Archives for staff recommendations

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Today’s Peculiar Picks titles are from the Fox & Chick series written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier: The Party and Other Stories and The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories. Fox & Chick are kind of like a modern Frog and Toad, with quirky humor and plenty of heart. As a “comic book” styled easy reader, these are great
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August 27, 2020 11:11 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Going to School in the Time of COVID-19

Going to School in the Time of COVID-19

A new school year is here bringing with it new challenges. We have prepared a sample of titles dealing with going to school under difficult circumstances. If you are considering homeschooling as an option for your family, please check out Lauren's post which includes information and resources. Going to School: Mae’s First Day of School, by Kate Berube. (eBook on Freading) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School, by Davide Cali. (eBook and Read-Along on OverDrive) The Name Jar, by Yangsook Choi. (eBook on OverDrive) First Day Jitters, by Julie Dannenber. (Read-Along on Tumblebooks) Pete The Cat Too
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August 27, 2020 10:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: back to school, children's books, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and virtual book display.

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 3

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 3

What’s not to love when it comes to graphic novels? They’re a ton of fun and I’ve noticed that the majority of kids absolutely adore reading them! From Dog Man by Dav Pilkey to Smile by Raina Telgemeier, I am constantly being asked if we have some of the most popular graphic novels currently in the library. The kids get this look of pure joy when they find out that we do! Our graphic novel section is a well loved area and I enjoy recommending various books to eager readers. Without further ado, enjoy some of these great graphic novel
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August 27, 2020 10:49 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: graphic novels, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Homeschooling Reading List

Homeschooling Reading List

Many parents are choosing to homeschool their children this year given the current pandemic. To be clear, choosing to follow a full virtual model provided by your school district is NOT to be confused with homeschooling. Homeschooling is where you are completely responsible for both the curriculum and reporting your child’s progress to the state. Homeschooling is an involved process that must follow certain guidelines.  New homeschooling parents need resources to help them. We at the Library have many items available to make your journey easier.  In addition to physical titles in our Parenting section, we have many eBook and
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August 27, 2020 10:44 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, COVID-19, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: at home learning, eBooks, Homeschool, homeschooling, parenting, parenting in a pandemic, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Staff Picks: IndieFlix

Staff Picks: IndieFlix

White Plains Cardholders just gained access to another video streaming resource with the addition of IndieFlix. IndieFlix brings engaging stories to movie lovers around the world. It provides access to over 7,000 high-quality shorts, features, documentaries, classic TV shows and Web series from 85 countries. You can watch movies on any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone, or tablet with a Web browser! Also available on Roku, Xbox, and Apple TV. If you're unsure where to start, check out these recommendations from Adult Services Librarians Tim Baird, Kristy Bauman, and Sharon Rothman. Valdez Goes Extreme If you love extreme skiing movies a la
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August 18, 2020 3:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: IndieFlix, movies, rbdigital, short films, staff picks, staff recommendations, streaming, and video.

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Behind Closed Doors Today’s Peculiar Picks share a common theme, traveling upwards through a building and discovering who, or what, is behind the doors on each floor.  Both books revel in the mystery of closed doors and the curiosity of all people, not just young people, about the inhabitants of those rooms. The Neighbors by Einat Tsarfati Also available
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August 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 3

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 3

I love audiobooks and I enjoy having the eBook or print version of the story in front of me while listening to the audio. It just works for me! I find that my mind occasionally wanders if I’m only listening to the audio and having the eBook or print version of it helps me to focus. I also have noticed that I tend to read too quickly if I’m just reading an eBook or print version. Whether you’re a fan of audiobooks or have never tried them before, I hope you’ll give a listen to my audiobook recommendations that you
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August 12, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: audiobooks, children's books, children's literature, digital audiobooks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

White Plains Cardholders just gained access to another exciting resource with the addition of Qello. Qello Concerts by Stingray is the world’s largest collection of full-length concerts and music documentaries streamed on-demand to just about any digital device. It’s like a never-ending concert ticket, which means it's perfect for this time when many are missing going to live shows. If you're unsure where to start, check out these recommendations from Adult Services Librarians Austin Duffy, Mariel Perez, and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno. The Highwaymen, Live American Outlaws The Highwaymen were a country supergroup consisting of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash,
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August 10, 2020 1:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: concerts, music, Qello, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Pet-themed Picture Books

Pet-themed Picture Books

Pets can play an important part in your children's physical and mental development. An added bonus to the loving bond between children and their pets are the many ways it can help your child grow into a caring, responsible individual. Pets can help with learning, provide comfort, encourage nurturing, help keep kids healthy, and build stronger family bonds. For more information, click here, and keep reading for a selection of pet-themed picture books. Downton Tabby, by Sparkle Abby. (eBook on OverDrive) Me and My Dragon, by David Biedrzycki. (Audiobook on Hoopla) One Cool Friend, by Toni Buzzeo. (eBook on OverDrive)
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August 6, 2020 5:52 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: pets, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and virtual book display.

Summer Reading Highlights: Chapter Books

Summer Reading Highlights: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez For children in grades 3-5. OverDrive: eBook Stella Díaz is in third grade and has been feeling a little lonely since her best friend Jenny is in a different class this year.
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July 28, 2020 11:15 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, summer reading list, and The Trove.

