Bowman Library Update for 12/17/25
Bowman Library will be closed Wednesday morning, December 17, due to building maintenance. We expect to open at 1 PM. Stay tuned!
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Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that feature a main character who is passionate about writing since it is the start of NaNoWriMo! NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it takes place every November. The goal of this month is to encourage individuals to explore their creative writing side; you set a goal for how many words you want to write throughout the month and then you start your story and see where it takes you. These titles serve…
Our teen book spotlight this week is all about books that have been chosen for the Virginia Reader’s Choice (VRC) award over the past years!! The VRC award was started back in the 1980s with the goal being that students across the state choosing what they thought the best book of the year is instead of adults. Every year, there are 10 YA books nominated for the award by a committee; readers then have a few months to read as many of the 10 as they can and then they will cast their…
Our middle grade book spotlight this week is is on some of our favorite staff pick reads!!! To help us kick off these summer months filled with reading, we are sharing some of our favorite books so you can have some amazing titles to help you get started or to help you get out of a reading slump if that is where you find yourself. We have a great mixture of nonfiction, realistic, historical and more so there is something for everyone or maybe something to read outside of your book comfort…
Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that are some of my all time favorite authors!!! These are the authors that as soon as they have a new book out, it is an immediate must read and I already know that I am going to be reading till 3:00 in the morning (we have all been there before), may leave me speechless and filled with emotions (including some crying on the couch), wanting to talk about it with someone instantly, and then telling everyone else they have to read it! …
Our middle grade book spotlight this week is on books that feature some of our favorite things--books, bookworms, and libraries!!! The first week of April is National Library Week and what better way to celebrate than to read a book which highlights this amazing place. We have a variety of books that feature a traditional library similar to what you know and then some that are incredibly unique and you will find yourself wishing you could visit as well as some that are all about…
For families with kids of all ages finding a “just right” book can be tricky. Handley Regional Library System staff offer numerous ways to help you and your reader try new genres or authors of books. Specifically, we have a service called BookMatch Junior! for ages 12 and under, which matches your reader with books to try based on a quick survey form you fill out. However, a generally good practice when helping to build strong readers in your home is the following:
Choose a book that you…
Our middle grade book spotlight this week is all aboutPossibilities from the Past!!! We are exploring books that deal with past events, individuals, or time periods--through both fiction and nonfiction--as there is so much we can learn. We can learn how we are still being impacted from things already done, what choices not to make, or to open our eyes to some amazing individuals who have made a difference without us even knowing and we should know. Books have the ability to do…
Our middle grade book spotlight this week is focused on books that are an award winner!!! This past week the ALA Youth Media Awards were held which is basically the Oscars for books! Held every year at the end of January, books win a variety of awards that range from the best book of the year to the best book with an exceptional portrayal of the Latino experience; there is even an award given to the best audiobook. We are taking a look at some of the past winners from a…