Why Color?

In recent years coloring has emerged as an adult activity to relax and lower stress. Most of us remember our childhood and coloring in our coloring books - first with those huge crayons and if we were lucky, eventually a huge box of Crayolas with that built-in sharpener in the back. Remember how fun that was? Today, there are numerous companies producing coloring books for adults. In addition, we are not limited to crayons anymore; today we have gel pens, markers, Sharpies, and colored pencils as choices.

Coloring can provide more than relaxation and stress reduction. When we participate in this activity in a group setting, it provides us with another activity that seems to be in short supply today in this electronic world in which we live - conversation. Live socializing with real people. While engaging your hands, you're free to talk with your neighbor across the table. Talk about your children (or grandchildren), reminisce, share the ups and downs of caring for a parent or spouse. The possibilities are endless.

CMRLS libraries have numerous coloring programs planned, and we would like to invite you to find a location near you and participate in one of these enjoyable events. Click on the link and enter "color" or "coloring" into the search field to see our upcoming programs.

CMRLS Calendar of Events

Thursday Afterschoolers

By Thursday, you may be needing a break from all that school work. So why don't you stop by the Raleigh Public Library for an hour of fun. Each Thursday we will have a fun activity planned just for elementary kids and we are calling it Afterschoolers.

Each week there will be a different type of activity. It will have something to do with games, crafts, and books. The fun thing is you won't know what it is until you show up. This will be a little break from all that hard work. Come out, have some fun, and you might also find that next book to read.
Just remember to bring your library card.

It's That Time of Year and the Fun is Just Beginning at the Pearl Public Library!

Don't you just loooooooove this time of year when the leaves are fluttering to the ground so beautifully? The near 100 degree temps seem to be behind us, and the cool breeze just makes ya go aaaahhhhhhhh! 

LOVE IT!

It's also the time of year when we get a burst of energy and start thinking about maybe engaging in some crafting, fun programs and festivals!

Well you are in luck because the Pearl Public Library offers it all and at NO COST!

Just a reminder that the Fall Family Festival is Tues. Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. behind the library next to the Pearl Senior Center.  Costumes are encouraged!  It's a FREE, fun evening celebrating the entrance of fall with bounce houses, face painting and pizza, generously donated by the Pizza Shack of Jackson (Pizza available as long as the supply lasts.).  Oh yeah! That's like hitting the jackpot!

On Thurs. Oct. 10 you can hit another jackpot! BINGO! You guessed it. It's Bingo For Books at 6 p.m.! It's a free program. So, come on in, play the game, win some books and enjoy light refreshments!

Save some energy though to enjoy How-To Tuesday on Tues. Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. October's feature is Autumn Leaf Mason Jar Candle Holders.

No reservation is needed and all materials supplied. No reason to miss this festive evening and the opportunity to make yourself a gorgeous fall, decorative craft. Hey, this would make a nice gift for someone special too! 

We'll see you there!

Harrisville Happenings

Harrisville has some big plans for the month of October. 

To celebrate October being Teen Read / Tech Month
we will be exploring electrical engineering with Snap Circuits.
Snap Circuits are a system of modules that magnetically
snap together to complete an electrical circuit.
We have 3 different kits to explore. 

Snap! It's electric!

Tuesday, October 8, 2019, @ 4:30 p.m.

for Tweens (5th - 8th grades)

Thursday, October 10, 2019, @ 4:30 p.m.
for Teens (9th -12th grades)

Movies in the Morning 

Saturday, October 12, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m.

We will be watching the 1993,
Walt Disney Pictures, Hocus Pocus.
A young teenage boy releases a coven of evil witches.
With the help of his little sister,
new girlfriend and a magical cat,
they must steal the witches' book of spells
to stop them from becoming immortal. 

This movie is rated PG; runs 1 hr 36 mins.

Free event for the whole family! 

Family Bingo Night

Thursday, October 17, 2019 @ 4:30 p.m.

Bring the family or bring a friend, it's bingo time again! 

