Welcome, to Between the Lines!

Welcome to Between the Lines! Bi-monthly, you will discover new themes and adventures as you complete reading challenges and beyond the book activities for grades K to 8. Track your reading for each challenge using the Beanstack App or our reading log brochure. 

Complete all 4 reading challenges within the two months and you’ll have the chance to win a prize! Simply bring in your completed reading log and you’ll receive a ballot to enter into a raffle draw. Raffle winners will be contacted a few weeks after the last month of the edition (e.g. Nov/Dec winners will be contacted in January). You will also receive a bookmark, which you can use to recommend a favourite book to other library customers. 

Throughout the school year, we’ll be running additional contests so be sure to check our website for upcoming events and activities! Post your Between the Lines reading and adventure challenges on social media with the hashtag #MPLBTL to help other library users join in the fun. Let the reading adventure start now!

November/December Reading Challenges

1. Read a book about space

Are you excited to go on a space adventure together? Get ready, set, BLAST OFF!!! If you enjoy learning about the solar system and the galaxy, come and visit our Children’s Area to explore the Space: The Final Frontier section. You will find many non-fiction books on the planets, stars/constellations, the Milky Way, and black holes. They will not disappoint but will keep you coming back for more topics!

READING LISTS:  About Space!

2. Read a book about something you celebrated this year

Birthdays, holidays, your team’s wins. What are some of the things you like to celebrate? Read a book about your favorite celebration from your past year!

READING LIST: Celebrating Small and Big Achievements

3. Read a graphic novel that makes you laugh

Need a good laugh? Read a graphic novel that’s packed with humor! From goofy pets to wacky adventures, these stories are made to make you smile. Graphic novels are perfect if you like reading with lots of action and pictures. There’s nothing better than a story that makes you laugh out loud.

READING LIST: Laugh Out Loud: Graphic Novels for Kids

4. Read a mystery

Calling all young detectives!  Are you ready to be a smart detective and look for useful clues to solve a mystery? Let's go on a hunt to find out what went missing, who might be in trouble, and any clues left behind to help us crack these mysterious cases.

READING LIST: Mystery book for Young Detectives

Beyond Books Challenges

1. Draw your own cover of a book you have read

Do you want to bring your brilliant ideas to life by drawing your very own book cover, from a book that you absolutely enjoyed reading? Whether it is a science fiction, fantasy, sport, comic, or history book, any would be a perfect choice. Let’s reveal your creative side and express them magically through your various inspirations and passions! 

READING LIST:  Let’s Get Drawing! For Kids

2. Donate a food item or toy to a charity

Holiday time is a time for everyone to enjoy. Help someone less fortunate than you, by donating a toy or food item. Remember, sharing is caring!

3. Watch a nature or wildlife documentary

Have you ever seen a penguin waddle across the ice or a cheetah zoom through the grasslands?  Try exploring the wild world around us without even leaving the couch!  Watch a nature or wildlife documentary and discover amazing animals, cool habitats and jaw dropping adventures. So grab some popcorn, press play, and get ready to go wild!

WATCH LIST: Nature or Wildlife Documentaries for the whole family

Featured Markham Public Library Online Resource: Fiero Code

Have you ever wanted to design a website or make your very own video game? Learn to do all that and more with Fiero Code! Recommended for ages 8 to adult, Fiero Code covers languages and tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more! Set daily challenges for yourself and unlock rewards to upgrade your robot companion. It’s the perfect way to get inspired for S.T.E.A.M. Day on November 8. 

Need help learning how to use Fiero Code? Try the Tutorial on Niche Academy 

Sign up for Fiero Code with your library card and start coding today!

Programs

Markham Public Library Programming

MPL’s variety of “Books and Reading” Programs, opens a new window

MPL's events for families and children, opens a new window

City of Markham Programming

Programming for all ages, opens a new window. All programming requires registration. The City of Markham has a new program registration system -- create an account today: City of Markham program registration site, opens a new window.