Tenafly Tigers @ the Library

Spanish Story Time schedule change

2012-02-07T12:08:00.000-05:00

Due to a schedule conflict our February Spanish Story Time will be changed to TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 at 11:00 AM.

This is the normal time for our Toddler Tales class, but everyone is welcome to join us for this special Spanish Story Time. All ages are welcome.

ALSC Notable Children's Books

2012-01-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

The following list has been copied from the ALSC Web page on ala.org. Tenafly Library call numbers have been added when available. If you wish to check out an item not owned by Tenafly or an item checked out from the Tenafly collection, we can order it from another library.

Younger

Tell Me the Day Backwards. By Albert Lamb, Illus. by David McPhail. J P LAMB

Mama bear and child reflect on the day, recounting its events in reverse order. Gentle and reassuring, this book wonderfully illustrates a sometimes difficult concept: the flow of time.

A Ball for Daisy. By Chris Raschka, Illus. by Chris Raschka, 2012 Newbery Award Winner J P RASCHKA

Blackout. By John Rocco, Illus. by John Rocco. 2012 Newbery Honor J P ROCCO

Bring on the birds. By Susan Stockdale, Illus. by Susan Stockdale.

Rhyming couplets and clear, identifiable illustrations remind readers that birds vary in many ways, but all have feathers and are hatched from eggs. Colorful acrylics help provide just the right of information for preschool ornithologists.

The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred., By Samantha R. Vamos, Illus. by Rafael López., J P VAMOS

Chirchir Is Singing., By Kelly Cunnane, Illus. by Jude Daly. J P CUNNANE

In this cumulative story set in Kenya, Chirchir sings as she tries to help with family chores. Acrylic folk art highlights the activities of daily life in this rural setting.

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?, By Susan A. Shea, Illus. by Tom Slaughter. J P SHEA,

This book playfully challenges children’s concepts of the growth capacity of living vs. non-living things in a fun and engaging way.

Dot. By Patricia Intriago, Illus. by Patricia Intriago. J P INTRIAGO *Tenafly Author*

To a child’s delight, bright dots and brief rhyming verses cleverly demonstrate antonyms and synonyms in this clever picture book.

Goodnight, goodnight, construction site., By Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. J P Duskey

Truck-loving toddlers will be willingly tucked into bed along with the vehicles in this superbly constructed goodnight poem.

Grandpa Green., By Lane Smith, Illus. by Lane Smith. J P SMITH

Harry and Hopper., By Margaret Wild, Illus. by Freya Blackwood. J P WILD

A poignant depiction of grief and acceptance at the loss of a beloved pet is relayed in this quietly moving story whose illustrations add emotional depth.

I broke my trunk, By Mo Willems, Illus. by Mo Willems. J R WILLEMS

I want my hat back., By Jon Klassen, Illus. by Jon Klassen. J P KLASSEN

King Jack and the dragon., By Peter Bently, Illus. by Helen Oxenbury. J P BENTLY

Enhanced by whimsical illustrations, this story of the wonders and terrors created by a child’s imagination, shows the power of playtime and the magic of make-believe.

Little treasures : endearments from around the world., By Jacqueline K. Ogburn, Illus. by Christopher Raschka. J P Ogburn

Raschka’s pictures give distinct personalities to the subjects of these endearments and the book is a reminder of how much children are loved in every language and culture. Translations and pronunciation guides are included.

Little white rabbit., By Kevin Henkes, Illus. by Kevin Henkes. J P HENKES

Little white rabbit explores the springtime world wondering what it would be like to be different - green, tall, solid, or able to fly - but when he comes home he knows who loves him.

Me-- Jane., By Patrick McDonnell, Illus. by Patrick McDonnell. J P MCDONNELL

Mouse & Lion., By Rand Burkert, Illus. by Nancy Ekholm Burkert. J P BURKERT

Mouse is the center of this retelling of a familiar Aesop’s fable. Elegant illustrations place the story solidly in the natural world of Africa.

Naamah and the ark at night., By Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Illus. by Holly Meade. J P BARTOLETTI

As the waters rage, this lullaby reveals Noah’s wife as a nurturer of diverse creatures aboard the ark. Watercolor and collage illustrations amplify the text, a form of lyrical Arabic poetry, called ghazal.

A New Year's reunion: A Chinese story. By Li Qiong Yu, Illus. by Zhu Chen Liang. J P LI-QIONG

Vibrant illustrations highlight a young girl’s joy when her father makes his annual visit for Chinese New Year in this tender story.

Over and under the snow. By Kate Messner, Illus. by Kate Messner. J P MESSNER

While skiing cross-country with her father, a girl envisions the “secret kingdom” under the snow, where small forest animals shelter in winter. Neal’s bright, snowy landscapes contrast with his depictions of shadowed, subterranean nests.

Prudence wants a pet. By Cathleen Daly, Illus. by Stephen Michael King. J P DALY

In this quietly humorous picture book illustrated in soft colors, Prudence tries out a branch, a twig, a shoe, her little brother, a tire, and sea buddies until her parents finally give her a kitten as a pet.

See Me Run, By Paul Meisel, Illus. by Paul Meisel. J P MEISEL

Should I share my ice cream?, By Mo Willems, Illus. by Mo Willems. J R WILLEMS

A common human problem is posed and solved with Willems’ minimal illustration and graceful humor.

Stars, By Mary Lyn Ray, Illus. by Marla Frazee. J P RAY

A duet of spare, poetic observations and ethereal illustrations explore the realities and possibilities of many kinds of stars, embracing the immediacy of a child’s experiences. A great read aloud.

Tales for Very Picky Eaters, By Josh Schneider, Illus. by Josh Schneider. J R SCHNEIDER

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner 2012

Ten little caterpillars. By Bill Martin, Illus. by Lois Ehlert. J P CATERPILLARS

Ten different caterpillars inch their ways across vibrantly-illustrated environs in this newly-illustrated, rhyming story. Supplemental facts widen the book’s appeal and usefulness. Ehlert’s watercolor collages are remarkably entomologically accurate.

These hands. By Margaret H. Mason, Illus. by Floyd Cooper. J P MASON

Both an affirmation of a nurturing relationship between grandfather and grandson and an explanation of one reason labor unions fought for workers’ rights, the brief text and warm illustrations tell an uplifting American story.

Tìa Isa wants a car. By Meg Medina, Illus. by Claudio Muñoz.

Using a cheerful positive tone, Medina depicts a warm relationship between Tia Isa and her niece and shows the strength of community as a life-long dream is realized.

Where's walrus?, By Stephen Savage, Illus. by Stephen Savage. J P SAVAGE

Walrus escapes from the zoo and cleverly disguises himself around the city; the zoopkeeper and the children reading the book search for him on each bold, bright page of this wordless book.

Who has what? : all about girls' bodies and boys' bodies. By Robie H. Harris, Illus. by Nadine Bernard Westcott. J612.6 HAR

In a cheerful, easy tone, Harris explains who’s got what body parts, their similarities of differences. Girls, boys and adults of many ethnicities – even animals – are included in the loose-lined illustrations depicting the “bare” facts.

Middle

America is under attack : September 11, 2001 : the day the towers fell. By Don Brown.

A straightforward account of the September 11th tragedy, Brown’s restrained watercolors and sensitive text focuses on small stories of those who were in the Towers and the people who responded to the disaster.

Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy's Parade. By Melissa Sweet.

J P SWEET

Breaking Stalin's Nose, By Eugene Yelchin. J FIC YELCHIN Newbery Honor Book 2012

The Cheshire Cheese Cat : a Dickens of a tale. By Carmen Agra Deedy; Randall Wright, Illus. by Barry Moser. J FIC DEEDY

Alley-cat Skilley finds a perfect home, gets help from a friend to return an injured raven to the Tower of London and saves all the Cheshire Cheese Inn mice from the evil Pinch.

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours, By Duncan Tonatiuh , Illus. by by Duncan Tonatiuh

Dream something big : the story of the Watts Towers. By Dianna Hutts Aston, Illus. by Susan L.Roth.

The human desire to make a mark is celebrated in this fictionalized account of Simon Rodia’s process in building the Watts Towers – a singular, eccentric, artistic creation now recognized as a National Landmark.

E-mergency. By Tom Lichtenheld, Illus. by Ezra Fields-Meyer. J P LICHTENHELD

When the letter ‘E’ falls down the stairs and hurts her leg, the rest of the alphabet must do the best it can to limp along without its most-used letter. Puns aplenty pack every page.

Emma dilemma : big sister poems. By Kristine O'Connell George, Illus. by Nancy Carpenter. J POETRY O'CONNELL

Sisterhood is complicated: partly embarrassing, partly affectionate, partly competitive, partly supportive, partly confining, partly empowering. The many facets of the relationship are deftly described by George’s poems and Carpenter’s pen and ink drawings.

The Great Migration : journey to the North. By Eloise Greenfield, Illus. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. J POETRY GREENFIELD

Muted mixed media illustrations set the tone for somber yet hopeful free verse honoring the author's family as they journeyed north from the Jim Crow South. A haunting view of a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

Inside out and back again. By Thanhha Lai. J FIC LAI – Newbery Honor 2012

Junonia. By Kevin Henkes. J FIC HENKES

Alice knows just how her vacation on Sanibel Island should be: the same as the previous nine, except that this year she hopes to find a rare junonia shell. Alice's tenth birthday, however, brings unexpected changes.

Lemonade, and other poems squeezed from a single word. By Bob Raczka, Illus. by Nancy Doniger.

Think of a word, then compose a poem using only the letters in that word. Amusing challenges for poet and reader alike, these poem-puzzles are illustrated with similarly playful brush-paintings. Great fun for classroom or budding poets.

The Lily Pond, By Annika Thor.

The mangrove tree: planting trees to feed families. By Susan L. Roth; Cindy Trumbore, Illus. by Susan L. Roth. J577.69 ROT

Through a “This is the House That Jack Built” formula, the story of an ecological and environmental triumph is told so that even very young children can understand the interrelationships between plants, animals and people.

Marisol McDonald doesn't match /Marisol McDonald no combina, By Monica Brown , Illus. by Sara Palacios. J P BROWN

Maximilian and the mystery of the guardian angel: A bilingual lucha libre thriller. By Xavier Garza ,

Migrant. By Maxine Trottier, Illus. by Isabelle Arsenault.

This unique story about a group of migrant workers – Mennonites – is told through the eyes of young Anna, who reflects upon their peripatetic life and the hardships it creates.

Night flight : Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic. By Robert Burleigh, Illus. by Wendell Minor J BIO EARHART

Sit with Amelia Earhart in her red Vega as she flies across the Atlantic and startles a farmer in Northern Ireland by landing in his field.

No Ordinary Day. By Deborah Ellis.

Valli, a resourceful homeless nine-year-old, learns she has leprosy. An encounter with a kind doctor gives her the chance to heal and find a home. Illuminates harsh realities in contemporary India.

Nursery rhyme comics: 50 timeless rhymes from 50 celebrated cartoonists. Illus. by Patrick McDonnell. J GRAPHIC NURSERY

A lively compilation of 50 nursery rhymes interpreted and illustrated in diverse and distinctive styles by a different cartoonist or graphic artists. The introduction by Leonard Marcus puts it all in focus.

Soldier Bear. By Bibi Dumon Tak, Illus. by by Philip Hopman. J FIC DUMON TAK

The third gift. By Linda Sue Park, Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. J P PARK

Ibatoulline’s sumptuous, highly finished gouaches invite the reader into a distant time and landscape where a young Arab boy and his father harvest myrrh for three mysterious strangers.

Thunder birds: nature's flying predators. By Jim Arnosky, Illus. by Jim Arnosky.

Arnosky describes and illustrates the qualities of magnificent raptors. Distinctive acrylic and chalk paintings depict birds gazing at readers from their natural environments. Four large fold out pages shows some birds in actual size.

Treasury of Greek mythology: classic stories of gods, goddesses, heroes & monsters. By Donna Jo Napoli, Illus. by Christina Balit. J292 NAP

From the chaos that spawned Gaia to the horrors of the Trojan War, this is the most comprehensive and lavishly illustrated compendium of Greek mythology since the D’Aulaires’ offering. Timeline, cast of characters, map appended.

The trouble with May Amelia. By Jennifer L. Holm. J FIC HOLM

May Amelia is always in trouble but never more than when she translates an offer from a con man for her father. A companion to My Only May Amelia, it stands sturdily on its own.

Underground. By Shane Evans, Illus. by Shane Evans. J P EVANS

Spare text describes a long dangerous night time journey on the Underground Railroad. The striking illustrations with their dark palette burst into light as the travelers reach freedom.

The unforgotten coat. By Frank Cottrell Boyce, Illus. by Carl Hunter, and Clare Heney. J FIC COTTRELL

Julie recalls her sixth year classmates Chingis and Nergui, two Mongolian brothers, their strange polaroid photographs, sketchy descriptions of Mongolia, and their very real fear of demons in this offbeat, haunting story.

The watcher : Jane Goodall's life with the chimps. By Jeanette Winter, Illus. by Jeanette Winter. J BIO GOODALL

Winter presents inquisitive and independent Goodall from girlhood to the Gombe Stream and beyond in her search to understand chimpanzees. Stylized acrylics show scientist and animals in the abundant foliage of Africa.

Wonderstruck. By Brian Selznick, Illus. by Brian Selznick. J FIC SELZNICK

Two parallel stories set 50 years apart converge in this textual and visual story of adventurous Ben and Rose as it explores topics of deafness, silence, wolves, and museums.

Won-Ton : a cat tale told in haiku. By Lee Wardlaw, Illus. by Eugene Yelchin. J P WARDLAW

From animal shelter cage to a loving home, Won Ton’s experience is told from his point of view in senryu, a form of Japanese poetry similar to Haiku.

Young Fredle. By Cynthia Voigt, Illus. by Louise Yates. J FIC VOIGT

Exiled from his home in the pantry, Fredle, a mouse with a sweet tooth and unusual curiosity, discovers the wonders and dangers of the outside world. He learns to question the rules and returns home a changed mouse.

Zita the spacegirl. By Ben Hatke, Illus. by Ben Hatke. J GRAPHIC HATKE

When a little red button crashes to earth any self-respecting graphic novel character would push it. When Joseph is whisked through an inter-dimensional portal to an alien planet, Zita follows to rescue him.

Older

Amelia lost : the life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart. By Candace Fleming J BIO EARHART

In her clear, readable style, Fleming shows how Earhart captured the public imagination. Chapters of background information alternate with the chilling account of her final flight. Enhanced with maps, archival documents, news photos, and other contemporary sources.

Anya's ghost. By Vera Brosgol. J GRAPHIC BROSGOL

This graphic novel tells the story of Anya, a Russian immigrant, whose lack of self-esteem changes when her life is almost taken over by a determined ghost.

Between shades of gray. By Ruta Sepetys, YA FIC SEPETYS

Stalin’s deportation and imprisonment of Lithuanian families in Siberia is brought to vivid life in Sepetys’ searing novel, narrated by Lina, a 15-year-old who writes, “They took me in my nightgown.”

Billions of years, amazing changes: The story of evolution. By Laurence Pringle, Illus. by Steve Jenkins. J576.8 PRI

Pringle looks at the evidence from geology, biology, botany and scientific reason to explain evolution. Readable text, pertinent illustrations matter of factly clarify concepts and the meaning of theory.

Black & white : the confrontation of Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene "Bull" Connor. By Larry Dane Brimner. J305.8 BRI

Blizzard of glass: the Halifax explosion of 1917. By Sally M. Walker. J971.6 WAL

Clear and compelling description and analysis of scientific evidence and historic events brings this little-known tragedy to life, a history made personal by its focus on five families, some who survived, some who perished.

Bluefish. By Pat Schmatz, YA FIC SCHMATZ

The significance of reading is personified by two eighth graders, functionally illiterate Travis and feisty, starved-for-affection Velveeta who come together in a tenuous, prickly relationship.

Bootleg: murder, moonshine, and the lawless years of prohibition. By Karen Blumenthal. J363.4 BLU

Lively prose and interesting anecdotes make the history of Prohibition accessible while the examination of unintended consequences make this chronicle relevant to today's political world.

Dead End in Norvelt. By Jack Gantos, J FIC GANTOS

Drawing from memory. By Allen Say, Illus. by Allen Say. Scholastic Press,, $17.99 , (9780545176866).

The elephant scientist. By Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson, Illus. by Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy Rodwell.

The fingertips of Duncan Dorfman. By Meg Wolitzer, J FIC WOLITZER

Three 12-year-olds from different parts of the country participate in the national Youth Scrabble Tournament in Florida. Their discoveries about themselves, their friends and families turn out to be more important than winning in this perceptive story.

Flyaway. By Lucy Christopher,

While Isla’s father is in the hospital, she befriends another patient, Harry. In this touching story, Isla tries to help Harry, her father and a swan, all of whom are struggling to survive.

Hidden. By Helen Frost J FIC FROST

Six years have passed since Darra's father stole a car in which Wren was hiding. Now 14, Darra and Wren, once again cross paths. A suspenseful verse novel, told in two distinct voices.

The house Baba built : an artist's childhood in China. By Ed Young;Libby Koponen, Illus. by Ed Young. J741.6 YOU

With multimedia scrapbook images that that intrigue, astonish, and surprise, Ed Young recalls his childhood in war-torn Shanghai, introduces his extended family, and describes their life in the house his father designed.

How they croaked : the awful ends of the awfully famous. By Georgia Bragg, Illus. by Kevin O'Malley. J920 BRA

A wildly humorous collective biography featuring horrifying medical treatments and deaths of nineteen famous men and women, this surprisingly heavily researched compendium is terrific book bait for reluctant reader.

Hurricane dancers : the first Caribbean pirate shipwreck. By Margarita Engle, J POETRY ENGLE

Into the unknown : how great explorers found their way by land, sea, and air. By Stewart Ross, Illus. by Stephen Biesty. J910.9 ROS

How did those great explorers travel? What did they wear? Where did they pee? And what did they find on their journeys? Much is revealed in the text and unfolding cross-sections of this fascinating volume.

Jefferson's sons : a founding father's secret children. By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, J FIC BRADLEY

Told from the point of view of three young slaves, two of them fathered by Thomas Jefferson, this well- researched and moving novel provides insight into their lives as it raises important and difficult questions.

Lost & found. By Shaun Tan, Illus. by Shaun Tan. YA GRAPHIC TAN

By turns mysterious, dreamlike, nightmarish, goofily endearing or spookily surreal these stories by Shaun Tan seemingly transport us three very different worlds. Each page is a work of art.

A monster calls. By Patrick Ness, YA FIC NESS

Thirteen-year-old Conor deals with a monster who tells him three stories in exchange for facing his greatest fear.

Music was it : young Leonard Bernstein. By Susan Goldman Rubin, J BIO BERNSTEIN

This exemplary, inspiring biography chronicles the life of Leonard Bernstein from early childhood to his triumphant debut at age twenty-five, as conductor of the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. Engaging social history with appeal beyond music students.

Okay for now. By Gary D. Schmidt, J FIC SCHMIDT

Unable to read and abused by his father, 13-year-old Doug befriends spunky Lili and a sensitive librarian who shows him how to draw Audubon’s birds. Both make a difference in his previously limited world.

Queen of hearts. By Martha Brooks, YA FIC BROOKS

In 1941 Manitoba, Marie-Claire, tells the moving story of her coming-of-age as a 16 year –old in a tuberculosis sanitorium.

Raggin', jazzin', rockin' : American musical instrument makers. By Susan VanHecke.

Steinway on pianos, Zildjian on cymbals, Martin and Fender on guitars. We meet these people and their iconic instruments in this intriguing introduction. Generously illustrated with photographs of the instruments, musicians, and more.

The Scorpio Races. By Maggie Stiefvater, YA FIC STIEFVATER

Deadly horses emerge from the sea and collide with island inhabitants in a bloody annual race for prize money and the fulfillment of dreams. Rich language portrays characters, action, and setting leading to an intoxicating climax.

Sita's Ramayana. By Samhita Arni, Illus. by Moyna Chitrakar. J741.5 ARN

Using a graphic novel format, this powerful saga of Rama is told from his abducted and mistrusted wife Sita’s point of view.

Space, stars, and the beginning of time : what the Hubble telescope saw. By Elaine Scott. An intriguing look at the creation and scientific revelations of the Hubble telescope. Complex science, clearly explained and beautifully illustrated with Hubble images

Stones for my father. By Trilby Kent.

In evocative prose, Kent creates a compelling survival story of young Corlie Roux, a Boer girl in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War at the turn of the last century.

Tall story. By Candy Gourlay. J FIC GOURLAY

Andi’s half brother is finally joining the family from the Philippines. Eight feet tall, it’s obvious that Bernardo’s is going to have trouble fitting in. A poignant and humorous novel.

Terezin : voices from the Holocaust. By Ruth Thomson, , Candlewick Press,, $18.99 , (9780763649630).

Secret diary entries, excerpts from memoirs, and inmate artwork illuminate the dark story of the Nazi' transit camp Terezin. Young readers will appreciate the oversized, magazine type layout.

Under the mesquite. By Guadalupe Garcia McCall. YA FIC MCCALL

Witches! the absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem. By Rosalyn Schanzer, Illus. by Rosalyn Schanzer.

All Ages

All the water in the world. By George Ella Lyon, Illus. by Katherine Tillotson. J551.48 LYO.

From deserts to the kitchen sink, the water cycle is lyrically yet economically described in Lyon’s poem emphasizing the importance of water conservation. Katherine Tillotson’s digital paintings splash, surge and drip off the page.

Can we save the tiger?, By Martin Jenkins, Illus. by Vicky White. J591.68 JEN

White’s cover illustration of a regal tiger pulls readers into a balanced discussion of human interaction with nature and how we affect endangered species. Handsome pencil illustrations make readers care about creatures large and small.

Heart and soul: the story of America and African Americans. By Kadir Nelson. J973 NEL

In just 100 pages, Nelson's narrator tells the story of American History through the eyes of African-Americans. 46 luminous oil paintings portray iconic and ordinary images and make the history accessible for younger students; older students will find it equally intriguing.

If rocks could sing: A Discovered Alphabet. By Leslie McGuirk. J P MCGUIRK

Children and teachers will be inspired by this quirky concept book that uses shaped rocks as letters and objects. An alphabet book like no other.

Never forgotten. By Pat McKissack, Illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon. J FIC MCKISSACK

A boy captured by slave traders in 18th Century Africa is brought to the Americas. This verse novel answers the question “Were we missed?” asked by the descendants of slaves stolen from Africa.

Press here. By Hervé Tullet, Illus. by Hervé Tullet. J P TULLET

A whimsical, interactive picture book that draws readers through its pages by having them tap, clap, and follow other simple but enticing instructions.

Swirl by swirl: spirals in nature. By Joyce Sidman, Illus. by Beth Krommes. J P SIDMAN

A poem about spirals in nature invites close contemplation of the versatile, expansive shape beautifully portrayed from simple snail to coiled snake, or snuggling woodchuck to swimming nautilus in Krommes’ scratchboard illustrations.

Congratulations to DOT author Patricia Intriago!

2012-01-25T12:33:00.000-05:00

This fall we had the pleasure of hosting a book reading and signing for Patricia Intriago shortly after her first book was released. Today we are just as pleased to congratulate Patricia on Dot's inclusion in the Notable Children's Book list by ALSC a division of ALA. Every year the Assoc. for Library Service to Children create a list of the best of the best in children's literature.

Later today the list will be posted here with Tenafly Library Call Numbers, but if you are curious to see the whole list please visit ALSC's web page.

ALA Award Winners Announced in Dallas

2012-01-24T15:36:00.000-05:00

Monday was the BIG DAY for Children's and YA book authors and publishers. Bright and early yesterday all the big awards were announced.

The Caldecott Medal, which is given to the ARTIST of an outstanding children's picture book, was awarded to “A Ball for Daisy," illustrated and written by Chris Raschka.
Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Blackout,” illustrated and written by John Rocco, "Grandpa Green" illustrated and written by Lane Smith, and “Me … Jane,” illustrated and written by Patrick McDonnell, and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

**Our take on the books: "A Ball for Daisy" is a largely wordless picture with adorable illustrations. Plus if you want to check this one out of the library you have to think ahead and place a hold or step lively when you see it because it doesn't sit on the shelf long! "Blackout" is a beautiful and lively look at a city during a blackout. It's a great reminder to parents to slow down and spend time with family. May be slightly preaching to the choir on that one since it's the parents that DO take the time to spend with their kids who are reading this one with them, but it's aways a good message.**

The Newbery Medal is given for excellence in WRITTING for ages 8 through 13. “Dead End in Norvelt,” written by Jack Gantos was named the 2012 Newbery Medal winner.
Two Newbery Honor Books also were named: "Inside Out & Back Again," written by Thanhha Lai and "Breaking Stalin’s Nose,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin.

**Our take on the books: Gantos' semi-autobiographical novel about the summer he turned 13 is a gem. However, parents please take note of the Newbery age range. This book is NOT necessarily right for your 8 year old. It was written for middle grades and is a great book for readers who like a bit of humor and in their realistic fiction.
Inside Out & Back Again by Lai is one of my favorites of the year. It is the story of a young girl finding a new home after being torn from her Vietnamese homeland. She must learn a new language in a very different land where not everyone is friendly. The poetry, while beautiful, is simple enough for young readers to understand. There is a lot here for all kids to relate to even if they have no first hand experience learning a new language or finding a new home in a different land.

The Printz Award is given for excellence in young adult literature. The age range is defined as 12 - 18.
“Where Things Come Back,” written by John Corey Whaley has been named the 2012 Printz Award winner.
Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Why We Broke Up,” written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman; “The Returning,” written by Christine Hinwood; “Jasper Jones,” written by Craig Silvey; and “The Scorpio Races,” written by Maggie Stiefvater.

