Author Raymond Burroughs to Speak at Freeport Branch

The Freeport Library, a branch of the Brazoria County Library System, will host author Raymond Burroughs at 2 p.m. November 3 in the library’s  meeting room. Burroughs, an architect, will talk about his near-death experience, and how it changed his life forever. His memoir, “God Smiles for Me: Why Death Could Not Hold Me,” will be available for purchase, and refreshments will be provided by Freeport Friends of the Library.

At the age of 33, Burroughs was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was pressing on his spinal cord. With less than six weeks to live, Burroughs and his family prayed for a miracle. A successful experimental surgery gave Burroughs a new sense of hope and purpose, and he made a promise to live a God-filled life.

Burroughs will tell his inspirational story of what happened during the 16-hour surgery, his journey of pain, healing and personal growth.

The Freeport Library is located at 410 Brazosport Blvd in Freeport. For more information, please contact the branch at 979-233-3622.

Cynthia & Greg Leitich Smith to Speak at Freeport Branch

The Freeport Library, a branch of the Brazoria County Library System, will host authors Cynthia Leitich Smith and Greg Leitich Smith at 3 p.m. on October 6. Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith are authors of books for young readers. They will speak about their work and experiences, followed by a book signing. 

Cynthia is the New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly best-selling author of “Tantalize”, “Eternal”, “Blessed”, “Diabolical” and “Tantalize: Kieren’s Story,” all Gothic fantasies from Candlewick Press. Her award winning books for younger children include “Holler Loudly”, “Jingle Dancer” and “Rain Is Not My Indian Name.” Cynthia was the first author to be named Spirit of Texas author by the Texas Library Association. Her book “Santa Knows” was co-authored by her husband Greg and is their first book written together. 

Greg is the author of “Tofu and T. Rex,” “Chronal Engine,” and “Ninjas, Piranhas and Galileo,” which was a 2006 Parent’s Choice Gold Winner and was also named to the 2006 list of ALA popular paperbacks. 

Books by both authors will be available to purchase at the event, and the library will give free copies of their books to 25 lucky teens. Cynthia’s website was named one of the top 10 Writer Sites on the Internet by Writer’s Digest and an ALA Great Website for Kids by the American Library Association.

The Freeport Library is located at 410 Brazosport Blvd in Freeport. For more information, contact the branch at 979-233-3622.

NPR's Back-Seat Book Club

National Public Radio has an online book club for children ages nine to 14. In November, they're reading the classic book "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster.

"The Phantom Tollbooth" was published in 1961 and fifty years later it is still popular. Our library's copies have checked out a total of 167 times as of this writing.

From the book's jacket copy:

This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish, yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom...

In addition to reading the book, participants are encouraged to interact with the book's author.

Check out a copy of the book. Send the author a message. And don't forget to tell us what you thought about Milo and his journey!