Notes Articles

If you have had a child at Harrison Middle School (HMS) in the last six years, you may have heard of a program called, “One Book, One School” introduced by Merry Stuhr, the HMS librarian.  The idea is that the entire middle school (grades 5 to 8) read the same book at the same time. …

This fall is full of exciting new releases for young readers.  Here are a few that my kids have been waiting all summer for. Guts by Raina Telgemeier:  A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts! Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny…

When my husband brought me over to our neighbor, Judith Barker’s house to pick out a present for his mom I was totally surprised to see a showroom full of beautiful handmade jewelry.  Her shop was upstairs from her studio, down the street from my house.  I was reminded that right around the corner was…

When I first opened Royal River Books in March, 2008 (wow – over 11 years ago!) another merchant on Main Street told me that there was no reason to stay open past 5pm.  She said that Main Street was pretty much dead by then.  I would lock the door at 5pm and the streets were…

As Anne Bradstreet has said, “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” There is nothing like stepping outside on one of those first warm days in March hearing the birds sing and feeling a warm breeze and the sunshine on your face.  In reality, it is probably 45 degrees, but…

The temperature is dropping, the ground is still bare, and there are a lot of school holidays ahead.  Here are some ideas from Royal River Books on how to stay warm and cozy and constructive this holiday season. Do a puzzle. We have a great selection of puzzles at the bookstore ranging from 100 pieces…

I think back to school is a bigger deal for me than it is for my kids.  They smile for the camera, faces glowing from running around under the sun all summer, and then jump onto the bus.  All day my thoughts go back to school wondering how their first day is going.  I wait…

As the school year comes to a close, I always look forward to getting the required summer reading lists from the area school.  I never fail to discover a fascinating book that would have escaped my notice if it hadn’t been on the list.  The summer reading lists for 2018 did not disappoint.  Here are…

Did you know there is a salmon hatchery at Yarmouth Elementary? Did you know that an underwater robotics program sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research is coming to Harrison Middle School? Have you heard about the printmaking press at Yarmouth High School? These are just a few of the exciting initiatives that would…

A few years ago I brought home the graphic novel, El Deafo by Cece Bell.  I was looking for something different to read to the kids.  El Deafo is an autobiography in which Cece tells the story about going deaf as a young girl in the 70s.  It was my first experience with a graphic…