June 2006

Dear Fellow Book Lovers:

RIVERS FLOW THROUGH BOOKS: NATIONAL RIVERS MONTH

I knew that there was a celebration in this nation for almost anything. But what I didn’t know is that June is National Rivers Month. It shouldn’t surprise me, because rivers have played an important role in recreation and commerce in cities and towns in this nation throughout our history. There is plenty of literature to document this. For example, examine the role of the Mississippi River in Mark Twain’s works or the Colorado River in Western literature. After searching the Random House backlist, and finding so many books where rivers play an important role, I thought it might be fun to kick off the summer by celebrating rivers. Here are a few titles to introduce to young readers:

•  Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Ages 5-8) by Mary Pope Osborne; Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
•  They Called her Molly Pitcher (Ages 7-10) by Anne Rockwell; Illustrated by Cynthia Von Buhler
•  The River, Brian’s Return, & Brian’s Winter (ages 10 up) by Gary Paulsen
•  On My Honor (Ages 9-12) by Marion Dane Bauer
•  Downriver (Ages 12 up) by Will Hobbs
•  Where the Red Fern Grows (Ages 8-12) by Wilson Rawls
•  Summer of the Monkeys (Ages 10 up) by Wilson Rawls
•  The Sign of the Beaver (Ages 10 up) by Elizabeth George Speare
•  Thimble Summer (Ages 10 up) by Elizabeth Enright
•  Trixie Belden: The Mystery on the Mississippi (Ages 8-12) by Kathryn Kenny; Illustrated by Haris Petie
•  Lizzie Bright & the Buckminster Boy (Ages 10 up) by Gary D. Schmidt
•  Crooked River (Ages 10-14) by Shelley Pearsell
•  The Broken Blade (Ages 10 up) by William Durbin
•  Dear Levi (Ages 10-13) by Elvira Woodruff; Illustrated by Beth Peck
•  Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze (Ages 10 up) by Elizabeth Lewis

There are numerous other books in any library collection that connect to the topic of rivers. Display them, and ask young patrons to think about how rivers are important to the main characters of the novels, and to us as citizens. Then create fun activities into the library program that centers on this topic. Some suggestions include:

•  Sponsor a trivia contest that requires readers to use reference materials or the internet. Questions might include: 1.) What is the longest river in the world, and in the U.S.? 2.) What are the ten longest rivers in the world? 3.) How many rivers are in the U.S.? 4.) What is the most famous book set on the Mississippi River? 5.) What is the deepest river in the world, and in the U.S.?

•  Find out about the river nearest your town or city. What is the history of the river? Who were the first settlers around this river? How is the river used?

•  Create a mural of the river nearest your city or town. Document landmarks along the river.

•  Pick a major river in the U.S. and find out how these rivers are important to our history. For example, the Mississippi, Colorado, and Delaware.

•  Sponsor a special program for young readers and their parents. Have readers share some of the books they have read, and discuss how the topic of rivers applies to the books. Then have them share poems and songs about rivers. Some patrons may enjoy creating a short documentary on the topic.

You may email me at pscales@bellsouth.net.