"Looking for Alaska" by John Green – Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash. According to the ALA, this book is often challenged due to offensive language, for being sexually explicit and unsuited for its young adult audience.






 

"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James – When Anastasia Steele goes to interview young enterpreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beatuiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to relize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. The ALA states that this book is commonly challenged due to its sexually explicit content.






 

"I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings – This book presents the story of a transgender child who traces her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status. It is commonly challenged as being unsuited for its age group due to containing themes of homosexuality, sex education and gender identity.


 

"Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out" by Susan Kuklin – Author and photographer Susan Kuklin met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and used her considerable skills to represent them and their true selves. ALA finds this book most-often challenged due to its themes of homosexuality, gender identity, offensive language and religious/political viewpoint.




 

"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon – Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. The book's language and religious viewpoint is often why it is challenged.






 

"The Holy Bible" – The Holy Bible, containing both the Old and New Testaments. This book is often challenged due to its religious viewpoint.









 

"Fun Home" by Alison Bechdel – A memoir done in the form of a graphic novel by a cult favorite comic artist offers a darkly funny family portrait that details her relationship with her father--a funeral home director, high school English teacher, and closeted homosexual. This book is often challenged due to the violence it contains.







 

"Habibi " by Craig Thompson – Habibi tells the tale of Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, by circumstance, and by the love that grows between them. We follow them as their lives unfold together and apart; as they struggle to make a place for themselves in the world. The book is often challenged for nudity and being sexually explicit.






 

"Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan" by Jeanette Winter – Based on a true story from Afghanistan, Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness? The ALA states violence, religious viewpoint are often cited as reasons it is challenged.




 

"Two Boys Kissing" by David Levithan – A chorus of men who died of AIDS observes and yearns to help a cross-section of today's gay teens who navigate new love, long-term relationships, coming out, self-acceptance, and more in a society that has changed in many ways. This book is often challenged for containing homosexuality.

 

For more information on the ALA's Top 10 most challenged books of 2015, visit www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks.

]]> Dan R., Library Services Tue, 03 May 2016 12:00:07 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=15239 The popular HBO television series "Game of Thrones" is back for its sixth season! Based on the popular fantasy book series by author George R.R. Martin, "Game of Thrones" seems to appeal to both adult and teen readers alike. If you can’t get enough of the dragons, schemes and drama that fill Westeros in the HBO hit, check out these young adult read-a-likes recommended by the Young Adult Library Services Association!
 

"An Ember in the Ashes series " by Sabaa Tahir – Laia is a Scholar, the lowest of the low, and her brother has been taken by The Masks. He is her only living family member and she will risk her life to find him. Elias is a Mask but he doesn’t want to be. Laia and Elias’ paths cross when Laia goes undercover as a slave at Elias’ military school to get information on her brother.





 

"Falling Kingdoms series " by Morgan Rhodes – King Gaius has a plan to take over Mytica at the expense of everyone including his son, Magus.








 

"Throne of Glass series" by Sarah J. Maas – Celaena Sardothian is plucked from the salt mines prisons as The Crowned Prince’s Champion to compete to be the king’s personal assassin. Calaena must fight men three times her size, magical queens, and her own demons to become champion.






 

"Kiss of Deception (Remnant Chronicles series)" by Mary E. Pearson – Lia, a First Daughter, is betrothed to a prince she has never met to bring peace to the kingdoms. Lia believes in love and doesn’t want to be used as a pawn so she runs. In her new life, Lia meets two charming men; however, one is the prince determined win her love and bring her back and one is an assassin who is hired to kill her.





 

"Queen of the Tearling series " by Erika Johansen – Kelsea, the daughter of dead Queen Elyssa, reemerges to claim the throne. Her uncle, the Red Queen, of the neighboring kingdom, and others will stop at nothing to kill Kelsea.







 

"His Fair Assassin series" by Robin LaFavers – Ismae, Sybella, and Annith have escaped horrible circumstances to join a convent of assassin nuns to fight for St. Mortain, the God of Death.






 

"Truthwitch (Witchlands series)" by Susan Dennard – Safi, a Truthwitch, and Iseult, a Threadwitch, just want to escape their lives as they know it to be free and live in peace but Safi made a big mistake and now they are on the run.







 

"Seraphina series " by Rachel Hartman – Seraphina has a secret; she’s half draconian. When a member of the royal family is murdered by a dragon, Seraphina must keep her secret while finding the murderer even if it’s her family.







