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HPL Kids

The Kidzone has programs galore as well as books, movies, and other cool stuff. Read our blog below for more information and check out our upcoming events to get an idea of what's happening at the Kidzone! Our main phone number is 205.444.7830.

Recent Book Reviews

Horten's Incredible Illusions: Magic, Mystery & Another Very Strange Adventure
Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom & the Challenges of Bad Hair
A Mutiny in Time
Starry River of the Sky
Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School
Iron Hearted Violet
Jake and Lily
Paris Pan Takes the Dare
Me and the Pumpkin Queen
Read All About It!
The Boy on Cinnamon Street
Nerd Camp
The Classroom
Smells Like Dog
Mission Unstoppable
On the Road to Mr. Mineo's
The Mark of Athena
A Whole Lot of Lucky
Alien on a Rampage
One for the Murphys

More of our favorite books on GoodReads »

Kidzone Blog

Can You Crack the Code?

Can You Crack the Code?: A Fascinating History of Ciphers and Cryptography by Ella Schwartz (03/26/19)
J  652.8  SCH
This fun and flippable nonfiction features stories of hidden treasures, war-time maneuverings, and contemporary hacking as well as explaining the mechanics behind the codes in accessible and kid friendly forms. Sidebars call out activities that invite the reader to try their own hand at cracking and crafting their own secret messages.

Harry Potter and the Illustrated Goblet of Fire

Jim Kay has taken another beloved J. K. Rowling book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and made it even more spectacular.  Seriously, you can practically feel the dragon's breath coming off the page!  The full-color illustrations combined with the 464-page length make this a weighty read, so don't try to read it while lying on your back in bed.  That's a surefire way to get a broken nose.  Instead, spread it before you on the table, the floor, or your lap, and immerse yourself in the magical wonder.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition by J. K. Rowling & Jim Kay (October 8, 2019)
Harry Potter wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal - even by wizarding standards. And in this case, different can be deadly.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Library

Our spooky October Full Steam Ahead also has an Alabama twist!  Join Miss Anna Beth for Scary Stories to Tell in the Library on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4 p.m.  She'll introduce you to the work of legendary Alabama storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham, give you a sampling of one of her "Jeffrey" ghost stories, and get a few victims (whoops, I meant volunteers!) to act out a portion of a tale.  Using Windham as inspiration, you'll also write a short scary story of your own!  If you want to share your tale with the group, you can.  If you want to keep it to yourself, you can do that, too.  This event is geared for students 8-12 years old.  Sign up online or by phone (444-7830) beginning 10/08.

Want to read more of Kathryn Tucker Windham's tales?  Head to the tallest bookcases in the Kid Zone and look for Dewey Decimal number 133.1.

KJ's Reader Getaways

So I think most of you know that my name is Katie Jane.  And that I like books.  I also like to talk about books.  And, when I go into the schools, I'm always having teachers and parents say they'd love to sit down and talk books with me somewhere that isn't school.  I have good news!  I'm taking my show on the road!

I'm launching a new outreach initiative for adults who want to talk about kid lit.  KJ's Reader Getaways will take place once a month.  The day of the week and the time of day will change, in order to fit into a variety of people's schedules.  The location will also change.  I'll be stopping by a variety of local eateries all over our great city.  I'll buy a tasty treat, sit down, and talk about books.  Which ones will I talk about?  Whatever everyone else is interested in discussing!  The first one is fast approaching, so mark your calendar!  I'll go ahead and give you a sneak peek for the other fall Getaway, too.  Click on this link to access a printable flyer complete with addresses.

KJ's Reader Getaway - I Scream for Ice Cream and Books!
Friday, October 11, 2019 at 4 p.m.
The Whole Scoop

KJ's Reader Getaway - Wild About Books
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 4 p.m.
Wild Roast Cafe

Villains Vs the Library

My favorite Disney villain of all time is Maleficent.  So I cannot wait to see the new movie starring Angelina Jolie!  Maleficent: Mistress of Evil hits theaters on October 18.  In celebration, we're hosting a Villains Vs the Library event the week before.  Join us on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. for Hide and Seek with Cruella de Vil and Poison Apple Toss with the Evil Queen.  Make pirate hats with Captain Hook and manuever an obstacle course filled with your favorite villains.  And mine.  Don't forget mine!  No need to RSVP for this villainous affair.  Simply follow the stars through the Kid Zone.

Want to re-watch the first Maleficent movie?  Look in the Kid Zone under J  MAL  DVD.

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