Join us for some good laughs, yummy snacks, and great prizes.

Coffee and Cake with Friends

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 @ 4:00 p.m.

Life is better with Friends!

Join the Friends of the Harrisville Library

for coffee and cake. 

Stop by and enjoy some cake and

learn more about what the Friends

do for the library as part of our membership drive.

October 21 - 25 is National Friends of the Library Week.

Harrisville's Candy Lane

Saturday, October 26, 2019 @ 6:30 p.m.

Join the Friends of the Harrisville Library for their annual

Candy Lane at the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Every child will receive a punch card at the door.

Concessions will be available for purchase by the Friends.

Bring the family or bring a friend,

you are sure to have a great time.

If you would like to participate in Candy Lane by hosting a table,

please contact Mrs. Kathie at the Library for more information. 

October Happenings at the Rez.

October Happenings at the Rez

The Librarians are super excited that the Fall season is upon us! After the hot summer months, it is great to finally have a chance to have the crisp cool fall air return to the state of Mississippi! While you are getting ready for the months of fall and winter ahead, we hope that you will plan to join us for the fun and exciting events we have planned at the library!

Trick or Treat at the Library
Join us Thursday, October 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for a day of Halloween Trick or Treating! Come by the library with your candy bags for some free candy! Remember to say, "Trick or Treat!"

Teen Read Month 
Come by the library during the month of October to celebrate TEENtober! All teens are encouraged to write about how any library, be it school, public, academic, or even the library in your own home, has impacted your life. All entries will be placed in a drawing for a gift card to Soulshine Pizza Factory!

Loose Knit Group

Are you a master knitter who is looking to pass on your knowledge to a new generation of knitters? Are you a beginner who is looking to learn from master knitters? Come by the Northwest Point Reservoir library every Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. All experience levels are welcome as we work on our own projects.

Halloween Camp Out!
Join us at the library Thursday, October 31st at 11:00 a.m., as we have a special Halloween camp out story time! We will read stories about Halloween and sing scary songs and have a Halloween inspired craft!

High Noon Book Club
Come by the Northwest Point Reservoir Library Thursday, October 17th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., for another exciting hour of fine dining and even finer literature as the High Noon Book Club has its October meeting. This month we will be reading our favorite horror story to get us in the mood for  Halloween. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Desserts will be provided.

Mugshots family Trivia

Are you a Trivia Master looking for their next exciting game? Are you new to trivia and looking to get more involved? Come to Mugshots in Flowood every third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for an exhilarating game of Family Trivia! All experience levels are welcome! We will see you there!

Book Bubbles with Uno
Uno has been on vacation for a few months, but he is back and ready to help his fellow librarians serve their patrons at the Reservoir Library! Stop by to say hello to our pet library goldfish!

We hope that all our patrons have a great month of October! We are all ready for the cooler temperatures that get us in the mood for the holiday season! We also hope that all our patrons can join us for the exciting events we have planned.

October Programming Could Not Be Sweeter at the Pearl Public Library!

(The Pearl Public Library Book Sale scheduled for Thurs. Oct. 3, Fri. Oct. 4 and Sat. Oct 5 has been postponed. http://cmrls.evanced.info/signup)



Uh-huh!

 Swwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeetttt!

As in a HUGE jar full of the sweet stuff!  And, it all goes to the lucky person who comes the closest to guessing the number of candies in the jar! 

This confectionery guessing contest starts Tues. Oct 1 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 26. The drawing will take place on Mon. Oct. 28!  Stop on by and fill out an entry! What ya got to lose!

Also this week, is the Pearl Library's Book Sale!  Now, come on! You can just image what kind of sweet deals - at ridiculously low prices -  you'll be able to find! 

The book sale runs for three days, Thurs. Oct. 3 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fri. Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sat. Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

Hey! You know that books make great gifts right? Right!

Speaking of gifts. How how about a cute, little, Halloween craft that would make a sweet gift for yourself or someone special? 