 

"The Novice (Summoner series)" by Taran Mathieu – Fletcher, an orphan, learns he has the unique ability to summon demons. After a near attack from neighborhood teens, Fletcher goes to an elite school to train but he soon finds out that he must compete with noble’s kids who will stop at nothing to be the best.








 

"The Mark of the Thief series" by Jennifer Neilsen – Nic is a slave in Ancient Rome and on a mission to raid Julius Caesar’s tomb, he finds Caeser’s bulla. After he puts the bulla around his neck, he gains world ending powers that are coveted by the good and the bad.








 

"Midnight Thief series" by Livia Blackburne – Kyra is an orphan and a fast climber and she survives by her whits. Once day, she is summed by the Assassin’s Guild to become an assassin but she realizes that this might be a mistake.







 

"A Court of Thorns and Roses " by Sarah J. Maas – After killing a wolf, Feyra’s punishment is to live in a giant mansion. She soon discovers that her captor isn’t an animal but an honorable fey.







 

"Winner’s Curse (Winner's Trilogy)" by Marie Rutkoski – Kestral is a Valorian and the General’s daughter. Arin is a Herrani slave who is purchased by Kestral. Kestral has the gift of seeing lies but can she see Arin’s lies?







 

"The Red Queen series" by Victoria Aveyard – Mare Barrow is a Red-a lowly, uneducated, slave with disgusting red blood. The Silvers are like gods because they have powers and their veins run with silver blood. Mare doesn’t want to be drafted but she has no choice until a stranger changes her life. She soon finds herself betrothed to a Silver prince and forced to maintain the oppression of the Reds.






 

"Snow Like Ashes series" by Sara Raasch – The Kingdom of Winter has been overturned and stripped of their magic. The eight survivors go on a quest to retake their kingdom and their magic.







 

"The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy)" by Jennifer Neilsen – The royal family has been murdered and their confidant, Connor, goes on a mission to find their missing eldest son to take the throne. The crowned prince, however, is lost and Connor finds orphans to train to impersonate the prince.






 

"Assassin's Heart" by Sarah Ahiers – Lea is a hired assassin and a devout follower of Safraella, the goddess of death and resurrection. Lea’s relationship with a member of a feuding family causes strife and Lea finds herself fighting to survive.







 

"The Witch Hunter series" by Virginia Boecker – Elizabeth is a witch hunter and when she is accused of witchcraft; she becomes the hunted.








 

"Graceling (Graceling Realm)" by Kristin Cashmore – Katsa is a graceling-someone who can kill with one touch. She’s the king, her uncle’s, personal assassin but when she meets Po she discovers new things about herself.







 

"The Orphan Queen series" by Jodi Meadows – Wilhelmina was a princess until her parents and her country was destroyed by the King. Now orphaned, Wil and has been tasked to spy on the royal family and if their cover is blown, it could mean death.








 

"Darker Shade of Magic " by VE Schwab – Kel can walk through worlds and he uses this special ability to smuggle and trade antiques. When his smuggling almost kills him, Delilah comes to his rescue.

]]> Taylor W., Library Services Tue, 26 Apr 2016 12:01:49 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=15012  

"Last Stop on Market Street" by Matt de la Peña – The John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature was awarded to Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. This is the first time in ALA history that a picture has won this award, which is typically given to juvenile chapter books. In the book, a young boy, CJ, rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.


 

"The War that Saved My Life" by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – In this Newbery Honor Book, a young disabled girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the English countryside during World War II, where they find life to be much sweeter away from their abusive mother.






 

"Roller Girl" by Victoria Jamieson – This Newbery Honor Book is a graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart.








 

"Echo " by Pam Muñoz Ryan – A Newbery Honor Book. Lost in the Black Forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and finds himself entwined in a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica--and decades later three children, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California find themselves caught up in the same thread of destiny in the darkest days of the twentieth century, struggling to keep their families intact, and tied together by the music of the same harmonica.





 

"Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear" by Illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick – This book won the The Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. A woman tells her young son the true story of how his great-great-grandfather, Captain Harry Colebourn, rescued and learned to love a bear cub in 1914 as he was on his way to take care of soldiers' horses during World War I, and the bear became the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.

 

"Trombone Shorty" by Illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Troy Andrews – One of four Caldecott Honor Books. Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.

 

"Waiting" by Illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes – One of four Caldecott Honor Books. An owl, puppy, bear, bunny, and pig wait for marvelous things to happen.





