*Thrall ONLINE Event*

view event flyer →

Video Game Night

Among Us

Wed., Dec. 16, 2020, 6:30 pm

Please join us online for our very first virtual game night featuring the popular mobile game Among Us!

Players will take the role of crewmates and collaborate to complete tasks to keep their spaceship, headquarters, or base functioning, all while an imposter tries to sabotage vital systems and eliminate other players. The crewmates must work together to identify and eliminate the imposter!

Please note: Among Us is free on Android and iOS devices, but the game provider does charge $5 per installation for Windows PC users.

This online event is for ages 11-17.

Please register by calling (845) 341-5470 or by sending e-mail to dshannon@rcls.org.

*Thrall ONLINE Event*

view event flyer →

Virtual Book Discussion

Wed., Oct. 28, 2020, 6:30 pm

Please join us *online* as we discuss...

• A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.

This event is for ages 12-17.

About the book: "Five years after the shattering murder and suicide of two popular teens, a skeptical high school student reexamines the case before uncovering disturbing clues about what really happened."

This event will be conducted exclusively over the Internet.

Would you like to attend? Please call our Children's Department at 341-5470 or send e-mail to dshannon@rcls.org to register for this free event!

Denis' Reading Recommendations

October 2020

Are you a kid looking for your next book to read but unsure which one to choose?

Are you a parent looking for age-appropriate materials for your child to read?

Look no further! Here are some recommended titles available from Middletown Thrall Library that will meet you or your child's needs.

Books for Babies:

If I Had a Little Dream - Nina Laden

• In this book, a child dreams about the things she likes and realizes she is lucky to live in the world she does.

I Wish You More - Amy Krause Rosenthal

• This sweet picture book is about wishing the best for your child.

Tap the Magic Tree - Christie Matheson

• An interactive picture book that illustrates the life cycle of a tree.

The Runaway Bunny - Margaret Wise Brown

• This is an endearing picture book that illustrates how far a parent's love goes.

Everywhere Babies - Susan Meyers

• An adorable picture book that celebrates what babies do best.

We are Family - Patricia Hegarty

• A rhyming celebration of all different types of families.

Welcome, Precious - Nikki Grimes

• This picture book welcomes your baby to the world and introduces some of life's small pleasures.

Lullaby (For a Black Mother): a poem - Langston Hughes

• An adaptation of the poem that illustrates a mother's love for her baby.

Lola at the Library - Anna McQuinn

• Introduces your child to the resources available at your local public library.

Tar Beach - Faith Ringgold

• In this picture book, a young girl flies above her neighborhood in a dream.

Books for Toddlers:

Little Blue Truck - Alice Schertle

• A truck gets some help from friends in this picture book.

Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

• In this classic picture book, a naughty child travels to a land of fantastic creatures and is crowned king.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - Bill Martin

• In this colorful picture book, the letters of the alphabet race to the top of a coconut tree.

The Napping House - Audrey Wood

• This board book features a cumulative rhyme which is sure to be a hit with toddlers.

Dear Zoo - Rod Campbell

• A child writes to the zoo looking for a pet. The zoo sends several animals over, will any of them make a good pet?

Llama Llama Red Pajama - Anna Dewdney

• Little Llama starts to worry after his mama puts him to bed and goes downstairs.

How do you go to Sleep? - Kate McMullan

• This rhyming picture book shows how various animals go to bed.

I am Just Right - David McPhail

• The bunny in this book is getting too big for baby things, but is just right, nonetheless.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn - Kenard Pak

• Join a young girl on a walk through town and say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See? - Bill Martin

• Children will see a variety of different colored animals in this book thanks to Eric Carle's classic illustrations.

Books for Preschoolers:

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes - Eric Litwin

• Pete loves his white shoes but doesn't get upset when they get dirty or even change color.

Caps for Sale - Esphyr Slobodkina

• In this classic picture book, join a peddler trying to sell caps as he deals with some mischievous monkeys.

Make Way for Ducklings - Robert McCloskey

• Another classic picture book about two ducks looking for the perfect place to raise a family.

Dragons Love Tacos - Adam Rubin

• This picture book explores the love dragons have for tacos, and what happens when they eat spicy salsa.

I Got the Rhythm - Connie Schofield-Morrison

• On a trip to the park, a little girl notices the rhythms all around her and breaks into dance.

Islandborn - Junot Diaz

• With the help of family and friends, Lola remembers the Island where she was born.

Thunder Boy Jr. - Sherman Alexie

• The title character of this picture book doesn't want to share a name with his father. Will he get his own name?

Hair Love - Matthew Cherry

• A little girl bonds with her father as they work together to come up with a hair style for her.

Alma and How She Got Her Name - Juana Martinez-Neal

• Alma asks about her long name and learns about the family members she was named after.

Press Here - Hervé Tullet

• This interactive book encourages readers to follow instructions contained within to advance through the book.