Then don't miss Simply Crafts Tues. Oct 1 at 6 p.m.! It's Ghost in a Jar! 

This is a FREE program. No reservation required and all materials supplied!

This craft session is sure to get you in the FALL mood.

So, don't forget about the special Family  Night program coming up. 

An event full of honest to goodness sweet fun for the WHOLE family is the Fall Family Festival, co-sponsored by Pizza Shack of Jackson, on Tues. Oct. 8 starting at 5:30 p.m.  Bounces houses, face painting, pizza and more! ALL FREE!

You do not want to miss out on these delightful programs!

Stay tuned to this blog for more October programming at the Pearl Public Library!

We'll see you there!

October 2019 Taylorsville Timeline To Do's

Outrageous October programming is coming to your Library in Taylorsville. Listed below are some of the October events we have planned for you to mark off of your To Do List.

October is the month we celebrate all things Teens with TeenTober. Here are some of the events we have coming up at the library here in Taylorsville.

For the entire month of October we invite Teens to come into the library and put your artistic twist on a bookmark and then step over to our YA area and put your mark on our table sized coloring page. On Wednesday, October 16th at 3:30 we will be dipping tiles to make marble-dipped coasters.

For our Magnolia Monday - Make & Take, Kindergarten to 6th grade children, we will be painting pumpkins on Monday, October 7th @ 3:30.

Each Wednesday at 11:00 am will be our Preschool Story Time.
Our Outrageous October themes are:

October 2nd:         Fall Leaves Fall

October 9th:          Boo! Said the Ghost

October 16th:        Halloween Upside Down?

October 23rd:        Paint a Pumpkin
October 30th:         All About Halloween

These preschool programs are filled with fun books, music, and crafts!

Our Adult and Senior Book Club meets on Tuesday, October 8th at 3:30. We will be discussing the various books our club members are reading. Since we all have different taste in the genre of books we read, we have a well-rounded discussion.

Our Friends of the Library Chapter invites you to join them on Tuesday, October 8th at 3:30, for their monthly meeting to discuss upcoming events and ways to help the library make them a success.

The week of October 20th to October 26th is Friends of the Library Week. The library staff will be hosting a reception on Tuesday, October 22nd at 2:00 to thank our current members for all they do for our library and welcome any new comers who would like to join our chapter here in Taylorsville.

All CMRLS libraries will be closed Monday, October 14th in observance of Columbus Day.

We look forward to helping you complete your Library To Do's.

Bringing in Fall Strong With Lots of Bounce at the Pearl Library!

JUMPIN' PUMPKINS!  Fall is officially here! 

That can only mean one thing!   

You know it!

The Pearl Public Library is throwing a partaaaaaay!

A FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL in fact!

This is the second annual Fall Family Festival, and Kristen, the library's Youth Services Supervisor and Family Night coordinator, says she can't wait!

"It really is a lot of fun," Kristen said. "We love seeing everyone come out and celebrate the beginning of fall!  We'll have face painting, bounce houses and more. This is an event for kids of ALL ages! It's a great time for the whole family!"

Pizza Shack, a huge Pearl Library and Family Night supporter, is generously donating their award winning pizza! Get there early as supplies are limited.

The Fall Family Festival is Tues. Oct. 8th at 5:30 p.m behind the library, next to the Pearl Senior Center. There is no admission fee and everything is FREE!

A reminder that Family Night is a free program every second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

We'll see you there!

Far Out Programs at the Pearl Public Library!

Taking it celestial September's How-To Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. is Painting Planets!

All you do is take acrylic painting paper, paint, Mason jar lids and, of course, a little imagination and there you have it! Galaxy art! 

If you are all about creativity and enjoying a relaxing time, this program is definitely for you!

The How-To Tuesday program, which is the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m., is free and all materials are supplied.  

But that's not all that's going on this week at the Pearl Library.

So, let's talk about really taking it out there OK!  

