Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 58

Wii Tournaments for Kids and Teens

Mario Kart Tournament for Kids (entering grades K–5)

Wii gaming tournament for school-age kids featuring Mario Kart, prizes and more.

Pre-registration is required and spots are limited.

Wednesday, July 9, 1:00 – 5:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

Summer Wii Tournament for Teens (entering grades 6–12)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl! The tournament features great prizes and snacks.

Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited.

Thursday, July 10, 1:00 – 4:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Kentwood Library

 

 

 

KDL Top Ten — Juvenile Audiobooks on CD

June is Audiobook Month!  To see 10 of the most popular Juvenile Audiobooks on CD at KDL this week, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

 

Whovian Reads for Teens

Doctor Who fans – need to escape this summer? Feed your need for travel and adventure by exploring new worlds within the pages of these excellent readalikes, or check out our “If You Like Doctor Who” book list for more great titles.

Nobody

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

SF TEEN BARNES

Fifteen-year-old Claire Ryan has always felt invisible, always lived beyond people’s notice, which causes trouble when she instantly connects with seventeen-year-old Nix, who really can become invisible and has been sent to assassinate her.

 

BZRK

Michael Grant

BZRK Series

SF TEEN GRANT

In the near future, the conjoined Armstrong twins, under the guise of the Armstrong Fancy Gifts Corporation, plot to create their own version of utopia using nanobots, while a guerrilla group known as BZRK develops a DNA-based bot that can stop the others, but at risk of the host’s brain.

 

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Series

HORROR TEEN RIGGS

After a family tragedy, Jacob feels compelled to explore an abandoned orphanage on an island off the coast of Wales, discovering disturbing facts about the children who were kept there.

 

Variant

Robison Wells

Variant Series

SF TEEN WELLS

After years in foster homes, seventeen-year-old Benson Fisher applies to New Mexico’s Maxfield Academy in hopes of securing a brighter future, but instead he finds that the school is a prison and no one is what he or she seems.

 

Of course a favorite Whovian pastime is creating fan art and fan fiction.  The exhilaration of adventures in space, time and a blue police box open the imagination to endless possibilities.  What’s the most interesting way you’ve celebrated the Doctor’s adventures?

Share your ideas with us at our Experience Summer Online: Be Creative blog.

 

Chatting with Michigan Author Kristina Riggle

Kristina Riggle was delightful yesterday afternoon, answering questions on KDL’s Goodreads Discussion Board. The local author of five novels (including her latest, The Whole Golden World) talked about her novels, her writing process, and about submissions she reviews as a fiction editor for Literary Mama. 

Check out the chat transcript on our KDL Goodreads Group page.

           

Krause Memorial Branch to Open Late 6/14

The Krause Memorial Branch will open at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 14, in order to accommodate the Rockford Start of Summer Celebration. The branch normally opens at 9:30 AM on Saturdays.

 

25th Anniversary Book Discussion

Join us for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Rockford Friday Afternoon Book Discussion Group by reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

The most famous and perhaps greatest novel of all time, Tolstoy’s War and Peace tells the story of five families struggling for survival during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Both an intimate study of individual passions and an epic history of Russia and its people, War and Peace is nothing more or less than a complete portrait of human existence.

The group will be meeting at the Krause Memorial Branch to discuss the book on Friday, September 19, at 1:30 PM, and all are invited.

 

 

 

 

July LibraryReads Staff Picks

You already know that your local KDL staff provide great recommendations when you’re looking for your next favorite book. Now library staff across the nation have connected to offer LibraryReads, a nationwide “Top 10″ list of favorite titles each month! Check out these upcoming titles that librarians across the country have read, loved, and want to share with you.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

“Landline explores the delicate balance women make between work and family, considering the tradeoffs and pain. Rowell has a special gift for offering incredible insights into ordinary life. Never heavy-handed, Rowell’s writing is delivered with humor and grace. I finish all of her books wanting to laugh and cry at the same time — they are that moving. Landline captured my heart.”

—Andrea Larson, Cook Memorial Public Library, Libertyville, IL

 

One Plus One: A Novel by Lisa See

“A single mom, her math genius daughter, her eye-shadow-wearing stepson, a wealthy computer geek and a smelly dog all get into a car… it sounds like the start of a bad joke, but it’s actually another charming novel from Jojo Moyes. It’s more of a traditional romance than Me Before You, but will also appeal to fans of quirky, hard-working characters. A quick read and perfect for summer.”

—Emily Wichman, Clermont County Public Library, Milford, OH

 

The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day

“This first novel about two broken people is a psychological thriller like the best of Alfred Hitchcock. Amelia Emmet is a professor desperately trying to recover from a gunshot wound, and Nathaniel Barber is a student struggling to come to grips with his mother’s death and a lost love. Their journey, told in alternating chapters, is riveting and full of surprising discoveries. Highly recommended.”

—Mattie Gustafson, Newport Public Library, Newport, RI

 

The Queen of the Tearling: A Novel by Erika Johansen

“The first of a trilogy, this book is so much more than just another fantasy. Yes, there is magic, a princess and a really bad queen, but there is also an apocalyptic twist that makes readers hungry for the next installment. This book caught me from the first page and kept me guessing till the last. A great read!”

—Cindy Stevens, Pioneer Library System, Norman, OK

 

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian

“Thousands of lives are irrevocably changed by a nuclear disaster in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. When her parents are blamed, Emily becomes homeless and her situation, desperate. Told retrospectively, Emily’s story is devastating to read, but her passionate interest in Emily Dickinson comes with flashes of brilliance and a growing acceptance of her past.”

