The Sawyer Free Libraryis excited to welcome author Taylor Tyng to speak about his new book for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12), Clara Poole and the Long Way Round, on Friday, September 15 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The free event will be at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester.
Make your own hot air balloons as you listen to the fun and engaging author read from his new middle-grade nove! It is Mr. Lemoncello meets the Amazing Race, in this quirky high-octane balloon-racing middle-grade around-the-world adventure.
The Bookstore of Gloucester will be selling books at the event; Tyng will be signing books after the talk and Q&A. If you cannot be there in person, you can pre order a book to be signed by the author by calling the store at 978-281-1548.
This program is suitable for grades 4th-8th. Click HERE to register. Registration required as space is limited. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org
Meet & greet a variety of insects, bugs and more as Professor Bugman presents an engaging and memorable experience that inspires children and families.
This event will be held at Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, (8 Washington Street.) Register HERE.
For more information on the this event and the complete schedule of summer happenings at the Library, please visit www.sawyerfreelibrary.org, call 978-325-5500, or 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester.
Sawyer Free Library was honored to participate in this fun event, promoting literacy and education within the community.
Fun was had by all fourth graders last week at East Gloucester Elementary School first ever “Battle of the Books,” a challenge where students read books and then came together to test their book knowledge in a game show-style competition. This fun literary competition was between three teams of East Elementary School fourth graders.
With the students’ parents and families cheering them on, the fourth graders competed by answering questions about books on the “Battle of the Books” list. It was a competitive until the end, with the final score being: Team 1: 27 points, Team 2: 29 points and Team 3: 27 points.
Over the past four months, from April 3 through June 7, East Gloucester Elementary School fourth graders have been reading an assortment of children’s book titles — from a designated list of 15 books — to equip themselves with knowledge about plots, characters, and themes for the school’s first-ever “Battle of the Books.” Organized by the school’s Fourth Grade teacher Ruth Flaherty, who served as the host of the event, with support from Sawyer Free Library’s Tween Librarian, Marisa Hall, the aim is to make this an annual event and expand to include all fourth graders across the school system.
This “Book Battle” was meant to encourage reading for pleasure, reward the development of comprehension skills and encourage teamwork among young readers. The titles selected vary from easy to more difficult within the 4th-grade reading level. Each participating student was assigned a book to begin the “Book Battle.” They were encouraged to read other book titles if they completed the book. They could read as many as they liked and were able to read over the four months.
Mrs. Flaherty asked questions to the teams one at a time, and they had one minute to discuss the answer. Teams receive 1 point for each correct answer and 0 for incorrect or incomplete answers. The opposing teams had the opportunity to answer a question that was incorrectly answered.
Sawyer Free Library was honored to participate in this event. The Library believes in the power of reading to ignite young minds. SFL Tween Librarian Marisa Hall was a part of the program kick-off, visited the students regularly to discuss the books, hosted after-school study sessions in preparation for the big day at the SFL, and served as guest host of the Book Battle!
YGSC: Solar System Explorers – The Young Gloucester Scientists Club is hosting a live virtual interactive journey through our Solar System with experts from Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University. This program is suitable for 4th-8th graders. Registration is required to receive the link. This program is virtual, should a device be needed reach out to Teen Librarian Marisa.
Tuesday, April 18 – Friday, April 21
Astronomy Take & Make Universe in a Jar – a take home kit for tweens and teens with hands on astronomy activities. For students in grades 4-8. Registration is required for each child individually. Pick up begins Tues, and continues through Friday.
Friday, April 28, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
YSGC Field Trip: Star-Gazing at Halibut Point State Park – SFL’s Young Gloucester Scientist Club is hosting an evening of night-sky observations with the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club. Students, grades 4th through 8th, and their families, will use telescopes, chat with experts and do some hand-on astronomy activities at this late-night Field Trip to Halibut Point State Park located at 4 Gott Ave, Rockport, MA. Registration is required.
Questions? Contact Teen Librarian Marisa Hall at mhall@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5549.
Every ninth grader at Gloucester High School is represented in the Tween | Teen Zone at SFL @ 21 Main Street with squares they designed to ‘speak’ for themselves.
The public is invited to come and see this beautiful collaborative collage!
The students participated in this collaborative art activity as part of a Library Information Session that Gloucester High School coordinated by SFL Teen Librarian Meg O’Neil and GHS Librarian Samantha Teixeira.
During Teen Librarian Meg’s visits to Gloucester High School, she had an opportunity to share all about library resources and facilities, ensuring that all students have an SFL card and know about the Tween and Teen Zone as a free, public, safe community space.
For more information about the SFL Tween/Teen Zone at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or visit Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street, Gloucester.
Cape Ann Community 