Al Capone Shines my Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (2009)

This sequel to Al Capone does My Shirts picks up right where the original leaves off. Moose Flanagan, who lives on 1935 Alcatraz Island along with his family and the families of the other prison guards, is frightened when he discovers that noted gangster Al Capone, a prisoner, wants a favor in return for helping get Moose's sister into a special school in San Francisco. The same cast of intriguing characters returns, perhaps a few too many for ease of keeping track. Communication from within come through notes in Moose's clothing, this time its his shoes. The story reaches its climax with a suspenseful prison break while the adults are occupied at a party leaving the kids to foil the escape. Fun and exciting. Ages: 12+

Are You there God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Bloom (1970)

Faced with the difficulties of growing up and choosing a religion, a twelve-year-old Margaret talks over her problems privately with God. Margaret's parents have no religion and are raising Margaret with none. Her father was born Jewish, her mother Christian and upon marrying they have forsaken both. The plot centers around Margaret's confusion about faith as she both longs for and fears physical development and growth. Blume writes openly about the physical manifestations of menstruation and puberty. Margaret is a strong-minded adolescent finding her way into adulthood. Controversial in its day for its straightforwardness. Ages: 9+

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck (2009)

A companion novel l to A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, this incarnation of Mrs. Dowdel's adventures takes place some twenty-five years later and her grandchildren are grown. The story relates the surprising gifts bestowed on twelve-year-old Bob Barnhart and his family, who have recently moved to a small Illinois town in 1958, by their larger-than-life neighbor, Mrs. Dowdel. Bob's father is the new pastor of the run-down Methodist church in town with little to no congregation. Though, Mrs. Dowdel is no church woman, through her secret antics and peculiar ways, the church is set to right and the church prospers. Bob witnesses and participates in more than he plan on - with lots of hilarity along the way. Fun Christmas read! Ages: 9+

RSS Aggregators (3 of 23 Things)

I played around with adding RSS feeds to my Internet Explorer and a few website feeds to my Reader. Everything seem to go fine - but with all these feeds going I'm on information overload!! I think I'll lose the CNN feed - too many stories.

I think it takes a lot of finessing to get just the right amount of the right kind of current information fed to our online selves - I mean we all have different tolerances for the time spent sitting in front of a screen. I believe mine to be somewhat low. I often run screaming with dog leash in hand - oh, sorry I digress.

As far as a library tool for Youth Services, I don't believe RSS Aggregators will directly serve our young cliental, unless the "readers" are a manufactured setup rather than an individualized news source. Professionally, their value is obvious. Given the reality that a major portion of our day is spent online -we can stay abreast, via feeds, of a multitude of issues. One downside is mass duplication of news reportings. This, however, might be mediated by the aforementioned finessing.

Adult Services and, to a lesser extent, Teens will see more of a patron-driven interest in Thing #3.

Merry Christmas Merry Crow by Kathi Appelt (2005)

A busy crow flies around town picking up all kinds of interesting and unexpected items and uses them to create a beautiful Christmas tree. Rhyming text has a nice flow and young kids will enjoy finding our swooping bird as he makes his way through a festive holiday village on each beautifully illustrated two-page spread. Great for storytime! Ages:2+

I've Seen Santa! by David Bedford (2006)

Little Bear is so full of questions and concerns about Santa that he cannot fall asleep on Christmas Eve. Illustrations are bright and simple - great for a holiday themed storytime. The whole family ends up waiting up for Santa but alas sleep wins out. Wonderful ending. Ages: Preschool-3rd grade

Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini (2000)

Moose thinks he has all his Christmas preparations taken care of, but at the last minute he must come up with a substitute for the Christmas tree. Moose has everything "perfectly perfect" for Christmas, except for one major oversight. With a little imagination and innovation, the day is saved. Text rhymes nicely with rich vocabulary. A little long for very young kids but older preschool and elementary children will find it highly amusing especially if read with a flair. Ages: 4+

Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger (1999)

After starting to publish a zine in which he writes his secret feelings about his lonely life and his parents' divorce, sixteen-year-old John meets an unusual girl and begins to develop a healthier personality. Told from the first person perspective of an emotionally troubled junior in high school, the plot centers around a straight boy falling in love with a gay girl. Through their love of zines they become best friends only to lose each other due to conflicting feelings. At the heart of this well-written novel, however, is an emotionally damaged boy who feels nothing rather than bear the weight of his true feelings. Through this unlikely friendship, John begins to feel and express himself so that whatever healing is possible can begin. Ages: 15+

Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr (2007)

The day before Thanksgiving, Turkey tries to disguise himself as other animals in order to avoid being caught by the farmer. Great for toddler or preschool storytimes. "Run, turkey, run!" is repeated throughout giving a great audience participation device. Onomatopoeia throughout making this picture book tons of fun and phonologically aware. Artwork is simple, yet vibrant and expressive. A twist at the end will give the preschoolers something to think about. My favorite outcome. A Thanksgiving must!!