What if four keys held the meaning of life? That’s what a soon to be 13 year-old is trying to find in the book Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass. Wendy Mass’s one-of-a-kind characters, realistic settings, and unique situations, keep readers hooked through all of the many twists and turns.
Through reading this book, I had the privilege of experiencing all of those qualities. Let me tell you- it did not disappoint! It starts off great. A young teenage boy, Jeremy, is sent a box from his deceased father. Supposedly, it holds the meaning of life. How can something so small hold something so big?
Seems simple, right? Wrong. What seemed to be something way too easy to do suddenly gets complicated- the four keys required to open the box are missing! Before he can think twice, Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzy, set out on a quest to find these keys that appear to be literally impossible to find. But, this duo has everything it takes- passion and determination. Well, at least they think that’s all they need…
For a thought-provoking read, engulf yourself in Jeremy and Lizzy’s adventure in Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass!
Submitted by Guest Reviewer A. Jenkins
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Downloadable Technology
Have you tried our new downloadable audiobook service? You haven't? Well, read on...
I have never been a huge audiobook listener. Even though I enjoy listening to books in the car, my commute is either distracted by kids or spent planning my day. Yet, I was intrigued to try LCPL's newest collection. Now my kids and I are hooked! Forget listening to the stories in the car though, we've relocated to the kitchen where, oddly enough, we're less distracted.
Recently, my kids and I have enjoyed Goldilicious, Fancy Nancy, My Weird School and Sloppy Joe. My son and husband are even enjoying the Star Wars Radio Drama with me. And I love the family time we spend together. Now the kids are asking for stories while eating breakfast before school. I love it!
There are lots of adult selections to choose from as well. When time allows I have been listening to the Alchemyst by Michael Scott. I have read all the books but now it's interesting to listen to them. I have picked out parts of the story that I missed while reading; partly because I was reading so intently in order to find out what happened that I actually read too quickly!
I encourage you to direct your mouse over to http://overdrive.lcplin.org/ to browse through the hundreds of audiobooks available. All you need is your LCPL library card number and pin number. That handy little card brings millions of free things to your fingertips! So don't ever lose it!
I have never been a huge audiobook listener. Even though I enjoy listening to books in the car, my commute is either distracted by kids or spent planning my day. Yet, I was intrigued to try LCPL's newest collection. Now my kids and I are hooked! Forget listening to the stories in the car though, we've relocated to the kitchen where, oddly enough, we're less distracted.
Recently, my kids and I have enjoyed Goldilicious, Fancy Nancy, My Weird School and Sloppy Joe. My son and husband are even enjoying the Star Wars Radio Drama with me. And I love the family time we spend together. Now the kids are asking for stories while eating breakfast before school. I love it!
There are lots of adult selections to choose from as well. When time allows I have been listening to the Alchemyst by Michael Scott. I have read all the books but now it's interesting to listen to them. I have picked out parts of the story that I missed while reading; partly because I was reading so intently in order to find out what happened that I actually read too quickly!
I encourage you to direct your mouse over to http://overdrive.lcplin.org/ to browse through the hundreds of audiobooks available. All you need is your LCPL library card number and pin number. That handy little card brings millions of free things to your fingertips! So don't ever lose it!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Database of the Month: CollegeSource Online
Last month we learned about First Research and this month I'm going to be talking about CollegeSource Online. It's another one of our many databases you can access from the library or from your home computer. To access the databases from home you will need a valid Lake County Public Library card and know your four digit pin number.
Step One: Go to http:www.lcplin.org
Step Two: Find the Research drop down box along the blue title bar at the top of the page. Click on that and scroll down to Magazines, Newspaper, and Databases.
Step Three: Click on CollegeSource Online and you will be prompted to type in your library card number and pin.
Step Four: Start Searching!
CollegeSource Online is a great source for anyone wanting to go to college. This database has catalogs for 44,815 colleges and over 37,600,000 course descriptions. Full cover-to-cover, original page format with 2-year, 4-year, graduate, professional and international schools.
