By Marissa Creamer
Rowan Public Library
Summer vacation is here, and already the temperatures are sizzling. What better way to beat the heat than to enjoy a good story in an air-conditioned refuge?
Rowan Public Library has plenty of new books to entertain you while you escape the heat. New tales for young readers include the return of the Penderwicks, as well as some exciting new fantasy stories.
Itís off to the beach for Skye, Jane and Batty as they head to a cozy seaside vacation cottage in Maine. Join in the fun with ěThe Penderwicks at Point Mouette,î the third installment in the childrenís series by Jeanne Birdsall. Accompanied by Aunt Claire and their honorary brother Jeffrey, the sisters are ready for new summer adventures.
With their father and Iantha off on their honeymoon in England, and Rosalind vacationing with a friend in New Jersey, 12-year-old Skye is obsessing over her new roll as OAP (Oldest Available Penderwick).
Will she be able to keep Batty ěalive and undamaged for two weeks?î Aspiring author Jane has decided to write a romance novel. Will her Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls? As always, there is plenty of laughter and adventure, as well as a broken heart, cool skateboarders and musical prodigies. Not to mention assorted dog-related antics and moose sightings.
Join another group of siblings on an adventure in the fantasy ěThe Emerald Atlas,î by John Stephens. Fourteen-year-old Kate and her younger siblings have been shuffled from one orphanage to another ever since the night 10 years ago when their parents disappeared to protect them.
In the dismal town of Cambridge Falls, the children discover a mysterious book that transports them back to an earlier time, a time in which Cambridge Falls is held captive by an evil witch.
A fast-paced adventure ensues as the girls try to rescue Michael, who becomes stranded in the past. The siblings embark on a quest to free the town, and themselves, from the witchís clutches. Mysterious wizards, tantrum-throwing dwarves and hidden treasure are featured in this exciting tale, the first installment of a planned trilogy.
Bored with her life in Omaha, 12-year-old September longs for adventure. So when the Green Wind arrives at her window and invites her to Fairyland, September eagerly accepts, in ěThe Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.î
This fantasy by Catherynne Valente was originally published in serialized form online, where it became the first e-book to win the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. Warned that she may be ěticketed or executed, depending on the mood of the Marquess, September soon finds herself on a quest to vanquish the evil, power-mad ruler. This whimsical tale evokes ěThe Wizard of Oz,î ěAliceís Adventures in Wonderlandî and ěThe Phantom Tollbooth.î
You wonít be bored if you beat the heat with one of these new adventures from Rowan Public Library.
Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Headquarters ó Tuesday, 2 p.m., Email Tips and Tricks. Basic computer skills and an email account are required.
Monday, 7 p.m., Absolute Beginners.
Closing: July 4, all RPL locations closed for Independence Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, July 5.
Book Bites Club ó Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., ěMountain Between Usî by Charles Martin. Book discussion groups for both adults and children are held at South Rowan Regional Library the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.
RPL and N.C. Humanities present ěStill Cookiní î ó Headquarters, Tuesday, 7 p.m. Dr. Mary Ellis Gibson will trace the history of Southern foodtalk in cookbooks and in fiction. A reception and a chance to chat with Gibson will follow. This project is made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council.
Childrenís Program ó This summer the Rowan Public Library invites kids to join the library for a summer of exciting programs and great reads with One World, Many Stories.
Weekly programs run until July 28. New for this year, limited family programs at Cleveland Town Hall. Prizes are awarded for every five, 10, 15 and 20 hours read, and door prizes are given at the school-aged programs.
Program groups and times:
12-24-month-olds: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., East Branch; Tuesdays, 11 am, Headquarters; Thursdays, 10:30 am, South Library (four-week program).
2-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, East Branch; Wednesdays, South Library; Thursdays, Headquarters (four-week program).
3- to 5-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, South Library; Wednesdays, Headquarters; Thursdays, East Branch (seven-week program).
Rising first through fifth graders: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., South Library; Wednesdays, 2 p.m., Headquarters; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., East Branch; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Cleveland Town Hall, select programs only; (seven-week program).
June 27-30 (Cleveland): Marian the Librarian.
Calling all teens: Travel the globe with ěYou Are Hereî ó There are many ways for teens to see the world this summer at the library. Running through July 28, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders are invited to participate in events at the library. Teens can earn library dollars to be used at the end of the summer to bid on prizes provided by the Friends of Rowan Public Library.
Programs are:
Asia: Learn about countries in Asia and play a Japanese game show ó Headquarters, Tuesday, 3:30-5 p.m.; East Branch, Wednesday, 3:30-5 p.m.; South Rowan Regional, Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m.
Also this summer, the library is offering a Parent and Family Reading Workshop from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Monday at Headquarters in Salisbury.
For more information please check the library website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location ó Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.
Displays:Headquarters ó photography and pottery by Emily Walls; Lee Street Theatre by Robert Jones; South ń collectible toy soldiers from different wars by Steven Wise; East ó art by Colleen Walton.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.