Myths and mysteries of Michigan: true stories of the unsolved and unexplained by Sally Barber

Unexplained Michigan mysteries: strange but true tales from the Michigan unknown by Gary Barfknecht

Michigan haunts and hauntings by Marion Kuclo, the green witch Gundella

When Michigan was young: the story of its beginnings, early legends, and folklore by Ethel Rowan Fasquelle

Weird Michigan: your travel guide to Michigan's local legends and best kept secrets by Linda S. Godfrey ; Mark Sceurman and Mark Moran, executive editors

Myths and legends of the Mackinacs and the Lake Region by Grace F. Kane

Ghost stories from Canton by Virginia Bailey Parker ; illustrated by Sharon Lee Dillenbeck and Roy Rinke

Check out some of these films set in Michigan!

Anatomy of a murder [videodisc] by Columbia ; Otto Preminger presents — Upper Peninsula

The road to Wellville [videodisc] by Columbia Pictures — Battle Creek

Semi-pro [videodisc] by New Line Cinema presents a Mosaic Media Group production — Flint

Answer this! [videodisc] by Wrekin Hill Entertainment and ; Neka Films present ; produced by Mike Farah, Anna Wenger ; written & directed by Christopher Farah — Ann Arbor

Zebrahead [videodisc] by an Ixtlan Production ; Triumph Releasing Corporation — Detroit

Grosse Pointe blank [videodisc] by Hollywood Pictures in association with Caravan Pictures, New Crime Productions — Grosse Pointe

The Michigan Notable Books program annually selects 20 of the most notable volumes published that year that best reflect the state's diverse ethnic, historical, literary and cultural experiences. Most of the winning titles can be found in the Library's collection. From fiction to nonfiction, the following list offers a variety of choices:

American Poet by Vande Zande, Jeff

The amphibians and reptiles of Michigan: a Quaternary and Recent faunal adventure by J. Alan Holman

Bear has a story to tell by written by Philip C. Stead ; illustrated by Erin E. Stead

The boy governor: Stevens T. Mason and the birth of Michigan politics by Don Faber

Cold: a novel by John Smolens

North of nowhere: an Alex McKnight mystery by Steve Hamilton

Anatomy of a murder by Traver, Robert, 1903-

Returning to earth by Jim Harrison

Without a trace by Colleen Coble

The dream catcher tour by Paula Buermele

Ursula, under: a novel by Ingrid Hill

Red jacket: a Lute Bapcat mystery by Joseph Heywood

Planning a vacation or camping trip in Michigan this summer? Make sure you check out these great, simple tips from 'The Awesome Mitten' blog for making your trip more eco-friendly. Do your part in keeping our state clean and beautiful!

Check out the Michigan Radio article, '5 Natural Gems Even Native Michiganders Don't Know About', and learn about some lesser-known attractions to visit during your travels around the state this summer. Visit one of those places, or tell us about another hidden gem you know about, and earn your My Mitten badge!

From history to sports to music to biography, try some of these recent titles about the great state of Michigan!

The boy governor: Stevens T. Mason and the birth of Michigan politics by Don Faber

Driving Detroit: the quest for respect in Motown by George Galster

Hockeytown doc: a half-century of Red Wings stories from Howe to Yzerman by John "Jack" Finley ; [foreword by Gordie Howe]

The glory years of the Detroit Tigers: 1920-1950 by William M. Anderson ; with a foreword by Dan Dickerson

Detroit's historic places of worship by compiled and edited by Marla O. Collum, Barbara E. Krueger, Dorothy Kostuch ; photographs by Dirk Bakker ; with a foreword by John Gallagher

Read about some of Detroit's greatest hits!

Brewed in Detroit: breweries and beers since 1830 by Peter H. Blum

The Vernor's story: from gnomes to now by Lawrence L. Rouch

TV land—Detroit by Gordon Castelnero

The birth of the Detroit sound: 1940-1964 by Marilyn Bond and S.R. Boland

Fired magic: Detroit's Pewabic pottery treasures by Marcy Heller Fisher ; illustrated by Marjorie Hecht Simon

100 years of Ford: a centennial celebration of the Ford Motor Company by David L. Lewis and the auto editors of Consumer Guide

The story of Motown by Peter Benjaminson

Check out some of these interesting documentaries on all things Michigan.

Michigan's lumbering days & camp life [videodisc]: when the big trees fell by Program Source International

The Kellogg brothers [videodisc]: corn flake kings by A & E Television Networks

Mackinac Island [videodisc]: a 600 year history by Program Source International

Model T [videodisc] by The History Channel ; Motor Car Co. Inc

The city of Magic [videodisc] by Equity Studios

Borderline [videodisc]: the story of 8 Mile Road by an Urban Garlic production ; presented by Public Benefit Corporation and Oakland County Cable Communications Corporation

Henry Ford [videodisc]

Michigan is lucky to be home to many successful sports teams - both professional and collegiate. The Detroit Tigers, Red WIngs, Lions, and Pistons are all among the longest running franchises in their sports and have won several championships between them. In fact, in 1935, Detroit was nicknamed the City of Champions when the Tigers, Lions and Red Wings all won the first championships in their respective sport that year. In addition, boxer and local hero Joe Louis was named the "Most Outstanding Athlete of 1935." The University of Michigan, and Michigan State University both have a long tradition of winning teams in several sports as well.

