Diary of a Worm By Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss

This is a book about a little earthworm and his day-by-day life. He meets some very interesting characters, like spiders and giant birds. He goes to school with other earthworms and they attend dances and art classes. He is taught manners and other helpful things by this parents.
The book tells how important earthworms are to our Earth.
The illustrations are well worth checking out this book at our library.
Go to our catalog to reserve this book.

Hope you enjoy!
Ms. Shirley, Children's Dept.

Crewel World Needlecraft Mysteries #1 by Monica Ferris

Margot loved to knit and was expert in the craft. She also enjoyed teaching others how to knit and plan their projects. Her shop specialized in needlework classes and supplies. When her sister Betsy needed a place to 'collect herself,' Margot welcomed her with open arms and included Betsy in the daily routine and life at the shop. Not long after her arrival, Betsy, was shocked and depressed when Margot was found dead and the shop had been vandalized. Would Betsy keep the shop open? Would the landlord make her move? Uppermost in Betsy's mind and heart was finding Margot's killer. But that detective seemed to have decided exactly what kind of person killed the shop owner and he wouldn't look at anyone else. Betsy discovered how much people liked Margot and how much they wanted to help Betsy. Even to find the killer.

The Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler

12-year-old Fern McAllister is a little different. Her classmates call her Freaky Fern, but her family has learned to live with her eccentricities. She talks to the family dog (and he talks back), she has to keep a pot of dirt under her bed or she can’t sleep, she blisters if she stays in the sun too long, and she has to wear sunglasses constantly because her eyes are so sensitive. But her strange habits are the least of her worries these days. Lately she’s been accidentally…teleporting. One minute she’s daydreaming in class, the next she’s on a local beach. This new and frightening ability attracts the attention of Lindsey Lin, Fern’s popular classmate. Lindsey tells Fern that her powers mark her as an Otherworldly, or vampire, just like Lindsey and her family. And Fern’s not just any ordinary Otherworldly, but one of the Unusual Eleven, a child destined to have great powers. Also, Otherworldly children are only born to Otherworldly parents, which means Fern is adopted. These revelations shock Fern to the core. As does the news that now that her secret identity is known, other Otherworldlies, both good and evil, will be trying to find her and convince her to join their side in a supernatural battle for supremacy.

Kogler’s novel is more complex and unusual than your run-of-the mill vampire tale. The plot mixes the superstitions associated with vampires and the mythology of the ancient Greeks to create a totally unique story. It also deals with issues such as family belonging, adoption and the problems of being different. Hopefully, Kogler will write a sequel to this wonderful story.

Charles Ghigna Reads "Tomorrow's My Birthday" @ HPL

Father Goose, AKA Charles Ghigna stopped by Homewood Public Library to read one of his original children's poems, "Tomorrow's My Birthday". He also chatted with Sandra Swindle of the library and talked about his soon-to-be-published book, "Snow Wonder". Ghigna is an accomplished children's and adult author of poems and stories. He lives in Homewood, Alabama and visits the library almost every week.

Cowboy Bruce & Vernelle, (pretend) Cattle Drive @ HPL '08

Kids of all ages were WOWED by Cowboy Bruce Brannen and his lovely wife Vernelle. They witnessed amazing trick roping, the loud crack of the bull whip, (pretend) cattle hearding, and other cowboy stuff!

Cowboy Bruce Brannen & Vernelle, Bull Whip Tricks @ HPL '08

Cowboy Bruce Brannen and his lovely wife Vernelle stunned and entertained a large crowd during Summer Reading @ HPL. The bull whip tricks were a favorite!

New Avengers The Illuminati One Shot from The Road to Civil War graphic novel, written and drawn by Bendis and Cheung

PODCAST
Did you see Iron Man in the theatres? Or The Hulk? If so, you’ll want to tune into the newest Homewood Hotcast to hear the discussion on the comic book version of Iron Man and exactly why the Hulk is angry with him. All this, and Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic! Stephen Strange, Doctor Strange! Professor Charles Xavier of the X-men! Black Bolt, king of the Inhumans. And Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner! Yes, that's right, the secret history of the Marvel Universe!

Wii Guitar Hero Tournament, Teen Summer Reading '08 @ HPL

Teens Wii'd away the afternoon at our Guitar Hero III Tournament. Those who didn't want to enter the tourny played board games instead! Pizza & snacks were provided, and of course, prizes for the winners!

"That Puppet Guy", Children's Summer Reading Kickoff '08 @ HPL

The Children's Summer Reading Kickoff was fantastic with an overflowing crowd to see "That Puppet Guy." Lee Bryan is a nationally recognized solo-puppeteer who combines live vocals and original music with innovative puppet designs for wholesome family fun! Lee is a two-time grant recipient from the prestigious Jim Henson Foundation, Inc. His professional credits include feature film work with the Muppets and an Emmy nomination for his puppetry work for Public Broadcasting. Summer Reading at HPL is off to a great start!

Wheels on the Bus w/Heather O'Neal, Summer Reading '08 @ HPL

Jitter Bug Storytime is a fun story and musical program with Heather O'Neal. All ages are welcome!

Teen Summer Reading Kickoff Concert '08 @ HPL with Heavenly Days

The 2nd Annual Teen Kickoff Concert with CW21 and local band Heavenly Days was held Friday, May 30th at 6pm at the Homewood Park. Teens registered for the summer reading program and entered our drawing for fabulous prizes such as an iPod Shuffle, Little Professor Bookstore gift certificates, Rave Theatre tickets, and t-shirts.

