If you're thinking of launching a book club for kids, take some tips from an Ann Arbor parent who has been there: "It started out being almost 100% parent-driven, but now that the girls are older, they run it a little more. They vote on the books and select something from everyone. It works well because they all have very different tastes. Sometimes the parents select a book, but only if we are not organized enough to have the kids' choices lined up! We are trying to have the kids lead the discussions more, but I'm sure that will be a longer process . . . " For more ideas on book groups for children, check out Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids, and Families by Rita Soltan.

Dia de los Muertos (meaning "Day of the Dead") celebrations run from October 31 through November 2. Teach your child about this ancient Aztec holiday and celebrate the memory of your loved ones with these books from our youth collection:

Felipa and the Day of the Dead by Birte Müller
Beto and the Bone Dance by Gina Freschet
Clatter Bash!:a Day of the Dead Celebration by Richard Keep.
Calavera Abecedario : a Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter
Day of the Dead by Linda Lowery
The Skeleton at the Feast : the Day of the Dead in Mexico by Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloë Sayer.

Come up with a creative theme and logo for American Library Association’s 2007 National Legislative Day. The teen whose theme and logo are chosen will win a trip for two to Washington, D.C.

Read the contest rules and enter. The deadline is midnight October 29!

Madonna and her husband apparently are adopting a one-year-old boy from the African country of Malawi, which reportedly does not normally allow international adoption. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently adopted a child internationally. With all this controversy and excitement in the news - celebrities! babies! money! - it should be pointed out that for most parents, international adoption is yes, exciting, but it also requires a lot of research. A good place to start is Complete Book of International Adoption or hop to Hands Across the Water adoption agency in Ann Arbor.

I keep looking for stories with multi-cultural kids shown in everyday stories. There's promise in the following "chapter books" for 1st through 3rd grade readers. Each series has a few titles. Try the "Jackson Friends Books" by Michelle Edwards for varied cultures and kids in 2nd grade such as The Talent Show and Pa Lia's First Day. [Ruby Lu Brave And True] and Ruby Lu Empress Of Everything are by Lenore Look and the 8 year old girl is Chinese-American. "Willimena Rules" features African-American Willimena who is in 3rd grade. Try How To Lose Your Class Pet or 23 Ways To Mess Up Valentine's Day for a sampling. The "Little Bill" series by Bill Cosby, and Ann Cameron's series with Julian and Gloria are also based on African-American kids. Try Julian Dream Doctor and Gloria Rising for samples.

Are You not sure that you like to be scared? Then put yourself in charge of "The Scaries". Try Go Away Big Green Monster, The Gunniwolf, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything, Humbug Witch, Leonardo The Terrible Monster, and the very classic Where The Wild Things Are.

According to statistics, it is extremely likely that you or someone you know have experienced violence in a dating relationship. Watch and discuss a video, "It Ain't Love" Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m.

This documentary shares the experiences of "Faces" an improv theater company made up of young adults, ages 15-24. These young adults combine acting and therapy to create a show focused on abusive relationships. Counselors from SafeHouse will lead the discussion after the film.

This great adventure story of the newest generation in a long line of monster hunters by Frank Zappa's son, Ahmet is filled with gross formulas and bizarre illustrations. Why are we not surprised? The Lemony Snicket crowd will gobble The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless up.

If you enjoy Junie B. Jones and Ramona Quimby, try Roxie And The Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Willimena Rules: How To Fish For Trouble by Valerie Wilson Wesley, and Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry.

If your child goes to Elementary School in Ann Arbor Public Schools, the Teachers and Media Specialists guide reading levels by "Alphabet Level". The Ann Arbor District Library has the guides at all Branches in the Reference Collections. It leads Librarians and Parents to identify books at reading levels the schools use. There are 2 titles that cover the elementary school grades, Matching books to readers : using leveled books in guided reading, K-3 and Leveled books for readers, grades 3-6 : a companion volume to Guiding Readers and Writers. These titles are also referred to as "Fountas & Pinnell", the authors' names.