Books for Kindergarteners

Thank You, Omu! - Mora Oge

• A generous woman shares so much of her delicious smelling stew that she may not have any left for herself.

How to Read a Book - Kwame Alexander

• This poetic picture book suggests a great method for reading a book.

A Big Moon Cake for Little Star - Grace Lin

• A clever take on the cycles of the moon, this book imagines the moon as a cake with the title character nibbling at it over time.

The King of Kindergarten - Derrick Barnes

• An endearing confidence boost for a boy on his first day of Kindergarten.

Last Stop on Market Street - Matt de la Pena

• A young boy's grandmother helps him appreciate the beauty in everyday things.

I'm Brave! I'm Strong! I'm Five! - Cari Best

• A brave, strong, five-year-old easily tackles bedtime fears.

A Busy Creature's Day Eating: An Alphabetical Smorgasbord - Mo Willems

• Join this busy creature as he chomps his way through the alphabet!

All Are Welcome - Alexandra Penfold

• Follow a group of children through a day at a school where everyone is welcome.

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion - Alex T. Smith

• A modified version of the classic tale that takes place on the African plains.

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller - Kate Read

• An exciting counting book in which a hungry fox faces off against three plump hens.

Books for 1st Graders:

Frog and Toad Together - Arnold Lobel

• Join these classic companions on five adventures!

The Boy Who Loved Words - Roni Schotter

• A boy who collects words shares his collection with those who need them.

Niño Wrestles the World - Yuyi Morales

• Champion wrestler Niño can face any opponent! But can he handle his little sisters who wake up from their naps?

I Love My Hair! - Natasha Tarpley

• A young girl shows off the varied and wonderful ways she can wear her hair.

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music - Margarita Engle

• Based on a true story, follow a girl in 1920s Cuba who becomes a drummer, even though that role is typically only available for males.

Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash - Monica Brown

• In this bilingual children's book, join Marisol as she plans an exciting birthday party!

Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale - Josh Funk

• George and Blaise become pen pals, unaware that one is a human and one is a dragon.

Julián is a Mermaid - Jessica Love

• After seeing women dressed as mermaids, Julián decides to make his own mermaid costume. What will his grandmother think?

Creepy Pair of Underwear - Aaron Reynolds

• Jasper is not a little bunny anymore, so he shouldn't be afraid of something as silly as a pair of underwear, right?

Strictly No Elephants - Lisa Mantchev

• The local pet club won't admit a boy and his miniature elephant. What will they do?

Books for 2nd Graders:

Amazing Grace - Mary Hoffman

• Grace's classmates don't want her to play Peter Pan in the school play because she's a black girl, but with support from her family and friends, she learns she can be anything.

Juna's Jar - Jane Bahk

• After her best friend moves away, Juna looks for reminders of him to put in her special jar.

Ada Twist, Scientist - Andrea Beaty

• Ada is a curious girl who uses science to determine the source of a bad smell in her house.

Dragon's Fat Cat - Dav Pilkey

• Dragon finds a fat cat outside and decides to bring it in to start a family.

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride - Kate DiCamillo

• Mercy Watson, a pet pig, gets behind the wheel in this funny, early chapter book.

EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken - Sally Warner

• EllRay's dad has promised him a reward if he can behave himself in school all week. But he faces a challenge in the form of the class bully.

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid - Megan McDonald

• The shortest kid in 2nd grade, Stink learns about James Madison, the shortest President.

Dinosaurs Before Dark - Mary Pope Osborne

• In this book, a brother and sister duo discover a Magic Treehouse that takes them back in time to see dinosaurs.

Duck for President - Doreen Cronin

• Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown and decides instead to run for President.

Baseball Saved Us - Ken Mochizuki

• In an internment camp during World War II, a Japanese boy learns to play baseball.

Books for 3rd Graders:

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds - David A. Adler

• Cam Jansen is a young girl with a photographic memory. Join her in the first mystery in this series.

The Phantom Tollbooth - Norton Juster

• In this classic novel, main character Milo is often bored. A trip through the phantom tollbooth shows that life is anything but boring!

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing - Judy Blume

• Peter's rambunctious little brother seems to get all the attention in the family. How much longer can he put up with this?

Miss Daisy is Crazy - Dan Gutman

• Teacher Miss Daisy doesn't seem to know much, but she definitely captures her students' attention!

Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Louis Sachar

• This collection of zany stories set at a highly unusual school will be a hit.

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye - Geronimo Stilton

• When Geronimo's sister Thea finds a map to a hidden treasure, Geronimo is whisked off into a treasure hunt!

My Very Own Room - Amanda Irma Perez

• In this bilingual book, a Mexican-American girl works with her family to get her own space.

How Tia Lola Came to visit Stay - Julia Alvarez

• At first Miguel is embarrassed of his Dominican aunt, but he learns to love her for who she is.

Stellaluna - Janell Cannon

• When she falls into a bird's nest, Stellaluna the fruit bat is raised as a bird.

Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg - Quvenzhane Wallis

• Shai plans to become a star on Broadway, but she doesn't get the lead role in her school play. She must learn about herself and about friendship to help the play go off without a hitch.

Books for 4th Graders:

One Crazy Summer - Rita Williams-Garcia

• Delphine and her two younger brothers travel to California to reconnect with their estranged mother, but things don't go according to plan when their mother resents their visit.

The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden

• A country cricket must make friends and adapt to the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson - Katherine G. Johnson

• Aimed at young readers, this is the autobiography of an amazing female mathematician who was instrumental in reaching the Moon.

Knights of the Kitchen Table - Jon Scieszka

• In the first installment of the Time Warp Trio, the crew is brought back in time to King Arthur's court. Will they make it back alive?

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Grace Lin

• A young girl embarks on a fantastic quest to change her family's fortune.

Into the Wild - Erin Hunter

• Wild cats have shared the forest for generations, but when mysterious deaths start to occur, a house cat may prove to be the bravest warrior of all.

The Book of Three - Lloyd Alexander

• The first book in a 5-book series, this novel will appeal to fans of fantasy fiction.

Dragons in a Bag - Zetta Elliott

• In Brooklyn, 9-year-old Jax must work with his neighbor to return three baby dragons to a magical world.

Blended - Sharon M. Draper

• Eleven-year-old, mixed race piano prodigy Isabella struggles with her parents' divorce.

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself - Lincoln Peirce

• Nate is getting himself detention after detention, but a fortune cookie indicates things might turn around for him.

Books for 5th Graders:

Pay Attention, Carter Jones - Gary D. Schmidt

• A butler suddenly appears in Carter Jones's life and tries to teach him to be a gentleman - and to deal with his past.

Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell

• A young girl survives for years on an island while waiting for a ship to rescue her.

Number the Stars - Lois Lowry

• During World War II, Annemarie shelters her Jewish friend from the Nazis.

Merci Suárez Changes Gears - Meg Medina

• Merci is having a difficult time since starting Middle School. Things are difficult at home too. How will she navigate these tricky situations?

The Season of Styx Malone - Kekla Magoon

• Caleb and brother Bobby's lives get a lot more interesting when an older, cooler foster kid moves in next door.

The Strangers - Margaret Peterson Haddix

• The first of a new series, in this book a group of siblings must investigate why their mother went missing.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg

• Claudia and her brother Jamie decide to run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Can they make it without getting caught?

Esperanza Rising - Pam Muñoz Ryan

• Esperanza and her mother must leave their life of luxury and live in a settlement camp for farm workers in California during the Great Depression.

Planet Earth is Blue - Nicole Panteleakos

• Twelve-year-old Nova is autistic and nonverbal, and eagerly awaiting the 1986 Challenger launch, for which her sister promised to return.

The One and Only Ivan - Katherine Applegate

• Ivan, a gorilla living in a circus-themed mall, decides he must help Ruby, a recently added baby elephant, find a better life.

Books for 6th Graders:

Stargazing - Jen Wang

• Christine and Moon become a pair of unlikely best friends, though that friendship faces several challenges.

New Kid - Jerry Craft

• Jordan loves to draw comics about his life, but his parents enroll him in private school known for its academics, not arts programs. He will have to navigate being the new kid while staying true to himself.

Wonder - R.J. Palacio

• Auggie has severe facial abnormalities and is preparing to go from home school to public school for the first time.

The Sword of Summer - Rick Riordan

• Magnus Chase goes from being homeless to finding out he is the son of a Norse god. He is thrust into saving the world from impending Doomsday. Will he be successful?

Redwall - Brian Jacques

• Peaceful life at Redwall Abbey by evil rat Cluny the Scourge a young mouse decides to find a legendary sword to defeat the enemy.

The House that Lou Built - Mae Respicio

• Lou decides to build a tiny house on land her father left her, but it's harder than it seems. Friends and family help complete the project.

Ghost - Jason Reynolds

• Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw has always been fast. When he beats a champion sprinter the track coach takes notice. Can Ghost be a part of the team or will his past get in the way?

George - Alex Gino

• A transgender fourth grader (birth name: George) wants to play Charlotte in an upcoming production of Charlotte's Web. With the help of a friend can George be seen how she wants to be seen?

City of Ghosts - Victoria Schwab

• Able to see ghosts since a near death experience, Cassidy and her family are on a trip to film the world's most haunted places. Will Cassidy make it out alive?

Fablehaven - Brandon Mull

• Kendra and Seth's grandfather is the current caretaker of a sanctuary for magical creatures. When evil forces are unleashed, will Kendra and Seth be able to save themselves?

Books for 7th Graders:

Genesis Begins Again - Alicia Williams

• Genesis keeps a list of things she hates about herself, including her dark skin. As her list approaches 100, will she continue or learn to love herself as she is?

Smile - Raina Telgemeier

• This graphic novel coming of age story centers around the main character's frustrating dental problems while balancing Middle School drama.

