Smythie

The monthly e-newsletter of the Smyth Public Library

June, 2019

Volume 13, No.3

Events…

Sky Watch
Thursday, June 6 at 7pm

We’ll kick-off the Summer Reading Program with an indoor sky presentation with the New Hampshire Astronomical Society from 7-8 PM (regardless of sky conditions), followed by observing the night sky with a telescope, weather permitting.  Come see the crescent moon up close!

Friends’ Annual Book & Bake Sale
Saturday, June 8, 8 am-2pm

The Great New England Sea Serpent
Tuesday, June 11th at 6pm

An enormous creature has been lurking off the coast of New England for centuries–at least according to numerous accounts. It has been seen by Native Americans, ship captains, clergymen, government officials, and residents of seacoast villages. Are these stories believable? Is this mammoth sea monster fact or fable? Were these witnesses lying or were they mistaken in what they saw? Or were they really seeing some still unidentified giant snake-like sea animal?
Michael Faiella will examine the legend and reality of the great New England sea serpent, the Gloucester Sea Serpent. Michael is a retired public school history teacher. He grew up on an island where the creature was spotted (according to Scientific American) in the 19th century. He and his wife tend a garden and chickens at their Northwood home, their three children having flown the coop.

Candia Honey with Reggie Henshaw
Thursday, June 13th at 6pm

Local beekeeper Reggie Henshaw will speak about his experiences raising healthy bees and making honey.

Summer Music at the Gazebo Returns!

Smyth Public Library will present the 9^th annual Summer Concert Series on seven consecutive Wednesdays beginning July10th. The series is held at the Candia Pond Park gazebo, behind the library at 55 High Street, and will move to the CYAA field house if it rains. The concerts are free, with funding from the Friends of Smyth Library and the Friends of the Concert Series. The concerts run from 6:30-8pm. Bring a chair or blanket for the lawn, and a hat, as the view is toward the setting sun. Ice cream will be available. Call the library at 483-8245 for updates, or watch our Music page at www.smythpl.org.

Odds Bodkin

Summer Reading Family Kickoff
Wednesday, July 10th at 6:30 pm

              “a consummate storyteller” – The New York Times

Odds presents the universe of stories as three different types of tales. What’s a fable? What’s a fairy tale? What’s a myth? Find out as Master Storyteller Odds Bodkin tells one of each with character voices, music and audience participation. The hour-long show is appropriate for all ages.

The Boys and the Frogs: An Aesop’s Fable on Celtic harp

The Little Shepherd: An Italian Fairy Tale on 12-string guitar

Finn MacCool and the Big Man: An Irish myth with a song on

12-string guitar

Windham Swing Band
Wednesday, July 17th at 6:30

An 18 piece with music from the 20’s. Come hear many of your favorite swing and Big Band standards. With great instrumentals, this band is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Travel with us back to a time of top hats and tuxes!

FULL SCHEDULE: Wednesday nights at 6:30pm

July 10th- Summer Reading Program Opener for Families- Odds Bodkin

July 17th- Windham Swing Band

July 24th- Nicole Murphy

July 31st- Granite Planet

August 7th-Community Band Summer Reading Finale for all ages

August 14th- Bedford Big Band

Come enjoy the magic of summer music under the stars, complete with ice cream! (Concerts held at CYAA in case of rain.)

HOW-TO’s

How to: eBay Selling Basics 101
Wednesday, June 12th at 6pm

This class teaches you the basics of selling on ebay. Learn how to create a professional listing. From research to shipping. A fantastic way to earn extra income. For the selling hobbyist or the serious entrepreneur.
Everyone that attends class has a chance to win class raffle!
About your teacher: Robbin Levin, eBay Community Influencer, trained and certified by eBay University over 8 years ago as an eBay Education Coach, bringing current & continued education for online selling on eBay and beyond.
Organizer of The New England eBay & eCommerce Sellers Group, available for anyone to join on Meetup.com
Just follow this link:

https://www.meetup.com/New-England-ebay-Sellers-Group/

If you have a special talent you’d like to share, please see Heidi at the front desk

Check out our monthly calendar on our website for all our events and programs.

