Friday, September 28, 2012

Calling All Westwood Kids! Time to Pick Up Your Library Cards!




Hey Westwood Kids, the Westwood Public Library Children's Department is getting ready for our big move over to the New building. We have always let children keep their cards in the very special drawer at the children's desk. In the New Library there will be only one place to check out books (instead of either Children's and Adults) and there will also be Self-Check out stations, so everyone will want to have their library card on them! 



Come on down and pick up your card! While you're here you can sign our Goodbye wall by telling us your favorite memory of this library.




Thanks and see you at the library!

Friday, September 21, 2012

New New New!!!

Check out these New additions to your favorite series and sequels!!
 Just In:
Babymouse for President 
by Jennifer L. Holm and Mathew Holm

When Babymouse decides to become president of the student council, she learns that there is more to running for office than being famous and in charge. In this, her 16th book, Babymouse is running for student council president. But so is Felicia Furrypaws! And ... her locker???

The Unwanteds: Island of Silence 
by Lisa McMann
As the Wanteds, Unwanteds, and Necessaries struggle to adjust to changes in their society, Mr. Today begins training fourteen-year-old Alex to replace him as Artime's leader one day while Alex's disgraced twin, Aaron, connives to take over Quill.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales  
by Nathan Hale



One Dead Spy: Nathan Hale, the author’s historical namesake, was America’s first spy, a Revolutionary War hero who famously said “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” before being hanged by the British. This new graphic novel tackles the story of Hale himself, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. Author Hale highlights the unusual, gruesome, and just plain unbelievable truth of historical Nathan Hale—from his early unlucky days at Yale to his later unlucky days as an officer—and America during the Revolutionary War.

Big Bad Ironclad! This new graphic novel covers the history of the amazing ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War. From the ship’s inventor, who had a history of blowing things up and only 100 days to complete his project, to the mischievous William Cushing, who pranked his way through the whole war, this book is filled with surprisingly true facts and funny, brave character. 

CHEESIE MACK is cool in a Duel  
by Steve Cotler

 
Cheesie and Georgie are back, and this time they're off to the greatest summer camp in Maine. As the oldest of the Little Guy campers, they'll get to make the campfires and choose the sports teams. It's sure to be their best summer yet!

Then disaster strikes. Cheesie and Georgie are put in a cabin with the Big Guy campers, including Cheesie's archenemy, Kevin Welch. Now the youngest—and smallest—of the Big Guys, Cheesie has no choice but to use his brains to fight Kevin's brawn—he challenges the bully to a Cool Duel. The adventure that follows includes a toilet on a wall, a headless skateboarder, a garter snake mustache, andthe scariest ghost story ever told.Will Cheesie survive to start middle school?

The Loser List: Revenge of the Loser 
by H.N. Kowitt
Danny Shine is off THE LOSER LIST -- and out for REVENGE.

Danny Shine might have gotten his name off the Loser List in the girls' bathroom, but he's still got problems -- like the new kid, Ty Randall. Ty seems perfect: handsome, serious, committed to worthy causes -- everything Danny's not. Will out-of-control jealousy wreck Danny's life, or can he undo the damage before it's too late?

All the highs and lows of middle school are brought hilariously to life in this notebook-style novel, full of drawings, charts, and Danny's unique take on 7th grade.

These are sure to fly off the shelves to come into the library or put your name in for reserve for these latest and greatest finds. Check out these and many more sequels and series coming out in October! 



Friday, August 10, 2012

CALLING ALL TRIBUTES!

Series of Fortunate SERIES Library Events Presents...
The Hunger Games Library Event



How well do you think you know The Hunger Games Series?
Find Out! 

Come to the Islington Branch library for a night of celebrating all things Hunger Games.See if you have what it takes to survive book discussion, trivia, prizes and more!

 Wednesday August 15th, 2012 7-7:45PM @ Islington Branch


For: Older Readers of the Series. (You must have read all three books in the series. Warning: there will be Spoilers). Sign up Recommended. 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Harry Potter + Library = Awesome

A Series of Fortunate SERIES Library Events Presents...
The Harry Potter Series Event!
How well do you know the Harry Potter Series?
Find Out! 

Come to Islington branch library for a fun filled evening full of book discussion, trivia, prizes and more!

Wednesday August 8th 7:00- 7:45 PM 
@ Islington Branch Library AKA Hogwarts  School for Witchcraft and Wizardry

For All Readers of the Series.
                                  Sign up Recommended. 781-320-1042

Monday, July 30, 2012

Tales AND Tunes @ Your Library

Come on down to the Islington Branch for an afternoon filled with comedy, magic, and of course stories! This week's Tales and Tunes program brings you Magician Debbie O'Carroll! 
Debbie O'Carroll is looking for a bedtime book. Will she choose an adventure, a fairy tale, a mystery, a history or a biography? Debbie delights ages 4 to 12 with stage magic, physical comedy, creative audience involvement and an innovative and imaginative script. 
Come on down and join us!  
Tuesday July 31st 4-4:45pm @ Islington Branch Library 

Friday, July 13, 2012

My Weird School Library Series Event!

