Middle Grade Mystery: Detectives and Crime

March 2, 2021 | Boydl

Looking for a read to put you in the shoes of a sleuth? These titles are best for middle-grade readers and will have you guessing whodunnit along with the gumshoes in the books. 

Vanishing acts by Phillip Margolin
Ali Cross by 1947- James Patterson

Love is Love: Queer Romance Novels

February 14, 2021 | Boydl

Check out the following YA and Adult titles to read novels featuring romance between LGBTQ+ characters. 

YA Novels

Date me, Bryson Keller by Kevin Van Whye

Inclusive STEM Titles for Young People

February 2, 2021 | Boydl

Throughout history, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields have been dominated by white males. In this list, we will be highlighting books that feature a more inclusive look at various fields. 

Changing the equation : 50+ US Black women in STEM by Tonya Bolden
Look up with me : Neil deGrasse Tyson : a life among the stars by Jennifer Berne

2021 Schneider Family Book Award

January 27, 2021 | Boydl
Boys and girls holding hands encircling a small world with braille at bottom describing image

Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Click here for the Schneider Family Book Award Manual (PDF)
Bibliography of Children's Books about the Disability Experience (pdf)

Younger Children Winner

Middle Grade Books with Heart and Humor

January 2, 2021 | Boydl

These titles feature strong protagonists, strong values, kindness, and humor. Read these with your grownup or your friends and chat about what you read and experiences in your life that are similar. Did we miss your favorite? What book would you recommend?

A drop of hope by Keith Calabrese
New kid by illustrator Jerry Craft

Youth Materials that Ruled 2020

January 2, 2021 | Boydl

This list includes staff favorites as well as the most popular items that patrons checked out during 2020. Did we miss your favorite? let us know in the comments. 

Staff Favorites
I found a kitty! by Troy Cummings

Diwali 2020: The Festival of Lights

November 12, 2020 | Boydl
orange background with mandala designs that says "Happy Diwali"

Diwali (also called Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights) is the biggest and most important celebration in India. The name originates from the row of clay lamps (diya or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes in the representation of the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This celebration is over 2,500 years old. This holiday is celebrated by Hindus mainly but is also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities too. Diwali takes place over 5 days in either October or November. This year it spans November 12- 16 with the main celebration day in the middle on November 14. 

To learn more, or to find some activities or materials to check out, keep scrolling down! 

Rangoli Decorations

Electronic Resources for Native American Heritage Month

November 11, 2020 | Boydl

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

- information from National Congress of American Indians

 

Red bird sings [electronic resource] : The story of zitkala-¿Ła, native american author, musician, and activist. by Gina Capaldi
A boy named beckoning [electronic resource] : The true story of dr. carlos montezuma, native american hero. by Gina Capaldi

Kids Books that Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our Veterans

November 11, 2020 | Boydl

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. 

Celebrate Veterans Day and read one of the books linked below to celebrate and honor our veterans. 

-Information on Veterans Day was gathered at History.com 
 

The Frank show by David Mackintosh
Wolf Hollow [sound recording] : a novel by 1956- Lauren Wolk

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