One Book, One Community is an annual program which encourages everyone in town to read the same book and then come together to explore its themes.  This year's selected books are set during the 1930s, and centers around the experiences of those who survived the Great Depression. 

The kids book is Out of the Dust.

The adult book is The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl.

Kids' One Book, One Community Programs

BookMANIA!:  Free Verse Writing Program

Ages 7-9, Tuesday March 16 at 4:15 p.m.

What is free verse?  Kids will be introduced to stories told in verse, similar to Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse.  After the reading, they will write their own stories in verse.  Drop-In.

Nature and the Dust Bowl

Ages 5 and up, Wednesday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m.

Discover the science and causes behind the Dust Bowl era in this nature program for children.  Learn about wind erosion and "black blizzards" whil also gaining hands-on knowledge with nature projects.  To register, contact the Children's Library (203) 669-5235 or email childrenslibrary@darienlibrary.org

Book Group for Kids

Ages 9-12, Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.

A book discussion of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.  We will examine the way both of these non-traditional books, both free verse and graphic novel, reflect the time period during the Dust Bowl.

February is National Black History Month, when we take time to remember and celebrate important and influential African-Americans throughout our history. 

We have tagged many of our favorite biographies, non-fiction books, and historical fiction books as "Black History Month for Kids."  Click the link to see our booklist. 

There have been several excellent books for children written this year that focus on important, but previously untold stories, about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States:

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, is the story of a young girl who stood up for her rights in the face of harrowing opposition and prejudice.  She is a figure that should be as well-known as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks, but whose story had remained untold until very recently.  This new biography about her life and contribution to the Civil Rights Movement recently won a Newbery Honor. 

Antother wonderful and recently published book about the Civil Rights Movement is Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children, and Don't You Grow Weary by Elizabeth Partridge.  Unlike other books on similar topics, Marching is distinguished in that it focuses on the contributions of children and teenagers in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.  If you are looking for an inspiring story that demonstrates the power that children have to change their world for the better, check out this moving and well-researched book. 

For other great books about famous African-Americans throughout history, check out our list!

Three big winners: the Newbery, Caldecott, and Sibert awards.

Today at 7:45am in Boston, the American Librarian Association and the Association for Library Service to Children announced before a packed room of hundreds, the winners for the 2010 Youth Media Awards. 

And the winners are.................... (click Read More)

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books.   Being considered a "notable" book means that it is important, distinguished, or outstanding.   They are books that are of especially commendable quality, exhibit venturesome creativity, and reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways.

The Notables list also includes the 2010 Newbery, Caldecott,  Belpré, Sibert, Geisel, and Batchelder Award and Honor books.

Here are the 2010 Notable books for Middle Readers (generally, children between the ages of 7 to 11)