Our popular Book Club in a Bag program has a new little sibling – Board Books to Go! Parents, teachers, daycare and childcare providers will enjoy this new way to share books with children. Board Books to Go allows patrons to check out a bag full of board books — 20 copies to be exact. The bag can be checked out for three weeks and the books can be used to share a choral reading experience with young children. Currently, the Board Books to Go program is being piloted at the East Grand Rapids branch. Program funding has been provided by Great Start to Quality Kent Resource Center and the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library.

Five titles are currently available:

• Hop a Little, Jump a Little! by Annie Kubler
• Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman
• Silly Sally by Audrey Wood
• Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton

Stop in today to check out a Board Books to Go bag!

I love reading teen books. There are so many great authors writing in this genre. Enjoy this short list of my personal favorites from 2012.

In alphabetical order by author:

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson - A retelling of the classing Peter Pan story. Set in a faraway land on a forgotten island with remarkable characters and a compelling storyline.

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony – This story of a piano prodigy named Glory and her first love is told almost entirely through pictures. Supplemental material is available online.

The Diviners by Libba Bray – The first book in a mysterious new series introduces us to a cast of characters with special abilities. Set in the 1920s in New York City.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore – The end of a thrilling series that rivals The Hunger Games for action.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – TIME magazine named this one the best book of 2012. It is the story of two teens trying to find normalcy in their lives while struggling with illness.

Rotters by Daniel Kraus – The creepiest book I read this year! This one is about a gravedigger and his son and all the gross things they find buried underground.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers – Another first in a series but this one is about female assassins, which seems to be an exciting new trend in teen literature.

My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt – Angel tells the story of how she became forced into prostitution after having a great childhood. Fans of Ellen Hopkins will love this book.

The first in a planned trilogy, Grave Mercy introduces Ismae—a beautiful assassin called  to kill those who have been marqued by Death himself. She receives training in the arts of weaponry and poisons at a convent in Brittany before being sent out into the world on kill-missions. When the convent instructs her to kill, she is to obey; no questions asked. But Ismae finds herself at a crossroads when her intended target is not who the convent thinks he is.

Grave Mercy is an engrossing book with a very interesting setting and a super fast-paced plot. The characters are believeable and intense. Future installments will feature some of Ismae’s assassin friends more prominently. The next book is scheduled to be released in early 2013.

Click here to place a hold on Grave Mercy.

Check out the author’s website http://www.robinlafevers.com/ for historical information about the setting and characters as well as other book related topics.

I Spy with My Little Eye by Edward Gibbs gives a new spin to the very popular “I Spy” genre. With die-cut holes, children are invited to peek through each page and guess which animal is next. Gibbs’ illustrations are stirkingly bold.

The book is very interactive and will teach young children about animals and colors. Check out a copy today from your local KDL branch!

Michigan-native author Ruta Septeys‘ first book Between Shades of Gray is a heavy, emotional story about Lithuanians displaced from their homes during World War II and forced into slave labor.

The story follows 15-year-old Lina Vilkas, an artist, from the day soldiers break in to her house and force her, her brother and mother away without knowing the whereabouts of her father.

Short paragraphs describe their journey. The story is not a light read but it is a must-read. There are many books out there about WWII, prison camps and slave labor. But not many are told with such a voice. This book is a great choice for educators teaching about WWII but it also has great appeal for adults and book discussion groups.

Between Shades of Gray has already received starred reviews and a lot of positive press. KDL has responded to the demand and has ordered many copies including Express books that do not fulfill holds. Check our online catalog today to see where one is available or to place a hold.

If you use the Walker Branch, we are soliciting your opinions about our building. Please visit our Branch News page for info on the survey. Thank you!

The following list was put together to highlight new books that incorporate the 6 Early Literacy Skills your child needs to be ready to read.

All of the books were published in 2009 or 2010. Click the catalog links to see if your local branch has a copy or place a hold on the ones you want to see firsthand. These books would also make great presents for children in your life this Holiday!

Print Awareness Books:

Billy and Milly Short & Silly by Eve Feldman

I Want My Light On! by Tony Ross

Don’t Spill the Beans by Ian Schoenherr

Print Motivation Books:

Lulu the Big Little Chick by Paulette Bogan

If You’re a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

Can You Make a Scary Face by Jan Thomas

Phonological Awareness Books:

Tap Tap Bang Bang by Emma Garcia

Drum City by Thea Guidone

What’s Your Sound, Hound the Hound? by Mo Willems

Vocabulary Books:

A Plane Goes Ka-Zoom by Jonathan London

Who Said Coo? by Deborah Ruddell

Opposnakes by Salina Yoon

Letter Knowledge Books:

LMNO Peas by Keith Baker

Wow! Said the Owl by Tim Hopgood

A Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra

Narrative Skills Books:

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

The Friends of the Walker Library are looking for new volunteers. The group hosts book sales, manages book donations, and takes care of the book sale room called “Buy the Book” inside the library. The group raises funds to sponsor programs and events and purchase items for the library that promote early literacy and foster a love of reading.

Their next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 27 at 11 am and will be held at the Walker Library.

If you are interested in joining this group, please contact:

Branch Manager Chris Lohman
Phone: 647-3979
Email: clohman@kdl.org

The wildly popular teen book series by Suzanne Collins called The Hunger Games has come to a satisfying end with the release of the third book, Mockingjay. The award-winning first and second books in the series are 2008′s The Hunger Games and 2009′s Catching Fire.

The series has been hailed as one of the best ever science fiction series for teens. If you are looking for something to tide you over while you wait for Mockingjay, or if you need something similar now that the series is over, check out the following list of readalikes.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Gone by Michale Grant

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Friends of the Walker library are hosting their annual used book sale this Saturday, June 19 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM during Walker Festival.

In addition to popular fiction and non-fiction adult books there will be a wide selection of music, movies and children’s materials.

Proceeds from the sale help the Walker Branch library.