Suggested Summer Reading

2012 RHODE ISLAND CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD NOMINATIONS

Angleberger, Tom. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
Grades 5- 6
Is Origami Yoda real? Or is it just Dwight who is answering everyone’s questions with his Origami Yoda? Tommy enlists the help of his classmates, gathering stories and sketches to find out the truth.  Tommy needs to know if Origami Yoda is real because he needs to know if he can trust him with a very important question…

Baskin, Nora Raleigh. Anything But Typical
Grades 5- 6
Jason is a boy with autism. Kids at school think he is “weird” and usually avoid him. Jason finally finds friendship with a girl in his online writing group. Will a face-to-face meeting change their friendship?







DiCamillo, Kate. Bink and Gollie
Grades 3-4
Bink and Gollie, two imaginative best friends, share a tree house and a love of pancakes. In three very funny adventures, without leaving their neighborhood, they climb the Andes, befriend a goldfish, and have a big fight about rainbow colored socks.

Fleming, Candace. Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary
School
Grades 4- 6
When Mr. Jupiter’s class starts fifth grade, the students and their teacher arrive wearing identical toucan headdresses. The moral of the story: Birds of a feather flock together. Mr. Jupiter and his class spend the school year together: learning, and having fun with lessons like singing hamsters and George Washington’s teeth.


Holm, Jennifer L. Turtle in Paradise
Grades 4- 6
It's 1935 and 11-year-old Turtle moves to Key West to live with her Aunt Minnie. Her Mom is a live-in housekeeper, and her new employer doesn't want children around. Key West turns out to be fascinating, complete with a Diaper Gang, hidden pirates' treasures, and first cousins named Beans, Buddy, and Kermit.

Lord Cynthia. Touch Blue
Grades 4- 6
“Touch Blue and your wish will come true.” When the state of Maine plans to shut down her island's schoolhouse, Tess's family may be forced to move to the mainland. Will her luck hold out and her wish come true?





Macy, Sue. Bylines: A Photobiography of Nellie Bly
Grades 4-6
Daring news reporter, globetrotter, and advocate for women's rights, Nellie Bly made people stand up and take notice.

McCarthy, Meghan. Pop:The Invention of Bubble Gum
Grades 3- 5
Accidents can sometimes be fun! The true story of how an accountant at a candy company, who likes a good puzzle, stumbles upon the perfect recipe for bubble gum.




Mone, Gregory. Fish 
Grades 4- 6
Get ready for a swashbuckling pirate adventure! Join Fish as he swabs the decks on the Scurvy Mistress.  When Fish finds himself caught between the noble Captain Cobb and the deceitful first- mate
Scab, he puts his clever nature to good use.  A story of mutiny, sea battles and of course, hidden treasure!






Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Emily’s Fortune
Grades 3- 6
Eight year old Emily sets off on a rip-roarin’ ride as she travels by stagecoach in a Wild West adventure.  She teams up with a boy named Jackson to outsmart her wicked uncle who wants her fortune.






Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal
Grades 3- 6
It is 1875 and the West needs deputies.  Former slave, Bass Reeves is hired to keep the peace.  He is an honest man with a strong sense of right and wrong.  Through courage and expert marksmanship Deputy Reeves brings 3,000 criminals to justice.



Paulsen, Gary. Masters of Disaster
Grades 4- 6
Henry and best friends, Riley and Reed share wacky and daring adventures.  “Call 9-1-1” as these friends jump off a roof on a bicycle try to break a world record, spend the night in the woods with wild animals, and attempt to solve a hundred year old murder mystery.

Polacco, Patricia. Junkyard Wonders
Grades 3- 5
Young Trish finds herself welcomed into the “junkyard”, a class of very special friends, led by a very special teacher, who all learn to fly as they overcome tragedy and trials to triumph together!

Roberts, Laura Peyton. Green 
Grades 4- 6
Lilybet Green’s 13th birthday begins with a bang. Literally! An exploding present is the start of a colorful adventure. Kidnapped by a trio of leprechauns, Lily is next in line to be Keeper for the Clan of Green’s gold – but only if she passes three tests that could change her
life forever!

Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Grades 3- 6
Presto!  Change-o!  Ever read a poem in reverse?  Prepare to be entertained as you read each poem two ways: top to bottom and...bottom up!

Spinelli, Eileen. The Dancing Pancake
Grades 4- 6
Can eating pancakes make tough times better? When her mom opens a restaurant Bindi gets a taste of a new life with new friends, new experiences and a new apartment.

Springstubb, Tricia. What Happened on Fox Street 
Grades 4- 6
Mo Wren, Dad and “wild child” younger sister live on Fox Street.  The long, hot summer is full of alarming letters, mysterious packages and difficult changes.  Growing friendships and the hope of finding a real fox in her neighborhood inspire Mo to find the courage she needs.

