Calling all Harry Potter fans!

Neff, Henry H. (2007). The Hound of Rowan. (The Tapestry, bk. 1), 414 pages. Grades 5 -7.


When twelve year old Max stumbles upon a mysterious room at the Art Institute of Chicago, he finds a Celtic tapestry and has a confusing vision. Suddenly, he is the focus of a group of people at Rowan Academy, a secret school for people with magical capabilities. Max chooses to attend this school as an Apprentice (first year) where he learns how to use his magical skills and super-human powers. In addition, he learns that evil continues to lurk around the world and that children like him are being kidnapped by the enemy. After Max is captured by the enemy, he is brought to a crypt in Ireland where the other children are being kept. It is up to him to rescue these children and escape back to Rowan. The second book, The Second Siege, is due out in September.

September Music Programs

Sing-along with Ed Morgan: for ages 2 and up!
Thursday, September 4 at 3 pm.
Drop-in for a fun-filled 45 minute sing-along session.

Music, Movement, and Me: for infants-age 4.
Tuesday, September 9; 9:30-10:15 am
Friday, September 26; 10-10:45 am
Join Sara Epstein in this interactive class for adults and their children. Participants will sing, dance, and play instruments together, as well as learn the basics of pitch and rhythm while exploring a range of musical styles. Registration begins one week prior to each session and is limited to 20 children. Adults must stay with their child.

Ready, Set,...Sing and Move with Cici Hunt: for ages 3-5.
Thursday, September 11; 11-12 pm
Thursday, September 18; 11-12 pm
Join Cici Hunt in this fun-filled music and movement class for children and their caretakers. Registration begins one week prior to each session and is limited to 20 children. Adults must stay with their child.

All music programs will be held in the Story time room in the Children's Library.
For more information, please call the Children's desk at (781) 455-7559 ext. 204.

Folklore from China

Poole, Amy Lowry. How the Rooster Got His Crown. Grades K-3.

In this Miao tale, there are six suns in the sky, which threaten the farmers' crops. The emperor calls together his wise men to come up with a solution, but no one can solve the problem completely, until the rooster comes along.

Other folktales you may enjoy:

Demi. The Empty Pot.
Louie, Ai-Ling. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China.
Yep, Laurence. The Man Who Tricked a Ghost.

A Ghost Story

Hahn, Mary Downing (2008). All the Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story. 182 pages. Grades 4-7.


Travis and his sister, Corey, like to make trouble. This summer they are staying at their grandmother's Vermont inn, because they were kicked out of camp. When they arrive at their grandmother's home, they learn about the spooky history of the inn. Their grandmother doesn't believe in the supernatural, but Travis and Corey think that it would be fun to find ghosts. They make the guests believe that the ghosts are back by doing a little haunting of their own and the inn is suddenly swamped by "ghost hunters." Soon Travis and Corey realize that their mischief has awakened the inn's real ghosts. Many spirits fill the inn, including one dark and menacing ghost of a former tenant. Travis and Corey learn about the horrors that took place within the inn and on its grounds. Now they must help the ghosts find peace or else they will never leave the inn.

Everyone must do their part, no matter how small!

Okimoto, Jean Davies (2007). Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming. Grades 1-3.


Winston, the polar bear, has noticed that the ice is melting, which means that every year there is less time to hunt for food. What can the polar bears to solve this serious problem? Winston comes up with a plan that will make the tourists aware of this issue. By staging a protest with signs that say "Make less garbage, recycle" and "Save trees" or "Solar Power", the polar bears make it clear that everyone has a part to play in the battle against global warming. This is a great book to introduce children to the real dangers of global warming.

Other books about global warming:

• Cherry, Lynne. How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate. Grades 4-8.
• David, Laurie. The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. Grades 4-6.
• Rockwell, Anne. Why are the Ice Caps Melting? Grades 2-4.

A Chilling Ghost Story

Avi (2008). The Seer of Shadows. 202 pages. Grades 4-6.

It is 1872 in New York City and Horace Carpetine has learned that he can see shadows or ghosts. He is an apprentice to Enoch Middleditch, a photographer, who takes advantage of a wealthy family through a hoax. When Mrs. Von Macht contacts Mr. Middleditch, she informs him that her daughter has passed on, but she can still feel her presence. Mr. Middleditch decides to take Mrs. Von Macht's photographs and add in an image of her departed daughter, Eleanora. But, when Horace begins taking his own pictures in the Von Macht house, he is surprised to find a real image of the dead daughter. He learns the secret behind Eleanora's death from Pegg, the Von Macht's servant, and the two join to help Eleanora's spirit rest once and for all.

A story of friendship and strength

Day, Karen (2007). Tall Tales. 299 pages. Grades 5-7.

Sixth-grader Meg has moved again and is going to start another new school, this time in Indiana. She is worried about making friends and when anyone asks about her or her family, Meg makes up tall tales. She makes up stories, because she has a secret that no one can ever find out. But, when Meg meets Grace she realizes that Grace is a true friend and she slowly begins to trust her and her family.

A ballerina's journey

Siegel, Siena Cherson (2006). To Dance: A Memoir. Grades 4-7.

Siena's love of ballet took her from Puerto Rico to Boston to New York where she performed with the New York City Ballet. In this autobiographical graphic novel, Siena recalls her experiences as a ballerina, as well as her troubles at home.

Music Programs in August

Sing-along with Ed Morgan: for ages 2 and up!
Thursday, August 7 at 3 pm
Drop-in for a fun-filled 45 minute sing-along session in the
community room.

Music, Movement, and Me: for infants-age 4.
Thursday, August 7 at 9:30 am
Tuesday, August 26 at 11:30 am
Join Sara Epstein in this interactive class for adults and their
children. Participants will sing, dance, and play instruments
together, as well as learn the basics of pitch and rhythm while
exploring a range of musical styles.
Registration begins one week prior to each session.

Ready, Set,... Sing and Move with Cici Hunt: for ages 3-6.
Friday, August 8 at 10 am
Friday, August 22 at 10 am
Join Cici Hunt in this fun-filled music and movement class for
children and their caretakers.
Registration begins one week prior to each session.

For more information, please call the Children's desk at (781) 455-7559 ext. 204.