Kensington Park Library - Montgomery County Public Libraries: Boo at Kensington Park!

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. I was told "Don't read it while alone in the house late at night!" I can imagine! I haven't read the book yet, but it took me two tries to finally make it through the movie!
The Shining by Stephen King. "Jack Torrence takes his family to an isolated hotel for the winter where he can spend time writing and reconnecting with his family. While at the hotel, Jack's psychic son begins to see terrifying visions from the past and future as evil presences manipulate Jack into becoming violent towards his family." I haven't seen the movie or read the book yet for this one, but you can tell it's a classic when you hear references to it all the time! I was watching the movie Ready Player One recently and they had references to this movie!
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz was recommended by one of our children's librarians for kids of all ages! I too remember enjoying this book when I was in elementary school. It's perfect for campfire tales--literally or figuratively! If you love these stories and want more, be sure to try More Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark and Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones.
Stranger Things. If you are looking for a TV show that will make you jump at times, but is not super scary, I'm recommending the show Stranger Things. It's a modern day show set in the 80s (who doesn't love that decade!) about a young boy who vanishes into thin air one night. His friends are determined to find their friend. This show has everything: mystery, top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, a mysterious girl, and kids riding bikes everywhere! I really have been enjoying it so much and can't wait until the next season comes out!
Took by Mary Downing Hahn. Another great scary book for kids! For kids who like spooky tales, I'd recommend anything by this author. But, in this particular tale, when Dan moves with his family to a new home in West Virginia, he doesn't believe the tales about Old Auntie. But when his little sister is "took" he has to figure out what's happened to her or he might lose her forever!

We are super excited for some local authors coming to tell us some spooky tales! Join us for our double spooky feature on Tuesday, October 30. We'll have children's author Susan Weiner at 4:30 PM read from her newest book, Pirates and Spooks, Beware! for ages 8-12. Costumes are encouraged for this event, but are not required. At 6:00 PM, for the adults, meet William Cooke, author of Witch Trials, Legends, and Lore of Maryland: Dark, Strange, and True Tales. Find out what weird stories and traditions regarding witches in the Chesapeake region are true and where did the others originate. Maryland has a fascinating witch-related history. Mr. Cooke will cover accounts from the 17th to early 20th century. Don't miss these amazing tales!

On the non-spooky side of our events, here are some other programs you won't want to miss this month!

Seniors can tune-up their driving skills, learn safe driving strategies, and update their knowledge of the rules of the road with the AARP Smart Driver Course on October 4 from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Registration is required for this event. Seniors are also not going to want to miss our Montgomery County Resource Fair on October 25 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. We will have representatives from all over the county providing information on departments and resources pertaining to senior issues from health, transportation, housing, libraries, and recreation.

Let's also enjoy this nice weather we're having with a stroll in our garden! We're having a tour of the Kensington Park Library garden on October 6 at 10:30 AM. Karin Johnson Reber, the landscape architect, will give a short talk about the history of the Kensington Park Library garden, its current plants, and plans for the future. There will also be a tour of the existing plants and landscape.