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Spooky Story Contest

Ages 7-19. Are you ready for a frightening challenge? Share your spooky story with us for a chance to win a Downtown Middletown gift card. All entires must be submitted by Monday, October 26th.

Submit your story

Book Match

Need help finding your children something great to read? Fill out one of our online forms and our librarians will curate book recommendations just for your family!

Birth - Age 7
Ages 8-12
Ages 13-18

New Teen Page!

Vist our new webpage devoted just to Teens!

Email the Children's Department

If you wish to contact any of the children’s or teen librarians, simply send us an email! We will respond as quickly as we can.

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20 Questions To Help Decide What's Best For Your Kids (And You) This School Year

There are no easy answers, and this is not one-size-fits-all. So NPR came up with a list of questions to help you think through your options.

Common Core

What is Common Core? What every parent needs to know about these standards for education.

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Homeschooling in Connecticut

Homeschooling as an Option to Public School Education. Info provided by the Connecticut Department of Education.

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National Homeschool Association

The NHSA is the national headquarters for home schooling in America. The NHSA provides comprehensive support, programs, activities, and resources to the nationwide community of homeschoolers.

How to Homeschool Your Kids

Some basics about homseschooling your kids during the coronavirus from CNN.

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Summer Reading Program: Imagine Your Story

This year’s summer reading program has ended.

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Time Management for Kids

How to help your kids manage their learning time while at home.

Please note: The companies that provide our databases often set residency restrictions. Russell Library cannot do anything to provide access to non-residents. If you are not a resident of Middletown, please see the resources that say No Library Card Required.

READING

Audible

A free audiobook database for kids. (No library card required.)

BookFlix

Over 120 animated stories designed to strengthen early literacy skills. (Russell Library card required.)

Downloadable Magazines for Kids

From RB Digital. No limit and permanent checkout! (Russell Library card required.)

eBooks, Audiobooks, Movies, Magazines

Downloads are available 24/7. (Russell Library card required.)

Graphic Novel Book List

Our children’s department’s list for kids grade 3-5 that are vailable online from hoopla. (Russell Library card required)

International Children's Digital Library

Children’s literature in multiple languages from the world community. (No library card required.)

Julie's Library

Join Julie Andrews for a new storytime podcast! Julie and her daughter, children’s author Emma Walton Hamilton, read their favorite children’s books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. (No library card required.)

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Learn to Be Anti-Racist

Reading lists, TED Talks, resources for kids & parents

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Nutmeg Nominess

Elementary, Grades 2-3
Elementary, Grades 4-6
Middle School, Grades 7-8

Online Book Recommendations by Grade Level

Our children’s department’s list of books for kids, Grades K-5 that are available online from hoopla. (Russell Library card required)

Project Gutenberg

Free downloadable classic children’s books. (No library card required.)

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Reading Beyond

A list designed to help adults recommend age appropriate titles that will challenge advanced readers. (No library card required.)

Tumble Books Library

K-6 children’s ebook database.  (No library card required.)

LEARNING

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Ancestry: Lesson Plans

At-Home History Lesson Plans. (No library card required.)

Bill Nye: Science Experiments

Science experiments you can do at home. (No library card required.)

The British Museum

The British Museum’s collection is online! Explore 2 million years of history.  (No library card required.)

Connecticut Science Center

There’s plenty to do online at the CT Science Center! (No library card required.)

Denison Pequot Nature Center

Homeschool nature curriculum. (No library card required.)

Insitutue for American Indian Studies

Activities, websites, and other information. Many of the activities are aligned with Common Core Standards and are intended for various grade levels. (No library card required.)

NASA at Home

Let NASA bring the universe into your home. (No library card required.)

National Geographic Kids

Learn about geography and animals. (No library card required.)

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researchIT CT

Online reference databases: history, science, biography & more. Also, newspapers, magazines, genealogy, ebooks, audiobooks. (No library card required.)

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researchIT CT - Middle School

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researchIT CT - Elementary School

Scientific American: Bring Science Home

Fun science activities, which parents and their kids ages 6-12 can do together. (No library card required.)

Skype a Scientist

This site connects teachers and families with scientists from many disciplines. Children can learn more about a field of study or what it’s like to be a scientist. (No library card required.)
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TEDEd

Online content covering a vast array of topics. Fun, educational, and constantly updated! (No library card required.)

Tumble Math

A K-6 ebook math database.  (No library card required.)

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Universal Class

Over 500 courses including parenting, homeschooling, special education, teacher resources, how-to & much more! (Russell Library card required.)

FUN

18 Unusual Crafts for Kids

Make floam, glow in the dark bubbles, chalk and more! Lots of fun!

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Ancestry Academy

Video lessons to help families get started on their family tree building.  (No library card required.)

Harry Potter at Home

Welcome to the Harry Potter At Home hub where you’ll find all the latest magical treats to keep you occupied – including magical craft videos, fun articles, quizzes, puzzles and plenty more for first-time readers, as well as those already familiar with the wizarding world.

Highlights Kids

Read, play games and conduct cool science experiments. (No library card required.)

Home-Based Art Making

An elementary art teacher blog with art projects and lessons. (No library card required.)

Librarian-Recommended Apps & Games

Librarians’ 2020 picks for Notable Children’s Digital Media. (No library card required.)

Nature & Wildlife Livecams

Webcams from around the globe. (No library card required.)

Nomster Chef

Learning through cooking. (No library card required.)

Non-Screen Activities

Activities for kids that do not involve a computer. (No library card required.)

Russell Library on YouTube

Visit our YouTube channel for arts & crafts, science and more! (No library card required.)

Stimola Live

Live stream events for kids, tweens, and teens by professional authors and illustrators.  (No library card required.)

Storyline Online

Your favorite stories read to you by movie stars. (No library card required.)

Virtual Field Trips

Many museums, zoos and aquariums have set up virtual tours and webcams of their facilities. Check them out.

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Virtual Tours of Famous Places

Russell Library has gathered together some of the best virtual tours on the Internet. Travel the world from home! (No library card required.)