 

"Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement" by Illustrated by Ekua Holmes and written by Carole Boston Weatherford – This book is one of four Caldecott Honor Books. It presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.

 

"Last Stop on Market Street" by Illustrated by Christian Robinson and written by Matt de le Peña – One of four Caldecott Honor Books. In the book, a young boy, CJ, rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things.




 

"Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia – This title won the Coretta Scott King Book Award, which recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. In the book, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are off to Alabama to visit their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. Across the way lives Ma Charles's half sister, Miss Trotter. The two half sisters haven't spoken in years. As Delphine hears about her family history, she uncovers the surprising truth that's been keeping the sisters apart. But when tragedy strikes, Delphine discovers that the bonds of family run deeper than she ever knew possible.



 

"Trombone Shorty" by Illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Troy Andrews – This title won the won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award. Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.


 

"Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby – The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults was awarded to this title. Eighteen-year-old Finn, an outsider in his quiet Midwestern town, is the only witness to the abduction of town favorite Roza, but his inability to distinguish between faces makes it difficult for him to help with the investigation, and subjects him to even more ridicule and bullying.





 

"Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez – This title was one of two Printz Honor Books. Loosely based on a school explosion that took place in New London, Texas in 1937, this is the story of two teenagers: Naomi, who is Mexican, and Wash, who is black, and their dealings with race, segregation, love, and the forces that destroy people.





 

"The Ghosts of Heaven" by Marcus Sedgwick – This title was one of two Printz Honor Books. Four linked stories of discovery and survival begin with a Paleolithic-era girl who makes the first written signs, continue with Anna, who people call a witch, then a mad twentieth-century poet who watches the ocean knowing the horrors it hides, and concluding with an astronaut on the first spaceship from Earth sent to colonize another world.




 

"The Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music" by Illustrated by Rafael López and written by Margarita Engle – The Pura Belpré Awards honor a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. The illustrator award was awarded to this title. This book follows a young Cuban girl in the 1930s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there's never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters.


 

"Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A Memoir" by Margarita Engle – The Pura Belpré Awards honor a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. The author award was awarded to this title. Offers an account of the first fourteen years of the author's life in poems, telling of her time spent between her mother's native Cuba and her home in Los Angeles, until the revolution in Cuba dramatically alters relations between the two countries she loves.



 

"Don’t Throw It to Mo!" by Written by David A. Adler and illustrated by Sam Ricks – This book won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book. In this book, Mo is the youngest kid on the Robins football team. The kids on the rival team tease him for being a 'butterfingers' who's too tiny to catch the ball. But Mo's coach has a plan up his sleeve to turn Mo's little size into a big win for the Robins.




 

"A Pig, a Fox, and a Box" by Written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske – This title is one of three Geisel Honor books. After finding a box just the right size to hide in, a little fox tries to play some tricks on his big friend, Pig, but things do not work out exactly as he planned.





 

"Supertruck" by Written and illustrated by Stephen Savage – This title is one of three Geisel Honor books. When the city is hit by a colossal snowstorm, only one superhero can save the day. But who is this mysterious hero, and why does he disappear once his job is done?


 

"Waiting" by Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes – This title is one of three Geisel Honor books. In the book, an owl, puppy, bear, bunny, and pig wait for marvelous things to happen.

]]> Taylor Weinfurter Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:39:27 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=15006 If you follow current events, you’ve undoubtedly heard about Netflix’s “Making a Murderer” docu-series, or have seen the show yourself. Released in December, the series has since transcended beyond the attention of Netflix subscribers and into the national spotlight, finding its way into headlines and both primetime and cable news programs.

For those unfamiliar with the subject matter, “Making a Murderer” looks into Wisconsin native Steven Avery, who was convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder in 1985, resulting in Avery serving 18 years in prison. After being exonerated of those crimes Avery, a Manitowoc County resident, was tried and convicted in 2007 for the murder of Teresa Halbach and continues to serve a life sentence in prison. “Making a Murderer” purports Avery is innocent and the victim of corruption in the criminal justice system.

If you’re one of the many Americans who are hooked on "Making a Murderer", or who have followed the Steven Avery case closely, Marathon County Public Library has two books you maybe want to check out for supplemental reading. “Unreasonable Inferences”, written by Manitowoc County assistant district attorney Michael Griesbach in 2010, covers Avery’s first trial and conviction for the charges he faced in 1985. “The Innocent Killer: A True Story of a Wrongful Conviction and its Astonishing Aftermath”, also written by Griesbach and published in 2014, delves into Avery’s initial prison sentence and eventual exoneration, as well as his 2007 conviction.