**Our take on the books: I have to admit that I haven't read "Where Things Come Back" yet, but I am more than eager to read it soon. It was awarded not only the Printz award, but also got an award for best first novel. "Why We Broke Up" and "The Scorpio Races" were among my favorite books of the year for teens. Again this is an award where I would tell parents to note the age range. Not all these books will have content your comfortable giving to your 13 year old.....or maybe they will? that's a call parents have to make based on what they want their tweens reading.

Many more awards are listed on the ALA web site. You can get a concise list of the Children and Teen awards from the link above. Please visit the library soon to check out some of these award winners or pick up other favorites. Our staff is always here and willing to help you find the right book for you.

Early Closing Today

2012-01-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

The Tenafly Public Library will close at 4:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, January 24, 2012, due to utility work being conducted throughout the Municipal Complex.

Lego Club Continues!

2012-01-03T10:14:00.000-05:00

Our Lego Club will continue and we will be expanding to have Duplo Play Hours as well for younger children. The Lego Club is open to lego builders ages 5-10. Please honor this age limit. We understand that it is sometimes hard to do something with one child when you also have a younger child, but we are trying to keep the Lego Club to 5 - 10 yrs of age. There are issues of space as we have had over 70 children at past sessions and there are also safety concerns.

The lego dates for January through March are as follows:
Monday, January 23 @ 3:00 pm
Wednesday, February 22 @ 11:00 am
Monday, March 5 @ 3:00 pm

Please keep looking here or on the library web page for more information. We are hoping to organize a Lego Challenge in the near future for our more competitive builders. The Lego Club remains and will remain a free build hour with NO COMPETITION.

The Duplo Play hours will be announced shortly for January through March as well.

The Library is OPEN!

2011-11-01T10:49:00.000-04:00

Tenafly Library was closedon Monday October 31st, but we are open today.

We have power, heat, and internet. We also have story time at 11:00 a.m. and are opening it to everyone.
Please stop in to check your email, stock up on DVDs til your cable is back, or get warmed up!

Calling all Percy Jacksons!

2011-10-18T12:58:00.000-04:00

Tenafly Library will host an evening of Olympic Challenges for the mind and body Tuesday, October 25th @ 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the release of Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan. Challenges are open to Tenafly teens and tweens! Come and see if your worthy in our challenges or cheer on those who complete. There will be food, prizes, and most importantly FUN!

Lego Club

2011-09-21T16:11:00.000-04:00

We are starting our very own Lego Club at the Tenafly Library!

Rules for the Lego Club:

1. Lego Club is open to builders ages 6 to 10.
2. All Legos used must be library legos and must be returned at the end of the hour.
3. All creations have to be taken apart and legos sorted at the end of the hour.

Lego Club Dates
September 28 - 11:00 a.m.
November 10 - 11:00 a.m.
December 10 - 11:00 a.m.
December 27 - 11:00 a.m.

If your children have out grown legos, please think about donating them to the library so we may expand our Lego Club.

No power at the library. WE will remain closed Monday, August 29th

2011-08-29T10:10:00.001-04:00

There is no power at the Tenafly Library at the moment. We hope to open Tuesday morning, but it is dependant on getting power back in the building. Patrons can check the link posted above for Weather Related Closings throughout BCCLS.

The link can also be accessed from the front page of the BCCLS Website (bccls.org).

Patron who wish to have Library News emailed to them directly can join the Tenafly Library News Listserv by following the following link:
http://listserv.bccls.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=TENAFLY_LIBRARY_NEWS&A=1

Pizza Party & Leaning Tower Challenge

2011-07-21T12:39:00.002-04:00

Continuing our One World, Many Stories Summer Reading Club, we're celebrating Italy the week of July 25 - 29. Join us on Thursday July 28th for a Pizza Party and sign up for the Leaning Tower of Pisa Challenge.

Everyone will get to enjoy pizza and soda while participants of the challenge attempt to build thier own leaning tower in just 90 seconds!

Prizes will be awarded for tallest towers.

Ages 6+

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: DO-it-yourself comics

2011-05-10T16:29:00.000-04:00

Do you have a reader at home who loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid?
Are they funny? Like to write/draw thier own comics?

Give it a shot and send your comic to Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid Do-it-yourself Comic contest!

www.wimpykid.com/contest

Check out the web page listed above for the details!

National Library Week

2011-04-07T12:09:00.001-04:00

Your Library Card. One card = 5.5 million items!

The member libraries of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) offer books, large print books, e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, games, AND SO MUCH MORE! For an inside look at what your library has to offer and what doors it can open, follow BCCLS President Terrie McColl on her journey to all 75 member libraries in honor of National Library Week (April 10 – 16) and in celebration of sharing library services.

McColl will share the stories she collects as she visits each of the 75 individual libraries. She will capture the various services, programs, and people that make libraries great community resources and highlight the cooperative spirit that allows our libraries to give better, more cost effective service through sharing.

She will begin her trip on Monday, April 10 with a visit to each of the 21 charter members who founded BCCLS in 1979. The following four days will include visits to the other 41 Bergen County member libraries and our 13 member libraries in Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. This journey will be blogged, filmed and photographed along the way. Where will Ms. McColl visit on any given day? What will she see, learn or borrow from the library? Who will she meet along the way? Visit www.bccls.org from April 10 to April 16 to find the answers to these questions and more.

Tenafly is one of the charter members so look for Ms. McColl at Tenafly sometime on Monday, April 10!
Here in Tenafly we have plenty of other programs and activities to celebrate National Library Week all week long though, so if you miss Ms. McColl on Monday check out the following list of activities to see if something else appeals to you!

Brazilian Jazz Concert - Sunday, April 10th @ 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy the sounds of Bossa Novas and Sambas in a performance of the songbook of Antonio
Carlos Jobim. This concert features Tenafly jazz guitarist Nelson Riveros and his band.
This is the inaugural concert in the Murray Slochover Jazz Concert Series sponsored by the
Friends of the Tenafly Library and funded with a generous donation by Dr. Louis Mandel of
Tenafly. Murray Slochover was an active founding member of the Friends who organized
numerous jazz concerts as Program Chair of the Friends.

Slide lecture on Decorative Arts - Tuesday, April 12 @ 1:00 p.m.

Vera Lasser, lecturer from the Newark Museum will present a program showcasing the rich
Decorative Arts Collection of furniture, fabric, jewelry, silver and ceramics at the Newark
Museum, and the Victorian Ballantine House, the collection’s centerpiece.

Poetry Circle - Thursday, April 14 @ 7:00 p.m.

Aspiring poets and poetry lovers are welcome to share in poetry reading and discussion.

Refreshments served in the Edna Kawulitzki Gallery featuring
Gary Whitehead’s exhibit of his collage collection “Remainders”
Friday, April 15, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

National Library Week is Food for Fines Week at the Tenafly Public Library.
Clean up those old overdue fines you have on your record by donating items for
the Center for Food Action. We’ll clear up to $5.00 in overdue fines on Tenafly
owned items for each item you donate. A list of acceptable items will be posted.
Food items should have a use by/purchase by/expiration date no earlier than May 7, 2011. Donations will be accepted Sunday, April 10th through Saturday, April 16th at the Library circulation desk during Library business hours.

Knit-In @ the Library Friday, April 15 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Observe National Youth Service Day & National Library Week by helping us create blankets for charity. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn, needles to borrow, and basic instructionwill be available for novice knitters.
Programs for Youth
Evening Story Time for ages 3 & up
No registration required.Monday, April 11th - 6:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Make Your Mark @ the Library Bookmark making for ages 11 and up
Thursday, April 14 @ 4:00 p.m.

Teen Trivia Contest for Ages 11 and Up

Test your knowledge of young adult literature & enter to win a gift card to ACORNS Children’s Book Shop or Womrath’s Book Store of Tenafly. Pick up an entry form anytime from Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. Fill out the form using your knowledge, the BCCLS catalog, the Internet and your friends. Submit your form in the entry box before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16th. A drawing will be held from the entries with the most correct answers on April 18.

Stop by your library to borrow a book, movie or music CD, to attend a program, or to search a database or the internet and become part of the story!

New Library Web page!

2011-04-06T11:50:00.001-04:00

The library has a pretty new web page! We're still working on adding content, but we'd love your input!

Chek out the page and let us know what you think!

What would you like to see on the web page?

READ TO DOGS CHANGE

2011-04-05T11:50:00.000-04:00

Due to the hours changing on Wednesdays, the Read to Dogs will be changing to Mondays and THURSDAYS from 4 to 5 PM.

We still have a wonderful group of volunteers with dogs from the small (Pablo the Chihuahua & Duchess the Maltese) to the very large ( Harley the Black lab) and some in between!

Whether your reader needs some practice with speech issues, wants to overcome a fear of dogs, wants to gain some confidence, or just needs a bit of a reward for doing that reading homework....our Read to Dogs program is happy to help.

We ask that students read for at least 15 mins of their 20 min scheduled slot, but the choice of books is up to them! Parents are asked to stay at the tables and allow the children some independent reading time with the dogs. Special allowances will be made for children nervous around dogs.

Please call Latricia @ 201-568-8680 or email markle@bccls.org for answers to any questions you may have about the program or to reserve a time for the young reader in your life.

READ ACROSS AMERICA

2011-02-28T15:55:00.000-05:00

Help us celebrate Dr. Seuss and Reading Across America on March 2nd!
We'll have Tenafly Community members reading children's stories throughout the day. Below you can find some of our highlighted readers, but you can stop in any time from 11 AM to 4:00PM to find a story being read or about to be read!

Mayor Rustin & his dogs will be in at 11:00 a.m. to start off our day with some fun dog stories.

Enjoy after lunch stories with Tenafly Firefighter Scott Semone.
Meet Borough Admin Jewel Thompson-Chin at 3:30 for some classic children's stories.
And our day will be rounded out with Tenafly School Superintendent, Lynn Trager at 4:00 p.m.

Children of all ages are welcome to come and listen to stories being read in the Children's Room. No registration is necessary.

Lizard Guys DATE CHANGE

2011-02-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

The Lizard Guys will be visiting the library on TUESDAY April 19th instead of WEDNESDAY the 20th!

Please mark your calendars with the new date!

After School Storytime

2011-01-20T17:23:00.000-05:00

We had our first after school storytime today and it was a great success!

I want to thank all the parents who brought thier kids and all the kids who were enthusiastic and attentive!
Watch our Google Calendar or the list of activities at the top of this blog for more special storytimes after school. We'll be trying to have them at least once a month.

If your sick of the snow and looking for something to do this weekend, come to the library on Saturday @ 2:00 PM.

Caryn Lin will be giving a concert: Bach2Rock which will be a musical and visual presentation for children ages 4+.

Is your pet Super? Want to see him/her in a DC Comic?

2011-01-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

Capstone is having a writting contest for students enrolled in publis or private schools grades 1 - 3.

Write an imaginary newspaper article for The Daily Planet about your Super-Pet (or the pet of a friend, relative or neighbor) and how he/she did something extraordinary.

Submit your entry in our online newspaper template below and attach a picture or photograph if available - or print the template, draw a picture and mail your entry to Picture Window Books. The entry should have all the elements related to a newspaper article and will be judged on creativity, content and originality.

Contest runs from January 15 - February 28. Winner will be announced April 1st.

Visit: http://www.capstonepub.com/promo/DC_SUPERPETS_CONTEST
for details on the contest.

Award Books Announced by ALA

2011-01-10T14:29:00.000-05:00

In January of every year, ALA (American Library Association) announces the selections for thier awards for literary merrit. This list is the children's and young adult awards which were announced announced today!

Schneider Family Book Awards (disability)

Elementary: The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon
Middle School: After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Teen: Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

Stonewall Book Awards for Children’s & Young Adult Literature (GBLT)

Winner: Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

Honor book: will grayson, will grayson by John Green & David Levithan
Honor book: Love Drugged by James Klise
Honor book: Freaks & Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin
Honor book: The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams

Coretta Scott King Book Awards

John Steptoe New Talent Awards:

Victoria Bond & T.R. Simon for Zora & Me
Sonia Lynn Sadler for illustrations of Seeds of Chang

Illustrator Winner: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave illustrated by Bryan Collier

Honor: Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

Author Winner: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia

Honor: Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
Honor: Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Honor: Yummy by G. Neri

Odyssey Award – audio production of Children/YA titles (books on CD)

Winner: The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex

Honor: Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman
Honor: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Honor: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Honor: will grayson, will grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Margaret Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement – YA Lit

Sir Terry Pratchett

William C. Morris Award (first time YA author)

Winner: The Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston

Finalist: Hush by Eishes Chayil
Finalist: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
Finalist: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
Finalist: Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

Winner: Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

Finalist: They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Finalist: Spies of Mississippi by Rick Bowers
Finalist: The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul Janezcko
Finalist: Every Bone Tells a Story by Jill Rubalcaba & Peter Robertshaw

Printz Award for Excellence in YA Literature - this award is for books published for 12 to 18 year olds.

Winner: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Honor: Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Honor: Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
Honor: Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
Honor: Nothing by Janne Teller

Belpré Award

Illustration Winner: Grandma’s Gift illustrated by Eric Velasquez

Honor: Fiesta Babies illustrated by Amy Córdov
Honor: Me Frida illustrated by David Diaz
Honor: Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh

Author Winner: The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Honor: Olé Flamenco by George Ancona
Honor: The Firefly Letters: A Suffragette’s Journey to Cuba by Margarita Engle
Honor: Ninety Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis

Batchelder Award (book in translation for children)

Winner: A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux

Honor: Departure Time by Namelos
Honor: Nothing by Janne Teller

Robert F. Sibert Information Book Award

Winner: Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery

Honor: Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Honor: Lafayette and the American Revolution by Russell Freedman

Laura Ingalls Wilder Lifetime Award

Tomie dePaola

The Carnegie Medal – most outstanding video production for children

The Curious Garden based on the book by Peter Brown – Weston Woods

Geisel Award – beginning readers

Winner: Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Honor: Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin
Honor: We Are in a Book by Mo Willems

Caldecott Medal - This award is for the Illustrator

Winner: A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Honor: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave illustrated by Bryan Collier
Honor: Interrupting Chicken illustrated by David Ezra Stein

Newbery Medal - This award is for books published for 8 to 13 years.

Winner: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Honor: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman
Honor: Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus
Honor: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams Garcia
Honor: Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Project Gutenberg now available through ListenNJNW

2010-12-28T11:37:00.001-05:00

Access to Project Gutenberg (15,000 free eBooks) is now available on the ListenNJNW website. If you got a new eBook reader for the holidays or just want to expand your library, check out this collection of always available eBooks as well as the thousands of new release titles available to BCCLS patrons through ListenNJNW.

Project Gutenberg can be found at ListenNJNW.com on the right side panel:
"Enjoy additional ebooks today!"

***UPDATE!*** Bccls has added a direct link from bccls.org homepage to the Project Gutenberg books on Listen NJNW. It is located on the left side of the homepage next to the DOWNLOAD Audio & eBooks box. It reads "Enjoy free eBooks today!"

OverDrive has shared the following items of interest about these public domain downloadable eBooks.

* This is a separate collection of eBooks from your main OverDrive collection. - They will not be listed in the BCCLS catalog.

* The collection contains over 15,000 titles.

* You do NOT need to sign in to download the titles.

* When a you hover over a book covers, the available info on title, author and subject will be displayed to them.

* Checkouts from the collection do not count against your regular checkout/lending options.
* Titles act like Always Available titles so there are unlimited simultaneous downloads but downloads do not expire.

* The collection of eBooks also uses the Adobe Digital Editions software your patrons are currently using.

* Please refer to the 'tips' link at the top of the introduction to the collection for instructions on how to download content.

Best YA Books of 2010: A Literary Mixtape - GalleyCat

2010-12-08T11:26:00.000-05:00

It's the time of year when I'm getting asked more and more about good books to get for teens as well as younger readers. Many grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. what to gift not only books that the teen in question will like, but are good books. We won't get into defining 'good', but if you are one of those adults check out this list by GalleyCat. It not only includes the books, but a chapter of each so that you can sample the books before making your choices.

Best YA Books of 2010: A Literary Mixtape - GalleyCat

BTW - I've read many of these books and agree that those I have read belong on a best books of the year list. Some I know only by rep and review and a few I have not seen at all. So overall, I would say this is a good list both viewed by literary quality and by popular appeal.

For everyone looking forward to Rick Riordan's next book!

2010-10-06T09:53:00.000-04:00

On October 12, 2010, The Lost Hero, book one in Rick Riordan’s new series, The Heroes of Olympus, releases.
Be a part of the largest demigod gathering in history, and see Rick Riordan live from Camp Half-Blood! We’ll be broadcasting a FREE live webcast on October 12th (7pm Eastern, 6pm Central, 5pm Mountain, 4pm Pacific). To register, visit camphalfblood.com.

Whether your take part in the gathering or not, visit BCCLS.org or stop in to the library and put a hold on Lost Hero so you can be one of the first to read one of our copies! If there is a book your looking forward to which hasn't released yet, we can often put holds on them as soon as we order them so you can be sure your 1st in line to read it.

Laugh out Loud Reads for Middle Grades

2010-08-25T16:28:00.000-04:00

This list was recently compiled by a group of Youth Services Librarians when asked for suggestions for a 6th grade girl who liked books which made her "laugh out loud." If you've got a 6th to 8th grader who likes funny books take a look through this list. This list is complete with commentary by the librarians who recommended the books. Any comments *I* added to the list are noted by *. Many are available here in Tenafly and if they are not on our shelves we can request them from other BCCLS Libraries.

Four Things My Geeky-Jock-of-a-Best Friend Must Do in Europe OR My Best Friend, the Atlantic Ocean, and Other Great Bodies Standing Between Me and My Life with Giulio
by Lisa Yee

Brent Crawford's Carter Finally Gets it and Carter's Big Break have gone over well with my middle schoolers. A little bit of unclean humor but nothing overly offensive.

The Mates, Dates series (Cathy Hopkins) and The Year My Life Went Down the Loo and following titles (Katie Maxwell) are read-alike series for Georgia Nicolson. **For girls who love Twilight and other vampire books, Maxwell also had a vampire series which is funny: Circus of the Darned is the first title.**

Suite Scarlett books by Maureen Johnson.

The Schwa was Here, by Shusterman (sequel is not quite as funny, but good: Antsy Does Time)

The Wednesday Wars, by Schmidt

The True Meaning of Smekday, by Rex

Grace Dent's Diary of a Chav and its sequels are hilarious!!! - **I would set this as 8th grade up, not really Middle School**
They remind me of Georgia Nicholson, but from a slightly different class perspective, and because of that, kind of add some food for thought, along with the laughs.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Born Too Short by Dan Elish,

Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Yee,

The Obnoxious Jerks by Stephen Manes

Wonder by Rachel Vail, Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski.

Swim the Fly by Don Calame, but like "Carter" it's a bit raunchy-PG-13.

I was in tears from laughing so hard with Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie" by
David Lubar.

Another great title that was hiliarious and heartbreaking was "Part Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. **This would be The Absolutly True Diary of a Part-time Indian, which I would also only give to more mature middle school readers.**
Another British series she might like starts with Girl, 15, Charming but Insane by Sue Limb. (I think #1 was published later as a prequel (?) Same feel as Georgia Nicolson.

consider the series of KELLY ANN DIARIES by Liz Rettig...i think the latest extends into highschool, but after the first two books came out she wrote a prequel where Kelly Ann is younger.

Her book JUMPING TO CONFUSIONS is very funny - but i'm pretty sure all MCs are in HS.

And -not a girl book or a series but Johs Lieb's I AM A GENIUS OF UNSPEAKABLE EVIL AND I WANT TO BE YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT is v funny I hand out Janette Rallison's books a bunch and she is very funny. I absolutely loved Life, Love and the Pursuit of Free Throws but she has a bunch of other titles as well.

Another British Girl Series that is laugh out loud funny is Sue Limb's Jess series my colleague reminded me of this one and I am sure if she likes Georgia she will love Jess!!

An also the Mates and Dates series by Cathy Hopkins yet another British very funny series about a group of girl who are best friends trying to deal with their teenage lives.

PSA for Montclair Public Library - Didgeredoo Down Under

2010-08-12T11:13:00.000-04:00

If your kids are interested in music, check out this program offered by Montclair Public Library. They have been kind enough to open it to residents of all BCCLS towns, but registration is required. Please call 973-744-0500 x. 2236 for more information or to register.

Didgeredoo Down Under

Enjoy a high-energy, Australia-themed event combining music, art,

environmental-awareness, cultural awareness and audience participation.

Participants will also learn how to play the didgeridoo! Didgeridoo Down Under

furthers multicultural harmony, environmental protection, mutual respect, and

is an educational experience not to be missed!

Registration is required and limited to Kids & Teens ages 8 and up

Auditorium

Friday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Montclair Public Library

50 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair NJ

Library Luau!

2010-08-11T11:12:00.000-04:00

Summer is slipping away, but don't let it go without one last chance to enjoy the tropic weather!

Join us on August 17th for the Library Luau! Children of all ages are welcome to join the celebration of summer! Tenafly Welcome! and The Friends of the Tenafly Library are working together to help sponcer this summer bash. The party starts at 1:00 PM. Snacks will be served as well as island punch!

There will be hula dancing- starting at 1:00 PM with lessons for those who dare!

Face painting and balloon animals will be part of the fun.

At 2:00 PM Java John will lead those who are adventurous on a treasure hunt. Tonga, the mystical tiki ruler of Bonga-Bonga, is set on keeping the treasure all to himself. Games, challenges and some rockin’ sing-alongs are all part of the summer fun. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as pirates, princesses, sailors, surfin’ dudes and dudettes, beach bums, castaways...etc.
Will Java John and the crew find a way to take the treasure away from the towering talking tiki?

Come and join Java John's crew to find out!

Children and adults are invited to come in thier best beach or island wear!

Library Day @ Mini Golf Course

2010-08-09T16:17:00.000-04:00

Once again the Paramus Public Library has made arrangements with the

Paramus Mini Golf Course for a Library Day! This year on August 18 the

Mini Golf Course will offer discount play to anyone who presents a library

card!

The on-site restaurant, the 9-Iron Grille, has also joined in this year

with 10% discount on the food portion of your bill by presenting a library

card on that day.

Summer Reading Update!

2010-07-20T16:51:00.000-04:00

It's not too late for Tenafly Pre-schoolers or Tenafly students entering K-6th from joining the Summer Reading Clubs @ Tenafly Public Library.

So far the K-6th grade students have read 39234 minutes! This means they have earned over 260 prizes!

With the new online logging available through the NJ Summer Reading, children who join can also write book reviews, keep track of the titles they have read, and create a personal goal for thier summer reading!

Barnes & Noble Rewards Summer Reading

2010-07-19T16:58:00.000-04:00

Many of you might know that periodically Barnes and Nobles hold Library days where a % of teh sales get donated to state or local libraries, but did you know that they would reward your child for reading in the summer? Children in grades K - 6 can earn a free book by reading 8 books this summer. Purchase is not required.

Check out : Barnes and Noble Summer Reading to download a Passport to Summer Reading.

It's available in a PDF file in english and spanish. This year they seem to have a 39 Clues theme, but children can read any books of thier choosing. Once read, the book titles and the places visited in the books must be recorded in the passport. once compleated, children bring the signed passport (signed by parents) to a local B&N to choose a free book from the list in the passport.

And of course the time spent reading those 8 books may be applied to our own Summer Reading Club here at the library!

A Great Blog for Kids who love to read!

2010-07-09T11:24:00.000-04:00

I love talking about books....with kids, with adults, with other librarians and writers. Most people who love books also love to share them and talk about them For kids that's sometimes a hard thing. Many adults don't want to talk about kids books or just arn't interested in the saem books as kids. Plus it's a whole different take on the same book when you speak with a 10 yr old vs an adult.

I get my fix by keeping up with some book blogs and recently one of my favorite book blogs mentioned a blog she found. What was special about the blog she found? It is written by a 10 yr old girl in Indiana. Laura's Life is her blog about her life and the books she's reading. Laura took up the challenge fo reading ALL the Newbery winning books before she enters middle school in 5th grade. She recently finished with time to spare. She's recently attended ALA with her mother and met many of her favorite authors and bloged about the experience. She's currently reading new books and plans to attend a Mock Newbery event at a local library in Zionville, Indiana.

If you have kids who love books, check out this blog or have the kids check it out!

NJ State Budget Passed...what it means for the Library.

2010-07-07T15:38:00.000-04:00

Below are some of the details from the NJ State Budget as they pertain to the BCCLS Libraries.

Delivery. The New Jersey State Library is budgeting $900K substantially the same as last year. We will continue our past practice of continuing the 5 day a week delivery to all BCCLS' members, resulting in about 20% of the delivery costs being paid for by our members.

Basically this means business as usual for our patrons borrowing from other libraries in BCCLS and ordering from non-local libraries.

Databases. The New Jersey State Library has completed negotiations for a new Ebsco contract which will provide coverage of full text periodicals for academic, public, and school libraries. RefUSA which is invaluable for job seekers and small business has also been maintained, and was simply unaffordable for the vast majority of BCCLS libraries on their own.
The restoration of these funds enabled New Jersey to qualify for a new broadband grant from the federal government and a supplemental one from the Gates Foundation, and for full support of the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
The biggest loss of funding was the 50% cut in per capita state aid, $3.676 million. Several databases including the genealogy based Heritage Quest were discontinued.

We've been lucky here in Tenafly. These changes and the changes in our local budget have not required us to cut our hours or personnel. Other libraries in BCCLS have not been as lucky. Please keep letting your State and local officials know how much you use and appreciate your library.

Curious about what Teens are Reading but not interested in picking up the latest Gossip Girl?

