Staff Review: "Space Case" by Stuart Gibbs

For an extra-terrestrial game of Clue, pick up "Space Case" by Stuart Gibbs. This ultimate murder mystery where no one can get away will keep you guessing until the surprise ending.

Dashiell  Gibson is one of the few lucky kids who gets to live on Moon Base Alpha—the first colony on the moon. It sounds cooler than it actually is. Dash is bored out of his mind and sick and tired of the regulations and lack of company. One early morning, he overhears something mysterious in the bathroom, then wakes later in the day to discover that one of the scientists has died on the lunar surface. Dash knows it’s a murder, but no one else will admit the possibility. When the mysterious Zan Perfonic shows up on a transport to help with the investigation, Dash takes off running. Will he discover the murderer before the murderer gets to him?

If you're a Stuart Gibbs fan, or just love a good mystery, give "Space Case" a try. It might be just what you're looking for in your next good read! Good for grades 4-6.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

2015-2016 Show-Me Reader Award Nominees

The Missouri Association of School Librarians has just announced the nominees for the 2015-2016 Show-Me Reader Award.  These books were chosen because of their interest and appeal to students ages 6-10 years old.  Students in grades 1-3 will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite title at their school library.

"The Matchbox Diary" by Paul Fleischman
Follow a girl's perusal of her great-grandfather's collection of matchboxes and small curios that document his poignant immigration journey from Italy to a new country.












"Wilfred" by Ryan Higgins
When Wilfred, a big, hairy, and lonesome giant, enters a town full of tiny bald people, he finds only one friend but that proves to be enough when the other townspeople trick him out of his warm hair.







"Picture Day Perfection" by Deborah Diesen
After planning for months to have the perfect school picture taken, a boy's moment of weakness ruins everything.

"The Spelling Bee Before Recess" by Deborah Lee Rose
As the annual school spelling bee nears its finish, two students compete with equal success until the principal breaks the tie with an unusual word.

"The Invisible Boy" by Trudy Ludwig
Brian has always felt invisible at school, but when a new student, Justin, arrives, everything changes.










"A Splash of Red-the Life and Art of Horace Pippin" by Jen Bryant
Presents an illustrated introduction to the life and work of artist Horace Pippin, describing his childhood love for drawing and the World War I injury that challenged his career.









"As Fast as Words Could Fly" by Pamela M. Tuck
A thirteen-year-old African American boy in 1960s Greenville, North Carolina, uses his typing skills to make a statement as part of the Civil Rights movement. Based on true events.














"The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt
When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.

"Trouper" by Meg Kearney
Trouper, a three-legged dog, remembers his life as a stray, before he was adopted.

"Memoirs of a Hamster" by David Scillian
Follow a girl's perusal of her great-grandfather's collection of matchboxes and small curios that document his poignant immigration journey from Italy to a new country.

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "I Must Be a Genius" by Dog On Fleas

Happy Valentine's Day a day early! Here's a cute little song from Dog On Fleas to share with your loved ones tomorrow.

Now go eat some chocolate!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Review: "Earmuffs for Everyone! How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs" by Meghan McCarthy

Did you know that Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb? He just made it better. That's what Chester Greenwood did for the world of earmuffs.  

As a young lad, Chester had large, sensitive ears and set about perfecting the ear warmers and covers that already existed. Chester was a great businessman from a young age. Once he perfected his product, he sold his earmuffs as far as Canada. He had other clever inventions and was active in women's suffrage.  

Then, 30 years after his death, for what seems like no particular reason, someone decided it would be great to have a Chester Greenwood Day in his home state of Maine. Well, why not? So next December 21, don't forget to wear your earmuffs for Chester Greenwood!  

"Earmuffs for Everyone" is a great non-fiction for the "stuff you didn't know you ever wanted to know" category. The author explains how patents work and the process for a day becoming a holiday, and gives the reader just the right amount of information. Recommended for readers age 4-8 years old.  

Check out these other cool books about inventors that you probably never thought about:

--Angie RH, Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Map to Everywhere" by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis

Need some fantasy and adventure in your life? Go on a hunt for "The Map to Everywhere" by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis!

When Marrill’s adventurous mom gets sick yet again and the family decides to stay in one place for once, Marrill fears that her adventures are over. Until, that is, she steps outside to find the Pirate Stream flooding a nearby parking lot. Floating on the magical stream is a magical ship captained by a wizard and an almost-invisible boy named Fin who are on the hunt for the elusive Map to Everywhere before the ominous Weeping Prophet discovers its location.

One thing is for sure—there’s no going back once this adventure gets started, and the fate of the world may be at stake! Full of intrigue, magic, and adventure, you won’t be able to put it down! Best for grades four to six.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Staff Review: "The Scavengers" by Michael Perry

Do you have a middle grade reader who's longing to read "The Hunger Games" or "Divergent," but they're not quite ready yet? Do you enjoy reading about strong-willed female protagonists that don't back down? Good news! For an action-filled story of danger and suspense, pick up Michael Perry's "The Scavengers," and get to know self-sufficient Ford Falcon.

Ford Falcon lives outside the bubble with her parents and her annoying little brother Dookie.  She spends her day scavenging in an old dump for things to use or trade in town for food. Thanks to her friend Toad, Ford’s family is surviving alright without the URCorn that fuels the people under bubble. At least, until her dad turns into a GreyDevil, her mom is kidnapped, and her little brother is attacked. It’s up to Ford to brave the Bubble City and fight to put her family back together again.

Perfect for a middle-grade audience, but featuring zombies, conspiracies, and secrets, "The Scavengers" will satisfy the dystopian/post-apocalyptic tooth in anyone longing for the more mature fare in teen fiction. Best for grades four to seven.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Saturday, February 7, 2015 is Take Your Child to the Library Day!

Visit participating branches for great kid and family activities celebrating why libraries are so great.

Fairy Tale Story Time

We have stations with crafts and activities all day.  Stop by at 2 p.m. to hear fairy tales and take your picture with a fairy tale princess. Families and all ages welcome.

Cliff Cave

Open House

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Check out what our branch has to offer! We will have special story times, activities and goodies for the kids.  

Daniel Boone

Family Movie: “Freaky Friday” (2003)

2:00 p.m.

Join us for a movie, craft and refreshments. Running time: 97 min. MPAA rating: PG

Grand Glaize

Costume Character Visit

Meet one of our favorite book characters! Bring your camera!

Llama Llama

Mid-County 10:00 a.m.

Prairie Commons 2:00 p.m.

Skippyjon Jones

Sachs 10:00 a.m.

Tesson Ferry 2:00 p.m.

These branches will have activities set up for kids during the day:

Florissant Valley, Headquarters, Lewis & Clark, Meramec Valley, Natural Bridge, Oak Bend, Thornhill