February New Releases

It's getting to the end of the month, but there's still time to check out our new releases in children's and teens!

Picture Books

Pirate, Viking & Scientist by Jared Chapman
"A pirate and a Viking fight to become the very best friend of a kid scientist, who meanwhile devises the perfect formula for all three friends to play together."

The Sheep Go on Strike by Jean-François Dumont
"When the sheep on a farm go on strike rather than having their warm coats sheared off, the other animals begin taking sides until, at last, a compromise can be reached."

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña 
"A young boy, C.J., rides the bus across town with his grandmother and learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things."

The Gentleman Bat by Abraham Schroeder
"A gentleman bat takes a stroll through the city, where he dances in the town square and meets a ladyfriend before a sudden downpour dampens his evening activities."

Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
"A little girl discovers all the bright colors in her Hispanic American neighborhood."

Chapter Books

Starring Jules (as Herself) by Beth Ain
"Jules is an ordinary seven-year-old girl, concerned with school and friends and other ordinary things--until a chance meeting with a casting director leads to an audition for a television commercial."

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
"Fourteen-year-old twin basketball stars Josh and Jordan wrestle with highs and lows on and off the court as their father ignores his declining health."

The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson
"Jackson Greene has a reputation as a prankster at Maplewood Middle School, but after the last disaster he is trying to go straight--but when it looks like Keith Sinclair may steal the election from Jackson's former best friend Gabriela, he assembles a team to make sure Keith does not succeed."

Dappled Annie and the Tigrish by Mary McCallum
"Annie enjoys spending time in the hedge at the end of the garden where she can keep cool and talk to the creatures that live there."

Guts & Glory: The American Civil War by Ben Thompson
"An educational collection of amazing-but-true facts about the Civil War shares accounts of such events as female spies fighting for the Rebel cause, cavalry rides in enemy territory, and the reelection of President Lincoln."

Teen Books

Shutter by Courtney Alameda
"Seventeen-year-old Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat--a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual...With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film."

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
"In the town of Fairfold, where humans and fae exist side by side, a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives awakens after generations of sleep in a glass coffin in the woods, causing Hazel to be swept up in new love, shift her loyalties, feel the fresh sting of betrayal, and to make a secret sacrifice to the faerie king."

Paper Airplanes by Dawn O'Porter
"The story of the strong bond of friendship between two fifteen-year-old girls in Guernsey in the mid-1990s, who became friends through their shared loneliness, and dysfunctional families, despite their differences in personality and ambitions."

Out of Nowhere by Maria Padian
"Performing community service for pulling a stupid prank against a rival high school, soccer star Tom tutors a Somali refugee with soccer dreams of his own."

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 thoughtfully and respectfully before, during, and after their personal acknowledgement of gender preference."

Library Love: The William Hall Edition

Never let it be said we aren't suckers for shameless self-promotion - for the month of February, we asked our patrons to tell us what they like most about William Hall, here are some of the responses:

I love William Hall Library because...

"Peace (quiet/warm), embraces community, cozy."

"I can always get sports books. And I can always get lots of books :-)"

"I get terrific service and assistance."

"The movies and the people are great! Thanks." -Sean

"It has lots of stuff to enjoy without spending money. Plus the ceiling is very pretty." -J.C.

"Because there's books to look at." -Leo, age 5

"The people are nice and easy-going and helpful. It is not only warm, but the library is very cheerful."

"All of the staff is extremely kind and friendly (especially Sara)."

"There are so many books within walking distance!" -Sarah

"We have such a terrific and dedicated staff. Also I <3 William Hall Library because Loretta C. came up with this idea + made it happen."

"Kena + Loretta work here. It an institution in community - has been for years - offering many opportunities - story hours, knitting groups, citizenship classes, book group."

"I've been coming here for over 35 years! I'm so thankful as a parent and teacher for this warm, wonderful place <3"

"Staff is friendly and helpful. You always feel welcome."

"They are so helpful - and enlarged my model boat plans!"

"...because of its charm, the neighborhood feel, its books, it's friendly staff. What's not to love?"

"Everyone at the library is so helpful. I always walk in and see smiling faces, you can tell everyone loves working here!"

"I like getting books!" -One of our younger patrons

"It is a beautiful place, filled with beautiful people, who provide a beautiful service. It is a crown jewel of Edgewood!"

"...of the beautiful building and the awesome staff!"

"It's been my library since I was a kid! It smells and feels like what a library should feel and smell like. The staff is so knowledgeable and friendly! The best!"

"Been coming here since I was 5 - on my own. Love this place + the people who help me here."

"It provides access to a world of knowledge at my fingertips! (And it's down the street.) (And the people are the nicest.)"

"Very friendly staff. Love the old building. :-)"

"You guys are the greatest - please keep being my Valentine!" -Sandy J.

"It is historic, invaluable, and a pleasure to see so many friends!"

"I can escape through fiction. Also, I enjoy all of the free magazines."

"I met Adrienne here who is my friend and mentor!"

"I have been a patron here for 50 years. William Hall always has the books I am requesting and the librarians are always kind + cheerful <3"

"It is a beautiful building!"

"I love doing puzzles!" -Hazel

"They are a great service to me and the public! Thanks guys + girls!"

"My daughters love to read so much and we would be lost w/out the library. We even checked out books online when we lived in Tokyo!"

"The swell staff!"

"I love the librarians!"

"It is so big and it is so quiet."

"As a patron and an employee, the FUN never stops!"

"It is home to all the greatest love stories. <3" - Sara

"...of the excellence of the staff and the beauty of the building."

"It has books in it so when I am bored I can read." -Emma

"I love the librarians, and the quiet, and the books! <3" -Leslie

"The librarians are awesome!"

"The staff . The building. The books. The staff picks. The building is amazing + the staff!"

"The people who work here are the greatest - most helpful. Building beautiful too!"

"It's close to home and the staff is wonderful! <3"

"...of all the kind, wonderful people; great books and movies; atmosphere, and summer music outdoors!"

"Our whole family finds something good to read here!"

"It's my world. It's my window to future travel & my Valentine." -Bonni

"It is there I find the answers I seek & realize the dreams I have."

"A world of ideas is available to me for FREE."

"The staff gets me everything I want, make great recommendations, and I can walk here." -Arnold

"Beautiful! Convenient! Wonderful librarians!"

"Cheerful and friendly staff! <3"

"The beautiful ceiling and molding."

"Because of the holds option. Personal service."

"The employees are the best at there jobs."

"Words fail me. This library is the greatest." -Doug

Blind Date with a Book

For the month of February, Hall will be hosting a Blind Date with a Book program - come in, take a chance on a wrapped book from our collection, fill out a short survey form and return the form to be entered into a raffle to win a prize!

Our display is located on the table across from the computer lab.

Remember - don't unwrap the book until you've checked out! Survey slips must be filled out in full to qualify for entry, the slips themselves should be tucked inside your "date" book.