New!!!

TRY OUT NEW:  KANOPY

WE ARE THRILLED TO PRESENT OUR NEW FILM STREAMING SERVICE

Started in February, Smyth Library Patrons Will Have Access to Kanopy featuring more than 30,000 Films, For Free!

Library card holders can access Kanopy and view up to four films per month. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku.

With the motto of “thoughtful entertainment,” Kanopy provides patrons with access to films of unique social and cultural value; films that are often difficult or impossible to access elsewhere, and programming that features diversity, with a wide array of foreign language films and films on race, and current affairs.

TRY IT AND DOWNLOAD NOW AT:  smythpl.kanopy.com

New on our shelves…

New Fiction…      

Sunset beach Andrews, Mary Kay

A bend in the stars Barenbaum, Rachel,

Courting Mr. Lincoln: a novel Bayard, Louis

Mistress of the Ritz: a novel Benjamin, Melanie

Malice at the palace: a Royal Spyness mystery Bowen, Rhys

The twelve clues of Christmas Bowen, Rhys

The Kremlin strike Brown, Dale

The relic master Buckley, Christopher

Resistance women: a novel Chiaverini, Jennifer

Keep you close: a novel Cleveland, Karen

The daughter’s tale: a novel Correa, Armando Lucas,

The never game Deaver, Jeffery

Diary of a dead man on leave Downing, David

The big kahuna Evanovich, Janet

The road home Evans, Richard Paul

Story of a new name Ferrante, Elena

The story of the lost child Ferrante, Elena

The summoning Graham, Heather

Cari mora Harris, Thomas

The English major Harrison, Jim

Willing to die Jackson, Lisa

Miracle Creek Kim, Angie

The night window: a Jane Hawk novel Koontz, Dean R.

If she wakes Koryta, Michael

Deception cove L aukkanen, Owen

The book of spies Lynds, Gayle

The Department of Sensitive Crimes: a Detective Varg novel 

McCall Smith, Alexander

Throw me to the wolves McGuinness, Patrick,

Far and away Michaels, Fern

Tell me you’re mine Norebäck, Elisabeth,

Robert B. Parker’s buckskin Knott, Robert

The Paris diversion: a novel Pavone, Chris

Disappearing Earth: a novel Phillips, Julia,

Tightrope Quick, Amanda

Raiders from the north Rutherford, Alex,

The summer cottage Shipman, Viola

Thread for pearls: A story of resilient hope 

Blessing in disguise: a novel Steel, Danielle

Escape Tanenbaum, Robert

Anna of Kleve, the princess in the portrait: a novel Weir, Alison

The podiatry book used footnotes whereas the proctology textbook used endnotes!

Memories, Pictures and stories!

The Candia Heritage Commission is looking for stories and photos of Smyth Library experiences.  It is compiling a story of our very active Candia library from the last days at the “Old Library” to the present in the “New” library.  How has the library been part of life in Candia?  Leave your contribution at the front desk or email: Heritage@candianh.org.

New Non-Fiction…

Life 3.0: being human in the age of artificial intelligence Tegmark, Max

Emotional intelligence 2.0 Bradberry, Travis,

Outer order, inner calm: declutter and organize to make more room for happiness 

Rubin, Gretchen Craft

Reelecting Lincoln: the battle for the 1864 presidency Waugh, John C.

The spy in Moscow Station: a counterspy’s hunt for a deadly Cold War threat Haseltine, Eric,

The Moscow rules: the secret CIA tactics that helped America win the Cold War Mendez, Antonio J

Theodore Roosevelt for the defense: the courtroom battle to save his legacy Abrams, Dan,

Lightning Sky: A U.S. Fighter Pilot Captured During WWII and His Father’s Quest to Find Him George, R.C. ,

Sea stories: my life in special operations McRaven, William H.

Navy seal dogs: my tale of training canines for combat Ritland, Mike.

