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Youth Services Newsletter

Westwood Public Library | May 2023

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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Check out these lists for books to read for AAPI Heritage month. We have books for all ages!

Grades K-2 Book List
Grades 3-5 Book List
Grades 6-12 Book List
Adult Book List

Programs for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Branch Books and Boogie (Registration Required)

Mondays @ 10:30am, Islington Branch Library, May 1-22

All ages are invited to join Miss Caitlyn for a fun storytime at the Branch, accompanied by a simple craft!

Move and Groove (Registration Required)

Tuesdays @ 10:30am, Main Library,

May 2-23

This half hour program with Miss Caitlyn is full of stories, music, dancing, and more!

Saturday Storytime (Registration Required)

Saturday, May 6 @ 11 am


Join a Westwood Childrens' Librarian for a fun storytime full of stories, rhymes, songs, and more!

Tales and Tunes (Registration Required)

Wednesdays @ 10:30am, Main Library, May 3-24

Join Miss Kristy for stories, songs and dancing! 


Baby Rhyme Time (Registration Required)

Thursdays @ 10:30am, Main Library, May 4-25

Join Miss Kristy for songs, bounces and stories just for babies 0-18 months, followed by a playtime.



Drop-In Playtime

Saturday, May 20 @ 10:30-12:00


Young children and their families are invited to drop in to this self-directed playgroup on the third Saturday of the month. We'll have Duplos, blocks, toys, and coloring.

Sign up on the Website

Programs for Kids and Teens 

Lego Builders 

Drop in, no registration 

Half Wednesday from 2-4pm,

Main Library

May 10 and 24


Kids in grades PreK-5 are invited to drop in for some STEM-inspired engineering fun. Each week, we will put out our collection of Legos, Keva planks and other building toys.

Read to a Dog (Registration Required) 

Saturday, May 13 @ 11-12pm,

Main Library


Kids in grades K-5 can sign up for a one on one appointment with a therapy dog to practice their reading. Call or stop by the library to sign up. 

*YAB (Youth Advisory Board)

2nd Wednesday of the month @ 6:30pm, Main Library  

May 17

Interested in volunteering at the library and participating in our Youth Advisory Board? Join us and hear about how to help with programs and share your thoughts, gain some leadership skills, and earn volunteer hours. For grades 6-12.

Gamer Lounge with One Up Games

One Wednesday per month, from 2-4 pm, 

Main Library

May 10


Middle Schoolers can come to the library on Early Release Wednesdays for two hours of open game play with One Up Games featuring SuperSmash Bro., Fortnite, MarioKart, and more! For grades 6 - 8.

Fri-Yay!

Fridays after school @ 3pm, Community Room, Main Library


Come hang out with your friends and relax. Play video or board games, ping pong or just color.

Open to grades 6 - 8.

View Our Calendar of Events

Summer Reading starts soon! On June 1st, your family can start logging their reading on Beanstack to earn tickets and enter raffles! Any children entering kindergarten-6th grade can work their way to earning a coveted (and newly redesigned!) lawn sign. Toddlers and preschoolers who complete their summer reading Bookworms challenge will earn their own special prize! Throughout the first two weeks of June, a Westwood Librarian will be visiting each and every class to tell them about summer reading and get them excited for some of their favorites from each list. Keep an eye on our website for more details including links and book lists!

Click for Beanstack

ReadNext : Staff Book Recommendations

Summer Reading is coming soon! Here are some books that we are most excited about on the lists this year!

9780063056763_l image

Caitlyn's Recommendation: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

For fans of Raina Telgemeier! This graphic novel follows Bree, a girl who's just moved to Florida and is starting at a new school. She's horrified when she learns that the only election that is available is Swim 101. Bree can't swim, and she's terrified of the water. But with the help of her neighbor (and former swimming champion), she'll learn to brave her fears and swim, and maybe even save the community pool while she's at it. Best for grades 4 and up!


Kristy's Recommendation: Tales to Keep You up at Night by Dan Poblocki

Attention all spooky book lovers! This book will do exactly what the title says... After her grandmother goes missing, Amelia finds a mysterious book while cleaning out her home. It's called "Tales to keep you Up at Night," and it appears to be an old library book. Instead of leaving the book at the library, she starts reading it herself and finds many eerie similarities between the stories in the book and the people and places in her grandmother's town. Perfect for fans of Goosebump books!


Felicia's Recommendation: Spice Road by Maiya Ibrahim

In the hidden city of Qalia, secret spice magic awakens affinities in those who consume it. A year ago, seventeen-year-old Imani's brother was discovered stealing the spice before he disappeared. Everyone believed him to be dead until Imani uncovers evidence he may be alive and sharing their nation's magic beyond the desert. She strikes a deal with the Council to find him and bring him back to Qalia. Joined by Qayn, a roguish djinni, and Taha, an arrogant yet powerful beastseer, they set out on their mission. A fun new world and a great start to a series Recommended for grades 6 and up.

All library programs are free and open to the public thanks to generous support from the Friends of the Westwood Library.

About the Friends
Friends of the Westwood Library, click for Friends webpage

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