Let's say you want to do research on Indiana University. In the Search for a College by Name box type in Indiana University. Twelve schools are found. I didn't even know that Pennsylvania had a city called Indiana and has a school named Indiana University of Pennsylvania and it looks like it has three locations. It also brings up all the locations for Indiana University in Indiana. Say you are thinking about going to the Gary campus. You can click on the PDF link for the catalog. There is also a link to get the profile, website, and map of the school. If you click on the PDF link you will see that you can access the 2008-2010 catalog. The catalog has financial information and course descriptions, 296 pages worth. If you click on the profile it gives you the address and phone numbers for the school and also gives you information on what type of institute it is, how many people are enrolled, and much more information. If you want to check out the website all you have to do is click on the website link and it will come up.
Say you didn't really have a college in mind. In the Search for a College by Name box is a link to take you to do an advanced search. Click on that. You can look at an Alphabetical Index of all the colleges. You can also do a country search, criteria search, and geographic search.
I think this is a really good source to start with when looking into colleges. It gives very good information and is updated each week.
Happy Searching! and stay tuned for next month's tutorial on Patrons Books in Print.
Step One: Go to http:www.lcplin.org
Step Two: Find the Research drop down box along the blue title bar at the top of the page. Click on that and scroll down to Magazines, Newspaper, and Databases.
Step Three: Click on CollegeSource Online and you will be prompted to type in your library card number and pin.
Step Four: Start Searching!
CollegeSource Online is a great source for anyone wanting to go to college. This database has catalogs for 44,815 colleges and over 37,600,000 course descriptions. Full cover-to-cover, original page format with 2-year, 4-year, graduate, professional and international schools.
Let's say you want to do research on Indiana University. In the Search for a College by Name box type in Indiana University. Twelve schools are found. I didn't even know that Pennsylvania had a city called Indiana and has a school named Indiana University of Pennsylvania and it looks like it has three locations. It also brings up all the locations for Indiana University in Indiana. Say you are thinking about going to the Gary campus. You can click on the PDF link for the catalog. There is also a link to get the profile, website, and map of the school. If you click on the PDF link you will see that you can access the 2008-2010 catalog. The catalog has financial information and course descriptions, 296 pages worth. If you click on the profile it gives you the address and phone numbers for the school and also gives you information on what type of institute it is, how many people are enrolled, and much more information. If you want to check out the website all you have to do is click on the website link and it will come up.
Say you didn't really have a college in mind. In the Search for a College by Name box is a link to take you to do an advanced search. Click on that. You can look at an Alphabetical Index of all the colleges. You can also do a country search, criteria search, and geographic search.
I think this is a really good source to start with when looking into colleges. It gives very good information and is updated each week.
Happy Searching! and stay tuned for next month's tutorial on Patrons Books in Print.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Time Out For Reading!
Friday, October 2 is "Time Out for Reading" day. Everyone is encouraged to put their nose in a book to promote reading. At the library, you will see staff wearing our red noses to promote our own love of reading.
It is also the kickoff day for Northwest Indiana's annual Books to Bridge the Region program sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition and Books to Bridge the Region.
2009 titles are:
** The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard (adult selection)
** The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (teen selection)
** A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce (childrens selection)
Throughout the month of October, library branches will hold various programs to promote the titles and programs.
At Hobart and Lake Station, we will have travel book displays on fun places to visit and explore.
We are also hoping to hear about your travel stories and experiences. If your vacations are anything like the crazy ones with my family (or like the ones shared in Mike Leonard's book The Ride of Our Lives), then I hope you will take a moment to write a short essay about some of your favorite trips. A few paragraphs is all that is needed telling us why the trip(s) was memorable. Your story will be published here on our blog to share with others in the community.
Carol
For more information about Time Out for Reading or Books to Bridge the Region visit:
http://www.books2bridge.org/ and http://www.nwiliteracy.org/
It is also the kickoff day for Northwest Indiana's annual Books to Bridge the Region program sponsored by the Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition and Books to Bridge the Region.
