On the Same Page – Amherst Author Event Rescheduled for May 6

It is with great pleasure that the Jones Library announces the rescheduling of the final author event in the On the Same Page – Amherst series, featuring Jill Lepore, author of the best-selling title The Secret History of Wonder Woman, this year’s selected title.

This author event will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3:00 PM at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.  It will be preceded by a reception at 2:00 PM in the Middle School Library, hosted by the Friends of the Jones Libraries. There is general admission seating for this free author event, and doors will open at 2:30 pm.

If you have not yet had the chance to read this year’s selected title, there are copies available for sign out at the Jones Library and branches.

For further information about On the Same Page – Amherst or this author event, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Jan Brett Free School and Library Visit Contest - HELP NEEDED

The school or library that has the most parents, teachers, friends, or supporters who enter the contest will win a free school or library visit from Jan in the 2018-2019 school year.  Contest ends April 2, 2018. 2nd to 10th prizes of 10 Jan Brett books. 11th to 100th prize of a signed Jan Brett poster.

Please click here to enter your name and the information of the school or library you would like to win a free Jan Brett visit. One email address entry per person. Duplicate email addresses will be removed. All emails will be verified before the winning entry is announced. If you are under the age of 13, please use your parent's email address.

OFF THE SHELF - Library News

OFF THE SHELF - Library News (Copied from the January Administrative Newsletter)

In January, local author Molly Burnham (The Teddy Mars series) came to Fort River and spent time with students in the 3rd-6th grades.

In the weeks before, Mrs. Gage read aloud from Teddy Mars,#1: Almost a World Record Breaker to most of the 3-6 graders and many of our students read the whole book on their own. Molly Burnham was the very best author visitor in my many years at Fort River. She was generous and specific in sharing how she finds and develops her ideas for her characters and plots. Molly Burnham literally taught the students how “WONDERING” about a certain picture, person or an object (like a rock with patterned scratches) can lead to a whole story and developed characters. Ask your children about the pigeon story, a real World War I event. Or ask about the picture of the rock with scratches.

Molly Burnham also spent time asking the students questions to get them engaged in discussions of what school is like, what writing is like for them and also about their favorite books.

From Molly’s website, (www.mollybburnham.com):

"Teddy Mars Awarded Funniest Kids’ Book of 2016!

Ridiculously proud to have been awarded the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, an international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s literature!”

Many of our students wrote Molly letters and here are just a few quotations from them:

“We can’t wait for your next book to come out!”

“…your visit was funny and helpful at the same time.”

“You have inspired me to write more often. And I have decided to make some of my stories based on my own life.”

“I am very glad you told us the story of you and your sister and the story of the pigeon.”

“I am excited to get to writing.”

“I also liked the picture of the rock that made us think about what is it supposed to be?”

We are all grateful for the grant we (all three elementary schools) received for this visit from the Amherst Integrated Arts Initiative, with John Bechtold’s and Mike Morris’s support.

Fran Ludington, Librarian, ludingtonf@arps.org   413-362-1215

Anne Gage, Library Paraeducator

Author Visit at the Jones Library Thursday, November 17th at 7PM

Author David Billings will speak on his new book

Denial: The Persistence of White Supremacy in U.S. History and Life

The Jones Library in Amherst Thursday, November 17th at 7PM 

A master story-teller, David grew up as a white, working class boy in Mississippi and Arkansas. He is an anti-racism trainer with the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond. His book includes strategies for dismantling white supremacy.

This event is co-sponsored by Coming Together, UROC, and the Amherst NAACP.

After David's talk and some Q&A, small groups will meet briefly to discuss and advance the four Action Projects underway with the Coming Together project.  Everyone is invited to participate in the discussion and planning of one of the projects.  The evening will end by 9PM.

More information available on the Coming Together website www.coming-together.  Click here.

Author Event on May 7 at the Odyssey Book Shop

An invitation from local author Anna Alter:

Sprout Street Neighbors Community Art Show and Raffle

Calling all kids in Western Mass who love to read and draw! Join me and The Odyssey Bookshop for a celebration of community and the Sprout Street Neighbors books. We're inviting children from all over Western Mass to make artwork inspired by their community, which we'll show at the store during Children's Book Week. One student will win a school visit from me for their classroom!

The details: Our show will be on May 7th from 2:00-4:00. All children's art will be on display, snacks will be served, and I'll be there to read and draw with the kids. Come join us to celebrate this wonderful community we're part of!

To participate: Just follow the DIRECTIONS and send in kid's artwork with the APPLICATION. The Odyssey is offering DISCOUNT COUPONS if you buy the books for the project, feel free to download those as well. Happy drawing!

Questions? Feel free to email me or Niki Marion at the Odyssey.