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. Sept/Oct winners will be contacted in November). 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!

Sept/Oct Reading Challenges

1. Read a book with the word “read” or “book” in the title

Exciting things are happening across Ontario in September and October to celebrate libraries! Do you have lots of books you want to read for this challenge? Now is your chance, because Get Your Library Card Sign-Up Month is in September. In October we have Ontario Public Library Week from October 20th to the 26th and the entire month of October is Canadian Public Library Month. It’s a great time to visit your local library branch and read a book with the word “read” or “book” in the title!

Reading List: Read a book with the word “read” or “book” in the title, opens a new window

2. Read a book with a monster, ghost, skeleton, bat or spider in it

Ask yourself: Do I get scared easily? If the answer is no, this Halloween is the perfect time to read a book with spooky creatures!

Read a book filled with fantastical monsters, or ghosts and ghostly sightings, or cartoonish skeletons up to no good! But if critters are what gets you, read a book about a blood-thirsty bat or a sneaky spider!

Reading list: Get ready for Halloween, opens a new window

3. Read a myth or legend

I see something long and scaly. It is bigger than a truck and has sharp teeth! Can you guess what I see? It’s the Loch Ness monster! The Loch Ness monster is a famous mythical creature, just like Bigfoot. 

Myths and Legends Day is on October 11. October is a great month to read a myth or legend you like or one you’ve never heard of before.

Reading list: Myth & Legends, opens a new window

4. Read a book by a female author

Are you a fan of The Swifts, The Outsiders, or Anne of Green Gables? Did you know these beloved books were written by women? In celebration of October being Women’s History Month, read a book written by a female author!

A fan of picture books? Pick up books like I Am Golden and The Proudest Blue!

A fan of comic books? Get books like The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins!

A fan of chapter books? Start books like Rebel Undercover or The Secret Library!

Reading List: Female Authors Booklist, opens a new window

Beyond Books Challenges

1. Wear an orange shirt on September 30

On September 30, we celebrate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On this day we honour the children who never came back from residential schools and the survivors, families, and their communities. For Orange Shirt Day, we wear orange shirts to raise awareness about the lasting effects of residential schools while promoting the idea that "Every Child Matters." The orange shirt symbolizes the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem faced by Indigenous children, and on September 30, all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honor the survivors.

Reading List: Orange shirt day, opens a new window

2. Attend a reading program

This fall, come attend a reading program and celebrate your love for reading! Discover new things about yourself and the stories you read! From free programs to regularly scheduled events, pick and choose what grabs your attention. Take advantage and enjoy the journey because you never know…you might even find some new book-loving friends! 

In honour of Library Card Sign-Up Month and Canadian Public Library Month, explore the fun opportunities the library provides on our What's On page, opens a new window!

3. Go on a Markham adventure

Set off and explore your hometown this fall, just in time for Adventure Day on October 19th! Take a risk and try something that you’ve never tried before. Explore a new hiking trail or visit the Markham Fair from October 3rd - 6th. Try new food, visit the Markham Museum, or check out a library branch you’ve never been to before! 

The opportunities are endless. Adventure awaits you!

Featured Markham Public Library Online Resource: Fiero Code, opens a new window

Fiero Code: our new database! 

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 coding day on September 12th.

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

The 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.