IndyPL Blog

Here are fun stories to help calm some typical Halloween fears….with laughing! You can listen to them right now. In Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies, Mo is a zombie who loves to garden, growing his own vegetables. He also likes to cook and eat them. Mo’s parents insist that he needs to eat better for his zombie health. He needs to eat things like “finger” foods…and they don’t mean snacks! They tell Mo, “zombies don’t eat veggies!” but Mo IS a zombie and HE eats veggies. Listen along as Mo tries to convince his parents to give veggies a try. Enjoy Halloween storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

What was Mo’s deepest, darkest secret?
What are some of the things Mo did NOT want to eat?
When Mo’s mom and dad tried his soup, what did they think of it?
What is the name of the dance Mo did?
What kinds of vegetables do you like?
Have you every tried something new that you thought you wouldn’t like…but discovered it was delicious?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about the Halloween at any of our locations, or check out Halloween e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Halloween video read aloud stories right now! Keep the laughs coming by listening to Goodnight Goon, a parody of the childhood classic Goodnight Moon in which a child says goodnight to all of the things in his bedroom. In this Halloween version, a young monster says goodnight to all the things in his tomb…hairy claws and jaws and a pot full of goo and a werewolf hollering, “boo!” It’s Halloween storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree

title - How to Make Friends With A Ghost

Join Ms. Linda from Brightly Storytime and six different authors for video storytime to celebrate spooky season! Download a printable activities pack.

Books to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card to Turn Halloween Fear into Halloween Fun!

List Cover Images - Books to Turn Halloween Fear into Halloween Fun! Many small children don’t find Halloween fun at all! The masks, the jumping out surprises and all the ghosts, vampires & scary looking pumpkins can be too many surprises for little trick-or-treaters. Here are several stories that can help kids manage their Halloween fears. If Arthur & Scaredy Squirrel can do it, so can your child!

Sing!

Enjoy this sing along from Laurie Berkner. Use her pattern to make a monster mask to sing and play along! “I’m the biggest monster that you’ve every seen! My eyes are yellow and my teeth are green!”

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!

Try these outdoor games to play on Halloween from the National Wildlife Federation or these active Halloween games to play from Playworks. For fun in the kitchen try Babymouse’s Monstrous Monster Mash printable cupcakes recipe or these Magic Treehouse printable Halloween recipes.

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

Event: Reading Ready Time – Nutcracker Fun
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 12:00am
Location: Online
Description: Children 3-6 are invited to a virtual Library visit! The Indianapolis Ballet shares the story of The Nutcracker followed by a dance lesson.  On your toes, everyone!  Visit https://bit.ly/readingreadytime for this program.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Warren – Baby & Toddler
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:15am
Location: Warren Branch
Description: Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and their adults are invited for stories, songs, toys, and more.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
Location: Fort Ben Branch
Description: Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and fingerplays followed by an art and craft time.
No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Tags Holidays & Seasons, Storytime Online

In Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar, Binny’s class is learning about different holidays. It is Binny’s turn to share, and she is planning to talk about Diwali, a festival of lights Binny’s Hindu family celebrates. When it is Binny’s time to speak…she can’t! She is so nervous she can’t remember what she wanted to say! Everyone laughs and stares, but Binny manages to find her words anyway! She talks about diyas and jalebis and pedas. Do you know what those are? Watch this video to listen to the story and learn about Diwali, just like the kids in Binny’s class. After watching the video you can learn more from Binny’s printable learning sheet, The Diwali Story. Enjoy Diwali storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

What did Binny have for breakfast instead of cereal on her special day?
What advice did Mr. Boomer give Binny to help her relax?
How many days do people celebrate Diwali?
Can you think of another holiday when kids are allowed to carry sparklers?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Diwali at any of our locations, or check out Diwali e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Diwali video read aloud stories right now! It’s Diwali storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

Help kids celebrate/learn about Diwali – The Festival of Lights.

Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is the most important holiday of the year for the millions who celebrate it. The dates change every year, but it usually falls between mid-October to mid-November. If you are interested in learning more about it, here are just a few of many books that you can share.

Sing!

Sing along with The Let’s Go Club to find out all about Diwali.

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a Diwali picture or find Diwali words.

Play!

Spend an enjoyable afternoon learning how to Make Your Own Diwali Candle or Make Diya Streamers.

Watch this video to see children crafting paper lanterns to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights called Diwali and then Make Your Own Diwali Lantern.

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

Event: Reading Ready Time – Nutcracker Fun
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 12:00am
Location: Online
Description: Children 3-6 are invited to a virtual Library visit! The Indianapolis Ballet shares the story of The Nutcracker followed by a dance lesson.  On your toes, everyone!  Visit https://bit.ly/readingreadytime for this program.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Warren – Baby & Toddler
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:15am
Location: Warren Branch
Description: Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and their adults are invited for stories, songs, toys, and more.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
Location: Fort Ben Branch
Description: Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and fingerplays followed by an art and craft time.
No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Tags Holidays & Seasons, Religion, Storytime Online