Stauffacher, Sue. Gator on the Loose! 
Grades 3- 5
Carter’s Urban Rescue is the place to call when you find a wild animal where it shouldn’t be. Especially, when it’s a baby alligator - loose at the city pool! Follow the fun and adventures of this delightful family who work together to get the job done.




Viorst, Judith. Lulu and the Brontosaurus 
Grades 3- 4
Bossy! Demanding! Spoiled! That's Lulu! Is it possible for a polite brontosaurus to be the pet she wants for her birthday?  Or will Lulu find she has met her match and finally change her ways?





Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer 
Grades 5- 6
As they board a plane to visit their mother in California, Delphine and her sisters imagine themselves visiting Disneyland, and meeting movie stars.  Instead they learn about the Black Panthers, and a mother who’s a mystery to them.

Counting Down to Kindergarten

The countdown to Kindergarten may be on for some parents, and with that comes a lot of questions, excitement, and maybe even a little nervousness and anxiety for your little one heading off to their first day of school (maybe for you, too!).  To help with that, here is a suggested reading list of books for your future Kindergartner.

• On the way to kindergarten / by Virginia Kroll; illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg 

• Miss Bindergarten has a wild day in kindergarten / by Joseph Slate; illustrated by Ashley Wolff 

• I'm telling you, Dex, kindergarten rocks! / by Katie Davis 

• My kindergarten / by Rosemary Wells  

• Henry's 100 days of kindergarten / by Nancy Carlson 

• The twelve days of kindergarten: a counting book / written by Deborah Lee Rose; illustrated by Carey Armstrong-Ellis

• Countdown to kindergarten / by Alison McGhee; illustrated by Harry Bliss 

• Welcome to kindergarten / by Anne Rockwell 

• The last day of kindergarten / by Nancy Loewen; illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa 

• The pirate of kindergarten / by George Ella Lyon; illustrated by Lynne Avril 

• Kindergarten day USA and China; Kindergarten Day China and USA: a flip-me-over book / by Trish Marx and Ellen B. Senisi 

• Eliza's kindergarten pet / by Alice B. McGinty; illustrated by Nancy Speir 

• Kindergarten diary / as told to Antoinette Portis by me, Annalina 

• Adventure Annie goes to kindergarten / by Toni Buzzeo; illustrated by Amy Wummer 

• Is your buffalo ready for kindergarten? / by Audrey Vernick; illustrated by Daniel Jennewein 

• The kindergarten cat / by J. Patrick Lewis; illustrated by Ailie Busby 

• Miss Bindergarten's Kindergarten Tales / by Joseph Slate

 

Storytime Schedule

Playful Preschoolers is open for registration to 4-5 year olds for stories, songs, fingerplays, crafts, and snacks.  Take this opportunity to connect with other parents and caregivers while your child plays with new friends.

When: Tuesdays at 11 am

June 7th-June 28th

Toddler Time is designed for children 18-36 months who attend with a parent or adult caregiver.  In addition to stories, there are engaging finger plays, songs, simple crafts, and movement activities.  Following the story time, there are snacks and playtime for the toddlers, while parents and caregivers can socialize with one another.

When: Thursdays at 11 am

June 9th-June 30th 

Please visit or call the library at 401-846-1573 
to register your child for this storytime session
 

"One World, Many Stories" Summer Performers

  

This summer we have a packed line-up of performers for our summer reading program of "One World, Many Stories".  All programs are FREE to attend! 

Because space is limited in our Meeting Room, tickets are required.  Please pick-up your FREE tickets in the Children's Department.  Tickets for each performer will be available the week prior to the scheduled performer. 

• July 6^th at 2pm: Diane Edgecomb, storyteller.  “Around the World Folktales”

        Join in and travel around the world with these captivating multicultural legends. Each tale offers a participatory look at our common love of story. Celebrate engaging narratives, animal characters, songs in different languages and home-spun wisdom as one of New England's favorite storytellers takes us from the heart of the Amazon rainforest to the forests of the Czech Republic to the villages of Africa. Celebrate the diversity of people all over the world using the common elements of story, rhythm and song.

• July 11^th at 11am:  Christopher Kavi. “Andiamo Tutti!” Celebrating Italy in Story and Song

Come along with Christopher Kavi Carbone as we travel to the country of Italy, on a Magic Gondola of the Imagination! Through interactive Storie e Canzoni (Storytelling & Songs) we will enjoy an Abbondanza of smiles & wisdom from this beloved land. Andiamo, Tutti! – Come along, Everyone!  With guitar, mandolin and everyone’s voices too, a variety of instruments and music will accompany us along the way. 

