Chloe by Peter McCarty

Here are a few book trailers I'm sure you'll enjoy!

Chloe by Peter McCarty is the story of a little rabbit with 20 brothers and sisters. Spunky Chloe will amaze you!

For you older readers, why not take a look at The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate?

Holiday Book Suggestions

I heard that groan! Yes, it is early to shop for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa but with the economy the way it is, we all find it easier to spend a little at a time rather than save that huge outlay for one weekend. Here is a few of School Library Journal's Best Books of 2010:

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton.

Seasons by Blexbolex.

Me and You by Anthony Browne.

Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming.

The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee.

Don't Want to Go by Shirley Hughes.

Dust Devil by Anne Isaacs.

Monsters Eat Whiny Children
by Bruce Eric Kaplan.

Snook Alone by Marilyn Nelson.

Animal Crackers Fly the Coop by Kevin O'Malley.

Take some time and check these out. These are just a few of the excellent books mentioned in School Library Journal's article.

Fitting In

Ever feel like you just don't fit in?
In the newest Dear America book, "The Diary of Piper Davis: The Fences Between Us" by Kirby Larson, Piper Davis' life has totally turned around. Her brother Hank has enlisted in the Navy and is stationed at Pearl Harbor. It's 1941 and blackouts are standard fare. Her Japanese neighbors have been sent to incarceration camps and her pastor father has decided to join them to show his support. There's no word from her brother, food rations have been cut, and Piper is learning how intolerant and fearful people can be. My favorite quote:
"...even if we can't do much about the fences that get built around people, when fences get between people, it's our job to tear them down." You'll find this book in our new book section. It is appropriate for 4th thru 7th graders.

"The Gnome's Eye" by Anna Kerz tells the story of Theresa, an Austrian girl whose family has emigrated to Canada after World War II. According to Hazel Rochman of Booklist, Kerz immigrated to Canada as a child in the 1950s, and she drew from her own experiences of the journey in this lively, detailed novel that follows a Yugoslav family from a refugee camp in Austria through a horrific ocean crossing in a crowded ship and finally to their arrival in Toronto. Young Theresa personalizes the struggle, as she describes in her honest narrative her anger at having to leave her friends behind, her failure as she gets Ds at school, her hostile classmates who tell her to “go back to where you came from,” and her grandmother, who calls her “homely.” Theresa's mother finds works as a cleaner and her father as a tailor, but even after they are employed, the family tension and fighting remain. Theresa knows some German, and that helps her reach out and connect with Yiddish neighbors. The immigration drama will hold readers: at first “she cannot talk and understand” in the schoolyard, but it is a milestone when she learns to stand up for herself and say, “Shut up!” This may be found in our new book section. It, too, is appropriate for 4th thru 7th graders.

Last but not least, "Carmen Learns English" by Judy Cox is a great way to introduce tolerance to our smallest readers. Carmen begins school speaking Spanish, her native language. She is teased by other students because of her accent. Her teacher, la senora Coska, speaks Spanish and realizes that Carmen is being teased. She asks Carmen to teach the class simple Spanish words, thus bringing peace and harmony to her class and most of all to Carmen. Carmen brings her understanding of English home to her little sister, completing the cycle. While this is a picture book, I think it is appropriate for anyone, even adults.

If you liked "The Lightning Thief"....

Oh boy! Do I have a book for you! If you are one of the millions of "Lightning Thief" fans, you're going to want to check out "Laughing Wolf" by Nicholas Maes. Felix Taylor and his father love history and Latin. In the year 2213 they are considered weird because, after all, Latin is a dead language and, really, what can that old history teach you? Well, plenty! When the plague rears its ugly head and people start dying, it's up to Felix and his friend Carolyn to travel back in time to find the exinct flowering lupus ridens (or laughing wolf), the only remedy to this horrid disease. But it's 71 BC and Spartacus the former slave and Pompey the Roman are warring. How will two kids from the future escape their clutches? Take Ancient Rome and time travel and roll them together for a breathtaking, breakneck race to save mankind.

"As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth" by Lynne Rae Perkins

Wow, you think you have problems? Ry is on his way to camp when he belatedly opens the "Urgent!' letter he had received from the camp. Surprise! The camp is closed. When the train abruptly stops and he hears the conductor telling a passenger that there will be a 40 minute delay, Ry tries to call his grandfather but there is no cell phone reception. Thinking that he'll get better reception outside of the train, Ry starts to walk further and further away from the tracks-- except the train has started to move, leaving Ry deserted. Ry walks the tracks for miles, his nose starts to bleed, staining an already tattered tee shirt and he finally hitches a ride on a boxcar. Sitting with his legs dangling over the side of the boxcar, one of his loosely tied boots falls into the water. When the train approaches the trainyard in town, Ry jumps off and hurries to hide behind a pile of rubble to avoid security. Unfortunately, he doesn't see the protuding piece of steel that smacks into his head right above his eye, making it immediately blacken and swell.
Now all this happens in the first 25 pages and it just goes on from there. You see, not only is Ry having a bad time, so are his parents and Grandpa. Shattered masts, missing dogs, sink holes, and an airplane with duct tape holding it together all converge to make a humorous and exciting story.