I’ll be gone in the dark: one woman’s obsessive search for the Golden State Killer McNamara, Michelle

Furious hours: murder, fraud, and the last trial of Harper Lee Cep, Casey N.,

No such thing as a bad kid: understanding and responding to the challenging behavior of troubled children and youth Appelstein, Charles D.

New Hampshire covered bridges Knoblock, Glenn A

Easy Spanish phrase book: over 700 phrases for everyday use Loaeza, Pablo García,

Down from the mountain: the life and death of a grizzly bear Andrews, Bryce.

Black Death at the Golden Gate: the race to save America from the bubonic plague Randall, David K.,

Storey’s guide to raising dairy goats: breed selection, feeding, fencing, health care, dairying, marketing Belanger, Jerome D.,

The one minute wine master: discover 10 wines you’ll like in 60 seconds or less Simonetti-Bryan, Jennifer.

Raising a self-disciplined child: help your child become more responsible, confident, and resilient Brooks, Robert B

Hyperbole and a half: unfortunate situations, flawed coping mechanisms, mayhem, and other things that happened Brosh, Allie.

Mountain bike magazine’s complete guide to mountain biking skills: expert tips on conquering curves, corners, dips, descents, hills, water hazards, and other all-terrain challenges 

Rough magic: riding the world’s loneliest horse race Prior-Palmer, Lara,

Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod Paulsen, Gary

Nanaville: adventures in grandparenting Quindlen, Anna

What remains: a memoir of fate, friendship, and love Radziwill, Carole.

With Reckless Abandon: Memoirs of a Boat Obsessed Life Sharp, Jim,

Things my son needs to know about the world Backman, Fredrik

Sergeant Stubby: how a stray dog and his best friend helped win World War I and stole the heart of a nation Bausum, Ann.

The Bürgermeister’s daughter: scandal in a sixteenth-century German town Ozment, Steven E.

Defying Hitler: the Germans who resisted Nazi rule Thomas, Gordon

Sergeant Rex: the unbreakable bond between a Marine and his military working dog Dowling, Mike C.,

A rumor of war: with a twentieth anniversary postscript by the author Caputo, Philip

The British are coming: the war for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 Atkinson, Rick

The wilderness warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the crusade for America 

Brinkley, Douglas

The pioneers: the heroic story of the settlers who brought the American ideal west McCullough, David G.,

New Books on CD…

End of the spear CD (8) Saint, Steve.

The Big Kahuna CD (6) Evanovich, Janet

The night window CD (12) Koontz, Dean R.

If she wakes CD (10) Koryta, Michael

C CD (11) Mccarthy, Tom

Dirty Blonde CD (9) Scottoline, Lisa

Luncheon of the boating party CD (14) Vreeland, Susan

The orphanmaster CD (12) Zimmerman, Jean.

Best friends and drama queens CD (4) Cabot, Meg

New Video…

Brother Bear DVD 015A [G] 

Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump DVD 018 [PG13] 

Jerry Maguire DVD 021 [R] 

Man on fire DVD 022 [R] 

Antwone Fisher DVD 023 [PG13] 

Serenity DVD 1176 [R] 

Mission of honor DVD 1177 [PG13] 

Racing Stripes DVD 1178 [PG] 

The favourite DVD 1179 [R] 

Spider-Man, into the Spider-Verse DVD 1180A [PG] 

How to train your DVD HTD3 [PG] — The hidden world / 

The LEGO movie 2 DVD LEGO2 [PG] — The second part / 

Actual question asked of a librarian: Do you have any photographs of dinosaurs?

Which reminds us: dinosaurs did not read and now they are extinct 

Friends In-House Book Sale!

You can browse at your leisure now and bring home a favorite to keep or to give away to a friend. Just look for the bright signs just inside our main doors on the left. Pay at the front desk. Only… $1 for hardcover and $.50 for paperbacks. Proceeds go to the Friends of Smyth Library. See the new “Blind Date with a Book” Sale and $1 Cookbook magazines available.

YOU ARE INVITED~ More Friends welcomed!  Would you like to help the library?  Then please consider becoming a Friend!  See Heidi or Ginny for more information!

Tip from the front desk

And even more science illustrating the power of reading!

