Katiem's blog

There's lots of new stuff in the Kid Zone. Five Preschool Nook Tablets are available for in-house check out in the picture book room. They are jam-packed with interactive books and educational games. You can also access our entire Tumblebook Library. Check out procedures are the same as for in-house laptop checkouts.

My little sister devoured the R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series when she was a kid. I'm a big chicken, so I wasn't a fan. One of the ways she loved to torment me (as little sisters are required to do) was by sharing the juiciest tidbits from the books. I remember being especially disturbed by the ventriloquist doll that was alive and the Halloween mask that wanted to become your real face. CREEPY!!!

If you haven't heard of Rick Riordan, you've been living in a post-apocalyptic bunker, cut off from the world. He's the #1 New York Times bestselling author of three different series-- Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus. He's also penned a few of the 39 Clues titles. He's a big deal.

That's right. September 28, 2012 is Ask a Stupid Question Day. It was created by teachers in the 1980s, to encourage their students to ask more questions in the classroom. Have you ever been afraid to ask a question? Even a question you really wondered about? Maybe you thought no one would know the answer. Or maybe you were sure everyone but YOU already knew the answer. Remember: there are no stupid questions. How else are you going to learn things?

Are you an otaku? Otaku is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or Japanese video games. Does that sound like you? Are you interested in hanging out with other teens just as fascinated by Japanese entertainment? Of course you are. So come to the Anima Manga Club on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Watch anime and talk manga with other 7th-12th graders. Further incentive required? Okay, there are also free snacks.

I am a planner. Ask anybody. I pick out my clothes the night before. I outline my storytimes a year in advance. Okay, I admit it, two years in advance. So it should come as no surprise that I had already lined up (and even written) all my blogs for this week. I wasn't looking for any newsworthy items. I had a plan. But you can't plan for everything because you can't know everything. And I did not know that this week included two major children's literature milestones that just have to be featured on the Hoover Public Library's blog.

I grew up loving (and I mean LOVING) movies and TV shows that featured martial arts. Especially the original Karate Kid and the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But, even though I was a voracious reader, I never read a single book about karate, kung fu, the art of ninja, or the honor of samurai warriors. Maybe I was lazy and didn't look for any. Maybe there weren't any available. But kids and teens today are still crazy about the martial arts. They have their own Karate Kid and TMNT. They also have Kung Fu Panda, Avatar, and Lego Ninjago. And they are lucky enough to have tons of books to feed their mania. Here's a list of great fiction featuring

Join us at California Pizza Kitchen for a flavorful FUNdraising event! Pick up an official flyer from any desk at the Hoover Public Library and present it to your CPK server on Thursday, September 27, 2012 (all day, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.). 20% of your check will be donated to the Friends of the Hoover Public Library. Purchases include dine-in, take-out, catering and all beverages!

California Pizza Kitchen
At Riverchase Galleria (Across from Belk)
3470 Galleria Circle
Hoover, AL 35244
205.444.0777