Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 115
June 21, 2013
Sports, History and Inspirational Fiction for Teens
Dig into these new booklists for teens featuring Sport, Historical and Inspirational fiction. Bring one of these titles to the beach or on vacation with you.
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane
Eighth-grader Molly’s ability to throw a knuckleball earns her a spot on the baseball team, which not only helps her feel connected to her recently deceased father, who loved baseball, it helps in other aspects of her life, as well.
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
In this odyssey-like adventure, two boys undertake an incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail where they deal with pirates, buried secrets, and extraordinary encounters.
Like Moonlight at Low Tide by Nicole Quigley
“Sometimes the current is the only thing that saves you.” Melissa Keiser returns to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where she had been the target of middle school bullies, to find some changes, but that relationships—with the boy she still has a crush on, a new friend, and her brother—have consequences.
June 20, 2013
KDL Welcomes New Board Member
There’s a new face on KDL’s Board of Trustees.
G. Craig Wilson represents Ada, Cascade and Grand Rapids townships and the city of East Grand Rapids. His term runs through December 31, 2014.
Wilson is director of market development at Steelcase Inc. and has been with the company for 34 years. His current focus at Steelcase is on K-12 and higher education at Steelcase Education Solutions. He also is a World Affairs Council of West Michigan board member and a former member of the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation and the East Grand Rapids Library Commission, where he was active in helping to plan the new branch building.
Wilson also is founder and president of TOPSoccer of Grand Rapids, a sports program for children with disabilities.
“I look forward to my new role on the KDL Board,” he said. “The rapidly changing nature of libraries and how they must evolve is of particular interest to me. This is an exciting period for public libraries as they continue to play an ever-important role in our communities.”
June 19, 2013
New Guys Read Books
Now that school is over and guys are wild and crazy and looking for something to keep them busy, it’s a perfect time to introduce them to Guys Read at your local KDL branch. Guys Read is a nationwide literacy program to get guys reading. And not reading just any book, but books that guys really like and want to keep coming back for. This summer, KDL has some of the newest books that guys will absolutely love.
If guys are looking for books that will keep them laughing, look no further than James Patterson as he brings back the hilarious , this time at summer camp trying to fend off the popular kids in How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill; or Tom Angleberger who gets the origami rebel alliance together at in The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett. If guys want edge-of-their-seat action, they won’t want to miss the Lauren Tarshis thriller I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 or book four of the series, Curse of the Ancients.
For a complete list of Guy’s Read lists and recommendations, visit KDL’s Guys Read page, and for a list of new materials coming out this summer, visit KDL’s future releases page.
June 18, 2013
Resources for Your College-Bound Student
Just try Googling “college financial aid” and see if your head doesn’t explode from all the information. The link below is considered by many to be Step 1 for any students looking to expand their education beyond high school.
Federal Student Aid Web Resources provides a list of websites that are available to students to help them learn about and apply for financial aid. The document also includes shortcut URLs to popular topics and lists resources for those who assist students in learning about financial aid.
This site comes from the U.S. Department of Education, which provides more than $150 billion in financial aid to college and career school students each year.
Legit Resources for your College-Bound Kiddos
Just try Googling “college financial aid” and see if your head doesn’t explode from all the information. The links below are considered by many to be Step 1 for any students looking to expand their education beyond high school.
Federal Student Aid Web Resources provides a list of websites that are available to students to help them learn about and apply for financial aid. The document also includes shortcut URLs to popular topics and lists resources for those who assist students in learning about financial aid.
Help Students Find Money for College or Career School provides instructions for ordering free materials and highlights a few publications that may be relevant to your college search.
Both links above come from the U.S. Department of Education, which provides more than $150 billion in financial aid to
college and career school students each year.
EightWest Segment: Summer Fun @ the Library
Check out this segment from the Grandma on the Go series on eightWest. Joy Walczak interviewed KDL’s very own “Miss Morgan” about fun programs at the library this summer, including Pet Shows and Kids and Teens Craft Shows. Enjoy!
Free summer fun at the library
Beat the “Summer Slide”
Over the summer, kids can lose much of the learning they gained during the school year. What’s the best way to avoid the “summer slide?” Books! If you haven’t registered for Summer Reading @ KDL, today would be a great day to sign up!
June 17, 2013
Enjoy the Sweet Sounds of Summer!
Sit back, relax and enjoy some great music! Our program line-up includes several concerts that will fill our branches with some sweet summer sounds. The shows are open to all ages (unless otherwise listed) and they are all free… it’s music to my ears!
Kentwoodpalooza
Five hours of Peace, Love and Happiness! We’re celebrating the endh of school and the beginning of Summer Reading @ KDL with music, food and prizes! Sponsored by the Friends of the Kentwood Library. For teens grades 6-12.
