Nightingale is not Raymie’s real last name, but it describes her well. Like Florence Nightingale, Raymie knows how to shed light and rescue the needy. She and two other girls meet at the home of a baton winner in order to learn how to twirl. Somehow, Raymie convinces herself that if she becomes a champion baton twirler, her father — who has run off with a dental hygienist — will see her name in the paper and return to her.
Her two new acquaintances also have reasons to learn to twirl a baton; Louisiana needs the prize money and Beverly likes the excitement of making things go amok. The three very different characters make accommodations for each other’s idiosyncrasies, and instead of getting annoyed, they each decide to cooperate.
Together they rescue a cat, return a library book, and save each other from disaster. DiCamillo allows her characters to brood, soar, be scared and feel their souls leap from inside their bodies. The girls lean on their individual strengths and cement themselves into a formidable force for good. Even though Raymie cannot make her father return, she is compensated by the rich friendships she has made with girls, like herself, who have also survived loss.
Candlewick Press (2016). Reviewed by Lillian Hecker, Children’s Services Librarian. For Ages10 and older.
Our Children's Summer Reading Program is hosted on an online platform called ReadSquared. Beginning on June 22, you can register digitally, log your reading minutes, and save up your points for awesome prizes. Take a look at our YouTube video of how to complete the registration. If in person is more your speed, stop by…
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Reading contests for children have been a staple of the Library's Summer Reading program for years. But why let the kids have all the fun? Adults and teens in 9th grade and up can play our Reading BINGO game and enter a raffle to win a brand-new Kindle! Download a BINGO board with instructions by…
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The Town of Pelham Public Library board of Trustees is pleased to welcome Susan Quintin as its newest memeber.
Susan Quintin is a strategic business and product leader with nearly two decades of experience across global financial services organizations, including leadership roles at BNY, London Stock Exchange Group, Russell Investments, and MSCI. She currently serves as…
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Looking for some spring Saturday fun? Join us for an outdoor parent-child Yoga & Play session! Geared towards toddlers and babies (and their grown-ups). Older siblings are welcome to join the fun too! Led by local yoga instructor & twin-toddler mom Samantha Scinta.
This program will take place outdoors. In case of inclement weather or high…
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Join us on Tuesday afternoons to crochet an amigurumi. "Amigurumi" means crocheted or knitted stuffed toy in Japanese. We'll work on a new critter every month. All supplies (yarn, crochet hooks, and stitch markers) will be provided but feel free to bring your own.
This drop-in program is for ages 13 and up, no registration is…
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WHAT IS THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS?
Battle of the Books is a book-based trivia tournament for Westchester Youth. The Pelham Library will have a 4th-6th grade team and a 7th-12th grade team. We may need to adjust the age groups based on interest level. We will compete against teams from other Westchester libraries. The…
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The Town of Pelham Public Library is pleased to welcome Antoinette Vitale as the new bookkeeper.
Antoinette Vitale is excited to bring her accounting, bookkeeping, and treasury experience to the Pelham Library. Having moved to Pelham with her family in 2010, Antoinette has enjoyed becoming part of this wonderful and warm community. While raising her…
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Our stuffed animal sleepover at the Library was a huge success! We had so much fun hosting your stuffed animals for the night! Watch our video to see all the mischief our overnight visitors got into.
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Anyone else have a case of déjà vu? Due to the storm, the Library will be closed Monday, February 23, 2026. We will be opening with a delayed start on Tuesday. February 24 at noon. Stay safe and warm!
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Due to the storm, the Library will be closed Monday, January 26, 2026. We expect to reopen at 10 am on Tuesday, January 27. Stay safe and warm!
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