Back to School and National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Good luck to everyone heading back to school today! The first day is so exciting: new teachers, new classes, new people to meet and old friends to see.... I'm a little sad that my school days are behind me.Now that you're back to hitting the books, I wanted to remind you of the many resources available on the Kids' Page of the Newport Public Library's website that will help you with your studies. Our Homework Help page has links to databases and websites in the subjects of Math & Science, History & Social Studies and English & Grammar. From the Homework Help page you will find our Hot Topics page which contains links to websites on specific monthly topics. For September we've linked up some fantastic sites about Labor Day, Constitution Day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Johnny Appleseed and the First Day of Autumn.

Also don't forget about Live Homework Help which is on-demand tutoring in real time with experienced tutors who can help you. LHH is available from 2pm -10pm seven days a week. To connect, visit the Homework Help page and click on "Homework Help RI."

Finally, September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month and I strongly encourage everyone to get a library card. A library card is your most important school supply! Having a library card provides you with access to all of the Newport Public Library's resources, in person and online. To get a library card, visit the Circulation Desk today!

Back to School Books

School officially begins in Newport on Wednesday, September 9th. To get you in the back-to- school spirit, here are a few books you might want to read...

The Return of the Homework Machine by Dan Gutman

After discarding their infamous homework machine, four friends, now in sixth grade, find themselves once again at the police station, this time giving testimony about an incident involving a powerful computer chip, a Grand Canyon treasure, and a dead body.

Babymouse: Dragonslayer by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm (Bk 11)

An imaginative mouse who likes to read heroic fantasy novels finds herself on the school math team as it prepares to compete for the coveted Golden Slide Rule.

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians by Jarrett Krosoczka

The school lunch lady, a secret crime fighter, sets out to stop a group of librarians bent on destroying a shipment of video games, while a group of students known as the Breakfast Bunch provides back-up.

No Talking by Andrew Clements

The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to a "no talking" contest.

School Spirit by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel (Suddenly Supernatural, Bk 1)

Like her mother, a professional medium, Kat has been able to see dead people since turning thirteen, and although they would prefer to be normal, Kat and her best friend come to terms with their own talents while helping free the spirit of a girl trapped at their middle school.

Science Verse by Jon Scieszka

When the teacher tells his class that they can hear the poetry of science in everything, a student is struck with a curse and begins hearing nothing but science verses that sound very much like some well-known poems.

End of Summer and the Beginning of a New Book Buddies Year!

Congratulations to everyone who completed the Summer Reading Program this year - great job! Many books were read, many programs were attended and the fair was a great success! So thank you to all the wonderful readers out there! If you haven't completed the program you have until the end of August to log all your books and pick up your certificate, free book and toy prize. If you have any questions about summer reading, feel free to call us at the library at 401-847-8720 ext. 204.

Now that summer reading is behind us, we're working hard getting ready for the beginning of the new school year. The Book Buddies Book Club will be back this Fall so don't forget to sign up! If you were in the club last year you still need to sign up again this year. I know how busy you guys are so I find it's best to start fresh every September. However, I would love it if everyone wanted to come back again this year!

You can register by posting a comment to the the blog, calling the Children's Department at 401-847-8720 ext. 204 or by emailing me at cantonio@newportlibraryri.org. Stay tuned for details on the first meeting and information about our first book!