Patch Reads: 2013 Summer Reading List For Ages 4 to 12-plus

Great reads for kids of all ages.

Editor's note: Author James Patterson's ReadKiddoRead Foundation provided this list of great summer books for kids. (For tweens and teens, ages 12 and up) The Diviners By Libba Bray For ages 12 and up A series of occult-based murders in 1920s New York City put Evie O’Neill and her uncle, curator of what is known as “The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies,” center stage in investigating the crimes. The tightly woven plot and palpable setting combine with supernatural elements, rich themes, and terrific storytelling to make a compelling read.   On the Day I Died By Candace Fleming For ages 11 and up Scary is always in season, and summer is an especially good time to welcome a shivery chill. On appropriately dark and moonless nights, kids will …

• Videos (1)

Book Clubs: We Want Your Recommendations

Tell us what you're reading right now using this nifty form on Patch!

  As part of our ongoing Patch Reads program, we are actively seeking input from you on what you are reading right now. Fill out this form and tell us what you and your book clubs are reading and why. Then we'll share it with others so that we can all benefit from your book club's recommendations. 

• Photos (1)

Rounding Up Massachusetts Must-Reads of 2013

A look at some of the best fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children's/young adult literature that has been written by Massachusetts writers or is about Massachusetts themes.

VIDEO: A Challenge Made ... And Accepted

Lexington has accepted Arlington's 'Library Card Challenge.' Belmont and Somerville have, too.

Ryan Livergood, the director of Robbins Library -- Arlingotn's Public Library -- recently issued a challenge to his colleagues in the surrounding communities. Livergood wanted to see which community could increase its new library card registration the most in February (percentage increase this February, compared to February 2012). “When I started as library director in April of 2012,” Livergood said, “one of the things I wanted to do was get out in our community and remind people of the value of a library card.” Belmont’s library director, Maureen Conners, Lexington’s Koren Stembridge and Somerville’s Maria Carpenter all accepted Livergood’s challenge. And, at a Thursday press conference at Robbins Library, the stakes were laid out: The …

• Videos (1)

'10 Fat Turkeys' And More Thanksgiving Reads

Celebrate next week's holiday by reading some of these Thanksgiving-themed books.

  Although not as famous as Halloween or Christmas, the Thanksgiving holiday does have its fair share of literature dedicated to it. Whether you're young and still reading picture books, or an adult, we have a little something for everyone in our Patch Reads book list. So grab your turkey and enjoy some books as side dishes! 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving—In a switch on the classic Clement Moore poem, some boys and girls have an eventful Thanksgiving eve. If You Lived In Colonial Times—This book outlines what the lives were like for the Pilgrims and Colonists from 1565 to 1776. The First Thanksgiving—Geared toward beginner readers, this book tells the story of the first Thanksgiving with lots of illustrations.  Run, Turkey, Run!—A …

• Photos (1)

Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of Sept. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week. According to the American Library Association (ALA), the vast majority of challenges to books are initiated locally by parents, likely in …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Sue Bruce

9:11 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012

I am unclear which of these mostly amazing, creative and historical books are actually banned. Classics such as Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm, The Catcher in the Rye and many others are incredible works. Admittedly, there are chapters and passages that might be difficult to comprehend for a younger/teen reader .... but that's what parents are for! To rationalize, explain, discuss and debate. …   more ›

Question of the Day

Question of the Day: Which Required Reading Books Did You Love and Dislike in School?

Share your opinion in the comments section below.

We all remember being in school and the teacher handing out a new book the class would be reading for the next couple of weeks. Some we enjoyed and perhaps returned to again as adults. Others, well, not so much.  What we want to know today is Which books you were assigned in school were your most and least favorite? Which ones did you come back to again and read over as an adult for a better understanding of the material?  To get the ball rolling, I'll start with my choices. I really enjoyed reading J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" (7th grade) and Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" (9th grade). I did not enjoy reading Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" (10th grade). How about you? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. 

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Raising Lexington

Raising Lexington: Kids Summer Reading List

Summer reading lists don’t have to be just for school-aged children.

Summer is in full swing and most families are up to their eyeballs in barbeques, beach trips and bocce ball. As I think about all of the fun summer activities we enjoy, I also try to keep the learning going. Books are such a great way to engage, teach and calm children, so I thought about how to incorporate them in a more formal way this summer for my own kids. After checking out the Cary Library and seeing their wonderful summer reading lists, I was inspired to create one for my kids, who are three- and five-years old. Then I realized that a summer reading list could be just as beneficial for kids who aren’t in school yet -- and even for babies. We all know the benefits of reading to our children and everyone loves books before bed, but …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

LHS Boys' Lax Establishes Early Dominance Over Watertown

Minutemen cruise to 11-4 victory over first-year-varsity Raiders.

Lexington High School’s boys lacrosse team wasted little time in flexing its muscles against Watertown High School on Tuesday afternoon. Visiting LHS jumped in front of the Raiders with three quick goals on successive possessions less than 5 minutes into their game at Hosmer Field. The Minutemen didn’t stop there, and led wire-to-wire in notching an 11-4 victory that wasn’t even that close. The Minutemen (7-2), perennial contenders in the Middlesex League and Division 1 postseason, wanted to show the Raiders (1-6), in their first year as a varsity squad, who was in control early on. Lexington scored a total of four goals in the first quarter, while barely allowing the opposition to control the ball at all. “We just wanted to take care of …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (7)