2010-07-01T14:06:00.000-04:00

A recent article in Voya (Voice of Youth Advocates) by Annette Birdsall, Susan Person, and Stephanie A. Squicciarini spotlights some recent YA fiction which has high appeal for adult readers. So if your curious what has sparked your teens interest or if your maybe looking for a book you can both read check out some of these offerings in the BCCLS libraries.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Answerson
What I saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Sequals: Catching Fire & Mockingjay (Fall 2010)
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
After by Amy Efaw
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Charles and Emma:The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Nation by Terry Pratchett
How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
Impossible by Nancy Werlin

EXCITING NEW elements to the Summer Reading Club

2010-06-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

Whether you have signed up your preschooler for the Family Swim or your elementary school child in Make A Splash, you (or they) can log into the Summer Reading web site hosted by Evanced and log thier progress. Parents and older children can not only log progress in the Summer Reading Clubs, but they can also write reviews of the books read, add comments on the library programs attended, and keep a list of books read.

The reviews and comments can set to public and shared with other summer readers or they can be set as private and just be used for personal reference.

To log in goto https://nj.evanced.info/tenafly/sr/homepage.asp
The Username should be the child's last name first name and the password will be the last four digits of the library card you used to sign up.

Example: Lisa Simpson's user name would be simpsonlisa and if she used library card 29119123456753 to sign up ber password would be 6753.

If that username does not work for you, try lastfirstXXXX where the XXXX are the last four digits of your library card. Each user name must be unique and if we think there might be a duplicate name we add the digits to make sure they are unique.

IF YOU ARE REGISTERING ONLINE! You can create ANY username or password you like, but rememebr to stop in at the library to get your reading log or gameboard.

IF YOU STILL CANNOT LOG ON please call me at the library, come see me, or email me and I will look up the login info for you. Please remember may children fill out the registration slip themselves so one in a while they can be a challenge to read. We apologise if we've mispelled or misread your child's name or library card number, but it does happen.

Summer Reading Clubs & New Online Feature

2010-06-24T11:59:00.000-04:00

Summer is here and so are Tenafly's Summer Reading Clubs!

If you have a child between the ages of 1 and 4, you can register them for the Family Swim Reading Club. This is a pre-readers club filled with activities that parents & other family members can do with young children to bloster thier literacy skills and to encourage thier exploration or the world around them. Children will recieve small prizes for every 5 activities that they complete. Parents will also recieve a guide to early learning literacy skills which will help give children a good foundation for learning to read.

If you have a child who attends school in Tenafly (or will be attending Kindergarten in Tenafly this fall), you can register them for our Make a Splash/Make Waves reading club. This is an independant club in which the kids read independantly and track the time they spend reading. When children sign up they will get a reading log to help them track the time they spend reading (or spend actively listening for the youngest members). For each 1/2 hour logged, children can get a sticker and, when they collect 5 stickers, can claim a small prize.

In addition to the reading log, members of the summer reading club can register for weekly craft classes. This summer with water as our theme we are making Native American Rain Sticks, assorted beach designed sand art, seashell necklaces, and pirate chests as well as other fun stuff. Check out our Google Calendar at the top of this blog for a full list of crafts and time. Registration is always the week before the class.

10 Books everyone should read in thier life. (YA books)

2010-04-28T12:16:00.000-04:00

Recently on the YALSA - Young Adult Library Services Association - listerv someone asked about the top 10 (ya) books the librarians on the list thought everyone should read (Ie the Top Ten Teen Books ever).

I thought that some parents out there might be interested in seeing the results of the totally unofficial and informal survey.

As you will see in the list below there is a WIDE range of views on the topic and this list is very definitely slanted toward current/modern books. Some people selected by literary merit, some on cultural impact, and others on how the books moved them personally. While I LOVE top ten lists, I don't think there is such a thing as 10 books that are best for ALL teens. I will say that all the books listed here are worthy of a look by your teens or yourself. These are teen books and some are more appropriate for 16-18 then 13-15, so as always remember be aware of what your child is reading whether they are 5, 12, 18, or anywhere in between.

Top 10 teen books of all time
1. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (6 votes)
2. 13 Reasons Why By Jay Asher (4 votes)
3. Book Thief by Markus Zusak (4 votes)
4. Giver by Lois Lowry (4 votes)
5. Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling (4 votes)
6. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (4 votes)
7. Feed by Anderson (3 votes)
8. Monster by Walter Dean Myers (3 votes)
9. Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (3 votes)
10. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (3 votes)

Results from everyone who gave answers

13 Reasons Why By Jay Asher (4 votes)
A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (2 votes)
Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2 votes)
Acceleration- Graham McNamee
After by Amy Efaw
American Born Chinese,
Are you there, God, It's me,
Bloom-Elizabeth Scott
Book Thief by Markus Zusak (4 votes)
Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Boy Meets Boy by Levithan
Bridge To Terabithia
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Feed by Anderson (3 votes)
Forever,
Giver by Lois Lowry (4 votes)
Go Ask Alice
Graceling by cashore
Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling (4 votes)
Hit and Run-Lurlene McDaniel
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (4 votes)
Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw
I am the Cheese,
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume
Just Listen-Sarah Dessen
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Looking for Alaska by John Green (2 votes)
Loser (Jerry Spinelli)
Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Monster by Walter Dean Myers (3 votes)
One of Those Hideous Books where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (3 votes)
Pride and Prejudice-Jane Austen
Rest are in alphabetical order by title:
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (6 votes)
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
That was Then, This is Now and a Judy Blume title
Tiger Eyes
To Kill a Mockingbird
Tuck Everlasting
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (3 votes)
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963
Wednesday Wars
Whale Talk-Chris Crutcher
Yellow Star by Jennifer Rozines Roy (2 votes)

Library BOOK SALE!

2010-04-08T10:41:00.000-04:00

The Tenafly Library's Annual Book Sale is next week! This book sale is one of our major fund raisers for the library for the year. April 16, 17, and 18th

We really need the support of our community this year more than ever. If you have an abundance of book which you've read, the kids have out grown, or you just don't have space for anymore but HATE to throw away....DONATE THEM! Donating books to the book sale is a great way to pass on good books, be green, and help the library at the same time.

Plus cleaning those books out of your house will leave you room to SHOP at the book sale and bring home gentle used books which you haven't read before, or maybe find some classic kids books that your children will growon into over the next year.

We will begin accepting donations on Tuesday April 13th in the Mc Candles Room. At this time we'll also be setting up the room for the sale and organizing the books. If you have some free time on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, the library could use some volunteers to help turn piles of donations into an organized book sale.

Contact Ann Marie Connolly @ 201-568-8680 for more information or if you wish to volunteer.

NJ Budget and Library cuts

2010-03-30T16:57:00.000-04:00

The following is a reporting of Robert White's post on BCCLS.org
I wanted to post it here as well to be sure that parents saw it. These cuts will make it harder for kids to find popular books, do class wide or school wide assignments. When the public library runs out of materials after the first 2 or 4 or 6 students check out books we will not have the ability to have books from other libraries shipped here and we might also lose the databases which we often use as backup for academic work.

Please make sure that Gov. Christie knows that you consider funds for library delivery, internet access @ public libraries, and database access @ public libraries are important.

Repost starts here:

Friends,

Library services are in jeopardy both here in BCCLS libraries, but also throughout New Jersey. With the release of Governor Christie's proposed budget, libraries across the state have been shaken to the core to learn of the proposed wholesale elimination of library services across the state.

We spent much of 2009 fighting attempts to weaken the minimum funding for public libraries. Members of the State legislature have come back in the new session proposing again various bills that would allow elected officials to reduce funding to libraries and to reduce the independence of library boards by once again appointing municipal employees as opposed to interested, independent citizens in charge of library policy. The most recent bill is A2555. These bills will be strongly opposed by the New Jersey Library Association and BCCLS.

So we get the figures straight, per capita library support at the local level across the 75 BCCLS members is $67.75 annually or $5.65 monthly, $1.31 weekly, or 19 CENTS daily. In terms of local tax bills, library expenditures are 1.97% of our county, school, and local tax bills, and 6.39% of the municipal budget only tax bill. The minimum funding for libraries is essential and definitely not what's ailing government budgets.

The library programs eliminated from the Governor's budget represent little more than $1 per capita in state funds. Library programs have been flat funded for 20 years so it is hard to believe these programs have caused the state's current fiscal crisis. He's looking to cut more than $10 BILLION, while his 74% cut of state funded library programs only amounts to a little over $10 million. The structural problems with the State budget were not caused by overfunding of libraries, and fatally weakening these programs will still not solve the failures of legislative and executive decision-making of more than 30 years.

What is in the Governor's message that is harmful to BCCLS libraries?

DELIVERY

Have you ever requested an item that was sent to your local library from another library? For health related issues? For job seeking? For homework assignments for your children? For matters that affect your life directly? For the simple enrichment that reading a book can bring?

Delivery of materials is severely threatened in the proposed budget. Our state funded Highlands (Bergen, Passaic counties) and Infolink (Essex and Hudson counties) regional library cooperatives will be eliminated along with the funds used to pay a private sector delivery firm. BCCLS libraries transport more than 2 million items each year at a cost of approximately 8 cents an item. Currently BCCLS members pay 20% of that cost from their own local budgets; under Governor Christie's proposal, our libraries will receive nothing from the State for delivery.

REORGANIZATION OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY

The proposed budget also recommends a significant organizational change combining the New Jersey State Library and its parent organization, Thomas Edison State College, with the New Jersey State Museum under the aegis of Rutgers University. The Rutgers University Libraries are among the finest in the nation. What Rutgers has done for public libraries escapes attention. The track record for these "shotgun" transfers nationally is poor. BCCLS libraries depend on the New Jersey State Library to enforce the large body of library law to "keep everyone honest."

Other services being eliminated in the proposed budget may affect you as well, but everyone stands to lose if adequate, equitable funding of local public libraries, delivery service, and an enforcement mechanism for a body of state law on libraries that has served us well for more than 100 years are eliminated.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If you have not already become a Library Champion for your local library and automatically a BCCLS champion, please consider doing so. Click here for the registration form. We've added more than 500 champions this week!

For contacting the Governor and members of the State Assembly and Senate, go to : capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/

Click on Take Action in the middle of the page. This will take you to a long scrolled page that lists detailed bullet points on services affected statewide, some of which will be important to you. There is a "What can you do," followed by a templated message (in green) for your elected officials, which you can send as is, or modify as you wish.

Becoming a NJ champion (which is also on this long scrolled page) is separate from BCCLS. See the BCCLS champion page for details.

Help the statewide lobbying effort specifically by using the Facebook Save NJ Libraries Group.

Thanks again for all your past support and continuing use of one of democracy's greatest inventions: the public library.

Robert W. White
Executive Director, BCCLS
On behalf of our 75 member libraries
Robert@bccls.org

P.S. Before you log off, please make your voice heard. If you need assistance, contact your local library director or write me. We need your help TODAY!

March 24, 2010

Gary Paulsen speaking in Tenafly!

2010-03-30T16:52:00.000-04:00

Attention

I just heard from one of the teachers that Gary Paulsen will be speaking at the Tenafly Middle School on Wednesday april 7th at 7 PM.

Paulsen's books range from upper elementary to young adult. He's written historical fiction, humorous stories, collections of autobiographical stories, and adventure.

Hatchet and My Life in Dog Years are two of the books he's best known for, but there are many others. If you are familar with his books or not, this is a great opportunity to hear a well known and award winning author speak about his books. If your in town, definatly think about going to hear him speak!

Some Updates, Spring Cleaning, & Tips for managing yoru Child's Library card

2010-03-05T14:41:00.004-05:00

Greetings everyone -

Spring is almost here! That means spring cleaning for many of us. If your cleaning the kids book shelf and don't know what to do with all those books they've outgrown, keep the annual Library Sale in mind. The Library Sale will be held April 16, 17, and 18th. We will begin accepting donations for the book sale on Tuesday, April 13th. Unfortunaly we do not have space to take and store donations before that date, but from Tuesday the 13th through Thursday the 15th volunteers from the library as well as library staff will be in the McCandless Room accepting and sorting donations. Please consider this as a way to recycle books your children (and you) have outgrown as well as media which you may have upgraded.

The flip side?!? Come back on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and stock up on new (to you) books for you, your children, or the family and support your library while doing so! All proceeds from the sale go to helping the library with projects such as the local history case, the updated shelves in the children's room, children's and adult programs, and buying special materials for the collection.

Updates & changes in the Children's Room:
If you've been looking for the Children's Read alongs, they are finally back and in updated packaging. They are now kept in the yellwo alcove of the main children's room with the audio books for older children'. We've upgraded many from tapes to CDs. At this time, we will no longer be buying cassette tapes or audiobooks on cassette. There are still some in the collection because we cannot update the whole collection at one time, but they will not be replaced as they are broken, lost, or removed from the collection for other reasons.

Our audio book collection for children and YA currently is mainly CD with some tapes still in the collection and a few playaways (these are pre-loaded MP3 players). We'd love to hear from parents, kids, and YA about what format you'd like us to focus on....CD or Playaway. There are also downloadable audiobooks, but those are selected more on a BCCLS wide level and not controled by individual libraries.

Some Tips on Managing Library Cards:
We try to keep library fines managable, but they can build up on you. It's especially hard when each person, child or adult, in the household has thier own card. Materials get checked out and misplaced or due dates get confused and if your the one in charge of returning them oftem you don't know they are overdue until that note comes in the mail. Too Late then!
NOW you can get PRE-LATE NOTICES! That's right, we'll notify you 3 days before items are due. This is an automated email service that BCCLS offers. The best way for a mom (or dad) to use it to keep track of the whole family's due dates and materials is so have one address put on ALL the cards. This way all notifications fro loan pick-ups, cancelations, hold, and upcoming due dates will come to the same place.

Another way to keep track of materials and avoid fines is establishing a PIN number for your card. Many parents hesitate to allow thier younger children have thier own library card for fear of fines as well as worry over what materials they will check out. Having your own library card is a milestone though for many children in elementary school. It's a sign of trust and responcibility as well as freedom for them. So to sooth your mind (and keep the fines down), let yoru child get a library card of thier own but you set the PIN number. By checking the "My Library Card" section on the BCCLS web site, you can check what is checked out on the card, when it is due, and often you can renew items to avoid late fees. This is also a simple way to make sure that items returned are off your card and fines are cleared.

Using these two together work even better! Get that Pre-Late Notice & don't know where the book is or know you won't be done with it in three days? Log in with the PIN number and renew the item if possible and gain time to finish with the book or in some cases hunt it down.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to call (201-568-8680) or stop in and talk to me in the Children's Room of the Tenafly Public Library!

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day!

2010-01-26T10:32:00.002-05:00

Do you like crafts? Maybe you were able to attend one of our spring or summer classes with local artist Sharon Gross?

Well due to the many requests that we had after those classes and we always get for craft related special programs - we've invited Sharon Gross back this February!

On Saturday February 6th children aged 7+ can make Valentine cards with Sharon!

Register now as space is limited!

Sharon will be helping the children who attend make custom printed cards that they will design themselves!

Call the Children's Dept @ 201-568-8680 or email me @ markle@bccls.org with the child's name, age, and a phone number!

Hurry while space lasts!

S is for Space!

2010-01-14T14:49:00.002-05:00

If you have a toddler who is obsessed with space and astronauts, this is the program for them! Designed by the Buehler Challenger & Science Center in Paramus, NJ "S is for Space" is an out of this world interactive presentation with a trip to the Moon, Mars, and beyond! Take a voyage with Andy, the astronaut monkey, and his trusty space dog Cosmo.

Children will develop an understanding of how astronauts live and work in space. interactive learning will give them the experience of gathering samples on the Moon and experimenting with frozen CO2.

This program will be in the John M Wilcox Children's Room on Wednesday, January 20th @ 11:00 AM. All are welcome and it is a gift from the Friends of the Tenafly Public Library.

***Parents can show their support of the Friends and of the library by buying one of our black tote bags for just $2.00. Your supporting the library and getting a great bag to carry your library books home.***

Some favorite books of 2009 from BCCLS Librarians

2010-01-07T14:58:00.003-05:00

For Upper Elementary and Middle School Readers

Baskin, Nora	Anything but Typical	YA FIC BASKIN
Cochran, Mick	The Girl Who Threw Butterflies	J FIC COCHRANE
DiCamillo, Kate	The Magician's Elephant	J FIC DICAMILLO
Kelly, Jacqueline	The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate	J FIC KELLY
Levine, Kristin	The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had
Lin, Grace	Where the Mountain Meets the Moon	J FIC LIN
Marrin, Albert	Years of Dust	J978.03 MAR
Parry, Roseanne	Heart of a Shepherd	J FIC Parry
Stead, Rebecca	When You Reach Me	J Fic Stead
Walker, Sally M.	Written in Bone	J 614.17 WAL
Woodson, Jacqueline	Peace, Locomotion	J Fic Woodson

For teen readers:

Anderson, Laurie Halse	Wintergirls	YA Fic Anderson
Cashore, Kristin	Fire	YA Fic Cashore
Collins, Suzanne	Catching Fire	YA Fic Collins
Heiligman, Deborah	Charles and Emma: The Darwin's Leap of Faith	J Bio Darwin
Hoose, Phillip M.	Claudette Colvin:Twice Toward Justice	J Bio Colvin
Larbalestier, Justine	Liar	YA Fic Larbalestier
LLoyd, Saci	The Carbon Diaries 2015	YA Fic Lloyd
Stork, Francisco X.	Marcelo in the Real World	YA Fic Stork
Taylor, Laini	Lips Touch: Three Times	YA SS Taylor

Cookie decorating Take two!

2009-12-15T10:44:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder! Our Holiday Cookie Decorating for 2 to 5 yr old will be on Monday December 21st at 1:30 PM

I only have 7 children signed up so far! we had a bigger crowd for the older kids and I will be posting pictures of the kids and thier cookies soon. Sorry for the delay!

If you have a toddler who would like to decorate a holiday cookie, please give me a call at 201-568-8680, comment on here, or email me at markle@bccls.org

Our Snow Queen Tea Party is also still open for registration. That will be heald on December 29th at 1 PM and I'm changing the ages slightly due to demand. It will be open to ages 5 to 12 yr olds. There are still a few openings if you think your child is interested please call and reserve a spot asap before they disappear!

Special Storytime On Tuesday

2009-11-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

Has your toddler been to the dentist? Are they learning to brush and what to eat for healthy teeth?

Tuesday, November 24th at 11:30 AM Peggy Lockwood from a local dentist's office will be visiting story time. Peggy will share a book with the kids about going to the dentist's office. She, also, brings real tools and things they will see and wear in the dentist's chair to show them.

Whether your child hasn't been to the dentist yet and you want them to see what to expect or if they've been and were afraid, this is a great opportunity for them to learn about the dentist and how to care for their teeth.

All children will get a gift to take home.

Presley and Melody Concert

2009-11-19T11:28:00.005-05:00

Finally! Here are the pictures I promised from our recent concert!
It has been busy here in the Children's Room and that is the only excuse I have for taking so long in getting the pictures up for all to see.

The Montessori Tenafly Academy has been in to visit; we've started registration for the 6-12 yr olds Cookie Decorating on Dec 5th; Fall storytime is still in full swing; and we always have a crowd after school for homework and socializing. Please keep your eyes on the upcoming programs, I'll be posting scheduled programs for January through May soon!

Library Monster Hunt

2009-08-26T11:08:00.002-04:00

"This scavenger hunt/clue decoding activity helps build library research skills. Kids use the library catalog and the Dewey Decimal System to track down coded clues that help them find the monster's hidden lair. Together, they capture the monster and everyone receives a Monster Detective Badge."

Refresh library skills or lay a foundation with younger students in a fun way this September. Space in the hunt is limited so remember to register early! Registration starts Sept 8th. register by calling Latricia at 201-568-8680 or posting a comment to this blog *after* Sept 8th with the first name and age of the child you'd like to register OR email Latricia at markle@bccls.org

The Monster Hunt will take place on Saturday September 19th at 1:00 PM for children ages 7 to 12.

2009-08-20T17:28:00.001-04:00

Circus Day is almost here!

2009-08-12T14:47:00.003-04:00

Just one more WEEK!

Remember Circus Day at the Tenafly Public Library will be August 19th from 1 tp 4 PM.

We're kicking off the afternoon with Mr. Malcolm. He's one of our favorite storytellers and he's bringing some new circus stories to share with children of all ages.

Dolly and Colors are coming from 2 to 4 Pm for face painting.

There will be popcorn and maybe some other treats for snacking on and a suprise entertainer at 3 PM.

Come and enjoy this gift of the Friends of the Tenafly Public Library part of the afternoon or all afternoon.

Call all Tenafly Teen Artists

2009-07-23T16:31:00.003-04:00

Love Reading? Love Art? Love your Library?!?

Calling all Tenafly Teen Artists ages 13 to 18!

Tenafly Library is looking for talented teens to design a logo for our new eco-friendly tote bags. Here are the rules:

You must be a Tenafly resident, aged 13-18.
All designs are to be ONE color only (to be printed on a contrasting color tote)
Designs must be no larger than 10" Wide by 8" High
All entries must be submitted to the library by October 15, 2009, 9:00 PM
All entries must include: name, library card #, and contact info on the back or attached to the design.

All entries will become property of the Tenafly Public Library and will be displayed in the library display cases in November. The winning design will be announced after the November Library Board meeting and will be printed on eco-friendly tote bags which will be on sale in the spring.

Fine Art in Nature - Presented July 22

2009-07-23T12:37:00.002-04:00

Kids learned about different summer insects, how they protect themselves and the colorful artistic patterns they have on thier wings and bodies.
After watching a slide show, hearing recordings of the insects, and looking at examples of the real thing; children and adults both were able to create colorful bug tee shirts. Everyone went home with a one-of-a-kind original keepsake to remind them of the program!

Op-Ed Piece for Summer Reading in the NYT

2009-07-06T15:31:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure I 100% agree with some of the opinions he expresses at the start of the piece stating that middle class parents push kids into summer classes while poor kids get little to no support. I do feel that kids with parents who are involved in their lives and encourage (force, cajole, bribe, or on some other way get them to) read over the summer do have an advantage.

This isn't a new thought on this blog. But check out this article to get yet another take on it and an interesting list of great summer reads for both kids and parents.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05kristof.html?_r=2
**Just a note: Ialso have some issues with his order of difficulty. The level of a book has as much to do with its content and emotional impact as it does with # of words on a page and difficulty of vocabulary.

Also check out Nicholas Kristof's blog at
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/ for more of his thoughts and reader feedback.