Part 2: Discussion of The Immortal Iron Fist, The Last Iron First Story, by Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction

PODCAST
Homewood Hotcast returns with another Fantastic Podcastic edition (Part 2) and your hosts Mojo JoJo and Neptune's Own finish the discussion on The Last Iron Fist Story. This time they get around to talking about the art of David Aja and Matt Hollingsworth, Luke Cage's fashion choices, kung fu dialog, and of course SPOILERS. Join us for the fun!

Discussion of The Immortal Iron Fist, The Last Iron First Story, by Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction-Part 1

PODCAST
And make my fist into a thing of iron!
Sweet Christmas!
August Personage in Jade
Lei Kung the Thunder
Hail Hydra!

If you're familiar with these phrases, then you will want to tune in to the Fantastic Podcastic edition of Homewood Hotcast to hear Mojo JoJo and Neptune's Own discuss the newest reboot of Marvel's Iron Fist collected in this graphic novel. If none of that is sounding familiar, tune in anyway. We promise fun and SPOILERS!

Everybody! Come to the library! Homewood Public Library 2008

Ben, who attends Children's Storytime on a regular basis, tells us why he likes the library.

Is There Really A Human Race? By Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell

PODCAST
Donna Steele from the Children's Dept. reads one of her favorite children's books.

Naruto Discussion - Teens @ Homewood Public Library '08

Melissa Frennea and Brittany Mohd discuss what's happening with Naruto. Warning: possible spoilers!

Andrew Sanderbeck tells "The Lesson of the Gun" @ PLD '08

Watch Andrew and listen as he tells this true and very personal account of "The Lesson of the Gun." He shares how this miracle changed his life and how it can change yours too. Andrew Sanderbeck of The People-Connect Institute was the keynote speaker at the PLD Winter Mini-Conference held at Homewood Public Library, Homewood, AL.

Wizard Wrockers Concert: Justin Finch-Fletchly @ HPL '08

Wizard Wrockers: The Whomping Willows, Catchlove, and Justin Finch-Fletchly and the Sugar Quills were in concert at the Homewood Public Library. These indie all ages rock bands write and sing songs based on the seven Harry Potter books, by J. K. Rowling. This was their only Alabama show!

Homewood's Discussion of Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

PODCAST
Heather, Teen Librarian, along with patrons Melissa and Amber talk about why they like the Twilight series including the books Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. They discuss which camp they're in, ie., Jacob vs. Edward, should Bella wait to become a vampire, will Bella and Jacob still be friends, and what about Bella's behavior? Warning, possible spoilers!

Review of Naruto by Melissa Frennea w/Brittany Mohd @ HPL '08

Melissa Frennea reviews Naruto manga series by Masashi Kishimoto, with reaction from Brittany Mohd, both seniors from Homewood High School.

Winter in the Children's Dept. @ HPL '08

We know it's cold outside, but it's cozy in here. Come on in and bring the kids for some fun!

Christmas in the Children's Dept. @ HPL '07

We would like to share with you what Christmas is like in our department. We have lots of sparkly decorations, professional performances for children, and craft classes for making those unique treasures.

Review of Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

PODCAST
Melissa Frennea, a senior at Homewood High School, relates the premise of this anime series and what makes it worth watching.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Claire grew up being dragged about the country by her mother only to be left at the Waverly family home in Bascom, North Carolina, with her sister and grandmother. There she learned that her heritage was different from that of normal families. Her sister, Sydney, ran away from that heritage and then return ten years later, in need of security and love. Claire was able to give Sydney a stable home environment plus the encouragement to grow and develop her own special Waverly gift. Claire's gift was in knowing and using plants and flowers in her catering business and relationships with other people. Even Evanelle had a special gift-she gave people gifts which they would someday need. This made Evanelle seem odd but Claire realized she embraced her gift and used it to help people. When Tyler moved next door Claire tried to keep him from becoming acquainted with her world. But if that had worked she would have missed knowing his world. One of the most unusual parts of this story is the apple tree that reaches out to people and throws apples at people. The family does not eat the apples but buries them. If anyone does eat an apple they will have a vision which may or may not be pleasant or terrifying. Claire and her family seem to be guardians of such knowledge and powers.

Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz

Daniel Morning is the golden boy; popular and bright, his early acceptance to Cornell seems to seal his future. A future his parents have been pushing since Daniel was in eighth grade. Extra study sessions, tutors, advanced courses, school clubs and activities, even night courses at Samford University to give him an extra edge. And when that wasn't enough, a little harmless cheating to get the SAT scores needed to guarantee his place in the Ivy League school.

Misty Sandlin and her brother, Marc, and their friends, Eric and Val, also attend McCammon High, but that's about all they have in common with Daniel Morning and his buddies. Misty and her friends are barely tolerated. And it's not just their combat boots, thrift store clothes and constant presence in ISS that sets them apart. They have a strangely superior attitude at odds with their situation in life. Misty and Daniel are on the opposite ends of the social spectrum.

But Daniel has become fascinated by Misty. She seems to represent everything he craves but doesn't have: freedom, love of life, excitement. What Daniel doesn't realize is that when Misty prowls the streets of Birmingham, she really prowls. An exotic find at a local derelict furnace has given Misty and her friends the power to shift into wolves. And when Misty brings Daniel into the pack, it changes him in more ways than he could imagine.

This novel is difficult to describe. On the surface its a werewolf novel set in Birmingham, Alabama. But there are so many issues going on throughout the book that the lycanthropy isn't the only focus. The Romeo and Juliet relationship of Misty and Daniel, the yearning for freedom, relationships between the teenage friends, power and misuse of power, and discovering, and acting on, your heart's desire all play a part in this complex urban fantasy. I recommend this intense and well-written novel to older teens who want to see their city from a different perspective.