6 Scientific Reasons You Should Be Reading More

Reading transports us to worlds we would never see, introduces us to people we would never meet, and instills emotions we might never otherwise feel. It also provides an array of health benefits. Here are six scientific reasons you should be picking up more books.

1. READING REDUCES STRESS.

In 2009, scientists in the UK assessed how different activities lowered stress by measuring heart rate and muscle tension. Reading a book or newspaper for just six minutes lowered people’s stress levels by 68 percent—a stronger effect than going for a walk (42 percent), drinking a cup of tea or coffee (54 percent), or listening to music (61 percent). According to the authors, the ability to be fully immersed and distracted is what makes reading the perfect way to relieve stress.

2. READING—ESPECIALLY BOOKS—MAY ADD YEARS TO YOUR LIFE.

A daily dose of reading may lengthen your lifespan. A team at Yale University discovered that people who reported reading books for 30 minutes a day lived nearly two years longer than those who read magazines or newspapers. Participants who read more than 3.5 hours per week were 23 percent less likely to die”The benefits of reading books include a longer life in which to read them,” the authors wrote.

3. READING IMPROVES YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD.

In the 1990s, reading pioneer Keith Stanovich conducted dozens of reading studies and found avid readers had around a 50 percent larger vocabulary and 50 percent more fact-based knowledge. Reading both predicts and contributes to those skills, says Donald Bolger, a human development professor at the University of Maryland who researches how the brain learns to read. “It’s like a snowball effect; the better you are at reading, the more words you learn. The more words you learn, the better you are at reading and comprehending—especially things that would have been outside your domain of expertise.”

4. READING ENHANCES EMPATHY.

For a 2013 Harvard study, a group of volunteers either read literary fiction, popular fiction, nonfiction, or nothing. Across five experiments, those who read literary fiction performed better on tasks like predicting how characters would act and identifying the emotion encoded in facial expressions. “If we engage with characters who are nuanced, unpredictable, and difficult to understand, then I think we’re more likely to approach people in the real world with an interest and humility necessary for dealing with complex individuals,” study lead author David Kidd, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

5. READING BOOSTS CREATIVITY AND FLEXIBILITY.

“In our real lives, we often feel like we have to make a decision, and therefore we close our mind to information that could eventually help us,” says Maja Djikic, a Toronto psychologist “When we read fiction, we practice keeping our minds open because we can afford uncertainty.” She came to that conclusion after she conducted a study in which 100 people were assigned to read a fictional story or a nonfiction essay. The fiction readers emerged as more flexible and creative than the essay readers—and the effect was strongest for people who read on a regular basis.

6. READING CAN HELP YOU TRANSFORM AS A PERSON.

It’s not often that we can identify moments when our personality changes and evolves, but reading fiction may help us do just that. A Toronto research team asked people to fill out questionnaires regarding their emotions and key personality traits, then read fiction or nonfiction. After reading, all completed the same questionnaire—but many of the fiction readers’ responses had significantly changed as they saw themselves differently after reading about others’ fictional experience. The nonfiction readers didn’t undergo this shift in self-reflection. “As you identify with another person, a protagonist in the story, you enter into a piece of life that you wouldn’t otherwise have known. You have emotions or circumstances that you wouldn’t have otherwise understood,” says Toronto psychologist. Imagining new experiences creates a space in which readers can grow and change.

Excerpt by Abigail Fagan May 2, 2018

As science continues to illuminate the power of reading, Smyth Public Library is here to help you discover wonderful books, access them instantly, and spread the word to your friends-as well as foster that same passion in your kids.

-Heidi Deacon, Director

Coloring night for all ages, all supplies provided, Fridays 6-7 pm

Try out our new “Volunteer Your World” ideas at Smyth Public Library. Visit our Volunteer Your World Page

Writers’ group

On the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, 6:30pm

The Smyth Public Library hosts a gathering of writers once or twice a month where we work together on timed writing exercises using prompts and other sources of inspiration. The writing periods will be followed by sharing some of the work with each other. The goal of the group is to loosen up and get the pen moving on paper. We don’t seek to have a finished work by the end of the session and you don’t need to arrive with a finished piece of writing to share. The writer’s group is a place to meet with other writers and to flex your writing muscles. Please come ready with a writing medium of your choice: paper and pen/pencil, computer, tablet, etc.

