This story is one of the winners of the Harry Potter Fan Fiction Contest. Congratulations!

“MREOW!!” the kitten yowled, “MREOW!!”

Mundungus Fletcher walked quickly through the streets of Diagon Alley, holding a bag full of ginger Persian cats. He tried to look unconcerned and casual, but his glances back and forth, quick steps and ducked head showed that he had just stolen. Inside the bag, six kittens and a mother squirmed and wiggled. Five kittens had ginger and white stripes, pug-like faces and bright blue eyes. But the sixth kitten was obviously the leader. He was larger than all of the others, but where his brothers and sisters had slightly flat features, his face looked like it had been smashed with a frying pan. There were mats in his soft long fur, and he switched his long tail from side to side as he climbed to the top of the bag.

This story is one of the winners of the Harry Potter Fan Fiction Contest. Congratulations!

She was beautiful. Harry watched as Ginny sat down at the base of the apple tree in the backyard of the Burrow. He wanted to kick himself for not noticing her for all those years. If he hadn't been so blind, they would have had years together. Years of running his fingers through her hair, years of kissing in the common room, years of clandestine meetings—like this one. He walked up and sat beside her. “Hey Gin.”

Ginny turned and smiled wistfully. Harry. Kind, wonderful Harry, who was pushing her away for her own protection. Sweet, stubborn Harry, who refused to believe that she was already a prime target in the war. Strong, brave Harry, who had taught her not to be afraid of the man who had once possessed her, to say Voldemort's name. He was everything to her. “Hi Harry.”

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on the second and fourth Sundays of most months in the Community Room while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game. Beginners welcome. The fourth Sunday of each month also includes a tournament by "Library Chess Clubs." For tournament information and registration, please email clubchess@wowway.com. January dates areJanuary 13 and 27 at 1:00 PM in the library Community Room.

The Neon Rain by James L. Burke — James Lee Burke, author of the award-winning Dave Ribocheaux series and a series featuring Billy Bob Holland, Texas attorney and his cousin, Texas sheriff Hackberry Holland, was born this month on December 5, 1936.

Thank you to everyone who entered our Harry Potter Fan Fiction Contest. We had some great stories to read! The winners are:

• 6th-8th grade: The Cat in the Rafters by Erin B.L.
• 9th-10th grade: The Christmas Party by Morgan C.
• 11th-12 grade: Stars by Ruby R.
• Adult: Hedwig's Story by Cynthia B.

Please join us on Monday, January 21st as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King changed all of our lives during the 1960's civil rights movement. Share stories of his life with the following films:

• 12:00 Noon — Man of Peace in a Time of War
• 1:15 PM — King: Go Beyond the Dream to Discover the Man
• 3:00 PM — In Remembrance of Martin

The dogs of winter by Bobbie Pyron is an incredible, heart-pounding survival story based on fact.  Ivan is but one of 80,000 to 2 million homeless children forced to fend for himself in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Most of these abandoned children form packs and live in vacant buildings and/or underground train stations. What distinguishes four year old Ivan Mishukov is his decision to depend on a pack of feral street dogs instead of other children for his survival.  For two years they eek out an existence together, helping one another just as a family would.  Enduring the brutal Russian winters with temperatures often twenty below zero is almost beyond belief.  As Ivan is later quoted as saying, "I was better off with the dogs.

Join us on Friday December 28, for an all-day family movie extravaganza starting at 10:00 AM with a film for our youngest patrons and gradually getting more sophisticated, until the 3:00 PM showing of Snow White and the Huntsman.

• 10:00 AM — Ruby and Max: Every Bunny Loves Winter and Little Bear's Winter Games (G)
• 12:00 PM — Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (PG)
• 3:00 PM — Snow White and the Huntsman (PG-13)

You may bring pillows, snacks, even your own comfy lawn chairs if you like.

The holidays are a time of eating and most familes have a favorite holiday cookie that they cannot wait to eat during this time of the year.  On Saturday, December 8, at 2:00 PM, we invite you to take part in our Family Holiday Cookie Competition. Bring in a dozen cookies (or more!) from one of your favorite recipes, four to share with our panel of judges to evaluate on both taste and presentation and the rest to share with the lucky attendees.  While you're at it, you may share your recipe on the Canton Public Library's recipe blog here.