A Series of Fortunate Library Events Presents.... 
My Weird School Library Series Event!

Think you know everything about the zany and crazy
 Dan Gutman's My Weird School Series?
Find out @ the Islington branch library porch for a WEIRD afternoon of book discussion, Jeopardy game, trivia, music, prizes and more!  See you there!
 Join us Wednesday July 18 @ 4:00- 4:45PM 
For all Readers of the My Weird School Series.
Sign up Recommended. 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for other Series events:
July 25: A to Z Mysteries
Aug 1: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Aug 8: Harry Potter
Aug 15: The Hunger Games



Thursday, June 14, 2012

Join Summer Reading 2012!


Dream Big and READ this summer at the Westwood Public Library! Join the Summer Reading program and you will be eligible for many cool prizes. Starting June 18th, Sign up online or come into the library (main or Islington branch). For every 10 hours you read, you will receive a prize!
Just for signing up your name will get put into the Bruins raffle and you will be eligible to win a signed Brad Marchand puck, team signed jersey, or a chance to meet the Bruins!

Also if you are in the 4th, 5th. and 6th grade, check out the
 Read it/Write it Book review challenge blog to win a chance to be invited a VERY special pizza party in the NEW libray once it opens. 
There are many many cool activities going on at the library this summer, be sure to check out the library events calendar (all events will be held at the Islington Branch).


Dream Big READ is sponsored by Westwood Public Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Westwood Reader Winner in Bruins Summer Reading Contest

Fiona McNamara, 11, receives a signed Tyler Seguin jersey.

fiona

It was a lucky weekend for one Westwood girl.

Fiona McNamara, 11, visited the Westwood Public Library on Saturday to receive a signed Boston Bruins jersey she won through the library's Summer Reading Program. 

The jersey was signed by the Bruins' Tyler Seguin, and was granted to McNamara Saturday morning. 

"I was surprised," McNamara said. "I never win anything!”

Credit Matt Perkins

http://westwood.patch.com/articles/westwood-reader-wins-signed-bruins-jersey#photo-9420591

Saturday, March 10, 2012

New 39 Clues Series!

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Series

Are you ready to save the world? The bestselling series returns with an adventure spanning 6 explosive books, 2 secret-filled card packs, and a website that places readers right in the action. Thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, thought they belonged to the world's most powerful family. They thought the hunt for 39 Clues leading to the source of that power was over. They even thought they'd won. But Amy and Dan were wrong. One by one, distress calls start coming in from around the globe. Cahills are being kidnapped by a shadowy group known only as the Vespers. Now Amy and Dan have only days to fulfill a bizarre ransom request or their captured friends will start dying. Amy and Dan don't know what the Vespers want or how to stop them. Only one thing is clear. The Vespers are playing to win, and if they get their hands on the Clues . . . the world will be their next hostage.

The Monstrous Book of Monsters

Check out this new pop-up book by Libby Hamilton.

monstrous

Do you dare to delve into the freakishly funny Monstrous Book of Monsters, where nothing is as it seems? Written by Dr. Thomas Jelly and packed with nauseating novelties and foul facts, this book will teach you how to avoid monsters, show you how to spot them in the news or on the street, and give you a peek inside their dangerous (and smelly) world. At the end, we learn that Dr. Jelly has fallen foul of the infamous book monster, and the readers themselves will be lucky to escape the same fate!

New Series: Myth-O-Mania

If you love reading books based on myths (think Percy Jackson), try Kate McMullan’s new series Myth-O-Mania.

What a myth-o-maniac (that's old Greek-speak for "liar")! Zeus's version of the myths is completely wrong. It's time to set the record straight. For the first time ever, Hades, King of the Underworld, reveals the true story behind the myths. “How do I know the truth?  Well, I was there for most of it.  And you can always trust me, Hades, King of the Underworld, to tell you what really happened.”

Nice Shot, Cupid!

The love story of Cupid and Psyche is a popular myth.  Too bad it’s all wrong!  For one thing, Cupid wasn’t a handsome Greek deity.  The truth is, when Cupid first met Psyche, he was an awkward teen god, complete with braces and pimples.  And he was a total momma’s boy!  Don’t even get me started on his mother, Aphrodite. 

Go for the Gold, Atalanta!

