Harry Potter's New Look

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Scholastic is re-releasing the seven books with new cover art by Kazu Kibushi, the illustrator behind the Amulet series. Take a look--the first two have already been released:

Kibushi at first turned down the offer to illustrate the new covers. He told Scholastic, "When I was asked to submit samples, I initially hesitated because I didn't want to see them reinterpreted! However, I felt that if I were to handle the project, I could bring something to it that many other designers and illustrators probably couldn't, and that was that I was also a writer of my own series of middle grade fiction." He also said that he wanted the new covers to look as though they could stand the test of time. 

If you want to read more about the new cover art, click out Scholastic's On Our Minds blog.

So what do you think? Are you a fan of the new cover art? Be on the lookout for more cover reveals as the year progresses!

10 Haunting Holocaust Books for Kids

Are you interested in reading Holocaust lit? One title--Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys--is an Iowa Teen Award nominee for the 2013-14 school year.

But if you're looking for more titles, PragmaticMom.com has created a list of reads you may be interested in: 10 Haunting Holocaust Books for Kids.

Some titles certainly look familiar, such as The Book Thief or Number the Stars. But have you read the new Prisoner B-3087? Or how about the graphic novel Maus? If the Holocaust is a topic you'd like to read more about, these historical fiction--and nonfiction titles--are a great place to start!

FREE Summer Audio Books

According to their website, Sync is "a program that gives away two complete audiobook downloads--a current YA title paired thematically with a classic or summer reading title--each week to listeners ages 13+ while SYNC is in session."

When is SYNC in session?

• May 30 - August 21, 2013

How do I get the books?

• Through OverDrive Media Console, which is what our local public libraries already use. You might already have it yourself on your device! Not sure which device to use? Put OverDrive onto your desktop, too!
• You'll need to sign up with SYNC--click HERE to sign up. You can also get text message alerts, an email newsletter, or you can follow their blog.

Below are some of the titles SYNC is offering *free* this summer!

And here's a partial schedule to start your summer reading. You can CLICK HERE to see the full summer sessions listed.

Audiobooks are a great way to take reading with you wherever you go this summer! And with free books from SYNC, it's hard to argue with the price! :)

A Successful First Year of Book Club

All year long, students in 6th and 7th grades have been meeting about once a month to discuss the 7 Harry Potter books.

Book Club began in September and has meet faithfully each month to talk about events, characters, and developments in the Harry Potter books, as well as to recommend titles to others in the group. You can see all of our Book Club happenings by clicking on the Book Club tab at the top of the page or by clicking HERE.

For our last meeting, the Subway Restaurant in Adel graciously donated two, 3-foot party subs. We enjoyed talking about the final book in the series, discussing such topics as horcruxes, Rooms of Requirement, and the extension charm. A common response to "What is in your Room of Requirement?" was "bank vault," while one student said he wised he could have read his mother's mind (like Harry could see into Voldemort's mind) when he was grounded and had friends at his house so he could see when she was coming home. :)

7th Grade Book Club Members

6th Grade Book Club Members

Overall, a fun first year of Book Club! Hope to see you back at Book Club in the fall when we'll start a whole new round of reading!

Catching Fire Poster Released

Are you eagerly waiting for Nov. 22 when Catching Fire hits theaters? A new, official movie poster was recently released--take a look!

Katniss stands high atop a stone outcropping, and she's clearly ready for battle with her bow and arrow. But look more closerly--see those clouds behind her? A little angelic looking, maybe? Or are they the wings of a mockingjay? Hmmm. . . 

Want to see more? You can check out one of the teaser trailers below:

1st Annual MS Book Swap

It's here--the First Annual Middle School Book Swap! To coincide with National Children's Book Week (May 13 - 17, 2013), we are holding the first ever Book Swap at the Middle School. (Many thanks to Mrs. Nase from The Book Bug; she provided many of the ideas and documents we're using!)

For the past two weeks, students had the opportunity to bring in their gently used fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from home. They noted what kind and how many books they brought in, and now they are able to trade for "new" books for the summertime! (You can access the Book Swap paperwork HERE.) Students received a bookmark to bring in when they were ready to trade.

Students stopped by first thing Monday morning to begin swapping out their books. We had a great turn-out for our first Book Swap--check it out!

Creepy!

The folks at ShortList.com has created a list of 25 creepiest book covers that "...are ever-so-slightly sinister and unsettling. Some of them are obviously strange, others require a little more attention before that sense of unease starts to drift across you." Feeling brave? Take a look:

See any you recognize? We have some of them here in our library. . . if you dare to read them! :)

Summer Reading Ideas

Summer is a great time to "chews" reading!

Looking for some books to read this summer? Check out the ideas on the new display in the library or CLICK HERE to view online.

Happy reading! :)

BOGO Book Fair

It's the final Book Fair of the year, and it's our annual Buy One, Get One Free! Fair. For every item you purchase, you can also get a single item of equal or lesser value free. Also, with our Biographies in Action presentations on Friday, May 3, parents and other guests can browse the fair then. Stop by and check out the titles--get ready for that summer reading! :)

Many favorites appear on the BOGO Fair, including these popular titles: