Magical Broom Making was a blast!

BAM! The Calendar for our Summer Reading Program- The 2016 Library Olympics! 7 weeks of indoor and outdoor programs for the bookish and the sporty and the crafty types!

Announcing: The Summer Reading Program Sign-Up PARTY!

We were awarded a grant for many new Audiobooks!

Well, it’s no secret that reading improves people’s minds, but have you heard the about the studies proving that reading actually improves people’s lives as well?

Studies show that people who read are more likely to vote,exercise and be more cultural.  Reading literary fiction has been proven to enhance a person’s empathy and ability to understand others. Reading improves your memory and wards off Alzheimer’s disease, improves one’s writing abilities, and is more impacting on children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education.

And most people know that listening to audiobooks is quite fun and entertaining. Many folks are aware of audiobooks being used in schools as an aid for struggling readers or kids with differing learning styles. Audiobooks allow the listener to retain their visualization skills without the task of “decoding” the words on the page and losing the meaning. HOWEVER! Recent studies (and trend) indicate that listening to an audiobook can be a helpful way for anyone to access and enjoy the powerful benefits of reading books. New research shows that reading and listening are strikingly similar cognitive processes, proving that the benefits of reading can be transferred to listening to books. Additionally, audiobooks enable a child to listen to books above his or her current reading level, providing a cognitive bridge to more advanced ideas and thinking.

So… SHABAM, right?

I bring all this up as a way to introduce the very exciting bit of news that your very own public librarians have really got your back. Our audiobook collection for kids and teens has been woefully understocked, and we decided it was high time to do something about it. In order to keep our book collection vital and up-to-date, the budget for our collection is used primarily for books, with less opportunity to add to our audiobook collection as they are significantly more expensive and would dramatically eat into our book budget. Which is why we decided to ask good old Ben and Jerry for some help! We wrote and were awarded a grant from the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation for $750 to spend exclusively on audiobooks for the kid’s and teen’s collection!  We were able to purchase 34 new books on cd, all of which are ready and waiting to be checked out at Johnson Public Library. (Full list is forthcoming)

And with this fabulous influx of audiobooks to the collection, we truly feel it will be possible  to keep the audiobooks rolling in (1 or 2 a month) in order to continue to build the collection at a doable rate.

And now for the list:

Children’s and Middle Grade Titles:

The entire series of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan

“The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau

“The Doldrums” by Nicholas Gannon

“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” by Jacqueline Kelly

“Fish in a Tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

“Frog and Toad Collection” by Arnold Loebel

All the remaining Harry Potter books in the collection

“The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials” (Book lll in the Golden Compass trilogy) by Philip Pullman

“Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke

“Little Bear” by Else Holmelund Minarick

“Mary Poppins” by PL Travers

“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate

“The One and Only Shrek Plus 5 Other Stories” by William Steig

“Pax” by Sara Pennypacker

“Peter Pan” by James Mathew Barrie

“Pippi Longstockings” by Astrid Lindgren

YA Titles:

All three books in the “Divergent” trilogy by Veronica Roth

“Bone Gap” by Laura Ruby

“I’ll Give you the Sun” by Jandy Nelson

“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner

“Paper Towns” by John Green

“Walk the Earth a Stranger” by Rae Carson

“If I Stay” by Gayle Forman

“The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman

“An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

Book Review of "The Nest" by Kenneth Oppel: An eerie, gothic fantasy for middle grade readers and up

Review of “The Nest” by Kenneth Oppel

                   An eerie gothic fantasy for

                 middle grade readers and up.

All he has to do is say “Yes.” But “yes” is a powerful word. It is also a dangerous one. And once it is uttered, can it be taken back?

Kenneth Oppell’s newest novel for middle grade (also young adult, also adult) readers, is stubbornly un-classifiable. It has been branded as fantasy, or even middle grade horror, but it’s lasting effect- the feeling which truly brands itself upon your mind- is more of a mysterious, fantastical gothic realism. Without giving too much away (as I think that the impact of the book relies upon the mysterious unfolding of events- the discoveries), the plot is undoubtedly rooted in fantasy. However, the tender realism of an anxiety-ridden boy who is navigating the stressful and terrifying event that has dislocated everyone in his family, is very poignant and resonates with true emotion. It is a haunting book of self-discovery- but a haunting book nonetheless.