The Giver - Lois Lowry

• In this dystopian novel, a 12-year-old child is assigned his role and learns the terrible truth about his society.

Inside Out and Back Again - Thanhha Lai

• During the Vietnam war, a young Vietnamese girl relocates from Saigon to Alabama, and must learn how to cope with her new surroundings.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Kelly Regan Barnhill

• In this epic fantasy novel, a young girl with latent magical powers must save the kindly witch who raised her from the angry villagers who have sworn to kill her.

Hello, Universe - Erin Entrada Kelly

• Four unlikely kids become friends while as they search for a missing classmate and his pet guinea pig.

Inkheart - Cornelia Caroline Funke

• The first book in a trilogy, in this book, Meggie's father reads aloud from a book, and accidentally frees an evil character into the real world. Meggie must learn to use magic to send the character back where they came from.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day - David John Anderson

• Three students skip school to visit a beloved teacher who is out sick for the rest of the year. As they share their stories with one another, we learn what Ms. Bixby means to each of them.

Amina's Voice - Hena Khan

• Amina tries to balance fitting in at school with keeping her Pakistani heritage. Things are brought to a head when her local mosque is attacked.

Forever, or a Long, Long Time - Caela Carter

• Julian and his sister Flora have been through several foster homes, so they're not sure if they can trust the family that adopts them. But their new mother works to earn their trust by helping to resolve their past.

Books for 8th Graders:

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

• In this classic fantasy novel, a reluctant hobbit becomes a hero when he is persuaded to go on an epic adventure with several larger-than-life companions.

Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe

• A classic of world literature, this book deals with life in Nigeria before and after colonialism.

Brown Girl Dreaming - Jacqueline Woodson

• An autobiography written in verse, this book deals with the author's childhood, split between South Carolina and New York during the 1960s and 1970s.

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager - Ben Philippe

• Norris, a black French Canadian, moves to Austin Texas for his junior year of high school. At first, he can't help but classify everyone he meets as film tropes, but will he be able to move on a live his life?

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky - Kwame Mbalia

• Seventh grader Tristan Strong is sent to his grandparents' farm in Alabama to recover from a tragedy. When he gets there, he finds himself getting involved in a battle between mythological forces. Will he be able to use his new allies to get back home?

Peter and the Starcatchers - Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

• An orphan named Peter and his friend Molly must overcome bands of pirates and thieves to save the world from evil. This action-packed prequel to Peter Pan is sure to satisfy.

The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman

• Nobody Owens lives in a graveyard and has been raised by ghosts. There are dangers in the graveyard, but the real threat comes from the world of the living…

Better Nate than Ever - Tim Federele

• Nate has always wanted to star in a Broadway show, but he is stuck in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania. Nate and his friend plan a daring escape to New York so that he can try out for the role of Elliot in a musical version of E.T.

The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin

• An unlikely group of people are brought together for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. Together, they must uncover the circumstances surrounding his death to claim their inheritance.

The Color of My Words - Lynn Joseph

• This book tells the story of a young girl's struggle to become a writer in the Dominican Republic.

Rain Before Rainbows

Free eBook Available
until Sept. 30, 2020

Some nice news from Candlewick Press:


Please follow this link to reach the free eBook.

We invite you to check out our

Mystery Book Bundles

August 7, 2020

Mystery Book Bundles are preselected books carefully prepared by our Children's Librarians.

There are five or more titles in each batch!

Mystery Book Bundles can include arts and crafts, audiobooks, fictional stories, nonfiction, graphic novels, and more!

There are four different age-appropriate bundles that you may borrow from our library:

1. Preschool Bundle: Under 1 years old - 5 years old
2. Early Learner Bundle: Ages 6 years old - 8 years old
3. Book Buddy Bundle: Ages 8 years old - 12 years old
4. Young Adult Bundle: Ages 13 years old - 17 years old

We will try to make bundles available for checking out the same day you call!

Our library's schedule of services is online.

Please call Youth Services @ (845) 341-5470 for your book bundle!

Youth Services @ Home Book Reviews

Board Books

Reviewed by Denis:

Summer Reading 2020 is here!

Here are the links you need:

• Learn about READsquared and get the app!
• Review Our Point/Prize Completion Guide for Summer Reading

Questions? Please call us at 341-5470 from Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM - 1 PM or 2 PM to 4 PM.

2020 Summer Reading Program

Point/Prize Completion Guide

1000 points required to complete each program.

The Summer Reading Program is divided into 3 different age groups:

• Pre-k (under 1 years old - 4 years old)
• Children's, (5 years old - 12 years old)
• Teen (13 years old - 17 years old).