Scooby-Doo, Guan Yu and Beowulf: A Thrilling Trio

If you wander back to our youth graphic novels (now located behind the youth services desk, toward the backwall), you'll find a great selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. New this week are the first three books of the Scooby-Doo graphic novel series, call number J GN SCO. Also new to our shelves are these nonfiction titles: "Guan Yu: Blood Brothers to the End" based on a Chinese legend, call number J GN GUA, and "Beowulf: Monster Slayer" based on a British legend, call number J GN BEO. You'll find thrills, chills, and spills in all of these books!

Changes, Changes, Changes

By now you've noticed the changes in the youth department and perhaps are perplexed as to the location of some of your favorite items. You have probably gotten used to the new shelving in the early reader/board book area. Yesterday we made further changes to tidy up some loose ends. The phonics books have moved to the lower level on the early reader shelves and the board books have moved to their new location beneath the windows in the former puzzle area. They are housed in plastic tubs that are easier for little fingers to use and peruse. This freed up space for our ever-expanding early readers collection.
We now have our Caudill, Coretta Scott King and Newbery award winners moved to their new location on the back wall of the new storyhour room, making it easier for parent and child alike to find that assigned book. Take advantage of our new sitting area, perfect for those third through sixth graders who like to lounge as they read. This space will have further improvements over time so keep your eyes open!
Puzzles and kits can be found hanging just east of the paperback racks. Graphic novels are on the backside of the same shelving unit. Paperback series are on the north wall of the sitting area so if you are looking for Geronimo Stilton, Scooby-Doo, American Girls or any of your fun, favorite reads, you'll find them there.
All in all, it has been an exciting transformation and it's not done yet! You will be truly surprised at what's coming next...but I can't tell you what that is. You'll just have to keep coming in!

The Charlie Small Journals

Hope your holidays were as awesome as mine. Now, though, it's back to school and all that homework. Please take time on the weekends between science fair and animal projects to read a few relaxing books.
Boys, you know that reading can be a little boring at times--too many classics are required reading and, let's face it, they sometimes can be really yawn-inducing! We have a new series for you to try, though, called The Charlie Small Journals. These journals supposedly washed up on shore and there are doubts that Charlie Small, an eight-year-old, really had these adventures. On each book is the plea, "If you find this book, please look after it. This is the only true account of my remarkable adventures." I'll let you decide if they're authentic or not!

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!

Exotic Animals and 300 People--What's Next?

If you came to the library Wednesday, you know the crush we had in the meeting room with our Exotic Animal Rescue program. Did you know there were 300 people in there? Not me, though--that big ol' snake was just too much! Next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. we will feature the Ocean Adventure Scuba Divers who will talk about swimming with great white sharks! Join us, if you dare!

Summer Reading Registration A Success!

Golly, we're tired! Did you know that we registered a total of 600 adults, teens and children for our summer reading program, Read on the Wild Side? And have you seen how many books have been checked out in the Youth Department? Lots of bare shelves out there! We know you're reading now but please continue if you go away on vacation. And if you signed up to be a Junior Friend of the Homewood Library, remember to send a picture of yourself with your Friends bag taken on vacation and you'll receive 5 library reading reward dollars. Such a deal! Thanks for making our registration day a total success. You know, the pool party really isn't that far away so start earning those reward dollars now! You'll need to have earned 10 before you can go to the party. Read on, library-ites!

Tomorrow is Summer Reading Registration!

Tomorrow is our summer reading kickoff! Beginning at 9:30 a.m., everyone who registers for our summer reading program, Read on the Wild Side, will receive a ticket for a free yummy Dairy Queen ice cream treat! Parents work? No problem! We will continue to register until 8:00 p.m. You may still register after tomorrow but tomorrow is the only day to receive a Dairy Queen ice cream treat. I hope to see you all there!

Wild Things!

I have a new favorite book--Wild Things by Clay Carmichael. Zoe has been sent to live with Uncle Henry when her mother passes away. After living with a mentally ill mother who forces Zoe to raise herself, Zoe has a hard time trusting anyone after her mother's suicide. In her mind, "everyone leaves." Uncle Henry, a fiery red haired reclusive artist and heart surgeon, has his own issues with trust after losing his wife to cancer. The stray cat that lives under the house sees a kindred soul in Zoe, yet holds back, fearing she too will leave. All three struggle to find love and trust in another human being. Well written and immediately engaging, you will struggle to put it down before bed! This book is best for fourth thru eighth graders and I think it's an award winner!