Book List for Entering 6th Grade

2009-06-26T10:41:00.000-04:00

READ-ALOUD LIST
These books are recommended by teachers from Tenafly and top
reading and writing experts. Recent award-winners have been included.
J FIC Almond, David. Kit’s Wilderness.
J FIC Almond, David. The Fire Eaters.
J FIC Avi. Poppy.
YA FIC Bloor, Edward. Tangerine.
J FIC Cottrell Boyce, Frank. Millions.
YA FIC Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts.
Colman, Penny. Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front.
YA FIC DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember.
Finklestein, Norman H. The Way Things Never Were – The Truth about the “Good Old Days”.
J FIC Ives, David. Monsieur Eek.
J POETRY Levy, Constance. A Crack in the Clouds and Other Poems.
Matthews, L.S. Fish.
Miller, Kate. Poems in Black & White.
Mochizuki, Ken. Passage to Freedom: the Sugiharana Story.
J BIO Hugh Osofsky, Audrey. Free to Dream: the Making of a Poet: Langston Hughes.
J FIC Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia.
J FIC Paterson, Katherine. Preacher’s Boy.
Paulsen, Gary. The Cook Camp.
Pearce, Philippa. The Little Gentleman
J FIC Taylor, Mildred. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.
Turner, Ann. Mississippi Mud: Three Prairie Journal
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)
POPULAR AUTHORS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADE 6 INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Russell Ash
Kimberly Willis Holt
Louis Sachar
Avi
Johanna Hurwitz
Seymour Simon
Natalie Babbitt
E.L. Konigsburg
Jerry Spinelli
Betsy Byars
Kathleen Krull
Mildred Taylor
Andrew Clements
Lois Lowry
Yoshiko Uchida
Sharon Creech
Patricia MacLachlan
Wendelin Van Draanen
Kate Di Camillo
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Jacqueline Wilson
Russell Freedman
Katherine Paterson
Jacqueline Woodson
Ralph Fletcher
Lawrence Pringle
Betty Ren Wright
Mary Downing Hahn
Emily Rodda
Ruth White
Karen Hesse
Cynthia Rylant
INDIVIDUAL BOOKS FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADE 6 TO READ
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)
J FIC *Dutton Juvenile, 2003. This exciting mystery is about a thirteen-year-old boy, Ellsworth, who is on a mission to unearth family secrets and discover his ancestor’s treasures.
*Armistead, John. The $66 Summer, Milkweed Editions, 2000. This is a story of interracial friendship in a 1950s southern town. Thirteen-year-old George and two black friends stumble onto evidence of a violent crime.
J FIC *Armstrong, Alan. Whittington. Random House Children’s Books, 2005. This superior novel interweaves animal fantasy and family story with a retelling of the English folktale Dick Whittington and His Cat. A battered tomcat named Whittington arrives one late-fall day at a New England barn, where he gradually befriends the equally ragtag group of animals already adopted by the barn's taciturn but soft-hearted owner, Bernie.
J FIC *Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. The Penderwick sisters—responsible Rosalind, twelve; feisty Skye, eleven; creative Jane, ten; and shy Batty, four—along with their loving but preoccupied botanist father and a clumsy dog named Hound, spend their summer holiday in the Massachusetts Berkshires in a rose-covered cottage on the grounds of a mansion called Arundel Hall. Suffused with affectionate humor, this charming, old-fashioned story feels familiar in the way the best books seem like old friends. Nostalgic but never stale, this fresh, satisfying novel is like a cool breeze on a summer’s day. This book received the National Book Award.
J FIC *Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Young reviewers encourage anyone who liked The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall to snatch this sequel off the shelves. Publishers Weekly states, “It has more charm than the original.” It seems that the Penderwick sisters are home on Gardam Street, and to their chagrin, are in the middle of an adventure that they didn’t expect.
J BIO BYR *Burleigh, Robert. Black Whiteness. Atheneum, 1998. This is an award-winning nonfiction book beautifully written in prose, about how Admiral Byrd battled the elements in Antarctica.
*Choldenko, Gennifer. Notes from a Liar and Her Dog. Putnam Juvenile Publishers, 2001. An eleven-year-old, Antonia, is feeling misunderstood in her family. Often she wants to be noticed, while at other times she wants to be invisible!
*Clements, Andrew. The Janitor’s Boy. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Jack, a fifth-grade student, finds himself the target of ridicule at school when it becomes known that his father is one of the janitors. Written by the author of Frindle.
J FIC *Creech, Sharon. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. This is the story of a wonderful relationship between twelve-year-old Rosie and her Italian grandmother. The School Library Journal states, “This is a humorous and endearing story about intergenerational relationships.”
*Crowe, Ellie. Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku. Lee & Low Books, 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide! “Crowe’s respectful picture book biography brings to light a seminal figure in the history of surfing and Olympic swimming.” The author deals delicately with the issue of discrimination against the Hawaiian swimmer.
J FIC *Delaney, Joseph. The Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice, Book One). Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2005. When so much recent neo-Gothic fiction seems to be written with tongue firmly in cheek (if not check), it is pure shivery pleasure to read a novel of the supernatural that is both admirably concise and genuinely frightening. Delaney’s storytelling is at once accessible to unseasoned readers and satisfying for confirmed genre fans.
*Ellerbee, Linda. Girl Reporter Stuck in a Jam. Avon Paper, 2000. This is the third book in the series. Casey is so busy trying to get a story about the victim of physical abuse that she neglects her friend Ringo, the school’s first male cheerleader.
J FIC *Erdrich, Louise. The Game of Silence. HarperCollins Publishers, 2005. This sequel to The Birchbark House is infused with elegy, as if young Omakayas is storing up the details of her Ojibwe family’s way of life as they prepare for a government-ordered “removal” to the West. Like Laura Ingalls Wilder, Erdrich uses a simple but lyrical style to convey the particulars of a historical context. Perfect for those who want to know the other side of the Westward Movement!
*Ferris, Jeri Chase. Demanding Justice: A Story About Mary Ann Shadd Cary. Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. This is a short biography about a woman ahead of her time who was born free and black in 1823. Mary Ann Shadd Cary worked to improve the social and economic status of black Americans, and she began the first weekly newspaper owned by a black woman.
*Fletcher, Ralph. Fig Pudding. Houghton Mifflin, 1995. This is a heartwarming story about how a family pulls together to cope with a very sad occurrence.
*Fletcher, Ralph. How to Write Your Life Story. HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide! The newest book by Ralph Fletcher helps students to draw on their own experiences when writing memoir. Wonderful interviews with memoirists are included as well as suggested lists of memoirs to inspire writers.
J FIC *Fletcher, Ralph. Spider Boy. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Bobby, a seventh-grade student, misses his friends after moving to New York state. Because he withdraws by spending more and more time with his spiders, he is given the name “Spider Boy.” This is an excellent story that also includes information about spiders.
J FIC *Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. Random House Children’s Books. 2002. This award-winning 2003 Newbery Honor Book features a twelve-year-old, Hollis Woods, who was abandoned at birth. Reilly masterfully takes the reader along on Hollis’s emotional journey of finding her real home. Beautifully-written story!
J FIC *Gordon, Amy. The Gorillas of Gill Park. Holiday House, 2003. This book is about a boy, Willy Wilson, who begins spending the summer with his unconventional aunt as a shy, sheltered boy. However, by the end of the summer he grows in ways that he never imagined.
*Harrah, Madge. Blind Boone: Piano Prodigy. Lerner Publishing Group, 2004. This is an award-winning book about a blind concert pianist, William “Blind” Boone, an African-American musical genius who toured the country after the Civil War. Numerous primary sources detail Boone’s life and career. Boone brought ragtime music to America.
J FIC *Henkes, Kevin. Olive’s Ocean. HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. This book is a 2004 Newbery Honor Book. Readers are amazed at how well Henkes has captured the thoughts and emotions of a twelve-year-old girl, Martha Boyle. While vacationing on Cape Cod, Martha realizes a bond between herself and a classmate who recently died. Martha also faces growing pains as she deals with adolescent issues.
YA FIC *Hiassen, Carl. Hoot. Random House Children’s Books, 2003. Publishers Weekly says, "Several suspenseful scenes, along with dollops of humor, help make this quite a hoot indeed." This book is about a boy’s attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.
*Jones, Charlotte Foltz. Accidents May Happen: Fifty Inventions Discovered by Mistake. Delacorte, 1996. Students love to read about how such household items as cellophane and liquid paper were invented. This book contains fascinating short stories about each invention.
*Kelley, K.C.. Hottest NASCAR Machines. Enslow Publishers, 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide, and part of the Wild Wheels! series by Enslow Publishers…”These books provide insight into the high-speed world of car racing…Racing enthusiasts will appreciate the photographs and text boxes that expand the simple, but informative text.”
*Kurtz, Jane. Bicycle Madness. Holt Books for Young Readers, 2003. A young girl in the late 1800s who is coping with the loss of her mother and other family and friendship issues sees life differently through the eyes of feminist, Frances Willard. Willard learns how to ride a bike. Voting rights, child labor laws, and poor working conditions are skillfully interwoven in this award-winning novel about women’s history.
*Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story or Cesar Chavez. Harcourt Brace & Company, Orlando, Florida, 2003. This intriguing biography from the award-winning Krull begins with Cesar Chavez at age ten, when he and his family lived happily on their Arizona ranch and extends to Cesar at age thirty-eight. It highlights his peaceful protest against California Migrant workers’ miserable working conditions.
J BIO *Krull, Kathleen. Marie Curie. Penguin Group, New York, NY, 2007. An award-winning book about scientist, Marie Curie! This account is written in text that will interest children, as well as amaze them with details about a brilliant, driven woman’s life.
*Lewin, Ted. At Gleason’s Gym. Roaring Brook Press, New York, 2007. This book, written by award-winning author Ted Lewin, is recommended by The Horn Book Guide! It portrays the training of a nine-year old champion boxer, Sugar Boy Younan, 2006 National Silver Gloves Champion. Sugar Boy worked out at Gleason’s Gym, which is also the training place of Mohammad Ali.
J BIO LOW *Lowry, Lois. Looking Back: A Book of Memories. Delacorte Paper, 2000. A marvelous author uses photos from her life to recall stories and important events.
YA FIC *Martin, Ann M. A Corner of the Universe. Scholastic, 2002. This book is a 2003 Newbery Honor Book. The summer that Hattie Owen turned twelve in 1960 was a life-changing experience, as she learns what it is like to care for her 21-year-old mentally disabled uncle. A very touching story!
J FIC *McKay, Hilary. Dog Friday. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1994. Robin Brogan is determining to keep the dog he finds abandoned on the beach. This is the first in a series: entertaining, funny and thoughtful! Other books in this series are the following titles: The Amber Cat and Dolphin Luck.
J FIC *McKay, Hilary. Permanent Rose. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2005. The Casson family — parents Bill and Eve and their four paint-color-named children, Cadmium, Indigo, Saffron, and Rose — previously reported on in Saffy’s Angel and Indigo’s Star , has lost none of its sparkle in this third book. This is exemplary comic writing —buoyant, perceptive, subversive, and trailing a whiff of sadness. Read the others in this amazing series, if you love this one!
J FIC *Mills, Claudia. Trading Places. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006. Fifth-grade twins Todd and Amy realize that they have more in common than they thought. Amy is known as the family poet, a disorganized yet creative spirit who usually has her head in a book. Todd is the logical one, the engineer who keeps his room, his desk, and his life–up till now–running like a well-oiled machine. But when a class project forces the siblings to work outside their comfort zones, they begin to learn more about themselves and one another. Short chapters trade back and forth, telling the story from each sibling’s perspective. The realistic situations and characters will appeal to middle graders.
J FIC *Napoli, Donna Jo . The King of Mulberry Street. Wendy Lamb Books/Random House, 2005. Drawing on her grandfather's experience, Napoli dramatizes a seldom-told bit of American history in this story of Italian Jewish young people in the 1890s. Beniamino, who lives in Napoli, is only nine years old when his beloved, poverty-stricken Mama bribes someone to hide him away on a cargo ship to America. His lively, immediate first-person narrative recalls the trauma of separation and the brutal struggle on the New York streets. The characters are drawn with depth, especially the three kids, and the unsentimental story is honest about the grinding poverty and the prejudice among various immigrant groups. Most moving is the story of letting go, as Dom confronts the fact that Mama sent him away, and America is now his home. This is a powerful story by an accomplished historical fiction writer.
*Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Almost to Freedom. Lerner Publishing Group, 2003. This book tells the unforgettable story of a young slave girl’s dramatic escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. It is told with stunning pictures through the eyes of the girl’s doll.
J FIC *Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. Simon & Schuster, 1987. Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson has been left in the Canadian wilderness due to a plane crash. All he has left to help him survive is his hatchet.
J FIC *Paulsen, Gary. A Soldier’s Heart. Random House Children’s Books, 2000. Based on the life of a real boy, it tells the story of Charley Goddard, who lies his way into the Union Army at the age of 15. Charley has never been anyplace beyond Winona, Minnesota, and thinks war would be a great adventure. And it is--at first--as his regiment marches off through cheering crowds and pretty, flag-waving girls. But then comes the battle. Paulsen's storytelling is so psychologically true that readers will feel they have lived through Charley's experiences. A powerful read—graphic details might be overwhelming for some.
*Porter, Pamela. Sky. Groundwood Books, 2005. This simple tale elegantly showcases a girl's story of triumph over adversity. Georgia Salois, 11, lives with her grandparents in 1964 in Montana, near a Blackfeet Reservation. After a spring of record rainfalls, a local dam bursts and a flood completely destroys the family's house and barn. Georgia tells her story in a straightforward manner. Despite the troubles, she learns that caring for an animal can be a form of healing, too. None of the harshness of her life is diminished, from the extent of the flooding to her difficulties in school to the prejudice the family experiences because of their Indian heritage. Yet the heart of this story will remain with readers long after they close the book.
*Porter, Pamela. The Crazy Man. Groundwood Books, 2006. Written in prose-poetry that is as spare as the Saskatchewan prairie and yet rich in its yield of what matters – understanding, forgiveness, friendship and a faithful dog.
J P *Raven, Margot Theis. Night Boat to Freedom. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2006. This book received the Teachers’ Choices for 2007 award, and offers a fascinating and realistic account of the Underground Railroad. It was based on Slave Narrative Collection and features a twelve-year old boy who risks his life to help slaves get to freedom.
J FIC *Ray, Delia. Ghost Girl: A Blue Ridge Mountain Story. Houghton Mifflin, 2003. An eleven-year-old’s life is transformed in the 1920s when a school opens in her isolated Blue Ridge Mountain community in Virginia. There are many novels out about the lives of mountain children, but this excellent portrayal of four important years in a girl's life rises to the top. Based on a real school and teacher, this novel seamlessly incorporates historical facts into the narrative. April is an engaging character, always eager to learn but also struggling with her desire for her mother's approval.
*Riggio, Anita. Secret Signs Along the Underground Railroad. Boyds Mill Publishers, 1997. This is a story about a deaf boy passing secrets on the Underground Railroad.
J PAPER *Rodda, Emily. Deltora series. Scholastic, 2002. A student who reviewed these books exuberantly stated, “Deltora Quest will leave you spellbound and a bookworm. Emily Rodda is the next J.K. Rowling.”
J 523.48 Sco *Scott, Elaine. When Is a Planet Not a Planet?: The Story of Pluto. Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide, this book captivates readers who want to think like scientists. Noted nonfiction author, Elaine Scott, explains complex ideas with a simplistic charm that makes sense to readers.
*Sheen, Barbara. Eating Right. Heinemann-Raintree. 2007. Part of the Real Deal series and recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “Sheen capably covers nutrition basics (the six groups of nutrients, the three kinds of fats) before setting her sights on convincing readers to eat well and offering menu suggestions for each meal.”
J FIC *Spinelli, Jerry. Crash. Knopf, 1996. Crash Coogan is a rough seventh grader who looks down at peers unlike himself. A problem ensues when Crash’s teasing goes too far.
*Thomson, Sarah. Astronauts and Other Space Heroes. HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Over two dozen astronauts, cosmonauts, animals, and other travelers are introduced to readers. This award-winning book details their adventures in space and includes many facts and tidbits that are guaranteed to interest readers…
*J FIC Van Draanen, Wendelin. Sammy Keyes and the Curse of Moustache Mary. Knopf, 2000. Sammy and her friends meet Lucinda Huntley, who regales them with tales of the Wild West that still echo in the lives of her family members today. Another action-packed mystery in one of our favorite series!
J PAPER *Weeks, Sarah. Regular Guy. Harper Collins, 1999 Humorous and light summer reading
J FIC *Weeks, Sarah. Guy Time. Harper Collins, 2000. Humorous and light summer reading

Reading list for entering 5th grade

2009-06-25T15:52:00.000-04:00

READ-ALOUD LIST
These book have been recommended by top national reading and
writing experts. Recent award-winners have been included.
J BIO FRA Adler, David A. B. Franklin, Printer.
J FIC Babbitt, Natalie. Jack Plank Tells Tales.
Barnwell, Ysaye M. No Mirrors in My Nana’s House.
Bateman, Robert and Rick Archbold. Safari.
Bierman, Carol. Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America.
Carson, Ben. Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.
J579.8 CER Cerullo, Mary. Sea Soup: Phytoplankton.
J578.77 CON Conlan, K.E. Under the Ice.
Conrad, Pam. Stonewords: A Ghost Story.
Cooper, Floyd. Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes.
Coy, John. Strong to the Hoop.
J P Feiffer, Jules. Meanwhile.
Harness, Cheryl. Rabble Rousers: 20 Women Who Made a Difference.
Hehner, Barbara. Ice Age Mammoth: Will This Ancient Giant Come Back to Life?
J FIC Lewis, C.S. The Horse and His Boy.
J FIC Lewis, C.S. The Last Battle.
J FIC Lewis, C. S. Prince Caspian.
J FIC Lewis, C. S. The Magician’s Nephew.
J FIC Lewis, C.S. The Silver Chair.
J FIC Lewis, C. S. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Lewis, J. Patrick. BoshBlobBerBosh: Runcible Poems for Edward Lear.
J FIC MacLachlan, Patricia. Arthur for the Very First Time.
Miller, Debbie. Great Serum Race: Blazing the Iditarod Trail.
Moore, Lilian. Poems Have Roots.
Muirden, James. Seeing Stars.
J P Nunes, Susan. Coyote Dreams.
J FIC Paterson, Katherine. Flip-Flop Girl.
J POETRY Prelutsky, Jack. The Gargoyle on the Roof.
J591.56 RYL Rylant, Cynthia. The Journey: Stories of Migration.
J E Schotter, Roni. Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street.
J POETRY SIL Silverstein, Shel. A Light in the Attic.
J POETRY STE Stevenson, James. Candy Corn.
J POETRY STE Stevenson, James. Popcorn.
J P Thomas, Joyce Carol. I Have Heard of Land.
J FIC Williams, Carol Lynch. If I Forget, You Remember.
Williams, Karen Lynn. Discovering One Thing I’m Good At.
J POETRY Wor Worth, Valerie. Animal Poems.
Books for Students to Read
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)
POPULAR FICTION AUTHORS: Fiction is shelved alphabetically by Author's last name.
Betsy Byars
Joanna Hurwitz
Jack Prelutsky
Matt Christopher
Kathryn Lasky
Jon Sciezska
Beverly Cleary
C.S. Lewis
Lemony Snicket
Joanna Cole
Lois Lowry
Jerry Spinelli
Roald Dahl
Patricia MacLachlan
William Steig
Paula Danziger
Patricia McKissack
Chris Van Allsburg
Paul Goble
Kate McMullan
Jane Yolen
Eloise Greenfield
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Bruce Hale
Barbara Park
NONFICTION – These books are shelved by subject so must be looked up individually.
These authors may have also written fiction, and they are especially well known for excellent nonfiction that stands alone or is embedded in a story.
Jim Arnosky
Jean Fritz
Sandra Markle
Russell Ash
Jean Craighead George
Steve Parker
Melvin Berger
Gail Gibbons
Seymour Simon
Robert Burleigh
Kathleen Krull
Stephen Swinburne
Matt Christopher
Kathryn Lasky
Joanna Cole
Ellen Levine
Individual Titles of Books for Students Entering 5th Grade to Read
*Adler, David. A Picture Book of Patrick Henry. Holiday House, 1991. An award-winning book! Children’s Literature reports, “Using Henry as a centerpiece, the author introduces the reader to historical events in a personal way.”
J E *Adler, David. The Many Troubles of Andy Russell. Harcourt, 1999. Award-winning author, David Adler, creates one problem after another for Andy Russell to solve in this book that is first in a series about a fourth-grade boy.
*Armstrong, Kristin. Lance Armstrong: The Race of His Life. Grosset & Dunlap, 2000. An inspirational account of a courageous athlete who overcame cancer and won the bike race of his life
J BIO *Ashby, Ruth. The Amazing Mr. Franklin: Or the Boy Who Read Everything. Peachtree Publishers, 2004. An award-winning book about a famous man in American history…Children’s Literature reviewers say, “This book offers an exciting version of Benjamin Franklin's life.”
J FIC *Atwater, Richard & Florence Atwater. Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Little Brown, 1938. This classic in children’s literature is a humorously written story about a house painter, Mr. Popper, who trained a group of penguins to perform.
*Baglio, Ben. Bunnies in the Bathroom. Scholastic, 2000. For anyone who enjoys reading about animals this book gets five-star reviews! It is part of a series by Ben Baglio entitled the Animal Ark Series.
*Bial, Raymond. Where Washington Walked. Walker & Company, 2004. This award-winning book beautifully combines engaging text with colorful photos and takes the reader on a journey from Washington’s childhood through his adult life.
*Biskup, Agnieszka. Understanding Global Warming with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Mankato, MN, 2007. This book is recommended by The Horn Book Guide. It intrigues readers as a Superhero scientist Axiom uses a comic-book format to detail the basics of global warming.
J FIC *Blume, Judy. Fudge-a-Mania. Puffin Books, Reissued 2003. A hilarious story about how Fudge, the human hurricane, continues to amaze readers with his escapades as he annoys his older brother, Peter.
*Bunting, Eve. Your Move. Harcourt Brace, 1998. This is a wonderful picture storybook that examines decision making in spite of family and peer pressure.
J FIC *Byng, Georgia. Molly Moon’s Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure. Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2005. In this exciting book, Molly Moon must rescue her beloved pug that is kidnapped by a stranger. It is another in the Molly Moon series of hypnotic time travel adventures. Students cannot wait to keep turning the pages, as the intriguing plot unfolds.
J BIO LEO *Byrd, Robert. Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer. Dutton Children’s Books, 2003. This award-winning picture biography stunningly details the genius’s life with outstanding text features that are accompanied by engaging text.
J E *Cameron, Ann. Gloria’s Way. Puffin Books, 2001. This entertaining book contains six stories about Gloria, a character audiences love to get to know.
*Christopher, Matt. Hard Drive to Short. Little, Brown & Company, 1991. A shortstop made several errors in a book that examines issues of friendship by a popular sports author.
J FIC *Clements, Andrew. Frindle. Simon & Schuster, 1996. This is a fascinating account of what happens when a fifth-grade student creates an unusual word, frindle. Will his teacher accept it?
J E *Cohen, Barbara. Molly’s Pilgrim, William Morrow & Company, 1998. Molly and her family came to the United States from Russia seeking freedom. However, life in the United States isn’t easy for Molly, since she worries about fitting in with her classmates.
*Cole, Joanna and Wendy Saul. On the Bus with Joanna Cole: A Creative Autobiography. Heinemann, 1996. This is a fascinating account of why Joanna Cole writes the Magic School Bus series.
J 593.6 COL *Collard, Sneed. One Night in the Coral Sea. Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006. The National Science Teachers Association gave this book an award and stated, "This book takes the reader on a Field Trip along the Great Barrier Reef”….and “contains beautiful illustrations and interesting information about this natural wonder.”
J FIC *Collins, Suzanne. Gregory the Overlander. Scholastic, 2005. The School Library Journal states, ”In this accessible, almost-cinematic fantasy, Gregor and his two-year-old sister fall into an amazing underground world.”
*Daniels, Lucy. Dolphin Diaries series, Hodder & Stoughton Children’s Division. This fascinating series has an environmental focus and features stories about a girl, whose parents are scientists, and the encounters she has with dolphins and other sea animals.
J E *Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown Goes Fourth. Scholastic, 1996. This is one book in the Amber Brown series. Amber Brown struggles with friendship and changes in her life.
*Donlan, Leni. Working for Change: The Struggle for Women’s Rights. Raintree Publishers, 2007. This book is recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “From Abigail Adams’s plea to “Remember the Ladies” to the passing of the women’s suffrage amendment in 1920, Donlan documents the struggle for women’s voting rights by looking at the lives and work of the movement’s leaders.”
*Draper, Sharon Mills. Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs. Just Us Books, 1994. The author has written an adventure story that weaves in African and Native-American history, as four boys solve a mystery about a hidden trunk.
*Florian, Douglas. Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars. Harcourt, Incorporated, 2007. Booklist recommend this beautiful book of poetry that “looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry.”
*Frasier, Debra. Miss Alaineus – A Vocabulary Disaster. Harcourt, Incorporated, 2000. This award-winning book interests students in learning new vocabulary words in a very playful manner.
*Giblin, James Cross. The Many Rides of Paul Revere. Scholastic, 2007. Award-winning author, James Cross Giblin, highlights little-known historical facts about Paul Revere and weaves them into a captivating biography.
J FIC *Hale, Bruce. Chet Gecko’s Detective Handbook. Harcourt Children’s Books, 2005. One in the series of detective stories about Chet Gecko…Guaranteed to tickle the funny bone of mystery enthusiasts.
*Harris, Joan. The Least of These: Rescue and Rehabilitation of Wild Baby Birds. Westwinds Press, 2005. The National Science Teachers Association rated this book as outstanding! A science reviewer from NSTA states, “Each story in this book has the ability to capture the reader’s mind and heart and will likely instill a fondness for the natural world around us.” In addition, this book is one of the 2005 ASPCA® Henry Bergh Children's Book Award Winners.
J P *Hesse, Karen. The Cats in Krasinski Square. Scholastic, 2004. This award-winning book received very positive reviews. Kirkus Reviews state, “Hesse has found a little-known vignette that she treats with her customary modest but elevating free verse style, making a grave subject enormously accessible, gently humorous, and affectingly triumphant.” The story takes place in Warsaw in 1942, and it is the story of how children resisted the Gestapo. It is a story of bravery and ingenuity.
J E *Hurwitz, Johanna. Just Desserts Club. William Morrow & Company, 1999. Bored with your summer vacation? Why not start a cooking club, like sixth-grader, Cricket Kaufman did! Read to find out how she used her resourcefulness in creating delicious desserts that got rid of the excess zucchini that was in her family’s kitchen.
*Kalman, Bobbie & Heather Levigne. What is a Bat? Crabtree Publishing Company, 1999. This fascinating nonfiction book on bats is part of a great series by Crabtree Publishers called The Science of Living Things. All books in the series are clearly written with strong text features.
J E *King-Smith, Dick. Mr. Potter’s Pets. Demco Media, 1997. An easy-to-read, satisfying chapter book about how a pet can change a man’s life!
J PAPER *Lasky, Kathryn. The Siege (Guardians of Ga’hoole series). Scholastic, 2004. An action-packed fantasy novel that received five-star reviews from fans…Readers won’t be able to put this book down, as they follow the spine-tingling events as noble owls protect their resources.
*Lasky, Kathryn. Monarchs. Harcourt, 1993. The author shares information about monarch butterflies in a fascinating way.
*Leedy, Loreen and Pat Street. There’s A Frog In My Throat – 440 Animal Sayings A Little Bird Told Me. Holiday House, 2003. This entertaining book will help students understand how to use unique sayings for writing similes, metaphors, idioms, and proverbs, humorously comparing people to animals.
Ref J031.02 *Levey, Judith (Editor). The World Almanac for Kids. World Almanac Books, 1997. This book fascinates readers with helpful information in all subject areas.
J63.34 MAR *Markle, Sandra. Rescues! Lerner/Millbrook, 2006. Book Links recommends an exciting book by Sandra Markle! “In this full-color photo essay, she uses individual experiences of rescue and survival to bring each drama close, basing many accounts on phone interviews with those who were there.”
J BIO ATL *McCarthy, Meghan. Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas. Random House Children’s Books, 2007. This book is highly recommended by The Horn Book Guide!“This picture book biography gives readers context for the homage still paid to the bodybuilding champ and fitness guru…simple and light-handed narration.”
J FIC *McDonald, Meghan. Judy Moody Predicts the Future. Candlewick Press, 2003. Does Judy Moody really have clairvoyant capabilities? Judy becomes convinced that she does, as she amazes classmates with her special mood ring. This book is one in a humorous series about Judy Moody.
J PAPER *McMullan, Kate. Dragon Slayer’s Academy. Grosset & Dunlap. A popular fantasy series loaded with humor and adventure
J FIC *Mead, Alice. Junebug. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1997. Junebug is the story of how a ten-year-old boy deals with being in a small nuclear family and struggles with the pressures of his surroundings. This book is part of a Junebug series.
J FIC *Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Boys Rock! Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 2005. Readers will enjoy reading another book in the series of the Hatford boys and the Mallory girls. They will be interested in finding out why their lives are so contentious.
J FIC *Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Shiloh. Atheneum, 1991. Marty provides a safe haven for a dog that is abused by his owner. This book invites discussion about honor and doing what is right.
*O’Connor, Jim. Comeback! Four True Stories. Random House, 1992. The athletes selected by the author all overcame serious obstacles and made noteworthy comebacks: Wilma Rudolph, Catfish Hunter, Greg LeMond, and Bart Connor.
J PAPER *Park, Barbara. Skinnybones. Random House, 1982. “For the smallest kid on the baseball team, Alex Frankovitch has a major-league big mouth!”
*Phillips, Louis. Keep ‘em Laughing: Jokes to Amuse and Annoy Your Friends. Viking, 1996. Readers will be chuckling from the beginning to the end of this book!
*Platt, Richard. They Played What?!: The Weird History of Sports and Recreation. Two-Can Publishing, Inc. 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide! A fascinating compilation of engaging facts about competitive sports activities played on land, water, and in the air. Beautiful, colorful pages surround the text.
J FIC *Rodda, Emily. Rowan of Rin. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2004. One in a very popular fantasy series about a shy and quiet boy named Rowan… He has to face amazing challenges in a dangerous journey to help the villagers in Rin. The School Library Journal states, “Traditional fantasy elements and setting are presented in a fast-moving and enjoyable tale that should be an easy sell to fantasy lovers.
*Roop, Connie and Peter Roop. Tales of Famous Americans. Scholastic, 2007. This is a collection of profiles on the accomplishments of seventeen famous Americans, ranging from George Washington to Mia Hamm. It is recommended by The Horn Book Guide.
J E *Sachar, Louis. Marvin Redpost #7: Super Fast, Out of Control! Random House, 2000. Award-winning author, Louis Sachar wrote another humorous story that is part of the Marvin Redpost series. Marvin copes with trying to ride his new mountain bike down a very treacherous hill.
J POETRY *Schertle, Alice. Keepers. Lothrop, 1996. This is a beautiful collection of poetry that inspires writers to view simple things differently.
J E *Scieska, Jon. The Time Warp Trio series. Puffin Books. A fantasy series that is full of wild adventure and fun
*Shreve, Susan. Josua T. Bates series, Knopf Paperback, 1997. “Joshua T. Bates is no stranger to trouble.”
*Simon, Seymour. Our Solar System. HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. *The Horn Book Guide recommends this updated book by award-winning nonfiction writer, Seymour Simon. Learn what is the latest and most interesting information!
*Sullivan, George. Helen Keller: Her Life in Pictures. Scholastic, 2007. A fascinating, award-winning collection of unusual photographs of Helen Keller, accompanied by intriguing biographical information that follows her life from infancy to age eighty
*Wagner, Heather Lehr. How the President Is Elected. Chelsea House Publishers, 2007. This book is recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “Archival photographs and paintings and sidebars combine with informative text to present a comprehensive discussion of the political parties and processes that define U.S. government.”
J P *Weatherford, Carole Boston. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. Hyperion Books for Children, 2006. This book won the 2007 Teachers’ Choice from the International Reading Association and the 2007 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. This is a gorgeous poetic text that depicts Harriet Tubman’s plight when she escaped as an adult slave.
J FIC *Wilder, Laura Ingalls. Little House in the Big Woods. HarperCollins, 1932. This is part of the Little House series, which takes place on a farm in Wisconsin in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Readers learn of the hardships of Laura and her family.
* Yin. Brothers. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2006. This book is a Teachers’ Choices for 2007 award winner. A touching story about a young Chinese immigrant named Ming. “This is the rarely told story of the first Chinese immigrants and the timeless message of what happens when differences are put aside.”
*Zalben, Jane Breskin. Paths to Peace: People Who Changed the World. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2006. This book received the Teachers’ Choices for 2007 award. It describes the accomplishments of sixteen peacemakers who changed the world in some way. Beautiful quotes and multimedia artwork also make this book a winner.
Resources Consulted: Tenafly teachers and lists of national award-winning books