Join our virtual author talks to enjoy conversation with the authors behind your favorite books from the comfort of home. What questions have you always wanted to ask? Submit your questions online. We will also take questions during the event and will cover as many questions as time allows! Browse our archive of past virtual author talks for even more insightful discussions.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Native Rights and Culture in Fiction
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 7:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to join us as Mona Susan Power chats about her newest novel A Council of Dolls. This conversation highlights how her work explores Native Rights and Native American culture, in particular using an important symbol that anchors comfort and companionship in Native life: dolls.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Exploring the Smithsonian National Gem Collection
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 04, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for an absolutely dazzling presentation with the emeritus curator of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection, Dr. Jeffrey E. Post as he talks about The Smithsonian National Gem Collection Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: On Pulse-Pounding, Family Driven Mysteries
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us for a captivating conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave, as she chats with us online about her newest book The Night We Lost Him.
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: The Magic of Found Family
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 15, 7:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Come have a magical moment with New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune as he chats about his Cerulean Chronicles, with special emphasis on his newest in the series, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Notes on Modern Irrationality
Date & Time: Thursday, January 23, 2:00pm
Location: Online
Description: Join us as we chat with the New York Times bestselling author, Amanda Montell about her newest book, “The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality.”
Register Here

Event: Virtual Author Talk: An Inside Look at Working with a Literary Agent
Date & Time: Tuesday, January 28, 1:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re writing a book (or thinking about it), but what happens next? Join us for an inside look into working with an agent and the beginning stages of the publishing process with Seth Fishman, Vice President and Literary Agent at The Gernert Company.
Register Here

Are you looking for your next great read?

We can help! Visit us in-person, explore reading recommendations online, join an in-person or online book discussion, get recommendations on Facebook, tune in to our televised book club segments, and more. Get started here!

Sunday Nights on Facebook

Join us on Sunday nights at 8:30pm on Facebook for Currently Reading. Enjoy this hour during which book enthusiasts share favorite books and offer suggestion about what to read next. Find out about the books that have everyone talkin

Wednesday Mornings – Indy Now Book Club

The Library helps host a ‘book club’ on the Indy Now Morning Show with Ryan and Jillian on Fox59. Tune in at 10 a.m. every other Wednesday. Catch book recommendations and IndyPL program highlights from your own local librarians. Re-watch segments you have missed and see book lists of the books mentioned in each segment.

In-Person & Online Book Discussions

Do you love talking about books? Join one of our book discussions or book clubs available both in-person and online

Online Reading Recommendations

NovelList and NovelList K-8 are online services that offer reading recommendations. Browse both fiction and nonfiction, read-alike suggestions, series information, reviews, and lists of recommended and award-winning books for adults, teens and kids. Learn how to start on this video tutorial. Also try Book Connections which includes a “find the right book for you” feature.

Would you prefer one-on-one help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email ask-a- librarian.

Tags If You Like, What We're Reading

Build your digital life skills with IndyPL this Digital Inclusion Week. The digital divide is the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online, and those who do not. This divide impacts households in Indianapolis. The Library helps bridge the gap with free public computers and wifi, free computer skill training, and helpful staff to support those still developing their digital life skills.

Every year Digital Inclusion Week is a time for raising awareness, advocating for digital equity, and promoting the many resources available to help people take advantage of digital technology. Digital Inclusion Week for 2024 is October 7 – 11. We hope you’ll join us this year as we celebrate by building our digital life skills.

Read on for suggested activities you can complete to develop your own digital skills or help you take action to support digital equity in Indianapolis. Learn more about all the services The Library offers to help get you connected to the Internet. Use our computers and other technologies, both in our locations and at home. Our services are available every week, all year long.

1. Develop Your Digital Skills at The Library

You can take computer and technology classes to build your digital life skills at The Library throughout the year. Build your digital skills with a learning plan custom designed for you.

Take an assessment in English or Spanish on The Library’s Northstar Digital Literacy platform and get feedback with a learning plan tailored to the skills you need most. Assessments offered include: Basic Computer Skills, Internet Basics, Using Email, Windows 10, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Docs, Information Literacy, Career Search Skills, and Your Digital Footprint. Register for an at-home assessment to complete online or attend an in-person class. See the Tech Learning Lab’s complete program schedule. Once you have a learning plan, you can work at your own pace to tackle online lessons to develop the digital life sklll you need most. Browse our complete listing of computer and technology classes:

Event: Career Center at Haughville
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
Location: Haughville Branch
Description: Adults needing help with creating a resume, searching for a job or career online, or filling out an online job application are invited to receive free one-on-one assistance.
No Registration Required.

Event: Introduction to Gmail
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 2:00pm
Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch
Description: Learn the basics of Gmail including how to register for an account, compose and forward emails, manage your inbox, and best practices for email security!
Register Here

2. Find affordable device access in your neighborhood.

You can also use your Library card to check out a device called a hotspot to connect to the Internet for free. A WiFi hotspot provides a link to the Internet from anyplace you plug it in! Borrow a hotspot from one of our 16 locations that currently lend them. Availability for these devices is during regular branch hours. The hotspots are not-requestable, or renewable, but are available for check out first come, first serve.

3. Have internet but suspect it isn’t reliable? Can’t get broadband to your home? Share your experience.

Indiana’s State Broadband Office is helping Hoosiers use their voice when it comes to their unreliable or absent broadband connectivity. Visit this website that allows users to test internet speed and answer questions regarding their connectivity.

4. Help map the solutions to the digital devide in your neighborhood.

Explore Indiana’s Digital Equity Map to find resources in your community. Have a resource you want to share? Submit your community digital inclusion resource to help support the states first Digital Equity Plan.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Tags Adult Skills, Computers & Technology

“The freedom to choose or reject ideas, to read books of our choice…is the very bedrock of our free society.” ~Kurt Vonnegut

“Knowledge and education are some of the best equalizers as far as reducing the achievement gap and helping individuals reach their full potential…We need to be sure that our children have full access to knowledge, to education, with no restrictions on books and no restrictions on knowledge.” ~Indiana State Senator Fady Qaddoura

National Banned Books Week is an annual celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 as a response to a growing number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries.