Wednesday, June 19, 4:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
City of Kentwood 2013 Summer Concert Series
Free Wednesday evening concerts held at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch amphitheater. Bring a blanket for lawn seating or a chair for plaza seating. Sponsored by DTE Energy and the City of Kentwood Arts Committee.
Wednesday, June 19, 7:30 PM – Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys (modern bluegrass)
Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 PM – Northern Skies (Americana folk/rock)
Wednesday, July 31, 7:30 PM – Wayne and Gordon (50s and 60s soft rock)
Wednesday, August 7, 7:30 PM – Boogie Woogie Babes (pop/jazz, American songbook)
Wednesday, August 14, 7:30 PM – Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys (rockabilly)
Kevin Kammeraad in Concert
Kevin teams up with his favorite puppets to bring us a fun, interactive musical show that’s sure to get even the youngest movin’ and groovin’.
Thursday, June 27, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch (Held at John Collins Park)
Thursday, June 27, 7:00 PM – Grandville branch
Carol Johnson in Concert
Join uniquely gifted singer/songwriter Carol Johnson for a lively, upbeat performance of her well-known original songs as well as other familiar tunes. Most are participatory, encouraging us to be good to each other, to ourselves and to the earth. Sponsored by the Friends of the Kentwood Library.
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch
Fiddlers ReStrung in Concert
This 19-piece string ensemble from Saline, Michigan, is one of the best high-school Celtic, bluegrass and American folk fiddle groups in the nation, engaging audiences of all ages with their energy and enthusiasm.
Thursday, July 18, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch (Held at John Collins Park)
Thursday, July 18, 7:00 PM – Grandville branch (Sponsored by Dr. Dave Cramer)
Music at the Market
Put your dancin’ shoes on and swing to toe-tappin’ vintage acoustic blues, jazz and country. The B-Side Growlers will entertain while you shop the market and enjoy a nice summer day. Sponsored by the Grandville Downtown Development Authority.
Tuesday, July 23, 10:30 AM – Grandville branch
Grandville Idol Talent Show
Catch the excitement with one of the city’s best events. The finest young talent in grades K-8 will perform for the top spot. Stop in the library for rules and entry forms. Sponsored by Macatawa Bank.
Thursday, August 1, 7:00 PM – Grandville branch
Happy listening!
Patron Story: Ann Swanson
Ann Swanson has no idea how much money her family saves each month by using the library, but she’s guessing it’s plenty.
In a typical 30-day span, Ann said, she and her two youngest children check out two movies, a couple of video games and up to 30 books. Then there are the dozen or so books she checks out weekly to read to the children in the daycare she operates. And when they are offered, Ann attends KDL’s Early Childhood Essentials classes for free, rather than paying fees of about $25 per class.
Minus the classes, that’s an estimated $638 the Swanson family checks out in library materials every month, according to KDL’s Value Calculator. And that also doesn’t include the weekly Storytimes she brings her daycare children to at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) and other branches.
“You should see my calendar at home right now; it’s just filled with anything and everything to do (at KDL) that fits,” said the mother of five. “With such a large family, I never could have afforded to do so many fun things on our own.”
As much as they get from their library, the Swansons also give back. Two of Ann’s children have been library volunteers for many years, and this year her youngest, Kolby, 11, will become the third.
An avid reader since childhood, Ann said she was not a heavy library user until she became a parent because she grew up living far from a public library.
“I think that’s why I really didn’t know all the services that were available at libraries until I had kids of my own,” she said. “I still know people who don’t use libraries and I can’t imagine why not. I definitely get my money’s worth.”
Ann Swanson was the winner of KDL’s “Tell us how KDL has saved your family money” contest, and has received a $25 Schuler Books & Music gift card. Share your own story here .
June 16, 2013
Early Lit Bits: Book Review — “The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf”
The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague
Though the story is familiar, Teague puts his own twist on this tale, and it becomes clear that the wolf isn’t always bad, just hungry. After their farmer pays them for their work and moves to Florida, the pigs must each decide how to spend their money, with predictable yet humorous results. In the end, all four animals wind up living together in the brick house, happily ever after.
With its large, colorful illustrations, this book is perfect for reading aloud to a group. Because the story is one they have likely heard before, asking children what they think will happen next will elicit a positive response and allow for conversation as you read together. Check out other picture books by Mark Teague and notice how the illustrations are similar. Children delight in seeing characters they recognize in books, and Teague’s comical illustrations help tell his stories. Talking about the pictures and asking what will happen next are both great ways to get your child ready to read!
This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.
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