READING LIST FOR ENTERING 4TH GRADE

2009-06-25T13:09:00.001-04:00

READ-ALOUD LIST
FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS ENTERING 4th GRADE
These books have been recommended by Tenafly teachers and top national
reading and writing experts. Recent award-winners have also been included.

J 917.8 ADL Adler, David. A Picture Book of Lewis and Clark.
Aliki. Marianthe’s Story: Painted Words and Marianthe’s Story: Spoken Memories.
J 578.77 ARN Arnosky, Jim. Parrotfish and Sunken Ships: Exploring a Tropical Reef.
J P Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple.
J 324.9 CHR Christelow. Eileen. Vote!
Collins, David E.B.White: To the Point
Cone, Molly. Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought It Back to Life.
J FIC Dahl, Roald. BFG.
J FIC Dahl, Roald. Danny the Champion of the World.
J FIC Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach.
J Poetry Dakos, Kalli. Mrs. Cole on an Onion Roll and Other School Poems.
J FIC Dalgliesh, Alice. The Courage of Sarah Noble.
J FIC DiCamillo, Kate. The Tale of Desperaux.
J Paper Dixon, Franklin W. The Hardy Boys series. **Shelved by Poetry
Feigenbaum, Aaron. American Alligators: Freshwater Survivors.
J Poetry Fleischman, Paul. Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices.
J P Garland, Sherry. The Lotus Seed.
J 791.3 GER Gerstein, Mordicai. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.
Giovanni, Nikki. Spin a Soft Black Song.
Graves, Donald. Baseball, Snakes, and Summer Squash – Poems About Growing Up.
J P Grimes, Nikki. Thanks A Million.
Heard, Georgia. This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort.
Heide, Florence Parry. The Shrinking of Treehorn.
Holiday, Laurel. Children of Israel, Children of Palestine; Our Own True Stories.
Janeczko, Paul See the Blue Between (Poetry)
J Poetry Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Extra Innings – Baseball Poems.
J Paper Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew series. **Shelved near Poetry
Kennedy, X. J. Knock at a Star: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry.
Landau, Elaine. Big Snakes: Alligators and Crocodiles: Hunters of the Night.
J Bio Lasky, Kathryn. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth.
J FIC MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall.
J FIC MacLachlan, Patricia. Skylark.
Marton, Jirina. You Can Go Home Again.
Michelson, Richard. Across the Alley.
J Poetry Myers, Christopher. Jabberwocky.
Nye, Naomi Shahib. The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East.
J FIC Peck, Richard. A Year Down Yonder.
Potts, Aidan. Uneversaurus.
J P Pulver, Robin. Punctuation Takes a Vacation.
Rushby, Pamela. Discovering SuperCroc.
Ryder, Joanne. Toad on the Road.
Siebert, Diane. Tour America: A Journey Through Poems and Art.
Silverstein, Shel. Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back.
J BIO Sis, Peter. Starry Messenger.
J FIC Steig, William. Abel’s Island.
Thomas, Patricia. Nature’s Paintbox: A Seasonal Gallery of Art and Verse.
J E Turner, Priscilla. The War Between the Vowels and Consonants.
J POETRY Viorst, Judith. If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries.
Williams, Vera B. Stringbean’s Trip to the Shining Sea.
Wing, Natasha. Jalapeno Bagels.
J FIC Wise, William. Christopher Mouse.
Yolen, Jane. Shape Me a Rhyme: Nature’s Forms in Poetry.
J P Young, Ed. Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China.
Books for Students to Read
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)

Popular series and authors for Students Entering 4th Grade:
FICTION
Smith, Janice Lee - Adam Joshua Capers series
J R AND J E Paula Danziger – Amber Brown series
J E Donald & Rose Sobol – Encyclopedia Brown series
J E Betsy Duffey – Cody series
J E Jon Scieszka – The Time Warp Trio series
J E Mary Pope Osborne – Magic Tree House series
J E Patricia Reilly Giff - Polk Street Kids series
J E AND J FIC Matt Christopher – sport series books
J PAPER Bruce Colville – Alien series
J E Louis Sachar – Marvin Redpost series
BY AUTHOR Books by Eve Bunting, Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl, DyAnne Di Salvo-Ryan, Lois Lowry, and Cynthia Rylant

NONFICTION – MUST BE LOOKED UP INDIVIDUALLY
David Adler – biography series
Smithsonian Oceanic Collection.
Rookie Biographies - series by Children’s Press
Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith - cultural biography series
Crinkleroot’s Nature Guides series by Simon & Schuster Publishers
National Geographic History Chapters series
A First Discovery Book – series by Scholastic Publishers
Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out - science series by HarperCollins Publishers
Step into Reading – series by Random House Publishers
The Water Cycle – series by Delta Science Readers
Scholastic Question and Answer Series – by Scholastic Publishers
Peter Reilly - Food Chains – series by Franklin Watts Publishers
Our Universe Series-The Planets, Solar System, and the Moon –Lerner Publishers
Who Was…(Einstein, Twain, etc.) –Grosset and Dunlap Series (biographies)

List of Individual Titles for Students to Read
J R *Alberto, Daisy. Pete for President. Kane Press, 2004. An award-winning book that introduces the reader to how voting works by using a third-grade class election for class president.
*Aldrin, Buzz. Reaching for the Moon. HarperCollins Publishers, 2005. This book won an award from the National Science Teachers Association. It is a fascinating portrayal of the life of Buzz Aldrin, featuring the goals that he set that eventually led him to his trip to the moon. He dared to dream, and his dreams came true.
*Arnosky, Jim. Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing the Birds. Simon & Schuster, 1992. This is part of the Crinkleroot’s Nature Guides. It is an informational text on birds that will fascinate and be easily understood by readers.
J 629.477 BRA *Branley, Franklyn M. Floating in Space. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. This book explains about astronauts in a space shuttle and their activities. It is part of a science series called Let’s -Read-and Find-Out.
*Brown, Don. Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. An award-winning book… The School Library Journal reports that Don Brown’s “well-crafted picture-book biography focuses on Einstein's hard-to-classify brilliance, which led to awesome scientific discoveries, but all too often left him a misunderstood outsider.”
J P *Bunting, Eve. Butterfly House. New York: Scholastic, 1999. A girl and her grandfather make a home for larvae and then release butterflies.
J E *Byars, Betsy Tornado New York: Scholastic, 1996. An amazing dog that survives after a terrible tornado.
J BIO *Carlson, Laurie. Boss of the Plains: The Hat That Won the West. New York: DK Inc., 1998. A picture book biography about hat-maker, John Stetson
*Cherry, Lynn and Plotkin, Mark. The Shaman’s Apprentice: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest. San Diego: Harcourt/Gulliver Green, 1998. Based on a true story, a boy recounts how a shaman cures ailments.
J BIO *Christensen, Bonnie. The Daring Nellie Bly: America’s Star Reporter. Random House, 2003. This is an award-winning book about Nellie Bly, a woman ahead of her time, who became a well-known newspaper correspondent. Nellie was famous for doing things unheard of for women in the late 1800’s.
J FIC *Christopher, Matt. Sport series books, Little Brown. Many sports books are in the Matt Christopher collection.
J FIC *Cleary, Beverly. The Ramona series, Avon Books. Beverly Cleary’s entertaining Ramona books delight third-grade readers!
J 973.7 CLI *Clinton, Catherine. When Harriet Met Sojourner. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. Recommended by The Horn Book Guide, this book fascinates readers by portraying the exciting and noteworthy accomplishments of two famous African-American women.
J 621.3 COL *Cole, Joanna. The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip. New York: Scholastic, 1997. This is a well-written text that offers students a humorous way to explore electricity and power plants. It is part of the Magic School Bus series.
J BIO *Cooney, Barbara. Eleanor. New York: Viking Penguin, 1996. This is a precisely written text about Eleanor Roosevelt.
J FIC *Creech, Sharon Love That Dog . New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2003. Jack doesn’t like to write poetry but while writing entries in his writer’s notebook, he learns the potential and power of the medium.
J E *Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon. New York: Putnam Books, 1994. This book is part of the popular Amber Brown series. It the story about how a third-grade student copes when her best friend moves away.
J FIC *DeFelice, Cynthia. Weasel. William Morrow Publishers, 1991. An Indian fighter sent by the government to drive off the land, Weasel, has now turned on the settlers. Nathan, against the wishes of his family, decides to take the law into his own hands to protect them.
*Demi. Gandhi. Simon & Schuster Children’s: New York, 2001. A beautifully illustrated picture book detailing the life of Gandhi
*Gibbons, Gail. Marshes and Swamps. Holiday House, 1998. Gail Gibbons is a phenomenal nonfiction author who has captivated readers in this comparison/contrast text. This book contains elaborate and clear drawings.
*Griffey, Harriet. Volcanoes and Other Natural Disasters. New York: Dorling Kindersley/Eyewitness Readers, 1998. A number of natural disasters are explained in this informative text.
J POETRY *Grimes, Nikki. Thanks a Million. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. Award-winning author, Nikki Grimes received the Teachers’ Choice for 2007 Award from the International Reading Association for this beautiful collection of poetry about being thankful for small pleasures and simple things.
*J 636.75 GRO Grogan, John. Marley. San Francisco: HarperCollins West, 2007. A librarian in Tenafly told me that she cannot keep this book on her shelf! It is the story about a lovable Labrador retriever named Marley. This text makes readers roar with laughter as they witness shenanigans that get him into trouble.
*Guthrie, Donna, Nancy Bentley, & Katy Keck Arnsteen. Young Author’s Do-It-
Yourself Book: How to Write, Illustrate, and Produce Your Own Book. Millbrook, 1994. This book helps young authors learn how to write a story and/or informational piece from the beginning of choosing a topic to marketing the text.
J P *Hest, Amy. When Jesse Came Across the Sea. Candlewick, 1997. This is an inviting book about immigration that offers families the chance to discuss their roots.
*Hest, Amy Love You Soldier Puffin Books, New York, 1991. A child must cope with the absence of her father when he leaves to serve in World War 2.
J POETRY *Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Sports! Sports! Sports! A Poetry Collection. HarperCollins, 1999. This book offers readers an assortment of sports poems.
J 551.563 *Hopping, Lorraine Jean. Wild Weather: Tornadoes. New York: Scholastic, 1993. This is an informational text that explores how tornadoes affect America. It is an excellent opportunity to practice using nonfiction text supports, such as diagrams.
*Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Biography series. New York: Holiday Press. Ms. Hoyt-Goldsmith has written an entire cultural biography series in photo essays that feature different children and cultures in the United States.
J POETRY *Issa, Kobayashi, Today and Today. New York: Scholastic, 2007. This poetry book is recommended by Booklist. Beautiful poems follow a family across the year. A gentle, lovely book of poetry
*Jenner, Caryn. First Flight: The Story of the Wright Brothers. DK Publishing, 2003. This is an award-winning biography about the Wright Brothers that contains primary documents, authentic photographs, and sidebars that help the reader.
J 591.5 JEU *Jeunesse, Gallimard & Pascale de Bourgoing. Night Creatures. New York: Scholastic, 2004. This book is part of a wonderful series called A First Discovery Book. Children will love the design features in this text that allow readers to watch the night creatures change as they turn the pages.
J R *Kramer, S.A. To the Top! Climbing the World’s Highest Mountain. New York: Random House, 1993. This exciting book about a climb to Mount Everest is one of a popular series, called Step into Reading.
J BIO RUD *Krull, Kathleen. Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1996. This is a touching picture book biography about a world-class runner.
*Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. New York: Harcourt, 2003. An award-winning book with a clear message about the persistence of Cesar Chavez… He learned that by working together he could accomplish great changes.
*Kuskin, Karla. Dogs & Dragons, Trees & Dreams. New York: Harper Collins, 1992. This is a representative collection of Karla Kuskin’s poetry with introductory notes on poetry writing.
*Lattimore, Deborah. The Winged Cat. New York: Harper Trophy, 2003. Fabulous historical fiction short stories based in Egypt
J 398.2 LES *Lester, Julius. John Henry. New York: Dial Press, 1995. This is an African-American tall tale about John Henry that is beautifully written.
J FIC *Lowry, Lois. All About Sam. New York: Random House, 1988. A funny story from Sam’s point of view from birth to his toddler years
J FIC *MacLachlan, Patricia. Cassie Binegar. New York: Harper Collins, 1987. During the summer, Cassie learns to accept change and to find her own space.
*MacLeod, Elisabeth. Helen Keller: A Determined Life. Kids Can Press, 2004. An award-winning book...The Carter Woodson Book Awards report that “details beyond the well-known story of Helen Keller’s life create a full image for young students of her extraordinary life.”
*Makris, Katherine. The Eco-Kids. New York: Avon Books, 1994. A great series with the five cats who are concerned about the environment
*Manieri, Sarah A. The Water Cycle. Delta, NH:Delta Science Readers, 2004. An excellent nonfiction series based on the materials that third-grade teachers use in the classroom
J 595.7 MIC *Micucci, Charles. The Life and Times of the Honeybee. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. Noted nonfiction expert, Dr. Nell Duke enthusiastically says, “This book is a real treasure. Break it into pieces like a chapter book, or read it for general interest.”
*Moore, Terry. The Watchers. Author House, 2007. Tenafly teacher, Terry Moore, has done an outstanding job with this beautifully written and sensitive novel. It has been endorsed by the New Jersey Academy of Aquatic Sciences. “Terry Moore’s moving, timely story shows us the plight of the horseshoe crab, and their importance to the health of the planet, through the eyes of children.” Your child will love it!
*O’Sullivan, Robyn. Jackie Robinson Plays Ball. National Geographic Society, 2007. The Horn Book Guide recommends this wonderful book that details the personal strengths and athletic accomplishments of the legendary baseball player, Jackie Robinson.
J E *Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine. New York: Hyperion Books, 2007. This book is recommended by Book Links. It is a great book about a third-grader named Clementine, who is sure to win readers’ hearts as well as tickle their funny bones.
J P *Polacco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday. New York: Philomel, 1992. A famed author crafts a tale about her childhood with a theme of intergenerational understanding and friendship.
*Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. Aladdin Publishers, 2001. A homemade quilt ties together the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish family, remaining a symbol of their enduring love and faith.
*Reilly, Peter. Food Chains. London: Franklin Watts Publishers, 1997. Another great series that supplements the units that third-grade students do in the classroom
*Ryder, Joanne. A Pair of Polar Bears: Twin Cubs Find a Home at the San Diego Zoo. New York: Simon Schuster, 2006. Award-winning author, Joanne Ryder, has done it again! This book is the recipient of the Teachers’ Choices for 2007 Award from the International Reading Association. It is a touching story of the rescue of twin polar bear cubs and chronicles their care at the San Diego Zoo. A poetic text and exquisite photos make this book a winner!
*Schanzer, Rosalyn. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning. HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2002. This is an award-winning biography about Ben Franklin’s whimsical inventions that are portrayed with humorous illustrations.
*Scholastic Question and Answer Series. New York: Scholastic Publishers, 2001. Students are immediately intrigued to find out the answers to the interesting questions in this series. Each book is on a topic that interests third-graders, such as Can Snakes Crawl Backward? - a book by Melvin and Gilda Berger.
*Scieszka, Jon & Lane Smith. Squids will be Squids: Fresh Morals & Beastly Fables. New York: Viking Penguin Publishers, 1998. A series of quirky fables about responsibility, safety, table manners & self-importance
J E *Sciezska, Jon. The Time Warp Trio series. New York: The Penguin Group. A very popular humorous fantasy series for third-grade students.
J POETRY *Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends. New York: HarperCollins, 1974. Students chuckle continually when they read this book of poetry.
J BIO DAR *Sis, Peter. The Tree of Life. Francis Foster Books, 2003. An exquisitely illustrated book on the life and theories of Darwin
J E *Smith, Doris Buchanan. Taste of Blackberries. New York: HarperCollins, 1988. A sudden tragedy forces a boy to question life and friendship. This is a difficult and sensitive subject that is treated with taste and honesty.
MULTIPLE *Smithsonian Oceanic Collection. Numerous nonfiction titles of books that are supported with beautiful illustrations on a variety of nonfiction topics
J E *Sobol, Donald & Rose. Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective Series. Bantam Doubleday Dell. This is a wonderfully written detective series which students love.
J 641.3 SOL *Solheim, James. It’s Disgusting – and We Ate It! True Food Facts From Around the World – and Throughout History. NY: Simon and Schuster Children’s, 2001. Nonfiction expert and author, Dr. Janice Kristo, recommends this fascinating book about the strange things that people from around the world enjoy.
J 398.2 STE *Steig, Jeanne. A Handful of Beans: Six Fairy Tales Retold. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. A funny retelling of six traditional fairy tales
J BIO *Stauffacher, Sue. Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson. New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2007. This wonderful biography is recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “This spirited picture biography tells about the first black tennis player to win Wimbledon. Stauffacher’s colloquial tone and lively language are the ideal match for her subject.”
J BIO *Walker, Alice. Langston Hughes, American Poet. Harper Collins, 2002. An excellent extended picture book that captures the life, times and craft of Langston Hughes, a poet most accessible to children and adults – written by Alice Walker, a renowned poet herself
J FIC *Warner, Gertrude. The Boxcar Children: Mystery Behind the Wall. Albert Whitman Publishers, 1973. This is a mystery that is part of the Boxcar series. ** SHELVED BY POETRY.
*Whelan, Gloria Indian School. New York: Scholastic, 1996. An Indian child in a mission school in 1839 most cope with being forced fit into the white man’s culture.
*Wyckoff, Edwin Brit. The Man Who Invented Basketball: James Naismith and His Amazing Game. Enslow Publishers, 2007. A book recommended by The Horn Book Guide that explains how James Naismith invented basketball. It is part of the Great Inventor Biographies series.
*Yolen, Jane. Sleeping Ugly. Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1981. This is a wonderful book that is a parody about a traditional tale.

Resources Consulted: Tenafly teachers and lists of national award-winning books

Reading list for entering 3rd Grade

2009-06-25T12:02:00.003-04:00

READ-ALOUD LIST FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS ENTERING 3rd GRADE

J 797.2 Adl
Adler, David. America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle.

J P
Adler, David. Mama Played Baseball.

Arnosky, Jim. All About Sharks.

J E
Asch, Frank. Pearl’s Promise.

J 612 Ber
Berger, Melvin. Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn.

Bogart, Ellen. Jeremiah Learns to Read.

Burleigh, Robert. Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth.

J E
Blume, Judy. Freckle Juice. **Additional copies in J Paper and J Audio

Castaneda, Omar S. Abuela’s Weave.

J P
Choi, Sook Nyul. Halmoni and the Picnic.

J E
Cleary, Beverly. Ralph S. Mouse. **Additional copies in J Paper and J Audio

Cohen, Barbara. Molly’s Pilgrims.

J 599 Col
Collard, Sneed. A Platypus, Probably.

J P
Corey, Shana. Players in Pigtails

Esbensen, Barbara Juster. Tiger with Wings- The Great Horned Owl.

J BIO
Farris, Christine King. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fredericks, Anthony. Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats

Glaser, Linda. Wonderful Worms.

Guiberson, Brenda. Spotted Owl: Bird of the Ancient Forest.

Hodgkins, Fran. Between the Tides.

J P
Hong, Lily Toy. Two of Everything

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Side by Side: Poems to Read Together.

Hopkinson, Deborah. Girl Wonder – A Baseball Story in Nine Innings.

Horacek, Petr. Silly Suzy Goose.

J E
Hurwitz, Johanna. Class Clown.

Johansson, Philip. The Seashore: A Saltwater Web of Life.

J E
Kline, Suzy. Song Lee in Room 2B.

Kortenkamp, Steve. The First Moon Landing.

J 595.78 Las
Lasky, Kathryn. Monarchs.

J 567.91 Lau
Lauber, Patricia. How Dinosaurs Came to Be.

Leaardi, Jeanette. Southern Sea Otters: Fur-tastrophe Avoided.

J Fic
Lewis, C. S. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. **Additional copies in J Paper and J Audio

Lind, Michael. Bluebonnet Girl.

Lindbergh, Reeve. What is the Sun?

J P
MacLachlan, Patricia. All the Places to Love.

Markle, Sandra. Outside and Inside Birds.

Miles, Miska. Annie and the Old One.

J R
Parish, Peggy. Amelia Bedelia. **Some books in this series are J P

Parker, Steve. It’s a Frog’s Life: My Story of Life in a Pond.

Parsons, Alexandra. Amazing Spiders

J 599.88 Pat
Patterson, Francine. Koko’s Kittens.

Peterson, Cris. Clarabelle: Making Milk an So Much More.

Pigdon, Keith and Marilyn Woolley. Earthworms.

J P
Polacco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday.

Polacco, Patricia. Mrs. Katz and Tush.

J Fic
Polacco, Patricia. Thank You, Mr. Falke

J P
Ringgold, Faith. Tar Beach.

J 745.5 Ros
Ross, Kathy. Step-by-Step Crafts for Gifts.

Rumford, James. Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing.

Ryder, Joanne. Snail’s Spell.

Simon, Seymour. Penguins.

J P
Soto, Gary. The Skirt.

Soto, Gary. Too Many Tamales.

J FIC
Steig, William. Abel’s Island.

Swanson, Diane. Safari Beneath the Sea: The Wonder World of the North Pacific.

Thomas, Jane. The Comeback Dog.

J FIC
Van Allsburg, Chris. Jumanji.

J P
Van Allsburg, Chris. The Wretched Stone.

Watts, Jeri. Keepers.

Wexler, Jerome. Everyday Mysteries.

