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1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Posted on September 6, 2018 by GPL

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a early literacy program that can help foster the love of reading in young children. This free, self-paced reading program for infants through preschoolers allows parents and caregivers an opportunity to share books daily with their child. The goal is 1000 books before they start Kindergarten and, yes, they can read the same book more than once. Libraries across the United States have joined in, providing incentives and promotion for this fun challenge.

Here at the Greenwood Public Library we’ve been eager to finally start, and have been kicking around the idea for the past couple of years. It’s all come together. We have the cutest little fox friend as our mascot, along with tons of awesome prizes for children and their grown-ups as they read.

We have special logs to help you keep track. Keep progress with stamps on the back for every 10 books you read, and earn two big stickers (one for the log and one for you) for every log of 100 books you complete. After the first 100 books, you’ll earn a 1000 Books tote bag. At 300, 500, 800, and 1000 you’ll earn a free book, and at 1000 books when you finish the program, you’ll join our ranks of finishers.

Research shows that children who are read to daily in the years prior to kindergarten not only have an increased vocabulary but are better prepared to learn to read and succeed in school. Also, creating a special time to read together shows your child the value and enjoyment of reading from a young age. If you want to join us on this adventure, stop by the library to sign up and pick up your first log!

Posted in Books & More, Kids Korner | Tags: childrens, Katherine R., kids, kindergarten | Leave a comment |

Review: The Death of Mrs. Westaway

Posted on August 31, 2018 by GPL

The Death of Mrs. Westaway
by Ruth Ware
4 stars

I had wanted to try out a Ruth Ware book, but they always seem to be checked out! So I jumped at the chance to read her newest. The story starts out about a young women named Harriet (Hal) who is on her own after her mother had died three years before in a hit and run. She never knew her father’s identity, so she is on her own. Hal can barely keep up with expenses needed to eat and keep her flat not to mention she owes some bad guys some money. It’s always rainy, cold and bleak out. But one day, she receives a letter from a lawyer informing her that her grandmother has died and that she has been named in the will. But she has no grandparents left. Soon, she is on to Trepassen House, the Westaway estate in the English Countryside. In no time, Hal is caught up in old family secrets and past demons with an inheritance at stake. The creepy house just adds to the sense of menace. This is one of those books that you just stay up late reading because you just want to know who murdered who and why and if Hal would survive. Who is Hal’s father? I thought the author’s style of writing was different and fresh for me and I can’t wait to read her other books.

 

Read-alikes

Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

 

Posted in Books & More | Tags: fiction, Sheila H., suspense, thriller | Leave a comment |

Review: Looking for Lovely

Posted on July 28, 2018 by GPL

Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter
by Annie F. Downs
5 stars

Our Assistant Director, Emily Ellis, kept mentioning how much she loved Annie F. Downs, so I thought I’d give one of her books a try.   I have to say, I share her love.  Annie F. Downs’ writing is friendly, engaging, and totally relatable.  In Looking For Lovely, Downs describes how she decided to look for the beautiful things in her life, even when things don’t seem so beautiful.  She breaks up her book in short stories that each reflect on something lovely in her life, and how within that lovely she’s able to see God’s hand in her life.  Downs does a nice job of incorporating Biblical scripture in with her personal stories, and in the end creates an uplifting, fun read.  Highly recommend.

 

Read-alikes

Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist

Wild and Free by Jess Connolly & Hayley Morgan

Everybody, Always by Bob Goff

Posted in Books & More | Tags: christian, nonfiction, Valerie H. | Leave a comment |

Review: Watch Me Disappear

Posted on July 24, 2018 by GPL

Watch Me Disappear
by Janelle Brown
4 stars

Watch Me Disappear was GPL’s Well Red book club’s pick for June.  Mystery/thrillers are my favorite genre, so I was excited to read this and have a chance to discuss it.  The plot centers on wife and mother, Billie Flanagan, who one days goes for a hike and disappears.  A hiking boot is found and nearly everyone assumes Billie is dead.  A year later, her 15 year old daughter, Olive, begins to have visions that her mother is alive and begs her father to help her search for Billie.  Jonathan is in the process of writing a loving memoir about his life with Billie when he finds some information on Billie’s computer. Perhaps Billie’s life is not what it seemed.   As the story continues more revelations about Billie’s past and present are revealed.    Where is Billie and was her disappearance something that she orchestrated?  Or was she kidnapped?  Or did she fall and was killed like everyone originally believed?  Brown does an excellent job moving the plot alone and writing some great twists.  I will definitely check out more of her books!

Read-alikes

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison

Posted in Books & More | Tags: Carissa S., mystery, thriller | Leave a comment |

Anne’s Summer Reading Hits

Posted on July 20, 2018 by GPL

This summer I have been keeping busy reading juvenile fiction. These are my top four selections:

#1: Restart
by Gordon Korman

This is a MUST read – my favorite book of the year!!!

A boy wakes up after falling off a roof with amnesia to find out that he was a real jerk. How does he “restart” his new life?

 

#2 Superstar
by Mandy Davis

A homeschooled boy on the autism spectrum must attend public school so his mom can go back to work after the death of his astronaut father. This book has many Indiana references.

 

 

#3 End of the Wild
by Nicole Helget

This book touches on so many topics with balance and sensitivity: death, poverty, fracking, environment, forgiveness and PTSD. A poignant read!

 

 

#4 Mr. Gedrick and Me
by Patrick Carmen

A modern day Mary Poppins! Since Stanley’s father died his household is a disaster, until Mr. Gedrick appears one day and sets things back in order. Delightful read!

 

 

Posted in Books & More, Kids Korner | Tags: Anne G., childrens | Leave a comment |
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