Team Peeta or Team Gale? The Hunger Games-don't worry-NO Spoilers!!

Ok, so I can now say that I am officially hooked on Suzanne Collins' series, The Hunger Games.  I read the first book in one sitting since I just couldn't put it down.  Catching Fire took a little longer since the only version that I could get was the audiobook.  With the movie coming out in March, there are no books to be found on the library shelves!  Everyone is reading this series.  When I am reading a book I tend to visualize the characters and what they look like.  Have you seen the trailer for The Hunger Games movie?  Do you think the right actors were picked for the parts?  I think that Josh Hutcherson is a perfect fit for Peeta.  I remember him from the Bridge to Terabithia movie as well as Zathura, which are also books that were made into movies.  It also seem that the actress picked to play Katniss is a good choice as well, but I will know for sure once I see the movie.

Maybe I am a bit late in the game to be excited over this series, but I finally have Mockingjay in my hand and have to say that I hesitate to begin reading it since I know that I will miss the characters when the story comes to an end.  Please enjoy The Hunger Games movie trailer below and feel free to say what you think!

If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid........

If you just finished reading Jeff Kinney's Cabin Fever, the latest book in the Wimpy Kid Series, and are looking for something just as hilarious, then you must meet Big Nate!

Here's an excerpt from one of Lincoln Peirce's Big Nate books: (click on it to make it larger)

WMTL has several titles in this series.  They are listed below.

Big Nate on a Roll
Big Nate Out Loud
Big Nate: Strikes Again
Big Nate from the Top
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself

Stop in to browse and check one out!

Just some good quotes about reading!

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.”
― Paul Sweeney

There's nothing wrong with reading a book you love over and over. When you do, the words get inside you, become a part of you, in a way that words in a book you've read only once can't.”
― Gail Carson Levine, Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly.

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”
― Lemony Snicket, Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

— Groucho Marx

“Reader's Bill of Rights


1. The right to not read


2. The right to skip pages


3. The right to not finish


4. The right to reread


5. The right to read anything


6. The right to escapism


7. The right to read anywhere


8. The right to browse


9. The right to read out loud


10. The right to not defend your tastes”
― Daniel Pennac

Happy December!

We are in the middle of December and getting closer to that holiday break time.  It's cold outside and what doesn't sound nicer than curling up with a good story and a hot cup of cocoa?  To help ward off cabin fever, come in and check out some of these new titles in the Children's Room at WMTL:

This first title in the Canterwood Crest series is sure to interest horse lovers.

Can't get enough of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series?  This new title provides secrets and histories that are uncovered for the first time!

This title will not only be loved by horror fans, but is also quite high on the author's "Creep-O-Meter."  For a spine-tingling tale, check this one out!

Jeff Ross's new title in the Orca Sports Series will excite snowboarders with its treacherous adventure through a blizzard.

As always, feel free to call us at the Children's Services Desk in order to put these titles or any others on hold.  We can be reached at 973-728-2823.  Happy Reading! :)

Welcome to the Tween Scene @ West Milford Township Library!

WMTL’s Tween Scene

What is Tween Scene?  It is a blog that we have created here at WMTL that is dedicated to a specific age group that is usually referred to as "tween." We feel that this age group includes kids between the ages of 9 and 14.  Are you a tween?  If the answer is yes, then this is the spot for you! Your next question might be, What is a blog?  Well, it's a place where you can find out about materials that we have here at West Milford Township Library that are just for you. Books are only one of the options since our blog includes movies, magazines, as well as popular websites for tweens.  We will also let you know about any tween programs that we will be hosting here at West Milford Township Library as they are scheduled.

A blog is also a place for you to be able to comment on or suggest books that you have really enjoyed.  We are open to hearing your suggestions and recommendations and welcome them! This is a place where your voice can be heard. 


In order for you to comment, you will need to set up a blogger account.  Please check with a parent before doing this to make sure that it's ok with them.  If you aren't able to set up an account, don't worry, you can still use the blog to find reading ideas!


The format of our blog from this date forward has changed.  Instead of including just summaries & reviews of our materials, it will have so much more.  The blog will keep you updated on what's new here at the library, including important new book releases.    Please feel free to browse through our archives (listed in a menu on the right hand side of the blog)  to see reviews on 70+ library items.  There are quite a few cool book trailers as well~check them out!

Once again, welcome to our blog.  We look forwarding to hearing from you! :)

Julie Bramley
Library Associate
West Milford Township Library

Closed for the Season (2009) by Mary Downing Hahn

Plot Summary:  Moving into a creepy old house in Virginia that is falling down is not Logan’s idea of a summer vacation.  To top that, the kid next door, Arthur, is kind of weird and won’t leave Logan alone.  Arthur tells Logan that he is happy that he has moved in since the house has been sitting empty since “poor old Mrs. Donaldson” was murdered.  Logan can’t believe that his parents have him living in a house that was once a crime scene!  Wanting more information, Logan and Arthur go to the local library in order to read the articles about the murder.  The boys find out that Mrs. Donaldson worked at the Magic Forest, an amusement park that has been closed for years.  They also discover that Mrs. Donaldson had been suspected of embezzling money, and whoever killed her must have been looking for the cash.  Intrigued, the boys decide to investigate further and at Arthur’s urging, they ride their bikes out to the run down amusement park that is scheduled for demolition.  What they find is a place that is overgrown with kudzu vines and extremely creepy.  It seems that there are a lot of other people in town who are urgently trying to discover the missing money, especially since the park will be bulldozed.

Together,  Arthur and Logan must put together clues to figure out where the money is hidden and who killed Mrs. Donaldson.  This investigation puts their lives at risk because out there somewhere lurks the killer.

Genre:  Mystery

Subjects/Themes: Friendship

Awards: Edgar Awards (Edgar Allen Poe Awards) Won award 2010

Reviews:  Positive reviews from Voice of Youth Advocates and School Library Journal

Age Group:  Grades 5-8

Other Mary Downing Hahn titles available at West Milford Township Library:

All the Lovely Bad Ones
Deep and Dark and Dangerous
The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall
The Old Willis Place
Stepping on the Cracks
A Time for Andrew:
Wait till Helen Comes:

Hooper Finds a Family: A Hurricane Katrina Dog's Survival Tale (2011) by Jane Paley

Plot Summary: Jimmy is a happy one year old yellow labrador living with his owners Mama and George until Hurricane Katrina forces his owners to leave their home.  George is planning on coming back for Jimmy, but when Jimmy wakes up from his nap and the storm is wreaking havoc all around him, he realizes that he is on his own and must fight to stay alive.  This story, told from Jimmy's point of view and based on a true story, follows this puppy through trauma and survival. 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Reviews:  Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, & Booklist

Age Level:  Grades 4-6