Banned Books Week 2024

“I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom. By banning books, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from the past and to envision a braver future. Books have the power to open minds and build bridges. This is why certain forces do not want the masses to engage with books. They fear progress and growth in new, bold directions. For this reason, Banned Books Week is vitally important. It is a celebration of our right to access varied voices and to engage with ideas that challenge and champion us. I am honored to be selected as honorary chair of Banned Book Week for this election year, and I stand with my fellow readers, fellow writers and fellow advocates around the world who refuse to let voices be silenced.”

— 2024 Banned Books Week Honorary Chair award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay.

From Selma to 13th and When They See Us, DuVernay’s work shines a light on the power of storytelling. Her film adaptations of frequently banned books, like A Wrinkle in Time, remind us why it’s so important to protect diverse voices.

The American Library Association’s Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023

Books have a long history of attracting challenges to their presence on library shelves. Banned Books Week takes place annually during the Fall, with the goals of raising public awareness of book censorship and attempts at censorship, and honoring Americans’ freedom to read materials of their own choosing, a constitutional right guaranteed by the First Amendment. The theme of Banned Books Week 2024 is “Freed Between the Lines.”

Indianapolis’s own Kurt Vonnegut, whose “Slaughterhouse-Five” novel was challenged, banned, and even burned in a North Dakota high school furnace in 1973, had much to say about censorship and attempts to censor books in schools and libraries, including:
“The freedom to choose or reject ideas, to read books of our choice…is the very bedrock of our free society.”

The following list contains challenged and/or banned books in two categories, the American Library Association’s Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and challenged and banned books written by Indiana authors including Kurt Vonnegut, John Green, and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.

Freedom to Read — Local Challenges

In support of the freedom to read, the Indianapolis Public Library seeks to share information about challenged books during banned books week. The books on this list have been challenged locally at the Indianapolis Public Library. We’ve included the reason for the challenges, and a brief description of the library’s response to the challenges. It includes a mix of books for children, teens and adults. Content warning: The descriptions in the list contain mature content.

IndyStar September 24, 2024: Hoosiers Challenged These 346 Books at Indiana Libraries Last Year. Is Your Favorite Listed?

Title - Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?

To kick off the week in 2023, we celebrated the Freedom to Read with John Green

We hosted #1 New York Times bestselling author and Indianapolis resident, John Green and former Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) educator and Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley (District 46) on October 2 at Central Library. To a packed house, John and Andrea discussed the importance of protecting our freedom to read. We don’t have a recording of John’s talk but can share eight memorable highlights:

What we read shapes what we think. The best example of this in a book is Fahrenheit 451.
Libraries don’t exist for everyone to be comfortable with every book in the library. I have profound disagreements with some books in the library, and that’s ok.
When people tell you who they are, believe them.
There is power in the story. Structures of power try to take stories. Books that get banned are often the most needed. We have to fight to keep them in libraries.
I am heartened by all the people working on our problems. Look for the people trying to address these problems. Find hope in that.
Nothing can be truly neutral, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work toward an array of voices. You can’t be neutral, but you can be inclusive.
If we are going to make progress together, we have to assume a position of a good faith conversation.

Green’s community discussion underscores the importance of unrestricted access to information and the power of literature to challenge conventional norms.

Green’s young adult (YA) novel Looking for Alaska is listed among the American Library Association’s most banned books in 2022, and it has been referenced in nationwide discussions on book banning and reshelving in schools and public libraries. His YA novel, The Fault In Our Stars, has also been challenged and pulled from the shelves of school library collections and public libraries.

At The Indianapolis Public Library, Green’s titles are on the shelf in the Teen collection, circulating and in demand. Listen to The Indianapolis Public Library’s CEO, Gregory A. Hill, Sr., share The Library’s role in protecting a community’s freedom to read.

“When we ban books, we’re closing readers off to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen.” The American Library Association

WFYI Presents a Documentary: Read or Restrict

Conservative activists and parents have put pressure on local schools and library boards to remove certain books from their collections. Many of the targeted titles feature LGBTQ and other minority characters, beloved by young adult readers who want to see themselves reflected in literature. Critics of these titles label them as obscene or inappropriate for kids. But who gets to decide?

The film includes interviews with:

Jason Aukerman, Center for Ray Bradbury Studies
Micah Beckwith, Life Church & former Hamilton County Library board member
Jonathan Friedman, PEN America
Leah Johnson, Young Adult novelist and owner of Loudmouth Books
Diane Rogers, Indiana Library Federation
Jim Tomes, Indiana Senator

Watch the documentary Read or Restrict. Aired March 12, 2023.

Dig Deeper

If you want to dig deeper about our mission as a library you can read the Library Bill of Rights stating the rights of library users to intellectual freedom and the role public libraries play to support those rights. For more information about banned and challenged books, visit ala.org/bbooks. You might also find interesting The Freedom to Read Statement, which explains why the freedom to read is essential to our democracy. To learn more, browse our book list How Censorship Impacts the First Amendment. IndyPL’s own Materials Selection Policy is also available.

Choose one of these outstanding books by authors whose writing is made unique and compelling by the ancestry they trace to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American or other Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean. Read one, listen to one, suggest one for your book club, or read one to your child or class!

