School and public libraries often provide programs and activities for children in preschool through the sixth grade, but there is little available to young adults. For them, libraries become a place for work--the place to research an assignment or find a book for a report--but the thought of the library as a place for enjoyment is lost. So how do librarians recapture the interest of teenagers? This just might be the answer. Here you will find theme-based units (such as Cartoon Cavalcade, Log On at the Library, Go in Style, Cruising the Mall, Space Shots, Teens on TV, and 44 others) that are designed for young adults. Each includes a display idea, suggestions for local sponsorship of prizes, a program game to encourage participation, 10 theme-related activities, curriculum tie-in activities, sample questions for use in trivia games or scavenger hunts, ideas for activity sheets, a bibliography of related works, and a list of theme-related films. The units are highly flexible, allowing any public or school library to adapt them to their particular needs.

Reading Programs for Young Adults: Complete Plans for 50 Theme-Related Units for Public, Middle School and High School Libraries

Simpson, Martha Seif

Teen & Young Adult

McFarland Company

While storytelling is a great favorite of preschoolers, many elementary age children are more drawn to crafts and other activities. StoryCraft is an award-winning library program that combines storytelling with crafts in an exciting and engaging activity for children in first through third grades. Each one-hour program includes storytelling, a craft, movement, activities, music, and discussion. This collection of StoryCraft programs presents 50 fun and educational theme-based sessions. Each includes suggestions for promotion, music, crafts, activities, and stories. The sessions also include bibliographies to help direct young readers toward additional reading, as well as diagrams, detailed instructions, and supply lists for the crafts. The themes range from a Jungle Safari to Math Mayhem to a Western Roundup, all encouraging children to enjoy reading in a variety of ways. Each session has plenty of suggestions, so that the program can be customized. Helpful Hints for implementing the program can help any librarian, volunteer, or parent turn a ho-hum storytime into a dazzling StoryCraft time.

Storycraft: 50 Theme-Based Programs Combining Storytelling, Activities and Crafts for Children in Grades 1-3

Perrigo, Lynne

Collected here are 50 highly successful summer reading programs for grades K-7. Each highly flexible plan is developed around a specific theme (art, baseball, geography, zoos, and so on), providing fifteen related activities (bulletin boards, reading incentive games, etc.) and a materials list. A theme-related reading list--with fiction for younger readers (K-3) and older readers (4-7) and nonfiction titles--is included. A film and video list completes the program.

Summer Reading Clubs: Complete Plans for 50 Theme-Based Library Programs

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

A little boy offers advice on what NOT to give your mom on Mother's Day, unless she's an animal. For example, don't give her a rotting log unless she's a salamander, or a bunch of flies unless she's a spider! What would Mom like best?

What NOT to Give Your Mom on Mother's Day

Children's Books

Animals

Two Lions

Young Esther has earned a special gragger (whirling noisemaker) by delivering charitable gifts on Purim, a Jewish holiday based on the story of Queen Esther. Now she is ready to carry her gragger in the festive Purim parade! Like the legendary Queen, Esther displays courage and wit when an older bully tries to steal her gragger. The lively cast of characters quibble and carouse in a bygone world of warmth, surprise, and generosity. There is even a parade for children only. The appendix helps readers understand the history of Purim, how it is celebrated today, what a “gragger” is, and how to make a simple noisemaker. Following the award-winning The Dreidel That Wouldn't Spin, author Martha Seif Simpson and illustrator D. Yael Bernhard have again created a new toyshop tale of playful language and images that hint at ancient roots and hidden meanings, which are just waiting for young readers to find. This is a tale ideal for reading aloud for fun, but also for learning.

Esther’s Gragger: A Toyshop Tale of Purim

Literature & Fiction

Wisdom Tales

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