1. Pre-K 2020 Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Program

Ages: Under 1 years old through 4 years old
One book equals = 25 points
One online program/Mission= 25 points
One ebook = 25 points
One audiobook = 25 points
One magazine = 25 points (magazines should be logged in as a book)
Total Daily Maximum Points 300

2. Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Program

Ages: 5 years old through 12 years old
One book equals = 25 points
One online program/Mission= 25 points
One ebook = 25 points
One audiobook = 25 points
One magazine = 25 points (magazines should be logged in as a book)
Total Daily Maximum Points 300

3. Teen 2020 Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Program

Ages: 13 years old through 17 years old
One book equals = 200 points
One ebook = 200 points
One audiobook = 200 points
One online program/Mission = 25 points
One magazines = 50 points (magazines should be logged in as a book)
Total Daily Maximum Points 400


The 2020 Summer Reading Program participants will be able to log reading materials starting Monday July 6, 2020.

The last to day to log your reading materials and online programs/Missions to receive points is Sunday August 9, 2020.

You Must Call (845) 341-5470 to register for ALL online programs.

You can register for online programs Monday through Friday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Mission details can be found at the "Fun Stuff" tab online.

Completion of the Summer Reading Program requires 1000 points however,participants are encouraged to Complete more than a 1000 points to be entered in a raffle to win a special gift.

All Participants in each age category with over a 1000 points will automatically be entered to win a special gift on Monday August 10. The winner will be notified via email or telephone.

Prize Schedule:

Pre-K 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: Under 1 years through 4 years old
Claim prize: Monday August 10, through 14
All participants with over 1000 points will be entered to win a special gift
Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: 6-12

Week # 1 July 6 through 10 Summer Reading Kick Off!

Claim Prize: Monday July 13 through July 17
Must have 100 points from logging in your reading materials online
Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: 6-12

Week # 2 July 13 through 17

Claim Prize: Monday July 20 through July 24
Must have 400 points from logging in your reading materials online
Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: 6-12

Week # 3 July 20 through 24

Claim Prize: Monday July 27 through July 31
Must have 600 points from logging in your reading materials online
Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: 6-12

Week # 4 July 27 through 31

Claim Prize: Monday August 3 through Friday August 7
Must have 800 points from logging in your reading materials & online events
Children's 2020 Imagine Your Story
Ages: 6-12

Week # 5 August 3 through August 7

THE LAST DAY TO LOG READING MATERIALS AND ONLINE POINTS IS SUNDAY AUGUST 9.

TEENS: Teens Imagine your Story

Ages: 13 years through 17 years
Claim Prize: Monday August 10 through August 14
Must have 1000 points from logging in your reading materials & online events.

Last day to log reading materials and online events/Missions is Sunday, August 9.

Participants who have 1000 or more points will be entered to win a cash prize.

Prizes are given while supplies last.

---

Prizes are awarded based on points for participating in the 2020 Summer Reading Program. Please check the prize schedule to claim prizes.

Prizes are available on a first come first serve basis.

Please Note: Prizes are awarded weekly for the 2020 Children's Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Program participants (Ages 6 through 12).

Please follow the prize schedule listed above.

Pre-K Imagine Your Story (Ages 0-4) and Teen Imagine Your Story (Ages:13-17) Summer Reading Program participants will claim their prize(s) the week of Monday August 10 through Friday August 14.

Youth Services @ Home Book Reviews

Gameinformer

(periodical)

Reviewed by Betsy:

Youth Services @ Home Book Reviews

The Unofficial Guide to Mining in Minecraft:
STEM Projects in Minecraft

by Eric J. Tower.

Reviewed by Betsy:

READsquared

NYS Summer Reading Program 2020

From www.SummerReadingNYS.org:



You can register for free for this online series of events at READsquared:

Choose from...

• Pre-K 2020 Imagine Your Story: "This program is designed for kids age 0 to 4 to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!"
  
• Imagine Your Story (Teen): "This program is designed for kids age 5 to 12 to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you've earned enough points you'll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!"
  

>>> Please follow this link for the READsquared website and registration page.


Some bonus materials from New York State Library...

• Fact Sheet: "Summer Reading at New York Libraries: Keep Kids Reading"
• For Parents: "10 Easy Ways to Get Children to Read this Summer"
• Reading Lists - "This summer, Imagine Your Story! Have fun exploring New York's history, diversity and culture. These four reading lists are designed for reading enjoyment, to provide a "flavor" of New York and spark an interest in the fascinating story of New York State."

Youth Services @ Home Book Reviews

Which Way is Home

by Maria Kiely

Reviewed by Betsy:



Please follow this link to find or reserve this eBook.

Kids Summer Reading Book Buzz

From Penguin Random House:



Please follow this link to register.

Virtual Card Making Party

FREE ONLINE EVENT: June 18, 2020, 6 - 8 PM

Please follow this link to register to attend this special online event.

Join us and 4H as we learn to create...

• thank you cards for "local hospital, police, and/or fire departments, local delivery people, or farmers at local farmer's markets."
• positive affirmation cards and notes "to be included in the face coverings... going to individuals and organizations such as nursing homes, Middletown Police, NYC Mounted Patrol, RECAP, CCE Gleaning Program, The Alamo, and the Minisink Valley Bus Garage. Lovely cards or poster drawings with words of encouragement are needed."

