Registration for the Vineland Public Library's Summer Reading Program begins tomorrow!

Registration for our summer reading program begins tomorrow, June 1. Did you know that children who don’t read during the summer typically lose three months of reading achievement? By the time children reach middle school, a summer reading loss of three months accumulates to a crucial two-year gap. (McGill-Franzen, Anne and Richard Allington. (2003, May/June). Bridging the Summer Reading Gap. Scholastic Instructor, 18.)

Help your children bridge the reading gap and bring them to our library programs.

Call (856) 794-4244, ext 4246 for details.



Summer Programs for Teens

If you are 13 to 18-years-old and you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, look no further than the Vineland Public Library!

The summer reading theme this year is “Own the Night.” Get a jump start on your summer reading assignment, make a movie and learn about the constellations. Make sure to frequently visit our blog for more information about specific teen summer reading programs!

To register for these programs, either stop by the library or call (856) 794-4244, ext. 4246 beginning June 1st.

Write book reviews and track your summer reading online starting July 9.

Summer Reading at the Vineland Public Library

Get ready for a summer full of reading fun! Register for the Vineland Public Library’s Summer Reading Program in the Children’s Department. “Dream Big: Read!” is the theme for this year’s Statewide Collaborative Summer Reading Club. Enjoy the creative programs the library has planned this summer.  Registration begins Friday, June 1. Make sure to frequently check out our blog for more information about summer reading programs at the library!

That's Like Me! by Jill Lauren, M.A. book review

Children with learning disabilities may think they're alone in their struggles.  That's Like Me! by Jill Lauren is a book for these children. Jill Lauren is a learning specialist who has worked with many children who have learning disabilities. She did extensive research looking for young adults and adults who had difficulty in school but worked hard and never gave up.  Each person's story is told in their own words.  Each person whether a teenager or an adult has something that they are passionate about. Whether it is race car driving, wrestling, dancing or art, these extracurricular activities are important to them.  The author also includes her webpage where readers can submit their own stories about their hardships. 

The book includes a forward by Caldecott Award winner Jerry Pinkney who had a hard time in school because of his dyslexia.

If you're looking for a book for children who are struggling in school and want to give up, this is the book for them.  The personal accounts of people just like them will encourage them to keep going and work hard. 

Overdrive App for Android Rocks!

Got an Android based phone?  Love to read books?  Wish you can use your Android based phone to borrow books from the Vineland Library?  Well now you can thanks to the latest Overdrive App for Android devices, which lets you check out epub books or audio books for free.

Here are the basics:

·         Download the Overdrive App from Google Play (Market on some phones)

·         Create an Adobe ID by going to https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/membership/index.cfm?nf=1&nl=1.

·         Add your Adobe ID to the Overdrive App within the “App Settings” page.

·         Launch the App and select your local library - Vineland Public Library

·         Search for and make a selection to download either an Epub book or Audio book then click on “ Add to Cart” or “ Place on Hold” for those books currently checked out.

·         The App will direct you to log into the Vineland Public Library using your Library card number to check out.

·         Click on download and within minutes enjoy reading or listening to your selection.

Note: Some material can be checked out for no more than 7 days while others will give you the option of 14 days.

Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns Book Review

Have you ever wondered where monarch butterflies fly to when they migrate in the fall?  Are you able to identify different frogs by their calls? What types of birds are found where you live? How many different kinds of ladybugs are there?  

You don't have to be an adult or a scientist to take part in real scientific experiments.  Whether it's tagging monarch butterflies or participating in a yearly bird census, there are lots of ways for young people to get involved. Loree Griffin Burns highlights just a few ways in this new non-fiction book Citizen Scientists.   Each chapter provides a list of items you'll need when going out on your adventure and the end of the book provides a list of resources for readers who want to get more involved.  While there is a lot of great information found in this book, the best part is probably the beautiful photographs that are found throughout the book.  The photographs alone should encourage readers to want to become citizen scientists.

I recommend Citizen Scientists to any young reader who loves nature and wants to get involved in helping our environment.

New books in the Children's Department

Here are some new books that can be found in the Children's Department. See the Children's Librarian for the exact location of the books.

