The Odyssey Bookshop
Independent Bookselling Since 1963


Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 8:00
Saturday, 10:00 - 6:00
Sunday, Noon - 5:00

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Pictures of recent events

The Odyssey Bookshop is one of five independent bookstores participating in WAMC's Roundtable on Tuesday mornings, just after the 10:00 news. People from the Odyssey will be on about once a month, talking about our favorite books. 

Click here to see the list of the books we have talked about.

The Odyssey Bookshop
9 College St.
S. Hadley, MA 01075

413-534-7307
800-540-7307
fax 413-532-3654

email odysseybks@aol.com

Odyssey Kids!

Summer Events

Open to students entering grades 2-7 (or the homeschool equivalent), the Odyssey Adventure is a race to read. Read 20 books this summer and write a paragraph or two on each. Bring in the blurbs to move around our game board. When you reach the end, you’ll be entered in a drawing for one of three bags of books, bookmarks, and book related goodies. The race begins on July 1^st and the last day to drop off your write-ups is August 17^th.

Join us every Wednesday morning this summer for story time. Starting at 11AM we’ll be reading all sorts of picturebooks, from brand new books to old favorites. A craft or activity to follow. Be prepared to have some fun!

Join us at 2PM every Thursday for crazy science experiments, wacky quizzes, papertoy monsters, origami, paper airplanes, crafts, and more. Each week of Camp Workman we’ll have a different activity or project—from puppets to puzzles. Come each week to receive your official diploma or stop in for the weeks you’re especially interested in. Camp Workman is free and open to kids ages 10-14, though we do ask that you call and reserve a spot in advance.

July 14: Pop Bottle Science– Intriguing science experiments with items from your kitchen.

July 21: Papertoy Monsters– Create monstrous friends with only folding and glue.

July 28: Transforming T’s– Turn old t-shirts into something new! Feel free to bring your own t-shirt.

August 4: Origami & Paper Airplanes– How many things can you do with just a piece of paper?

August 11: Wacky Science– Try your hand at some strange experiments.

You’ve read them all, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, The Popularity Papers, the Dork Diaries….but what about your life? Join Marika in the children’s department on July 23^rd at 2PM for a journaling and cartooning workshop. Talk about your favorite books, do a little writing, and learn about drawing cartoons. This workshop is free and open to kids ages 7-12, though we do ask that you call and reserve a seat in advance.

Join us for a reading and signing by

Jane Schoenberg for her new book

Jane will be reading the Halloween story from her book. Help us celebrate Summer Halloween by dressing up in your favorite costume and enjoying a treat after the reading. The One and Only Stuey Lewis is a hilarious collection of linked short stories interspersed with sprightly line drawings. Ages 5-9.

Summer Picks 2010

BOARD BOOKS

SWING! Like a Monkey & WIGGLE! Like an Octopus by Harriet Ziefert & Simms Taback
Learn some animals and some verbs with these brightly colored books. Simms Taback is the master of board books and his two newest will have little ones scurrying and prancing while you read. 

HELLO FRIENDS!  PUDDLE JUMPING & LET'S PLAY HOUSE by Emma Quay and Anna Walker.
This new four book series stars Panda, Owl, and Sheep as they go puddle jumping, play house, eat icecream, and go to sleep. The three friends are each different, but they all love one another and their sweet adventures are the perfect length for a board book.

PICTURE BOOKS

A BALL FOR DAISY by Chris Raschka
Chris Raschka is able to express a motion or emotion with just a wiggle of a line. Daisy the dog loves her red ball, she cuddles up against it on the couch and chases it about. But what will Daisy do when another dog pops her ball? Bright colors, ecstatic lines, and a dynamic framing sequence makes A Ball for Daisy a strong wordless picturebook children will delight in "reading" to themselves.

LADDER TO THE MOON by Maya Soetoro-Ng, illustrated by Yuyi Morales
One night Suhaila’s grandmother Annie appears on a golden ladder outside her window. Together they take a magical journey to the moon where Suhaila learns about people around the world. Annie and Suhaila give help to those in need, and love to all they see. Yuyi Morales’ rich illustrations bring life to this meaningful tale. 

BEGINNING READERS

LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE by Julie Sternberg illustrated by Matthew Cordell
It's the summer before third grade when Elinor receives terrible news, news worse than pickle juice on cookies. Bibi, the best babysitter in the world is moving away. Elinor doesn't want to do anything fun without Bibi, because fun things remind her of Bibi. But soon her parents have found a new sitter, Natalie. And while Natalie is not Bibi, maybe that will be okay. This sweet book is shorter than it seems and Cordell's fun illustrations bring whimsy and life to the page. Great for readers who enjoy Ivy and Bean or Clementine. 

PATRICK IN A TEDDY BEAR'S PICNIC & OTHER STORIES by Geoffrey Hayes
Toon Books are leveled beginning readers that use a comic book format. Comics, like true picturebooks, rely on both words and pictures in tandem to tell a story, allowing strength in one to foster comprehension in the other. Beginning readers will bond with Patrick, a little bear who knows that life is much too interesting for naps. Patrick’s adventures, run-ins with the frightening Big Bear, and family life are similar to the experiences of many children, yet hold many delightfully silly moments. Geoffrey Hayes packs Patrick with four stories- call the last three a sweet reward for making it all the way through the first one! 

MIDDLE GRADE

THE PENDERWICKS AT POINT MOUETTE by Jeanne Birdsall
The third book in the Penderwick series finds the three younger sisters off to Maine for summer vacation with their aunt, while Rosalind, the oldest, gets her own vacation from being the OAP, or oldest available Penderwick. This leaves terrified Skye with the responsibility. Luckily, Skye’s good friend Jeffery is around to help. Adventure ensues. Sister Jane thinks she's in love with a skateboarder, Batty insists she's musical, and their aunt sprains her ankle. Skye has her hands full. But will Jeffrey be enough to help her? A piano next door beckons, complete with a pianist who can teach him to play. And… why does this neighbor look so familiar? This rollicking tale has romance and soccer. campfire rituals and long-lost relations. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette is a delightful read for intrepid young travelers, budding writers, and for those covert late-night reads with a flashlight. 

THE THRONE OF FIRE by Rick Riordan
In this sequel to The Red Pyramid, Carter and Sadie are searching the world for the Book of Ra, necessary if they are to bring this most powerful god back. But the gods of chaos are out to stop them- will Carter and Sadie be able to succeed in time? This fast-paced and thrilling adventure is the second in the Kane Chronicles trilogy. Signed copies available while supplies last.

TEEN

ANYA'S GHOST  by Vera Brosgol
The twists and the turns of the story pulled me in for a one-sitting read. Anya's experiences of frustration, both because of her immigrant background and the usual difficulties of not fitting in at school, are accessible to all YA readers- for who hasn't felt alienated at one point or another? However, the layer of Anya's familial background adds depth to the story. Each twist and turn of the story is adeptly foreshadowed, creating a richly spooky story that will have readers frantically turning pages (unless, like me, you have to stop and remark about how beautifully composed certain panels are). 

BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray
What happens when Teen Dream beauty queens, corrupt dictators, a powerful corporation, and sexy pirates all end up on a so-called deserted island? A hysterical adventure filled with romance, survival stories, product placement, and pitch-perfect satire. A brilliant summer read perfect for book groups. 

NON-FICTION

WORLD WITHOUT FISH by Mark Kurlansky, illustrated by Frank Stockton 
History, science and comics combine to give a glimpse of what the world might be like without fish, and the startling impact it would have on other organisms including ourselves. With suggestions and projections, World Without Fish is a startling look into the oceans and how they connect to our lives. Ages 10+.