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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Published by Doubleday, 2011.

Happy National Novel Writing Month! Even though writing can be a fun form of self-expression for kids, teens, and adults, motivating yourself to write can often be challenging. Novels in particular require a great deal of self-motivation over a long period of time. Since 1999, the organization and movement known as “National Novel Writing Month” has encouraged amateur and professional writers to push themselves. Anyone can participate in NaNoWriMo, which asks participants to write a 50,000 word manuscript in a single month, between November 1 and November 30. That means an average of 1,667 words per day! NaNoWriMo helps writers across the country and beyond by providing “pep talks” from professional authors, and meet ups in real life so that writers can take a break from this solitary pursuit.

J.J Johnson’s young adult novel This Girl is Different centers around Evie, a homeschooler, entering school for the first time as a high school senior. This book flips the typical high school narrative on its head.

Books support literacy and learning. And when you have too many books in duplicate and falling part, they can even support creative-free play! This month in “What to Play? Play Ideas for Family & Community,” Carrie shares ideas for ways to play with your books!

Little Free Library in Wilbraham Honors Neighbors & Remembers Tornado Well, it is little, and it is a library, and, yes, it is free… so it must be a Little Free Library. The first Little Free Library appeared in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009 and now they can be found in every state and at least thirty-two countries. This one on Pomeroy Street in Wilbraham,  Massachusetts is the creation of Steve Fratoni in honor… Read More

Keats’ The Little Drummer Boy Hits All The Right Beats Okay, I’ll admit it – I have a real soft spot for the song, “The Little Drummer Boy.” Some of you may cringe every time you hear it, and if you’ve been walking around stores this holiday season you’ve probably heard any number of the hundreds of versions by different artists – some rocking, some soulful, and some just overly synthesized and… Read More

Chickadee New Book Continues the Story of An Ojibwe Family It is 1866. Chickadee and his twin brother, Makoons, have been together every day since they were born. Eight years old and living with their family in a birchbark house in the remote woods near Lake Superior, the brothers must endure a brutal separation when Chickadee is kidnapped by members of his own tribe and taken far from home. The story, named… Read More

Hilltown Families collaborated with The Food Bank of Western MA in compiling a list of kids books on the topic of food security/scarcity for their Youth Action Hunger program. We asked our readers to share their favorite children’s book that touches on the topics of hunger, soup kitchens, food banks, homelessness, etc. See what titles our readers had to recommended, both for children and adults…

QUESTION AND ANSWERS Would you ever give your children an e-book reader as a gift? Amanda Saklad writes, “If I had the extra $150 plus to spend, sure! A trip to the library would be little more affordable, though. My 11yo wants one for Christmas.” Karen Bayne writes, “If I had one, and I had the money, I would. I can’t quite wrap my head around giving such a cool thing to… Read More

A Pirate’s Guide to First Grade By James Preller, Illustrated by Greg Ruth Win an Copy Inscribed by Illustrator Greg Ruth Local Hilltown artist Greg Ruth has released a new children’s book titled Pirate’s Guide to First Grade – and Hilltown Families has an inscribed copy to giveaway to two lucky families.  Deadline to enter to win is Monday, September 27th 2010. Details below. ABOUT PIRATE’S GUIDE TO FIRST GRADE Arr! It’s… Read More

Win 3 Seasonal Titles: Pumpkins, Cider and Apples From Storey Publishing Hilltown Families and Storey Publishing have partnered up to offer a chance to win three seasonal titles: The Perfect Pumpkin: Growing, Cooking, Carving by Gail Damerow Cider: Making, Using & Enjoying Sweet & Hard Cider (3rd Ed.) by Annie Proulx and Lew Nichols Apple Cookbook by Olwen Woodier Find out how to enter to win below. STOREY PUBLISHING Storey Publishing is… Read More

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