The 12 Best Children's Books of 2012

A list of the best children's books of 2012, from James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead Foundation.

Courtesy of the ReadKiddoRead Foundation Maurice Sendak once said that one of the best things about being a maker of children’s books was that his audience kept being born. It’s true, of course: The great books from years past are brand new to today’s children and teens. But let’s take a moment at year’s end to recognize the books being published now for our young people. Here’s a quick roundup of a dozen highlights of 2012. (For more, visit ReadKiddoRead.com and check out our reviews.) Great Illustrated Books (Ages 2-5) Llama Llama Time to Share By Anna Dewdney For ages 2-5 When the doorbell rings, Mama Llama welcomes the neighbors – the Gnus. While Mama and Nelly have tea, their two toddlers are left with a boxful of toys to play with …

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Letter from Chesterfield Township Library, Youth Services

Holly Kirsten, head of youth services for Chesterfield Township Library, writes about the summer reading program.

Summer reading has come to an end once again, and I would like to thank the businesses, service organizations, and individuals who made it a success. Summer reading ran from June 8 to Aug. 31 this year, and during that time we had record numbers of children, teens, and adults visit the library to attend programs and check out books. Many also participated in our summer reading clubs and received great prizes provided by local businesses.  Our goal has been to provide this community with the best possible summer reading program. This includes free, high-quality activities close to home, and at no cost to taxpayers. Such a goal would have never been possible without the generous donations of money, goods and services, and most importantly, …

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'Gone Girl' and Other Summer Books I Couldn't Put Down

Forget the boys of summer; how about these books of summer? Rochester Patch columnist Laura Cassar shares her favorite reads of the season.

It's the "It" book of the summer and it has more twists, turns and stomach-wrenching plunges than your favorite ride at Cedar Point. I'm talking about Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Simply said, it's the story of a wife gone missing. Or does she? Amy and Nick Dunne find love and marriage in New York City. Then, unemployment finds them and they are forced to move back to Nick's home state of Missouri. Amy does not want to be there. "I suppose it's not a compromise if only one of you considers it such." In Missouri — a state with the death penalty, as a matter of fact — the couple drifts farther and farther apart until one day the front door is left open and Amy is gone. Gone Girl is the kind of book that makes you text friends late at night …

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Christy Arboscello

8:28 am on Sunday, August 19, 2012

What is your favorite read this summer?   more ›

Job Hunting Advice: What to Say After 'Hello'?

Chesterfield Township Library offers career advice and resources.

You have studied the job market, reviewed countless print and online job ads, discovered information through networking, sent out numerous cover letters and resumes, and now you have that all important job interview. There is still more to do before you head off for the interview. Chesterfield Township Library has many resources--online and in print and video form--to assist job hunters with preparing for the interview stage of the job-hunting process.  The following list represents some of the books available through the library to help job seekers explore strategies for interviewing: An alternative to reading about how to have a successful job interview is viewing a DVD on the subject. Just pop-in either of the following DVDs to see and …

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Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 8-12

Patch has teamed up with James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD program to bring you reading lists for every age. If you’re looking for some great summer reading options, check this list of “Favorite Pageturners” from James Patterson.

Looking for a great book to read this summer? This list of books has something for everyone – adventure, magic, smart kids, and amazing kids. Read one, or read ‘em all – post your thoughts in the comments. Or, if we missed your favorite book, tell us in the comments! Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos Two months of being grounded during summer vacation change Jack Gantos’ life forever. Especially since it involves the mysterious chore of typing obituaries for his intriguing neighbor. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald What happens when Charlie Joe Jackson, the most reluctant reader EVER has to actually read a book? Big Nate in a Class by Himself (Big Nate series) by Lincoln Peirce Things don’t always go your way …

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The Heart Beat

Looking for A Love Story? Check Out These Books

Follow your heart to the library or bookstore where the best in love stories (both self-help and fiction) awaits.

Whether or not romantic love is in your life, there are several great “love”-themed reads that range from traditional boy-meets-girl stories to those that focus on self-love reflection. Michelle Wooddell, co-owner of the Berkley Book Corner in Berkley, suggests delving into the world of love triangles, bridal showers and singles ads. Her favorite picks for Valentine’s reading include: An Available Man,  by Hilma Wolitzer. New in Hardcover – this is the story of a widower who cautiously makes his way back into the dating world when his children place a singles ad for him.  “Will he find true love again?” asks Wooddell, who lives in Huntington Woods.   The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides, is  one of 2011’s best novels, says Wooddell, and…

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Check These Out (At Your Library)

Suggested Reads Bring Wisdom, Entertainment to Book-Lovers

Chesterfield Township Library highlights selections for this week.

Older generations have always told their younger counterparts that things were a lot different in their time. And they were; the world, society and families change. To illustrate the point, here are some books for parents and for those being subjected to that remark, discussion or lecture: Adult Nonfiction You Don’t Know Anything!  … A Manual for Parenting Your Teenagers, by Nadir Baksh. A practical guide for handling those “moments” of frustration for both parents and teenagers, especially when perception has become a type of warped reality and communication starts turning into a war.  This is not necessarily the sole source of advice for dealing with the teen years, but a good beginning. Adult and Juvenile Nonfiction Falling Hard: 100 …

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Check These Out (At Your Library)

Natural Disasters Shake Up Imagination For Readers

The recent earthquake in Virginia was a reminder that the Earth isn’t nearly as solid as we’d like to believe. Read about natural forces at Chesterfield Township Library.

The actions of the tectonic plates (the theory is only a few decades old) has become a geologic specialty in its own right, but depends on other disciplines to support its findings. Explore the effects of these natural events with these thrilling books from the Chesterfiled Township Library. Adult Nonfiction: Ghosts of Vesuvius by Charles R. Pellegrino, takes a different look at the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy, which buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under millions of tons of volcanic ash. That final action happened after the volcano killed most of the inhabitants with a fiery surge of superheated ash and gas. Pellegrino compared that disaster with the 9/11 assault on the United States ten years ago, using …

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