Summer Reading Highlights: YA Fiction

Summer Reading Highlights: YA Fiction

This summer, there is no single required title on the middle and high school reading lists. Instead, teachers and school librarians have collaborated to come up with several great book recommendations for each grade level. It’s clear that they prioritized titles written by a diverse group of authors and featuring a wide range of characters. With such a variety of titles, everyone will be able to find a book they’ll like. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorite book from the recommendations for each grade level. In addition to being available through the school system’s Sora app, these titles are also available
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July 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, Observances and Holidays, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, teens, and YA Fiction.

Summer Reading Highlights: Pre-K to 6th Grade

Summer Reading Highlights: Pre-K to 6th Grade

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! With that in mind, the Trove’s suggested Summer Reading Lists strive to reflect and recognize all the young patrons of the community by highlighting noteworthy diverse titles and series. An excellent resource to explore even more great titles for kids and teens as well is We Need Diverse Books.Org whose vision is to promote “a world in which all children see themselves in the pages of a book.” The following titles are just a few from the recommended Summer Reading List books that showcase the many different experiences of young people: Pre-K/Kindergarten: Julián
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July 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, and summer reading list.

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 2

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 2

What’s not to love when it comes to graphic novels? They’re a ton of fun and I’ve noticed that the majority of kids absolutely adore reading them! From Dog Man by Dav Pilkey to Smile by Raina Telgemeier, I am constantly being asked if we have some of the most popular graphic novels currently in the library. The kids get this look of pure joy when they find out that we do! Our graphic novel section is a well loved area and I enjoy recommending various books to eager readers. Without further ado, enjoy some of these great graphic novel
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July 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: graphic novels, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

We asked our staff to pick two books or films that they recently enjoyed or are looking forward to enjoying this summer. Below is a list of wide ranging recommendations for adults. Books American Assassin by Vince Flynn This is a fast paced book about American operatives in the Middle East and the training of a select few who become American Assassins. A great summer read because the story is intriguing while not being overly complicated. Flynn does a great job of bringing all of the characters to life. For those who like the theme of Read the Book, See
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July 15, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: staff picks, staff recommendations, and summer reading list.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

I love audiobooks and I enjoy having the eBook or print version of the story in front of me while listening to the audio. It just works for me! I find that my mind occasionally wanders if I’m only listening to the audio and having the eBook or print version of it helps me to focus. I also have noticed that I tend to read too quickly if I’m just reading an eBook or print version. Whether you’re a fan of audiobooks or have never tried them before, I hope you’ll give a listen to my audiobook recommendations that you
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July 8, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: audiobooks, children's books, children's literature, digital audiobooks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

In honor of the International Day of Friendship on July 30, I read When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk, a new release that I’d been looking for an excuse to read. Somewhat ironically, the friendship at the heart of this book actually goes up in flames… but its true value becomes painfully clear through its absence. High school sophomores Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But when Layla realizes her dream of joining the school choir and gains a new group of friends, Cleo’s left behind. Flashbacks reveal the initially subtle rift in the girls’ friendship
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, International Friendship Day, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, teens, and YA Fiction.

International Day of Friendship: Chapter Books

International Day of Friendship: Chapter Books

International Friendship Day is celebrated every year on July 30th. This day is for thinking about your friendships that are really important to you and cherishing those individuals. Friends come in all shapes and sizes – they can be classmates or family members. Take some time this summer to read about friendships and hopefully find a chance to reconnect with some of your friends! To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer For children in grades 4-6. OverDrive: Audiobook and eBook Avery Bloom and Bett Delvin are two extremely different twelve-year-olds. Avery is bookish as well
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, International Friendship Day, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, and The Trove.

What to Watch This Weekend

What to Watch This Weekend

Here are just a few highlighted films you can stream on Hoopla this weekend. Just Mercy (2019) Drama Starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson A powerful true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his battle for justice as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence. Available as a Bonus Borrow through June 30th. Give Me the Banjo (2011) Documentary The banjo has been an emblem of American culture for centuries, yet few realize the instrument's complicated, checkered past. Narrated by Steve Martin and featuring such banjo masters as Pete Seeger,
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June 26, 2020 3:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: films, hoopla, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Juneteenth: YA Fiction

Juneteenth: YA Fiction

I didn’t expect to have much trouble gathering some historical fiction titles telling celebratory stories about emancipation. I found one promising book that turned out to be narrated by the daughter of a Texas plantation owner complicit in concealing the news of emancipation—not at all what I was looking for. I continued searching. I found books about slavery during the Revolutionary War, time travel mysteries, and one alternate history featuring Civil War zombies, but I had a hard time finding a perfect fit for Juneteenth. I ended up reading Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. It’s told over the span
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June 17, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Juneteenth, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA Fiction.

Antiracism YA Fiction

Antiracism YA Fiction

Typically, when choosing books for my Dive into Diversity posts, I mostly try to avoid titles that focus on racism, police or gun violence, or other trauma. Instead, I prefer to highlight books that show a diverse range of teens dealing with everyday life. In this moment, though, it's time to feature books that demonstrate the impact of violence and oppression on teens. These stories are heavy, but they are important. Especially if you don’t identify with the protagonist, I challenge you to read and consider the character’s situation with an open mind. Let these stories be windows into another
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June 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Antiracism, Antiracism Reading List, Dive into Diversity, diversity, eBooks, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.