The modern form of Halloween is thought to have developed from the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced “Sah-wen”). The Celts are an ancient civilization that live in what is now Ireland, Wales, Scotland and parts of England, but once was spread out over almost all of Europe, as far a field as modern-day Turkey.

Samhain was a New Year celebration; the Celts counted a day from sundown to sundown and celebrated the coming New Year on the eve of November 1. They would light bonfires as part of the celebration to help guide the spirits of all the people who died in the last 12 months to the otherworld. The Celts believed the spirits would be given access to the otherworld during Samhain and would leave food and drinks out for these wandering spirits. One way they acquired food and drinks was to go from house to house, dressed up, and perform in exchange for treats, and in imitation of the wandering spirits they would sometimes play pranks or tricks.

As the Celts converted to Christianity, many of the traditional Celtic folk holidays were combined with Christian celebrations. In the sixth century, November 1 became the Feast of All Saints, or All Hallows, and the day before was called Hallows Eve, which eventually became Halloween.

I found the information for this using KDL’s access to the Gale Virtual Reference Library, one of the many awesome online databases KDL offers. Just navigate to the KDL website, click “Reference Resources,” then “Research Databases” and chose a subject category to see some of the databases  KDL cardholders can access.

Do you like documentaries?  If so you will want to check out the Looking for a Great Documentary? list on our website. I like those that give insight into how people  in other countries live, or that teach me about different cultures.

The most recent documentary I watched was Last Train Home, which gave great insight into the lives of migrant workers in China and the effect that the rise in manufacturing has had on the traditional Chinese family living in the countryside. Every year migrant workers travel from the cities they work in back to their homes in the countryside to celebrate the Chinese New Year with their families. But sometimes getting home can be very difficult. Another documentary I enjoyed was Please Vote for Me, which focused on a third-grade class election at a school in central China.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15.  KDL has lots of great resources to learn more about Hispanic Americans and their culture.  Here are some great online resources you can use to find out more about Hispanic Heritage Month:

Hispanic Heritage resources web page by The Smithsonian

Hispanic Heritage resources web page by the Library of Congress

Hispanic Heritage Month 2012 Recommended Reading List compiled by the Florida Department of Education

Have your recently read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and are looking for similar books to read? Or do you need something to tide you over while you wait for your hold on Gone Girl? Then check out our newly created “If You Like Gone Girl” booklist!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was first published in 2008 and quickly became a popular book that has since been made into a popular movie.  The book earned mostly positive reviews from fellow authors and book critics to help propel its popularity, but some people disliked the book: some called the language offensive and others called it anti-family and insensitive.  Whatever the reason, the result was that the book became one of the most frequently challenged books of the 21st century. The American Library Association listed it in the top 5 Challenged Books for both 2010 and 2011.

I enjoyed reading The Hunger Games and am glad KDL provides access to frequently challenged books.

Do you like Sci-Fi and Fantasy? If so, check out the 2012 winners of the Hugo Awards.  Each year the Hugo Awards are determined by the World Science Fiction Society and presented at the World Science Fiction convention, hosted this year in Chicago. 

Stop by a KDL branch or go online and check out or request an Hugo Award-winning Sci-Fi & Fantasy book like Digger, Volume One by Ursula Vernon, the winner of the Best Graphic Story.

September 2, 1945, saw the formal surrender of Japan aboard the battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, marking the end of World War II.  World War II brought death and devastation to many countries throughout the world.  We are thankful for the sacrifices that were made by so many young men and women around the globe. 

To celebrate the end of World War II, why not check out one of our WWII recommendations and read a story based on a historical event.  These KDL recommendations contain both nonfiction, fiction and DVDs.

It’s the time of year again when the little ones are going back to school. Some are going for their first time and might be a bit nervous this week. Luckily, KDL has created this great booklist of picture books and beginning readers about heading to school.

There also are lots of amazing coping books you can choose from to read to your children that should help settle their first-week jitters, like the book Butterflies in My Stomach and Other School Hazards by Serge Bloch.

Travel back to a time of siege warfare, Viking raids, clashing kingdoms and scheming plots to gain the throne! If you have a love for all things medieval, you will enjoy many of the books on our new Medieval Fiction booklist. This booklist has a wide range of stories set in different locations and time periods, sure to thrill.

My personal favorite is Outlaw by Angus Donald; it is a fresh telling on the classic tale of Robin Hood but with a new twist to the morals and character of Robin Hood.