Drop In Family Game Nights!!

First Friday of every month at 6:30

Knitting & Crochet Circle
Help with the cap, blanket, and scarf charity project, work on your own items, or just come to learn. Call Lisa 587-0603 for more info.
Third Thursday of the month, 6:30pm

Monthly Lego Night!

EVERY third Friday 6:30-7:30 for all ages.

MAGIC GAME CLUB

Featuring : Magic-The Gathering

Held monthly on the First Wednesday of the month at 4 pm!

For ages 8 and up!

Family Movie Night   

Friday, June 28, 6:00 p.m.

“Wonder Park”rated PG

Did you Know???

  Next time you watch the news remember that an ultracrepidarian is: somebody who gives opinions on subjects they know nothing about.

In theGallery…

CURRENTLY FEATURED

The Peace in the World

Featuring Art by students from Klaipeda, Lithuania

ART WANTED!!!

Our art gallery and (locked) glass case is always available for the works of local artists.  Just see Heidi at the front desk to display your works

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

Brought to you by the Friends of the Smyth Public Library

The Little Free Library is up and running at the CYAA complex – anyone can take advantage!

LOVE TO SHARE A GOOD BOOK?

Now! 2 groups!  2 times!

How about sharing your thoughts on a book at the friendly monthly book discussion group?

Thursday, June 27th, 11:00 a.m.

High Season

By Judy Blundel

No matter what the world throws her way, at least Ruthie Beamish has the house. Located by the sea in a quiet Long Island village, the house is her nest egg—the retirement account shared with her ex-husband, Mike, and the college fund for their teenage daughter, Jem. The catch? To afford the house, Ruthie must let it go during the best part of the year.
It’s Memorial Day weekend and the start of what Jem calls “the summer bummer”: the family’s annual exodus to make way for renters. This year, the Hamptons set has arrived. Adeline Clay is elegant and connected—and will never need to worry about money. Before long, she demonstrates an uncanny ability to help herself to Ruthie’s life. Is Adeline just being her fabulous self, or is she out to take what she wants?
When an eccentric billionaire, his wayward daughter, a coterie of social climbers, and Ruthie’s old flame are thrown into the mix, the entire town finds itself on the verge of tumultuous change. But as Ruthie loses her grasp on her job, her home, and her family, she discovers a new talent for pushing back. By the end of one unhinged, unforgettable summer, nothing will be the same—least of all Ruthie.

Extra titles of this book are available at the front desk

Tuesday, May 25th at 7:30 pm

Clock Dance

by Anne Tyler  

“Willa Drake can count on one hand the defining moments of her life. In 1967, she is a schoolgirl coping with her mother’s sudden disappearance. In 1977, she is a college coed considering a marriage proposal. In 1997, she is a young widow trying to piece her life back together. And in 2017, she yearns to be a grandmother but isn’t sure she ever will be. Then, one day, Willa receives a startling phone call from a stranger. Without fully understanding why, she flies across the country to Baltimore to look after a young woman she’s never met, her nine-year-old daughter, and their dog, Airplane. This impulsive decision will lead Willa into uncharted territory–surrounded by eccentric neighbors who treat each other like family, she finds solace and fulfillment in unexpected places. A bewitching novel of hope and transformation, Clock Dance gives us Anne Tyler at the height of her powers.”

*Extra titles of this book are available at the front desk

Library Assets…

SERVICE FOR HOMEBOUND PATRONS:

Smyth Public Library is now offering home delivery of library materials for any Candia community residents in need.  Please contact us for a registration form for this service or use the link to a form to fill out on our website.

The library is proud to now offer The Healing Library; reading kits to aid with coping with difficult situations. We offer The Death of a Loved One, The Death of a Pet, plus Alzheimer’s & Your Family. These are located in the children’s room, along with books relating to each topic. The kits are available now for check out.

