Easy reader surprise + book suggestions

Brookline Public Library branches are now offering an Easy Reader surprise bundle that you can check out from the libraries without putting the books on hold! Just go to any of the branches and tell them you'd like to borrow an "easy reader surprise". You'll get 10 randomly selected Easy Reader books! Click here to learn more. 

Book suggestions:

Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard

Cyrus Olson’s dad is a hero—Northfield’s former football star and now one of their finest firefighters. Everyone expects Cyrus to follow in his dad’s record-breaking footsteps, and he wishes they were right—except he’s never been brave like that. But this year, with the help of a stray dog, a few new friends, a little bit of rhythm, and a lot of nerve, he may just discover that actually…he is. Excellent realistic fiction. Themes of what it means to be brave, being yourself, and promoting true friendships are all a part of this middle grade story. 

There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi

Lots of things at the beach scare Sukie. Lots. Because she is just a small dog, and the stairs are big and sandy, and the waves are big and whooshy, and the balls are big and beachy. And besides, there might be lobsters. A beautiful picture book about worry and overcoming your fears. 

Collection of winter holiday titles: Follow the link to a collection of our winter holiday books. Students can request any of the titles by putting them on hold in the library catalog or by writing the title on their request form if they are in grades 1 and 2. 

Cranberry contest winners!

Cranberry Contest winners

Thanks to all who participated in the annual Cranberry Counting Contest! Here are those whose estimates were closest to the actual number without going over. There were 261 cranberries in this year's jar. 

K - 2: Sayaka  (2K) with a guess of 240

3 - 5: Marina (5B) with a guess of 259

6-8: Reid (8MH) with a guess of 256

Staff: Ms. Vitti , art teacher, with a guess of 253

Winners should stop by the library this week to pick up their prize: a gift card to Brookline Booksmith or The Children's Bookshop. 

Thanks to the PTO for sponsoring this year's prizes. Please support our local bookstores as you begin your holiday shopping! 

Coloring pages

Coloring pages on a library theme!  Get inspired to do some writing and coloring:  https://www.alastore.ala.org/sites/default/files/StayWellStayInspired.pdf

The annual cranberry counting contest!

 

Annual Cranberry Counting: 

Every year for the past 50+ years Lawrence teachers and students estimate how many cranberries are in a jar. This year we have a touchless way to see the jar, make your estimate, and enter to win a bookstore gift card if your estimate is the closest in your category. 

There are 4 categories:

K - 2 students

3-5 students

6 -8 students

Teachers

First: Watch this video 

Then: Make your estimate

Last: Open this google form and enter your name, class and estimate! 

Winners will be announced the week after Thanksgiving! Good luck estimating! 

Public library events and book suggestions

Author event!

Nathan Hale, author of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, is doing a virtual event at An Unlikely Story, an independent bookstore in Plainville, MA! Tuesday, November 24 at 7 pm. You don't need to buy a book to attend, but his new book is due out the same day. Here's the link to sign up.  

Book Suggestions

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake

Badger has a nice quiet life doing his Important Rock Work-- identifying and labeling his rock collection. One day there's a knock at the door and Skunk arrives announcing he's Badger's new roommate! Badger doesn't want a roommate and makes it difficult for Skunk at first. But he is gradually won over by Skunk's positive personality, delicious breakfasts and (believe it or not) a large flock of chickens that are drawn to Skunk. This would be a great family or class read aloud. Only 136 pages with great illustrations by Jon Klassen. (First in a new series) 

Pixie Pushes On by Tamara Bundy

This is an historical fiction book about a girl named Prudence whose nickname is "Pixie". When the story begins Pixie is mourning the death of her mother and is missing her sister who has polio and has been sent to a special hospital a good distance away from her grandparents' farm. She has to find a way to keep going despite her sadness. One way that she begins to heal is by caring for a baby lamb that she names Buster. A school story and a family story with plenty of humor, Pixie's life story will keep you turning the pages. 

Brookline Library-- new page for teachers

Here's one page that answers all your library questions, teachers! How to get a library card, or cards for your class, setting up a virtual class visit from a public librarian, and current programs like the 100 Books Before High School program are all explained here. 

Book Reviews

Did you vote (for your favorite book) yet? 

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is continuing to collect votes through November 9 (next Monday). So check out the list of books and cast your ballot! Winners will be announced on November 12! 

Book suggestions

Spy School Revolution by Stuart Gibbs

The latest in the Spy School series was released in October. In it, Ben our main character, is at the CIA with his parents to finally reveal to them that he is a spy. As the revelation is made an explosion interrupts their meeting and it appears that Ben's friend Erica is responsible! This leads Ben on a mission to find Erica and solve secret messages going back to the time of George Washington. Set in Washington, DC the locations include the Library of Congress, George Washington's home, Mount Vernon and more that you will recognize. Action packed and full of cliff hangers, this book is hard to put down! 

Three Keys by Kelly Yang 

This is the sequel to Front Desk. Listen to the author speak about the book!