Summer Reading is just around the corner! The Library has events and reading challenges available for all ages.

Children's Summer Reading Program: Build A Better World 

The Children's Departments at all three library locations are teaming up to offer a variety of fun programs and prizes around the theme Build A Better World.

The Central Library kids program kicks off on June 19 at 3 PM with

Sign-up at the East and West Branches begins on June 26. The East Branch kick-off event, Animal World Experience Presents: The Adoption Option,  takes place on June 28 at 2 PM. The West Branch will be doing book bingo, LEGO challenges, and themed arts and crafts!

 

Teen Summer Reading Program

All teens are invited to participate in this year's teen program, also themed Build a Better World, from June 15 to August 15. Write a short review for each book read to enter into a drawing for prizes including tech gadgets, artisan colored pencils, and themed coloring books for teens. For more information on teen events, check out the Teen Page on our website.

Adult Summer Reading

New this year, adults are also able to join in a Summer Reading challenge at the Central Library! Each book review submitted counts as an entry toward winning a pair of Red Sox tickets or a pair of sunglasses. The Adult Summer Reading Program runs from June 15 to August 15. Be sure to also pencil in our June author event: Meet Kathryn Smith, Author of The Gatekeeper: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Untold Story of the Partnership that Defined a Presidency .

Please call 617-623-5000 ext. 2955 or use our Ask a Librarian page for more information. 

All of us at the SPL love getting to know you and we want to let you get to know us better, too! This month, we want you to have a chance to learn more about our amazing and dedicated Children's Services Staff, especially since we have had a few changes and now have a new face in the department.

After many years working in the Children's Room, Ann has recently started as the Supervisor of Children's Services. You might recognize her from Somerville Storytellers or storytimes at the Library. You might be surprised to know that she's a ballet dancer and has been working with us for over 40 years!

Meghan is well-known to and well-loved by those of you who frequent the East Branch. She is responsible for Youth Services (for both children and teens) there, and does a great job coming up with creative and fun programs. Did you know she has a fine arts degree and still loves to draw? 

Alison recently joined our team as the Children's Librarian at the West Branch after being a long-time patron and serving as a sub for several years. She has just graduated with her MLIS from Simmons College and is thrilled to be working here full-time (her words!). Her enthusiasm for libraries and love for West Somerville make her a great addition to our team.

After 27 years as the West Branch Children's Librarian, Annamarie has moved to the Central Library! She actually started at the SPL as a part-time shelver while in high school and loved it so much she decided to stick around. Annamarie also went to art school and loves making flyers, posters, and painting. 

  We've got a lot more to share with you! Check out our Meet the Staff blog post!

As part of an ongoing effort to better serve you, we recently replaced the public service desk in the Central Children's Room. The new desk is more 'child friendly,' and allows staff to interact more easily with our younger library patrons. Stop by, see the new desk, and say hello!

For more information about what's happening in Children's Services, check out the Kids Page on our website. 

Out of Line : a Life of Playing With Fire by Barbara Lynch You've probably been to or read about one of her restaurants, so why not read Barbara Lynch's new biography? Even those who aren't interested in fine dining might enjoy learning about this local James Beard Award winning chef.  Recommended by Lilly		Into the Water by Paula Hawkins This highly anticipated second novel by Paula Hawkins, author of  The Girl on the Train, is suspenseful and a quick page-turner! Recommended by Heidi
The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck If you loved  The  Nightingale or All the Light We Cannot See, you'll want to add this title to your reading list! Set in a castle in Bavaria at the end of WWII, this novel tells the story of three widows overcoming the hardships of wartime. Recommended by Lilly		Beartown by Fredrik Backman This sporty book, written by the author of A Man Called Ove, about a hockey star from a small town seems realistic and is a novel everyone can relate to. Recommended by Heidi

Still looking for more? Check out even more Staff Picks!

This month's YA recommendations come from Ron & Ellen in Youth Services and two guest reviewers who are teen library patrons.

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas Bullets are so unforgiving. Angie Thomas has written an important and timely novel about the death of a friend from a police officer's gun. Well written and highly acclaimed! Recommended by Ron in Youth Services		The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger 16-year-old narrator, Holden Caulfield, was a junior at Pencey Prep when he had just been expelled. He then starts exploring NYC on his own. The title of the books means the protection of innocence. I like this book because it is mostly about Holden on a quest for companionship as he encounters his fellow acquaintances from one day to another. Recommended by Carlos, Age 16
Denton Little's Deathdate by Lance Rubin This book follows Denton, a boy who is anticipating the day he dies, and a whole bunch of craziness occurs on that same day. I love the whole concept of the book; the whole deathdate thing-because it's all so original. The book is also very hilarious and just casual. Recommended by Shamah, Age 15		The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge It's not hard to see why this book has won multiple awards, including the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and the Costa Book Award-it is a very unusual story that also happens to be beautifully written. Faith Sunderly suspects that her father's sudden death was in fact murder, a suspicion that only grows stronger as she uncovers the strange secrets he left behind. Strangest of all is a plant that produces fruit which reveals hidden truths to her...but only when she feeds it with lies. Recommended by Ellen in Youth Services

Still looking for more? Check out even more Staff Picks from Ron and Ellen!

All of this month's recommendations come courtesy of Alison at the West Branch.

Egg by Kevin Henkes I love Kevin Henkes, and Egg did not disappoint.  Muted blue, yellow, pink, and green illustrations tell the story of one egg that's not like the others.		Green Pants by Kenneth Kraegel If your child only wears certain types of clothing, this  book  is for you!  Jameson will only wear green pants-not blue, not red, not brown. Then he finds himself in a situation that requires something other than green and has to make a big decision.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one-I stayed up until midnight to finish it! Twelve-year-old Crow washed up on an island in a rowboat when she was only hours old, and has lived her whole life in the small community. A surprising, intertwined series of events unfold as Crow learns about her history and herself. Local Setting Bonus: Beyond the Bright Sea takes place on the Elizabeth Islands, off of Massachusetts.		The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue I wish the Lotterys lived in Somerville! The Lotterys are an unconventional family-two moms and two dads who joined forces to raise seven children. Their household is turned upside down when one grandfather comes to live with them; nine-year-old Sumac feels pushed aside and doesn't understand why no one sees her point of view.  My ten-year-old daughter and I read this at the same time, and I was surprised that she identified with Aspen over Sumac.

The Somerville Public Library now offers free access to Adobe Creative Cloud, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Acrobat Pro, InDesign, and Dreamweaver. These programs allow you to edit photos and images, create your own publications, design your own website or UX designs, or edit your own videos. 

Creative Cloud programs are available on our Mac computer on the second floor of the Central Library at 79 Highland Avenue. Please see reference staff for assistance or contact our Technology Librarian, Tim Devin, at [email protected].