The Newberry and Caldecott Awards are given every year for those authors who specialize in Youth Fiction.  The Newberry Award is given to that author who, over the last year, has had the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature.  As stated on the American Library Association’s website: “The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children” (www.ala.org/alsc).

Like the Newberry Award Medal, the Caldecott Award is given to that author who has also made great contributions to Children’s Literature.  As stated on the ALA website: “The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children” (www.ala.org/alsc).

This year’s winners of the two awards are:

The Newberry Award: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos.  The ALA states this about Dead End in Norvelt:

The importance of history and reading (so you don’t do the same “stupid stuff” again) is at the heart of this achingly funny romp through a dying New Deal town. While mopping up epic nose bleeds, Jack narrates this screw-ball mystery in an endearing and believable voice.  “Who knew obituaries and old lady death could be this funny and this tender?” said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Viki Ash (www.ala.org/alsc).

The Caldecott Winner is A Ball for Daisy written and illustrated by Chris Raschka.  The ALA states this about A Ball for Daisy:

In a wordless book with huge children’s appeal, Chris Raschka gives us the story of an irrepressible little dog whose most prized possession is accidently destroyed.  With brilliant economy of line and color, Raschka captures Daisy’s total (yet temporary) devastation. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery and friendship.

“Chris Raschka’s deceptively simple paintings of watercolor, gouache and ink explore universal themes of love and loss that permit thousands of possible variants,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Steven L. Herb. ‘A Ball for Daisy’ holds as many unique stories as there will be young readers and re-readers (www.ala.org/alsc).

For more information check out the ALA’s website for these awards: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/

On January 19th, from 3: 00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Hoyt Library will be presenting a documentary on Edgar Allan Poe, and one of his greatest works, “The Pit and the Pendulum”, starring Vincent Price.

Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston Massachusetts on January 19, 1809. His classic poem, “The Raven” cemented his reputation in the macabre in the 1820’s. Following a stint in the army, where he was dismissed from West Point, he moved to Maryland where he published other creepy tales such as “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Purloined Letter”, and especially, “the Murderers in the Rue Morgue” which has been acclaimed as the beginning of the modern detective story. 

Also, Baltimore’s National Football League team, the Ravens, it is whimsically stated, is a tribute to his famous poem, “The Raven”, and in addition, since the year 1949, the 100th anniversary of his death, an unknown visitor has left three roses and a bottle of cognac at his gravesite.

Poe died under mysterious circumstances in 1849, but his works are still admired by millions still today.

Come, bring a friend, and enjoy the documentary, and one of Poe’s greatest stories. Call the Hoyt Library’s Youth Services Department to register at 570-287-2013 ext 239.

It’s almost time for January’s Chinese Workshop.  If you didn’t read about the premise in our earlier post in the Fall, here is a link to look back into it: http://hoytlibrary.org/2011/11/11/chinese-workshops-for-children/

Now that it’s a new year, patrons will have access to learn about the Chinese New Year and the Zodiac.  Through hands-on/interactive activities, children will be introduced to fundamental aspects of Chinese customs, and the Mandarin language will be peppered throughout each presentation.  Children will also be able to learn about eh geography of China, as well as storybook telling as the opening key to this vast and ancient culture. All ages are welcome to attend.

The date for this event is: 1/19/12 - Introduction to Chinese New Year and the Chinese Zodiac.  You do not have to be present at each program; however, registration is highly recommended prior to each presentation by calling the Youth Services Dept. of the Hoyt @ 570-287-2013 ext. 239.

Here is a picture from an earlier workshop!

As the holidays grow ever closer, we at the Hoyt Library would like to wish everyone a happy time.  We also would like to remind you that during the holiday week we will have different hours.  The following is the list of our hours starting this upcoming weekend:

• Christmas Eve (12/24/2011): CLOSED
• Monday (12/26/2011): CLOSED
• Tuesday (12/27/2011): Open 9 a.m. – 5 p. m.
• Wednesday (12/28/2011): Open 9 a.m. – 5 p. m.
• Thursday (12/29/2011): Open 9 a.m. – 5 p. m.
• Friday (12/30/2011): Open 9 a.m. – 5 p. m.
• Saturday, New Years’ Eve (12/31/2011): CLOSED
• Monday (1/2/2012): CLOSED

We look forward to the new year, with a lot of new happenings at the Hoyt Library.   As usual, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

The Staff at the Hoyt Library

During Thanksgiving week, November 22-25, 36 library and informal education staff from all over the U.S. including Melissa Szafran from the Hoyt Library, explored Mars and the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), NASA’s latest mission to Mars, through activities from: Explore! Mars Inside & Out and the Imagine Mars program.

