October Girls Read and Guys Read

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are just for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our Girls Read book club will meet October 22 and our Guys Read book club will meet October 24. You can register now, using the library's online calendar.

Girls Read is reading

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

By Elizabeth George Speare

New York: Dell Publishing, 1958. Fiction. 249 pages.

In 1687, Kit Tyler leaves her home in Barbados to live with her aunt and uncle in Puritan Connecticut. Kit doesn't quite understand customs in Connecticut and doesn't fit in. Trying to find her place, Kit starts teaching some of the young children in her community until she missteps and is outcast even further. Kit does find a friend, though, in the widow Hannah Tupper who was sent to live in the forest because she is a Quaker and suspected of being a witch. Even though her uncle warns her not to become friends with Hannah, Kit continues to visit her. But when a dangerous sickness comes to the town, the community accuses Hannah and Kit of being witches -- putting Kit's life in danger. This Newbery medal winner is a classic historical fiction novel and great to read around Halloween.

Guys Read is reading

Nightbooks

By J.A. White

New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2018. Fiction. 294 pages.

Since he was a child, Alex has been a horror buff. He keeps journals called "nightbooks" filled with nightmarish short stories, which doesn't help keep him from being bullied by the kids at school. One dark night, desperate to be accepted by his peers, Alex sneaks from his apartment to burn his nightbooks in the boiler room downstairs. But on his way down, he is magically imprisoned by a witch named Natacha who requires a new spooky story from Alex each night. This scary story combines elements of 1,001 Arabian Nights, Hansel and Gretel, and Baba Yaga into one suitably scary story filled with the power of stories. Good even for readers who don't like horror, this is a satisfying read.

Comments

If You Like... Books About Nightmares

It's that time of year when the weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing colors, and I'm in the mood to read a good spine-tingling Halloween book. If you're like me and enjoy reading a good horror book this time of the year, here is a list of books about nightmares that will set your heart pounding with fear. Nightmare in the Backyard By Jeff Strang Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2024. Fiction. 212 pages. What if your worst nightmare became a reality? Chloe and her best friend Avery are excited for their backyard campout. They have plans to stay up all night roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, but things that night don't go according to plan. When tentacles begin to emerge from the ground and start causing chaos the girls realize they must fight back. But as the fight goes on they discover that they may be fighting a bigger battle than they realized. This is a short, fast-paced, action-packed monster book that is perfect for readers

Review: Prunella

Prunella Written by Beth Ferry Illustrated by Claire Keane New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book. When someone is good at gardening we often say that they have a green thumb. Prunella's parents were these type of gardeners. Their green thumbs helped them grow beautiful gardens with healthy plants that everyone admired and loved. They were dismayed when their daughter was born with a beautiful purple thumb! They wondered what this could possibly mean. As Prunella grew her parents discovered that her preference was to nurture plants that were spiny, carnivorous, fungal, and poisonous. They didn't understand her plant choices but they encouraged her to nurture what she loved. They understood that her strong roots in gardening would eventually blossom when she was ready. Even though the other children would avoid Prunella's garden because her plants would pinch and poke and smelled terrible, she still found great joy in cultivating them. O

If You Like... Star Wars

If you're one of the many Star Wars fans, these books will immerse you into a galaxy far, far, away. Have your questions answered and bring a little bit from these exciting other worlds to your home. A Jedi You Will Be Written by Preeti Chhibber Illustrated by Mike Deas Los Angeles: Disney, Lucas Press, 2020. Imagine you arrived on Dagobah just as Luke does. You meet Yoda and follow along with Luke's Jedi training, learning from the Jedi master's wisdom. This picture book takes you on an adventure to participate in Yoda's training. The Star Wars Book of Monsters, Ooze, and Slime By Katie Cook New York: DK Publishing, 2021. Informational. 94 pages. This book answers the grossest and weirdest question about the world of Star Wars. What is the smelliest thing in the galaxy? Does Jabba ever take a bath? Answers to these and more can be found in this silly book. The Super Cool Science of Star Wars By Mark Brake New York: Sky Pony Express, 2020. Informational. 127 pages. Have

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