Let's "Read on the Wild Side!"

It's hard to believe but summer reading is just around the corner! Yes, registration begins June 10th and our theme is "Read on the Wild Side". To help you get into the mood, I have found some jungle crafts that will send you and your kids to your craft supplies pronto. My favorite is the monkey puppet! You'll find directions for the crafts here. Enjoy your craft!

Lincoln's 200th Birthday and Valentine's Day

What an exciting week! First we will be remembering Abraham Lincoln on what would have been his 200th birthday on February 12th. If we all lived our lives as Lincoln lived his with integrity, honor, intelligence and humor, this nation would certainly be better off. Check out our Youth Services window for famous quotes from Lincoln, spoken by your favorite children's book characters. My favorite? "The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend." Wise man, Abraham Lincoln. Want to learn more about Abraham Lincoln? Check out the Smithsonian Institute.
And then there's Valentine's Day on Saturday, February 14th! Red and pink paper, candy and lots of hugs and kisses from your parents make this the best low maintenance winter holiday ever! Don't forget to give your parents extra hugs for dealing with all the snow this year. Come on, spring!

Create your own Storytube!

It's almost time for the annual Storytube contest at the Gail Borden Library in Elgin. What is a Storytube? Children from around the country video themselves booktalking their favorite books, complete with costumes and different locations. How cool is that! It is simple to enter:
· Get your parent or guardian's permission if you are under 18
· Make your video up to two minutes long
· Feature one book in your video
· Enter as an individual or as part of a group of two to five people by uploading your video to YouTube or TeacherTube
· Enter between January 8 and February 15, 2009
· Be creative!
Get more updated details about participating at www.storytubes.info.

Summer Reading is almost here!

Wow! Only one more week until summer reading sign-up! Our theme this year is "Get in the Game, Read!" and we have some seriously cool programs lined up for our Home Run Wednesdays. To start us off, Anna Stange will sing songs about your favorite storybooks and encourage you to sing too. X-games medalist Matt Wilhelm will join us and provide thrilling moments with his BMX bike show. We'll have our famous family movie day and this year the theme of the movie will, of course, be sports. On Race Day, we will have real race cars in the parking lot and the drivers will be available to answer any questions you have about racing. By the way, for all you girls who dream of speed, our own Miss Sarah will be available to answer your questions about racing because she is a race car driver in her spare time! After all that excitement, come to the library the following Wednesday for an awesome board game bonanza. Gaming in the Great Outdoors follows with Tumblebus for our smaller readers and Climb On's climbing wall for the older readers.
There will be free tickets while they last for Library Night at the Windy City Thunderbolts. Don't forget us during Homewood Days, either, as we will be featuring the James Hart Step Dancers! Come learn some new moves! Last, but not least, is our pool party at Dolphin Lake for our readers who have earned 10 reading dollars. Questions? Call us at (708) 798-0121 x 222.

New Graphic Novels

We've received three new junior graphic novels that I think you'll enjoy. "Gear School" by Adam Gallardo is a futuristic novel that deals with a thirteen-year-old cadet, Teresa Gottlieb, who is learning to drive war machines in the attempt to defeat the alien invaders. She is also learning about boys, school and awful instructors at the same time. Finally, action graphics for girls!
A new series called Twisted Journeys begins with "Captured by Pirates" by Justine and Ron Fontes. In this graphic novel series, you choose your own fate, either as a pirate or a member of the Navy. Last but not least, "Artemis Fowl the Graphic Novel" has arrived! (Don't you think it should have been a graphic novel first?) Mulch Duggins, in all his gaseous glory, and Holly Short, that spunky fairy, finally have been drawn and they match perfectly with what I imagined them to be.

Fun Polaroid craft!

Do your parents still own a Polaroid camera? Try this fun craft that you can do with your parents. Take a picture of someone you love. The Polaroid camera makes instant prints and takes some time to develop. When the picture is almost developed, cut off the surrounding white frame. Gently peal away the front from the back. You should have a thin piece of see through plastic with some goo still attached. Using rubber gloves and damp paper towels, have your parents gently wipe off the goo but be very careful, as it is toxic. You will go through many paper towels! When you have removed all the goo, you will be left with a ghostly image! Then, for fun, go back and check out the back part of the picture. It will have a really unusual greenish, purplish image of your loved one. How should you use these? Well, you could put it in your family's scrapbook and surround it with pics of your house--ooooo ghostly! Be cautious and don't place your backing pic too near a window, as the sun will slowly fade it. Have fun, be creative and I'd love to see your craft when you come to the library. Want more ideas? Check out this craft video from YouTube!