Editor’s note: This calendar was provided by the Town of Pelham Public Library.

Elementary School-Aged Book Clubs

Walk-ins are welcome to the Library’s elementary school book clubs for grades 1 – 4, but registration is requested by calling the Library at (914) 738-1234. Book club books are usually available at the circulation desk for immediate checkout. After this month’s meetings, these book clubs will go on hiatus for the summer.

First-Grade Book Club: The New Girl … and Me by Jacqui Robbins; art by Matt Phelan

Monday, June 10, 4:30 – 5 p.m.

This 2016 book chronicles how two young girls, Mia and the “new girl”, Shakeeta, become friends. According to Publishers Weekly, “Robbins beautifully articulates the emotional stakes … As the friendship slowly blossoms, Shakeeta and Mia demonstrate to readers how connections forged with others can help us feel ‘at home’ in the world…

Second-Grade Book Club: Year of the Panda by Miriam Schlein

Thursday, June 20, 4 – 5 p.m.

Lu Yi has started to notice the peculiar goings-on on in and around the family farm. Not only is the Chinese government asking his father to sell it, but then there’s the giant panda that has shown up in a nearby field – very far from its natural habitat. Lu Yi sees this as all being connected, especially when he then finds a baby panda in the woods and takes care of it. Follow Lu Yi through his big adventure.

Third Grade Book Club: Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen

Monday, June 10, 5 – 5:30 p.m.

This romantic comedy starts when Bryce and Juli are in second grade, and continues in eighth grade. At first, Juli is the one who is taken with Bryce, but things flip in eighth grade when Bryce becomes interested in Juli, just when Juli is beginning to wonder if Bryce is quite what she thought he was.

Fourth-Grade Book Club: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Monday, June 17, 4 – 5 p.m.

This novel, part of a series, focuses on the phenomenon of the “escape room.” The new library in Kyle Keeley’s town happens to be designed by Luigi Lemoncello, a world-renowned game maker, and Kyle is one of the lucky twelve children who’ve been invited to a “lock-in” there to celebrate the Library’s opening. Now that they’re in, how will they get out?

Early Literacy Programs

Story Time

Tuesdays, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Take the little one in your life to Story Time. Caregivers must be in attendance and participate with the children they accompany — that makes it a pleasurable experience for all! This program is sometimes run by the Junior League of Pelham, and sometimes by Mr. Oz — aka Youth Services Librarian Oz Coto-Chang.

Baby Story Time

Tuesdays, 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.

This edition of Story Time is for babies up to two years. Programs like this are an essential part of a child’s early literacy. When younger children are unable to participate they miss out. Parents/caregivers must participate in Baby Story Time. No talking or phones.

Story Time with Mr. Oz

Upcoming sessions: Wednesdays, June 5, 19, 26, Friday, June 21, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Come to this Friday edition of Story Time featuring Mr. Oz! — aka Youth Services Librarian Oz Coto-Chang. Caregivers must be in attendance and are welcome to participate with the children they accompany — that makes it a pleasurable experience for all!

Musical Story Time with Miss Keila

Upcoming sessions: Wednesdays, June 12, 26, 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.

Miss Keila comes to the Library twice a month, offering her rocking, book-themed musical story time! This is a great opportunity for pre-K children to come boogie and bounce as Miss Keila sings popular books! This program uses the ticketing system employed by the Library’s other weekday Story Time programs.

Librarian Grandma Story Time

Friday, June 21, 10:45 – 11:15 a.m.

Retired Librarian and grandmother, Shahla Zarinejad, will have run Story Time on this Friday. Caregivers must be in attendance and participate with the children they accompany. The Library requests there be no phone use or talking during Story Time. Because of this program’s popularity, a ticketing system is used to prevent overcrowding.

Because of the popularity of many Story Time programs, a ticketing system is sometimes used to prevent overcrowding.

(For programs requiring registration, call the Library at 914-738-1234. Programs for young children require adult supervision.)

More Children’s Programs

A Magical Summer Reading Game Kickoff

Wednesday, June 26, 3 – 4 p.m.

The kickoff event for the Summer Reading Game is on the last day of school – a half-day for Pelham students. In keeping with this year’s Summer Reading theme, “A Universe of Stories,” the kickoff entertainment will be a space-themed magic show. Professional magician Didi Maxx will use magic to discuss and illustrate concepts about space including  Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Wormholes & Space Travel, Nebulas & Star Creation, Gravity and more! This year, the Summer Reading Game will offer different programs for different age groups. Watch the newsletter, website and local media for more details!