BOOKS FOR STUDENTS TO READ
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)

Popular Authors and Series for Students Entering 3rd Grade:

FICTION:

Lillian Hoban – Arthur series (This is the easier Arthur series.) J R

Norman Bridwell – Clifford series J R and J P

Crosby Bonsall – mystery series…The Case of the Cat’s Meow, and others J R

Jane Yolen – Commander Toad series J R

Marc Brown – Arthur series (This is a hard, longer chapter book Arthur series.) J R and J E

Judy Delton – Pee Wee Scouts series J R

M. Weinman Sharmat – Nate the Great series J R

Peggy Parish – Amelia Bedelia series J R

David Adler - Cam Jansen series J R and J E

Barbara Park – Junie B. Jones series J E

Suzy Kline – Horrible Harry series J E

James Howe - Pinky and Rex J R

Shelley Moore Thomas – Good Knight series J R

NONFICTION

** These books are shelved by Dewey number (Subject) so they much be looked up individually

Animal Wise series – Capstone Press

Bugbooks series – Creative Education

First Biography Series – Heinemann Raintree

First Start Biographies-Troll

I Can Read Book Series - Wildlife Conservation Society

I Like Reptiles and Amphibians series (Enslow Publishers)

My Own Science series – Lerner Publishing Group

Scholastic Biographies.

Sabrina Crewe - Life Cycles series of animals in the wild

Scholastic Science Readers, interesting topics in science for second-graders – Level Two

Stepping Stone True Stories series (Random House)

David Adler – biography series

Step into Reading series- Random House Books

Let’s Read and Find Out series

Nature’s Secret series – Reader’s Digest

Wonderful Water Biomes series – Enslow Publishers

INDIVIDUAL TITLES OF BOOKS FOR STUDENTS TO READ

J P
Appelbaum, Diana. Cocoa Ice. New York: Orchard Books, 1998.

This is an inviting book about how two girls, one from Santa Domingo, and one from Maine, explore what their families harvest.

*Arnosky, James. All About Deer. New York: Scholastic, 1996.

A wonderful nonfiction, informational text – excellent author.

J796 BAI
*Bailer, Darice. Great Women Athletes. New York: Random House, 2001. Each chapter in this reader-friendly Step into Reading text highlights a different woman athlete.

J 595.726 BER
*Berger, Melvin. Chirping Crickets. New York: HarperCollins, 1998.

Part of a Let’s Read and Find Out series – clear, concise information about crickets.

*Berger, Melvin and Gilda Berger. Dogs Bring Newspapers But Cats Bring Mice: and Other Fascinating Facts about Animal Behavior. New York: Scholastic Publishers, 2004. This intriguing book gives the reader many secrets about how animals’ behavior helps them to survive. Many color photos of animals are included.

*Betancourt, Jeanne. Ten True Animal Rescues. New York: Scholastic, 1998. Intriguing true stories about how courageous animals saved the lives of people

J P
*Borden, Louise. Goodbye, Charles Lindbergh. New York: McElderry Press, 1998. Charles Lindburgh gives Gil and his friend a pamphlet on his famous flight – based on a true story. (Flight, by Robert Burleigh is a wonderful follow-up.

*Bulla, Clyde Robert. The Chalk Box Kid. New York: Random House, 1987. This book is an “outstanding characterization plus a poignant story,” according to the School Library Journal.

*Byers, Betsy. Tornado. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. Tornado is a chapter book that offers an account of how a family helped each other survive a tornado by telling stories while they waited for the storm to pass.

J BIO
*Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2007. This text is recommended by The Horn Book Guide! “This picture book biography details young Pele’s love of soccer, his team loyalty, and his speed, agility, and remarkable eye.” A beautiful book!

*Covert, Ralph, and G. Riley Mills. Sawdust and Spangles: The Amazing Life of W.C. Coup. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2007.

An award-winning biography of W.C. Coup, the man who built the New York Aquarium, who ran off to join the circus when he was a child, and later became one of the most famous circus leaders of all times!

J P
*Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.

Easily digestible facts about earthworms are tastefully written into journal entries by this award-winning author!

*Davidson, Margaret. The Story of Thomas Alva Edison, Inventor – The Wizard of Menlo Park. New York: Scholastic, 1990.

This biography is composed of short chapters about the life of Thomas Alva Edison. It is part of a series called Scholastic Biographies.

J 937.21 Dub
*Dubowski, Mark, & Cathy East Dubowski. Ice Mummy – The Discovery of a 5,000 Year-Old Man. New York: Random House, 1998. A true story about how hikers discovered a real ice mummy

J P
*Fisher, Amy. The Story Goes On. Roaring Brook Press, 2005.

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that describes the cycle of life. Aileen Fisher describes the ongoing cycle of life of predators and prey, but does it creatively in verse.

*Fowler, Allan. Life in a Pond. New York: Children’s Press, 1996.

Wonderful description of life in and around ponds.

*Fowler, Allan. Simple Machines. New York: Children’s Press, 2000.

An interesting comparison of levers, pulleys, wheels, and ramps

*Gibbons, Gail. Penguins! New York: Holiday, 1998. This is a beautifully written text about penguins that helps readers understand how nonfiction works and learn all about penguins. Gail Gibbons is a superb author!

*Giff, Patricia Reilly. The Secret at the Polk Street School, Dell, 1987. This is an exciting story about how the Polka Dot Private Eye solves a mystery. It is part of the Polka Dot Private Eye series.

*Giff, Patricia Reilly. Today Was a Terrible Day. Viking, 1985. Ronald Morgan had a terrible day at school. It is part of the Ronald Morgan series.

*Heller, Janet Ruth. How the Moon Regained Her Shape. Mount Pleasant, SC: Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2006. This book won the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is a beautiful story that has been influenced by Native American folk tales. It offers an incredibly creative and entertaining explanation of the phases of the moon!

J P
*Hesse, Karen. Come On, Rain. New York: Scholastic, 1999. This text is a beautifully written celebration about the relief rain brings. It is written in poetic prose with particular word usage that appeals to the senses

*Jango-Cohen, Judith. Real-Life Sea Monsters. Lerner Publishing Group, 2007. Part of My Own Science series and recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “This book for independent readers introduces three legendary sea monsters – kraken, mermaids, and sea serpents – and compares them to actual sea creatures.”

J 636.8 Jef
*Jeffrey, Laura S. Cats – How to Choose and Care for a Cat. Berkley Heights: Enslow Publishers, 2004. This is part of the American Humane Pet Care Library. It includes clear tips for readers, interesting facts, and great photographs.

J Bio Seuss
*Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss. New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2004. An award-winning book by a noted author about the life of Dr. Seuss…

J P
*Lasky, Kathryn. She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head. New York: Hyperion, 1995. This is a fascinating picture storybook account of how the Audubon Society began.

*Lauber, Patricia. An Octopus Is Amazing. New York: Crowell, 1990.

This is a wonderfully written, easy-reader nonfiction book about the life cycle of an octopus.

J E
*Look, Lenore. Ruby Lu, Brave and True. New York: Simon and Schuster Children’s, 2004. An award winner! The American Library Association states, “In this short chapter book, Asian American Ruby Lu, almost eight, is enthusiastic about her younger brother Oscar, about magic, and in the end, about everything.”

J 597.8 Mag
*Magloff, Lisa. Watch Me Grow Frog. New York: Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2003. Clear photographs, creatively written text, and catchy facts show the life cycle of a frog.

J E
*Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Grandmother Bryant’s Pocket . Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996. This is a story about life on a New England farm that offers discussion about how eight-year-old Sarah has to overcome her fears.

J 599 Bats Mar
*Markle, Sandra. Little Lost Bat. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing Company, 2006. This book won the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is brilliantly illustrated by award-winning artist, Alan Marks. It portrays the sad and hopeful story about a week-old Mexican free-tailed bat that has to survive on his own.

*Mayer, Cassie. Tecumseh. Chicago, IL: Heinemann-Raintree, 2007.

Part of the First Biographies Series and recommended by The Horn Book Guide. “This book provides a useful, accessible, very basic introduction for young readers to Tecumseh’s life, his accomplishments, and legacy.”

*Parks, Rosa. I Am Rosa Parks. New York: Dial Press, 1997. Rosa Parks tells her own story.

J E
*Pilkey, Dav. The Paperboy. New York: Orchard Books, 1996. This is a story about a boy who follows through on his responsibilities.

J P
*Polacco, Patricia. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Polacco’s writing craft is very visible in this tale of siblings.

*Schoenberg, Jane. My Bodyworks: Songs about Your Bones, Muscles, Heart, and More! Interlink Publishing Group, 2005. A wonderful collection of songs about how the human body works! Recommended by the National Science Teachers Association.

J Poetry Sidman
*Sidman, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. A 2006 Caldecott Honor Book that celebrates the animals, insects, and plants of the pond in beautiful poetic verse

J E
*Smith, Janice Lee. Adam Joshua series. New York: Harper Collins. Students enjoy reading about typical dilemmas in second and third grade classrooms.

*Stanley, George Edward. Wild Horses. New York: Random House, 2007. This book is recommended by The Horn Book Guide and part of a series called Stepping Stone True Stories. Short chapters offer supportive sentence structure, and feature an assortment of wild horses, such as the Assateague ponies.

*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Dolphins! New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2006. Sarah Thomson received the Children’s Choices Award for 2007 for this book from the International Reading Association. Exciting close-up photos accompanied by fascinating information about dolphins make this book a winner!

*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Snakes! New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2006. Sarah Thomson received the Children’s Choices Award for 2007 for this book from the International Reading Association. Kirkus Review stated, “This easy reader provides an engrossing introduction to a perennially fascinating subject.”

Reading List for students entering 2nd in Fall 2009

2009-06-23T15:42:00.002-04:00

READ-ALOUD LIST FOR STUDENTS ENTERING 2nd GRADE
These books have been recommended by Tenafly teachers and top national reading and writing experts. Recent award-winners have been included.

PICTURE BOOKS
J P Ablow, Gail. A Horse in the House: And Other Strange but True Animal Stories.
Baines, Rebecca. Arctic Tale.
J 567.9 Bar Barner, Bob. Dinosaur Bones.
J P Bunting, Eve. One Green Apple.
J P Bourgeois, Paulette. Franklin in the Dark.
J P Cannon, Janell. Stellaluna.
Chancellor, Deborah. I Wonder Why Lemons Taste Sour: And Other Questions about Senses.
J P Child, Lauren. Charlie and Lola: But Excuse Me That is My Book. (Charlie and Lola series)
Cohen, Miriam. Any of the following books:
J P First Grade Takes a Test, It’s George, J P Jim’s Dog Muffins, Liar, Liar Pants on Fire, See You Tomorrow, Charles, J P When Will I Read? Bee My Valentine, Jim Meets the Thing
Cole, Barbara. Anna and Natalie.
Collard III, Sneed B. Animal Dads.
Cunnane, Kelly and Ana Juan. For You Are a Kenyan Child.
Davies, Nicola. Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear.
Dorros, Arthur. Abuela.
Evans, Mark. Hamster – Pet Care Guides for Kids. (ASPCA Pet Care Guides for Kids Series)
Flanagan, Alice. Police Officers – Community Workers.
J P Fleming, Denise. Beetle Bop.
J P Fox, Mem. Where the Giant Sleeps.
Franchino, Vicky. Carpenters – Community Workers.
Fraser, Mary Ann. Where Are the Night Animals?
George, Twig C. Jellies – The Life of Jellyfish.
Gibbons, Gail. Bats.
Gibbons, Gail. Pigs.
J 523. 3 Gib Gibbons, Gail. The Moon Book.
Glaser, Linda. Spectacular Spiders.
J P Grey, Mini. The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon.
Guiberson, Brenda Z. Into the Sea.
Ham, David A. and Janice B. Sibley. The Magic Baseball Cap.
Harper, Anita. It’s Not Fair!
J P Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. (All books by Kevin Henkes are appropriate.)
Hinds, Kathryn. Rabbits. (Perfect Pets Series)
J P Hoberman, Mary Ann. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You – Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together.
J 593.9 Hur Hurd, Edith Thacher, Starfish.
Jacobs, Paul DuBois and Jennifer Swender. NASCAR ABCs.
J 591.7 Jen Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. I See A Kookaburra: Discovering Animal Habitats around the World.
Johnson, Dinah. Hair Dance!
J E Kingsmith, David. Lady Lollipop.
Klise, Kate. Why Do You Cry? Not a Sob Story.
J Poetry Larios, Julie. Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary.
J P Loewer, Peter and Jean Loewer. The Moonflower.
Luxbacher, Irene. 1 2 3 I Can Paint!
Luxbacher, Irene. 1 2 3 I Can Scupt!
Markle, Sandra. Down, Down, Down in the Ocean.
J 598.47 Ma Markle, Sandra. A Mother’s Journey.
Markle, Sandra. Slippery, Slimy Baby Frogs.
Markle, Sandra. Tough, Toothy Baby Sharks.
McCarthy, Meghan. City Hawk: The Story of Pale Male.
J P Meddaugh, Susan. Martha series ( for example: Martha Speaks, Martha Talking, Martha Calling, Martha Walks the Dog, Martha Blah, Blah and others)
McKinney, Barbara Shaw. Water Words Rhymed and Defined.
Mitchell, Margaree King. Uncle Jed’s Barbershop.
J P Munsch, Robert. Thomas’ Snowsuit. (and other books by Robert Munsch)
J 599.88 Pa Patterson, Francine. Koko’s Kittens.
Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt.
J P Polacco, Patricia. Rechenka’s Eggs.
J Poetry Prelutsky, Jack. Me I Am!
Quiri, Patricia Ryon. Chefs – Community Workers.
Raatma, Lucia. Fire Fighters – Community Workers.
Raczka, Bob, Who Loves the Fall?
J P Rosen, Michael. Bear’s Day Out.
J 179.9 Ros Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons.
Ross, Kathy. Step-by-Step Crafts for Gifts.
Rowe, John A. I Want A Hug.
Ryder, Joanne. A Pair of Polar Bears: Twin Cubs Find a Home at the San Diego Zoo.
J P Rylant, Cynthia. The Whales.
J P Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. First the Egg.
Seuling, Barbara. Drip! Drop! How Water Gets to Your Tap.
Singer, Marilyn. City Lullaby.
Stein, David Ezra. Monster Hug!
J P Tafuri, Nancy. The Busy Little Squirrel.
J P Viorst, Judith. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Walsh, Ellen Stoll. Mouse Shapes.
Waring, Geoff. Oscar and the Moth: A Book about Light and Dark.
Willems, Mo. Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
J P Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.
J P Yolen, Jane. Miz Berlin Walks.
Zolotow, Charlotte. William’s Doll.
CHAPTER BOOKS
Caseley, Judith. Chloe in the Know.
J Fic Cleary, Beverly. Ramona the Pest.
J Fic Dahl, Roald. Fantastic Mr. Fox.
J Fic Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach.
Dahl, Roald. The Minpins.
J E Gannett, Ruth Stiles. My Father’s Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon.
J E Hurwitz, Johanna. the Russell series.
J Fic Napoli, Donna Jo. The Prince of the Pond.
Packard, Mary. Talented Animals. (True Tales series)
J Fic Various authors. The American Girls Collections. (series)
J Fic White, E.B. Charlotte’s Web.
J Fic White, E.B. Stuart Little.

POETRY BOOKS
Dakos, Kalli. If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand: Poems About School.
J Poetry Sc Schwartz, Alvin. And the Green Grass Grew All Around: Folk Poetry from Everyone.
J Poetry Pr Poetry by Jack Prelutsky.
J Poetry Si Poetry by Shel Silverstein.
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. When Riddles Come Rumbling – Poems to Ponder.
J P Sidman, Joyce. Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry.

Books for Students to Read
(If a book is too difficult for your child to read, please begin by using it as a read aloud. Refer to the leveled book list to find more individual titles at your child’s June reading level)
Popular Authors and Series for Students Entering 2nd Grade

FICTION:
Cynthia Rylant - Henry & Mudge series. J R
Cynthia Rylant - Poppleton series. J R
Cynthia Rylant - Mr. Putter series. J R
Denys Cazet – Minnie and Moo series J R
Arnold Lobel – Frog & Toad series. J R
Else Homelund Minarik – Little Bear series. J R
Dav Pilkey – Dragon series. J R
Kate McMullan – Fluffy series.J R
James Marshall – the Fox series. J R
Jean Van Leeuwen – Oliver Pig series J R
I Can Read series – Harper Collins Children’s Books J R
Step Books series – Random House J R
Alyssa Satin Capucilli - Biscuit series J P and J R
Harder books that some grade one students read include:
J R James Howe – Pinky and Rex series.
J R Lillian Hoban – Arthur series.
J R and J E David Adler – Cam Jansen series

NONFICTION:
Various: Books by Gail Gibbons, Sandra Markle, Susan Canizares, Pamela Chanko, Melvin Berger (easier books)
Animals Q and A Series - Ideals Children’s Books.
Scholastic Science Series - Emergent Readers.
Scholastic First Discovery Books Series.
Backyard Bones series published by Kingfisher Books, a Houghton Mifflin Company Imprint (Are you an Ant? Are you a Bee? Are you a Butterfly? Are you a Dragonfly? Are you a Snail? Are you a Spider?).
I Can Read – Level 2 – Wildlife Conservation Society
I Wonder Why series (Kingfisher Publishers)
Let’s Read-And-Find-Out Science series, HarperCollins Publishers
(The Human Body series, Plants and Animals series, The World Around Us series, Dinosaurs series, Weather and the Seasons series, Space series, Our Earth series).
Living and Nonliving series – Heinemann
Nature: A Child’s-Eye View – Kane/Miller Publishers.
Perfect Pets series, Marshall Cavendish Publishers (Rabbits and other books).
American Museum of Natural History’s Very First Things to Know About Series, Workman Publishing Company.
Ready to Read: Wonders of America series
Scholastic Hello Reader Series- nonfiction titles.
Rookie Readers nonfiction – Children’s Press
Start with Science series – Candlewick Press

List of Individual Titles for Students to Read

J R *Baker, Keith. Sometimes. Harcourt Brace, 1999.
An alligator talks about the things he likes to do.
J R *Bauer, Marion Dane. The Statue of Liberty. Simon & Schuster Children’s, 2007.
“The story of how the Statue of Liberty came to the United States, who constructed it, and how school children throughout America contributed to the building of its foundation is told in easy-to-read sentences.”
J P *Bridwell, Norman. Clifford the Small Red Puppy. Scholastic, 1972 This is a classic tale about a huge red dog that continues to be loved
year after year!
*Cameron, Alice. The Cat Sat on the Mat. Houghton Mifflin, 1994. Children enjoy this easy reader about where the cat sat.
*Carle, Eric. Have You Seen My Cat? Scholastic, 1987. A boy seeks help while searching for his lost cat.
*Christelow, Eileen. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Clarion, 1989. Mama cannot sleep because of the monkeys jumping on the bed.
*Cooper, Elisha. Bear Dreams. Greenwillow Books, 2006. This book won the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. What will happen to a bear who does not agree to take his long winter’s nap, as he should? Bear is afraid that he will miss out on all of the fun.
*Coren, Stanley. Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? Kids Can Press, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choices for 2007 award from the International Reading Association. It presents numerous questions that children might have about dogs, but also provides fascinating answers. Beautiful photos blend nicely with simple text.
*Cammuso, Jay and Jay Lynch. Otto’s Orange Day. Raw Junior, LLC, 2009. Recommended by Book Links, this is a comic-strip-type book for beginning readers about a cat named Otto who gets his wish to make everything orange, his favorite color!
J P *Durant, Alan. Burger Boy. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. This book won the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is a comical portrayal of a boy who loves to eat burgers so much that he turns into one. Amazing illustrations hold readers’ attention.
*Egielski, Richard. The Gingerbread Boy. HarperCollins, 1997. The familiar story is re-illustrated in an urban setting.
*Ellwand, David. Emma’s Elephant & Other Favorite Animal Friends. Dutton, 1996. Interesting alliterative techniques and black and white photos of animals captivate readers and reinforce beginning sounds.
J P *Fleming, Denise. Mama Cat Has Three Kittens. Holt, 1998. This is a story about a cat family. It encourages listeners to join in!
*Fleming, Denise. The Cow Who Clucked. Random House, 2006. This book won the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is a comical tale about a cow who lost her moo and how she discovers who has taken her moo.
J P *Fleming, Denise. Where Once There Was a Wood. Holt, 1996. An environmental picture book with lush textured paper pulp illustrations
*Fox, Mem. Hattie and the Fox. Bradbury Press, 1987. A classic story about a hen that spots danger and tries to warn others
*Gelman, Rita Golden. More Spaghetti, I Say. Scholastic, 1977 An old classic that delights audiences about a monkey who plays with spaghetti
*Ginsburg, Mirra. The Chick and the Duckling. Simon & Schuster, 1972. A story about how a chick imitates a duckling
*Guest, Elissa Haden. Iris and Walter and Baby Rose. Gulliver Books/Harcourt, 2002. Walter helps Iris see that being a big sister actually can be fun!
*Guest, Elissa Haden. Iris and Walter - The Sleepover. Gulliver Books/Harcourt, 2002. Iris is dying to go to sleep at her best friend’s house, but on the night of the big sleepover, everything changes for Iris. Walter, her best friend, helps her!
J R *Gutman, Dan. Babe Ruth and the Ice Cream Mess. Aladdin Paperbacks, 2004. Young readers are fascinated as they learn about the famous baseball player, Babe Ruth!
*Hall, Zoe. The Surprise Garden. Scholastic, 1998. A book about how three children enjoy planting a garden
J R *Hayes, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in Just Pretend. Raw Junior, LLC, 2009. This book is recommended by Book Links. It is part of the Toon series. This is an easy reader in a comic book style about two mice siblings, Penny and Benny. The fun happens when Benny wants to act like a pirate, but is interrupted by his sister, Penny.
J P *Henkes, Kevin. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Greenwillow, 1996. A wonderful story about problem solving
J P *Hills, Tad. Duck and Goose. Random House, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. What will duck and goose do with something that they found that they think is a huge, spotted egg? Join in the fun and see how they protect it together.
J R *Hoff, Syd. Danny and the Dinosaur. HarperCollins, 1958. A classic story about a dinosaur and a friend named Danny
J P *Kellogg, Steven. Three Little Pigs. Greenwillow, 1997. A contemporary retelling of The Three Little Pigs.
*Leeuwen, Jean Van. Amanda Pig and the Awful, Scary Monster. Dial Books, 2003. A humorous book about Amanda Pig and the monster that she thinks is hiding in her room. All Amanda Pig Books: J P
J R *Leeuwen, Jean Van. Oliver the Mighty Pig. Dial Books, 2004. One of the newest books in the Oliver and Amanda Pig series…It’s a funny book about the work that a mighty pig named Oliver must undertake, as well as the superhero’s mishaps!
J R *Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad Together. Harper Collins, 1971. Children love Frog and Toad! This book is part of a series.
J P *Lord, Janet. Albert the Fix-It Man. Peachtree, 2009. This new text is recommended by Book Links. It is a lovely story about how Albert, a man who helps others fix things, finally needs some help of his own. A wonderful message!
J P *Markle, Sandra. Finding Home. Charlesbridge, 2009. This exciting story is based on a true account of how a koala bear was homeless due to bushfires and explored a residential neighborhood as a new home. It is recommended by Book Links.
J P *McDonald, Megan. Insects Are My Life. Orchard Books, 1995. A funny, but informative book about insects
*Miller, Sara Swan. Three Stories You Can Read to Your Teddy Bear. Houghton Mifflin, 2003. A favorite of many children – by an award-winning author, Sara Swan Miller. This book contains three comical new stories about teddy bears.
*Morris, Ann. Work. Lee & Shepard, 1998. This is a wonderful photo essay about people involved in different types of work.
J P *Page, Gail. How to Be a Good Dog. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2006. This book is a Children’s Choices for 2007 award winner from the International Reading Association! It is a lively tale about Bobo, a dog who tries to be good, but learns that being good takes a little too much effort.
J P *Pitzer, Susanna. Not Afraid of Dogs. New York: Walker and Company, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choice for 2007 award! It features a boy named Daniel who is dreadfully afraid of dogs. However, he is very brave about everything else. It is humorously written and has a touching outcome.
J P *Rosenstiehl, Agnes. Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons. Raw Junior, LLC, 2009. This book is recommended by Book Links and is part of the Toon series. It is a cartoon-style book, written by a noted French children’s book author. Read different stories about Lilly, a spirited girl who adores the pleasures of every season.
J R *Rylant, Cynthia. Henry and Mudge: The First Book. Simon & Schuster, 1990. It is a classic tale about a puppy named Mudge who comes to live with Henry.
J R *Rylant, Cynthia. Henry and Mudge and the Best Day of All. Macmillan, 1995. This is a wonderful story about Henry’s birthday, presents, and special favors for his big dog, Mudge. Children love the Henry and Mudge series.
J R *Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea. Harcourt, 1994. This is a delightful story about an old man and a pet that become the best of friends.
*Siddals, Mary McKenna. Tell Me A Season. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. A wonderful description of the seasons
*Swinburne, Stephen. Guess Whose Shadows? Boyds Mill Press, 1999. Wonderful color photos show an assortment of shadows
*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Dolphins! HarperCollins, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is a nonfiction book from HarperCollins and has beautiful photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is part of I Can Read – Level 2. This easy-to-read text for beginner readers will intrigue them with very interesting facts and photos of dolphins.
*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Sharks! HarperCollins, 2006. This nonfiction book is from HarperCollins and has beautiful photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is part of I Can Read – Level 2. It is chocked full of unusual information about sharks, such as how some sharks can glow in the dark. It also offers some clear comparisons, such as how some sharks can grow as long as a fire truck.
*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Snakes! HarperCollins Publishers, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choices for 2007 award. It is a nonfiction book from HarperCollins and has beautiful photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is part of I Can Read – Level 2. It has interesting facts about snakes with clear comparisons.
*Thomson, Sarah L. Amazing Tigers! HarperCollins, 2005. This nonfiction book is from HarperCollins and has beautiful photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society. It is part of I Can Read – Level 2. It includes many unusual facts about tigers that will surprise young readers.
J P *Wells, Rosemary. Noisy Nora. Dial, 1997. An updated edition of a classic tale about sibling rivalry
J R *Willems, Mo. My Friend Is Sad. New York: Hyperion Books, 2007. This 2007 chapter book by Mo Willems received a Starred Review from Booklist. Booklist feels that this book chalks up another success for Mo Willems. Guaranteed to please young readers, it is the story of how outgoing Piggie tries to cheer up Elephant.
J R *Willems, Mo. Today I Will Fly. New York: Hyperion Books, 2007. This 2007 chapter book by Mo Willems also received a Starred Review from Booklist. Piggie is determined to fly. Booklist says, “Accessible, appealing, and full of authentic emotions about what makes friendships tick!” This Elephant and Piggie series is a winner!
J P *Wilson, Karma. Moose Tracks. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2006. This book received the Children’s Choices Award from the International Reading Association. A fun-filled mystery about moose tracks that cover almost every surface!
J P *Yolen, Jane. Welcome to the Green House. The Putnam & Grosset Group, 1993. Beautiful book about rain forest ecology

Resources Consulted: Tenafly teachers and lists of award-winning books

Tenafly Library Call numbers in Bold: JP = Picture Book, JR= Beginning Reader, JE and J FIC = Chapter book fiction

READING LIST FOR ENTERING 1ST GRADE

2009-06-22T15:34:00.004-04:00

The Tenafly Public School Lists went out this week so if your child hasn't brought one home yet, they should in the next few days. For easier access, I'll be posting each grade's school list here on the Tenafly Library Blog as I add our own call numbers to the lists.