Explore more ways you can visit the Library or use your library card to join in the celebration of Hispanic history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month.

1. Download and stream books by Hispanic and Latino authors.

Choose e-books, audiobooks, music, movies, or e-comics on Hoopla from their Hispanic Heritage Month Collection. Hoopla is one of our digital borrowing platforms. It includes materials for all ages. You can borrow 10 Items each month from Hoopla using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Hoopla before, Hoopla directions are available as well as a Hoopla video tutorial.

You can also stream movies from Kanopy’s Hispanic American Collection. Kanopy is one of our streaming movie platforms. It has movies and TV shows for all ages. You can borrow 20 Items each month from Kanopy using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before review these Kanopy directions or watch a Kanopy video tutorial.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

2. Check out a book by a Hispanic or Latino author.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

For Adults:

For Kids:

For Teens:

4. Read an award winner.

Find many books to share with children in our collection of Pura Belpre Medal winners. This medal is awarded each year for both writing and illustration to recognize literature that best celebrates the Latino cultural experience. Try one of the winners:

2024 Author and Illustrator Winner Mexikid a Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin
2024 Young Adult Author Award Winner Saints of the Household by Ari Tison.
2023 Author Winner Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
2023 Illustrator Winner Where Wonder Grows by Xelena Gonzalez
2022 Author Winner The Last Storyteller by Donna Barba Higuera
2022 Illustrator Winner Come On! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third
2021 Author Winner Efren Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
2021 Illustrator Winner Come On! Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

Novelist Plus makes finding books by Latine authors easier. Browse recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books all by latine authors on Novelist. Select the option to “Check Availability” to see if a book is available to borrow from IndyPL. Click on a book cover to read a brief description. See star ratings,and get ideas for read alikes.

6. Subscribe to a Spanish newsletter from NextReads.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly for help finding books in Spanish by Hispanic and Latino authors. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a sample issue and Subscribe to NextReads!

Tags Authors, Hispanic/Latino

Beginning September 15th and continuing through the middle of October, it is Hispanic Heritage Month. Here are several ways you can visit the Library or use your library card to join in the celebration of Hispanic history and culture!

Read books by Hispanic and Latino authors.

See our to guide Finding books by Hispanic and Latino Authors. Enjoy this convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog. Easily place requests or check out e-books or audiobooks. Find award books, check out an e-book or downloadable audiobook, and find reading recommendations from our staff.

Choose a book written by an author whose writing is made unique and compelling by the ancestry they trace to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American or other Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean. Read one, listen to one, suggest one for your book club, or read one to your child or class!

Explore Hispanic history and culture.

Use your Library card to explore the history and culture of Latinos. Explore hundreds of primary source documents like maps, images, audio clips, interviews, music, and more at The Latino American Experience.

Receive an email newsletter featuring popular Spanish titles.

Receive reading recommendations of recently added Spanish materials. Subscribe to our monthly Spanish email newsletter or view the most recent issue.

Stream a movie with your Library card.

You can also stream movies from Kanopy’s Hispanic American Collection. Kanopy is a streaming movie platform. It has movies and TV shows for all ages. You can borrow 20 Items each month from Kanopy using your IndyPL Library card. If you have never borrowed from Kanopy before here are some directions and a video tutorial.

Begin learning or practice Spanish on your phone, tablet, or computer.

You can take a self-paced lesson in Mango anytime, anywhere. Each lesson combines real scenarios and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions. Fun, interactive courses help you practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Additional segments share an appreciation for cultural nuance and real-world application. Watch this video tutorial or learn more about Mango.

Tags Hispanic/Latino

Here are tips to help you find your next read as well as a convenient clickable list of authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books or audiobooks. See also If You Like Amish and Mennonite Fiction.

1. Find award winning Christian fiction.

The Christy awards are presented annually to recognize novels of excellence written from a Christian worldview. See Christy Award winners in our collection here.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse our OverDrive Christian Fiction Collection of e-books and downloadable audiobooks you can borrow with your IndyPL library card.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

4. Make a selection from one of these Christian fiction authors.

5. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning historical romance books. Once you login with your IndyPL library card, Once you login with your IndyPL library card, choose the “Christian fiction” category from the genre list on the left. Click on a book to read a brief description or see a star rating. Click “Check Availability” to see if the book is available to borrow from IndyPL.

6. Subscribe to a Christian fiction email newsletter.

Subscribe to NextReads to receive romance reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It’s FREE! See a Christian fiction sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads!

7. Find a book discussion near you!

You are invited to join in one of our many in-person or online book discussions that take place several times each month. In our book discussion groups we read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books. We express our opinions (both likes and dislikes!) with other avid readers in the city.

Event: Virtual Author Talk: Native Rights and Culture in Fiction
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 7:00pm
Location: Online
Description: You’re invited to join us as Mona Susan Power chats about her newest novel A Council of Dolls. This conversation highlights how her work explores Native Rights and Native American culture, in particular using an important symbol that anchors comfort and companionship in Native life: dolls.
Register Here

Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 10:00am
Location: Spades Park Branch
Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading.
No Registration Required.

Need help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Tags If You Like, Religion

Child wearing a backpack going to school for the first time.

