Ballston Reader
What's Happening at the Town of Ballston Community Library
Friday, July 31st, 2020
Check out this Month's Suggested Titles
Children with Disabilities
These books encourage children to be understanding and accepting of peers with special needs, while also providing children with disabilities all-too-rare role models who represent their struggles and triumphs
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael López celebrate kids of different abilities and the power of inclusion in this affirming picture book. Sotomayor encourages kids to ask if they are curious about another child's differences, introducing physical conditions like her own experience with diabetes and Lopez's use of an inhaler for asthma, then broadening the conversation to include neuroatypical conditions like Tourette's and autism; learning disabilities like dyslexia; and even a nut allergy. Throughout, the children in her story work together to create a garden as a powerful visual reminder that we all have the power to make the world more beautiful.
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4sGcaA6bFk
Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky
All of Rescue's family are seeing eye dogs, but his trainer thinks he's better suited to become a service dog – and Rescue's worried he's not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose leg has just been amputated who is struggling to adjust to her new life. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And, when Jessica's other leg has to be amputated too, they have to start all over again. It turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. This unique and thoughtful picture book about acquired disability, service dogs, and the power of hope.
Age Range: 5 - 9 years
Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppzayq0f8XI
Out of my mind [electronic book] by Draper, Sharon M. (Sharon Mills)
Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school--but no one knows it .Most people (her teachers and doctors included) don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind--that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever.
Age Range: Young Adult Book (ages 10 and up) - available on OverDrive
Children's books on Friendship
"We Don't Eat Our Classmates" by Ryan T. Higgins.
On the first day of school, Penelope Rex is excited to meet her classmates, but when she discovers they're all children, she does what comes naturally... and eats them! Her teacher insists she spit them out and sternly informs her, "We don't eat our classmates." But how can Penelope remember the rule when she's so hungry and children are so delicious? She keeps forgetting – until an unexpectedly voracious class pet teaches her what it feels like to be eaten! Award-winning author/illustrator Ryan T. Higgins has created a laugh-out-loud story with a gentle message about the importance of treating others how you want to be treated.
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwd4bpVeAVA
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
and no one there is quite like you.
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.
Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
Age Range: 5 to 9 years .
Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM3DesXftrQ
Emma's Magic Winter by Jean Little
A new friend?
When Sally moves into the house next door, Emma's mom thinks it will be easy for the two girls to become friends. But Emma is so shy, she can barely even read out loud in school.
With the help of her new friend who has magic boots just like her own, Emma overcomes her shyness and no longer hates reading out loud in school.
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Read Aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqExlUeRtz4
Dear Hoopla Users
Early next month Hoopla will be releasing a new digital eBook experience to make it even easier for reading any of the thousands of eBook titles available with no holds and no waiting.
eBooks now have an innovative vertical scrolling mode that allows patrons to take a break from flipping pages. With a simple swipe you can continue on in the story. They have also added a faster scrolling engine, which allows for a quick skim of any eBook title.
With more patrons turning to Hoopla for educational and homeschooling content than ever, Hoopla has added new Highlights & Notes features, which are perfect for students and book discussion groups.
Capturing thoughts and highlighting important sections to go back to for quick studying makes it easier than ever to learn on Hoopla! To help patrons find what they are looking for, Hoopla has also added a more enhanced search with added context. And by popular demand, Hoopla now have a quick-changing Landscape view to read the book on a tablet or iPad in a wider view.
To learn more, check out this video
Summer Activities
Update on Covid
Be Stronger Together
The “Stronger Together” campaign was designed to assist communities in promoting mental wellbeing and positive coping strategies during times of stress and crisis.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of mental health and provide tools and information to promote psychosocial support. The campaign places a special focus on vulnerable people, such as children and adolescents, women, older persons, persons with disabilities, essential workers, and people with pre-existing conditions. It will also help start conversations around gender issues, including the different roles that men and women have in the family and the community, a possible rise in gender-based violence during the pandemic, and the importance of ensuring that all communication products are more accessible to persons with disabilities.
Contacts to learn more:
CDB: H. Amanda Lynch-Foster, (246) 826-7107, lyncha@caribank.org
PAHO: Lisa Bayley, (246) 434-5200, 40034, bayleylis@paho.org
Town of Ballston Community Library
Email: web.toblibrary@gmail.com
Website: toblibrary.sals.edu
Location: 2 Lawmar Lane, Burnt Hills, NY, United States
Phone: 518-399-8174
Facebook: facebook.com/toblibrary