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Tween Reads and Upcoming Programs December 2018
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| The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie AndersonWhat it's about: At age 12, Marinka is already training to take over her grandmother's role as a Yaga, a guardian who guides the dead through the gates to the afterlife. But Marinka longs for more: a permanent home (not just a traveling, chicken-legged house) and a real, living friend.
Try this next: For another creepy yet touching spin on Russian folk tales, try Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola.
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| Small Spaces by Katherine ArdenIntroducing: Ollie, a bookish sixth-grader who realizes that the scary antique book she's been reading is actually local history -- and that her entire class might be in danger unless Ollie and her new friends can save them.
Featuring: scarecrows, shapeshifters, a smiling specter, and a frightening journey through a fog-shrouded forest.
Series alert: Set during autumn in Vermont, this spooky chiller is the 1st in a seasonal 4-book series. |
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| Charlie Hernández and the League of Shadows by Ryan CalejoWhat it's about: First, Charlie Hernández's house burns down and his parents vanish. Then he grows feathers and horns (awkward!). Now, the legends he learned from his beloved abuela -- La Llorona, El Sombrerón, Justo Juez -- are coming to life.
Read it for: exciting action, a likable hero, and a winning blend of Hispanic and Latin American myths. You might also like: J.C. Cervantes' The Storm Runner, which offers a modern take on Maya mythology. |
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| Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda CruzWelcome to: Manila North Cemetery, home to 12-year-old Nora and her mom.
What happens: After losing her father and dropping out of school to work, Nora's no stranger to tough times. But when her mom disappears, Nora faces her toughest challenge yet: trusting in help from her neighbors.
Did you know? The cemetery shantytown in this heartbreaking but hopeful story is a real place in the Philippines. |
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| You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex GinoFeaturing: Jilly, who's 12 years old, white, and obsessed with fantasy books; her friend and fellow fan Derek, who's black and Deaf; and her baby sister Emma, who's hearing impaired.
What happens: While trying to stick up for the people share cares about, confident Jilly begins to realize how much she doesn't know.
Why you might like it: Similar to the way in which George (author Alex Gino's first book) encourages you to be yourself, Jilly's story will inspire you to learn more about others. |
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| It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison LevyWhat it's about: Who vandalized Theo's photos in the school gallery? All five suspects claim innocence, so their teacher puts them -- and Theo -- in a "justice circle" where they can get to know each other...and eventually uncover the truth.
For fans of: author Dana Alison Levy's Family Fletcher series (Jax Fletcher is one of the suspects), as well as other realistic reads that break down middle-school stereotypes. |
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| Bluecrowne: A Greenglass House Story by Kate MilfordWhat it's about: After spending her childhood at sea, captain's daughter Lucy Bluecrowne dreads the boredom of living ashore. But she's not bored for long: shortly after they move to Nagspeake, her pyrotechnically talented half-brother Liao is kidnapped by a mysterious time traveler.
Series alert: Though it stands alone as a thrilling mashup of history, fantasy, and science fiction, this prequel to The Left-Handed Fate also includes clever connections to the author's Greenglass House and Boneshaker series. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 10-13! |
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Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Event Location
Messenger Library Board and Staff invite everyone to join us for holiday entertainment, activities and fun! Santa will read a story at 2 pm and then visit with families. Santa tickets will be distributed starting at 1:30 pm. Celebrate with live music, Gingerbread Contest, Treasure Hunt in the Stacks, Used Book Sale, the History Singers of Forest Park, and more. Lots of fun for all ages!If you'd like a reminder email or text, please register.
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Gingerbread House Contest
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Conference Room
Show off your sweet-making skills in our Gingerbread House Contest! Fill out an entry form and bring your creation and completed entry form to the Adult Services Help Desk anytime between November 29th and December 1st. Then, invite your friends and family to join us at the Annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 2nd, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Entries will be accepted in three categories:Traditional (the house is made of traditional gingerbread and everything on the house is edible)Non-traditional (includes "gingerbread style" houses that may include or be entirely of non-edible materials)Families and children (gingerbread houses made by families with children under age 12, or children under age 12)Entries will be on display in the Conference Room on December 2nd during the Open House. Winners will be chosen at 4pm by our judges, and the three winners will have their gingerbread houses displayed in the library through December 17th. All other houses must be picked up during library hours by December 3rd. For and entry blank or more information, contact the Adult services Help Desk or check our website.
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Library Book Sale
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Meeting Room 1
Don't miss our Holiday Open House book sale! This year's sale includes gently used, like new, and older hardcover/paperback fiction and non-fiction books. Plus a selection of DVDs/BluRays, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, children and teen books, holiday and coffee-table books, and more! Prices range from 50 cents to $1.
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The Wizard of Oz: Page to Stage
Saturday, December 8, 2:00 pm
Main Meeting Room
Grades K-5. Children will get the opportunity to see characters jump from the page and words come to life from the classic novel, The Wizard of Oz during the Paramount School of the Arts "Page to Stage" event at Messenger Public Library. Not only will children read part of the novel, they will learn about how the Paramount Theatre makes those words larger than life on our stage. All in attendance will get a chance to make a puppet inspired by the production, learn a song, and perform for their families. This program allows children to see the possibilities when art and literature collide. Please register each child attending.
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Books & Bites
Tuesday, December 11, 4:00 pm
Tinker Youth Program Room
Grades 3-5. Enjoy Bluestem books, activities and sweet treats! Registration required.This month, we'll read Ada's Violin: the Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood and create our own recycled musical instruments.
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Teen DIY: Magnetic Chalkboard
Wednesday, December 12, 6:30 pm
Tinker Youth Program Room
Grades 6-12. Create and personalize a magnetic chalkboard perfect for your locker. Use chalkboard paint to turn picture frame glass into a write-able surface and decorate the frames as you wish! Registration required.
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Lego Club
Thursday, December 13, 6:30 pm
Main Meeting Room
All ages. Drop-in for Lego building fun at Messenger! Register for a reminder email or text.
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Caudill Book Club
Monday, December 17, 6:30 pm
Tinker Youth Program Room
Gr. 4-8. Join us for snacks, conversation and activities about the Caudill Award nominees. The first 5 to register at the Youth Services Desk will receive a free copy of the book. Registration required.This month we're reading The Inquisitor's Tale, or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz.
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Saturday Afternoon Cartoons
Saturday, December 29, 2:00 pm
Main Meeting Room
Grades 3-8. Travel back to the good ol' days of Saturday morning cartoons by settling in with a bowl of cereal and watching some cartoons. Register if you want a reminder email or text. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a caregiver while in the library. December 22: Adventure Time January 26: Gravity Falls February 23: Kim Possible
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