On to Thanksgiving!

Now that all the storyhours have celebrated Halloween, it's time to move on to Thanksgiving, a holiday known for eating lots of your favorite foods and watching football. Little known facts: Did you know that there were 15 men and boys named John on the Mayflower? That the Mayflower traveled at a speed of only 2 miles an hour? That the Indians used cranberries to draw out poison from wounds? That Americans eat almost 45 MILLION turkeys at Thanksgiving? No wonder we're stuffed! Get it? Stuffed? Oh well, these facts and others can be found in "Let's Celebrate Thanksgiving" by Peter and Connie Roop. There's some corny jokes in there, too. For example:

What letters did the Pilgrim boy say when he saw there was no food on the table?
OICURMT

When things went wrong, what could the Pilgrims always count on?
Their fingers!

When does Dracula eat turkey?
At Fangsgiving!

Witches, Aliens and Fifth Graders

We have a new series for juniors called "My Unwilling Witch" by Hiawyn Oram. Rumblewick Spellwacker Mortimer B. (RB for short) is the cat of Haggy Aggy, the unwilling witch. In the first book "My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School" Rumblewick complains in his diary about Haggy Aggy's unability to be a proper witch--imagine, she wants to be a ballerina! Well, we both know that some ballerinas are divas and Haggy Aggy turns out to be the diva supreme! Do you think a diva like Haggy Aggy would dance the Little Match Girl in rags instead of a fluffy tutu? You do? Then you don't know Haggy Aggy! Second through fourth graders will enjoy this short series. You'll find these books on shelf under J ORA.





Also new, "The Doom Machine" by Mark Teague. Here's the blurb from the back of the book: "When Jack Creedle spots a flying saucer, not everyone believes him. After all, he spends a lot of time in juvenile detention and isn't famous for telling the truth. But when he unexpectedly teams up with Isadora Shumway, the daughter of a brilliant scientist, these two unlikely friends set off on an intergalactic adventure filled with fast-paced twists, turns and spins. Strap yourself in for a wild ride brimming with humor and a cast of colorful villains and heroes. Award winner MARK TEAGUE brings a strikingly fresh new voice to the world of children's fiction." Check it out in our new books under J TEA.



Lauren Myracle brings us her new "Luv Ya Bunches", describing the beginning of school for fifth graders. There's the new girl Violet, enthusiastic Katie-Rose, quiet Yasaman, popular Milla and that evil queen bee Modessa who creates a plot that will wreak havoc on the other girls. Middle school can be a pain but these girlfriends work together to bring down that ghastly Modessa. You'll find this book in our new fiction under J MYR.

The Circus is Coming!

Kindergartners through second graders, did you know that our storyhour will be performing in our own circus? Yes, it's true! Register Saturday, August 29th at the Youth Services desk if you are interested in being a clown, strongman, tightrope walker, tumbler, lion tamer or lion. We will perform for your parents on Sept. 30th or Oct. 1st. Fun will be had by all!

Pool Party Friday!

Today is the last day to turn in your reading logs for library reading dollars or raffle tickets. The library store will close on Friday the 31st so bring in those reading dollars while we still have some good prizes left! And don't forget, the pool party at Dolphin Lake is also on Friday and the winners of the raffle buckets will be announced. Sun, fun, good friends....I can't wait! See ya there!

New Avi Book Coming!

In September, the new Avi book, Murder at Midnight, will be released. I scored a copy at the ALA conference last week and enjoyed it thoroughly. Premise: Master Magnus is a magician and a philosopher in Italy in 1490--strange combination, no? Being a magician pays the bills but with a superstitious monarch in charge, Magnus must be wary of drawing undue attention to himself. Fabrizio, the street kid who is also Magnus' assistant, opens the door one day to find a mysterious person shrouded in a monk's robe, warning that Magnus is in danger. Too late, it seems, as Magnus is hauled to jail shortly thereafter. Using ignorance as a weapon, a plot to overthrow the king gains momentum and it is up to Fabrizio to solve the mystery of who is using Magnus to further their own agenda. Throw in a printer's devil, a coffin and a room full of bones and you have a recipe for a great read! Look for this awesome book soon!

Corny Animal Jokes

Okay, it's cloudy out and we need some laughs. Check out these corny jokes!

Q: What do you get if you mix a sheepdog and a rose?

A: A collie-flower!

Q: What are crisp, like milk and go "eek, eek, eek" when you eat them?

A: Mice Krispies!

Q: How do you spot a modern spider?

A: He doesn't have a web, he has a website!

Q: What happens if you eat a hot frog?

A: You'll croak!

Pretty bad, huh? Don't forget that we'll be featuring Animal Bingo this Wednesday in the library's meeting room at 4:00 p.m. See you there!

Library construction and new paperback series

Well, things are just moving right along with our library renovation. By now you'll have noticed the colorful paint and wallpaper and beautiful landscaping. I can tell you that when the interior construction is all finished, you'll be blown away! The Youth Department will have some new shelving, a larger play space and our own story hour room. Color and function will rule here soon!

I also wanted to let you know about three new series I have purchased. All you second thru third grade horse fans will be reaching for the Bella Sara series by Felicity Brown. Third thru sixth graders will welcome the Phantom Stallion series by Terri Farley and the new Vet Volunteers series by Laurie Halse Anderson. I have also expanded our selection of the Geronimo Stilton series.