STILL HERE!:

Digital Movies, Music and More –Instantly Available –24/7 –Free with your Library Card!

Movies, TV,Music Albums, eAudiobooks , eBooks, and Comics/Graphic Novels. All in one location, from your computer, tablet or Smartphone!

With hoopla, there are no hold lists, no extra apps or accounts needed or special steps to use it.

It just works! On a mobile device, borrowed content may be temporarily downloaded and accessed offline or, in either the app or on a computer, all borrowed content may be enjoyed while connected to the internet by streaming.

Don’t forget  – you can always borrow our internet hot spot, telescope and newly offered Ukulele and a dozen baking pans!

Making Your Life Easy:

By going to our website, you can search our entire catalogue for books, CD’s, DVD’s and movies.  Once found, you can check to see if what you want is in.  If so, just to our website and reserve the book.  The next time you come in, it will be waiting for you at the front desk.  WITH OUR NEW WEBSITE YOU CAN DO IT WITH YOUR MOBILE DEVICE!

PLUS!!  Check out our smythpl.org website updates and Smyth Library’s Public Catalog featuring:

– A crawl of new items.

– “What’s Hot” now covers several choices.

-“Most Popular” titles (a combination of checkouts and reserves are used to determine this list).  

– “More Search Options” includes Medium that lets members search by DVD or Large Print, etc.

More Research Options:

Full text articles from thousands of magazines, journals and national newspapers, plus NoveList. Call or e-mail us and provide your name and your library card number, and we’ll give you the password.

Smyth Library has available:

The Candia Heritage Commission is pleased to announce the acquisition of a valuable historical resource, bound volumes of the Rockingham County News encompassing the years 1978-1998.  A two week loan of a volume can be arranged by contacting Sis Richter 483-2585, president of the Historical Society or Diane Philbrick 483-8239, chair of the Heritage Commission. 

Also, still available: 2019 Candia Conservation Calendars-Local scenery featured by Candia’s own talented photographers. ($5 to the Candia Conservation Commission-all proceeds go toward sending a Candia student to Barry Conservation camp)

We’re on Facebook!

Like the Smyth Public Library

Look at our page on Facebook for events and updates about our library!

Downloadable Books!!!!

Ipods and Kindles work and you can

Order right from our website!

PASSES….PASSES….PASSES

Check our website for passes!!!All are listed in the “museum passes” tab of the website and can be reserved there.

Kids’ Stuff…

Check out our monthly calendar for children on the children’s tab on our website.

A UNIVERSE OF STORIES

SUMMER READING IS HAPPENING Wednesdays FROM JULY 3- AUGUST 14

SIGN UP NOW!

Baby—Preschool children- stories, games, crafts, music, puppets-During Thursday Story Time 10am

School Age Children (K-6)

Wednesday, July 3rd 3pm- Make Galaxy Slim

Wednesday, July 17th 3pm- Galaxy Painting

Wednesday, July 24th 3pm- Cardboard Space Shuttles

Wednesday, July 31st 3pm- Space Suncatchers

Wednesday, August 7th 3pm- Make a Bottle Rocket!

Wednesday, August 14th 3pm- Make a Solar System

FOR TEENS!!

TWEENS/TEENS SUMMER READING

~Read a book~ fill out a mini review form at the front desk~ enter for gift card raffle prizes~

Wednesday, July 3rd 4pm- Nuts and Bolts Enterprise

Wednesday, July 17th 4pm- Make Chocolates

Wednesday, July 24th 4pm- Water Balloon Relay Race

Wednesday, July 31st 4pm- Bubble Paint

Baby—Preschool children-

Stories, games, crafts, music, puppets

During Thursday Story Time 10 a.m.

NOW presenting two Storytimes:

Thursdays, 10 am with Jessica

Thursdays, 6 pm with Autumn

Preschoolers and babies welcomed

Read to Simon, Gwen Paprocki’s Certified Therapy dog.

Want to boost reading confidence?