• July 14^th at 11am: Greg Cooney, musician.  “One World, Many Stories, Songs and Smiles”

 A Smile says, “Hello,” in any foreign land and kids will be full of smiles from the beginning of this program to its conclusion. Greg uses songs and stories that will get the audience up and involved with the performance.

During the show, Greg introduces fun stories, songs, and musical games from around the world. This show is very fast paced as the songs and activities move quickly to cover many parts of the world. Greg brings out his musical "SHOW and TELL" of folk instruments from around the world and talks about the cultural origins of today’s “American” instruments. These are hands on instruments and every kid gets to play something. After the rafters ring and the ground shakes with laughter and fun, everyone settles down for a quiet family browse through the library and a calm ride home with the parents (If the parents aren't too wound up).

• July 20^th at 11am: Michelle Bach-Coulibaly.  “Stories from Mali (West Africa) Through Dance and Music” 

West African Performance and Culture has deep resonances within the American experience. The teachings from West Africa inform our notions of what it means to be an American as well as a global citizen. In this workshop with young children, we will utilize these performance traditions to build an awareness of our own cultural traditions and how tradition plays an important role in our community. Songs will be taught that use call and response, word play, lessons in geography, and creative interplay. Dances will be taught that look at the power of participation, cooperation and creativity.

• July 25^th ay 2pm: Loren Spears.  “Narragansett Stories of My Grandmothers”

 The program will include Native storytelling, oral history, music & dance focusing on the Narragansett People. There will be a variety of Native cultural items to share, opportunity for questions and answers as well as participation in program as appropriate. Also included is a short film, How Bird's Got Their Song, featured at the Providence Film Festival, which tells the story from the perspective of Native children, followed by discussion or reflections.

• August 2^nd at 2pm:  Dave Marchetti.  “Animal Experiences from Around the World”

Animal Experiences with Dave Marchetti is the most hands on animal program you're likely to ever see. With over 20 animals- including turtles, snakes, lizards, amphibians, and even an alligator-there is something everyone will like. Dave's program runs about an hour with plenty of time for his audience to handle the animals on their own. From Wally the gator to Buddy the chinchilla his animals love attention.

• August 9^th at 11am:  Ronald McDonald, “Ronald McDonald’s Reading Adventure Show!” 

Have a world of fun throughout “Ronald McDonald’s Reading Adventure Show!” This exciting adventure will inspire readers to discover “Book Time” each day.
This 30 minute show is filled with adventure, magic, discovery, audience participation and reading fun.

One world, many stories and fun adventures with Ronald. 

• August 17^th at 11am: Thomas Holmes, The Great Baldini.  “Magic Around the World"  

Join The Great Baldini and his beautiful skeleton assistant, Skinny, on a magical tour of our planet. You'll laugh, learn, and be amazed by different tricks from every continent. The Great Baldini has been entertaining folks for years through his unique style of humor and magic. Along with Skinny, he'll be sharing stories from many of the different countries of the world.

We will also be awarding the Summer Reading Program reading awards and prize bags during this program!  If you cannot attend this program, you can visit us later and we will give you your prize bag at that time!    

Summer Reading Perks - Free Admission to All These Places!

 In addition to all of the free programming that the library will be hosting as part of our 2011 Summer Reading Program, "One World, Many Stories", we will also be offering free admission coupons for children to a variety of Rhode Island attractions.  These coupons are the perfect way for parents to save money while also taking the kids on a fun excursion to beat summer boredom.

Here is a listing of all the coupons that the Middletown Public Library will be offering.  To pick up your free coupons, please visit the Children's Department.  Also, a big "Thank You!" to all of the participating vendors!

Coupons will be available mid-June

Vendor	Coupon Terms
Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium Newport	Child or teen free w/ paying adult
Audubon Environmental Ed. Center Bristol	Child free w/paying adult
Biomes Marine Biology Center North Kingstown	Child or teen free w/ paying adult
Dave and Busters Providence Place Mall, Providence 3,000 coupons printed	$10 free with $10 purchase (for games)
John Brown House Providence	Child or teen free w/ paying adult
Butterfly Zoo Tiverton	Child free w/ paying adult
Casey Farm Saunderstown	Child or teen free w/ paying adult
Providence Children’s Museum Providence	Child free w/paying adult Adult SRP member admitted free
Green Animals Topiary Garden Portsmouth	Child or teen free w/paying adult
McDonald’s Restaurants of RI statewide	Child = free cone; teen = free frappe, adult = free coffee
Monster Mini-Golf Warwick	Buy one round, get one free
Museum of Natural History (not planetarium) Providence	Child or teen free w/paying adult
Newport Art Museum Newport	Child or teen free w/paying adult
Quonset Air Museum North Kingstown	Child or teen free w/paying adult
RISD Museum (open only in July) Providence	Child or teen free w/paying adult
South County Museum Narragansett	Child or teen free w/paying adult Adult SRP member admitted free
Trinity Repertory Company Providence	Adult SRP member can buy 1 discounted ticket for $15.00, 2011-12 season
Watson Farm Jamestown	Child or teen free w/paying adult
Museum of Work and Culture Woonsocket	Child or teen free w/paying adult Adult SRP member admitted for ½ price
Roger Williams Park Zoo Providence	Child with coupon gets $1 off general admission, accompanying adult gets $2 off.

