BOOKS TO BORROW

"The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau, Random House, 288 pages

Read aloud: age 8, 9 and older

Read yourself: age 10, 11 and older

No one can remember a time before the city of Ember. For as much as the residents know, Ember is all there is. Outside the city limits is complete and utter darkness, and anyone who has mustered the courage to venture out into it has quickly returned to report the nothingness, the pitch black, and the terror they experienced.

The darkness outside of the city is kept at bay by an underground generator that supplies a dull, yellow light. But the lights are starting to flicker, and the people don't know what they'll do if the lights go out.

When Lina discovers pieces of an ancient document that seem to provide an important message, she shares it with her friend, Doon, and he and Lina are convinced that the message reveals directions out of the city to a place that is safe and new. But the two must harness courage and a fast plan of escape to try and save themselves and the people of the city before the lights go out forever.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Ledyard Public Libraries, 718 Colonel Ledyard Hwy., Ledyard

Library Director: Gale Bradbury

Children's Librarian: Nancy Brewer

Choices this week: "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins; "I, Houdini" by Lynne Reid Banks; "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky" by Chief Seattle

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"The Beginner's Guide to Running Away From Home" by Jennifer LaRue Huget, illustrated by Red Nose Studio, schwartz & wade, 2013, 36 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

If you've never run away from home, the hero in this very funny book is about to do just that and explains precisely how it is done: the "why" and the "what," the "when" and everything in-between (including when to reconsider and give the family one more chance).

Hilarious, spot-on text is perfectly complemented by the inventive illustrations, making this selection one kids will want to read over and over again.

"The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, Philomel, 2013, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 to 7

Read yourself: age 7

Duncan just wants to color, but when he goes to take out his crayons, he finds instead a large stack of letters addressed to him. Much to Duncan's surprise, the letters are from his crayons, with each lodging a complaint. Red crayon is exhausted from being overworked; Black crayon wants to be more than just an outline; and Pink crayon feels very neglected. And they aren't the only crayons with grievances; the whole box is in an uproar!

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