How about a dark, romantic comedy involving a 20-year-old boy and a 79-year-old woman. 

That would be Harold and Maude, the Pearl Library's September Third Thursday Flicks offering.

Harold and Maude directed by Hal Ashby was released in 1971.

A young boy named Harold Chasen (Bud Cort) is intrigued with death. He meets Maude, played by Ruth Gordon, at a funeral and develops a strong friendship with her.  Ruth teaches Harold the value of  living life to the fullest.

Far out, funny movie, on a big screen! What could possibly be better! And, it's free!  That's Thurs. Sept. 19 at 5:45. Refreshments will be served.

We'll see you there!

Fitness Is Not a Fad at Forest Library

In a world full of fads, women's fitness is not a craze or a novelty or even a whim. A fad is defined as an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived or without basis in the object's qualities. Synonyms include fixation, trend, fashion, or the latest thing; however, none of these terms apply to long-term women's health and fitness.

Forest Public Library and Clear Creek Bootcamp in Forest are partnering together to present FITNESS DAY @ THE LIBRARY on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. The focus of the event is to encourage and celebrate women's health and fitness as a lifestyle and not a fad. Branch Manager Dianne McLaurin understands the importance of this message. "In February of this year, I joined the local bootcamp to lose some extra pounds. For the first six-weeks of the program, I achieved all my goals and posted transformation pictures with zeal! Everyone was so excited that I had joined the "fitness craze" in Forest. However, it did not take long to realize that women's fitness is not a six-week program, but rather a lifestyle of nutrition, exercise and accountability. Fitness is not a fad."

The owner of Clear Creek Bootcamp and Forest firefighter, Jordan Barnes, compares this concept to a three-legged stool. Without all three legs of support -- sustained nutrition, regular exercise and personal accountability -- the stool will not provide the adequate foundation for a healthy lifestyle. When approached about partnering with the library about a FREE health and fitness workshop for women, Barnes stated that community collaboration is necessary to spread this important message.

National Women's Health and Fitness Day is celebrated each year on the last Wednesday of September and is the nation's largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages. Even though the library could not participate in the official nationwide event on September 25, the local organizers wanted to focus attention on the importance of physical activity and healthy eating by hosting a Saturday September program. The city of Forest is designated as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation Healthy Hometown, and McLaurin participated in the grant process by serving on the Healthy Hometown committee. The Central Mississippi Regional Library System was just recently awarded a grant to provide FIT KITS for checkout to patrons. These fitness kits include everything from Zumba and Pilates to weight-lifting and yoga.

In the past few years, the library has also partnered with Lackey Memorial Hospital to present health literacy programs for residents of all ages, from preschool to senior citizens. Hospital spokesperson Nicole Kennedy stated that the hospital will have a table set up during the event to provide handouts about breast cancer and bone density scans in preparation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Workshop participants can also register to win a free mammogram.

"What we all want Forest residents to understand is that women's health and fitness is not a fad. As someone nearing retirement years, I understand the idea of slowing down and enjoying life. Still, healthy eating and regular exercise are not "phases" that we outgrow or a "craze" that is no longer fashionable. I think the library and our partners have created an amazing program that will interest everyone and confirm our commitment to women's health and the overall health of our town," McLaurin added.

FITNESS DAY @ THE LIBRARY begins at 9:00 a.m. and the workshop schedule is as follows:
9:00 a.m. -- Jordan Barnes, Clear Creek Bootcamp
Accountability and Personal Training
Healthy Lifestyle Motivation and Management
Proper Use of Exercise Equipment
Exercise Modification for All Ages
10:00 a.m. -- Joanne Jones, Clear Creek Bootcamp
ZUMBA Class Demonstration
11:00 a.m. -- The Importance of Nutritious Meal Plans with Jordan Barnes
Meal Prepping for Busy Lives and Healthy Samples with Katie McLaurin
Healthy Shakes, Smoothies and Teas with C & C Power Nutrition

For more information concerning FITNESS DAY @ THE LIBRARY, please call 601-469-1481 or email fobm@cmrls.lib.ms.us. 

