Think Library: Blog

Think Library: For Kids

For Everyone     

For Adults     

For Teens     

For Kids     

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

What is a Total Solar Eclipse?

The 2024 total solar eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8! A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the face of the sun. Five phases will occur during this event:

Think Library, Adults, Teens, Kids , Connect, Learn, Science
February 13, 2024

If you enjoy traversing the wondrous world of Percy Jackson, you may enjoy some of these other fantasy and mythical tales for children.

Read-a-Likes
December 19, 2023
Giving and Sharing
book cover

Giving and sharing is an important development in the social and emotional growth of a child. When children are aware of others' needs, they are often more motivated to help however they can! These titles help foster empathy and encourage generosity in a variety of situations.

Special Collections
November 28, 2023
If You Like Dog Man
book cover

Dav Pilkey has created some of the funniest and most popular characters for kids ever published: Captain Underpants, Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot, and Dog Man! His books are funny, fast-paced, and wildly entertaining. Check out the "supa funny" titles below if you enjoyed the hilarious adventures of Dog Man and Cat Kid! All books are recommended for ages 9–12. 

Read-a-Likes
November 9, 2023
2023 MCPL Children's Staff Favorites
book cover

Want to read something new? Here are some of our favorite titles that have been released in 2023!

Award Winners/Best of...
November 9, 2023
Text reads 'Taylor Swift The Eras Tour (mcpl's version). Above the text are two hands forming a heart around the MCPL logo. There is also a friendship bracelet with beads that spell MCPL.

Her Eras Tour broke worldwide record ticket sales, and more recently, her documentary broke the box office. That’s right; we’re talking about the pop culture phenomenon herself, Taylor Swift. Lately, it seems like you can’t look at a single screen without seeing Taylor’s face. And until she makes her way to Indianapolis in fall of 2024, screens are all local Taylor fans are going to get. Luckily, she’s been all over the news with her record-breaking album sales and sold-out arena tours.

Think Library, Adults, Teens, Kids , Tween , Connect, Create, eBooks, Friendship, Library Events, Music, Read, TV & Movies
October 19, 2023
Pura Belpré Award Winners
book cover

The Pura Belpré Award is given annually to a writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Hispanic cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. This list contains the Children's Narrative and Youth Illustrator award winners from the past 10 years, as well as some books about the life and work of Pura Belpré.

Award Winners/Best of...
September 14, 2023
Young Hoosier Book Awards 2023-2024: Middle Grade
book cover

The Young Hoosier Book Award Program encourages self-selected reading among elementary and middle school/junior high students. Teachers, librarians, and students from all across Indiana vote on their favorite recent books. This program is run by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF).

Check out the list of the 2023–2024 Middle Grade nominees! Recommended for ages 11–13.

Award Winners/Best of...
August 30, 2023
Young Hoosier Book Award 2023-2024: Intermediate
book cover

The Young Hoosier Book Award Program encourages self-selected reading among elementary and middle school/junior high students. Teachers, librarians, and students from all across Indiana vote on their favorite recent books. This program is run by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF).

Check out the list of the 2023-2024 Intermediate nominees! Recommended for ages 8–10.

Award Winners/Best of...
August 29, 2023
Young Hoosier Book Award 2023-2024: Picture Books
book cover

The Young Hoosier Book Award Program encourages self-selected reading among elementary and middle school/junior high students. Teachers, librarians, and students from all across Indiana vote on their favorite recent books. This program is run by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF).

Check out the list of the 2023–2024 Picture Book nominees! Recommended for ages 5–8.

Award Winners/Best of...
August 28, 2023
Aunt Flow period products now available

Approximately 86% of people reportedly start their period in public without the supplies they need.* The Library has selected the vendor Aunt Flow to bring free period products to patrons to help address period poverty, equity, and inclusivity within the community.

Think Library, Adults, Teens, Kids , Tween , Accessibility, Connect, Inclusiveness, Library News
July 25, 2023
book cover

Tyler was the kind of kid who couldn't sit still at school and couldn't explain why he was acting the way he did. But when he started a new medicine called Ritalin, he was able to pay attention in class and focus. At the time, he hadn't heard the term "Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder" (it was actually called Attention Deficit Disorder when he was growing up), but that's what he was experiencing.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Biography & Memoir, Inclusiveness, Read
December 6, 2022
A cake decorated with blue candy waves, a lightning bolt, a trident, and icing writing Percy Jackson.

The first Great MCPL Kid’s Bake Off is a wrap! We challenged 17 children to make their best book-inspired dessert. The catch? They had to include a mystery ingredient–beet root powder!

Each participant received a kit that included measuring spoons, beet root powder, some suggestions for baking books, and a copy of The Complete Cookbook for Young Scientists: Good Science Makes Great Food: 70+ Recipes, Experiments, & Activities to keep.

Think Library, Kids , Tween , Create, DIY, Learn, Library Events, Library News, Read
September 14, 2022
book cover

Sue (Suyapa) does not want to have a quinceañera where she'd be required to wear a poofy dress and dance around, so when her mom surprises her by having planned one and invited guests during a family trip to Honduras, Sue isn't happy. That is, until she makes a deal with her mom: 1 quinceañera for 1 overnight sleep camp with her friends. However, preparing for the celebration takes a tragic turn when Sue's beloved grandmother passes away suddenly.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Coming of Age, Graphic Novels & Manga, Read
August 24, 2022
book cover

When Silas's father is taken away in the middle of the night by a group of outlaws who seem to mistaken him for someone else, Silas knows he has to do something. With his best friend, a ghost named Mittenwool, Silas heads out to rescue his pa while riding his beautiful bald-faced pony. Will Silas be able to rescue his pa? And what's so special about his pony? Read this book to find out!

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Adventure, Read
August 24, 2022