Monday, December 30, 2013

Elvis... is IN the building!

You don't have to be a fan of "The King" to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday (January 8) here at Oxford Public Library. Just look for the pictures of Elvis we've hidden throughout all three departments (Teen, Youth, and Adult). They could be hidden inside books, behind signs, or even in plain sight. If you find one, bring it up to the reference desk and you'll get a surprise!


But keep it fair and fun for everyone. One surprise per person per day!

A Tangle of Knots

Typically, we stick to reviewing teen books here, but not always. Every so often we'll read a book from other departments (Youth or Adult) that's so awesome we just have to recommend it to you--even though it's not, technically, a teen book.
This is one of those cases.
In A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff (a book you can find in the Youth Department), almost everyone has a special Talent. That's Talent with a capitol T, in case you're wondering. These Talents could be for anything: Spitting, knot-tying, cake-baking... Anything. One character even has a particularly diabolical talent--which you'll soon learn about as you read.
On an unusually foggy day, young orphan Cady is baking the perfect cake (her Talent) in the kitchen of Miss Mallory's Home for Lost Girls. Then, by chance, she is adopted by a strange man who works for an even stranger employer. She ends up at the Lost Luggage Emporium where she meets the Asher family, elderly mute V, and the mysterious Owner, who is obsessed with collecting powder-blue suitcases. Add to this the mystery of a missing recipe for the best peanut butter ever and an unexpected plot twist regarding Cady's missing parents, and you've got yourself a story you can't put down. Sure, it's a kid's book, but it's still awesome.
This one was a lot of fun to read. It's fairly short (less than 250 pages), and short chapters told from various viewpoints keep the action quick. Plus there's a happy ending for everyone. You really can't go wrong with A Tangle of Knots. Highly recommended! --AJB


Friday, December 27, 2013

ACT/SAT Practice Test


Attention Future College Students!
 
Getting ready to take the ACT or SAT test, but not sure what to expect? Worried about your scores or how well you'll do in a testing environment? Wonder no longer! A representative from Kaplan Test Prep will be visiting Oxford Public Library in early January to administer a combination ACT/SAT practice test. This will let you see exactly how you'll do--and which areas need work. Whether you're nervous or not, you'll definitely want to take this practice test before tackling the real thing!

 
ACT/SAT Practice Test: Saturday, January 4 @ 10:30 a.m.
 
ACT/SAT Practice Test Review: Saturday, January 11 @ 10:30 a.m.
 
Register by phone, online at www.miopl.org, or at the Teen Reference Desk.
 
Questions? Give us a call (248) 628-3034.
 


Closed for the Holidays

Just a reminder: Oxford Public Library will be closed Tuesday December 31, 2013 & Wednesday January 1, 2014 for the New Year's holiday. We will re-open Thursday January 2, 2014. Please have a safe and happy new year!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Reading: It's Good for You

It's no secret to librarians, teachers, literacy advocates, and bookworms, but recent studies have proven that reading is healthy! From improving social skills to reducing depression to increasing your overall mental health, reading is apparently your golden ticket. But don't take our word for it. See (or read) for yourself!

Monday, December 9, 2013

The Hobbit Read Alikes

With this weekend's long-awaited release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, we're expecting an influx of requests for The Hobbit. Since we have limited copies of this awesome book, we've created a display of Hobbit and Lord of the Rings read-alikes for you to read while you wait for it to become available. So if you've a taste for adventure, be sure to check it out (its located on top of the curved fiction shelf).

Thursday, December 5, 2013

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good!

Sir John Hargrave's Mischief Maker's Manuel is marketed as "The definitive guide to pranking and mayhem," and that claim couldn't be more accurate! This nondescript-looking book (located at T818H in the nonfiction section) contains detailed how-to's on everything from classic pranks like the Salt and Sugar Switcharoo to more advanced shenanigans (see page 197). Just don't skip the ever important sections on prank safety, not getting caught, and, most importantly, never allowing your hoaxes to cross over into the realm of bullying. Check out this awesome book and you'll be a master prankster in no time! --AJB