In The King of Kindergarten, a little boy’s parents encourage him and fill him with confidence in the time leading up to his first day of school. He can be the King of it, even if he doesn’t know everything yet! “It sounds like a lot, but you’re the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake.” This joyful attitude about how to welcome new experiences helps him have a great first day of kindergarten! The parents in The King of Kindergarten help by passing on the excitement of learning and the perspective that even if something is difficult at first – there will be a classroom of friends and a teacher to learn with. Learning will be fun! You can listen to The King of Kindergarten right now, read by Alvin Irby from Barbershop Books. Its starting school storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

What did the boy eat for breakfast? What is your favorite breakfast?
What did the boy in the story do that was very brave?
How was the boy going to get to school?
What did the father use to measure how tall the boy was?

Read!

Another great idea to get ready for the first day of school is reading books about other kids and favorite characters who are ALSO worried about the first day of school. Stories featuring the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George and more can help your child practice what it might feel like to be anxious about school and learn great strategies for having fun instead!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about starting school at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about starting school from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about starting school right now! It’s starting school storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

Kindergarten Jitters – More Books to Check Out

Starting school for the first time can be scary or overwhelming! Covering topics from leaving parents and siblings at home, to riding the school bus, to meeting new classmates and eating lunch in the cafeteria, these picture books help new students understand what to expect on their first day, and teach them to cope with nervousness or anxiety.

Title - Butterflies on the First Day of School

Sing!

This sing-a-long will help you get excited to go to school! Watch Marshall, Skye, Chase, Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Molly, Gil, Bot, and Geo reimagined as fuzzy felt friends singing about school.

Write!

Find a pencil or pen, some crayons or markers to color a school picture, practice writing the letters , or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Here are nine classic preschool games your new student is bound to play at school. Give them a heads up by pre-playing some of these crowd pleasers together!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

Event: Reading Ready Time – Nutcracker Fun
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 12:00am
Location: Online
Description: Children 3-6 are invited to a virtual Library visit! The Indianapolis Ballet shares the story of The Nutcracker followed by a dance lesson.  On your toes, everyone!  Visit https://bit.ly/readingreadytime for this program.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Warren – Baby & Toddler
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:15am
Location: Warren Branch
Description: Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and their adults are invited for stories, songs, toys, and more.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
Location: Fort Ben Branch
Description: Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and fingerplays followed by an art and craft time.
No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Tags Storytime Online

Beginning or reluctant readers ages 6 – 11 are often invited to read aloud to a registered therapy dog in our libraries – a dog who loves to listen to stories! Children register to read for a 15 minute paws to read session. Reading to a dog is a great way to improve a child’s reading skills and self-confidence. Children may read from any book they choose.

Event: Paws to Read at Glendale
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 26, 6:00pm
Location: Glendale Branch
Description: Beginning or reluctant readers ages 6 – 11 are invited to read to a registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. It’s a great way to improve a child’s reading skills and self-confidence. Register online or call the branch at 317-275-4410, ext. 4.
Register Here

Event: Paws to Read at West Perry
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 03, 5:30pm
Location: West Perry Branch
Description: Young ones who need to practice their reading skills are invited to come read to Daisy, a therapy dog. Register for a 15 minute reading session by visiting the West Perry branch or calling (317) 275-4390.
No Registration Required.

Event: Paws to Read at Beech Grove
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 03, 6:30pm
Location: Beech Grove Branch
Description: School-aged children who are beginning or reluctant readers are invited to read to a non-judgmental registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories – on the first Tuesday evening of each month! Spaces are limited, so please visit the Beech Grove Branch to register your young reader in person.
No Registration Required.

If your child has never tried reading to a dog before and wants to learn a little about what that might be like to attend a paws to read session, listen below to the story, Madeline Finn and the Library Dog. Meet Madeline, who does not like to read. She doesn’t like to read books, magazines, or even the menu on the ice cream truck! Mrs. Dimple, the librarian, suggests Madeline read to a dog, and so Madeline meets Bonnie, who is beautiful, like a big snowy polar bear, and a very good listener! When Madeline can’t get the words right, Bonnie doesn’t mind. Madeline realizes it’s ok to go slow and keep trying.

Here are some more dog stories you can listen to, just click on a book jacket to hear the story!

Websites, Printables & Activities:

e-Books & Audiobooks:

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about dogs at any of our locations, or check out dog e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books or learn how to use audiobooks.

Looking for even more books to read about dogs? Try these recommendations from IndyPL staff:

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Tags Animals

Kids love dogs. Our librarians do too! When asked which book dogs are their favorite for storytime, Harry the Dirty Dog and Bark, George won by a landslide! Harry is the story of a pooch who doesn’t want to take a bath. George is about a puppy whose mother can’t seem to teach him how to bark. “Meow,” says George! Watch the video of Betty White reading Harry the Dirty Dog right now! It’s Dog storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

What does Harry look like?
What does Harry do to avoid taking a bath?
Why does Harry decide to leave home?
What did Harry do to show his family who he was?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about dogs at any of our locations, or check out Dog e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for e-books and alearn how to use it for audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories starring dogs right now! It’s dog storytime online! Did you like these? You can find even more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and IndyPL’s DIY Storytimes at Home.

Picture Books for Kids in Puppy Love to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - IndyPL Librarian Picks: Picture Books for Kids in Puppy Love Kids love dogs. Our librarians do too! When asked which book dogs are their favorite for story time, Harry the Dirty Dog and Bark, George won by a landslide! Here are some suggestions from them for little readers who can’t get enough puppy love. E-books and downloadable audiobooks are available.

Sing!

Are you ready for a PAW Patrol sing along? PAW patrol is on a roll with this compilation of PAW Patrol nursery rhymes!

