Novel Ideas: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!This week's found novel is:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
New Lenox Library Call Number: J RIO


Lots of kids are getting excited about the Percy Jackson movie that's coming out this month. If you haven't read the series, it's an excellent time to start!

The first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, sets up the story for us. Percy is just a typical kid, but he's got some pretty un-typical problems. Like, his dad is Poseidon. The Poseidon. Which means Percy is a hero, a half-human, half-god hybrid. After a ... situation develops at Percy's school, he is whisked away to Camp Half-blood to learn how to use his power. But being a half-blood isn't all swords and shields and cool tricks. Percy has to deal with angry gods, crazy situations, and the typical teen drama.
This is a great series for anyone who is interested in Greek mythology, likes adventure or loved the Harry Potter series.

This Week @ NLPL

Here's what's happening this week at New Lenox Public Library!

Monday:
Wiggle Worms @ 10:30 a.m. for babies (pre-walkers)
Movers & Shakers @ 11:15 a.m. for babies (walkers)
Treasure Hunters @ 1 p.m. for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years
Family Bingo @ 4:30 p.m. for all ages

Tuesday:
Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years
Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:
Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages
WordPlay @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 3-8 (registration required)
Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)

Thursday:
Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years
Book Adventures @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 1-8 (registration required)

To register for programs, stop by the library or call 815.485.2605.

Novel Ideas: The Graveyard Book

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!

This week's found novel is:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

New Lenox Library Call Number: J GAI

Nobody (Bod for short) is not like a lot of other kids. For one thing, he is the sole survivor of a murder plot that took his parents. But Bod's new caregivers aren't the typical foster parents - they're ghosts.

Bod ended up toddling into a graveyard on the night of his parents' murder. Only 18 months old, the inhabitants of the graveyard took pity on the child and decided to raise him as one of their own. Bod gets food, shelter, clothing and all the useful information his new "family" can give him. He lives a happy life, until his parents' murder shows up again...

This book is a great twist on the traditional orphan story, with spooky, funny and mysterious elements. Sometimes the story is a bit dark - it does start with Bod's family being murdered - but there are uplifting moments as well. It's fun to see what all the different ghosts have to say about Bod's education. This is a great read for anyone who liked Neil Gaiman's Coraline, or who are looking for something a bit different to read.

MLK Monday

Across the country, people are celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. today. Here's a look at some books to grab if you want to know more about this insightful leader's life:

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World by Christine King Farris and London Ladd
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J 323.092 FAR

As Good As Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March Toward Freedom by Richard Michelson
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J 323.092 MIC

Martin Luther King Jr. Day by Trudi Strain Trueit
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: E 394.261 TRU

Martin Luther King Jr.: Preacher, Freedom Fighter, Peacemaker by Pamela Hill Nettleton
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: E B KIN

Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader and Nobel Prize Winner by Andrew Santella
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J B KIN

I Have a Dream: The Story Behind Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Most Famous Speech by Kerry A. Graves
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J 323 GRA

Newbery/Caldecott Winners Announced

The award-winning books for 2010 are:

Newbery Award:
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J STE

Newbery Honor Books:
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J KEL
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J LIN
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: J PHI
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
Available through Inter-Library Loan

Caldecott Award:
The Lion & the Mouse illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: E PIN

Caldecott Honor Books:
All the World illustrated by Marla Frazee and written by Liz Garton Scanlon
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: E 811.6 SCA
Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski and written by Joyce Sidman
New Lenox Public Library Call Number: E SID

For a list of more award winners, or for more information about the Caldecott and Newbery Awards, visit the American Library Association's Web site at www.ala.org.

This Week @ NLPL

Here's what's happening this week at New Lenox Public Library!

Monday:
Wiggle Worms @ 10:30 a.m. for babies (pre-walkers)
Movers & Shakers @ 11:15 a.m. for babies (walkers)
Treasure Hunters @ 1 p.m. for ages 3 1/2 to 5 years
Art Club @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 1-8 (registration required)

Tuesday:
Itsy Bitsy Toddler @ 10:30 a.m. for toddlers between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 years
Pajamapalooza @ 6:30 p.m. for ages 6 & up (registration required)

Wednesday:
Simply Silly Storytime @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages
WordPlay @ 4:30 p.m. for grades 3-8 (registration required)
Happy Books, Happy Cooks @ 7:00 p.m. for ages 3 and up (registration required)

Thursday:
Tales & Tunes @ 10:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. for ages 2 to 3 1/2 years

Saturday:
Crazy Carnival Games @ 10:30 a.m. for all ages (registration is required)

To register for programs, stop by the library or call 815.485.2605.

Monday Means ... Novel Ideas!

It's Monday, and that means ... Novel Ideas! Every Monday, we take a look at a juvenile fiction/chapter book. They won't always be brand-new books - sometimes we'll take a look at old favorites. Looking for a good read? Check out our Novel Ideas posts. Have a suggestion for a great book to review? Let us know!

This week's found novel is:
Wild Things by Clay Carmichael
New Lenox Library Call Number: J CAR

Eleven-year-old Zoe doesn't get attached to grownups. In her life, they have just been temporary blips on her radar. When her mentally ill mother dies, Zoe is sent to live with her only remaining relative, her reclusive uncle Henry. Henry was once a world-class doctor, but traded medicine for art. Henry is a loner like Zoe, and the two of them have a hard time adjusting to life together.
While staying with Uncle Henry, Zoe meets - and begins to care for - a strange cast of characters, including a wild cat and a boy who seemingly lives in the woods. Zoe's beliefs about loyalty and family are turned upside down, and soon she has to decide what matters most.