—Kim Storbeck, Timberland Regional Library, Tumwater, WA

 

World of Trouble: The Last Policeman Book III by Ben Winters

“Still the last policeman, Detective Hank Palace tirelessly pulls together clues from crime scenes and interrogates witnesses to find his missing sister. Winters paints a believable picture of a world awaiting its end thanks to an asteroid on a collision course. A great series for mystery and science fiction lovers, as well as anyone looking for a pre-apocalyptic tale without a single zombie.”

—Jenna Persick, Chester County Library, Exton, PA

 

California: A Novel by Edan Lepucki

“Driven away from the violence of cities and a crumbling society, Cal and Frida live an isolated existence, struggling to survive on what they grow and forage. When an unplanned pregnancy pushes the couple to search for other people, they discover an unexpected community. This well-written debut is great for apocalyptic fiction fans and fans of realistic, character-driven fiction.”

—Sara Kennedy, Delaware County District Library, Delaware, OH

 

Dollbaby: A Novel by Laura Lane McNeal

“In this coming-of-age story set in the Civil Rights era, Ibby is dropped off at the home of her eccentric grandmother in New Orleans after the death of her beloved father. Filled with colorful characters, family secrets and lots of New Orleans tidbits, this book will appeal to fans of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt.”

—Vicki Nesting, St. Charles Parish Library, Destrehan, LA

 

The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee by Marja Mills

“A warm and engaging telling of the life story of Harper Lee. Like no other biography, this book offers insights directly from Lee’s point of view as shared with the journalist she and her sister embraced in friendship late in their lives. Informative and delightful!”

—Jan Fisher, Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield, CT

 

Dry Bones in the Valley: A Novel by Tom Bouman

“A body has been found in an elderly recluse’s field, neighbors are fighting over fracking, and meth labs and heroin dealers have settled deep in the woods of Officer Henry Farrell’s Wild Thyme Township. Bouman’s prose reveals not only the beauty of northeastern Pennsylvania, but also abject poverty and despair. A startling debut rich in setting and character with an intricate plot that will stay with readers after the last page.”

—Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ

 

See http://libraryreads.org for more information and find your next great read!

 

KDL on WGVU — Summer Reading

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Youth Services staff Kris Siegel and Lynn Goldberg talk about Summer Reading @ KDL and all the great programs happening this summer! Enjoy!

Download WGVU6-5-14.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

 

 

 

Enjoy the Sweet Sounds of Summer

Sit back, relax and enjoy some great music. Our program line-up includes several performances that will fill our branches with some sweet summer sounds. The shows are open to all ages and they are all free… it’s music to my ears!

Native American Dancers

Dancing, drumming and stories. Watch traditional Native American stories come alive through a storyteller and dancers, including a hoop dancer.

Tuesday, June 17, 4:00 PM – Spencer Township Branch

Thursday, June 19, 7:00 PM – Grandville Branch

Thursday, July 24, 7:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch

 

Music on the Deck

Come and enjoy a summer evening with live music on the library deck.

Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 PM — Phil & JD (Bluegrass/Folk) – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, June 24, 6:30 PM — BrushRidge (Americana) – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, July 1, 6:30 PM — Paschke Trio – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, July 8, 6:30 PM — West Michigan Bluegrass Association – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 PM — Southern Ledge (American/Folk) – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, July 22, 6:30 PM — Thornapple Brass – Caledonia Township Branch

Tuesday, July 29, 6:30 PM — String Players – Caledonia Township Branch

 

City of Kentwood 2014 Summer Concert Series

Bring a blanket for lawn seating or a lawn chair for plaza seating.

Sponsored by DTE Energy, the City of Kentwood and the Kentwood Arts Committee.



Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 PM — Jetty Rae (Folk Pop) – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Wednesday, June 25, 7:30 PM — Boogie Woogie Babies –  Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 PM — Williams Family (Bluegrass) – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Wednesday, August 13, 7:30 PM — Kari Lynch Band (Country/Rock) –  Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Wednesday, August 20, 7:30 PM — Dutch Henry (Americana) – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

 

The Porters in Concert

Put on your dancin’ shoes and swing to the toe-tappin’ sounds of The Porters, a four-piece band that will captivate and entertain even the youngest audience.

Thursday, June 26, 6:30 PM – Wyoming Branch

Tuesday, July 8, 4:00 PM – Spencer Township Branch

Thursday, July 10, 1:00 PM – Walker Branch

Thursday, July 10, 6:30 PM – Tyrone Township Branch

Wednesday, July 16, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Thursday, July 17, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids Branch

Thursday, July 17, 7:00 PM – Grandville Branch

Thursday, July 24, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township Branch

Thursday, July 24, 6:30 PM – Byron Township 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. Her participatory singing encourages us to be good to each other, to ourselves and to the earth.

Tuesday, July 8, 10:30 AM – Grandville Branch

Thursday, July 17, 7:00 PM – Cascade Township Branch

 

Branch addresses can be found here.

 

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute — The Sounds of the Season

Spring gives us gentle breezes and gusting winds. It’s a great time of the year to talk about sounds and music in nature.

Talk about the songs birds sing, and point out the way the wind blows the trees. Ask children to sway like a tree when they listen to music. Use scarves and ribbons to wave through the air like a kite in the wind.

Listen to the sound of the wind as it blows. Try to mimic the whistling sound by blowing over a bottle top. Have children try too. To improve this skill, have children practice blowing lots of bubbles.

Orchestral instruments often imitate sounds from nature in classical music. Which parts of the music sound like rain and wind? Do the bass drums sound like thunder?

Enjoy KDL’s collection of classical children’s music and talk about how weather is depicted in the music with children.

–Sara M. at KDL’s Sand Lake/Nelson Township Branch

 

 

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.