September 2019 Taylorsville Timeline To Do's

As the fall season approaches, come 'Fall Into' some great programming at your Library in Taylorsville. Listed below are some of the September events we have planned for you to mark off of your To Do List.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. "A library card brings stories to life!" We would like to encourage each teacher in our community to come in and sign-up for a library card for your classroom as well as your personal use. As always, we encourage everyone to have a library card to access all the various services our library has to offer the community.

To encourage our young elementary age readers to sign-up for a library card, Elephant & Piggie will be visiting Taylorsville Elementary School on Tuesday, September 10th at 10:30 am. Elephant & Piggie are just two of the interesting characters from the children's author Mo Willems.

Each Wednesday at 11:00 am will be our Preschool Story Time. Our Fabulous Fall
themes are:

September   4th:   Time for School

September 11th:    Happy Grandparent's Day

September 18th:    Yo Ho Mates, It's a Pirate Kind of Day

September 25th:     "A" is for Apple

These programs are filled with fun books, music, and crafts!

Join us on Monday, September 9th at 3:30 we will celebrate International Dot Day with our after school program for grades Kindergarten to 6th grades.

       

Come by and see us on Wednesday, September 11th at 3:30, our Totally Teens Wednesday for Tweens and Teens will be able to make Stained Glass Jars using Sharpies and Mod Podge.

Our Adult and Senior Book Club meets on Tuesday, September 10th at 3:00. We will be reading and discussing a novel by: Sandra Brown, Tailspin.

Our Friends of the Library Chapter invites you to join them on Tuesday, September 10th at 3:30, for their monthly meeting to discuss upcoming events and ways to help the library make them a success.

We look forward to helping you complete your Library To Do's.

Star Tours-Astronomy at It's Finest

Join us as we study ASTRONOMY at the Flowood Library on September 16, 2019, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Sandwiches, Chips and Soda will be served.

Following the presentation we will all go outdoors to view the rings of Saturn, craters on the Moon, etc. through a powerful hand-crafted telescope, weather permitting.

May your introduction to astronomy be a pleasant experience.

As for myself I had a few obstacles to overcome when I developed an interest in the subject. This happened when I was about 16 years old back in 1983.

I wanted to learn about astronomy, so I invested in a 300X refracting telescope and set it up in the front yard. I pointed the telescope at the Moon and I was impressed. I was like a kid with a new toy.

I was so impressed that I showed off my telescope to the girl next door. I adjusted the angle and showed how I could read the license plate of a small bus that was parked next to her house. She seemed to express an interest in my new hobby.

Since she moved into the neighborhood six months earlier, she had sought my attention. She was the girl who lived at the end of the street and she wanted every boy's attention. But, I was more concerned about trivial things like surviving high school. I had studying to do and grades to make. I didn't need girl problems, too. I ignored her interest in me. She was offended.

Soon after my telescope demonstration she told her boyfriend that I was "peeping" through the windows of her house with my telescope. Her boyfriend came after me, and he brought three of his friends with him. I managed to elude her boyfriend and his entourage. I informed two teachers, but they dismissed the problem.

Back then fighting was something that this high school addressed by threatening suspension and failing grades on one six week term of classes. It was a lot easier to penalize all students involved rather than the ones at fault.

I called my mother. She called the girl's father who was a police officer, and I learned that he was about to get a search warrant and have me arrested. My mother told him that we would be moving soon, and the telescope would be coming with us.

How did this problem get so out of control?

Had this case gone to trial I would have found myself saying to the courtroom that I had purchased this telescope, so I could observe heavenly bodies, and the girl who thought I was observing her did not qualify.

Her boyfriend backed off.

I got out of town.

