Barack Obama's children's book

President Obama has written a book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, which will be released on November 16th. It features 13 inspirational Americans, including George Washington and Jackie Robinson. All profits from the book for the President will be donated to a scholarship fund for children of fallen or disabled soldiers.

Heroes of Olympus series

Attention: All fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians! Rick Riordan has written a new series called Heroes of Olympus. Book 1 is The Lost Hero, which introduces readers to the next generation of demigods who arrive at a rebuilt Camp Half-Blood and must prepare for a new quest. But to survive their journey, they need the help of some familiar demigods (including one with the initials PJ.....) One caveat: The next book in this series isn't coming out until Fall 2011!

Lunch Lady to the Rescue!

Are you looking for an unlikely superhero -- someone who secretly fights crime and then dishes out salisbury steak to students? If so, then you should meet Lunch Lady, the star of a children's graphic novel series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. In these tongue-in-cheek stories, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty use fish-stick nunchucks, cafeteria-tray laptops, and other food-themed gadgets to save her students from evil-doers. With its entertaining mix of action and humor, children and adults alike will enjoy these graphic novels:

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians

Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit (available Dec. 28, 2010)

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Frenzy (available Summer 2011)

Lisa U., Chester County Library

Knuffle Bunny Finale!

Attention: All Knuffle Bunny fans! The third and final tale--Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion--is being released on September 28th. In this bittersweet story, Trixie is a little older, and she travels with Knuffle Bunny to visit her grandparents. The review in Booklist says, "This denouement is enough to give you goosebumps, and young readers may be wiping the tears from their parents' cheeks. Good night, Knuffle Bunny." Can't wait for this one!

Children's Summer Programs at Chester County Library

Summer programs at Chester County Library begin next week -- the week of June 21, 2010. Here is a summary of what's happening:

MESSY MONDAYS
Children of all ages can do arts and crafts (while supplies last) in the Children's Department all day.

TELL-TALE TUESDAYS
Come to our storytime for preschoolers! No registration is required. The storytimes last 30 minutes and start at 9:30 am, 10:15 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

WACKY WEDNESDAYS
Come to the library for a list of events. Age requirements are also listed. No registration is required.

THRILLING THURSDAYS
Come to the library for a list of events, which are held from 1:30-3:00 pm each Thursday. These events are for children ages 6 and up.

Make a Splash at your Library!

Summer 2010's theme is Make a Splash - Read! You can sign up for the Summer Reading Club at your local library starting on Monday, June 14, 2010. You can win cool prizes, attend fun events and check out great books all summer long! For more information, visit or call your local library.

Book Review: The Case of the Missing Family

The Case of the Missing Family

(The Buddy Files, Volume 3)

By Dori Hillestad Butler

Ages 7-10

Buddy is a dog and also is a detective. He recently adopted a new family consisting of a boy named Connor and Mom, both of whom he likes very much. But Buddy used to have a different family and a little girl of his very own named Kayla. In fact, he can see his old family's house from his new family's house. He and Kayla used to solve mysteries together. Buddy does not know what happened to his old family or why Uncle Marty took him to the pound. Now Buddy has to solve mysteries by himself, especially The Case of the Missing Family.

These are the things that Buddy knows:

-- His family went to visit Grandma in Springtown, and they said they would be back in one week.

-- They never came back.

-- There was a tornado in Springtown.

These are the things Buddy doesn't know:

-- Are Kayla and Dad at Grandma's house?

-- Did the tornado hit Grandma's house?

-- Are Kayla and Dad okay?

One night Buddy looks out at his old family's house and notices that the kitchen light is on. What is going on? Buddy is a very clever dog but will need help if he is going to solve this mystery. To find out what happens, read The Case of the Missing Family by Dori Hillestad Butler. If you like this book, you might enjoy other books about Buddy: The Case of the Lost Boy and The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts.

Katie G.

Chester County Library