The Invention of Hugo Cabret review by Addie

I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret and at the beginning it was a little sad because Hugo's father died...

It is a cool book because it is a really big book and it has a lot of pictures that are unique in a way.

I would recommend this book to people because I think everyone would think the pictures are amazing.

Summer Reading 09

We've had loads of people asking about Summer Reading so I just wanted to give a quick post about what will be going on.

Here's the lowdown:

When? It begins Monday, July 6 and runs through Friday, August 14.

Who? The children's department serves children from birth through fifth grade (or roughly age 11) and all who fall in that category are welcome to participate.

What? READ! For every hour you read you can enter your name into a raffle. First prize is a $100 gift card to Farina's Bicycles in Watertown and second prize is $50 to Belmont Wheelworks.

This year's statewide theme is Starship Adventure. So, we want to see if the reading children of Watertown can get us to the moon. In addition to entering your name in the bike raffle for every hour you read, we also want you to come in, write your name on a rocket ship, and post it on our reading solar system. Each rocket ship represents about 100 miles to the moon. If everyone reads about ten hours we can make the 238,000 miles to the moon. Help us get there!

What else? We know you'll need a break from all that reading, so we have programs to give you that break.

Mondays-open craft
Tuesdays-stories and music for under-fives
Wednesday-special programs
Thursday-tween (3rd-5th grade) workshops
Friday- games (we'll bring out the wii a few times)
Saturday-Toddler Tumble.


Anything more? Yes! We have a guessing jar with weekly prizes, discount museum passes, swag to get you started, and some cheerful librarians to help you along.


For more details stop by the children's department or go to our website.

DogEared: A book blog for kids, written by kids

Here's another way to find some good book recommendations from kids just like you! National Geographic's children's book blog, DogEared, has bloggers from age eight to eleven reviewing books and starting discussions on your favorite stories and topics. Check it out for a lead on your next book, to hear what books you might want to stay away from, or to find out what other book lovers like you are checking out.

Beacon Street Girls - Worst Enemies/Best Friends review by Addie, Grade 3

I am reading Beacon Street Girls - Worst Enemies/Best Friends and I think it is good because all the girls become friends after a sleepovera dn the most funniest part is when a rat comes in a girls hair.

I would recommend this book to people because it is funny and there are not so good days.

-Addie, Grade 3

Video Book Review

Check out our first video book review! This is a review of the Edge Chronicles by Kirsten. Check out the calendar for your own opportunity to do your own video book review!

Should my child be reading this?

As librarians we often get asked if a book or dvd is appropriate for their child. We love to talk about what we think about books and other materials, but the problem with the question of appropriateness is that what is appropriate for one child may not be for another and in that this issue becomes a conundrum. Because of this we recommend checking out Common Sense Media, "a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization, provid[ing] trustworthy information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a choice and a voice about the media they consume." If you have questions about what your child is reading or viewing please take a look at this website; it will help you make a decision that is right for your child.

Great work, Julia!

We'd like to take a moment to congratulate one of our regular library patrons, Julia.

Julia LOVES books, and wanted to find a way to take her love and give back to the community in some way. She saw a sign at the local Starbucks saying that they were looking for volunteers, and when she asked if she could read books to kids younger than her, they couldn't refuse. They even told her that she could get free chocolate milk, since she was too young to drink coffee!

Starbucks was so thrilled with the success of Julia's storytimes that they asked her to return once a month. Now, you can see her storytimes on the first Monday of every month from 4-5pm. Starbucks provides chocolate milk and cookies to all the kids, and we're quite certain Julia picks nothing but the best when it comes to the books!

What kinds of things are you doing for your community?