New children specialist at Raleigh

We at Raleigh are excited to welcome our new children's specialist of Lee (Alisha) Westbrook Hughes. Lee is a native of Raleigh and a graduate of Raleigh High School. She has an associates degree from Jones County Junior College. She is married to Paul Hughes and they have two children, Micah and Bethany. Paul will soon be returning from his third military trip to the Middle East and the family is anxiously awaiting his return.

Lee 's experience includes being a preschool teacher at 1st Baptist Preschool and has had several years of working with youth at her church. She will be continuing our Tuesday preschool story time and starting some other programs for the various ages of youth in Raleigh. We are excited to have her and hope you will all make her feel welcome.

Looking for your next read...

I am always trying to read a wide assortment of authors and genres because I enjoy a wide variety but also to assist patrons that are looking for a new book or author. Recently, it was a pleasure to read these three books. If you are looking for something new, I would recommend any of the three. The first two titles are actually first novels, and I will look forward to future books by these authors.

As I read Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly, my mind kept trying to decide if this was a horror story, psychological thriller, or a mystery. It definitely kept me thinking and engaged until the very end.

Twenty-five years ago, William Wheeler murdered his wife and three sons with an axe, then slit his own throat, leaving baby Dixie alive in their home. Dixie's childhood home comes up for sale, and Dixie impetuously moves in, furnishing the house with the original furniture that had been in storage since the tragedy. Dixie locates the police file on the murders and connects with the retired detective that investigated. Strange things start to happen; people begin to disappear. The many twists and turns will keep you turning the pages until late at night. Keep the lights on though.

Request a copy of Theme Music from CMRLS catalog.

Escape rooms are all the rage these days.  Normally, a group is given a mission then placed in a themed room to locate clues that will free them from the room. In The Escape Room by Megan Goldin, the escape room is an elevator inside a multi-story building where construction is complete but no tenants occupy the building. The participants, four coworkers at the top of their game in an investment banking company, receive a text to attend a team-building exercise at the location and find themselves locked in an elevator. They must put aside their differences and work together to solve the clues that will lead to their release...hopefully. These four have committed ruthless, unspeakable deeds to get where they are today, and these deeds are revealed as the game progresses. The question is not how will they get out of this elevator, but will anyone get out alive. This psychological thriller is a page turner.

Request a copy of The Escape Room from CMRLS catalog.

If you enjoy Jodi Picoult novels or time travel fiction, The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain will be a novel you do not want to miss.

Carly Sears is a young, expectant mother in 1970. Recently widowed, her husband was a casualty of the war in Vietnam. Now she finds that the baby she is expecting has a serious heart defect and will likely die shortly after birth. She discovers how far she will go to save her unborn daughter when her brother-in-law, a physicist with an obscure past, tells her there might be a way to save her baby. She must trust in the unbelievable and take a leap of faith to pursue her dream of having a healthy child.

Request a copy of The Dream Daughter from CMRLS catalog.

Look Up to the Stars at Brandon Public Library!

Astronomy is for Everyone: The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Edition!

Join us on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 6:00 pm for a special celestial event!

Astronomer Kevin Manning, a former consultant with NASA, has always been passionate about astronomy, and wants to share the excitement with you! 

Over the next 1 ½ hours, you’ll learn about the size and scale of the universe, the stars, and other celestial wonders using hands-on activities and assorted visuals.

Ages 8+.

Stormin' Area 51

For those of you who are seriously planning to participate in the Stormin' Area 51 exercise on September 20, 2019, the Flowood Library has put together a special collection of Area 51 literature that can be used as reference material to become more familiar with the area.

Let's face it. You wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle of the Nevada desert without it. Just remember that these books can only be checked out for three weeks. If you bring them back dirty and full of sand, then you may be charged for the damages.

We may consider waiving the fines should any of our patrons be caught or arrested by the local authorities while trespassing on federal land, but ultimately you are still responsible for  returning library property in pristine condition. You can place all the books in a package or envelope and drop them off at the local post office prior to your excursion across the Nevada desert. Not sure if GPS works in Area 51, so we recommend checking out a book on survival, getting a road map, and drinking plenty of water.