Please keep in mind that these lists are a guildline and not required reading. Tenafly Public Library owns many of the books from the lists, but not all of them. If there is a book on the list you child wishes to read which we do NOT own, we can ILL (Inter-library Loan) the book from another libray in BCCLS or you can visit any nearby library in BCCLS and use your Tenafly Library Card there.

Here is the first of the lists:

(Suggested Books for Students Entering 1st Grade )

READ-ALOUD LIST
These books have been recommended by top national reading and writing experts. Recent award-winning books have been included. We urge you to read books that interest your child. Once you find an author or topic on this list that excites your child, read more books by that same author or on that same topic. Try to select an assortment of fiction and nonfiction titles, if possible. But, the key is for your child to want to read more and more. So, the final word is to read whatever your child wants and have fun!

Ahlborough, Jez. Hit the Ball Duck!
J P Allard, Harry. Miss Nelson Is Missing!
J 595.789 All Allen, Judy and Humphries, Tudor. Are You a Butterfly?
J 595.76 All Allen, Judy and Humphries, Tudor. Are You a Ladybug?
J 594.3 All Allen, Judy and Humphries, Tudor. Are You a Snail?
J 595.44 All Allen, Judy and Humphries, Tudor. Are You a Spider?
Baker, Jeannie. Home.
J P Barrett, Judith. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
J P Bemelmans, Ludwig. Madeline. (series)
Blanco, Alberto. Angel’s Kite.
J P Brown, Marc. Arthur books * now has chapter books as well J Fic Brown
J P Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
J P Chodos-Irvine, Margaret. Ella Sarah Gets Dressed.
J P Church, Caroline Jayne. Digby Takes Charge.
J P Church, Caroline Jayne. Little Apple Goat.
Cisneros, Sandra. Hairs/Pelitos.
J R Cobb, Annie. Wheels.
J 551.51 Cob Cobb, Vicki. I Face the Wind.
J Readalong Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius.
Cooper, Elisha, Bear Dreams.
Cowley, Joy. Red-Eyed Tree Frog.
J 398.8 Nei Crews, Nina. The Neighborhood Mother Goose.
J 597.3 Dav Davies, Nicola. Surprising Sharks.
J P de Paola, Tomie. Strega Nona.
Deluise, Dom. Charlie the Caterpillar.
Dussling, Jennifer A. Stars.
Earle, Sylvia. Hello Fish! Visiting the Coral Reef.
J P Ehlert, Lois. Growing Vegetable Soup.
Ericsson, Jennifer. A Piece of Chalk.
J P Ernst, Lisa Campbell. The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book.
Falwell, Cathryn. Shape Capers.
Floca, Brian. The Racecar Alphabet.
Fox, Mem. Hunwick’s Egg.
Fox, Mem. Koala Lou, I Love You.
J P Freeman, Don. Corduroy.
J P Freymann, Saxton and Elffers, Joost. Fast Food.
French, Vivian. Growing Frogs.
J P French, Jackie. Diary of a Wombat.
Glaser, Linda. Wonderful Worms.
J 598.4 Gol Goldin, Augusta R. Ducks Don’t Get Wet.
Goodhart, Pippa. Three Little Ghosties.
Greenfield, Eloise. Honey, I Love.
J P Henkes, Kevin. Chester’s Way.
J P Henkes, Kevin. Kitten’s First Moon.
J P Henkes, Kevin. Lilly’s Big Day.
J P Henkes, Kevin. Sheila Rae’s Peppermint Stick.
J P Henkes, Kevin. Owen.
J P Hoban, Russell. A Baby Sister for Frances.
Hoban, Tana. I Read Signs.
Hoose, Phillip and Hoose, Hannah. Hey, Little Ant.
J P Hubery, Julia. A Friend for All Seasons.
Hurwitz, Johanna. Rip-Roaring Russell.
Hutchins, Pat. The Doorbell Rang.
Jackson, Ellen. It’s Back to School We Go! First Days From Around the World.
J P James, Simon. Little One Step.
J P Janovitz, Marilyn. We Love School!
J 573.8 Jen Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?
J P Juster, Norton. The Hello, Goodbye Window.
Kajikawa, Kimiko. Sweet Dreams: How Animals Sleep.
Keats, Ezra Jack. Regards to the Man in the Moon.
Klingel, Cynthia Fitterer and Noyed, Robert. Pigs.
Klingel, Cynthia Fitterer and Noyed, Robert. Pumpkins.
Lehman, Barbara. The Red Book.
J P Livingston, Myra Cohn. Calendar.
J P London, Jonathan. Baby Whale’s Journey.
J P Long, Melinda. How I Became a Pirate.
MacLean, Christine Kole. Everybody Makes Mistakes.
J P Carle Martin Jr., Bill. Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?
J P Martin Jr., Bill. Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
J P Mayo, Margaret. Roar!
J 398.2 Mor Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book.
Neubecker, Robert. Wow! City!
J P O’Connor, Jane. Fancy Nancy.
J P O’Connor, Jane. Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy.
Osborne, Mary Pope. Kate and the Beanstalk.
Polacco, Patricia. Babushka’s Doll.
Polacco, Patricia. Just Plain Fancy.
Raczka, Bob. 3-D ABC: A Sculptural Alphabet.
Ravishankar, Anushka. Tiger on a Tree.
J P Recorvits, Helen. My Name is Yoon.
J 599 Panda Ryder, Joanne. Little Panda – The World Welcomes Hua Mei at the San Diego Zoo.
Sayre, April Pulley and Sayre, Jeff. One Is a Snail Ten is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book.
Schafer, Kevin. Penguins ABC.
Schafer, Kevin. Penguins 123.
Schwartz, David. Life Cycle series. - Wood Frog J597.89 SCH, Green Snake J597.96 SCH
J P Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. Lemons Are Not Red.
J P Sierra, Judy. Wild About Books.
Sill, Catherine. About Reptiles: A Guide for Children.
Simon, Seymour. Wild Bears.
Simon, Seymour. Planets Around the Sun.
Stadler, John. Big and Little.
J P Steptoe, John. Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters; An African Tale.
Swineburne, Stephen. Safe, Warm, and Snug.
Tokuda, Yukihisa. I’m a Pill Bug.
Urbigkit, Cat. Puppies, Puppies Everywhere!
J P Voake, Charlotte. Here Comes the Train.
J P Waber, Bernard. Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.
Wellington, Monica. Truck Driver Tom.
J P Whybrow, Ian. Bella Gets Her Skates On.
J P Willems, Mo. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
J P Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.
Williams, Karen Lynn. Galimoto.
J P Williams, Vera. A Chair for My Mother.
J P Wood, Audrey. The Napping House.
J P Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?
J P Yolen, Jane. Owl Moon.

**A Note on Call Numbers: J P = Picture books and are all shelved alphebetically by author, find them through the yellow arched doorways. J ###.# are nonfiction books and are shelved numerically on the taller shelves at the end of the Children's Room.

Mythological Fiction List

2009-06-18T11:00:00.003-04:00

Do you have a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader who is mad for the Percy Jackson series and now for a loss for books since the end of the series? Here is a list for Percy fans and fans of Classic Myths in general.

“It’s All Greek to Me!”
Greek Myths with a Twist

Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block
A young woman, Psyche, searches for her lost love and questions her true self in a modern retelling of Greek myths.

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
When her mother suddenly gets married, Phoebe soon finds herself living on a remote Greek island, at a high school where the students and teachers are all descended from gods or goddesses.

Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney
Taken from her home on an Aegean island as a child, Anaxandra calls on the protection of her goddess while she poses as two different princesses over the next six years, before ending up as a servant in the company of Helen and Paris as they make their way to Troy.

Nobody’s Princess by Esther Friesner
Determined to fend for herself in a world where only men have real freedom, headstrong Helen learns to fight, hunt, and ride horses while disguised as a boy, and goes on an adventure throughout the Mediterranean world.
Nobody’s Prize

Snake Dreamer by Priscilla Galloway
Haunted by terrifying dreams of snakes, Dusa goes to a clinic in Greece where two mysterious doctors, the Gordon sisters, promise to cure her of her nightmares.

Troy by Adèle Geras
The story of the last weeks of the Trojan War, when women are sick of tending the wounded, men are tired of fighting, and bored gods and goddesses find ways to stir things up.

Ithaka by Adèle Geras
The island of Ithaka is overrun with uncouth suitors demanding that Penelope choose a new husband, as she patiently awaits the return of Odysseus from the Trojan War.

Andromeda: The Flying Warrior Princess by Laura Geringer (graphic novel)
Trained as a warrior and longing for adventure, the beautiful Andromeda teams up with Perseus to slay a horrible sea serpent that is terrorizing her kingdom.

Snakehead by Ann Halam
Perseus sets out to slay the terrible Medusa, accompanied by his beloved Andromeda, a princess with her own harsh destiny to fulfill.

Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy
13-year-old Pandy is hauled before Zeus and given six months to gather all of the evils that were released when the box she brought to school as her annual project was accidentally opened.
Pandora Gets Vain
Pandora Gets Lazy

The Game by Diana Wynne Jones
Sent to a boisterous family gathering, orphaned Hayley discovers some secrets of her family’s past.

Lost in the Labyrinth by Patrice Kindl
14-year-old Princess Xenodice tries to prevent the death of her half-brother, the Minotaur, at the hands of an Athenian prince.

The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh
After 14-year-old prodigy Jack Perdu has a near fatal accident he meets Euri, a young ghost who introduces him to New York’s Underworld, where those who died in New York reside until they are ready to move on.
The Twilight Prisoner

The Minotaur by Tom Mason
While searching for clues to his dad's disappearance, Alex finds himself transported to a world of ancient myths. Sent to ancient Crete to be a sacrifice to the horrific Minotaur, Alex must defeat one of the fiercest creatures in all mythology.

Inside the Walls of Troy by Clemence McLaren
The beautiful Helen and the prophetic Cassandra describe the events surrounding the famous battle between the Greeks and the Trojans.

Waiting for Odysseus, by Clemence McLaren
The story of Odysseus’s epic journey told by the women who loved him: his faithful wife Penelope, the sorceress Circe, the goddess Athena, and his old nanny Eurycleia.

Aphrodite’s Blessings: Love Stories from the Greek Myths by Clemence McLaren
Atalanta, Andromeda, and Psyche, three female characters in Greek mythology, tell the stories of their marriages.

We Goddesses: Athena, Aphrodite, Hera by Doris Orgel
Three Greek goddesses, Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera, tell their own stories of love, war, loss, and triumph.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, 12-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
The Sea of Monsters
The Titan’s Curse
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Last Olympian

Quiver by Stephanie Spinner
When her father commands that she produce an heir, the huntress Atalanta gives her suitors a seemingly impossible task in order to uphold her pledge of chastity, as the gods of ancient Greece look on.

Dusssie by Nancy Springer
At age 13, Dusie makes the horrifying discovery that she, like her New York artist mother, is a Gorgon – a Greek mythological monster sprouting snakes from her head and capable of turning humans into stone with one angry look.

The Shadow Thieves by Anne Ursu
13-year-old Charlotte and her cousin Zee set out on a quest that leads them to a not-so-mythical Underworld, where they face Harpies that love to rhyme, gods with personnel problems, and ghosts with a thirst for blood.
The Siren Song
The Immortal Fire

Odysseus in the Serpent Maze by Jane Yolen
13-year-old Odysseus, who longs to be a hero, has many opportunities to prove himself during an adventure that involves pirates and satyrs, a trip to Crete’s Labyrinth, and the two young girls, Penelope and Helen, who play a major role in his future life.
Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons
Atalanta and the Arcadian Beast
Jason and the Gorgon’s Blood
_________________

This list was prepared by:
Madeleine Wells
Young Adult Services
Charleston County Public Library

Summer Reading - A Word for Parents

2009-06-17T15:10:00.002-04:00

The lists are starting to appear and the children (and parents) coming asking for books on level *. Most of our schools will be sending out lists of books they recommend that the kids read over the summer. Some of the classes even have lists of 'must read' books for the up coming year.

While keeping the kids reading through the summer is a good thing, keep in mind that this is their vacation and be a bit flexible. If it's a book of recommended and not required list for school, let your child pick what they want to read and stress yourself less about making sure it's a classic or that it's hard enough or challenging enough.

Definitely keep an eye on what your child is reading!! This is especially important for parents of middle grade children (ages 10-13 or so). Both boys and girls in this age group have the reading skills to read older novels which may contain content you'd rather they didn't read. Most kids are eager to grow up and want to read about older kids. Pre-schools like reading about elementary school, the 4th and 5th grades want to read able middle school, middle school wants to read about high school and so on. Around the middle grades that might mean that your tween wants to read books with issues you'd rather they didn't confront at this time. If you have questions about series, I'm happy to answer, but remember that all families have different values and comfort levels. You know your child best and your the best one to monitor their reading habits.

The following are a couple articles on reading on or above grade level. Being an advanced reader is a great thing, but keep in mind that there is more to reading than the technical skill or even the cognitive ability to understand what is read.

Jen Robinson's Book Page - Reading ahead of grade level, No not

All in the Timing, Why reading ahead of your grade level isn't necessarily a good thing

While I agree with much of what is in both of the articles above, the truth is that there are kids who are reading above their grade level and ARE bored by shorter and less complex books. If your child is one of those readers check out this list compiled by a group of youth services librarians for readers who are reading above their level:

Book List for Gentle Readers

(children reading above grade level)
Compiled by childlit listserv

Fantasy

Starting Readers :
Ruth Styles Gannett’s My Father's Dragon
Tony Abbot’s The Secrets of Droon series
Patrick Catling, The Chocolate Touch
Sid Fleischman, McBroom stories and others
Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Series
Jon Scieszka’s Time Warp Trio series

Growing Readers:
L.M. Boston, The Children of Green Knowe
Frank L. Baum’s The Wizard of Oz series
Edward Eager, Half Magic (and others)
Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstockings series
Betty MacDonald, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series
E. Nesbit, Five children and It. series

Solid Readers:
Cornelia Funke, Dragon Rider
Lloyd Alexander’s Prydian Chronicles
Brian Jacques, Red Wall series
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe series
J.R. Tolkien, Lord of the Rings series
Patricia Wrede, Dealing with Dragons series

Realistic Fiction

Starting Readers:
Judy Blume, Freckle Juice
Ann Cameron, The Stories Julian Tells series
Johanna Hurwitz, Russell Sprouts series
Barbara Park’s Junie B. Jones series
Cynthia Rylant, Coble Street Cousins
Louis Sacher, Marvin Redpost series

Growing Readers:
Beverly Cleary’s Klickitat series
Judy Blume, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Double Fudge
Eleanor Estes, both Pye and Moffat Family series
Arthur Ransome, The Swallows and Amazons series
Margaret Sidney, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew series
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House series (These books mature with the heroines)

Solid Readers:
Frances Burnett, The Secret Garden / A Little Princess
Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks
Barbara Robinson, The Best School Year Ever
Johanna Spryi - Heidi
Mark Twain, Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Johann Wyss, Swiss Family Robinson

Adventure & Mystery

Starting Readers:
Patricia Reilly Giff’s Minnie and Max series
James Preller’s Jigsaw Jones series
Ron Roy, A to Z mysteries
Marjorie Sharmat, Nate the Great
Alexander McCall Smith’s Akimbo series

Growing Readers:
Gertrude Chandler Warner’s Box Car Children series
John Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog series
Bruce Hale, Chet Gecko series
James Howe’s Bunnicula series
Laura Lee Hope’s Bobbsey Twins series
Donald Sobol, The Encyclopedia Brown series

Solid Readers:
E.L. Konisburg, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Jean Craighead George, Missing ‘gator of Gumbo Limbo
Kate Klise, Regarding the Fountain series
Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game
Willo Davis Roberts, View from the Cherry Tree

Animal Tales

Starting Readers:
Roald Dahl, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Richard Atwater, Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Shel Silverstein, Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back
Randall Jarrell, Animal Family

Growing Readers:
Michael Bond, A Bear Called Paddington
Avi, Poppy
Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Dick King-Smith, Babe and other books
George Selden’s Cricket in Times Square series
William Steig, Abel's Island

Solid Readers:
Walter R. Books, Freddy the Pig series
Walter Farley, Black Stallion series
Carl Hiasen, Hoot, Flush

A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh series
Dietlof. Reiche’s I, Freddy series
E,B. White, Charlotte’s Web (beware the sadness factor) and others

Above all remember that reading, especially in the Summer while or while on vacation should be a thing on enjoyment. When your helping your child pick out some good books for their vacation, don't forget to pick up one or two for yourself!

Be Creative@Your Library

2009-06-01T15:26:00.003-04:00

Summer Reading 2009 is almost here!

As always, Tenafly Public Library will be buzzing with activity in the summer. Our Summer Reading Club kick off and start of sign ups for Tenafly students is scheduled for June 24th at 3:00 PM. Tenafly students from K through grade 5 can sign up for the Summer Reading Club and Tenafly families with pre-K children can sign up for the family summer reading club.

For the Family Summer Readers Club, the family will get a 'game board' with activities to do together. For every five activities that are completed, the toddlers/pre-schoolers in the family can come in an receive a small prize. There are also story times and craft hours planned throughout the summer for pre-K aged children.

For the Summer Reading Club, students who join are asked to keep track of the time they spend reading. For every 5 hours of reading, students can receive a prize from the treasure chest. Students are limited to no more than 2 prizes a week. Students may pick any books, magazines, papers, or graphic novels they like with parental approval. The club will continue through August 21st.

Children of all ages are invited to come and stretch their creativity with master storyteller Jonathon Kruk on June 24th at 3:00 PM. Jonathon will share stories appropriate for all ages.

Looking for something to do?

2009-05-26T10:15:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, June 14th
BCCLS and the Paramus Public Library will be hosting BOOKSNJ 2009 a day devoted to books and authors.

There will be 90 authors, illustrators, and poets there as well as activities for the whole family.
There will be crafts for kids, storytimes, panel discussions about books, and time to meet with your favorite authors.

Check out the web page for specifics on which authors will be there and a schedule of events.
www.booksnj2009.org

Hebrew Storytimes

2009-04-27T13:21:00.003-04:00

Tenafly Public Library will be celebrating National Children's Book Week with our first Multilingual Storytime featuring stories in Hebrew. Stories will be read in Hebrew for pre-school aged children Wednesday, May 13th at 11:00 AM.

A local volunteer Miss Talia will be selecting and reading the children's stories and children will get a chance to do an activity after the stories are read. All children are welcome, fluency in Hebrew is not required. Come to keep your language alive for your children or bring them to learn and explore a new language.

Please watch here or call Latricia for information on more Multilingual storytimes.

Read Across America (delayed slightly by Snow!)

2009-03-07T09:43:00.003-05:00

Have no fear! Though snow may have delayed our favorite Dr. Seuss storyteller, Mr Malcolm of Twilight Productions will be visiting the library on March 19th at 2 PM to deliver our Read Across America program.

Dressed as the Cat in the Hat, Mr. Malcolm will delight children of all ages with his retelling of some favorite Dr. Seuss stories. Children in the audience will get a chance to join him at center stage and help retell these classic stories. So parents come armed with your cameras these are images you will want to remember for a long time to come!

All ages are welcome and the program is a gift from the Friends of the Tenafly Public Library.

DVD Limit Raised!

2009-01-14T11:23:00.003-05:00

Due to our growing collection and space limitations, Tenafly Public Library will be raising its DVD limit to 10 per family/household!

We still ask that patrons be considerate of each other. This means:
1. Please remember to return your DVDs ON TIME!
2. Please remember DVDs are easily scratched. They are not children's toy, pet toys, or Frisbees.
3. If you borrow a VHS, please rewind it before returning it.
4. Please do not leave VHS or DVDs in your car as heat and extreme cold can damage both.
5. Please return the DVD you borrowed IN its case with ALL the material it had when checked out.
6. Please do not check out 10 HIGH DEMAND titles at once.

We do our best to keep our collection up to date and in good condition. We appreciate your help with this! If a DVD is scratched to the point that there is difficulty viewing it, please alert the circulation staff when you return the DVD so that we may clean or repair it before it goes out damaged to another patron or gets any worse.

Thank you!

There are still a few spots left!

2008-12-23T10:23:00.003-05:00

Hey Parents!

Looking for something for your 7-10 yr old to do over the school break? We still have a few slots open for our Art Class with Sharon Gross. The class will begin promptly at 3:00 PM on Monday, December 29th and will be approx an hour and a half. Children will come away from the class with a couple projects and a beginners understanding to the art of printing.

Call the Tenafly Children's Department to reserve one of the remaining places in this class!
201-568-8680

***Remember the library will close at 12:30 PM on Dec 24th and reopen on Dec 27th at 10:00 AM.***

Special Note: If your afraid that you missed out on some of the best children's or YA books of 2008, stop in the Children's Room and look through our copies of Kirkus Reviews' The Best Children's Books of 2008 and The Best Young Adult Books of 2008. Both are available at the Children's Reference Desk for parents to look through and both are annotated with Tenafly Public Library's call numbers for the books.

Cookie Decorating - December 2008

2008-12-23T10:13:00.002-05:00

Last week a small group of enthusiastic 3 and 4 yr olds gathered in the John M. Wilcox Children's Room to decorate holiday cookies. This was the first time we attempted this at the library and a great time was had by all!

It was such a great time (and the kids were so great about keeping the decorations on the cookies!) that we are looking forward to repeating this program again. Check out the pictures below to see some of the masterpieces created this time!

Keep watch here for a posting on the next cookie decorating program we host. Our local lepechauns and a white bunny are currently arguing over who gets to be the focus of the next one.

Holiday Extravaganza - Dec 30 1:00 PM

2008-11-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Come join magician Mark Zacharia and his "Holiday Extravaganza" program!

Here, we'll demonstrate the gift of giving, trim an imaginary tree and light an imaginary menorah, and explain what a magician would do if he didn't have enough cash for the holidays! At the end of the performance, everyone will get a kazoo to participate in our show-stopping Kazoo SymPhony!

All children in attendance also receive a Jumbo Library Card that teaches a magic trick on the back! (Inexpensive souvenir wands and magic booklets will be available for sale after the performance.) Make this holiday season one of the most memorable you'll ever have with your family.

Mark your calendars so that you don't miss out on this fantastic show!
Admission is free and a gift of the Friends of the Tenafly Public Library.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30th 1:00 PM

National Children's Book Week

2008-11-10T15:56:00.001-05:00

National Children's Book Week (November 17-23)

Don't forget to celebrate National Children's Book Week with your kids! Whether you come to the library with your Kindergärtner and get their first library card, attend one of our three story times, or come to Presley and Melody's children's concert please stop in at the Tenafly Public Library's Children's Room this week!

Our weekly story times are open to all children ages 3 to 5 with their caregivers. Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend as well, but be aware that books and crafts are chosen with the 3-5 yr age range in mind. Story times happen on Mondays @ 6:00 PM, Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM and on Thursdays @ 2:00 PM.

Presley and Melody (http://web.mac.com/presley2/Site_One/Childrens_Concerts.html) have a passion for music and connecting with families through their music. Their style is explosive and charismatic as they perform age appropriate music for family entertainment. Pre-school and elementary age audiences along with their families are invited to join in an interactive show which will captivate them with Presley & Melody's unique sound and innovative style.

On November 24th, local poet and author Judith Natelli McLaughlin (http://judithnatellimclaughlin.com/) will be visiting our Monday evening story time. Judith will be reading some poems from her book Ode to Veggies and talking to children and parents about poetry. Everyone is welcome.

Dog Days about to begin!

2008-08-26T14:16:00.004-04:00

Many people call the hot days of summer the "Dog Days", but here at the Tenafly Public Library "Dog Days" don't start until September!

Beginning September 22nd and continuing through the school year, our popular Read to Dogs program will be active again. We have some new volunteer dogs and some veterans returning this fall in a slight change of format from years past.

This year our Read to Dogs program will be open to all students from K through 5th grades. We are not restricting to Tenafly residents and we are not requiring pre-registration. Our volunteers will be in the library from 3:30-4:30 on Mondays and from 4:00-5:00 PM on Thursdays. Students may call or come in and reserve a 20 minute time slot for one of those days or they can come in and see if there is open time available on the day the dogs are there.