A picture from Melissa Szafran's trip to the NASA MSL Launch!

The week kicked off with a two day workshop, where participants spent a day exploring Mars Inside & Out and had opportunities to hear presentations and ask questions of prominent scientists involved with Mars research and the MSL mission.  On day two, they were transported on a hypothetical mission of their own to Mars, as they enjoyed the Imagine Mars program and returned with a new outlook on community, science, and the arts.  It was a week full of hands-on learning and exciting experiences, culminating with a VIP tour of Kennedy Space Center and front row seats at the MSL mission launch on Saturday, November 26th!

However, the excitement doesn’t stop there!  Armed with new activities and experiences, these educators and librarians will take what they’ve learned back to their communities to share the exciting science that is happening with MSL and its rover, named Curiosity, by hosting events and programs.  Among these will be a MSL landing event in August 2012!

The Hoyt Library will be hosting many events and programs throughout the months ahead, leading to the MSL landing on Mars in August 2012.  Visit the Hoyt Library for more information in the coming months.

Enjoy an afternoon of Elvis songs with the local performing Elvis Tribute Artist, Jimmy T, on Monday, December 12th, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the community room of the Hoyt Library in Kingston.

Jimmy T will be performing some of Elvis’ greatest holiday songs in his Walking in the “Winter Wonderland with Elvis Tribute. “

Jimmy T. has been an LTA since 1998, and enjoy entertaining people.  He had the pleasure of going to Elvis Week in Memphis 2002, 2003, and 2007.  he also performed in the tent at Graceland crossings to pay tribute to the king himself, and competed in the “Images of Elvis Contest” in Memphis in 2003.

So, don’t miss out on hearing your favorite Elvis songs!  Sing-a-long and tap your feet to one of rock-n-roll’s most famous recording artist!

Come, bring some friends, enjoy the performance, and meet Jimmy T. as Elvis!

All ages are welcome to join in the fun!

Register by calling the Youth Services Department at 570-287-2013, ext. 239.

Kingston Borough, along with local businesses, groups, and organizations of Kingston, will celebrate the holidays with a tree lighting on Sunday, December 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hoyt Library side lawn.

Bring your family and friends for a day of festive fun for everyone including: refreshments, a make and take craft for kids, and caroling.  A holiday story hour will begin at 4 p.m. and will feature guest readers from the Greater Kingston Community.  At 6 p.m., Santa will make a special appearance on the Kingston Fire Truck.

Local businesses, groups, and organizations for this event include: Kingston Council, Kingston Police, Fire and Public Works Department, Vgogh Gallery & Custom Picture Framing,  A Photo Affair, Truly Scrumptious, Zeopix, Hoyt Library, Rebennacks Appliance, HeadStrong, Cub Scout Packs 193 & 155, and Edward’s landscaping (who donated the tree!).

As China grows, so does the importance of understanding the region. It is never too early to begin learning about China!

In September, the Hoyt Library began it’s Chinese Workshops for children.  Since September with the help of the Wyoming Valley China Center, we have been hosting a workshop per month in our library’s Community Room.  The program looks to introduce children to the language and culture of China.

Through hands-on/interactive activities, children will be introduced to fundamental aspects of Chinese customs, and the Mandarin language will be peppered throughout each presentation.

Each program has and will continue to present the diverse customs of China.  The remaining workshops are:

• 11/17 – Chinese Kung Fu and Paper Cut-Outs
• 12/15 – Chinese songs, writings, and numbered counting
• 1/19/12 – Introduction to Chinese New Year and the Chinese Zodiac

Since 1982, libraries across the country have celebrated Banned Book Week to demonstrate the importance of free speech, and to remind us never to take it for granted.

The Hoyt Library is proud to continue our freedom of speech by celebrating Banned Book Week with a program highlighting local author, Cecilia Galante.  Galante, whose book, The Patron Saint of Butterflies, has been placed on the list of Banned Books with other listed Banned Book authors such as: Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Maya Angelou, William Faulkner, J.D. Salinger, J.K. Rowling, Anne Frank, and many more.

Join us on Monday, September 26th at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Community Room, which is located on the first floor of the library, to meet Ms. Galante and get a book signed.  Please bring your own copy of any of her books for signing.  There will be no copies available at the Hoyt.

Register by calling the Youth Services Department at 570-287-2013, ext. 239.