2009 titles are:
** The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard (adult selection)
** The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis (teen selection)
** A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce (childrens selection)
Throughout the month of October, library branches will hold various programs to promote the titles and programs.
At Hobart and Lake Station, we will have travel book displays on fun places to visit and explore.
We are also hoping to hear about your travel stories and experiences. If your vacations are anything like the crazy ones with my family (or like the ones shared in Mike Leonard's book The Ride of Our Lives), then I hope you will take a moment to write a short essay about some of your favorite trips. A few paragraphs is all that is needed telling us why the trip(s) was memorable. Your story will be published here on our blog to share with others in the community.
Carol
For more information about Time Out for Reading or Books to Bridge the Region visit:
http://www.books2bridge.org/ and http://www.nwiliteracy.org/
Menus From History
One of the things I really love about working at the library is all the amazing material I find! I recently purchased a set of reference books for Hobart titled Menus From History by Janet Clarkson. The two volume set has 365 recipes (one for each day of the year) highlighting a different historical event.
In years past, Hobart students would visit because they needed an authentic recipe from a country they were researching. I always wanted to have sources available for the children with lots of choices. Particularly because ingredients could be difficult to find and everyone is already familiar with Italian pastas, Mexican tacos, Spanish rice, etc.
When Menus From History caught my eye I was really excited. And now that it has arrived and I have had a chance to read through a bit, I am not disappointed. The author admits she was not a history buff in school. She disliked history immensely. But she grew to love culinary history which in itself led to a fascination with other historical events.
Here are a few of the events and menus:
Luncheon En Route from London to Bahrain during the Inaugural Flight of the Concorde. January 21, 1976
In years past, Hobart students would visit because they needed an authentic recipe from a country they were researching. I always wanted to have sources available for the children with lots of choices. Particularly because ingredients could be difficult to find and everyone is already familiar with Italian pastas, Mexican tacos, Spanish rice, etc.
When Menus From History caught my eye I was really excited. And now that it has arrived and I have had a chance to read through a bit, I am not disappointed. The author admits she was not a history buff in school. She disliked history immensely. But she grew to love culinary history which in itself led to a fascination with other historical events.
Here are a few of the events and menus:
Luncheon En Route from London to Bahrain during the Inaugural Flight of the Concorde. January 21, 1976
- Canapes
- Smoked Salmon
- Breast of Duck Bigarade or
- Fillet Steak, Cafe de Paris Butter
- Strawberries with Double Cream
- Cheese
- Petits Fours
- Coffee
- White potage or creme of almandes
- Carpe deore
- Baked mete in paste
- Halybut
- Perche with goson
- Lobster Thermidor
- Juliene Potatoes
- Supreme of Chicken, Florida
- Roquefort Cheese Dressing
- Chocolate Parfait
Monday, September 14, 2009
Kids Parties
I love to read through cookbooks and home decorating books by Williams-Sonoma. Their ideas are fun and colorful; relaxing and simply beautiful. So when a library patron mentioned Williams-Sonoma had released a new book titled Kids Parties I could not wait to check it out.
Once again the publisher not only had beautifully colored photos, but their party ideas looked quite fun! The twelve chapters describe party themes/ideas along with receipes and decorating tips.
My favorite, and one we recently had at home, was the pizza party. Author Lisa Atwood suggested having each child create their own pizza by having bowls filled with various vegetable toppings, sauce and cheese. Although we did not allow our little party goers the option of making their own pizza (a bit too chaotic for me) we did use this idea by having 12 different pizzas for our guests to enjoy. And it was certainly a hit!
The chapter goes on to help the host stay organized by having a checklist: what to do ahead of time, what needs to be done the day of the party and what to do during the party. There are even plans to help decide on what to serve and how much.
