Where to Find Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling’s New Book in Naperville

The new book, The Casual Vacancy, is to be released Thursday, Sept. 27.

Harry Potter may have vanished into the past, but author J.K. Rowling is still around, with her for-adults book The Casual Vacancy due out Sept. 27. In Naperville, you can find the book at Anderson's Bookshop as well as Barnes and Noble. If you’re looking to check the book out from the Naperville Public Library, be sure to get your name on the waiting list to reserve a copy. As of Tuesday night, 292 holds had been placed on the book. To place a hold at the library, click here or call 630-961-4100. The new book by the creator of Harry Potter is aiming this book at a grown-up audience. More than 2 million hardcover copies of her first novel are set to be released simultaneously in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New…

• Photos (1)

Teen Volunteers Soak Up Library’s Summer Reading Program

Naperville Public Library's annual Summer Reading Program encourages children and adults of all ages to read with the help of local teen volunteers.

When local teens like Julia Shaver and Saira Zuberi aren’t reading at the Nichols Public Library, chances are they’re motivating other kids to pick up a good book.   Shaver and Zuberi are just two of the roughly 85 teen volunteers at the Nichols Library helping out with the annual Summer Reading Program this year. Volunteers are also on hand at all three Naperville Public Library branches to sign-up kids and adults of all ages for the program, which began June 4 and runs through July 29. Earlier: Naperville Public Library's Food for Fines Program to Help Those in Need And with only two weeks into the eight week program, more than 7,600 people have already signed-up, according to the Naperville Public Library. This year readers are also …

• Photos (1)

Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 8-12

Patch has teamed up with James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD program to bring you reading lists for every age. If you’re looking for some great summer reading options, check this list of “Favorite Pageturners” from James Patterson. These books are great read.

Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 6-9

Patch has teamed up with James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD program to bring you reading lists for every age. If you’re looking for some great summer reading options, check this list of “Terrific Transitional” books from James Patterson.

Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 8-12

Patch has teamed up with James Patterson’s READKIDDOREAD program to bring you reading lists for every age. If you’re looking for some great summer reading options, check this list of “Favorite Pageturners” from James Patterson. These books are great read.

Looking for a great book to read this summer? This list of books has something for everyone – adventure, magic, smart kids, and amazing kids. Read one, or read ‘em all – post your thoughts in the comments. Or, if we missed your favorite book, tell us in the comments! Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos Two months of being grounded during summer vacation change Jack Gantos’ life forever. Especially since it involves the mysterious chore of typing obituaries for his intriguing neighbor. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald What happens when Charlie Joe Jackson, the most reluctant reader EVER has to actually read a book? Big Nate in a Class by Himself (Big Nate series) by Lincoln Peirce Things don’t always go your way …

• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Perfect Lawns, Perfect Kids and Other Fibs

Book Some Reading Time for Boys This Break

This mom isn't above bribery to get her son to read.

I like to think my son is unique, that there’s no one else exactly like him. But when it comes to reading, I’m afraid he’s a pretty typical boy: he doesn’t like it. Not liking reading has a significant impact on boys’ ability to read. Since 1992, more boys score below the proficiency level than girls on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading test. The boy-girl gap is found in every socio-economic and ethnic category. All over America, girls have it all over boys in reading. Getting our son to read has been a lifelong challenge. We’ve done everything from setting a good example—my husband and I are voracious readers—to setting daily reading goals. Here are three strategies that have worked well for us. Read to your children…

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Naperville Public Library

4:12 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Janice, thanks for emphasizing the importance of reading - even for boys who don't like to read. Thanks, too, for saying that they should read what they want. After all, reading graphic novels, about sports or Kung Fu is reading. That's what's important. Here's a blog our Children's Services folks wrote with more suggestions. http://nplchildrensblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/boys-and-books/ Susan …   more ›

Read Across America Day, Celebrate Seuss in a Fun Way

The Naperville Public Library will hold a party today in honor of Dr. Seuss' 95th birthday.

If you had some time to play, would you stop and read away? Would a book, get a look from your eyes or would you say, no time today and make Seuss sad on his special day? Today would have been Theodor Geisel’s 95th birthday. The man, better, known as Dr. Seuss, wrote some of the most well known children’s books, including The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham and How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Naperville Public Library will be honoring Dr. Seuss’ memory today with a birthday party at the 95th Street Library. Stories will be read, songs will be sung —including Happy Birthday— and there will time for a craft. This year, the National Education Association, a group of more than 3.2 million educators who work to improve public schools, is…

• Photos (1)

Beyond the Card Catalog

Looking For a Few Good Books to Read? Try NextReads!

You’ve just finished a terrific book and now, what do you read next?

The Naperville Public Library has a great solution for picking a book – our NextReads, e-newsletter service. Every month we’ll send you titles and book descriptions. Better yet, there are over 30 different categories that you can select.  The choices are diverse, everything from New York Times fiction Bestsellers to Christian Fiction to Thrillers and Suspense. “NextReads newsletters are a great way to stay up-to-date on books in genres that are of interest to you,” explains Amy Byrne, Nichols Library Adult and Teen Services Supervisor. “Staff members have even created fun newsletters like Hobby Enthusiast, which features a different hobby each month. You can also get information about what books we’re reading as a group in the Book Club …

• Photos (1)

Mom's Eye View

Last Harry Potter Movie Doesn't Mean Goodbye

This mom plans to hold on to the magic of the series as long as she can.

Like a ton of other adults out there, I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Potter. As in a fan of Harry Potter. Although I was right around 30 with children far too young to read or even enjoy Harry Potter books, I discovered them when my book club suggested we read the first Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. That was back in 2000. After the first page, I devoured the book in one sitting and went right out to get the second two. I was charmed and captivated. Since then, I’ve purchased new releases as soon as they came out. Each time housework was neglected and dinner reduced to whatever I could throw together while flipping pages. To some extent, everyone in my family could fend for themselves until I finished. I couldn’t wait to share…

• Photos (1)