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Set up an outdoor hunt, but instead of Easter eggs, hunt for dog bones! Or, instead of “Simon Says” play “The Dog Trainer Says” so kids can sit, bark, stay, and fetch – just like their favorite dog storybook characters!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

Event: Reading Ready Time – Nutcracker Fun
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 12:00am
Location: Online
Description: Children 3-6 are invited to a virtual Library visit! The Indianapolis Ballet shares the story of The Nutcracker followed by a dance lesson.  On your toes, everyone!  Visit https://bit.ly/readingreadytime for this program.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Warren – Baby & Toddler
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:15am
Location: Warren Branch
Description: Babies and toddlers up to 36 months and their adults are invited for stories, songs, toys, and more.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 20, 10:30am
Location: Fort Ben Branch
Description: Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and fingerplays followed by an art and craft time.
No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Tags Animals, Storytime Online

“Running! If there’s any activity happier, more exhilarating, more nourishing to the imagination, I can’t think of what it might be.”
—Joyce Carol Oates

Check out these ideas for inspirational books, music, movies and local opportunities to jump start your training season running in Indianapolis.

Local Races and Great Places to Run

If you’re interested in training for a 5K or half marathon, there are lots of local resources to help you get ready. The Indy YMCAs offer training programs – check their website for more information. The National Institute for Fitness and Sport, right here in Indianapolis, also offers half marathon training.

There are a number of groups in the city devoted to fitness and running that are free and welcoming! Check out Black Girls Run, November Project, Black Men Run, and Indy Runners.

Many local running stores also offer training as well as free group runs. Ask them about what they might offer.

Once you’re ready to race, look for events on these online calendars:

Running Paths Near Libraries

Pair a good run with a Library visit! Many of our locations are within a short distance of excellent places to run, making running in Indianapolis even more fun!

Central Library – Cultural Trail and the Canal Towpath
College Avenue – Monon Trail
Garfield Park – Garfield Park Trail and Pleasant Run Trail
Glendale – Monon Trail
Irvington – Pennsy Trail and Pleasant Run Trail
Nora – Monon Trail
Pike – Northwestway Park
Spades Park – Pogue’s Run Trail

There are races practically every weekend too, from 5Ks to full marathons and triathlons. So what are you waiting for? Lace up your shoes and start running! Browse the running books below to inspire you or queue up an audiobook or some new music – free with your IndyPL library card!

New Titles for Runners

I like to read about running as much as I like to run! Here are some new titles in our collection for fans and students of the sport.

Title - Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World

Tags Sports & Fitness

Improve your knitting skills with free online tutorials.

Learning to knit or improving your knitting skills has never been easier. All you need is your IndyPL library card! You can use your IndyPL Library card to take a Craftsy class and watch step-by-step instructions on a variety of creative crafts, such as baking, cake decorating, quilting, knitting, and more. Learn more about how to use the Craftsy craft tutorials.

Need help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

Get inspiration for improving your knitting skills.

If you need more evidence for the power of making, or something to read or listen to while you work, check out the following books on how creation can help bring meaning and purpose to our lives:

A Craftsman’s Legacy: Why Working With Our Hands Gives Us Meaning by Eric Gorges
Making A Life: Working by Hand and Discovering the Life You Are Meant to Live by Melanie Falick
Embrace your Weird: A Guided Journal for Facing your Fears and Unleashing Creativity By Felicia Day

Join us at an upcoming Library program.

Join one of our monthly knitting groups! We also offer arts and crafts classes and workshps throughout the year for kids, teens, and adults. See our full schedule of Arts and Crafts programs.

Event: Fiber Arts Club at Lawrence
Date & Time: Saturday, November 23, 10:30am
Location: Lawrence Branch
Description: Knitters, crocheters, and fiber artists of all kinds are welcome to join a monthly group of like-minded people who love to knit and crochet; no matter the level of proficiency or the age. Please register. Walk-ins welcome when space is available. We are not able to accommodate large groups.
Register Here

Event: Crochet-A-Long at Michigan Road
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 03, 6:00pm
Location: Michigan Road Branch
Description: Those who enjoy crocheting, knitting, or other fiber arts are invited to learn a new craft and make something for the homeless. Basic supplies will be provided at the meeting.
No Registration Required.

Event: Stitch Some Support
Date & Time: Monday, December 09, 6:00pm
Location: Southport Branch
Description: Are you interested in yarncrafting with a spin on community service? Join us for an evening of crochet and knitting at Southport! A new project, skill, and donation recipient will be featured at each meeting, with options for beginners and experienced crafters alike.
Register Here

Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff.

Knitting Pop Culture

It’s hot outside! If you’re staying indoors, binge-watching movies and tv shows, try knitting while you watch. This winter you could be wearing mittens inspired by Little Women, a hat inspired by The Great Gatsby, a knitted Princess Leia’s snow vest, a homemade knitted sweater of your favorite Disney character, or a Hogwarts house cardigan.

Crafty Characters – Fiction About Knitting

Lacking the motivation to pick up the needles these days? Or are you an aspiring knitter looking for literary inspiration? These novels on knitting will keep you busy either way.

Knitting My Way to Peace

I’ll be honest, I love to knit. I find it very soothing and relaxing. I enjoy tv more when my hands are busy. Knitting is easy to learn and The Library has lots of resources to help the neophyte and challenge the veteran knitter.

