Book Review: The Overachievers

THE OVERACHIEVERS: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids, by Alexandra Robbins
Nonfiction. New York Times investigative journalist and bestselling author, Alexandra Robbins, presents objective, eye-opening portraits of eight college-bound kids in the pressure-cooker of a competitive high school. AP classes, elite sports teams, extra-curricular obligations, college applications, social stresses, and striving for 2400 on the SATs combine to make the ‘carefree days of youth’ a living hell. The price is high: there are physical, psychological, and family consequences on account of the gross imbalance in the lives of these young people; and the saddest part is, their families are, for the most part, more than willing to sacrifice the emotional well-being of their kids at the altar of the Admissions Office (Ivies preferred, of course). You know these kids. You may have one of these kids. You may have been one of these kids. Honest, horrifying, heart-breaking. A must-read. --Kathy K.

Books Into Movies

Two of the three top-grossing movies at the box office last weekend were based on children's books-- Eragon ($23 million) and Charlotte's Web ($11 million).

We recommend reading the book BEFORE seeing the movie. :)

Charlotte's Web: Click here to place a hold
Charlotte's Web: Showtimes for 06870

Eragon: Click here to place a hold
Eragon: Showtimes for 06870

The Last Harry Potter Book

Scholastic has just announced the title of the latest and last Harry Potter Book. It is... *drum roll, please*.... Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! J.K. Rowling says she is still working on the book, and therefore a release date has not yet been set.

Rowling says on her website: "I'm now writing scenes that have been planned, in some cases, for a dozen years or even more. I don't think anyone who has not been in a similar situation can possibly know how this feels: I am alternately elated and overwrought. I both want, and don't want, to finish this book (don't worry, I will)."

A Book Review from the Director

The Ghost Map : The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic-- and How it Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World, by Steven Johnson

While considering the implications of a potential flu pandemic this year, along came a book that tells the story of the birth of today's pandemic identification and control. In 1854, central London experienced a severe cholera outbreak, killing hundreds of people in a few weeks. The book describes the horrific living conditions of the sufferers and their families, along with the exploits of two heroes, Dr. John Snow and Reverend Henry Whitehead. Johnson starts off strong with a thrilling account of the race to stop the pandemic. The book fizzles out when it begins to take on a preachy tone in its attempts to draw parallels to mid-nineteenth- century London and World cities of today, where thousands of people live in squalid slums. An interesting read for history buffs and anglophiles. It turned out not to be my "cup of tea." -Kevin

A Chanukkah Favorite from One of Our YS Librarians

The Chanukkah Guest, by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Giora Carmi

Although Bubba Brayna is almost blind and deaf, she makes the best potato latkes in the village. On the first night of Chanukkah, she cooks a special batch for the rabbi, who is coming to visit her. When she hears a thumping at the door, she lets in her guest. Only later does she realize she has served her delicious latkes to a bear!

Check out our sale shelf!

Our For Sale shelf, located to the right of the bulletin board in the main building, is chock-full of our discarded magazines from 2006. Pick one up today-- they are only 25 cents apiece! Books are also 25 cents, and other items are $1.00. Please pay at the Adult Circulation Desk.

Holiday Gifts for Kids: A Book Plus...

There are lots of lists of book gift ideas around at this time of year. But what if you want to make that gift book really extra-special and memorable? We love the suggestions from blogger MotherReader on this blog post, called "Twenty-One Ways to Give a Book ." She lists great books to give, along with another gift item (related to the book, of course) to pair with it. There is also a second list, with even more ideas, called "Twenty-One More Ways to Give a Book."

Check them out for some fun, last-minute ideas!

KidBits is back!

A few bits of info about the re-appearance of our once-up-a-time très popular KidBits Drop-In program: KidBits, which will be offered monthly (take a peek at our program grid for the particulars), is aimed at kids aged 3-6, whose adult caregivers are also welcome to attend. The focus will be on classic tales with a twist: creative dramatics, games, movement, a little song, a little dance, a little - well, maybe not :) - it's lively and noisy and a whole lot of fun - so get ready for fox hunts and exploding frogs and Billy Goats Gruff - KidBits is coming!

Youth Services Holiday Gift-Buying Guide 2006

It's here! Each year our Youth Services Librarians and our Book Clubs put together a list of recommended books to buy for the holidays. The list features picture books, books for middle graders, and books for ages 12 and up. Please take a look at our Youth Services Holiday Gift Buying Guide for 2006.

The list is also available at the Youth Services Desk in handy paper brochure format.

Please comment on this post with holiday gift ideas of your own!

DVD Diva: Holiday Picks

With Thanksgiving (and our first snowfall) behind us, the December holidays are right around the corner. Here are some holiday movies to consider [click on the DVD cover image to request an item]:


A Christmas Story
This Christmas classic centers on Ralphie Parker, a young boy living in 1940's Indiana, desperately yearning for a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Despite protests from his mother that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie persists, unsuccessfully trying to enlist the assistance of both his teacher and Santa Claus. All the while, Ralphie finds himself dealing with the constant taunts of a pair of bullies and trying not to get in the middle of a feud between his mother and father regarding a sexy leg lamp.

Click for more information at Internet Movie Database (IMDb)



Miracle on 34th Street
In this Oscar-winning classic, a Macy's Department Store Santa who insists his name is Kris Kringle teaches everyone a lesson in love, faith and the value of imagination.

More at IMDb





Christmas in Connecticut
A famous food writer lies about living on a farm, raising her children and being a good cook. In reality, she is an unmarried New Yorker who can't boil an egg. When her editor says she will spend Christmas with a heroic sailor, her job is on the line.

More at IMDb




And Coming Soon to the Perrot Collection:


Holidays for Children: Kwanzaa
Traditional West African drums, spirited dances, colorful candles and traditional clothes introduce young viewers to the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa. This program explores the seven principles of the Kwanzaa festival: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperation, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith in Self.





There's No Such Thing as a Chanukah Bush, Sandy Goldstein
This Emmy-Award Winning children's film, based on the book by the same name, is the tender story of a little Jewish girl at Christmas time who absolutely, positively loves Christmas trees. In this tender story, Robin's Grandfather helps her sort out "...the difference between celebrating something because you believe in it, and helping friends celebrate something because they believe in it."

Showing This Week

Showing this week at SNEAK PEEKS:

In honor of the day...
PEARL HARBOR WARRIORS
Pearl Harbor Warriors is an award-winning story about an American Marine, a Japanese dive-bomber, and the remarkable friendship that overcame hatred 50 years after the attack.

DROP-IN, for ages 7-14
Thursday, December 7th, 2006 from 4-4:45 PM in the Children's Program Room