100 Things to Do

May 29, 2020

The following information is being shared by our Youth Services Coordinator:

From CNN: "Summer is not completely canceled. Here are 100 things we can do with or without kids. No matter how many limits the pandemic puts on our lives, there are still at least 100 fun things to do this summer to bring joy, do good, inspire and connect us to others as we navigate this new normal."

For more, please visit this page at CNN.com.

PBS Books Storytime

Some wonderful news from PBS Books:



You can follow this link to jump straight to their videos of authors reading books.

They also have a dedicated Story Time channel on YouTube.

PBS promises to add videos daily, so please plan on revisiting their website to enjoy new read-a-louds in the future.

*Thrall ONLINE Event*

Virtual Teen Book Discussion

Friday, June 5, 2020, 4 pm - 5:30 pm

Please join us for our very first virtual book discussion for teens!

We will be reading Feed by M.T. Anderson (follow that link for OverDrive eBooks, eAudio).

About the book: "Identity crises, consumerism, and star-crossed teenage love in a futuristic society where people connect to the Internet via feeds implanted in their brains."

This FREE event is for readers in Grades 7 through 12.

Registration is required: please send e-mail to Denis Shannon at dshannon@rcls.org to register for this event.

After registering, you will receive a special link in your e-mail so you can attend this event.

Storytime with The Storycrafters

From "Barry & Jeri, The Storycrafters:


How to sign up: Please register in advance for the TGIF Family Story Fest "webinar" by following this link.

After registering, you should receive confirmation by e-mail. Enjoy!

NASA at Home

Free STEM Learning & Fun Activities

NASA offers a variety of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) activities for students - all for FREE - through their NASA at Home website.

You can browse their offerings through these links...

• NASA at Home - For Kids and Families
• NASA Science at Home
• Learning Space with NASA at Home

or you can explore activities by grade level:

• For Students in Grades K-4
• For Students in Grades 5-8

These learning materials and activites are truly out of this world! Thanks to NASA for making them available.

Looking for MORE fun stuff to do and try?

Please check out our other posts:

• At-Home Experiments with Mad Science
• Oh, the MANY Places YOU Can GO..."

"At-Home Experiments" with Mad Science

The nice people over at Mad Science have posted a number of "at-home experiments" and downloadable activities you might like to take a look at!

They also are providing free Printable Coloring Sheets, like this cool robot, which you can download, print, and color in any way you want!

If you're interested, just follow this link and enjoy!

Looking for MORE fun stuff to do and try?

Please be sure to read our "Oh, the MANY Places YOU Can GO..." post!

Oh, the MANY Places YOU Can GO...
at Thrall.org!

"Like WHAT," you might ask? Good question!

Your library card is powerful!

Here are a few examples of what it can unlock...

eBooks

• Have you tried OverDrive eBooks yet? It's easy!
  
  Just login with your Thrall card number and PIN (last four digits of your telephone number).
  
  How it works. Follow one of the "grades" links below, find a book you can Borrow, then borrow it and choose the option to read it in your browser to start reading!
  
  Parents/guardians and young readers can either...
  • search OverDrive directly
  • or browse OverdDrive items by *grade level:
    • grades K-3
    • grades 4-8
    • grades 6-12
    • grades 9-12
    (*grade levels determined by OverDrive)
  • or browse by juvenile fiction or nonfiction:
    • fiction
    • nonfiction
  Young adults can browse titles by...
  • Fiction
  • Nonfiction
  
  
  We also offer ANOTHER kind of eBooks - eSebco eBooks:
  • Tip: tap or click LOG IN, just wait a bit, then enter your library card #:
    • for young readers
    • for young adults

Check out our Encyclopedias & Databases

• Wow, almost sounds boring, right? Well, it's NOT!
  
  Expanding your mind is an incredible thing! Look up thousands of topics! Set your curiosity FREE and load up on new knowledge and fun facts!
  • Encyclopedia Britannica, World Book Encyclopedia, and more! - login with your Thrall library card
  • When you're ready for our complete menu of databases and encyclopedias, follow this link, if you dare...

Want more? Here you go!

• Follow this link and prepare to be amazed at what else you can access at home through our library's website!

Just for FUN!

• If you just want to have some fun, no problem! We've got you covered:
  • Kanopy Kids Videos - Watch videos and animations! It's a FREE service made available through our library!
    
    Just sign up (a parent/guardian can help with this) and start streaming!
  • OR... here's a bunch of fun online games and puzzles for you to check out! (NO LIBRARY CARD NEEDED!)

We hope this gives you some ideas on what you can do at our website.

Visit our home page for many more when you get a chance!


Be well, stay safe, and enjoy!

Soaring with the Birds!

On March 4, 2020, our "Explorers" Story Time group (which meets on Wednesdays at 10:15am - 10:45am) enjoyed a very special event!

