Monday, December 29, 2014

January Book: Alvin Ho

The January Book Buddies book will be... Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look!  We will meet to discuss Alvin Ho on Wednesday, January 28th at 4:00pm.  Registration is required - sign up at the Children's Desk or call 401-847-8720 ext. 204.  Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Children's Desk.


A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Happy Holidays!

A reminder that the library will be closed ALL DAY Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday, December 25th, Wednesday, December 31st and Thursday, January 1st for the Christmas and New Year holidays.  We will also be closed on Sunday, December 28th.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends and finds something wonderful to read!

Monday, December 15, 2014

Meeting Reminder

A reminder that the Book Buddies Book Club will meet this Wednesday, December 17th at 4:00pm in the John Clarke Children's Program Room to discuss our December book Pie by Sarah Weeks.  Registration is required - please call 401-847-8720 ext. 204 if you plan to attend.  Come for snacks, book discussion and an activity.

Hope to see you there!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

LEGO Club

LEGO Club will meet again this coming Monday, December 15th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm as well as Monday, December 29th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.  Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  No registration is required - just drop in!  Come build with LEGOS and have fun with your friends!

All LEGOs must stay in the library, so bring a camera!  Please do not bring any of your own LEGOs from home.  For more information contact the Children's Desk at 401-847-8720 ext. 204.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

More about Pie and Read-Alikes

Want to know more about Sarah Weeks and Pie?  Read the interview she did with BookPage. 

And here a few books with similar themes that you might like to read:

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban

Mattie, a shy fifth-grader, wants to hide out at her new school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true friend.

Peeled by Joan Bauer

In an upstate New York farming community, high school reporter Hildy Biddle investigates a series of strange occurrences at a house rumored to be haunted.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Washed ashore as a baby in tiny Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Mo LoBeau, now eleven, and her best friend Dale turn detective when the amnesiac Colonel, owner of a café and co-parent of Mo with his cook, Miss Lana, seems implicated in a murder.

It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder

Twelve-year-old Isabel dreams of seeing the world but has never left Oregon, and so when her best friend, Sophie, tells her of a baking contest whose winners travel to New York City, she eagerly enters despite concerns about her mother, who is opening a cupcake bakery.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Books for the Holidays

Looking for something new to read with a holiday theme?  Here are two new holiday books that I've read and highly recommend!  Enjoy!

Greenglass House by Kate Milford

At Greenglass House, a smuggler's inn, twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers' adopted son, plans to spend his winter holidays relaxing but soon guests are arriving with strange stories about the house sending Milo and Meddy, the cook's daughter, on an adventure.

Winterfrost by Michelle Houts

Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost over the countryside. But twelve-year-old Bettina's parents have been called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia. In all the confusion, Bettina's family neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse who are rumored to look after the family and their livestock. No one besides her grandfather ever believed the nisse were real, so what harm could there be in forgetting this silly custom? But when baby Pia disappears during a nap, the magic of the nisse makes itself known. To find her sister and set things right, Bettina must venture into the miniature world of these usually helpful, but sometimes mischievous folk.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

December Author: Sarah Weeks

Sarah Weeks is the wonderful author of our December book, Pie.  Find out all about her on her website and check out her other books as well!

So B. It: A Novel (2004)

After spending her life with her mentally retarded mother and agoraphobic neighbor, twelve-year-old Heidi sets out from Reno, Nevada, to New York to find out who she is.

Oggie Cooder (2008)

Quirky fourth-grader Oggie Cooder goes from being shunned to everyone's best friend when his uncanny ability to chew slices of cheese into the shapes of states wins him a slot on a popular television talent show, but he soon learns the perils of being a celebrity--and having a neighbor girl as his manager.

As Simple as it Seems (2010)

Eleven-year-old Verbena Polter gets through a difficult summer of turbulent emotions and the revelation of a disturbing family secret with an odd new friend who believes she is the ghost of a girl who drowned many years before.

And coming in January 2015... Honey!

Melody has lived in Royal, Indiana, for as long as she can remember. It’s always been just her and her father, and she’s okay with that. But then she overhears him calling someone Honey — and suddenly it feels like everyone in Royal has a secret. It’s up to Melody and her best friend, Nick, to piece together the clues and discover why Honey is being hidden.

Meanwhile, a dog named Mo arrives in Royal. He doesn’t remember much from when he was a puppy… but he keeps having dreams of a girl he is bound to meet someday. This girl, he’s sure, will change everything.  If only he knew who she was.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Rhode Island Children's Book Award

Four more books to get you reading and ready to vote for the 2015 Rhode Island Children's Book Award!

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Gregory Pincus

Gregory Korenstein-Jasperton is an eleven-year-old boy who likes to write stories and poems and is not excited by math, but he has a problem--he is the middle child in a family of math geniuses and his father expects him to participate in the City Math contest.

Kelsey Green, Reading Queen by Claudia Mills

Kelsey is the best reader in her third grade class, and she is determined to lead her class to victory in the all-school reading contest.