In addition, MCPL has an array of other Wisconsin true crime books available for check-out, including:

“Tree Stand Murders: A True Story” by David B. Whitehurst

MCPL hosted Whitehurst last October when he came to talk about his book, which focuses on the true story of a hunter that shot six others in 2004 near Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

“Milwaukee Mayhem: Murder and Mystery in the Cream City’s First Century” by Matthew J. Prigge

Prigge, a Milwaukee historian, writes about various interesting real-life characters who inhabited 19th century Milwaukee, including a woman who bludgeoned her landlord to death and a womanizing thief who was raised female but lived as a male in adulthood.

“The Monfils Conspiracy: The Conviction of Six Innocent Men” by Denis Gullickson and John Gaie

In 1992, Green Bay resident Thomas Monfils was found dead inside a vat at the paper mill where he was employed. Two years later, six of Monfils’ former co-workers were charged with his murder. Similar to "Making a Murderer", authors Bullickson and Gaie use this book to write about how they feel the six men were wrongfully convicted.

“True Crime in Titletown, USA: Cold Cases” by Tracy C. Ertl and Mike R. Knetzger

In this 2005 true-crime novel, Ertl and Knetzger write about three notorious unsolved crimes in Wisconsin, including a murder in a restaurant and a bank robbery from the 1930s. 

]]> Dan Richter/Library Services Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:30:48 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=14938 With the 2016 presidential election less than a year away nearly 20 candidates are still left vying for the nation's top spot.

In addition to interviews and televised debates, another great resource for learning about the presidential hopefuls and where they stand on certain issues can be through their own written words. A vast majority of candidates in both of the major political parties have published books throughout the years, including memoirs, autobiographies, and manifestos on a host of topics, from healthcare to the economy.

Below is a non-comprehensive list, in alphabetical order, of some of the candidates' more recent books that can be checked out through the Marathon County Public Library, any of its branches, or through its OverDrive digital library. Any candidate not represented on this list either has yet to write a book or doesn't have a book available through MCPL at the time this blog was published.

One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America's Future by Ben Carson, M.D. (2014)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781595231123

Carson outlines his solutions to hot topics like health care, education, and tax policy, and shares anecdotes from his own life as a neurosurgeon as a means of addressing what he believes are the most pressing issues facing the nation.

Hard Choices by Hillary Rodham Clinton (2014)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781476751443

The former first lady, New York senator, and secretary of state shares her thoughts on the key moments during her time working as part of the Obama Administration, as well as her ideas for how the country can navigate the domestic and international challenges in the years to come.

A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America by Ted Cruz (2015)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9780062365613

Here, Cruz talks about his life, his political career (including his time as a Texas senator) and proposes revitalizing the government by returning to the core principles outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey by Carly Fiorina (2015)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781591848035
  
In this book, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Fiorina writes that politics, like business, is primarily about people and also highlights the lessons she’s learned from her personal and professional difficulties and successes.

God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy by Mike Huckabee (2015)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781250060990

Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Fox News talk show host, explains his conservative faith-based values and expounds on his stances on issues like gun control, religion, same-sex marriage, and more.
 
Leadership and Crisis by Bobby Jindal, with Peter Schweizer and Curt Anderson (2010)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781596981584

Jindal, the current governor of Louisiana, talks about the federal government's role in both Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in addition to his thoughts on big government and American ideals.

Stand for Something: The Battle for America's Soul by John Kasich (2006)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9780446578417

Written before he became the current governor of Ohio, Kasich warns in his book about what he believes to be an erosion of moral values in America due to a lack of business ethics, religious intolerance, and ineffective elected officials.

Government Bullies: How Everyday Americans Are Being Harassed, Abused, and Imprisoned by the Feds by Rand Paul (2012)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781455522750

A U.S. Senator from Kentucky, Paul asserts in his book that everyday Americans are being abused and taken advantage of via thousands of unconstitutional laws and regulations and suggests lower taxes and smaller government as two possible remedies.

American Dreams: Restoring Economic Opportunity for Everyone by Marco Rubio (2015)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781595231130

The 43 year-old Florida senator uses a mix of autobiographical stories and the experiences of everyday citizens to talk about social and governmental issues, such as tax reform, as well as his plan for economic restoration.