As we concluded, a special guest from Golben Farms brought in a live Mourning Dove!

Attendees were able to pet the bird and identify aspects of the bird which we learned earlier.

Participants in this event also built their very own bird nests!

We're delighted they enjoyed this program at the library, and we congratulate them on their creations!

view event flyer →

Shakespeare, The Bard

"All the World's a Play"

as performed by

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company

Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 1 pm

in the 2nd Floor Community Room at Middletown Thrall Library

"A day in the life of England's greatest playwright!"

Meet William Shakespeare... an eager but harried young playwright who is trying to write, direct, cast, and bring dramatic life to his half-finished plays: Hamlet, Julius Caesar, and Romeo & Juliet.

As Will has fun with actors who forget their lines, insistent producers, garish set designers, and always the "words, words, words," we learn about his life, his language, and his legacy.

A FREE performance for the entire family!

No registration required.

Questions? Please call the Children's Department at (845) 341-5470.

About the Performers: "Traveling Lantern has been educating and entertaining children all over the country since 1985. Our mission is to bring great stories to children, to draw them into an active theater experience, to excite their minds and to tickle their imaginations." For more on Traveling Lantern: www.travelinglantern.com

view event flyer →

TEEN Book Club

We'll be reading Symptoms of Being Human   by   Jeff Garvin.

April 6, 2020, 2 - 3:45 pm

in the Story Time Room at Thrall

Teens, please come join our Teen Book Club! About our next book (Symptoms of Being Human): " Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. But Riley isn't exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in über-conservative Orange County, the pressure - media and otherwise - is building up in Riley's life."

THIS EVENT IS FREE!

For ages 12 - 17 years old.

Registration required.

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.

Dr. Seuss Celebration

On March 2, 2020, our young patrons celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with a read-aloud of Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss:



All participants went home with their very own Horton Elephants!

Thanks to all our participants for making this such a fun and memorable event!

view event flyer →

Youth Book Club Events

March, April, May 2020 (5 - 6 PM)

in the Story Time Room at Thrall

• Monday, March 23, 2020: Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
  About the Book: "Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship-and forgiveness-can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm."
• Monday, April 27, 2020: Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
  About the Book: "Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack's room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He's desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather."
• Monday, May 18, 2020: The Landry News by Andrew Clements
  About the Book: "The bad news is that Cara Landry is the new kid at Denton Elementary School. The worse news is that her teacher, Mr. Larson, would rather read the paper and drink coffee than teach his students anything. So Cara decides to give Mr. Larson something else to read."

Meet new friends, express your opinions, explore new genres, and have fun!

What you need to know...

• Our club is always FREE!
• Who can join: any student in grades 3 to 5 (8 to 10 years old).
• Recommended Guided Reading Level: S.
• Registration required. Registration begins now!
• Full club details will be provided when you register.

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

TEEN Book Club

We'll be reading Dig   by   A. S. King.

February 28, 2020, 4 - 5:45 pm

in the Story Time Room at Thrall

Teens, please come join our Teen Book Club! Our next book is Dig, where "Award winner A.S. King exposes how a toxic culture of polite white supremacy tears a family apart and how one determined generation can dig its way out."

THIS EVENT IS FREE!

For ages 12 - 17 years old.

Registration required.

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Dr. Seuss Read-Aloud

Monday, March 2, 2020, 4 - 4:45 pm

in the Story Time Room at Middletown Thrall Library

Let's celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday together with a fun read-aloud of Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss!

Also: there will be a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY SURPRISE for all attendees!

This event is FREE! Registration required.

Registration begins Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020.

For ages 5 - 12 years old.

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

2020 Knitting & Crochet Workshops

Choose from...

1. Individualized Instruction
   
   Have you ever dreamed of creating or designing your very own scarf, hat, or sweater? If so, learn from the masters! Lu specializes in crochet projects and Betsy specializes in knitting. For beginners, we offer one-on-one instruction.
   
   This is for ages 9 and up.
   
   If you are interested in learning how to crochet or knit, please call (845) 341-5470 to schedule an appointment with Ms. Lu (crochet) or Ms. Betsy (knitting).
2. "Sit 'n Knit" or "Sit 'n Crochet"
   This is an opportunity for knitters and crocheters to get together with other crafters and work on projects. A FREE event, but registration is required. Please note: these sessions are not for learning how to knit or crochet.
   
   When: Mondays on these dates (6 pm - 7:45 pm):
   • March 9 & 23
   • April 6 & 20
   • May 4 & 18
   • June 1
3. Afternoon Knitting + Crochet Enjoy knitting with Ms. Betsy or crochet with Ms. Lu.
   
   Registration required.
   
   When: Thursdays (2 - 4 PM) on these dates:
   • March 12 & 26
   • April 9 & 23
   • May 7 & 21
   • June 4

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 16, 2020, 4 - 4:45 pm

in the Story Time Room at Middletown Thrall Library

Let's celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your very own Shamrock Bear!

