Children’s Programs

*Summer reading continues until August 4. Children ages 4 through grade 5 may register to participate anytime during the five-week period. Participation counts for the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Thanks to My Place Restaurant and Dunkin’ Donuts for participating in our program again this year.

*Real Men Read!

Relax, sit back and enjoy a great book with volunteer John Renjilian from Monday, July 12, through Thursday, July 15. From noon until 1 pm each day Mr Renjilian will be reading aloud from Bruce Coville’s Jennifer Murdley’s Toad. Bring along a sandwich and just listen as you find out what happens when Jennifer brings home a talking toad from Elive’s Magic Shop. Jennifer soon discovers that the toad has a lot of secrets that land Jennifer and her friends in more trouble than they could ever imagine.

The program is recommended for ages 8 and older. Sign up in the children’s department.

*Super Science Workshops: Teacher and artist Leslie Troy will conduct six science workshops at the library this summer. All workshops require pre-registration and a $6 material fee.

Students entering grades 1 and 2 can participate in workshops that will meet from 1 to 2:30 pm on Thursday afternoons. Remaining workshops are “Dinosaurs Roar!” on July 22, and “A World of Science” on July 29.

Students entering grades 3 and 4 can participate in Saturday morning workshops that will meet from 10 am until noon: “Connecting Science and Art” on July 17, “Connecting Science and Literature” on July 24 and/or “Connecting Science and Math” on July 31.

*Real Rescue Heroes: This summer the library is proud to present a new series, “Real Rescue Heroes,” where participants are invited to meet some of the town’s rescue heroes, hear about their work, see some of the equipment they use, and tour their rescue vehicles.

The series is geared for ages 6 and up and while participation is free, pre-registration is required.

“Real Rescue Heroes” will begin on Tuesday, July 20, at 10:30 am, with members of the Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue (NUSAR) team. Additional programs are planned for July 27, also at 10:30, with members of the Newtown Ambulance Corps, and then on August 3, from 11:30 to 12:15, with a Fire Safety program.

Please note there will be two offerings of the Fire Safety program. Children ages 3 to 5 are invited to visit the library on August 3 for their own program starting at 10:30.

*PJ Story Time: Stories, songs and a puppet show will entertain young readers, ages 3 to 7, on Wednesdays, July 21 and 28, and August 4, from 6:30 until 7:15 pm. There is no registration required. Don’t forget to wear your favorite PJs!

Young Adults

*Young Adult Book Discussion: Let’s talk about Joshua’s Song by Joan Hiatt Harlow on Wednesday, July 21, from 4 to 5 pm, in the Story Room.

In this Nutmeg Award nominee, 13-year-old Joshua must sell papers on the Boston streets to help support the family. What can he do when disaster strikes? Copies are available in the Young Adult area. Try to read this story and then join us for a discussion.

*Literacy Alive! with Robert Rivest will take place on Thursday, July 22, at 7 pm. This program is not to be missed!

This fast-paced series of humorous and insightful stories in mime is for families of all ages and especially for kids in grades 3-8. Mr Rivest is a professional mime who trained with the renowned Marcel Marceau.

Admission to what promises to be an outstanding family program is free thanks to a generous grant from Praxair Corporation.

*Two more summer YA programs are coming in August:

“Forensics: The Science of Crime” will be presented for ages 10 and up on Tuesday, August 3, from 1:30 to 3 pm. Police detective work comes to light when Officer Robinson shows how to look for clues and evidence at a mock crime scene.

Then we will welcome the return of actress Leland Kellogg, who will lead “15-Minute Hamlet” – to be staged and produced in just two days!

On Friday and Saturday, August 6-7, from 1-5 pm, young people entering grade 7 and up can rehearse this hilarious Shakespearean spoof and give a performance on Saturday at 4:00. There is a $30 fee for the program, plus a refundable $20 script charge.

*Pick up a flier at the library or get more information on all the upcoming Young Adults programs on the YA Webspot at www.biblio.org/yawebspot. Telephone registration will be accepted for most programs.

*Tweens & Teens Summer Reading will be ongoing until August 4, so there is still time to get started. This program is for readers who will be in grades six and up this fall.

In addition to reading and enjoying books, participants will be entered into weekly prize drawings each time they fill out a Book Summary Form for every 50 pages they read. Prizes include local gift certificates and tickets. Full details and Book Summary Forms are available in the Young Adult Department at the library. Drawings are held each Monday from all forms turned in during the previous week.

Adult Programs

*Library Concert Series: The next concert in Booth Library’s summer concert series – which has moved this year to The Pleasance at 1 Main Street – will be Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights on Saturday, July 17. The concert will begin at 7 pm.

Because of the limited parking available at The Pleasance we are asking that anyone who can handle the walk park at the library and walk down the hill to the concert site. Thank you in advance for your help.

Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating, and remember that while you can still bring your own refreshments to the concerts there are no trashcans at The Pleasance so we ask that you also plan to carry out any trash you might create.

The final concert this year will be River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs on Friday, August 13.

*Daytime Book Group: The daytime book group will continue to meet throughout the summer. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 9, at 1 pm. Regular members and newcomers (who are always welcome) will be discussing Anne Seierstad’s The Bookseller of Kabul.

Written by a Norwegian journalist, Bookseller tells the story of a large middle class Afghani family and the everyday trials they experience after the fall of the Taliban.

Other books this group plan on discussing include The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley on September 13, Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides on October 18, and Eugenie Grandet by Honore de Balzac on November 8.

C.H. Booth Library, at 25 Main Street, can be reached at 426-4533. Summer hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Tuesday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Friday from noon to 5 pm. The library is closed on Sunday during the summer.