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The Milwaukee Public Library’s central branch is one of the coolest spots in the city. The kids section has a big lighthouse you can climb around inside, not to mention so many books you could spend a whole year in there and not read them all. In the summer, the librarians put on activities that’ll have you turning pages faster than ever.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The Summer Reading Challenge
It’s a reading race! Sign up at mpl.beanstack.org or at an MPL branch for this challenge to read as many books as you can over the summer. If you finish the challenge, you’re entered to win grand prizes like family passes to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum or Discovery World, or even a tablet!
Summer Kickoff
The season really gets going on June 8 at MPL’s Downtown library. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the library is hosting a bunch of other local museums for a massive showcase of fun activities. Besides MPL, you’ll also see Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Public Museum at the event.
Story Time
All summer long, the central library is putting on a weekly story time for kids! Besides the stories themselves, each event also includes hands-on activities inspired by the books. Toddlers and older kids also have their own weekly story times.
Makerspaces
The library isn’t only about books – it also hosts these awesome science and tech-focused events at its Good Hope, Mitchell Street and Washington Park branches. They bring out tons of equipment, like coding kits, 3-D sensors, green screens and way more to show off, and you’ll get to try out some of your own.
The Best Books
Age 3-5
Summer Is Here by Renée Watson. “Soak up all the best parts of summer, from swimming and jumping rope to chasing the ice cream truck.”
Ages 4-6
The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed. “Using wordplay and wit, this comical picture book follows a brother and sister as they try to outsmart and out rhyme each other.”
Age 5-8
The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock. “Follow a drop of water from Lake Superior all the way to the Atlantic Ocean in this informational picture book about our beloved Great Lakes.”
Ages 9-12
Hip-Hop: The Beat of America by Jarrett Williams. “In this engaging nonfiction graphic novel, readers will travel to the Bronx and get a lesson in the origins of one of the world’s most popular music genres – hip-hop.”
Ages 10-12
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon. “After her beloved grandfather passes, Dally is given a map that leads her to a mysterious library filled with portals to the past. Exploring inside, her true destiny is revealed.”
Over 12
Ghost Roast by Shawnelle and Shawneé Gibbs. “As a punishment, Chelsea is spending the summer working for her father’s ghost hunting business. When she discovers she can see and get to know the ghosts, it may make it harder to destroy them.”