Participants receive a FREE 15-inch fluffy furry Shamrock Bear to stuff and make it "come alive" with their imaginations!

Each bear comes with its own "Birth Certificate."

So, start thinking of some possible names for your new fluffy furry friend!

This event is FREE! Registration required.

Registration begins Monday, March 2, 2020.

For ages 5 - 12 years old.

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Winter 2020 Story Time

Wednesdays in our Story Time Room

*Starting Feb. 12, 2020

Ending March 18, 2020
* Please see dates + times below.

Registration required: registration starts Jan. 27, 2020

Please choose from...

1. "First Step Growing Time"
   Time: 9:30 AM - 10 AM
   
   This wonderful event encourages your child to learn new words, ideas, and concepts through stories and crafts.
   
   Dates for this event:
   • Dates: Feb. 26 and March 11, 2020
   For ages 18 months - 35 months.
   
   Attend both sessions, and your child's name will be entered in a raffle to win a cool prize! You must be present for the drawing on Wednesday, March 11,2020.
2. "Explorers" Story Time & Craft
   Time: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
   
   Winter story time and craft activities help foster your child's ability to learn new words, sounds, and to develop early literacy skills.
   
   For ages 3 - 4.
   
   Dates for this event:
   • Wednesdays - Feb. 12, 2020 to March 18, 2020

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Homework Help 2019-2020

Homework Help will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 4 PM to 7 PM

starting Tuesday, September 24, 2019

*in the Story Time Room at Middletown Thrall Library

Please note:

• On Tue., Oct. 15, 2019, we will meet in our Community Room.
• No Homework Help on Wed., Oct. 16, 2019 (due to carpet installation)
• On Thursday, October 17, 2019, we will meet in our Community Room.

This is for students in grades 1 to 6.

Yes, it's FREE! No registration required!

Please note:

• There will be no Homework Help when either the Middletown School District is CLOSED or when after-school activities are cancelled.
  
  Also, there is no Homework Help on...
  
  
  • Tuesday, Oct. 1 (Rosh Hashanah)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 9 (Yom Kippur)
  • Nov. 5, 27, & 28
  • Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, 2020

In 2020, Homework Help resumes on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Afterwards, no Homework Help on: Apr. 7 through Apr. 9, 2020.

Homework Help will then resume on Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2020 and conclude on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Youth Book Club

February 24, 2020, 5 - 6 pm

in the Story Time Room at Middletown Thrall Library

Back by popular demand, our Youth Book Club continues in 2020, and we're hoping you can join us!

Our next book discussion will be on The Twits by Roald Dahl.

About the Book (from the publisher's description): "How do you outwit a Twit? Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the smelliest, ugliest people in the world. They hate everything -- except playing mean jokes on each other, catching innocent birds to put in their Bird Pies, and making their caged monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps, stand on their heads all day. But the Muggle-Wumps have had enough. They don't just want out, they want revenge."

You don't want to miss out on...

• meeting new friends
• expressing your opinions amongst your peers
• exploring new genres
• and, most of all, having fun!

What you need to know:

• Our club is always FREE!
• Who can join: any student in grades 3 to 5, between the age of 8 to 10 years old.
• Recommended Guided Reading Level: S.
• Registration required.
  • Registration begins Monday, February 3, 2020.
• Full club details will be provided when you register.

Questions? Please call 341-5470.

view event flyer →

Create Your Very Own

Snow Globe

Friday, February 14, 2020, 11 - 11:45 am

in the Story Time Room at Middletown Thrall Library

Participants will create their own artwork, assemble their snow globes, and watch the glittering snow swirl!

This is a FREE workshop for ages 3 - 6 years old.

All supplies and materials are included in this workshop!

Registration required (space is limited).

Registration begins Monday, January 27, 2020.

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.

view event flyer →

All-Natural Lotion

Friday, February 14, 2020, 3 - 4 pm

in the Story Time Room at Thrall

Winter months can be harsh on the skin, but you can create your very own lotion to help moisturize your skin!

This workshop is fun, simple, and gives participants the opportunity to create natural skincare using all-natural ingredients.

This is a FREE workshop for ages 8 - 13!

All materials will be provided!

Registration required.

Registration starts Monday, Jan. 27, 2020.

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.

view event flyer →

TEEN Book Club

We'll be reading All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Kiely Brendan.

Friday, January 31, 2020, 4 - 5:45 pm

in the Story Time Room at Thrall

Teens, please come join our Teen Book Club! Our next book is All American Boys, where "Rashad and Quinn - one black, one white, both American - face the unspeakable truth that racism and prejudice didn't die after the Civil Rights movement. There's a future at stake, a future where no one else will have to be absent because of police brutality. They just have to risk everything to change the world."

THIS EVENT IS FREE!

For ages 12 - 17 years old.

Registration required.

Questions? Please call (845) 341-5470.