What Storybooks Should I Get for My Sec 1 Daughter?

[hquek]

hi coolit,


woah, you have missed a gem. I find that different places have got different strengths so you have to see which one works for you. Geylang east has very good children reads but that's within the places I stomp. Jurong east should be good but I don't go there. English books definitely no problem (unless you are after stuff like G.stilton books). Chinese books also not bad but I find it hard to locate titles becos not familiar.

Each card can borrow 6 books - or 4 books plus 2 cds; during school holidays they tend to double it. If you and hubby are registered already, you can even use your ic, driving licence, ntuc member card to borrow books. If your kids are not yet registered, there are self help machines that let you do it automatically and the card is dispensed.

btw, each loan is for 3 weeks. You can go online to renew the books BEFORE the expiry for another 3 weeks. Also, you can go online to set reminder - they will send you email/sms to remind you that you've got books to be returned in x days.
scroll down and click on Reminder service on the mid-bottom left hand side in http://www.pl.sg/page/PlCheckYourAccount/CheckYourAccount

[coolit]

hi hquek,


I can see I am really missing out. I will go check out the nearest library this weekend.

I am not sure If I have signed up. I know I had a library card when I was in secondary
school ages ago. Can we use our IC if we have not signed up?

Thank you for your very detailed information!

[hquek]

hi coolit,


if you had ever had a library card (the one with barcode) before, you should be able to borrow books (but I’m not sure this is correct if you are talking about the paper based cards - yes I still remember those).

not sure never mind, there are self help machines that you can have your ic scanned. it’ll let you know what is your account status like.

For kids, registration is free. For adults, a one time fee has to be paid. Depending on your needs, there’s premium membership available (double the loan items) - it’s for a stated period (eg 1yr/ 2 yrs). I used to sign up for this but no longer, juggling 4 cards is more than enough for me.

[coolit]

Hi hquek,


I can't wait to go to the library now. Maybe my bookshelves will not be so overwhelmed from now on.

[hquek]

yo coolit,


Just remember to sign up for the reminder service also. It’s a godsend when you have many library books at home.

[coolit]

Yeah I definitely need that!!! I do not want to pay fines, that was one reason I quit the

library scene years ago. Haha kept forgetting to return books and then had to pay
fines. This service would be very useful. You are really a book resource!

[fuinee]

try searching for books by award winning authors. Most of the books can be found in the national library.


1. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/bbya2010.cfm

2. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal.cfm

3. http://www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk/past-winners-2000-2010.html

4. http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/livingarchive/index.php?medal=carnegie

5. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/Printz.cfm

6. http://www.yourlibrary.ws/ya_webpage/ritba/ritba11/ritba11.htm

[cnimed]

Some suggestions; these books can be reread at different levels:


The Mysterious Benedict Society (fun, fast moving, good prose, modern themes)
I am David (child escaping from concentration camp, tale of resilience, has a light religious theme)
Flowers for Algernon (science fiction, changing perspective of a low iq man who was experimented on and became a genius, before slowly losing his cognitive skills again. I feel this is a very good read for high ability children to develop compassion for others.)
His Dark Materials Trilogy (fantasy genre, strong writing and well developed themes, has a strong aethist bend)
The Giver (science fiction on a future controlled society, discusses the role of emotions in society. Good for teenagers, but parents of younger kids should read
first before deciding if the child should read.)

For more traditional books, sherlock Holmes unabridged is a totally fun read.

For lyrical writing, Ben okri and A.S.Byatt cannot fail but require a certain amount of maturity and patience.