What Do You Look For in a Friend?

Many of us have notions of who we want our friends to be. We may want our friends to look like us, to be interested in the same things that interest us, or to be from the same background as we are. But friendship is at once both simpler and more complicated than this. When we need a friend the most, what matters is the willingness of another being to assume that role. Owen & Mzee, a wonderful book about a baby hippo and an aged tortoise and their friendship born out of the disaster of the 2004 tsunami, shows us a side of friendship that is simple and profound. Two animals--different species, different age--have formed a bond that transcends those seeming boundaries. This is a great story.

Do What It Says, And Nobody Gets Hurt...

Although you can't see it here, the cover of this latest DK offering has a great 3-D feel to it, and you really will want to pick it right up. But don't expect to get through it in one sitting. The contents are as scattered as they are broad; while page 132 talks about Einstein's theory of relativity, the very next section is entitled, "Why there's nothing funny about your pee and poop." If you're the kind of person who finds herself or himself bopping around from one interest to another, wanting to learn something about a lot of different areas, this book is tailor-made for you. Just don't expect to use it for research!

Where can you find it? The call number is 031.02 PIC. Pick it up!

CHMS Library Book Fair

As we do every fall, the CHMS Library will be hosting a Book Fair the week after Thanksgiving break. Parking is easier than at the mall, lines are guaranteed to be shorter, and the selection will be great. Raffles will be held each day of the Book Fair, so make your way to the Library to check it out!

WHEN? Monday, Nov. 27--Friday, Dec. 1
M-F 7:30-3:30
Thurs. Night 5:30-7:30

WHERE? CHMS Library

There will be daily raffles with chances to win posters and books!

Don't Worry--Bee Happy

OK, so it was a horrible pun. But was it a mispelling? Here's how to find out.

Altho it won't happen until Febuary, it's never too early to gear up for the CHMS Spelling Bee! And now you can do it with a little help from the libary. Here's an exerpt from How to Spell Like a Champ (call # 372.63 TRI), by Barrie Trinkle, Carolyn Andrews, and Paige Kimble:

The Four Types of Tricky Words

The words that most people misspell generally fall into four categories: exceptions to well-known spelling rules, like seize; words with double letters like accommodate; words with silent letters, like subpoena; and words containing a schwa (the usually unstressed vowel sound "uh"), like separate ("SEP-uh-ruht"). Outside those main categories, a few words, like fiery, change the root spelling when a suffix is added; and some words, like hypocrisy, are just plain hard!

How to Spell Like a Champ, p. 17

Even if you don't plan to pursue orthography (spelling) with the passion of Noah Webster, this book is a fun look at a growing subculture.

Can you find the 5 misspelled words in the first two paragraphs (not counting the "Bee")?

Vanishing Act by John Feinstein

After solving a kidnapping/blackmail case at the NCAA Final Four in Feinstein’s first novel for kids, Last Shot, Stevie and Susan Carol are back. This time, the young sportswriters are invited to cover the US Open Tennis Championships. A comfortable two weeks of high-class sports? Think again. When one of the hottest young stars in women’s tennis is kidnapped before her first-round match, Stevie and Susan Carol are forced into action. Worse yet, evidence starts pointing towards Susan Carol’s uncle Brendan, agent for a rival young player on the circuit. Feinstein knows his sports, and he knows his mysteries. Before it’s all figured out, this one will have you moving your head back and forth like you were at a tennis match!