For some kids summer is a sun-soaked season of fun. But for Steve,

it’s just another season of worries. Worries about his sick newborn

baby brother who is fighting to survive, worries about his parents who

are struggling to cope, even worries about the wasp’s nest looming

ominously from the eaves. So when a mysterious wasp queen invades

his dreams, offering to “fix” the baby, Steve thinks his prayers have

been answered.

“We’ve come to help,” assures the winged, slightly ethereal being

who offers a solution to Steven in a dream. “We come when people

are scared or in trouble. We come when there’s grief.”

As the action unfolds in this eerie tale, our courageous, honest, OCD and nearly friendless protagonist, Steve, finds himself trudging deeper into the solitary realm of believing the absolutely, positively unbelievable. It is a lonely place, this place of trusting the impossible, and even simply to enter and to trust his gut instinct takes courage. Steve has had a good deal of practice “talking himself off the ledge” , as his OCD and anxiety have led his overactive imagination to places of haunting darkness too often in the past. But this time it’s different. When the winged creatures come to Steve in a dream offering to help, he feels compelled to believe that they are real.

The mystery of the story is what keeps the pages turning deep into the night. The reader is frantically uncertain about whom- or what- to trust. A sense of desperate fear can lead anyone to believe in any sort of solution or help being offered- but the question quickly becomes “at what cost?”. Kids will love the book for it’s sheer readability and the heart-thudding mystery of it all, but anyone can relate to that timeless literary theme of struggling to be normal, whole and perfect, only to realize that the way you are is already just right. The way in which this book addresses issues of normalcy, mental wellness, and coping is incredibly tender and insightful.

YA New Arrivals for March and April!

 

Salt to the Sea

New York Times Bestseller! "Masterly crafted"—The Wall Street Journal

For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, bestselling author Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety

Bone Gap

National Book Award Finalist

“Ruby’s novel deserves to be read and reread. It is powerful, beautiful, extraordinary.”—School Library Journal

Everyone knows Bone Gap is full of gaps.

So when young, beautiful Roza went missing, the people of Bone Gap weren’t surprised. But Finn knows what really happened to Roza. He knows she was kidnapped by a dangerous man whose face he cannot remember. As we follow the stories of Finn, Roza, and the people of Bone Gap, acclaimed author Laura Ruby weaves a tale of the ways in which the face the world sees is never the sum of who we are.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

William C. Morris Award Winner

National Book Award Longlist

Everybody is talking about Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda!

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

The Keepers' Tattoo

What is the mystery that marks her? A lush, multi-textured fantasy introducing a captivating heroine, Nyssa, descendant of seers, vessel of their secrets.

Ten years ago, Alaric, leader of the Shadowmen, killed most of the Keepers--teachers of ancient knowledge that threatened his barbaric rule. Young Kit was captured, but his twin sister, Nyssa, escaped. Only later will she learn that both she and her lost brother bear the secret words of their people: three lines each of strange, unintelligible writing tattooed on their scalps. Now the Shadowmen are on the attack again, determined to quell a growing rebellion. Nyssa must find her brother, and together they must unlock the meaning--the power--behind the mysterious words.

Everything, Everything

The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.   

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster

Either the Beginning or the End of the World

For sixteen years, it's been just Sofie and her father, living on the New Hampshire coast. Her Cambodian immigrant mother has floated in and out of her life, leaving Sofie with a fierce bitterness toward her and a longing she wishes she could outgrow. Then she meets Luke, an army medic back from Afghanistan, and the pull between them is as strong as the current of the rushing Piscataqua River. But Luke is still plagued by the trauma of war, as if he's lost with the ghosts in his past. Sofie's dad orders her to stay away; it may be the first time she has ever disobeyed him.