Title - Learn How to Knit With 50 Squares

Title - The Chicks With Sticks Guide to Knitting

Needlework and Mysteries

Needlework of all kinds….sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving and embroidery are featured in these first books of various mystery series.

Knitting!

Whether you are a beginning knitter or the nerdiest of needlers, the collection at the Indianapolis Public Library has materials for you. Check out our array of books, online resources, and DVDs that are sure to get your needles clicking and your yarn flying!

Tags Adult Skills, Arts & Crafts

If you love airplanes, try out some of these paper creations in Building Vehicles That Fly. These paper engineering projects will help you learn the science behind how planes are designed and built. If you understand how the forces of aerodynamics work, you can make a paper airplane that flies really far! In several of the books listed below the directions are really clear with color photographs to help you make the folds correctly. Start out with a couple easy ones and then try something more challenging.

What You Need

Paper
Pencil
Ruler
Paper Clips

Do an experiment with three paper airplanes folding the exact same way with the exact same size of paper. Fly all three planes and measure how far they go. What happens if you add one paperclip to each? What happens of you add 2? Or 3? Record your results.

Websites, Printables & Activities

You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.

e-Books & Audiobooks

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about paper airplanes at any of our locations, or check out paper airplane e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and learn how to use audiobooks.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. Additionally, the Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Paper Airplanes – Draw or Fold These Aerodynamic Marvels

If you love airplanes, try out some of these paper creations and engineering projects to learn the science behind how planes are designed and built.

Title - Star Fleet Paper Airplanes for Kids

Title - Out of This World Paper Airplanes Ebook

Title - Making A Paper Airplane and Other Paper Toys

Tags Homework Help, Science Experiments

If you love learning, the Library can provide many opportunities. You can read books and e-books, listen to audiobooks, and watch movies on practically every topic imaginable. You may not know that you can also learn from some of the world’s leading experts via The Great Courses offered through Kanopy. Kanopy is an on-demand video streaming service available to IndyPL library card holders. Have you explored this fantastic learning opportunity?

The Great Courses are college level classes you can enjoy on your own schedule. The classes are designed for people who want to learn without working toward a degree. There are no deadlines or tests to worry about. Some of the classes include supplemental materials, so be sure to download the PDFs, where available. The classes are completely free. You don’t even need to spend any of your monthly Kanopy credits to watch them, so dive in to Kanopy Great Courses and start learning!

For example, The Great Courses offers The National Geographic Guide to Birding in North America class. This class can help someone become a skillful birdwatcher.

There are episodes about bird anatomy, habitat, behavior migration, and more. The program even goes on a virtual journey to some of the best birding sites in North America. If you don’t have time right now to do the entire 24 episode class, you can take as long as you’d like or skip ahead to something that interests you. That’s not something you couldn’t do if you were enrolled in a class that met in person each week! Kanopy has wonderful flexibility.

The Great Courses cover Finance, Health, Hobbies, Food and Wine, History, Literature and Language, Math and Science, Music and Fine Arts, Philosophy, Professional and Personal Growth, Travel, Programs for Young Learners and more. See some of our Staff’s favorites!

How to Get Started on The Great Courses in Kanopy

Have questions? Call the Tinker Tech/Device Helpline at 317-275-4500 or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

TIP: Many of The Great Courses are also available on DVD, Audio Book CD, or as a downloadable audiobooks through Libby. Search “The Great Courses” in our online catalog.

Barbara Ann O’Leary, a Computer Lab Assistant at Central Library. Barbara has a voracious appetite for exploring a wide range of topics and enjoys helping people use digital technology to expand their horizons.

Tags e-Books & Streaming, Movies & TV

Sometimes when atoms come together to form a molecule, one end of the molecule has a positive charge and one end of the molecule has a negative charge. When this happens the molecule is called a polar molecule. Molecules that do not have two different electrical poles are called non-polar molecules. For today’s demonstration you will make a lava bottle to observe polar and non-polar molecules.

This experiment will show you how polar molecules and non-polar molecules behave when added together. If two kinds of molecules are added together that are both polar molecules, they will mix. They are miscible. Miscible means that the two things can mix together. If two non-polar molecules are added together they will also mix and are miscible. However, if a non-polar molecule and a polar molecule are added together, they will NOT mix together. This is called imiscible. Imiscible means that the two kinds of molecules CANNOT mix together.

What You Need

Plastic Bottle
Water
Vegetable Oil
Food coloring
Measuring Cups
Alka Seltzer

Instructions to Make a Lava Bottle

Fill the bottle about 3/4 of the way up with vegetable oil. Fill the bottle the rest of the way up with water. Now add some drops of food coloring. Close the cap on the bottle and shake it up. What happens?

Break the alka seltzer tablet in half. Open the bottle and drop in one half. What happens? Once the bubbles settle down drop in the other half. What happens again?

Water is a polar molecule. Vegetable oil is a non-polar molecule. These two substances do not mix together, they are imiscible (they will not mix together). That’s why you see the blobs of water bobbing around in the oil. Food coloring is a polar molecule so it WILL mix with the water. The water and the food coloring are both polar molecules and will mix together. That’s why the water blobs turn the color of the food coloring and the oil does not.

The alka seltzer just makes the lava bottle more fun because it makes the colorful water blobs move without shaking the bottle. The alka seltzer tablets dissolve in the the water and make carbon dioxide gas (like we saw vinegar and baking soda do in the Exploding Ziploc Experiment. The carbon dioxide gas bubbles attach to the colorful water blobs and make them float to the top of the bottle. When the gas bubbles pop there is no gas bubble to hold up the water blob, so it slowly floats back down to the bottom of the bottle.

