Text and Java

Hi! I know I said I was going to lay off the reviews for a bit (I still review, just on Goodreads) but I issued myself a little challenge this week and the result left me with a bunch of great reads I just want to share! So, I have a new branch to explore in addition to the library branch I already work in. I am making an effort to really inspect the shelves and get to know the new collection. As a result, I found myself with a pile of Middle Grade reads that just look like goodies. Hence the Middle Grade Book Week Challenge. I read only mg books for a week and tried to get as many done as I could. The result? I found some really great reads. Here was my list (links go to Goodreads): Edgar and Ellen The Tourist Trap by Charles Odgen The Witch's Guide to Cooking With Children by Keith McGowan See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker The Amulet graphic novel series I managed to g

  New directions, my friends! Here is the what: I have had a transitional period in which I was promoted (officially a librarian, yay!) and have been given a new branch to cover-in addition to the programs I am already doing at my original branch. Hoo-Ah! As of now, this blog will be less about book reviews and more about programming (which was always really the point around here anyway, just look through the archives for anything tagged crafts or programs). The new reality? The budget that  was always kind of thin is now crazy skinny so the focus will be on entertaining up to 30 kids for very little money. The goal: to make kids love the library more than they did before! I present to you my "Lights Out Craft"! Of course, I forgot to grab an SD Card on my way out the door, so I have very few photos, but here goes. I had a big group: about 24 showed with an average age of 9. Some little bros and sis's from the crowd rounded out the group. I gave each child a