Community Corner

Great Reads From Port Jeff Librarians

Some books to get your summer reading started on the right foot.

School is ending but that doesn’t mean you have to stop reading until September. The Port Jefferson librarians have put together a list of books to keep you busy for a little while at least.

Head over to the and check out these books for the kids or take one out yourself for a great read on the beach, the park or anywhere you want to relax.

Book for adults chosen by Robert Maggio.

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Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust by Diana Henriques 

Though you may think you know the story behind Bernard Madoff’s $65 billion Ponzi scheme, this book, written by the N.Y.Times reporter who led its coverage, will reveal all aspects of his monumental deception.  Based on hundreds of interviews including Madoff himself, the story reads like a financial thriller whose impact is no less blunted for knowing how it ends.

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Robert Redford: The Biography by Michael Callan

Robert Redford is an iconic figure in the film industry.  He has portrayed American archetypes from the Sundance Kid to Jay Gatsby to Roy Hobbs and has produced and directed many features.  Now in this new biography written by Michael Callan with Redford’s full cooperation, the life of one of the most popular stars of his generation is frankly laid out from his simple beginnings as struggling artist to his role as head of the Sundance Film Festival.  It is a fascinating study of a man who did not surrender to the hype of Hollywood but lived life on his own terms. 

SEAL Team Six: Memiors of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin

The recent successful operation which lead to the killing of Osama bin Laden was carried out by the formerly secretive SEAL Team Six, the elite corps of the highly elite Navy SEALS.  SEAL Team Six is the just- released memoir of Howard Wasdin who faithfully relates the relentless physical and mental training one must undergo to gain membership into this unique fighting and rescue force.  Among the many theatres he saw action in  are Grenada, Desert Storm and, most harrowing, Mogadishu, where he was involved in the “Blackhawk Down” incident. 

Teen Selections provided by librarian Erin Schaarschmidt.

The Pirate Captain's Daughter by Eve Bunting 

Upon her mother's death, fifteen-year-old Catherine puts her courage and strength to the test by disguising herself as a boy to join her father, a pirate captain, on a ship whose crew includes men who are trying to steal a treasure from him. 

The End of the Line by Angela Cerrito

In the prison-like school that is his last chance, thirteen-year-old Robbie tries to recover from events that brought him there, including his uncle's war injuries and the death of a classmate who may have been his friend.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Another town? Another new school? Mclean doesn't really mind. In fact, she welcomes the chance to try on a new persona. Ever since her parents' divorce, she and her father have been on the move, leaving the unhappy past behind them. And each move has brought a fresh opportunity for Mclean to reinvent herself. Perky rah-rah girl. Drama mama. All-around joiner.

Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Batman has Robin, Wonder Woman has Wonder Girl, and Phantom Justice has Bright Boy, a.k.a. Scott Hutchinson, an ordinary schoolkid by day and a superfast, superstrong sidekick by night, fighting loyally next to his hero.  But after an embarrassing incident involving his too-tight spandex costume, plus some signs that Phantom Justice may not be the good guy he pretends to be, Scott begins to question his role. With the help of a fellow sidekick, once his nemesis, Scott must decide if growing up means being loyal or stepping boldly to the center of things.

What Comes After by Steve Watkins

When her veterinarian father dies, sixteen-year-old Iris Wight must move from Maine to North Carolina where her Aunt Sue spends Iris's small inheritance while abusing her physically and emotionally, but the hardest to take is her mistreatment of the farm animals.

Recommendations from the children’s room by librarian Margaret Smith.

No Sleep for the Sheep by Karen Beaumont 

This silly rhyming story tells of a sheep who just wants to go to sleep in ‘the big red barn on the farm’, but is continually awakened by the sounds of various animal friends joining him throughout the night. He tells each, “Shhh! Not a peep! Go to sleep!” and they do, until the next noisy friend arrives. Jackie Urbanovic’s (Duck at the Door, Duck Soup etc.) illustrations add to the fun as the sheep becomes more and more exasperated with each new entrant into the barn, and the pile of snoozing animals gets larger and larger. A winner for bedtime or any time at all.

Say Hello to Zorro by Carter Goodrich

Mister Bud, the family dog, has a routine “which everybody sticks to” until the family welcomes newcomer Zorro into the fold.  After initially refusing the give up his old ways, Mister Bud finally acknowledges that Zorro has his routines, too and eventually adapts to the newcomer.  The illustrations capture the emotions of the two dogs perfectly.

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome by Kathy Hoopman

This small book could be extremely helpful in explaining to children why a person with Asperger Syndrome may act in a particular way.  The author playfully and gently finds similarities between those with AS and some typical cat behavior in familiar and unfamiliar settings.  The related title All Dogs Have ADHD is also highly recommended.

The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles: 2) by Rick Riordan 

After the author’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series introduced a new generation to Greek mythology, he now sets his sights on the pantheon of Egyptian gods and goddesses.  Sadie and Carter Kane, children of an Egyptologist, and descendents of pharaohs, must battle angry gods that their father has unleashed.  Non-stop adventure that will have kids learning mythology and history without realizing it and have them anxiously awaiting the next title.

Guinea Pig (Pet Shop Private Eye #3): The Ferret's a Foot by Colleen AF Venable 

This book is highly recommended for readers who enjoy a good mystery with plenty of silliness blended in. Sasspants, the guinea pig detective and his hamster assistant, Hamisher, are happy living in absent-minded Mr. Venezi's pet shop and don’t want to get sold. When Mr. V seeks help to run his business better, the pair would rather he not hire a helper.  But not every animal in the shop feels the same way.


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