Teen Reads: Arthurian Legends

It’s that time again: all our favorite TV shows are starting their new seasons. But while we look forward to new episodes of Once Upon a Time, Supernatural, and Doctor Who, fans of Merlin will have to get their kicks elsewhere. Allow me to suggest a few Arthurian titles that should appeal to fans of this concluded series.

1. The Squire’s Tales by Gerald Morris

This ten book series follows the adventures of Terence as he becomes squire to Gawain, destined to be one of the most famous knights of the round table. Each book highlights the legend of a different knight of Camelot, full of adventure, intrigue, and romance. 

2. The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron

Chronicling the adventures of Merlin in his youth, this series of five books draws heavily on Welsh mythology. It’s a great introduction to a rich mythic heritage that many people have never learned before. Also, there’s magic and dragons. 

3. The Once and Future King by T.H. White

This older, classic series begins with The Sword in the Stone, source material for the Disney movie of the same name, but don’t think you know the whole story because you’ve seen the cartoon. The books are deeper, darker, and meant for a slightly older audience.

4. Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

Gwynna falls in with the bard Myrddin as he plots to transform a young warlord into a legendary king through trickery. Historically accurate violence may be too intense for sensitive readers, softened as it is by the female character’s point of view.

5. The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Arthur, a boy in the middle ages, named after the legendary king, dreams of becoming a knight. One day, Merlin, a friend of his father’s, gives Arthur a stone that allows him to see visions of King Arthur.

6. The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

A great, detailed retelling of Arthurian legend that will appeal to older readers who aren’t afraid of big books, this one follows a young Merlin as he matures into his power.

If none of these appeal to you, Merlin fans, you can always fall back on reruns: visit the library to check out the beloved BBC series on DVD.

Kansas Library Cards: Great Online Resources

Have you heard of the Kansas Library Card? The Kansas State Library provides free electronic resources for all Kansas residents. Just show your Kansas drivers license or state ID at your local library and request a Kansas Library Card be set up for you.

Students may be interested in the complete Encyclopedia Britannica Online for their research projects, the Learning Express Library for ACT and SAT practice tests, or Mango Languages database of foreign language lessons often compared to Rosetta Stone software.

The resources available aren't just for students. With your Kansas Library Card, you can access great databases like the Auto Repair Reference Center, the HeritageQuest genealogy resource, NoveList Plus for finding books that might interest you, or the Small Business Reference Center with complete with sample business plans and start-up kits.

Click here for a full list of the databases available.

Past Events: Can You Dig It? Fossil Q&A, September 2011

As we prepare to renovate and streamline the library website, we will be posting more events, pictures, and announcements on our blog and Facebook page. Check back often while we highlight the best of our past events. 
~Tori

Can You Dig It? Fossil Q&A

September 2011

For the past three years, local Paleo Prospectors Joe and Ardis Cruz of Andover have loaned the library a portion of their fossil collection for a month-long display. Our first year, they also hosted a fossil Q&A for dino-enthusiasts and rock hounds of all ages. 

Many of the fossils on display were discovered locally.

Ardis answers a question about digging for fossils.

Dinosaur books from the library were on display and available for checking out.

Library Buzz: The Book was Better Anyway.

(Originally published in the Andover American 8/1/13. "Library Buzz" is written by Toria Hamilton.)

As a librarian, it is my solemn and sworn duty to convince you to read the book rather than watch the movie, right?

English teachers, avert your eyes.

I’m sorry, but I love movies. I know the actors’ names, the directors’ styles, and the composers’ recurring themes. If you don’t like movies, you can’t be my friend. So although I do make a point of reading the book before I see the movie, I’m the last person who’s going to tell you the book is the most important thing in the entire world.

As a matter of fact, the Andover Public Library is a great place to pick up movies. Library patrons can check out up to four DVDs at a time and keep them for a full week at no charge. Our large collection of movies and popular TV series includes Oscar winners like “Lincoln” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” and popular blockbusters like “Avengers” and “Django Unchained”.

Try comparing these films with the books they’re based on, all available at the library: “Stardust”, based on the book by Neil Gaiman; Ang Lee’s 2012 adaptation of Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi”; the Swedish film versions of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, starting with “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”; the family-friendly “Hugo”, based on the Caldecott winning “Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick; or the beautiful “Memoirs of a Geisha” based on Arthur Golden’s popular 1997 novel. Check back later this month for the new “Gatsby” based on Fitzgerald’s classic.

Don’t forget that some TV shows are also based on books, like “Game of Thrones” (from George R.R. Martin’s books) or “True Blood” (from “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” by Charlaine Harris). Check out either the books or the series’ DVDs from the library to decide which version you prefer.

Okay, tell all the English teachers they can come back now.

As much as I love movies, if there’s anything we learned from this summer’s “World War Z” starring Brad Pitt, it’s that sometimes the movie has nothing to do with the book. If you don’t want to miss out on a fantastic story, it’s best to read the book first. Come by the library so you can check out “Ender’s Game”, “City of Bones”, “Sea of Monsters”, “The Hobbit”, and “Catching Fire” before you see them in theaters later this year. I give each of these books two thumbs way up.

Genre Spotlight: Sci Fi

This month we are promoting our great collection of Science Fiction titles. Check out classics from Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, and Ray Bradbury, or newer titles from Stephen Baxter and Timothy Zahn. Stop by between now and the end of the month to see what we have on display.

We are happy to provide advertising space for Time Safari, Inc., the world's finest time travel agency.

Our mannequin, Trixie, models the latest trends in imperial fashion.

Left - Our favorite SF titles, bestseller lists, and new releases. Right - a quote from a great and learned man.

Past Events: Fancy Nancy Tea Party, August 2011

As we prepare to renovate and streamline the library website, we will be posting more events, pictures, and announcements on our blog and Facebook page. Check back often while we highlight the best of our past events. 
~Tori

Fancy Nancy Mother Daughter Tea Party

August 4-5, 2011

The Friends of the Library group sponsors themed tea parties several times each year. Friends member Karen Osborne plans and organizes them, while other Friends volunteers assist with the food, activities, and decorating on the day of the event. Check out these pictures from a Fancy Nancy party they hosted two years ago. 

The Friends of the Library did a fancy job decorating the gallery for the event.

The turnout for both tea parties was fabulous.

The event included storytime and a fashion show.

Check our Facebook page for more pictures.

Hayley's Children's Book Reviews

Monday is sharing day in Miss Fry’s classroom.  The kids ask if they can bring in their pets to share.  Each Monday one of the kids in Miss Fry’s classroom brings in a pet to share with the class.  Read this heartwarming story, Teachers Pet’s, by Dayle Ann Dodds and find out what happens when the kids start bringing their pets to school.  Will Miss Fry’s classroom ever be the same again?

The little boy thinks there is a lion living in the meadow behind his house.  His mom thinks he is making up a story so she decides to play along by making up a story about a dragon.  A Lion In The Meadow by Margaret Mahy is a book full of playful fun and imagination.  Bright colorful illustrations help the reader use their imagination and join in on the fun.