2011 Summer Reading Program

One World, Many Stories

Start your adventure here.

This summer’s reading theme is “One World, Many Stories”, and it will explore different cultures and peoples from around the globe.  Expand your horizon through reading about different cultures, lands, and people from those who have either traveled or lived there, as well as enjoy music, dance, games, and stories of other cultures through our summer long series of performers here at the library. 

How the Summer Reading Program will be structured:

1) First, the children must create their reading contract…

Make a promise or contract for summer reading with your “reading coach” (parent, other adult or older sibling) and set your reading goal for the summer.  Be as creative as you like!  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Number of books I will read each week
• Number of pages I will read each week
• Minutes I will spend reading each week
• Number of books parent/other will read to me (for little ones)

2) Get Your Prizes…

Every week during the Summer Reading Program (starting Fri. 7/1), you can enter for a chance to win a prize!  Just visit the Children’s Room Desk and show us your progress in your reading log, and you can submit an entry into our weekly raffle.

3) Come to the Final Party!

• Wednesday, August 17^th at 11am
• The Great Baldini will perform magic and tricks from around the globe
• If you’ve completed your Reading Contract, you can receive your reading certificate and prize bag!

Scheduled Performers and Dates:

• July 6^th at 2pm: Diane Edgecomb, storyteller.  “Around the World Folktales”
• July 11^th at 11am:  Christopher Kavi. “Andiamo Tutti!” Celebrating Italy in Story and Song
• July 14^th at 11am: Greg Cooney, musician.  “One World, Many Stories, Songs and Smiles”
• July 20^th at 11am: Michelle Bach-Coulibaly.  “Stories from Mali (West Africa) Through Dance and   Music”
• July 25^th ay 2pm: Loreen Spears.  “Narragansett Stories of My Grandmothers”
• August 2^nd at 2pm:  Dave Marchetti.  “Animal Experiences from Around the World”
• August 9^th at 11am:  Ronald McDonald, “Ronald McDonald’s Reading Adventure Show!”
• August 17^th at 11am: Thomas Holmes, The Great Baldini.  “Magic Around the World 

 

Read to Feed.  

Q: Who is Heifer International? 

A: Heifer International is a global nonprofit with a proven solution to ending hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Heifer helps empower millions of families to lift them out of poverty and hunger to self-reliance through gifts of livestock, seeds and trees and extensive training, which provide a multiplying source of food and income.

We can help feed the world!  Here’s how it works:

Every time you visit the library to fill out your Reading Contract, you will be given a token to put into a jar of your choosing of a “living gift”, such as a “Hive of Bees”, “Flock of Geese”, or a “Flock of Chicks”.  Your votes will help us choose which living gift to donate to Heifer International, which will then send our “living gifts” to people who can then use these gifts to make a living.

www.heifer.org for more information

The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, McDonald's Local Owner/Operators of Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank and Pepsi. Local support includes RI Children's and Young Adult Librarians, and the Friends of the Middletown Public Library.

New in the Children's Room

The new arrangement of the children's room

Whew!  We have been busy the past couple of months updating and adding new features to the children's room for our patrons to enjoy.  Some of the changes include:

• A new slatwall display area for new books, with another full slatwell display in the works to be installed in the coming months.  

• Our DVD collection has grown by leaps and bounds with the addition of over 100 new DVD's that have been purchased and donated, and we have also started an educational DVD collection, with such titles as Bill Nye the Science Guy, Disney Science Imagineering, Eyewitness, and Baby First.  

• A Spanish Language/ Bilingual collection has also been started for those who already speak Spanish or who are looking to learn the language.
• The room has been rearranged to be a more open and accessible space for patrons to move through while searching for their favorite books.

Both of our Toddler Time and Playful Preschoolers story time sessions are in full swing, and registration for the next sessions will soon be open.  Story times are scheduled until the end of the school year (June 28th) with drop-in story times continuing through the summer months of July and August.

The new slatwall display for newly purchased children's books

The first week of July will also kick-off our summer reading program, "One World, Many Stories", which will run from July 1st through August 17th.  More information on this fun summer program will soon be posted!

One of our story time sessions in the children's room

Children's artwork on display

If you haven't already stopped in to see all the changes taking place, please visit!