Mountain Dog by  Margarita Engle

When his mother is sent to jail in Los Angeles, eleven-year-old Tony goes to live with his forest ranger great-uncle in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where Tony experiences unconditional love for the first time through his friendship with a rescue dog.

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt

When nine-year-old Odessa Green-Light stomps out her frustration at being sent to her room after shoving her annoying little brother, one particularly big stomp sends Odessa flying through the floorboards and mysteriously twenty-four hours back in time.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

LEGO Club Monday, December 1st!


LEGO Club will meet Monday, December 1st from 4:00pm - 6:00pm in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  No registration is required.  For kids ages 6-12.  All materials will be provided for this free program.  Hope to see you there!

Friday, November 28, 2014

December Book: Pie

The December Book Buddies book will be... Pie by Sarah Weeks!  We will meet to discuss Pie on Wednesday, December 17th at 4:00pm.  Registration is required - sign up at the Children's Desk or call 401-847-8720 ext. 204.  Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Children's Desk.


After the death of Polly Portman, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice and Alice's friend Charlie investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly's secret pie crust recipe. Includes fourteen pie recipes.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving to all the Book Buddies readers and their families!  Hope you have a terrific holiday!  In honor of Thanksgiving, the library will be closing early (6pm) on Wednesday, November 26th and will be CLOSED all day on Thursday, November 27th.  We will re-open at 9:30am on Friday, November 28th.

Friday, November 21, 2014

November Meeting Wrap-Up

The Book Buddies Book Club met yesterday afternoon to discuss our November book, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.  It was a terrific meeting including trivia and book discussion followed by the creation of original artwork inspired by the book!

Everyone really enjoyed the book, although we all thought it was very sad the way the animals were treated at the circus and at the mall.  However we were very happy that Ivan and Ruby and all of the mall animals ended up at a zoo where they would be well taken care of.  We discussed the fact that The One and Only Ivan is based on a true story and we read some of the details of the real Ivan's life and looked at photographs of him. 

Since art and the creation of art was such an important part of Ivan's life and ultimately helped get him and  the other mall animals rescued, we decided to create our own artwork inspired by the book!

Alasdair's picture inspired by Ivan's artwork (apple, banana and grapes)
Nicole's picture - Ivan and the gorillas and Ruby and the elephants at the zoo

It was a wonderful meeting and thanks to all the Book Buddies members who attended!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Thanksgiving Reading

Looking for a good chapter book to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit?  Try Who Stole Grandma's Million-Dollar Pumpkin Pie? by Martha Freeman.


When the recipe for his grandmother's famous pumpkin pie is suddenly missing just before Thanksgiving Day, Alex and his friend Yasmeen try to solve the mystery of its disappearance.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that the Book Buddies Book Club will meet on Wednesday, November 19th at 4:00pm to discuss our November book, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.  Come for snacks, book discussion and a related activity! 

Registration is required - please call the Children's Desk if you plan to come (847-8720 ext. 204).

PLEASE NOTE the new time!  Book Buddies will meet at 4:00pm instead of 3:30pm going forward.  We want to try and give more kids time to get to the library from school! 

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

Friday, November 14, 2014

LEGO Club Monday!

The next drop-in LEGO club will take place on Monday, November 17th from 4:00pm - 6:00pm!  Stop by and build something wonderful with your friends!  LEGO creations will be on display for the two weeks following LEGO club until the next meeting.  Creations from the first meeting (November 3rd) are on display now behind the children's desk!  Stop in and see what was made.


Ages 6-12.  No registration is required.  Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  All materials will be provided - please leave your own LEGOs at home.

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Reading Recommendations

Enjoying The One and Only Ivan?  Here a few other chapter books that are similar in theme that you might like to read:

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

An old hound that has been chained up at his hateful owner's run-down shack, and two kittens born underneath the house, endure separation, danger, and many other tribulations in their quest to be reunited and free.

A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin

Squirrel, a stray puppy, tells her life story, from her nurturing mother and brother to making her own way in the world, facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal.

The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett

Twelve-year-old Andrej, nine-year-old Tomas, and their baby sister Wilma flee their Romany encampment when it is attacked by Germans during World War II, and in an abandoned town they find a zoo where the animals tell their stories, helping the children understand what has become of their lives and what it means to be free.

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Roy, who is new to his small Florida community, becomes involved in another boy's attempt to save a colony of burrowing owls from a proposed construction site.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

After a class trip to a floating zoo where animals are mistreated and Savannah's missing pet monkey is found in a cage, Long Island sixth-grader Griffin Bing and his band of misfits plan a rescue.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Books by Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate, author of our November book, The One and Only Ivan, has written many other terrific books for young readers.  Here is another of her other books you might like to read:

 
Home of the Brave (2007)

Kek, an African refugee, is confronted by many strange things at the Minneapolis home of his aunt and cousin, as well as in his fifth grade classroom, and longs for his missing mother, but finds comfort in the company of a cow and her owner.

Friday, November 7, 2014

November Author: Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate is the wonderful author of our November book, The One and Only Ivan.  She is the author of many books for children including the series Animorphs and Roscoe Riley Rules.  Find out more about her by reading this wonderful interview with School Library Journal and by visiting the One and Only Ivan website.

