Teens at Risk.Wasting Away is a dvd that will be of interest to parents, teens and those who work with teens who are affected by the devastating conditions of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia. Young people who have been there and back tell their stories in the film.

"For a green-eyed reader filled with desire" a volume of blank parchment pages may reveal the magic of Northumbria. "Rich with mystery and atmosphere, this is a thought-provoking fable" about magic and greed. Avi does it again for a tale to share-aloud among families, The Book Without Words.

For generations Comfort Snowberger's family has owned the funeral home in town. With care and cosmic understanding the family handles the loss of a family member at the same time that Comfort is losing peace with her best friend, Declaration. With southern charm and humor the rhythms of life flow with Each Little Bird That Sings, a lovely family read-together.

Mr Bojangles is a part of 20th Century African-American history. Rap A Tap Tap is a book that shares a part of the Bojangles story with children. Add the sounds of Stars at the Apollo and share the era with family.

A bit of African-American history can start in picture books with Charlie Parker Played BeBop and a recording of his music Diz 'n Bird at Carnegie Hall for ambience.

Babies love to listen to Your Voice. Start reading (or singing) with I Love You A Bushel And A Peck; Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed; Jiggle Joggle Jee; and Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear. Rhythm and Rhymes are fun enough to read over, and over, and over...

Are You Sleeping well at night? Try beautiful music at the end of the bedtime ritual. Here are some CDs to try with your Baby. Guitar Lullaby; The Sun Upon the Lake is Low a collection of traditional and contemporary folk music and a sequel to All Through The Night. For some classical music Baby Neptune with Handel's Water Music.

The Penderwicks is a fun family read aloud, if you are looking for a story of innocence, of four loving sisters, a gentle father, the boy next door, some pets, and a summer's adventure. This book won the National Book Award 2005 for Jeanne Birdsall.

Dr. Westerman will speak Tuesday, January 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Downtown Library Multi-purpose Room. Please come to learn about the No Child Left Behind Act.

For further reflections on this legislation, consult these books:

America’s Failing Schools: How Parents and Educators Can Cope with No Child Left Behind by W. James Popham
Leave No Child Behind: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World by J. P. Comer
Many Children Left Behind: How the No Child Left Behind Act is Damaging Our Children and Our Schools edited by Deborah Meier and George Wood
Saving Our Schools: the Case for Public Education: Saying No to “No Child Left Behind” edited by Ken Goodman
What Every Teacher Should Know about No Child Left Behind by Nathan Essex

Two stories of 8-10 year old kids coping with a parent who has cancer. It is serious stuff, and family goes on. Ida B. is home-schooled until her mother must go into cancer treatment. Ida B. must find a new place in public school. Ida's patient teacher makes a significant difference in her outlook. Tobin in Chicken Boy has lost his mother to cancer. He changes significantly when Henry takes him home after school one day to see the chickens. Tobin's outlook grows through friendship with Henry and chickens.