Michigan is the birth place of many illustrious figures in all walks of life. The state can claim innumerable artists, actors, authors, sportsmen, scientists, musicians, innovators as native sons and daughters. Here are just a few!

Looking for a way to get some exercise, see some beautiful scenery and earn your My Michigan badge? Then go to MichiganTrailMaps.com and check out the almost 170 trails in the Lower Peninsula which have been mapped out for potential hikers.

Hiking Michigan by Roger E. Storm, Susan M. Wedzel

The left-handed dollar by Loren D. Estleman

The chocolate moose motive: a chocoholic mystery by JoAnna Carl

Bad things happen by Harry Dolan

The hanging tree: a Starvation Lake mystery by Bryan Gruley

The Detroit electric scheme by D. E. Johnson

Bleeding maize and blue by Susan Holtzer

The wedding game by Susan Holtzer

Historical mysteries let the reader be picked up and be transported to different times and places. A good story is a painless way to get into the period, and, if it features a unsolved crime or two, gives a look at history’s darker underside.

As if by magic by Dolores Gordon-Smith

Everybody kills somebody sometime by Robert J. Randisi

The reeve's tale by Margaret Frazer

Blood alone by James R. Benn

India Black by Carol K.

Detroit turns 312 this year! The city was founded on July 24, 1701 by the French explorer Antoine Laumet de Lamothe Cadillac. Originally named Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, its name was shortened by the British after they had gained control of the settlement during the French and Indian War. The city is known throughout the world as both an automotive center and the birthplace of some of the world's best known musical talent. Several nicknames have been attached to Detroit throughout its long history: Motown, Hockeytown, the Motor City, the City of Champions, and the Arsenal of Democracy all reflect the city's acheivements. Although the city has undergone some tough times in recent years, Detroit can be proud of its contributions to both the country - and the world. Several new books and films have been produced recently about the city's current problems, but there is much to celebrate as well. For a taste of the city's history, as well as a picture of its present, check out some of the titles below:

Wondering what special events are going on in Michigan this summer? If so, check out Pure Michigan's Special Events Calendar. This interactive calendar lets you search by date and event type (Fairs & Festivals, Exhibits & Shows, etc.) to find an event in Michigan that's just right for you! Find an event and earn your My Mitten badge by attending.

At the crossroads: Michilimackinac during the American Revolution by David A. Armour and Keith R. Widder

War under heaven: Pontiac, the Indian Nations, & the British Empire by Gregory Evans Dowd

The French and Indian War: deciding the fate of North America by Walter R. Borneman

Empires at war: the French & Indian War and the struggle for North America, 1754-1763 by William M. Fowler, Jr

Crucible of war: the Seven Years' War and the fate of empire in British North America, 1754-1766 by Fred Anderson ; with illustrations from the William L. Clements Library

The fall and recapture of Detroit in the War of 1812: in defense of William Hull by Anthony J. Yanik

Take a tour of our great state and learn about some of its many interesting communities.

Ann Arbor observed: selections from Then & now by Grace Shackman

Lost Ann Arbor by Susan Cee Wineberg

Cadillac: vintage postcard memoirs by Debra Bricault

The Caro area by Marcia M. Dievendorf, Patricia E. Frazer, and Mark O. Keller for the Caro Area District Library

Vintage views of the Charlevoix-Petoskey region by M. Christine Byron & Thomas R. Wilson

Dearborn, Michigan by Craig Hutchison and Kimberly Rising ; Dearborn Historical Museum, City of Dearborn

Bet me by Jennifer Crusie

Born in fire by Nora Roberts

A countess below stairs by Eva Ibbotson

Frederica by Georgette Heyer

How to marry a marquis by Julia Quinn

It had to be you by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Mine till midnight by Lisa Kleypas

Mr.

Use the library's collection to learn a new game, then try out your new skills and share your experience to earn your Game On badge. Explore sports, board games, or even card games. A few suggestions to get you going:

The big book of rules: board games, kids'games, card games, from backgammon and bocce to tiddlywinks and stickball by Stephanie Spadaccini ; illustrated by John Farnsworth

The book of rules: a visual guide to the laws of every commonly played sport and game

The New complete Hoyle: the authoritative guide to the official rules of all popular games of skill and chance by Alfred H. Morehead, Richard L. Frey, Geoffrey Mott- Smith

Hoyle's modern encyclopedia of card games; rules of all the basic games and popular variations, by Walter B. Gibson by Gibson, Walter Brown, 1897-