Did you know that the story of Ivan was based on a real gorilla?  Find out more about the real Ivan by visiting The One and Only Ivan website and by reading the companion picture book Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla.


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Rhode Island Children's Book Award

Four more books to get you reading and ready to vote for the 2015 Rhode Island Children's Book Award

Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year by Bill Harle

Charlie Bumpers is sure he does not stand a chance of getting along with his fourth grade teacher and despite his best efforts to be neat and well-behaved, he always seems to be in trouble until he discovers her secret.

Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes

Gaby enjoys working at the local animal shelter and wants to adopt a cat but is unsure of her own living situation when her mother is deported back to Honduras.

Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin

Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain? Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings, this extraordinary book by Award-winning author and artist Jason Chin is an epic saga of the life of an island-born of fire, rising to greatness, its decline, and finally the emergence of life on new islands.

Legend of the Ghost Dog by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

With her beagle Henry and her new friend Quin, twelve-year-old Tee is determined to solve the mystery of "the Shadow", the ghostly animal that is believed to haunt the Alaskan wilderness near her new home in Nome.

Monday, November 3, 2014

November Book

The Book Buddies book for November will be.... The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate!  This book won the Newbery medal in 2013 and was a Rhode Island Children's Book Award nominee in 2014.  It is one of my favorite books of the last few years!

We will meet to discuss The One and Only Ivan on Wednesday, November 19th at 4:00pm in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  (Please note the time change from 3:30pm to 4:00pm.  We are hoping to give new members more time to get to the library from school).

Copies of the book are available at the Children's Desk. 

Hope to see you in November!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

LEGO Club

Children ages 6 - 12 are invited to join LEGO Club!  Build, create, inspire, dream - work together or work on your own!

LEGO Club will meet every other Monday afternoon from 4:00pm - 6:00pm: November 3rd, November 17th, December 1st, December 15th, December 29th.  No registration is required - just drop in!

All materials will be provided for this free program.  LEGO creations must stay at the library, so bring a camera!  Please leave your own LEGOs at home so that you don't lose your favorite pieces.

Held in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  For more information contact the Children's Department at 401-847-8720 ext. 204. 

Hope to see you on Monday!

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  Today is Trick-or-Treat at the library!  Put on your costumes and stop by the Children's Desk for a free Halloween treat.  One per person while supplies last.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

October Meeting Wrap-Up

The Book Buddies Book Club met yesterday afternoon to discuss our October book, Room One: A Mystery of Two by Andrew Clements.  Everyone enjoyed the book and felt that the characters and storyline were very realistic and well written.  We all liked the main character, Ted, and thought that he was very courageous in trying to help April and her family. 

We are all big fans of Andrew Clements work and have enjoyed reading many of his books including Frindle and A Week in the Woods.  I am currently working on his newest book, The Map Trap!


Following our lightning round trivia and discussion of the book, we put our sleuthing skills to the test with the board game Clue!  Everyone made great guesses and worked very hard to solve the mystery.  In the game we played it turned out to be Ms. Scarlet in the hall with the revolver!

See you all next month!  Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Meeting Reminder

A reminder that the Book Buddies Book Club will meet on Wednesday, October 29th at 3:30pm to discuss the October book, Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements.  Come for book discussion, snacks and a related activity.

Registration is required - sign up today.  Visit the Children's Desk or call 401-847-8720 ext. 204.  Hope to see you Wednesday!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Tween Advisory Group Meeting - Tuesday!

The next meeting of the Tween Advisory Group (TAG) will be Tuesday, October 28th at 3:30pm in the John Clarke Children's Program Room.  Get involved in the library!  Discuss books, plan programs and work on special projects.  Enjoy a light snack and a craft activity.

For ages 8 - 12.  No registration is required - just drop in.  Hope to see you Tuesday!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Room One: Extension Activties

Enjoying Room One: A Mystery or Two?  Here are a few aspects of the story you might want to investigate further...

MysteryNet's Kids Mysteries

A selection of mystery games and mystery stories written by kids.

4-H Virtual Farm

Learn about farms of many kinds, see videos and read interviews with farmers.

One-Room Schoolhouses

Information about one-room schools and early education in the United States.

FBI for Kids

Learn more about the FBI through games, tips, stories and interactives.

Detective Skills and Mysteries Kids' Blog

Learn all about being a detective and how to solve mysteries.

And here are a few other books you might like to read:

The View From the Cherry Tree by Willo Davis Roberts
Rob admits having seen a murder, but no one believes him--exceptthe murderer.

The 100-Year Old Secret by Traci Barrett
Xena and Xander Holmes, an American brother and sister living in London for a year, discover that Sherlock Holmes was their great-great-great grandfather when they are inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives and given his unsolved casebook, from which they attempt to solve the case of a famous missing painting.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal.

The Secret School by Avi
In 1925, fourteen-year-old Ida Bidson secretly takes over as the teacher when the one-room schoolhouse in her remote Colorado area closes unexpectedly.