Staff Picks

Non-Fiction for Children!

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One of the unexpected advantages of incorporating books from the now closed satellite library at the Boys & Girls Club is the wonderful non-fiction titles that have moved over.  We had shared two major Scholastic collections, “A Wicked History” and “You Wouldn’t Want to Be . . .” These are both historical sets that have been extremely popular.   Non-fiction books for children have changed dramatically in the last few decades.  Many incorporate colorful illustrations and text that is not only very readable but fascinating as well – as in “hard to put down”   Come in and check out …

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Murder in the library??? Ask Agatha Christie!

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October seems like a good time for a mystery tribute.  Following is a poem created using only titles of Agatha Christie novels. Enjoy! Halloween Party The Man In The Brown Suit Lord Edgware Dies A Murder Is Announced Mrs. McGinty’s dead Endless Night The Clocks The Thirteen Problems The Moving Finger Appointment With Death One, Two, Buckle My Shoe Parker Pyne Investigates Five Little Pigs The Big Four Partners In Crime Third Girl Dumb Witness Cards On The Table Ordeal Of Innocence They Do It With Mirrors The Pale Horse Destination Unknown The Hollow Peril At End House Why Didn’t …

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What am I reading?

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Many of our favorite movies are based on even better books.  Though I am happy that one of my favorite authors manages to have many of his titles made into pretty good movies, I really hope that folks continue to read Dennis Lehane.  Once you read one of his books, you will wonder what took you so long to find him. I first discovered Lehane when our library book discussion group read Mystic River.  The opening pages grab you instantly as you become acquainted with the characters that meet as children and reconnect after a terrible tragedy sets them along …

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Nominated Short Films

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Watching the Oscars each year reminds me how disappointed I am that we are not able to readily view the animated short films that are nominated each year.  The library has been able to add to our collection here in Gardiner three compilations of these winners and nominees, “A Collection of Academy AwardNominated Short Films”.  The years covered are 2005, 2006, and 2007.  But what about all the other years and other films?  Last year’s winner for Best Animated Short Film was “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr.Morris Lessmore”.  A friend who knew I worked in a library passed a …

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Book Sites for Teens

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I thought I would do a blog on different websites teens could visit to keep up to date with all the new books coming out. I am always wondering where the teens find out about books that have just been published – by looking around a book store? or searching the web? Here are some websites I have found helpful. www.yahighway.com has a website and facebook page which is a very good place to start. Their facebook page was very helpful for the Young Adult on new books.  Another website is www.Teenreads.com. This website has a fabulous layout for teens. …

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What are we reading?

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  I’ve recently read two great books, The Last Telegram by Liz Trenow and The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty.  The former is historical fiction dealing with Great Britain’s production of silk for parachutes used in WWII as well as a love story, and the latter covers the time span of late 1890’s into the 1950’s and includes a fictionalization of the life of silent screen actress Louise Brooks.  Both have well developed characters & interesting sub plots.   Charlene Bad Cat by Jim Edgar   Ever catch your pet in an odd pose or with a bizarre expression on its …

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