Other chapters include: The Cupcake Party, Backyard Party, Tiki Party and a Winter Party to name just a few. For a peak at the cover visit:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku5277132/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Ckids%20parties&cm%5Fsrc=SCH
And to check if our library copies are available or to place a hold click here:
http://catalog.lakeco.lib.in.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=L252955886X11.18761&profile=aru&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!1635069~!1&ri=1&aspect=basic&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=15&staffonly=&term=kids+parties&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=basic&menu=search&ri=1#focus
Once again the publisher not only had beautifully colored photos, but their party ideas looked quite fun! The twelve chapters describe party themes/ideas along with receipes and decorating tips.
My favorite, and one we recently had at home, was the pizza party. Author Lisa Atwood suggested having each child create their own pizza by having bowls filled with various vegetable toppings, sauce and cheese. Although we did not allow our little party goers the option of making their own pizza (a bit too chaotic for me) we did use this idea by having 12 different pizzas for our guests to enjoy. And it was certainly a hit!
The chapter goes on to help the host stay organized by having a checklist: what to do ahead of time, what needs to be done the day of the party and what to do during the party. There are even plans to help decide on what to serve and how much.
Other chapters include: The Cupcake Party, Backyard Party, Tiki Party and a Winter Party to name just a few. For a peak at the cover visit:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sku5277132/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Ckids%20parties&cm%5Fsrc=SCH
And to check if our library copies are available or to place a hold click here:
http://catalog.lakeco.lib.in.us/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=L252955886X11.18761&profile=aru&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100001~!1635069~!1&ri=1&aspect=basic&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=15&staffonly=&term=kids+parties&index=.GW&uindex=&aspect=basic&menu=search&ri=1#focus
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wintergirls
A collegue recently spoke about Laurie Halse Anderson's newest book Wintergirls. Having never read anything by this author I was intrigued, especially since the book dealt with some serious teenage girl topics.
Surprised I was to find this was not a book in which I could escape and relax. Anderson's tale of two high school girls battling eating disorders, low self image, death and other problems is a book I not only could not put down but one with a frighteningly clear description.
Lia is 18 years old. Her mom and dad are divorced. Lia has moved in with her dad's new wife and daughter being unable to live with her mother (Dr. Marrigan) any longer. Lia has been hospitalized twice for her eating disorder. Her ex-best friend Cassie has died and somehow Lia needs to get her life back in order.
But how can you move forward when all you think about are calories? Every bite Lia takes is translated into the number of calories entering her body. Obsessed with lowering her weight and dealing with the pain from Cassie's death and parental pressures, Lia sinks further into the disease.
Anderson does an excellent job writing about Lia's pain and troubles. The way weights are hidden within her clothes to deceive Lia's step-mom; the way Lia eats but not really eats; the way Lia deals with the pain in the only way she knows how. This book will capture your attention. It will wrap the story around you until you just have to finish the book. Strictly for older teens. The story is too graphic (I feel) for younger girls.
Carol
Surprised I was to find this was not a book in which I could escape and relax. Anderson's tale of two high school girls battling eating disorders, low self image, death and other problems is a book I not only could not put down but one with a frighteningly clear description.
Lia is 18 years old. Her mom and dad are divorced. Lia has moved in with her dad's new wife and daughter being unable to live with her mother (Dr. Marrigan) any longer. Lia has been hospitalized twice for her eating disorder. Her ex-best friend Cassie has died and somehow Lia needs to get her life back in order.
But how can you move forward when all you think about are calories? Every bite Lia takes is translated into the number of calories entering her body. Obsessed with lowering her weight and dealing with the pain from Cassie's death and parental pressures, Lia sinks further into the disease.
Anderson does an excellent job writing about Lia's pain and troubles. The way weights are hidden within her clothes to deceive Lia's step-mom; the way Lia eats but not really eats; the way Lia deals with the pain in the only way she knows how. This book will capture your attention. It will wrap the story around you until you just have to finish the book. Strictly for older teens. The story is too graphic (I feel) for younger girls.
Carol
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