Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 99

Gothic Horror

Debut author April Genevieve Tucholke’s spine-tingling tale of gothic horror, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, centers on a compelling romance between Violet and River, a mysterious seventeen-year-old stranger renting the guest house behind the rotting seaside mansion where Violet lives. But when eerie, grim events begin to happen, Violet recalls her grandmother’s frequent warnings about the devil and wonders if River is evil.

Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden tells the story of an abandoned child leaving her adoptive parents in Australia and traveling to England to find her real identity–a quest that ultimately leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt is another gothic tale featuring Death as a character.  When Lord Death comes to claim sixteen-year-old Keturah while she is lost in the King’s Forest, she charms him with her story and is granted a twenty-four hour reprieve in which to seek her one true love.

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson is sure to leave you feeling haunted.  Drawn to an older man, Eve embarks on a whirlwind romance that soon offers a new life and a new home–Les Genevriers, an old house in a charming hamlet amid the fragrant lavender fields of Provence. Their relationship becomes strained, as Dom grows quiet and distant and Eve feels a haunting presence. The more reluctant Dom is to tell her about his past, the more Eve is drawn to it–and to the mysterious disappearance of his beautiful ex-wife.

Craving more? Browse our Dark Dungeons and Underground Crypts Gothic Tales booklist.

 

               

 

Breaking Blue

Having “Breaking Bad” withdrawal symptoms? You can watch past seasons available on DVD, and download the perfect ending song through Freegal on KDL’s website.

 

 

 

 

Hunger Games Program: Round 2

If you are a teen who loves The Hunger Games series, you don’t want to miss out on this program! Catching Fire will take place at several KDL branches this fall. Head to the library’s arena for games, crafts and science. The library will be “ever in your favor!”

Schedule:

Thursday, October 3, 3:00 PM – Grandville branch

Saturday, November 2, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch

Saturday, November 9, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township branch

Tuesday, November 12, 3:30 PM – Wyoming branch

Saturday, November 16, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch

Thursday, November 21, 2:30 PM – Comstock Park branch

Saturday, November 23, 10:00 AM – Krause Memorial branch

Saturday, November 23, 2:00 PM – Plainfield Township branch

Wednesday, November 27, 3:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Click here for addresses and map locations for all KDL branches.

 

 

Teens: A Contest Just for You

Did you meet your BFF while volunteering on KDL’s Teen Crew? Have the library’s online test-taking resources helped you ACE the ACT? Still remember when you got your first KDL card? Tell us your library story by October 14 and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $25 Schuler Books & Music gift card as our way of saying “Wow. Hey, thanks. You are so awesome. Love you right back.” You also might have your story shared on our Branches – Tell Us Your Story page.

To enter, click here.

 

Teens: Got the Moves?

Teen Video Game Tournament: Just Dance

Get those moves ready and join us for some hip-shaking action!

Many will enter, only the best will be crowned champions. This tournament features great prizes and snacks. Pre-registration is required and participant spots are limited. To register, click here.

Saturday, November 16, 12:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch

Streaming Videos: Join the “Hoopla”

Big news! We’ve been offering free downloads of eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and music for awhile now, but we have something new to add to the mix. We are thrilled to announce that KDL cardholders can now stream movies and television shows for free through hoopla, a library-based video streaming service!

Hoopla specializes in educational movies, documentaries, foreign and  independent films and children’s and family content. Their database of over 10,000 movies and television shows includes:

Classic films such as Brigadoon, The African Queen and The Kid
Family favorites like The Neverending Story, Black Beauty and A Little Princess
and programming by National Geographic, Ken Burns and Bill Nye the Science Guy


such as Arthur, Caillou, and Super WHY!
and much more!

KDL cardholders can stream 4 items per month from hoopla. Multiple patrons can view the same content at the same time, which means no need to place holds. Most items have 72-hour checkouts and borrowed items are returned automatically when the loan period expires, so there are never any overdue fines. Videos stream directly in your web browser, or through a mobile app available for Apple and Android devices. (Mobile device users can also download a temporary copy of content for playing offline if necessary.)

Don’t miss out! Try hoopla today!

 

“The Giver” Passes Giveaway

KDL is partnering with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this season to offer passes to dress rehearsals for certain performances downtown, and performance-themed programs at two of our branches.

To kick this off, we’re offering 25 pairs of passes to the dress rehearsal of The Giver at 7:30 PM on Thursday, October 17. The first 25 KDL cardholders to show up and ask at either the Plainfield Township branch or the Wyoming branch will receive two passes. First-come, first-served! Go!! (Note: The Giver is suitable for teens and adults.)

Here’s another KDL cardholder perk: The first 20 KDL cardholders who purchase a ticket to the Saturday, October 19 matinee performance of The Giver at 2:00 PM and use the code “KDL” will entitle attendees to enjoy the Donor Lounge with snacks during intermission, a special backstage tour and the opportunity to participate in a “talk-back” with the play’s director and actors. To purchase these tickets, call the Civic at 616-222-6020 and give your KDL card number.  

 

Connect with a Veteran

Show your support for our military veterans by writing a letter of appreciation October 1 – November 4. Templates are available at all KDL branches. Letters will be distributed to veterans through the Grand Rapids Department of Veterans Affairs. All ages can participate.

You are also invited to attend a Veteran’s Appreciation Open House at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 9 at the Wyoming branch. Teresa Irish, author of A Thousand Letters Home, will share the touching story of her parents’ lives through letters exchanged during World War II. Enjoy refreshments and music by the Wyoming High School honors choir.

 

 

 

 

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute

KDL is celebrating music with Band Books @ the Library: Music Makers at many branches this season. Creating instruments with young children is a great way to explore sound and music. So many fun sounds can be created using objects found around the house.

Explore the sound of a rubber band twanging, the sound of pots and pans crashing and even the soft swooshing of a heartbeat. Talk about the sounds made using other onomatopoeic words that create associations with the sounds they make.

What word would you use to describe the sound of fingernails zipping across the teeth of a comb? Or the sound of blowing across an open bottle?

Try different items in an empty plastic jar to create shaker instruments. Rice or beans will create a mellow, soothing sound. Pennies or pop can tabs will create a louder, jangling noise. Be sure to talk about the differences as you play. Experimenting with sound and vocabulary gets children excited to learn about the world around them.

Be sure to check KDL’s Events Calendar www.kdl.org/events  to find a Music Makers program near you.

– 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.

 

KDL Top Ten – 9/27/2013

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month!  This week’s Top Ten list highlights 10 of the most popular adult Spanish titles this year at KDL!