Students taking part in the program ARE still required to READ to the dog at least 3/4 of the time they spend with the dogs. So plan to bring books, or pick out library books, to read to for 15 mins. Also, this is a program designed to be one-on-one. One child and one dog! This means parents are asked to LEAVE the child alone to read with the volunteer team. This also means that bringing a friend, sharing time with a sibling, etc. are discouraged. Consecutive time slots can be reserved.

This is a great program for kids who need help and practice with reading. It is also great for kids who are confident readers, but have problems with reading aloud, public speaking, or are shy. The interaction with the dogs gives the children confidence and practice reading aloud to an audience who is not critical. In this case, the experience is more important than getting things perfect.

Call Tenafly Library's Children's Dept. if you have any questions or wish to reserve time! 201-568-8680

Circus Day at the Library

2008-08-15T16:13:00.004-04:00

All the popcorn has been swept up and the face paint washed off and all that remains of Tenafly Public Library's Annual Circus Day is the memories and the pictures!

This year we had some bumps and some scheduling changes, but all reviews so far have been good. Miss Cheryl from Currier's Magical Mania started our day with a Balloon illustrated storytime featuring a pirate story and followed by popcorn popped by her lovely assistant!

Colors the Clown (AKA Alicia Metz) and Emily from Basic Design worked their magic for the next two hours and the children of Tenafly were turned into fierce tigers, adorable puppies, cute kitties, or adorned with tattoos of butterflies, dragons, abstract art, or hearts. Check out many of the great designs in our slide show below. Colors even turned me into a Tenafly Tiger to the delight of many adults and children present.

The day wrapped up with a concert by Kurt Gallager. Kurt kept the kids dancing and the adults amazed with the number of different instruments he brought as well as the fun songs. The audience was even invited up to sing solos and we were treated to a number of different renditions of "Twinkle Twinkle little star." Each and every one of them was wonderful!

Until Next year, enjoy these pictures of Circus Day 2008:

CIRCUS UPDATE!

2008-08-06T11:56:00.002-04:00

Our Circus Day schedule has changed, but the show will go on!

Doors open at 1 PM, with stories by Cheryl from Curriers Magical Mania. Cheryl visited the library back in February and held a fabulous storytime illustrated with balloons and sent everyone home with balloons of thier own. This time around, she will be entralilng the audience with stories about pirate adventures to start our circus at the library.

For children and adults alike, we will have popcorn snacks and drinks from 1 -3 Pm. After the storytelling, there will be coloring activities for young children. Facepainting will start at 2 PM with talented face painter, Alicia Metz and her friend from Basic Design, Emily! Emily and Alicia will be busy painting faces from 2 til 4 PM.

At 3 PM, Tenafly Public Library will be happy to introduce Kurt Gallager. Kurt has multiple CDs out and is always a popular musical guest in the libraries of Bergen County. Due to a conflict, the Flea Circus which was schedule to appear had to cancel and Kurt will be capping our Circus day off with silly songs and a rockin' good time.

Everyone is welcome and no registration is needed for any of these activities. The day is a gift from the Friends of the Tenafly Library. Any questions, call Latricia Markle at 201-568-8680.

The Circus is coming to the Library, the FLEA CIRCUS that is!

2008-08-04T13:30:00.003-04:00

Children of all ages are invited to Tenafly Library's Circus Day. This will be our 5th annual Circus Day and we will be celebrating with face painting, popcorn, stories, and coloring for children.

Our Circus Day will start at 1 PM with circus stories read by Children's Librarian Latricia Markle. Following the stories there will be coloring and popcorn. Our favorite clown, Colors the Clown, and one of her friends will start painting faces at 2 PM and will continue until 4 PM.

The Flea Circus will begin promptly at 3 PM will be floor seating ONLY! Please be advised it will be first come first seats.

A Great intro to Classical Music

2008-07-25T10:06:00.004-04:00

CityWinds will be visiting the Tenafly Public Library on July 31st at 1:00Pm. Music fans of all ages are invited to listen to them play "Flight of the Bumblebee" in honor of our Summer Reading Theme "Catch the READING Bug @ the library." In addition to a live performance, the audience will be given an oportunity for hands on exposure to musical instruments and movement and art related to the music.

City Winds Trio educates young children through their program Musical Innovations. Musical Innovations is an educational program that introduces young children to classical music and the instruments found within an orchestra. This program is presented throughout the East Coast at Public Libraries and schools.

Miss Spider Tea Party

2008-07-09T15:03:00.002-04:00

On Tuesday, July 15th at Noon young fans of Miss Spider are invited to join us for a Tea Party.
At noon there will be a Miss Spider storytime followed by a craft and a tea party.

We will be serving ICED tea and all sorts of goodies. If your interested in attending please RSVP to Children's Librarian, Latricia Markle by July 14th at 5 PM.

Summer Story Times

2008-06-16T18:06:00.003-04:00

Our Summer Story Times will follow an irregular schedule this summer in an effort to make them available to the widest range of Tenafly families. All story times are listed on our Google Calendar as well as on schedules available at the library's circulation desk. A link to the Google Calendar can be found at the top of the Upcoming Events list at the top of this page.

Summer Story Times are aimed at families with children from 2 yrs to 5 yrs of age. Younger or older siblings may find the stories either too complicated and long or too young for their taste. Please keep this in mind when you plan to attend story time.

We are have tried to keep a schedule of 3 story times a week (all have the same stories and craft), but there are a couple weeks where three story times just would not work. Feedback on the schedule is welcome and will help us to determine what fixed schedule we will set in September.

Fancy Nancy, Anna Smudge, and Uglies Authors on WABC-TV

2008-06-11T14:01:00.002-04:00

Got an email from Sandra Solberg at Toasted Coconut Media about "Hot Tips from Cool Authors: How to Keep Kids Reading this Summer".

No sound on library computers so I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but can't wait to hear what Scott Westerfeld has to say as well as the other authors featured.
The link is below and is a WABC-TV segment that aired on Sunday morning (6/8). Whether your kids are fans of Fancy Nancy (3-6), Scott Westerfeld (13+), or anywhere in between check it out for ideas for keeping them reading through the summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ8talx7vmE

And if you need more ideas, MAC has a lot more creative tips for summer reading on her blog at http://MACismy.name

Thanks to Sandra for sharing!

CATCH the READING BUG @ Your Library

2008-06-04T11:54:00.002-04:00

Catch the Reading Bug @ Tenafly Library

Our Summer Reading Club (SRC) will beginning on June 27th for all Tenafly students from K-5th Grade. This year our SRC will be a little bit different from years past. In an effort to be as fair as possible to as many children as possible, we will be recording time read rather than books or pages. In years past, it was debated if faster readers had an advantage or if students who enjoyed longer books were hurt by a system which counted books.

As always we stress that this is NOT a competition against other students. The SRC is a way to have fun reading through out the summer and keep literacy skills from being forgotten or growing weak while not in school. Students or parents may set goals independently to work towards over the summer.

Sign up will start on June 27th at 11:00 AM at our kick off party for the SRC. Stevens Puppets will be performing their rendition of Sleeping Beauty to help start a summer full of stories. When they sign up, students will receive a reading log. Each block on the reading log is equal to 30 Mins reading. For every 5 hours reading, students can earn a prize up to two prizes a week.

Other benefits of the SRC, include weekly craft classes. The classes vary in time and days of the week in an effort to make them assessable to as many members as possible. Due to limits on Space, time, and materials all craft classes much be registered for the week prior to the actual class. All craft classes are held in the Friends Room of the Tenafly Public Library.

The SRC run through August 20th, when Mark the Magician will be performing at our end of Summer celebration which is open to anyone who participated in either of our Summer Reading Clubs (Catch the Reading Bug or Inch Worm Readers).

As soon as school reading lists are given to the library, I will be posting them to this blog and we will have them available to refer to at the children's desk.

NEW Inch Worm Readers - Summer Club for Pre-K children

2008-06-03T16:02:00.002-04:00

Tenafly Public Library's Children's Department is excited to open the Inch Worm Readers Club on June 24, 2008 for the very first time!

This Club is for children from birth to 4 yrs of age to join with their parents and/or caregivers. Each family who signs up will be given a log, just like the older children who join our regular Summer Reading Club. Our Inch Worm Readers' logs will include a variety of reading, literacy, and family activities. For every five activities the children complete, they will be given a sticker or small prize. All children who complete the whole log before August 21st will be given a Special Prize!

The club will be limited to children who live in Tenafly, but most story times and programs related to this club are open to all children. To kick the club off in style, we will be hosting the gifted storyteller, Julie Della Torre, on JUNE 24 at 11:00AM. Children of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy her stories and all those interested in the Inch Worm Readers Club may sign up after the storytelling session.

As always, if you have any questions or wish more information, contact Latricia Markle at 201/568-8680 (markle@bccls.org).

Summer Storytimes

2008-05-21T09:24:00.003-04:00

As Memorial Day approaches, Spring Story time will come to an end. The last Story time of the Spring session will be May 29th.

Never fear, Summer Story time is not far away! Summer Story times will follow a new schedule so keep an eye on this site as well as Tenafly Library's Google Calendar! Story times this summer are open to all children ages 3 to 5 years of age. Please be advised if you are bringing younger siblings or older siblings that they may not enjoy the stories as much as the intended audience. That being said, ALL quiet and attentive listeners are welcome. Parents or caregivers are asked to please remain with the children during our story times as some of our craft projects following the stories may require some adult help.

Our youngest library patrons will also be getting their very own Summer Reading Club this summer! Tenafly Public Library is very happy to announce our InchWorm Pre-Readers Club.
Any Tenafly family with children who are under 5 years or age may join. Children will earn stickers for completing smart start activities with their parents or caregivers and for attending library sponsored activities. This Club will be launch on June 24th with a special story time with Julie Della Torre at 11:00 AM. This program is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but the InchWorm Club will be limited to Tenafly residents at this time.

Passover Storytime Canceled

2008-04-09T12:48:00.002-04:00

We regretfully cancel the Passover Storytime due to the visiting storyteller's emergency out of town trip. We are hoping to have a Hebrew Storytime later this spring or summer as a replacement program. Please watch this blog for further updates.

Passover Storytime and Craft

2008-04-08T13:18:00.002-04:00

This Monday, April 14th a visiting storyteller will hold a Passover Story time for children of all ages. Lavach Yohadud will be reading some Passover stories and will have a craft for children to make and take home with them.

Everyone is welcome on Monday April 14th at 6 Pm in the Children's Room of the Tenafly Public Library.

Upcoming Events and Programs!

2008-01-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

January is almost over and February promises to be a busy month for libraries, especially TENAFLY PUBLIC LIBRARY!

In addition to our already established Read to Dogs program for children grades K-5 and our thrice weekly story times, this February we will be hosting a special Story time with Balloon Animal Sculptures on Feb 20th (2:00PM). This is the week of school break so we anticipate a crowd! Come early to get a great seat. All attending will get to hear some great stories while watching a master of balloon sculpture! Plus children will get a balloon animal to take home.

February is Love your Library month. Here in Tenafly that means that we would love to see you come out to visit us. Stop and talk to one of our Librarians and let us know what is working for you and what isn't! We're here to help.

In NJ, Love your Library month means a partnership of the NJ State Library and Barns and Nobles Booksellers. For every purchase you make at a NJ B&Ns with an easy downloadable voucher, B&N will donate a % of the sale to NJ libraries. In the past, this offer was only open for a week, but still generated quite a gift for the NJ State Library. So show your libraries some love. If your planning to buy books anyway, download a voucher and support your state libraries. Each voucher will also have a raffle ticket for a B&N gift card.

http://www.njla.org/programs/love_your_library.pdf

Nationally the ALA Youth Divisions - AASL, ALSC and YALSA - are sending out a call to action to library workers to have teens, children, parents and library supporters in their community send "I Love My Teen Services Librarian" or "I Love My School Librarian" Valentine cards to their U.S. Senators and Representatives, and to ask their elected officials to co-sponsor the SKILLS Act &/or support LSTA funding for libraries. Currently only about eight Congresspersons have signed on to co-sponsor the SKILLs Act. A major grassroots effort is needed in order for this critical piece of library legislation to get passed. Please consider participating in this campaign. For more information go to http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/I_Love_My_Librarian_Campaign . http://blogs.ala.org/aasl.php?cat=32

If you like this idea - remember NJ state government is reviewing Public Library funding as well. Send a valentine to Governor Jon Corzine or one of your State Senators or Reps telling them you love your library and don't want funding cut!

Valentine Drive Addresses for Tenafly, NJ

NJ Governor - Gov. Jon Corzine The State House P. O. Box 001Trenton, NJ 08625

State Legislators -
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG -District Office: 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON - District Office: 1 Engle St., Suite 108, Englewood, NJ 07631 OR District Office: 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE - District Office: 1 Engle St., Suite 108, Englewood, NJ 07631 OR District Office: 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Federal Legislators-

Senators:
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ) - 324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/
Menendez, Robert- (D - NJ) -317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510

Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

State Representative:

Garrett, Scott; New Jersey, 5th - 1318 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515

More links for Love your Library Month!

http://www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/

http://www.nj.com/news/suburbannews/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1200518124243460.xml&coll=17

ALA Children's Book Awards Announced

2008-01-15T15:06:00.000-05:00

On Monday January 14th, ALA announced the winning and honor books for 2008.

From ala.org:
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.
“Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village,” written by Laura Amy Schlitz, is the 2008 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Candlewick.

Three Newbery Honor Books were named:
“Elijah of Buxton,” by Christopher Paul Curtis, published by Scholastic;
“The Wednesday Wars,” by Gary D. Schmidt, published by Clarion and
“Feathers,” by Jacqueline Woodson, published by Putnam.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” illustrated by Brian Selznick, is the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner. The book is published by Scholastic.

Four Caldecott Honor Books were named:
“Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine, and published by Scholastic;
“First the Egg,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, and published by Roaring Brook/Neal Porter;
“The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain,” illustrated and written by Peter Sís, and published by Farrar/Frances Foster; and
“Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity,” illustrated and written by Mo Willems, and published by Hyperion.

Learn magic from a real Wizard!

2007-09-29T11:01:00.000-04:00

Aspiring wizards ages 7 and up are invited to attend this magic workshop taught by a real live wizard! Terry Parrett will lead a workshop where those attending will not only get to see a wizard perform tricks, but they will learn how some are done and will be able to go home to amuse, entertain, and amaze friends and family.

Please honor the age limit on this program as younger children will find the workshop frustrating. For more information or to sign up please call Latricia Batchelor Markle at 201-568-8680. Space will be limited because this is a WORKSHOP and not a Magic Show!

Thursday, November 8th

2:00 PM

Wilcox Children's Room

Stevens Puppets returns to TENAFLY!

2007-09-29T10:13:00.000-04:00

Some of you regulars might remember that great Puppet performance of Beauty and the Beast last January! Well Steven's Puppets will be returning this October for an encore performance. This time they will be bringing their "Wizard of Oz" show.

Saturday October 27th

1:00 PM

McCandles Room

Children who come in costume will receive a treat.

The Town Halloween Celebration Parade starts at 4 PM so the timing is perfect to do both!

Letters About Literature

2007-09-29T09:48:00.000-04:00

Library of Congress Center for the Book and Target stores are working together this year on the Letters About Literature contest. School aged children are invited to write a letter about a book, speech, poem, or essay which means something to them.

For the lucky winners, there will be a $500 Target gift card for the individual and a $10,000 for the community library of their choice. Those selected as honorable mentions will receive $100 gift card for themselves and $1,000 for their library.

HOW TO ENTER
First, reflect and connect!
Select a fiction or nonfiction book, a short story, poem, essay or speech (sorry, no song lyrics) you have read and about which you have strong feelings. Explore those feelings and why you reacted the way you did during or after reading the author’s work. Consider one or more of these questions when writing your letter: Did the characters, conflict or setting mirror your life in some way? What strengths or flaws do you share with a character or characters in the book? What did the book show you about your world that you never noticed before? What surprised you about yourself while you were reading this book? Why was this work meaningful to you?

Second, write a personal letter (not a fan letter or a book report!)
Express yourself! A letter is less formal than an essay or research paper. Write honestly and in your own voice, as if you were having a conversation with the author. Those are the best letters to read and the most fun to write! Keep in mind these two tips: • Correspond, don’t compliment! Your entry should inform rather than flatter the author. • Do not summarize the book’s plot! The author wrote the book and already knows what happened. What the author doesn’t know is how the book affected you.

Third, prepare your letter for submission.
• Entries for Level 1 should be no less than 100 words and no more than 400 words* .
• Entries for Level 2 should be no less than 300 words and no more than 600 words* .
• Entries for Level 3 should be no less than 500 words and no more than 800 words* .
*Recommended lengths.

Please refer to the Contest Entry Guidelines in Rules #4 of the Official Rules found at www.loc.gov/letters for complete information on how to prepare your letter.

See Entry Guidelines @ http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/pdf/lal-2008-entry-guidelines.pdf

Banned Books week...not just for prose anymore

2007-09-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

Check out this interesting link from Sequential Tart....
http://sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=665

Mother Goose Reminder!

2007-09-19T10:44:00.000-04:00

A reminder for all parents! Mother Goose played by our favorite Ann Coppola will be visiting on WEdnesday September 26th at 1 PM. Children will be treated to her usual brand of fun and games as well as a special treat of brunch following!

All are welcome!

Autumn Storytime

2007-08-28T11:08:00.000-04:00

The Fall Session of Storytimes at the Tenafly Public Library will begin on Monday, September 24 and will conclude on December 20th. Story times will be held on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM, Wednesdays at 2:00 PM and on Thursdays at 11:00 AM. Our story times are open to all Tenafly children ages 3 to 5 years. There is no registration for story time, but prompt arrival is appreciated.
We will have Storytime at 1:00 PM (instead of 2:00 PM) on Wednesday, September 26 with a very special guest! Our favorite Mother Goose, Ann Coppola, will be coming for a visit to kick off our Fall Storytime. This time, along with her stories and games, she's bringing a special recipe for all to share. This program WILL include food so come ready for some yummy snacks a la Mother Goose!
Each session of regular storytime will include a variable number of stories and usually a craft or coloring activity for the children to make and take home. Adult caregivers are asked to stay with the children during story time and to help them with the craft projects.

Circus Day @ the Library

2007-08-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

Come one! Come All to the Circus Day at Tenafly Public Library!

Wednesday, August 22 is being set aside to celebrate the Circus at the Tenafly Public library.
The celebration will start with storytime at 1:30 PM with a craft for ages 3+ while supplies last.
Popcorn and juice will be served while our favorite clowns, Colours and Dolly, paint faces from 2 Pm until 4 Pm. The day will end with a fantastic Circus on the String puppet extravaganza performed by Robert Roger's Puppet Company.

Come for the whole afternoon or just come for selected events. Doors will be opening at 1:20 and will remain open until the start of the puppet show at 4 PM. As always events at the Tenafly Public Library are free and supported by our generous Friends of the Tenafly Public Library!

ATTENTION: Children's Room Closed

2007-07-31T14:28:00.000-04:00

AUGUST 6 and 7th the Children's Room of the Tenafly Public Library will be closed for construction. For an estimated 10 days following this the Juvenile Non-fiction, Reference, Biography, Poetry, Beginning Readers, Parent Shelf, and Paperback collections will be unavailable to patrons.

At this time we are unsure if the new books and the graphic novels will be available.

We thank everyone for their patience during this brief period of construction.

Jumpstart's Read for the Record

2007-07-10T16:16:00.000-04:00

Join Jumpstart and the Tenafly Public Library on September 20, 2007 for Read for the Record.
Stay tuned here for details as they become available!

Summer Storytime

2007-07-03T11:39:00.000-04:00

Story time is BACK!
Starting Monday July 9th Story time is back for 3 to 6 yr old.

Mondays at 6 Pm, Wednesdays at 2 PM, and Thursdays at 11 AM.

Everyone is welcome to drop in at the Tenafly Library for story time. We read a couple picture books or tell a couple stories and then do a mommie-and-me craft for the younger set in the summer. Caretakers are invited (and encouraged) to stay with the kids through the stories and to help with the craft projects.

To help get everyone in the story time mood, Storyteller Jon Kruk will be visiting during our first week Jon will be telling some old familiar fables and maybe some that aren't so familiar! Join us on July 11th at 2 PM in the children's room as Jon enchants and entertains his young audience. No registration is needed for Jon's story time or any of the others!

Summer Reading Club!

2007-06-27T11:46:00.000-04:00

The Summer Reading Club (SRC) has started off great this summer. We had an amazing turn out for our "Get a Clue@your library" program on Friday. Attendance topped 150 people and we had over 100 kids sign up for the club.

Since Mysteries and Puzzles are our theme this summer, I thought I would post on here for those of you who haven't had a chance to get to the library and sign up for the SRC yet!

Children's Book Puzzler: Guess the name of the Children's books from the quotes below.
Feel free to leave your guesses as comments! I'll post the answers in another blog soon!

1. "So all we could do was sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!"

2. "One day George saw a man. He had on a large yellow straw hat."

3. "I'm Emily Elizabeth and I have a dog."

4. "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, lives twelve little girls in two straight lines."

5. "And a comb, and a brush, and a bowl full of mush."

6. "At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed it fell silent for all of them."

7. "When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter."

8. "When you give him the milk, he'll probably ask for a straw"

9. "Fern loved Wilbur more than anything. She loved to stroke him, to feed him, to put him to bed."

10. "Someone's been eating my porridge."

11. "Puff, puff, chug, chug, went the Little Blue Engine."

12. "Once upon a bicycle, so they say, a ________ ________ ________ came one day. From over the hills and far away...with a letter for the Three Bears."

13. "You may go into the field or down the lane, but don't go into Mr. McGregor's garden."

14. "And the only reason for making a buzzing noise I know of is making Honey."

15. "They roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws."

16. "Not by the hair of my chinny, chin chin."

17. "Quack, quack, quack, quack, quack, went Jack, Krack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack just as loud as their little quackers could quack.

18. "My, what big ears you have!"

19. "'Why, here's my button!' he cried! And he tried to pick it up. But like all the other buttons on
the mattress, it was tied down tight."

20. "I see a black sheep look at me"

21. "And a tear, a real tear, trickled down his little shabby velvet nose and fell to the ground."

22. "Not in a box. Not with a fox. Not in a house. Not with a Mouse. I would not eat there here or there. I would not eat them anywhere."

23. "It's a Truffula Seed. It's the last one of all! You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffiula Trees are what everyone needs."

24. "Not so long ago, before she could even speak words, Trixie went on an errant with her daddy."

25. "Once there was a tree....and she loved a little boy."

Get a Clue @ Your Library!

2007-05-31T11:36:00.001-04:00

School is almost over and Summer is on us again! This summer the Tenafly Public Library and many other libraries throughout the state of NJ will be participating in the "Get a Clue" Summer Read Club. This mystery themed summer reading club at the Tenafly Library is open to all Tenafly students entering grades K - 5th in September of 2007.

Children are invited to come to the library and sign up on June 22nd, at our Help Find Clue! Magic and comedy show, or any time during the summer. Those who sign up will read to earn prizes, be able to join awesome craft classes, and attend many fun performances throughout the summer.

Members of the Summer Reading Club (SRC) will be given a reading log to track their progress over the summer. As they complete sections of their log, they will earn prizes from the Library Treasure Chest. All Club members who complete their goal for the summer will be invited to an end of the summer celebration the last week in August.

All programs will take place at the Tenafly Public Library located at 100 Riveredge Rd in Tenafly NJ. If you have any questions, please contact Latricia Batchelor at 201-568-8680.

ALA Releases a Read-alike list for the 2007 Alex Awards

2007-04-09T15:31:00.000-04:00

A bit on the older side for this blog's usual audience, but I thought that some parents out there might find this useful.

Each year ALA (American Library Assoc.) honors 10 adult books with interest for teens. These are the Alex Awards. You can find the 2007 Alex list at the following link:
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=1860067

If you have an avid reader, check out this link for read-alike titles.
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=1936808

Get a Clue Magic Reading Show

2007-04-09T14:17:00.000-04:00

Inspector Jim and his trustworthy sidekick Clue are coming to the Tenafly Public Library on Friday, June 22, 2007 at 3 Pm to teach young readers how to solve mysteries. But Wait! WHERE IS CLUE?!?

He is nowhere to be found. It looks like inspector Jim is going to need some help finding Clue! Inspector Jim has to find Clue, but he can't do it alone. Only with the help of the children of Tenafly can Inspector Jim get a clue!

This program is a unique blend of storytelling, magic, comedy, puppetry, music, and audience participation.

Inspector Jim and Clue's visit will be the Grand Kick-off to our annual Summer Reading Club for Tenafly students entering grades K through 5. Students entering grades 6+ are welcome to join as well.

Marlene Markoff's Marvolous Stories!

2007-03-31T10:48:00.000-04:00

Celebrated Storyteller Marlene Markoff will be visiting the Tenafly Library on April 5 th at 11:00 AM to help us celebrate springtime. Children of all ages are welcome to come and enjoy her tales full of adventure and humor. Marlene's performance will last approximately 45 Mins, but the memories of her stories will linger much longer!

Admission is free as always. This event and many others are supported by the Friends of the Tenafly Public Library.

For more information, please call Children's Librarian, Latricia Batchelor at 201-568-8680.

Spring Story Time

2007-03-29T11:35:00.000-04:00

Get out of the house and enjoy the great weather on your way to the library or hide out there while spring showers make the play date at the park un-doable!

All 3 -5 yr old children are welcome to come to our story times at Tenafly Public Library with a caregiver.

Monday evenings at 6:00 PM

Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 PM

Thursday mornings at 11:00 AM

All three story times will feature a number of stories, songs, finger plays, and/or a simple craft.
Each week a different theme will be featured.

Feel free to call Latricia in the Children's Room of the Tenafly Public Library @ 201/568-8680 with any questions or stop by the library to speak to someone in person.