Summer Reading Program

I know there are a lot of published authors in Costa Mesa. I decided I wanted to find out who they all are, and searched my browser for a nice little list. Not so easy. So I am going to cheat and ask you for a list of those you know about. Why am I doing this? Simple! It might be fun to read some of these books. And maybe we can give some credit to "our own. " Send your contributions to: costamesalibr@gmail.com . * Visit used bookstores This is another reminder that the Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries group has two used bookstores ready to serve you. The larger of the two is behind the Mesa Verde Library in a separate building.

You may have read Monday's article in the Los Angeles Times about James Patterson and his goal to steer children to reading. He considers himself "an evangelist for reading who believes in the power of reading to improve the school experience and transform them into better citizens leading quality lives. " I was unaware that he wrote children's books as well as novels for adults, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that he has written children's books that are on the New York Times bestseller list.

Along with the pleasures they can find between two covers, kids can win a galaxy of goodies in Books and Beyond, the Newport Beach Public Library's 2001 summer reading program for toddlers through sixth-graders. Prizes include stickers, toys, paperbacks, food coupons and T-shirts. New this year is a weekly drawing for a free pass to the Orange County Discovery Museum, open to cyber-scientists who correctly answer a quiz question appearing every Tuesday on the Kids Page at o7 http://www.

NEWPORT BEACH - Nearly 400 cumulative years of memories stood before the iconic Balboa Fun Zone carousel Wednesday morning as seven riders prepared to saddle up one last time. The group of senior women connected by mutual friends, family and a shared love of the brightly painted ponies came to reminisce and have one more adventure on the soon-to-close attraction. "It was always a big deal to come down to the Fun Zone," said Pat Newton, 82, of Pomona. "It was the in place to be, especially if you were a teenager.

Now that school is over and you've finished all your required summer reading -- what, you haven't finished yet? Take a break from those schoolbooks and check out some of these titles for a fun summer read. All fast-paced and enjoyable, nobody will be asking you to interpret the themes or compare and contrast any imagery. For those of you yearning for a little adventure, meet Alex Rider, the young protagonist in a new series of spy thrillers by Anthony Horowitz.

Are you a loyal John Grisham fan? Are you following the alphabet with Sue Grafton's mysteries? Or maybe you enjoy a good romance. Whatever your reading interests, you can continue your literary adventure this summer by joining the Adult Summer Reading Program. Just mosey on over to your nearest branch library and register for the Lone Star Reading Program. If you are at least 18 years old, you can register at the Balboa, Corona del Mar or the Mariners Branch Library from June 28 through Aug. 20. After you've saddled up at a branch, you will receive blank book-review sheets that you will use to record your own review of each selection and will turn in to the library.

The annual summer reading program has begun at all branches of the Newport Beach Public Library. The program encourages children to read throughout the summer, keep a record of the books they read and how much time they spend reading. Prizes are awarded as they track their progress on a game sheet. The more a child reads, the more opportunities for rewards. The theme of this year's program is "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales." The kids are not restricted to books about animals ? even though some of the most delightful children's books have animals as the main characters.