Crafts & Fall Events

Join us this Saturday for a Back-To-School storytime for kids ages 3 and older. We will read books about school and make school bus magnets. Please register if you are interested.

I have been working on fall programs and I'm really excited about what we'll be offering in October and November. On Saturday, Oct. 22 we'll have a Fairy Tale Ball with crafts, activities, and snacks relating to fairy tales like Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rumpelstiltskin, The Little Red Hen, and more. And on Saturday, Nov. 19 we'll do another Star Wars party! Stay tuned for more details on those events as they get closer.

I'm also excited to start up my traveling storytime again for Kairos preschool and the Monticello Christian Academy kids. I can read all my old favorite stories and appreciate them through new eyes. As always, feel free to stop by and ask for suggestions!

Time for School

School starts again today for most Monticello students, and I hope everyone gets off to a great start. I want to remind everyone that we're here to help at Allerton Library. We have lots of great books and other resources to help kids with homework assignments. We also have some research tools online that people can get to from home with an Allerton library card. Kids will especially want to look at our World Book Online for state reports, animal information, games, and more.

To get to World Book Online, start at our website at www.monticellolibrary.org. Click on Online Resources. Then click World Book. Then you'll be asked for your library card number, which you should type in without any spaces or dashes.

There are three versions of World Book for you to choose from. World Book Online for Kids will be best for younger students (K-4). World Book Online Info Finder is best for middle grades (4-7). World Book Online Reference Center is most helpful to the oldest students (grades 8+.) (The age ranges aren't definites; they're just to give you a general idea.)

If you need help, we're always happy to explain something while we're open. You can also send me an email at klawson.allerton@gmail.com. I can also help with general research questions if you're not finding what you need at World Book.

Some Great Choices for Teens

While I was on vacation I read Libba Bray's new book, Beauty Queens. I absolutely loved it! The book starts with a plane full of teen beauty contestants crashing on a tropical island. The story gets wacky at times as the girls pull together and discover more about the island, but I loved it because it's full of smart social commentary and sharp, edgy humor. Teens will devour this book.

I also finally read Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, which won the Printz award. I enjoyed that one too, but for different reasons. It's another dystopian novel featuring a main character who is up against crushing poverty and powerful bad guys, one of whom is his own father. There's action, tension, and great character writing. Teens will like this one too.