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Quiz Whiz

While quizzes can feel like homework, the early reader books in this list prove that learning to read isn’t just about recognizing words. These books do more than help with recognizing words, they also provide quizzes for reading comprehension. Each quiz is specifically made for the story and gives readers a chance to think about what they have read. Teach your child that reading can be fun and not just a chore by checking out one of the books below. Sheep on the Run by Alice Hemming There’s a lot to remember when taking care of sheep,…

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MeL Minute: Instructional Resources in Poetry & Short Story Reference Center

There is nothing like an engaging poetry lesson in the spring of the school year. Baseball favorites like Casey at the Bat and spring classics such as Robert Frost’s A Prayer in Spring are among the thousands of both popular and lesser known poems—old and new—found in Poetry & Short Story Reference Center through the Michigan eLibrary. Beyond the poems, however, there are dozens of resources specifically designed to support instruction, interpretation, research, and the understanding of poetry. Poetic Forms, Themes &Techniques If you’re on the hunt for some examples of acrostic poetry, blank verse, parodies, satire, or even nursery rhymes, then you will want to check out…

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Exam Study and Preparation Books

If you’re looking to study for the GED, college entrance exams, nursing/medical exams, civil service exams, or police, military, and firefighter exams, this list has you covered. GED Test for Dummies with Online Practice Prepare to do your best on the GED Test! Get the review and practice materials you need to take - and slay - the exam with confidence. GED Test 2022/2023 For Dummies with Online Practice provides an in-depth overview and deep content review for all test sections. 2021/2022 ASVAB for Dummies by Angie Papple Johnston Students find in-depth reviews of all nine…

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Cozy Library Mysteries

Little libraries, big libraries, murder, suspense, these books are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until you reach the last page. Cozy library mysteries are riveting and fun to read. Bound for Murder: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery by Victoria Gilbert Nothing puts a damper on a campaign like an actual skeleton in a candidate's closet. Library Director Amy Webber works to solve the case. Death in the Stacks by Jenn McKinlay On the night of a library fund-raiser, Lindsey finds Paula crouched over Olive’s dead body. Paula may have…

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Poetry for All Ages

Poetry has the power to open up our emotions and is a beautiful outlet to express ourselves. It can lighten us, renew us, and encourage us. The following list is filled with books to inspire you. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta In this uplifting coming-of-age novel told in accessible verse, Atta chronicles the growth and glory of Michael Angeli, a mixed-race kid from London, as he navigates his cultural identity as Cypriot and Jamaican as well as his emerging sexuality. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson In vivid poems that reflect the joy…

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MeL Minute: Unique Reference Center Content for Students, Patrons, and Researchers

The EBSCO Reference Centers from MeL.org contain thousands of articles, eBooks, images, and videos about a variety of topics. In the past, we have highlighted the hands-on content in Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center and Home Improvement Reference Center. MeL also provides Reference Centers with academic content to help patrons, students, and faculty with research. Know Your Rights Knowing your rights is important. With Legal Information Reference Center, over 30 full-text NOLO Guides such as NOLO’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home and Building a Parenting Agreement That Works are free. There are also links to state-specific legal forms including fillable forms for the state of Michigan and…

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Wordless Storytelling

Encourage your child to be part of the story! You’ve heard of books without pictures, but what about picture books without words? These unique tales require something special from their readers to tell their stories: a big imagination! When reading the books on this list, let your child be a storyteller by asking them what they see, what is happening or what might happen. These books provide the pictures, you and your child bring the story to life! Since these special books rely on a reader, we can only tell you a few things about their stories like who is…

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Teen Books Without the Romance

Looking for a teen read, but are so over reading about happy couples? Try out one of these titles featuring little to no romance. A List of Cages by Robin Roe When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down…

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Down with Love, bring on YOU!

What would happen if we extended the love we have for others for ourselves? While some of the books on this list are about being single in today’s world, they still ask us the question: What do you love about you and can you become the person you’d love to be? While you may not currently have the stereotypical fairy-tale ending, you can still be the hero of your own story. Loving Bravely: 20 Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want by Alexandra H Solomon Taking time to stop and…

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