There's plenty of books turning into movies this fall and winter. Some notable options:

Where The Wild Things Are - October 16, 2009

Alright, so what's the deal here? The book is, like, 50 pages long...mostly illustrations...and they made a feature-length movie out of it?

Well, YEAH!

Upping the ante is a director credit for Spike Jonze, director of music videos for every band of the 90s worth knowing, skateboard lover, and co-creator of MTV's 'Jackass'. Combining this spirit with Dave Eggers' writing skillz and some Hensonesque creature-works is destined to lead to a magical time. Oh yeah...failed to mention: we're all monsters. Deal.

Read it first: EJ SEN



The Lovely Bones - December 11, 2009

Peter Jackson tackled the entire Lord of the Rings. Taking on Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' should be easy-peasy, right? Well, we'll have to wait and see. What we can tell from here is that Jackson (who is also producing this month's absolutely TERRIFYING-LOOKING !!!! 'District 9') has a way with the whole emotion+CG effects genre. An insane ensemble cast telling a surreal and tragic tale should earn points come Oscar time.

Listen to it first: FIC SEB



Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant - October 23, 2009

Love vampires, but could do without all that lovey-dovey jazz? Need some action...a few morbid laughs...and, if possible, Salma Hayek in a beard would be kind of cool? You'll probably want to check this one out.

Read it first: YA FIC SHA



The Lightning Thief - February 12, 2010

Yeah, yeah, I've heard it, too: "Isn't this just some lame attempt to ride off the momentum of the Harry Potter movies?" Possibly. But stop saying it like it's a bad thing. The Lightning Thief [based on the first book of the quietly...though insanely...popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians series] has enough strength to hold its own, Potter-heads. But, hey, I [sort of] share a name with a goddess, so I'm a little biased.

Read it first: J FIC RIO

We'll be holding a poster contest in celebration of Banned Book Week, which runs September 26-October 3. If you're between the ages of 9-18, create a poster inspired by free speech versus censorship in challenged and banned books for a chance to win great prizes!. Deadline for submissions is Saturday, September 12th at 2:00 p.m. For more information, contact me at (207) 764-2571 and click the 'Read Banned Books' icon in the sidebar.

The library now offers
text reference service!

1. Call 309-222-7740 and enter the code “MTL”
2. Txt your question
3. A librarian will text an expert
answer within 10 minutes during the hours of service

This service is free, but standard text rates may apply

Hours of operation:

Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M.
Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

For more information, please visit:
http://myinfoquest.info

The next meeting of the Teen Book Club will be on Tuesday, August 25th at 5:00 p.m. To mix things up a bit, we'll be doing a "free pick" this month. Simply pick a new [or new-to-you] YA title and prepare a review in time for the meeting. You can also create artwork inspired by the book, redesign the book cover, film a book trailer, or do a video review. The choice is yours! Want more info? Just give the library a call at (207) 764-2571.

The Tween Book Club will be reading Trenton Lee Stewart's 'The Mysterious Benedict Society' Discussions will be held on Thursday August 6th (to cover pages 1-245) and Thursday August 20th (to finish things up) at 5:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information on the Tween Book Club, feel free to give me a call at (207) 764-2571.

More information on the selection here.

The theme around Turner this summer has been Get Creative @ Your Library! If you're stuck somewhere else, but still looking to get creative, consider the following:

1. Make a tote bag from an old/odd-sized/bizarre t-shirt! Holy recycling, Batman! We've all got those t-shirts...from biker rallies, speed boat races, mashed potato wrestling, world's strongest wo/man competitions, circus family reunions (alright, maybe that's just me talkin')...why not make some good out of the deal?



Instructions here courtesy of Instructables.

2. Origami water bombs! Look, it gets hot around here. And we have more space than we know what to do with. Sounds like it's time for WAAATER BOMMMB FIIIIIIEEEGHT! Bonus: If you choose not to use them as water bombs, you can stick each one onto the bulbs of holiday lights...little paper laterns!

Video here courtesy of VideoJug.

3. Popsicles! It's strawberry season, and the MSAD #1 school farm is bustin' them out like it's nobody's business. Jam is fine and shortcake is great, but why not make some popsicles? Don't have any molds? Fret not: do it old school and use a paper cup as your mold...just add popsicle sticks!



Recipe here courtesy of Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn.

4. Make a hammock! I'm honestly not trying to promote laziness or anything, but, look, summer naps are a precious commodity. If you're going to do it, do it right.

Instructions here courtesy of Instructables.

5. Barf bag puffer fish puppet! Some of you might be lucky enough to fly somewhere exotic this summer. Of course, exotic places take awhile to get to, so make the best of it. A travel-worthy craft that would make the TSA proud.



Instructions here courtesy of Craftzine.

Have fun!

Author Beckie Weinheimer visited the library on Tuesday to talk about her book, 'Converting Kate' and conduct a writer's workshop. It was a ton of fun for everyone involved, including Tiffany and Rachel from Teen Book Club seen above*. If you haven't read the book yet, I DEMAND you to stop by and check out a copy. You'll love it. If not, I owe you 247 videos of cats.

* Editor's note: We were all sort of the No-pictures-please Club. Don't judge.