The Speech: A Historic Filibuster on Corporate Greed and the Decline of Our Middle Class by Bernie Sanders (2011)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781568586847

This book presents a written copy of the Vermont senator's' entire eight and a half-hour speech from December 10, 2010, during which he urged the American middle class to become more organized and informed in an effort to take on the special interests in Washington.

Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America That Works by Rick Santorum (2014)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781621572398

In this book Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, writes about his thoughts on the Republican party and its connection to blue collar voters.

Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again by Donald Trump (2011)
To place a hold or check on availability, click here: http://mcpl.us?i=9781596987739

Real estate developer and media personality Trump talks here about his opinion of the Obama administration as well as his thoughts on issues like jobs, illegal immigration, international trade and the national debt.
 
A sampling of additional books by the candidates available through MCPL:
“A More Perfect Union: What We the People Can Do to Reclaim Our Constitutional Liberties” by Ben Carson, M.D. (2015)
“Living History” by Hillary Rodham Clinton (2003)
“A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington and a Trillion That We Don't” by Mike Huckabee (2011)
“The Tea Party Goes to Washington” by Rand Paul (2011)
“An American Son: A Memoir” by Marco Rubio (2012)
“Crippled America: How to Make America Great Again” by Donald Trump (2015)

]]> Dan Richter Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:42:06 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=14275
Legendary comic book creator Stan Lee is the face of the 2014-2015 national campaign, which includes a social media giveaway of a comic book prize package. Share why you value your library card by using the hashtag #LibraryCardSignUp on Facebook or Twitter, or add a picture to the “My Library Card” Flickr group. The contest ends on September 23.

Did you know that if you are over the age of 18, you can apply for a MCPL library card online? We also have paper applications available at all MCPL locations.

Tell us why you value your library card by commenting below. 

]]> Kathleen Kosiec / Library Services Mon, 08 Sep 2014 06:53:03 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=13990 How many times have you picked up your smart phone, tablet, laptop, or another electronic device today? Perhaps you feel like you are always online because of work or school, plus all of the time you spend online at home. Can you imagine spending a week without using your devices for entertainment? This May, consider participating in Screen-Free Week. Screen-Free Week is an annual event where participants pledge to spend seven days without using screens for entertainment. You do not need to stop using your computer or device for work or school, but the point of the pledge is to find other sources of entertainment for you and your family. Take the pledge, and see what activities you can discover, or perhaps rediscover, when you take a break from your devices. Listed below are some ideas for off-screen entertainment.

Children's author event: Visit MCPL Wausau on Saturday, May 10th at 10:30 a.m. for an appearance by children’s author and illustrator David LaRochelle. Mr. LaRochelle will read from several of his books, and an activity for kids will be provided.

Family meal: Plan a family meal from scratch that your whole family will help prepare. Sit down at your table and enjoy your home-cooked meal together. Not sure what to cook, or know a few picky eaters? Come to the library and browse our cookbook section for ideas..

Game night: Played any board games recently? This is a fun activity for families and also for groups of friends to try a new board game or revisit an old favorite. Need some suggestions? Check out Board Game Geek for suggestions for all ages and skill levels.

Exercise: Take an exercise class, or go for a walk at a park. Make exercise a social event and bring a friend.

Write letters: When was the last time you sent a handwritten letter? Send a friend or family member a letter or a card this week. .

And last, but certainly not least…...

READ! Come to the library and pick out a new book to enjoy. Not sure what to choose? Ask our staff to make a recommendation for you.

For more information on Screen-Free Week and even more activities, visit Screenfree.org.

]]> Kathleen Kosiec / Library Services Mon, 05 May 2014 08:05:41 GMT http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=13841 http://www.raisegreatkids.org/physical-affection-tips-every-parent-and-caregiver-needs-know for more information.

Reading is a great way to show your child affection. Have your child sit on your lap while you read, read and snuggle before bedtime together or, if your child is a baby or toddler, attend a lap-sit story time. All of these activities promote parent-child bonding and early literacy.

Check out these picture books about affection that you can share with your child:
1, 2, I Love You by Alice Schertle
Daddy Calls Me Doodlebug by JD Lester
Do You Love Me? by Joost Elffers
Kiss, Tickle, Cuddle, Hug by Susan Musgrave
I Love You, Little One by Nancy Tafuri
Count My Kisses, Little One by Ruthie May and Tamsin Ainslie
I’ll Always Love You by Peaony Lewis
I Love You All Year Long by Steve Metzger
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Hug by Jez Alborough
 

]]> Taylor W.-MCPL Library Services Mon, 17 Feb 2014 10:50:40 GMT