For the record infiltration of an above top secret military base may not be a bright idea, but neither were some of the things I used to do in college.

Mississippi Book Recs for Kids!

As part of our Mississippi History display, we're sharing some awesome recommendations for juvenile fiction and nonfiction! Swing by the Brandon Library for more.


Fiction

A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg

In Kuckachoo, Mississippi, 1963, Addie Ann Pickett worships her brother Elias and follows in his footsteps by attending the black junior high school. But when her careless act leads to her brother’s disappearance and possible murder, Addie Ann, Mama, and Uncle Bump struggle with not knowing if he’s dead or alive. Then a good deed meant to unite Kuckachoo sets off a chain of explosive events. Addie Ann knows Old Man Adams left his land to the white and black people to plant a garden and reap its bounty together, but the mayor denies it. On garden picking day, Addie Ann’s family is sorely tested. Through tragedy, she finds the voice to lead a civil rights march all her own, and maybe change the future for her people.

Find it at the CMRLS here!

Fishtale by Hans Bauer

Sawyer Brown's family runs a catfish farm in rural Mississippi. When his widowed mom gets sick after her wedding ring is swallowed by a pond "cat," Sawyer is sure the missing ring is to blame. But he soon suspects that the pond cat has become the meal of a far more challenging catch. He sets out with his friends and his stowaway little sister to find the culprit that stole the ring. Journeying deep into the bayou, the foursome must band together to battle the elements, outwit a sneaky poacher, and overcome their differences in pursuit of a colossal catfish. But this is no ordinary fish. This is Ol' One Eye the biggest, oldest, smartest, and meanest durn cat that ever swam the Yazoo River! And before long, the adventurers aren't sure who's chasing who.

Find it at the CMRLS here!

Horns and Wrinkles by Jessica Lawson

How can you tell if a river’s under a spell? River trolls, rock trolls, blue-wing fairies—the usual suspects—the stretch of the Mississippi where Claire lives has rumors of them all, not that she’s ever spotted any. But then Claire’s cousin Duke takes a swim and sprouts a horn—a long, pointy, handsome thing. After that, Claire doesn’t have much choice but to believe that something rivery is going on, especially since she’s the only one who can help Duke lose his new addition. 

Readers of all ages will enjoy getting in—and out of—trouble with Claire and Duke in this nimble, sharp, and funny fantasy.

Find it at the CMRLS here!




Non-fiction

Black Cat Bone: The Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson by Patrick Lewis

Legend credits his success to a midnight pact at a crossroads, but what is the real story of bluesman Robert Johnson?

Find it at the CMRLS here!

Spies of Mississippi by Rick Bowers

The Spies of Mississippi is a compelling story of how state spies tried to block voting rights for African Americans during the Civil Rights era. This book sheds new light on one of the most momentous periods in American history.

Author Rick Bowers gives readers first-hand accounts of how neighbors spied on neighbors, teachers spied on students, ministers spied on church-goers, and spies even spied on spies.

The Spies of Mississippi will inspire readers with the stories of the brave citizens who overcame the forces of white supremacy to usher in a new era of hope and freedom—an age that has recently culminated in the election of Barack Obama.

Find it at the CMRLS here!

The Mad Potter by Jan Greenburg

When George Ohr's trove of pottery was discovered in 1967, years after his death, his true genius was discovered with it. The world could finally see how unique this artist really was!

Born in 1856 in Biloxi, Mississippi, George grew up to the sounds of the civil war and political unrest.When he was 22, his boyhood friend introduced him to the pottery wheel. The lost young man suddenly found his calling.

He started creating strangely crafted pots and vases, expressing his creativity and personality through the ceramic sculptures. Eventually, he had thousands at his fingertips. He took them to fairs and art shows, but nobody was buying these odd figures from this bizarre man. Eventually he retired, but not without hiding hundreds of his ceramics.

Find it at the CMRLS here!

Summaries collected and condensed from Goodreads.