Why is reading to a dog educational AND fun? Because Simon is soft, furry and warm and he loves the attention you give him when you practice your reading out-loud skills! In the Children’s Library Room ~ one-on-one with Ms. Gwen and Simon present. (Simon and Gwen Paprocki are certified through Therapy Dogs International)

Please sign up if interested.  Call Gwen for more info at 483-8245

FUTURE ENGINEERS AND BUILDERS!!
Second Friday, 6:00 p.m.

We break out our snap circuits! Build exciting projects including computer interfaced experiments and solar cell applications. Build over 175 exciting projects now with lights.  All new kits and all ages welcome! Check our Facebook page for some cool snap circuit projects.

1000 BOOKS before Kindergarten

Personal memory registers and book bags are available for parents.

New books for children…

Tarantula vs. scorpion Pallotta, Jerry

Winnie-the-Pooh’s colors 

The going to bed book Boynton, Sandra

The buffalo soldier Garland, Sherry

Nobody hugs a cactus Goodrich, Carter,

Chickens aren’t the only ones Heller, Ruth,

Sea glass summer Houts, Michelle,

The Buffalo soldiers and the American West Glaser, Jason.

Dragon of the red dawn Osborne, Mary Pope,

New books for juni ors…

Buffalo soldiers: heroes of the American West Baker, Brynn.

Strong inside: the true story of how Perry Wallace broke college basketball’s color line Maraniss, Andrew,

The hundred dresses Estes, Eleanor

Mr. Lemoncello’s all-star breakout game Grabenstein, Chris

The Blazing Star: Dawn of the clans — 4 Hunter, Erin

The first battle: Dawn of the clans — 3 Hunter, Erin

Forest divided: Dawn of the clans — 5 Hunter, Erin

Path of stars: Dawn of the clans — 6 Hunter, Erin

The raging storm: A vision of shadows — 6 Hunter, Erin

The sun trail: Dawn of the clans — 1 Hunter, Erin

Thunder rising: Dawn of the clans — 2 Hunter, Erin

Cracker!: the best dog in Vietnam Kadohata, Cynthia

The batboy Lupica, Mike

There’s a boy in the girls bathroom Sachar, Louis

Our castle by the sea Strange, Lucy,

From the Junior Shelves~

The Batboy

by Mike Lupica

From the #1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica comes the story of baseball’s unsung hero: The Batboy

It is every baseball kid’s dream summer job: batboy for your hometown Major League team. Yet for fourteen year- old Brian, the job means more than just the chance to hang around his idols. Baseball was the job his father loved so much, in the end he couldn’t leave it. Yet he could leave his family. Now Brian sees the job as the way to win back his father. There is no winning back some people, though. Just ask Hank Bishop—once the most popular player in baseball before he was banned for using steroids. Now he is making his comeback. And an unlikely friendship slowly develops between this man in need of a family and this boy in need of a father.

Mike Lupica, king of the sports novel, delivers his most powerful and kid-friendly to date.

“A pennant winner.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Lupica. . .giv[es] his readers a behind-the-scenes look at major league sports. In this novel, he adds genuine insights into family dynamics and the emotional state of his hero.” –Booklist

“[T]his novel will undoubtedly appeal to those who equate summer with baseball, it should also win over readers who appreciate finely crafted storytelling and engaging characters.” –School Library Journal

  Goodreads

New books for young adults…

Fear: a Gone novel — 5 Grant, Michael

Gone — 1 Grant, Michael

Hunger: a Gone novel — 2 Grant, Michael

Lies: a Gone novel — 3 Grant, Michael

Light — 6 Grant, Michael

Plague: a Gone novel — 4 Grant, Michael

RWBY — Vol. 1, — Red like roses / 

Kokoro connect — 1 / Anda, Sadanatsu,

Tokyo ghoul — Volume 1 / Ishida, Sui,

RWBY Miwa, Shirō,

Cleopatra’s daughter: a novel Moran, Michelle

From the Young Adult Shelves~

Cleopatra’s Daughter

by Michelle Moran (Goodreads Author)

At the dawn of the Roman Empire, when tyranny ruled, a daughter of Egypt and a son of Rome found each other…

Selene’s legendary parents are gone. Her country taken, she has been brought to the city of Rome in chains, with only her twin brother, Alexander, to remind her of home and all she once had.

