Friday, April 28, 2017

Reading Challenge Achievement

Congratulations to Christina C. for completing the Independent Readers Challenge!





She is the first child to complete the challenge since its launch in September 2016!

The Independent Readers Challenge tasks children in grades 3-5 with reading 8 different books in 16 different genres for a total of 128 books.  It takes a lot of dedication, hard work and time to complete.

Great job Christina!

Read more about the challenges for school age kids here, or check out our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program for children not yet in kindergarten here.

Check out our Reading Challenge Wall of Achievement to see pictures of all children who complete the challenge.







Friday, April 21, 2017

Affordable Things To Do On LI This Summer & Library Museum Passes

Looking for fun activities to do this summer?
Check out this great list of affordable things to do on Long Island this summer, compiled by the Children's Librarians Association of Suffolk County.


****In order to see the entire list, click on the image below****



Do you know about any other great Long Island summer activities not listed here?  Share them with us by emailing emma@bpplibrary.org.  Thanks!


Also be sure to check out our full list of museum passes and reserve yours today!






Monday, April 17, 2017

Staff Picks

STAFF PICKS

Ms. Sue's favorite new picture books about acceptance and friendship:

Chee-Kee: A Panda in Bearland
Sujean Rim
Picture Book
Ages 3-8

Chee-Kee, a young panda, moves with his parents to a new land of opportunity.  Just when he's resigned to never fit in, Chee-Kee finds a way to use his own experience and ingenuity to save the day and show that he's one of a kind in all the best ways.



Blue Penguin
Petr Horáček
Picture Book
Ages 3-8

Rejected by his fellow penguins because of his unusual color, minimal diving, and jumping skills, Blue Penguin begins to sing in his loneliness and wonders if he will be able to convince the others that he is one of them.





Ms. Julie's Pick:

The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate
Jaqueline Kelly
Chapter Book
Grades 4-8

This gem of a book is the follow-up to the much loved Newbery Honor book, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.  This work of historical fiction follows the adventures of 13 year old Calpurnia, or Callie Vee, to her six brothers (yikes!) on their farm in dusty, turn of the 20th century, Fentress, Texas.  Callie Vee is expected to spend her time outside of school baking, knitting, and playing piano, none of which she excels at, or even remotely enjoys.  She rebels against these social conventions by making scientific discoveries with her grandfather, a naturalist and friend of, none other than, Charles Darwin!  She also conceals all manner of wild animals with her brother Travis from their parents and dares to dream about going to college someday.  A devastating natural disaster, that a discovery of Callie Vee's predicts, brings an emotionally wounded cousin to town along with another displaced person that may help her realize her destiny.

Calpurnia Tate is a funny, spunky, inquisitive and fearless heroine whose adventures I hope to read about for a long, long time.  Check out this book, or its prequel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.



Ms. Emma's Favorites:

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World
Malala Yousafzai
Chapter Book, Biography
Grade 5+

This is the powerful story of the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai.  It gives you a view into the world of Taliban controlled Pakistan and the way people were forced to live under their rule, which also said that girls could not go to school.  Malala, who grew up with father who was a teacher, was a bright student and when she was told she could no longer attend school, she continued to find ways to educate herself, attend school, and began speaking out about why girls have the right to education.
The story is told her strong voice and it is a compelling story that will make for an easy, interesting, and thought-provoking read for any young reader.


Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea
Ben Clanton
Graphic Novel
Grades 1-4

This introductory graphic novel is perfect for reluctant readers, children switching from picture books to chapter books, and is full of humor and adorable pictures! The first in a new series, this graphic novel is broken in to three short, silly stories about friendship and includes a song and some narwhal and jellyfish facts.  Kids who love Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie series will also love this hilarious duo.




Ms. Gail's Pick:

Pax
Sara Pennypacker
Chapter Book
Grades 4-8

Pax is an extraordinary book written by award winning author Sara Pennypacker.
Peter has already lost his mother and now his father is going off to war. He must go live with his grandfather and release his pet fox that he raised from birth. Having regrets, Peter gathers a few supplies and journeys into the woods determined to find his beloved pet. Pax has never been without his boy and now he has been left alone in the wilderness to survive. A touching and powerful story!





Check to see if any of these books are available by clicking on the title.  The link will take you directly to our catalog.  Or, call us at 631-363-6133.