If you enjoyed A Great and Terrible Beauty, try one of these:

Clockwork angel by Cassandra Clare

Grave mercy by Robin LaFevers

The diviners by Libba Bray

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

The Detroit Historical Museum will celebrate its  re-opening on Friday, November 23rd. The Museum will stay open for 55 1/2 hours,  offering free admission and special events.  There's plenty to see and do with the entire family, from walking the streets of 19th century Detroit, to mixing up some music at the new Kid Rock Music Lab.  Can't wait until Friday? There's lots of fun to be had on the Detroit Historical Society website right now.   

Former First Lady of Michigan, Helen Wallbank Milliken died today. Wife of Michigan's longest-serving governor, William Milliken, Helen Milliken was a strong advocate of women's rights and environmental issues. In a 2006 interview by the Associated Press she said, "Nobody ever saw anybody burn a bra; they're too expensive, but the myth has survived. There have been excesses, but the goal has always remained the same: equal opportunity for women." Ms. Milliken is survived by her husband, William and son, William, Jr.

Wednesday, December 12, 6:30-8:45 PM join us for our monthly meeting of the Animanga Club! We've got all sorts of zaniness in store from a raffle to trivia to our always popular "mystery anime." What is it this month? Sorry, no hints. Drop by and let your inner otaku run free.

Thanksgiving Day kicks off a month of celebrations. May we suggest a movie, tips from Martha Stewart on Thanksgiving prepartions, a history, music to sooth, and a story about family.

Planes, trains and automobiles [videodisc] by Paramount Pictures

Martha's classic Thanksgiving [videodisc] by [presented by] Marth Stewart Living Omnimedia

Mayflower: a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrick

Read the book? See the movie. Throughout the month of November, Turner Classic Movies is featuring film adaptations of well-known novels. The films run 24 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. A variety of themes are featured including Southern Novels, Adventure, American Literature, Westerns, Science Fiction and more. Stories for Children and Young Adults will be shown all day on Thanksgiving Day.

The Alumni of the Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science are partnering up with the Hip Hop Knit Shop to collect donations of new books and toys for the patients at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.  A list of suggested donations can be found here.  Due to the health conditions of the donation recipients, we can only collect new items at this time.  Through December 12, our donation bin will be located next to the library's reception desk.    Help us bring joy this holiday season to the patients of the Children's Hospital of Michigan by making a donation today! 

Hey kids,  I wanted to tell you about my favorite new book I found. It seems appropriate since we're coming up on Thanksgiving.  It stars one of my favorite book characters...

Bear says thanks by Karma Wilson ; illustrations by Jane Chapman — An impromptu party in Bear's Den prompts him to be thankful for all his friends. This book inspired me to share what I am thankful for...YOU!  I'm so glad that you come and visit me at the library, and read my blog.  And for all my Librarian friends who keep me company and look out for good books for me to read.  And for LB who keeps me up to date on the outside world, and keeps me company when the library is closed.
What are you thankful for?  I'd love to hear it.
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Christmas spirit abounds as we gather on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 PM to listen to the holiday sounds of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble.  Members share their musical talents by playing familiar holiday music on the amazing bells.  You will also learn a bit of history and how-to about bells.

Nominate your favorite Michigan Author so the Michigan Library Association can reward them! Any author who lives in Michigan or writes about Michigan can win, regardless of the genre they write, as long as they have published at least 3 titles. See the list of authors who have won over the years and access the nomination form here. This year's winner was Bonnie Jo Campbell, author of Once Upon a River and several other Michigan based books.

NHS students are here to provide 3rd-12th graders free homework help. If you're interested in getting tutored:

• You must be in 3rd through 12th grade
• If you're under 12, your parent must remain in the library
• You must bring the assignment and any other needed materials

Days and Times

• Monday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk

Tutors will not be here during snow days or the holiday breaks, they need a break too!