Classical music speaks both to the mind and to the heart, giving us something to think about as well as to experience.

—William J. Clinton, President of the United States, 1993-2001

Celebrate opening night at one of the many concerts offered throughout the month of September.

• Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony
• Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Michigan Philharmonic
• Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra

The painting, featured above, is Attributes of Music by Anne Vallayer-Coster (1770)

Amity Blamity. Vol. one by Mike White — If you are looking for a normal adventure, this is not the graphic novel for you. However, if you want to read about a talking pig, Chester, his silent sidekick, Gretchen, and her unstable uncle, this is the book for you. Join them on their adventures to discover just who the mysterious white, fluffy, floaty beings are that have invaded their farm and how they are going to keep Uncle Downey from hurting himself as he tries to catch them.

Listen and read along with one of our J Book/CD Kits. You can find them near the music CDs in the Children's Department. Pick some up today for a car trip or for listening at home. Here's a list of some popular choices:

Chrysanthemum [kit] by Kevin Henkes

Amelia Bedelia [kit] by Peggy Parish

A fine, fine school [kit] by Sharon Creech

The dragon turn by Shane Peacock

The false prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The alchemyst by Michael Scott

Wildwood by Colin Meloy; illustrations by Carson Ellis

Is there a new baby in your house? Read some picture books about older siblings and how they adjust to all the changes that a new baby brings.

Sophie and the new baby by Laurence Anholt; illustrated by Catherine Anholt

Hi, new baby! by Robie H. Harris; illustrated by Michael Emberley

Brand-new baby blues by words by Kathi Appelt; illustrations by Kelly Murphy

On Thursday, September 13 at Noon we'll be discussing:

Once upon a river: a novel by Bonnie Jo Campbell — After the violent death of her father, in which she is complicit, Margo Crane takes to the Stark River in her boat, with only a few supplies and a biography of Annie Oakley, in search of her vanished mother. Her river odyssey through rural Michigan becomes a defining journey, one that leads her beyond self-preservation and to the decision of what price she is willing to pay for her choices. The New York Times called this book "an excellent American parable about the consequences of our favorite ideal, freedom."

Are you in Third Grade and looking for a great book to read? Check out these great books:

Please write in this book by Mary Amato; illustrated by Eric Brace

Brand-new school, brave new Ruby by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Ivy and Bean by written by Annie Barrows; illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Gone Girl is the hottest thriller of the summer. If you read it, loved it, and want more like it, then try these.

Killing me softly: a novel of obsession by Nicci French

Black out: a novel by Lisa Unger

Sister: a novel by Rosamund Lupton

Parts by Tedd Arnold

Franklin goes to school by [written by] Paulette Bourgeois; [illustrated by] Brenda Clark

Snowmen at night by Caralyn Buehner; pictures by Mark Buehner

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Seduced by moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton

Moon called by Patricia Briggs

Amanda by Kay Hooper

Marked: a house of night novel by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

The wondrous journals of Dr. Wendell Wiggins: describing the most curious, fascinating, sometimes-gruesome, and seemingly impossible creatures that roamed the world before us by Lesley M.M. Blume ; illustrated by David Foote. If you don't know what a paleozoologist is, then read this extremely informative and entertaining work by Dr. Wiggin. It reveals the secrets of the very ancient earth and long-extinct plant, animal, and humanoid species. Wiggins provides detailed sketches and descriptions of such bizarre creatures as: Thunder Vulcusts, "Land" Whales, Bunny Fluffs, Cloud-Dwelling Hummingbird People, and Hapless Vampire Glow Bats.

Harry Harrison, an American science fiction author, died at 87. He is best know for his Stainless Steel Rat series and the novel Make Room! Make Room! which became the movie Soylent Green.

If you are a fan of James Patterson's Alex Cross novels or enjoy the humor in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum stories you might like these...

Cinnamon roll murder [large print] by Joanne Fluke

Don't let your book group miss these:

The tenderness of wolves: a novel by Stef Penney

A three dog life by Abigail Thomas

Moral disorder: stories by Margaret Atwood

The Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander

Mr. Churchill's secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

Sidney Chambers and the shadow of death by James Runcie

Boston cream by Howard Shrier

The cat, the wife and the weapon: a cats in trouble mystery by Leann Sweeney

Best-selling Irish author Maeve Binchy has died at the age of 72 after a short illness. She worked as a teacher before becoming a journalist, columnist and editor at the Irish Times. Her first novel, Light a Penny Candle, was published in 1982 and became a bestseller. A beloved author throughout the world, she was known for heart-warming books which explored family and human relationships with drama and humor. Binchy saw several of her works turned into movies, including Circle of Friends and Tara Road.

The copper beech by Maeve Binchy

Did you know the library has a great collection of international language items for kids? Among those many items, we have some fun picture books in Spanish. Check out some of the suggestions below:

Bravo! by Ginger Foglesong Guy ; illustrated by Rene King Moreno

Floating on Mama's song = Flotando con la canciâon de mamâa by Laura Lacâamara ; illustrated by Yuyi Morales

There's still plenty of time to hit the beach this summer. Here are some great picture books full of beachy fun to read before you go.

A beach tail by Karen Lynn Williams ; illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The boy on the beach by story and pictures by Niki Daly

Mermaids Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg

Like the Clique series? Try one of these:

The earth, my butt, and other big, round things by Carolyn Mackler

Ttyl by Lauren Myracle

The daughters by Joanna Philbin