Staff Pick: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

For Your Reluctant Middle School Reader!

Now being released in paperback, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger has become a an underground favorite of middle school guys since its release last year.  It has just the right mix of middle school fear about asking girls to dance, fitting in, and leaving your childhood fantasy world behind.  Our hero Tom is trying to figure out if the seemingly wise prognostications of the dweeb Dwight’s origami Yoda finger puppet are in fact coming from Dwight or are emanating from some magical Force, one that is kindly trying to help Tom navigate successfully the dangers and pitfalls of his middle school life.  We hear the various testimonies he has collected about Origami Yoda from his friends, told in their own spot-on voices.  The text is accompanied by cartoons drawn by another friend, Kellen, that illustrate and make sly comment on each of the stories. What Tom discovers in the end is that that there may be more to the weird loser Dwight than anyone thought, that as so often seems to happen in this time of rapid changes and sudden reversals in the life of kids, the dipwad turns out to have been more mature and wise than anyone thought, and a better friend too than any Force beyond the stars. 

The book even contains instructions for folding your own Origami Yoda!  Plus, the sequel, Darth Paper Strikes Back is coming August 23rd!

It's the Party of the Century!! Downtown Burbank this Friday, 5-10pm

Burbank may be 100 years old but she still knows how to party! 

On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank will celebrate its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.  A supersized festivity with flybys, parades, multiple stages, memorabilia, mascots, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, community booths and more, the Party of the Century will be the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.

Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it will express the civic pride and community spirit that have defined Burbank’s first 100 years. Things will really heat up when the sun goes down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show will cap festivities in a profusion of light and sound.

** Free shuttles courtesy of SuperShuttle will be running continuously from 4:00 to 11:00 P.M. with stops at McCambridge Park Recreation Center (Glenoaks Boulevard and Amherst Drive) and the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station (201 N Front Street)**

Summer Reading Club 2011: June 21-July 28

You have waited all year and it's finally here...Summer Reading Club!

Don't miss out on lots of FREE fun this summer as Burbank Library starts our annual summer program for kids from toddlers to 8th grade!  We have two clubs, Summer Reading Club is open to kids entering grades 1-8 in the Fall while the Read To Me Club is for toddlers through kindergarten-age children. 

Both clubs start the week of June 20th, we will have weekly performances to celebrate the joy of reading, including: magic shows, puppet shows, music, LIVE animals, and much more!  Sign-ups start Monday, June 6th at all of the Burbank libraries.  To encourage reading for fun, those Summer Reading Club members that write 5 book reports in 5 weeks will receive certificates of completion and a prize ticket good for a FREE paperback!  (Click here for a printable PDF of the book report form)  Plus, there are lots of other contests and raffles to win even more prizes!  For more information, please call or visit your local Burbank library.  A complete schedule of performers and dates is posted on our Google calendar of events (above).  Click here for the Summer Reading Club 2011 Parent Information Guide.  Click here for a Schedule of Performers & Meeting Times for Summer Reading Club.  For more information on the Read-To-Me Club for toddlers and Kindergartners, click here.

Teen Summer Reading Club Events Schedule

This year the theme for the Teen Summer Reading Club is "You are here!"  Sign-ups start Monday, June 6th and it's open to teens in 6-12th grades.  The program runs from June 20-July 29 and will have lots of FREE entertainment, contests, and prizes!  Plus, teens in grades 6-8 can also sign-up for the children's Summer Reading Club which means twice the prizes and twice the fun!  Not only will there be FREE teen movies but also LIVE music, the Rope Warrior, and a Stunt Team show with swords!
Don't miss out on 6 weeks of FREE fun for your teen at the library! 

Schedule of Events for the Teen SRC:
Teen Film: Gnomeo & Juliet (84 min./rated G), w/ a surprise guest! @Buena Vista Library, Fri. 6/24 at 3:30pm
The Rope Warrior @Buena Vista Library, Wed. 6/29 at 6:30pm
Teen Film: It's Kind of a Funny Story (101 min./rated PG-13) @Central Library, Fri. 7/8 at 3:30pm
Game On Stunt Team Demonstration @Northwest Library, Thurs. 7/14 at 7:00pm
LIVE Music w/ Brother Yusef @Central Library, Tues. 7/19 at 6:30pm
Teen Film: Summer Wars (120 minutes/rated PG) @Buena Vista Library, Fri. 7/29 at 6:30pm (this is the Teen SRC Finale with PRIZES!)


And don't forget to follow the library gnome on the Library Teens facebook page!

So much to see, so much to do this weekend!

This is not only the last week of school for kids in Burbank but it's also Memorial Day weekend, which means lots of FREE fun for those kids and their families as they celebrate the start of Summer! 

You can start the celebrating early right here at the library with Family Night at Buena Vista Library on Thursday at 7:00.  This weekend La Crescenta-Flintridge will be holding their annual Fiesta Days celebration with a FREE family flick, fireworks show, and a parade! Or if you want to indulge your child's creative side then head on out to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Monday when admission is FREE for all as part of Target's Free Holiday Mondays program.  If you're looking to take a drive, then try the Valley Greek Festival in Northridge. 

However you decide to spend the weekend, the Burbank Library Children's Department wishes you all a happy and safe Memorial Day!

Lego Club this Saturday at Central Library!

Lego Club is back!!!

Thanks to a large donation of legos, we now have twice the number of legos as we had before which means bigger and better creations from all of you!  This will be the last Lego Club until August so don't miss out.  As always, Lego Club is FREE and open to all kids ages 2-14.  Come play with the library's legos and make something truly unique this Saturday, 11-12:30 at the Central Library.  Call the library for more info 818-238-5610.

Fairy Book Party this Saturday at Buena Vista Library!

Dress in your "fairy best" and join us as we enjoy an afternoon of all things Fairy!  We'll start by making magical wings, wands, flower crowns, and fairy houses then we'll settle in for a fun fairy storytime. Plus, we'll be watching Thumbelina! Open to little fairies in Grades 1-3 ONLY. This event is FREE but reservations are required, call 818-238-5610 to reserve a place for your little fairy today. Hurry, space is limited (and we're already half full).