This Mystery Leads the Pack!

New Tricks by David Rosenfelt

Reviewed by Cathy S., Librarian

How can an author combine brutal murders with adorable puppies? Rosenfelt manages to give us a great mix for the dog lovers and mystery lovers among us. Andy Carpenter is an attorney who is called in to represent a Bernese mountain dog puppy whose owner is found murdered. But, just like a puppy can dig holes in the strangest places, the plot thickens with more murders and suspects. The situations becomes dangerous when Andy’s longtime girlfriend is nearly killed. But who was the killer really after? Rosenfelt, formerly of TriStar Pictures and co-founder of the Tara Foundation dog rescue, engages us with his humor as well as a pretty gripping story!

Reserve your copy from the Chester County Library System today!

A Midnight Clear: Heartwarming seasonal pick!

A Midnight Clear: Stories for the Christmas Season by Katherine Paterson

Reviewed by Cathy S., Librarian

Just in time for Christmas, I discovered this charming collection of stories by award-winning author, Katherine Paterson. Twelve stories illuminate what it means to be human—sometimes inhumane—in our relationships with family, friends, utter strangers. But even when a situation seems hopeless, there is redemption and hope. A man driving for his last visit to his dying father picks up a young hitchhiker who attempts to rob him; the chilly bond between a husband and wife melts at the sudden birth of their baby far from home; a teen home alone relents when a homeless family needs shelter; a young boy from the local church stumbles into an unlikely friendship. A delightful read for the season or anytime!

Kisses Counting Contest Winners!

Our December contest has ended. Thank you to all the children who made guesses. There were 102 Hershey Kisses in the jar! To win, you had to be the closest to that number without going over.

Congratulations to our winners!

Myania L.

0 - 3 age group

Jen P.

4 - 6 age group

Brenna H . & Robin M. (tie)

7 - 9 age group

Laina H.

(10+ age group)

Prizes can be picked up at the Circulation Desk!

Stay tuned for our next contest in February!

Spring City Public Library Closed Saturday, December 19, 2009

Any items due today will not be due back until Monday.

Enjoy the snow!

Holiday Fun for the Whole Family!

Looking for something to do over the holiday vacation? Stop by the Spring City Public Library for guaranteed giggles! Marcy from Giggle Magic will be performing Tuesday, December 29 at 11:00.

Marcy has performed at libraries, childcare centers, and birthday parties all over the suburban Philadelphia area and always gets rave reviews. To learn more about Marcy's show Giggle Magic visit her website.

For more information or to register for the event, contact the library at 610-948-4130 or smacaulay@ccls.org. All ages welcome!

Don't miss out on the fun!

Gift Ideas for the Adults on Your Holiday List

Fiction

Breathless by Dean Koontz

Ford County by John Grisham

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith

Under the Dome by Stephen King

Nonfiction

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Good Eats by Alton Brown

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

Superfreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson

True Compass by Edward Kennedy

What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell

Christmas Books for Kids!

Not sure what to read to the little ones at Christmas time? Here is a list of new and classic holiday favorites!

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll

The Christmas Baby by Marion Dane Bauer

Christmas Is... by Gail Gibbons

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O'Connor

The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Heyer

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff

The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry

Peef: The Christmas Bear by Tom Hegg

Santa Claus by Rod Green

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Stick Man by Julia Donaldson

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

This is the Stable by Cynthia Cotten

'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

A Very Marley Christmas by John Grogan

You Can Go Home Again

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
Reviewed by Suzanne M., Director

In Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home, Rhoda Janzen chronicles the return to her parent's house following the most turbulent year of her life. Shortly after turning 40, her husband of 15 years left her for man. Reeling from this sudden shock and saddled with a brand new mortgage she could not possible afford alone, Janzen is involved in a very serious car accident and left with an astounding number of injuries. Unsure of how to proceed, she returns home to her family and her Mennonite roots.

Janzen's writing is incredibly smart and funny. Her memoir does not have the air of trying too hard--she is a naturally humorous story teller. Janzen's tales of growing up are both interesting and endearing. Most importantly, Janzen is not afraid to admit mistakes that she's made and accepts them all as part of her life's journey. Although she may not embrace the religious world she left behind, Janzen finds comfort in where she came from and where she is going from here-- proving that you can, indeed, go home again.

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is available through the Chester County Library System.

Spring City Borough Tree Lighting

On Saturday, December 12 Santa will conclude a day of touring the borough by lighting the Spring City Christmas Tree at 7:00 PM. There will be candy canes, hot cocoa, and cookies! Children will get to spend some time with Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas! Mrs Claus and other surprises are also in store! In addition, the winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest will be announced. Don't miss this evening of fun for the whole family!

Sponsored by the Spring City Parks & Recreation Commission, Liberty Fire Department, and the Spring City Lions Club.

Holiday Happening & Book Sale

Spring City Elementary School is hosting a Holiday Happening this Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 9:00 - 3:00.

The Spring City Public Library will be selling used and donated books and DVDs during this event. Prices range from 25 cents to $2. Over 3ooo items including hard covers, paperbacks, children's books, teen books, audio books, VHS tapes, and DVDs. All proceeds to benefit the library which lost 21% of its State Aid for 2010.

In addition to the book sale, there will be crafters, vendors, breakfast, stories with Santa, a Children's Holiday Shop, and raffles. Holiday Happening is sponsored by the Spring City Elementary Home and School Association.

Spring City Elementary School is located at 190 S. Wall Street in Spring City. For more info on the Holiday Happening contact 267-304-0960. For more information about the Book Sale please contact the Spring City Public Library 610-948-4130.

Please come out and support this wonderful event! It promises to be a fun day for the whole family!

Project Outreach

With the holiday season upon us, it is important to remember the spirit of giving.

Project Outreach distributes food weekly at two local food pantries, and there are many families in need--not just during the holiday season but all year round. Please consider donating non-perishable food items. Call 610-948-5111 for more information on contributing to this wonderful organization.

Pantries are open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bard Community Center (Fourth Avenue and Washington Street) in Royersford and the First United Church of Christ (Chestnut Street) Spring City. Pantries are open to residents of the greater Spring-Ford area, including Spring City, Royersford, Limerick and Parker Ford. Food recipients must register at either pantry.

A very special "Thank you!" to all of our generous library patrons who donated food during our November Food for Films drive!