One Book, Many Stories

When you think about it, many of the books we read have more than one story inside. A book new to the library is "How Many Seeds In a Pumpkin?", written by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Mostly it is a counting story in which kids in Mr. Tiffin's class learn to count by twos, fives and tens after estimating how many seeds would be in a small, a medium and a large pumpkin. It's also a story about a wonderful classroom, about how pumpkins grow, about strong personalities, and about assumptions. Mr. Tiffin says at one point: "You can never tell just how many seeds are in a pumpkin until you open it up" and "Some small things can have a lot going on inside them." How true. McNamara tells many stories, lyrically and gently, in one delightful picture book.

Lawrence Reads Nov. 14th

Lawrence Reads, scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 14, promises to be an exciting evening bringing together adult and student readers for lively book discussions. Three books have been selected – one each for Grades 3 and 4,5 and 6, and 7 and 8 – to be read in advance by parents and children. Everyone is invited to participate; the discussions will take place at school from 6:30-8 pm, facilitated by Lawrence teachers.

All three stories take place during World War Two, though they are set in different locations. It is hoped that this common theme will inspire conversations across grade levels and within families. The library has obtained several dozen of each book; we also encourage you to try to locate copies within the community.

The books are: for Grades 3/4 Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan (a suspenseful story in which Norwegian children endeavor to carry out an important task in the face of German occupants); for Grades 5/6 The Art of Keeping Cool by Janet Taylor Lisle (Robert’s perceptions are challenged when his Rhode Island community braces to defend itself against Nazi submarine attacks); for Grades 7/8 The Man From the Other Side by Uri Orlev (a moving fictional memoir based on the experiences of a 14-year-old Polish boy living in Nazi-occupied Warsaw).

Please plan to join us!