Living under the watchful eyes of the ruling family, Selene and her brother must quickly learn how to be Roman – and how to be useful to Caesar. She puts her artistry to work, in the hope of staying alive and being allowed to return to Egypt. Before long, however, she is distracted by the young and handsome heir to the empire…

When the elusive ‘Red Eagle’ starts calling for the end of slavery, Selene and Alexander are in grave danger. Will this mysterious figure bring their liberation, or their demise?

  Goodreads

Trivia Time!

Every month we ask a trivia question.  If you know the answer, drop it off at the front desk or e-mail it here.  We will randomly select the winner from the correct answers and the WINNERwill win ONE FREE WEEK of OVERDUE FINE AMNESTY ON ONE BOOK

Last month’s question and answer:

Q.    What novel ends with: “It is a far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known”?

  A.    A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

No Winner, but a good guess 

This Month’s Trivia Question:

What was Agatha Christie’s husband’s occupation?

From the New and Recent Shelves~

We (being I) are always looking for contributors to this reviews section.  The editor has a limited range of taste, so any reviews would be more than welcomed.  Just e-mail them in reply to this, or to librarian@smythpl.org

I admit to a rather limited taste in reading materials.  I generally eschew science fiction, fantasy and what are euphemistically referred to as “chic books”.  I realize this is a deficiency in not only me, but the “From the New and Recent Shelves” section of “The Smythie”.

I may therefore resort to pilfering reviews from Goodreads.com for a book at times to widen the breadth of this service.  I’d much rather have a contributing reviewer (or twelve).  If you’ve read a book you’ve loved, please shoot me a review so we can enjoy a more personal perspective.

Fiction…

This is the second in the Simon Riske series.  As the “promo” says, Riske is part Bond and half Reacher.  A tough ex-gang member, he fits a tuxedo well.  During the day he runs a garage that restores classic cars until it is time to be a fixer for even more elite clients.  Like the Bond novels of old, the locales are also exotic.  CROWN JEWEL takes Riske (the ‘e’ is silent) to the casinos Monte Carlo.

More important than the good character and locales, the plot is excellent with lots of twists and turns.  Of course, there is a love interest to spice it up even more.  THE TAKE is the first in the series, but you this stands alone just fine.  Enjoy the nightlife and the thrills with a charismatic tough guy.

More Fiction…Christmas in June…

She may be thirty-fifth in line for the throne, but Lady Georgiana Rannoch cannot wait to ring in the New Year—before a Christmas killer wrings another neck…

Includes an English Christmas companion, full of holiday recipes, games, and more! Goodreads

Non-fiction…

Clint Hill is the Secret Service agent who threw himself on Kennedy’s limousine in Dallas and broke down on “60 Minutes”.  FIVE PRESIDENTS is his third book and recounts his time serving presidents from Eisenhower to Ford.

There is a lot of history in the book, which strangely, is unfortunate.  Most readers who will want to read this book, will know of Kennedy’s inaugural speech, Eisenhower’s love of golf, Agnew’s “nabobs” quote and the like.  What I wanted was the inside scoop on protecting a president and personal anecdotes that I did not already know.

Fortunately, they are there, too, making the book a worthwhile read.  It just could (should) have been 150 pages shorter or so.  You may find yourself doing what I did and skimming over the recaps of the front pages and concentrate on Mr. Hill’s very interesting life as a Secret Service agent.

Ever want to be one of those know-it-all reviewers?

Got a book to recommend?

Want to write a blurb?

Have a child with a favorite book who would like to contribute to the Smythie?

We welcome contributors (less for us to write!), especially children and teens to review and recommend favorite books.  Just drop Heidi Deacon an e-mail at librarian@smythpl.org or “reply” to this and we’ll include it here.  It need not be a new book – it can be a golden oldie, a classic, a trashy beach book or whatever you have enjoyed.

I hope you have enjoyed this edition.  Comments, suggestions and, of course, reviews are always welcomed.

Rick Mitchell and the library staff

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