New chapter, new stories for library

The Mariners Branch Library is adding some fresh pages to its own

story.

The new Donna & John Crean Mariners Branch Library will be a

joint-use hub for the community of Newport Beach and Mariners

Elementary School. The new library is set to break ground on

Thursday.

To celebrate this occasion, check out some of these groundbreaking

novels for children:

Like the Newport Beach Public Library, Mother Paula’s All-American

Pancake House is breaking ground in “Hoot.” Carl Hiaasen’s book is

simply that, quite a hoot. Roy has recently moved to Coconut Cove in

Florida, and he befriends an unusual lot of characters there.

Together, they set off on a mission to protect the miniature

burrowing owls that have taken up residence beneath the site of the

future Mother Paula’s establishment.

Discover what friendship means when 9-year-old Sarah is in the

midst of losing her best friend Paige who turns 10 on the first day

of summer vacation in Marion Dane Bauer’s heartwarming story “The

Double-Digit Club.”

Valerie invites Paige to become part of the Double-Digit Club, a

clique open to only girls who have turned 10 years old. Even though

the friends vowed they wouldn’t join the club, Paige accepts the

invitation. Sarah realizes the true meaning of friendship and honesty

in this story about growing up.

For an unconventional read, journey through Sharon Creech’s

“Heartbeat,” a story written entirely in free-verse poems. Run

alongside 12-year-old Annie and “hear” her heart beating,

thump-thump, thump-thump, during a period in which the people closest

to her are changing. Annie’s mother is pregnant, her dearly loved

grandfather’s health is faltering, and her best friend and running

partner, Max, is distant.

Other changes are happening when Charlie Bone learns he can hear

thoughts and conversations of people in photographs in “Midnight for

Charlie Bone,” written by Jenny Nimmo. Charlie finds himself enrolled

in Bloor’s Academy, a school for gifted children, and his life

becomes full of intrigue as he unravels the mysteries surrounding the

academy. As an alternative to the book, listen to narrator Simon

Beale read the story on an audio book.

Additional fun-filled fantasy titles offered in book format or

audio book are Kate DiCamillo’s “The Tale of Despereaux,” and

“Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke. Roam the castle and its dungeon with

Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse, who ventures on a quest to save

the princess in DiCamillo’s tale. Or climb into the pages of

“Inkheart” when Meggie learns her father can bring fictional

characters to life.

Each of these groundbreaking novels for children and others can be

checked out at any of the Newport Beach public libraries.

Remember, come be a part of library history as the Donna & John

Crean Mariners Branch Library becomes a reality. Groundbreaking

ceremonies will be on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the library, 2005

Dover Drive. Join the celebration as the Newport Beach Public Library

begins a new chapter.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Hartson. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central

Library or any of the branch locations, please contact the Newport

Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.