Maybe you’ve heard the story of Atalanta.  How she lost a race because she couldn’t resist some silly golden apples?  Not true!  She could have won that race blindfolded –no matter what Melanion threw in her path.  No man could outsmart a Daughter of Artemis!  As usual, Zeus has this story so turned around that the truth is all but invisible.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Behind the Book : Giles Laroche

 

giles

Giles Laroche, illustrator of If you Lived Here, What Do Wheels Do All Day, Bridges Are to Cross, and many more, will present his beautiful orginal artwork.  Learn about his fascinating "paper relief" process that involves drawing, cutting, painting, and gluing. Come with questions and see some amazing art up close.  Find out what it's like to be an illustrator!

if-you-lived-here 

Tuesday, March 13th, 4:00PM @ The Westwood Public Library

Registration is required.  Call 781-320-1042 or come in to the library. 

Funded through a grant made possible by the Westwood Young Women’s Club.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

ART, ART, and More ART! Westwood’s Young Artists in Action…

March is Youth Art Month!  Come by and see how the original artwork by students of the Westwood Public Elementary Schools brightens up the library.

Check out the view!

DSC01392DSC01391

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Tumbling Books: E-books for E-kids

E-Books are tumbling right towards you with the NEW Tumble Book Library.

tumblebooksTumbleLibrary-300x239

This great resource allows you to access tons of books that have read along features and some animated books (books that are made into a movie of sorts). There are also loads of quizzes and you can make your own account with favorite books bookmarked to it. 

Check it in the library or at home, just go to Westwoodlibrary.org and under Library Resources click Electronic Resources, there you will find Tumble Book Library.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Love (and all that mushy stuff) at the Library


Westwood Public Library is celebrating Valentine's Day with some love-infested displays of books and movies. Check out the display for a variety of stories having to do with... you guessed it: Love (or at least LIKE).

First crushes, first kisses, first love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the new books Boy Project (Notes and Observations of Kara McAllister) by Kami Kinard and Fake Me a Match by Lauren Barnholdt for all the girl-meets-boy drama you could ask for.


We also have some other favorites like Ella Enchanted, Kissing Brendan Callahan, Romeo and Juliet-Together (and alive?) at Last, Cloudy with a Chance of Boys, and many more!
Movies with love drama:
Princess Diaries, High School Musical, Gnomio and Juliet, Camp Rock 2, and The Corpse Bride (trust us on this one).
Enjoy!
<3 Children's Department Librarians

Monday, February 6, 2012

Happy 200th Birthday Charles Dickens!

Celebrate the treasured author Charles Dickens's 200th birthday by learning a little more about him. Check out these biographies that explore the life of Dickens and tell of the inspiration for his wonderful stories:
Charles Dickens and the Street Children of London by Andrea Warren
A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson

and, of course, Dickens is always in season, so if you want to see what the fuss is about and why he is hailed as a great author, check out

 A Christmas Carol from the Children's Department.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

2012 Odyssey Award Announced!

This annual award is given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.

rotters

Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., producer of Rotters, written by Daniel Kraus and narrated by Kirby Heyborne.

 

Heyborne’s versatile character voicing animates this strange tale of Joey, a 16-year-old whose mother has died.  His struggle begins as he is dropped into the isolated world of his father, a grave robber.  The exquisite timing pulls us through the chilling story of the destruction and rebuilding of Joey’s personality.

2012 Honor Audiobooks

ghettoGhetto Cowboy, written by G. Neri, narrated by JD Jackson and produced by Brilliance Audio.

Twelve-year-old Cole grows from near-delinquent to responsible teen and passionate horseman as he helps his father and the cowboys save their endangered stables in inner-city Philadelphia.  Neri’s captivating tale, inspired by real-life black urban cowboys, resonates in Jackson’s rich baritone performance.

 

okayaudioOkay for Now, written by Gary D. Schmidt, narrated by Lincoln Hoppe and produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc.

 

 

Doug’s miserable life includes a new town and a dysfunctional family until the works of Audubon help him see that his life might just be “okay.”  Narrator Hoppe wears this audiobook like Doug’s beloved baseball jacket and his empathetic performance echoes long after the last word.

scorpioThe Scorpio Races, written by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Steve Westand Fiona Hardingham and produced by Scholastic Inc., Scholastic Audiobooks.

The stakes are high for Sean and Puck in their islands’ annual race of savage water horses.  Narrators West and Hardingham’s lyrical narration evokes the atmosphere of a rugged island culture forever bound to fearsome mythical creatures.

young fredleYoung Fredle, written by Cynthia Voigt, narrated by Wendy Carter and produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Random House Audio Publishing Group, Random House, Inc.

Carter captures all the curiosity, fear and delight of young Fredle, as listeners follow the mouse’s adventures both inside and outside the house.  Voigt’s gentle and heartwarming story features cats, dogs, raccoons and owls, all brought to fine characterization through Carter’s spectacular performance.