One I've used successfully, same atmosphere you descirbed (with kids as old as 6th grade) is Lucy Dove by Janice Del Negro.  I also tell the kids to look at the pictures after we turn on the lights--they are pretty eerie! Antonette K. D'Orazio Head of Youth Services Somerset County Library System Warren Township Branch 42 Mountain Blvd. Warren, NJ 07059 908-754-5554 ext 29 *From*: "Janet Dunn" <d...@bccls.org> *Sent*: Thursday, August 26, 2010 2:40 PM *To*: njy...@njstatelib.org *Subjec ...Continue Reading

FYI Hi Everyone, A colleague and educator who works at the NJ Department of Education has written a children’s activity book for parents that I wanted to share with you.  It’s designed to provide suggestions for activities that parents can do with their young children to develop their skills in language, literacy, self-awareness and independence. The pages are designed to be written in so it might not work well in public libraries but the pages can be copied to share with parents or caregivers. For ...Continue Reading

Hi Janet For my grades K-4 groups I've used the different Q. L. Pearce (Querida Lee Pearce) Scary Stories books (I might edit the stories somewhat if the group has more younger kids than older ones)...I also include a scary poem or two from Jack Prelutsky and/or Shel Silverstein. Not only do we have the lights out with a flashlight on me and the book, and a smoke machine...I play Michael Jackson's Thriller CD as the kids arrive and as soft background "music" while I read, I play a CD with scary sounds of thu ...Continue Reading

"The Scary Book" by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson has some short stories that might work... try "Wait till Martin Comes" or for a funny scare... try "The Viper is Coming". Also, kids seem to like the "Hearse Song" from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. Peggy On Thursday, August 26th 2010, "Janet Dunn" ...@bccls.org> wrote: > Hello all! > > I hope everyone survived their summer reading programs! Well, on to another > season. &g ...Continue Reading

Hello all! I hope everyone survived their summer reading programs! Well, on to another season. I am planning a halloween party for 7-12 year olds and want to read some scary short stories. I plan on turning out the lights and just using a little spotlight/flashlight and a smoke machine. I looking for something spooky and scary without the blood and guts. Any ideas? Thanks so much! Janet Dunn Children's Librarian Westwood Public Library 201-664-0583 --------------------------------------------------------------------- ...Continue Reading

Hi Gina The NJLA Performers' Showcase committee is always looking for performers recommended by librarians.  This group sounds great.  Do I have the correct StarFish at this website http://www.worldsoundkids.com/starfish/ ?  If I am at the right website, then I want to contact them about recommending them to the Showcase committee to participate in a future Showcase (perhaps Nov. 2011 since the 2010 roster is confirmed).  And Gina, what is your direct email as I am responding ...Continue Reading

A Is for Anansi: Literature for Children of African Descent Oct. 8 & 9, 2010 \xA0 Institute of African American Affairs, New York University \xA0 A Is for Anansi will cover the history, criticism and theory of contemporary books for and about children of African descent, as told by its most influential critics, scholars, teachers and producers.\xA0 The need for more in-depth analysis and for more information, critical evaluation, and publications on the topic still remain.\xA0 The conference will look at these and c ...Continue Reading

Norma Blake,  New Jersey State Library staff and Cheryl O’Connor, representing the statewide cooperative, have just completed a series of meetings throughout the state to discuss the future of statewide services.  The library community requested that the chart describing the status of these statewide services be made available via the web.  This information has been posted at the New Jersey State Library’s webpage: www.njstatelib.org and will also be available at www.infolink.org. Please contact Kath ...Continue Reading

FYI, Saturday, August 28 is International Read Comics in Public Day. There’s a downloadable poster on their site that’s fun.Link to poster: http://readcomicsinpublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/librarycrosshatchposter.pdf The website for more information is http://readcomicsinpublic.com Sharon Rawlins, Youth Services Consultant, NJ State Library  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscripti ...Continue Reading

Hi Gina! What good news!   Can you tell me how affordable they are? Sharon Orlando Youth Services Librarian Watchung Public Library 12 Stirling Road Watchung, New Jersey 07069 908-561-0117 sorl...@sclsnj.org *From*: "Sharon Rawlins" <sraw...@njstatelib.org> *Sent*: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 12:33 PM *To*: njy...@njstatelib.org *Subject*: [njyac] Kids Rock Band StarFish - please share with others! FYI, We had the kids rock band StarFish play at the Livingston Library for the second time thi ...Continue Reading