Staff Picks

Got Non-Fiction

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As a teacher, I am always encouraging my students to read more non-fiction. Recently, I decided I ought to take my own advice and move away from my go-to mysteries. As I pondered what non-fiction area to delve into, I thought back to my childhood and remembered the times spent at camp making terrariums with my aunt. She patiently and carefully showed me what to do and we got busy collecting items for our terrariums. These fond memories sparked my interest and I decided to do some research into terrariums. I started looking on Minerva, the electronic “card catalog” and …

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New Children’s Books for September

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Picture books The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles has a job of the utmost importance. It is his task to open any bottle found at sea and make sure that the message is delivered. He loves his job, although he always wishes that one of the letters would someday be addressed to him. Then one day he finds a bottle with the most intriguing note inside, and no name attached. As he devotes himself to solving the mystery, he ends up finding what his heart wanted all along. …

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Book Review: ‘The Miracle on Monhegan Island’ by Elizabeth Kelly

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Recently, I was hunting at the library for my next book to read when I came across Elizabeth Kelly’s ‘The Miracle on Monhegan Island’. Typically I stick with mysteries, but the fun, summery cover caught my eye, and I love all things Monhegan, so I thought I’d give it a try. It took a whole chapter for me to realize that Ned, the narrator in this novel, is a dog. Yes, it is Ned the dog’s voice we hear as the story unfolds. I thought this was really bizarre, and to be honest, it just didn’t appeal to me as …

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Library “Chain Verse”

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Summer at the lake Lake of dreams Dreams of paradise Paradise sky Sky full of stars Stars in my eyes Eyes of darkness Darkness before dawn Dawn over the Kennebec Kennebec County wildflowers Wildflowers across America America America America the beautiful Beautiful mystery Mystery woman Woman of the inner sea Sea glass Glass castle Castle in the sky Sky so close Close your eyes, hold hands Hands that are not there There goes Maine! Maine and her people

Great Summer Reads

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As you are packing for your vacation, or heading out to camp, don’t forget to take a stack of books with you! Summer is a great time to relax with a good book. Following are some great summer reads you may want to take with you! All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank If you’re a hopeless romantic, then this is the perfect read for you. A young couple from New York finds themselves at odds when a move to South Carolina causes strife in their relationship. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams Lily’s story unfolds in 1930’s Seaview, Rhode …

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Maine Reading

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M            Maine : an explorer’s guide A             Archeological excavations at Pemaquid, Maine I               It N             Nectar E              Ebbing tide T              Train to Maine I               Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe T              Trespasser L              Lighthouse keeper’s daughter E              Enjoying Maine birds S              Stern Men F              Fairyhouses of the Maine coast O             One morning in Maine R             Route 1 Maine T              Time of wonder H             Heroes are my weakness E              East Hope S              Somewhere off the coast of Maine U             Under the dome M            Maine 24/7 M            Mirror of Maine E              Exit the milkman R             Real Maine food