The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin

Read the fourth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent. The first and second books, The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, are now major motion pictures featuring the star of MTV's Teen Wolf, Dylan O’Brien; Kaya Scodelario; Aml Ameen; Will Poulter; and Thomas Brodie-Sangster! Also look for James Dashner’s newest novels, The Eye of Minds and The Rule of Thoughts, the first two books in the Mortality Doctrine series.

Mosquitoland

“Top-notch” —USA Today

“Illuminating” —Washington Post

“A breath of fresh air” —Entertainment Weekly

After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.

So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.

Pandemonium (Delirium Trilogy)

The second book in Lauren Oliver’s remarkable New York Times bestselling trilogy about forbidden love, revolution, and the power to choose.

In this electrifying follow-up to Delirium, Lena is on a dangerous course that takes her through the unregulated Wilds and into the heart of a growing resistance movement. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Requiem (Delirium Trilogy)

A New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, this exciting finale to Lauren Oliver's acclaimed Delirium trilogy is a riveting blend of nonstop action and forbidden romance in a dystopian United States. With lyrical writing, Lauren Oliver seamlessly interweaves the peril that Lena faces with the inner tumult she experiences after the reappearance of her first love, Alex, the boy she thought was dead. Named an Amazon Best Book of the Year, this sophisticated and wide-ranging novel brings the New York Times bestselling Delirium trilogy to a thrilling conclusion.

The Crown of Embers (Girl of Fire and Thorns)

The second book in Rae Carson's award-winning The Girl of Fire and Thorns fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Game of Thrones and Kristin Cashore. Tamora Pierce called the first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, "A unique and engrossing read!" A seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns)

The New York Times‒best-selling series!

"Carson joins the ranks of writers like Kristin Cashore, Megan Whalen Turner, and Tamora Pierce as one of YA's best writers of high fantasy."—Locus

In the deeply satisfying conclusion to the bestselling Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen Elisa travels into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Youth Non Fiction New Arrivals for March and April!

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition

By Valorie Shaefer

Our best-selling body book for girls just got even better! With all-new illustrations and updated content for girls ages 8 and up, it features tips, how-tos, and facts from the experts. (Medical consultant: Cara Natterson, MD.) You'll find answers to questions about your changing body, from hair care to healthy eating, bad breath to bras, periods to pimples, and everything in between.

 
The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls By Cara Natterson

This thoughtful advice book will guide you through the next steps of growing up. With illustrations and expert contributors, this book covers new questions about periods, your growing body, peer pressure, personal care, and more! Written by Dr. Cara Natterson for girls 10 and up, The Care & Keeping of You 2 follows up the original bestseller with even more in-depth details about the physical and emotional changes you're going through.

National Geographic: The Photographs (National Geographic Collectors Series)

This stunning volume was the gift book of the year when it first published, and the images that grace its pages remain iconic. From the famous Afghan girl whose haunting green eyes stare out from the book’s cover, and her poignant story that captured the world’s interest, to award-winning photography culled from the Society’s vast archives, The Photographs offers readers an inside look at National Geographic and a sharp-eyed view of the world.

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places

National Geographic takes you on a photographic tour of the world’s most spectacular destinations, inspiring tangible ideas for your next trip. Hundreds of the most breathtaking locales—both natural and man-made—are illustrated with vivid images taken by the organization's world-class photographers.

Little Humans

Street photographer and storyteller extraordinaire Brandon Stanton is the creator of the wildly popular blog "Humans of New York." He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Humans of New York. To create Little Humans, a 40-page photographic picture book for young children, he's combined an original narrative with some of his favorite children's photos from the blog, in addition to all-new exclusive portraits. The result is a hip, heartwarming ode to little humans everywhere.

PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives

New York Times Bestseller

The project that captured a nation's imagination.

The instructions were simple, but the results were extraordinary.

You are invited to anonymously contribute a secret to a group art project. Your secret can be a regret, fear, betrayal, desire, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything -- as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before. Be brief. Be legible. Be creative.

Fruits

By Shoichi Aoki

Now a cult classic, this is a collection of 45 Tokyo street fashion portraits from Japan's premier fanzine. Fruits was established in 1994, by photographer Shoich Aoki, initially as a project to document the growing explosion in street fashion within the suburbs of Tokyo.