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham-A is for apple, B is for ball, C is for cat and D is for moose. Wait, that’s not right! In this fun alphabet book, Moose is so anxious for his letter to show up, that he arrives a little early. When they decide to pick Mouse over Moose, Moose is not happy. The rest of the alphabet is in peril and it’s up to Zebra to save the day. This is a good book for preschoolers, especially in a small group or in a one-on-one setting. (J ABC Bin)

Wolf Won’t Bite! by Emily Gravett-Three circus pigs chase down and capture a big bad wolf. They can make him stand on a stool, ride him like a horse or make him jump through hoops, but he won’t bite. Or will he? (JE Gra)

Lola & Tiva: An Unlikely Friendship by Juliana, Isabella and Craig Hatkoff-Tiva has always wanted a puppy but because her family lives on a nature conservancy in Kenya, dogs aren't allowed. However, Tiva gets a different type of pet-a young black rhino named Lola who wandered off from her blind mother. This beginning reader is a wonderful story of friendship. (J Rea 3 Hat)

Up Cat by Hazel Hutchins-In this simple concept book, children are introduced to the word "up." Repeated use of the word is used on each page as the reader follows a cat throughout it's day (wake up, leap up, etc). The simple illustrations and text make this a perfect book to read to babies and toddlers. (JE Hut-this book is located in the ABC cubes)

Lonesome George Finds His Friends by Tori Kosara-Lonesome George is a Galápagos tortoise who lives on the Galápagos Islands. Sometimes it gets lonely, but there are lots of animals on the islands who keep George company. Along the shore, there is a young Galápagos sea lion and a Sally Lightfoot crab. In the water live stingrays, sharks, squids, sperm whales and dolphins. There are also lots of birds-the blue-footed booby, the Galápagos frigate bird, the Galápagos finch and even Galápagos penguins. With so many other animals on the island, it's hard for George to remain lonely. This beginning reader has beautiful photographs which will get readers excited about learning about a new place (J Rea 4 Kos)

Chicken, Pig, Cow's First Fight by Ruth Ohi-Chicken, Pig and Cow are back in Ruth Ohi's picture book series. These best friends have never had a fight. One morning Girl builds an impressive city, but Chicken thinks something is missing and creates a chicken statue. Pig is just a little too excited and goes zooming through the city, knocking down Chicken's statue. Chicken is mad at Pig for not being careful and Pig is mad at Chicken for being in the way. Will these two friends settle their differences? This is a good book to introduce conflict resolution to preschoolers. (JE Ohi)

Me Want Pet! By Tammi Sauer-Every child wants a pet and that doesn’t exclude Cave Boy. He searches high and low for the perfect pet, but the Woolly Mammoth is too big and Papa is allergic to the saber tooth tiger. Will Cave Boy find a pet that the entire family can agree on? (JE Sau)

Seen the movie? Now read the book! The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Has there ever been so much hype about a book that you just didn’t want to read it? That’s how I felt about The Help when it first came out. So many people were reading it (my mom, my aunt, my cousin to name a few) and saying how wonderful it was that I had no interest in reading it.

Skip ahead two years when the movie was released. I had seen previews for the movie and thought I’d like to see it. My friends and I went to see it shortly after it came out in the theaters and I absolutely loved it. After watching the movie I was determined to read the book.

It would probably be another four months before I would finally read the book. My sister was reading the book while we were on vacation in December and she couldn’t put it down. My sister doesn’t read nearly as much as I do and is known for not finishing books. When I saw her tear through the book at record breaking speed I knew I had to read it.

I finally read it and was so happy that I did. Why hadn’t I listened to all those people when the book first came out? While the movie was good, the book was great. Have you noticed that this is often the case? The book is almost always better than the movie. There are so many details that can’t be included in the movie. But the movie did a good job of bring the book to life.

After witnessing the poor treatment of the “Help” at the homes of her good friends, Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, decides to interview Aibileen, her friend Elizabeth’s African-American housekeeper. Skeeter wants Aibileen to talk about the good and bad parts of working for a white Southern family. At first Aibileen is reluctant to talk to Skeeter, but eventually decides to corroborate with her and even brings in her best friend Minny. During a time in American history where there is much civil disrest, this is a dangerous thing for Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny to do.

So now that I've FINALLY read The Help, I have to read Moneyball and The Descendants, both books that have been made into movies, which I’ve seen but not read. And all former Oscar contenders which I think is pretty awesome.

If you haven’t read The Help, I highly recommend you do. The library has eleven copies! Make sure to check out your copy today. And while you're at it, see if the movie is here too!

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Baby Time, ages 6-23 months
To register or for more information please call the Children's Department: 794-4244 ext. 4246.

What's going on today...

5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Writer’s Society meeting, all writers welcome (Community Event Room)

If you are interested in writing, join this group for in-depth discussion and writing critiques. The program will be held in the Community Event Room located on the first floor of the library. Registration is not necessary.

If you can't make the whole workshop, that's okay! Join us anyway.

6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Play Scrabble  (Doris Tripp Room)
If you like Words with Friends you'll love Scrabble! No waiting for the other person to take their turn.