Have Fun with the Lego Club!

Upcoming sessions: Monday, July 1, August 5, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Lego lovers of all ages are invited to come to the Library’s monthly Lego Club. You’ll get to use your imagination to build unique Lego models to be displayed at the library! You provide the creativity; the library provides the Legos. Registration is required.

Teen Programs

Get Ready for Finals Week Relaxation

The Library is opening its presentation room during Finals Week for studying and relaxing with snacks and drinks during Finals Week for high schoolers. Stay tuned for details!

Come Play Dungeons & Dragons

Upcoming sessions: Thursdays, June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, 3 – 5 p.m.

The first fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons is a world where players are the characters in an ongoing story — come and play the tabletop version. According to the Dungeons & Dragons website, “The core of D&D is storytelling. You and your friends tell a story together, guiding your heroes through quests for treasure, battles with deadly foes, daring rescues, courtly intrigue, and much more.” Registration is not required.

Adult Programs

After-Dark Book Club: Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance

Thursday, June 6, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

On its surface, this acclaimed 2016 memoir sounds like an American success story, as its author, J.D. Vance, grows up poor in the Rust Belt and then goes on to join the Marines and graduate from Yale Law School. In truth, it’s about the struggles of his own family, giving readers a close-up look at the decades-long struggles of America’s white working class. All are welcome to the Library’s book clubs. Copies of the current selection are usually available at the circulation desk. This is the last session of the Club before its summer hiatus.

Adults – Play Summer Reading Bingo!

Game begins Monday, June 10 and ends on Tuesday, September 3

Read books and win prizes, courtesy of the Library! To play, stop by the reference desk anytime to register and pick up a BINGO type card with squares including “Memoir or Biography” “a book that scares you” or “read a play.” Upon registration, you will receive a Pelham Library drink koozie. As you read books over the summer, write down the titles in the appropriate boxes and try to get a BINGO by completing a straight or diagonal line. (You may not enter the same title in more than one box or enter books you’ve read before June 10.) Once you have gotten a BINGO, you’ll qualify for the prize drawing: first prize is a Kindle and 2nd prize is a complete set of Friends DVDs – yes, every season. The deadline to turn in your card is Tuesday, September 3.

Knit Happens on Monday Nights!

Upcoming sessions: Mondays, June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

All sessions 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Love to knit? Want to learn? Gather your needles and yarn and join us every Monday night for an informal adult needlework group from 6:30 – 8:45 p.m. Knitters of all abilities are welcome, but beginners planning to attend should call Librarian Augusta Turner at (914) 738-1234 beforehand to confirm an instructor will be available that night.

Adults Who Color!

Mondays, June 10, Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8:45 p.m.

Adults Who Color returns! The Library supplies everything for this adult coloring program: coloring pages, color pencils and markers. No experience or registration necessary, but remember, this is for grownups only.

Crafty Adults: Colorful May Basket Pins

Thursday, June 13, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Ever envied all of the arts and crafts programs just for kids at the Library? Envy no more! Pelham resident and art instructor Sara Mallach brings her talents to the Library for this monthly program, Crafty Adults. At this session, attendees will make colorful May basket pins! Crafty Adults is a great opportunity for grown-ups to cultivate their inner creativity. This program is for those ages 14 and up, and attendance is limited to the first fifteen people who show up.

2^nd-Friday Book Club: The Moviegoer by Walker Percy

Friday, June 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Winner of the National Book Award in 1961, this was the first novel written by Walker Percy, who became one of the major literary voices of the South. Percy’s novels were often focused on the theme of the modern world’s disruption and alienation and such is the case with The Moviegoer. The moviegoer is young New Orleans stockbroker Binx Bolling, who searches for meaning in life, at first by obsessively going to the movies, until things take a different turn at Mardi Gras. This is the last session of the Club before its summer hiatus.

With Gratitude for the Support

With Gratitude: The Museum Pass program is funded by the Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library, as are the supplies for Crafty Adults, the Summer Reading Program Kickoff and the Kindle that will be first prize for Adult Summer Reading Bingo. The 2nd-Friday Book Club is made possible by a gift in memory of Karin and Ted Mayer. Musical Story Time with Miss Keila is funded by the Morgan Stanley Foundation in recognition of Library Board President Terrence Mullan’s volunteer contributions to the Library.

Thank you also to our talented volunteers who enable us to provide many additional programs.