Websites, Activities & Printables

You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.

e-Books and Audiobooks

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Science Experiments at any of our locations, or check out science experiment e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and learn how to use audiobooks.

Atoms, Molecules and the Elements in the Periodic Table for Kids

The photographs, diagrams and creative storytelling in these books make the building blocks of the universe understandable…and fun! Find out about the scientists and discoveries which helped us find out what makes up all the stuff of the universe.

Title - Inspecting Elements & the Periodic Table

Title - The Micro World of Atoms and Molecules

Title - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Elements

Tags Homework Help, Science Experiments

Sir Isaac Newton, an English scientist born in 1642, discovered three important principles of physics that describe how things move. Consequently, the principles bear his name, Newton’s First, Second, and Third Laws of Motion. Today’s experiment demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion. It says that for every action there is an equal and opposite re-action. Basically, if an object is pushed, that object will push back in the opposite direction, equally hard.

Websites, Activities & Printables

You can ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.

e-Books and Audiobooks

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Sir Isaac Newton at any of our locations, or check out Sir Isaac Newton e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and learn how to use audiobooks.

Newton’s Laws of Motion: The Science Behind How Things Move

Newton’s Laws of Motion explain force and motion, or why things move the way they do. They are great concepts to explore by doing a science experiment. These are especially good science project ideas for kids who like to move! The concepts can often be explained using sports equipment or by understanding how amusement park rides work. These books offer ideas for physics experiments that demonstrate force and motion and the laws that govern them. Some of them provide the background information needed for the report that is often required to go with projects for the science fair.

Title - Isaac Newton and the Laws of Motion

Title - Awesome Physics Experiments for Kids

Title - A Crash Course in Forces and Motion With Max Axiom, Super Scientist

Tags Homework Help, Science Experiments

Crystals are made when a substance has atoms or molecules that form in a very organized, repeating, 3D pattern. When we think of crystals we often think of some well-known gemstones like diamonds or rubies. But there are some very common crystals too like sugar, ice, snowflakes, and salt.

Learn more about the naturally occurring crystal formation of snow and ice by reading Curious About Snow. Find out the science behind how snow crystals form, the stories of record setting snowstorms, and an introduction to the life and work of photographer Wilson Bentley. Bentley made it his life’s work to study and photograph snowflakes. It is because of Wilson Bentley that we know no two snowflakes are alike!

Enjoy Bentley’s fascinating biography, Snowflake Bentley. You know what is really amazing about him? He made his discoveries in the 1890s! He invented and used a special device that combined a microscope with a camera to capture his microscopic pictures. The book includes some of Bentley’s actual snow crystal photographs.

You can make a scientific observation yourself or do a crystal experiment at home by growing borax crystals. Borax is a laundry detergent booster. You can find borax in the laundry room at home or in the laundry detergent section at the grocery store.

What You Need to Grow Borax Crystals at Home

Try this experiment at home! You will need:

Glass Jar
Pencil or Pen
String
Pipe Cleaner
Borax
Pitcher
Measuring Cup
Tablespoon
Hot Tap Water
Piece of Yarn or Cotton String, about 6 inches long

Instructions for Growing Borax Crystals

Fill a pitcher with 3 cups hot tap water. (Not so hot that you can’t touch it!) Add 3 tablespoons of Borax for each cup of water. We used 3 cups of hot tap water and 9 tablespoons of Borax. A mason jar was a great container for this. Stir the mixture.

If all of the Borax dissolves, add a little more Borax and stir. Add Borax until the water can’t dissolve it anymore – the mixture is saturated. That means the water is holding as much of the Borax as it can. In fact, this solution is supersaturated, that means the water is holding even more Borax than it normally would because the water has been heated. Now pour this supersaturated solution in the glass jar.

Make a shape out of the pipe cleaners and tie one end of the string to it. We made a snowflake shape out of pipe cleaners to see if we could make a snowflake crystal. Tie the other end of the string to the middle of the pen. Hang the pipe cleaner shape down in the jar with the pen across the top of the jar to keep it from touching the bottom of the jar. Watch what happens in the jar over the next few weeks.

Here is what our crystals looked like after growing on the pipe cleaner snowflake for about 2 weeks. The secret to growing borax crystals is having a supersaturated solution.

Science Experiment Idea

Grow three different borax crystal snowflakes. You need three glass jars that are exactly alike. Fill one with cold tap water and one with hot tap water. Get an adult to help you fill the last jar with boiling water. Now add Borax a little a time to each jar until the Borax will not dissolve anymore. The warmer the water, the more Borax will dissolve in the water. That’s because heating the water helps it become supersaturated. Now add a pipe cleaner snowflake to each jar and compare the crystals that grow over the next couple of weeks. Which jar has the most crystals? Which jar has the largest crystals?

Websites, Activities & Printables

You can also ask a math and science expert for homework help by calling the Ask Rose Homework Hotline. They provide FREE math and science homework help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.

e-Books and Audiobooks

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about crystals at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about crystals from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use e-books and learn how to use audiobooks.

Explore the Science of Crystals from Minerals to Gems to Snowflakes

Learn about the qualities and identifying characteristics of crystals, the amazing naturally occurring patterns that happen in both minerals and snowflakes. No two are exactly alike, and yet each one has a uniform and repeating pattern. You can study how crystals form by growing some of your own!

Tags Homework Help, Science Experiments