things aren't much better at home- Anna is struggling to learn Chinese at the language classes she has to attend and thinks her mom is embarrassing.

But, Anna finds that she needs more than books to truly make her happy. Throughout the year she finds friends in unexpected places and learns that maybe she hasn't been the greatest friend herself.  Sprinkled with whimsical illustrations and directions on how to sew a lunch bag  play tangrams, and fold a won ton, this is a great story for kids who know the power of a good book.

Grades 3 and up

READING IS NEVER EASY

Travis is new to the middle school, new to the area and not happy at all.  When he meets outspoken, Velveeta, a classmate, things begin to look up until he has to read out loud in class.  He feels like a Bluefish all over again.  

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz is a hopeful story of new friendships and hidden secrets.  A realistic look at how middle schoolers deal with death, alcoholism, parents, neglect, bullying, and school.  For mature readers in 6 grade and up.  

STUEY LEWIS WANTS TO READ

Stuey is worried. He's been in second grade for two whole days, yet he still can't read! It seems that even hanging out with his very best friend makes him feel stressed about reading. It's a good thing he has a very understanding teacher and his favorite holiday, Halloween, just around the corner to help him cope.

The One and Only Stuey Lewis by Jane Schoenberg is light-hearted beginning chapter book for readers in 2nd-3rd grades about a boy learning to read, his friends and family.

THE CASE OF THE MISSING CHICKS

J.J. is an old retired rescue dog who can find anyone, even missing chicks. When Moosh's chicks begin to disappear from the farm, J.J., for a well done cheeseburger, reluctantly takes the case where the scent leads to the house dog, Vince the Funnel.

The Trouble With Chickens: A J.J. Tully Mystery by Doreen Cronin is a fun and quirky beginning chapter book for readers in 3rd-4th told from two dogs' points of view.

FATTY LEGS: A TRUE STORY

Sometimes its hard to go to school. So learns Olemaun Pokiak, an Alaskan Inuit girl who really wants to learn to read. Her sister is allowed to go to school, but didn't like it at all, saying they take everything away from you, including your name and your hair. Even her father is against Olemaun leaving the family to go to school. But Olemaun SO wants to read, she begs and pleads. Finally, her father agrees to send her to the school. When Olemaun gets there, school is NOTHING like what she had hoped it would be. The first thing they do is change her name to Olemaun and cut off her long braids! This is a true story that took place about 60 years ago and its good for 4th grade and up.

READING + DEATH = PERFECT SUMMER?

Derek's perfect summer was ruined. His mother did not want to have fun. She wants him to READ! His best friend goes away for a great vacation back East, and he gets to go to a learning camp so he can learn to enjoy reading "real" books. Then he finds out that he almost died when he was a baby and he may have caused the death of the babysitter. He's obsessed with finding out what happened, but his mom is also determined not to let him.

A funny look at one boy's wreck of a summer with stick figure commentaries on the side. My Life as a Book by Janet Tashijian is great read for 5th-8th grade.

SPIES IN THE LIBRARY

Steve loves the Bailey Brothers stories, detectives extraordinaire, and has read all their books. He studied everything there is to know about being a detective and hopes to become one just like them. His hopes are realized when he is mistaken a "bad guy" while doing research for a homework assignment at the library! Now he must figure out who the real spy selling government secrets is in order to save himself. Who knew that the library could be such a dangerous place and that librarians are really secret agents?

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity: A Brixton Brothers Series by Mac Barnett is for readers in 4th through 6th grade looking for some action.

SUGGESTION FROM A LIBRARIAN'S MEETING

All of the children's librarians meet monthly to look at the new books, share their personal reviews, tips and updates from their various sites.

Jennifer Boyce from the Montrose-Crescenta Branch suggests:

ART APPRECIATION: IN A PICTURE BOOK

Artful Reading by Bob Raczka introduces art made in homage to reading. Through a series of 32 paintings, the author describes the ways, reasons, and places people read. Children will discover that reading can take many forms, be done for work or pleasure, and has captured artists’ hearts and minds for centuries.

A lovely homage to art and reading. For Preschool – 2nd grade.

^@^@^ BOOKMARK CONTEST 2009 ^@^@^

BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY!!!

January 26 - February 8, 2009

Each January the Library holds a contest to design new bookmarks to be used during the year. This competition is open to any one who wishes to participate from infants through adults. The only restriction is that the actual drawing must be done in the Library, Central or one of the Branches, with the materials supplied by the Library. The submissions are then judged by outside judges and the winners are chosen according to age groups. The winners are given a certificate and copies of their winning bookmark at a ceremony which is held at the Central Library. Winning bookmarks are duplicated and distributed throughout the Glendale Library System. This year's theme is Be Creative @ Your Library.

I HATE TO READ!

Victor Dickens is a regular kid who likes to watch television and do whatever he feels like. However, he is suffering from a major symptom, and that is the "I hate reading symptom." At school he gets A's and B's on all subjects except reading. All of his family members try to help him by feeding him alphabet soup and investing in volumes of books. However, all fail do to his almost incurable problem.

And than...really unbelievable events start happening and even if you too hate reading, you must read this book to see what happens and if you too can also be cured as well.

I HATE TO READ is written by RITA MARSHALL and the illustrations are bye ETIENNE DELESSERT.

For grades 2nd and up.

THE END OF THE BEGINNING: BEING THE ADVENTURES OS A SMALL SNAIL( AND AN EVEN SMALLER ANT)

Avon, the snail, loves to read. After reading so many enjoyable stories he decides to leave his comfortable home and go on an adventure. On his journey, he befriends an ant named Edward. The two develop a wonderful friendship that will make Avon's adventure a memorable one. Avi's chapter book for 3rd graders and up is a good introduction to witty dialogue between the characters. The illustrations are delightful!! I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end.

THE BEE TREE

Since Mary Ellen is not in the mood to do much reading lately, her grandfather suggests that instead they should try to find a bee tree and taste it's sweet honey. To do anything but reading, the curious girl agrees and they go buzzing around the town following the bees in search of the bee tree.

More and more people follow them from the neighborhood as they swarm through it. The grandfather patiently tries to instill the love of reading back into his granddaughter by spooning honey in a book and asking her to taste it's sweetness.

PATRICIA POLACCO has definitely written another great and sweet book to be read by everyone.

For pre-school to 2nd grade.

ARTFUL READING

Now here is a very fun book to not only read but also get to see some pretty cool paintings by world famous artists. The subject in all of the paintings is reading, therefore the title ARTFUL READING by BOB RACZKA. The book is very thin and there is not much to read. However, the paintings are really beautiful and it is actually cool to see reading being portrayed as a cool pass time in them. At the end of the book, there is a brief history of each artist's life.

For grades first and older.