Budget-minded travelers can check out these books

Question of the Week: We don’t have a lot of money for travel this spring break so I am looking for things to do with my kids that don’t cost very much. Can the library help me with this?

Answer: Of course. Staying close to home can keep your travel budget down. Check out these books on Michigan travel: Fun with the Family Michigan by Bill Semion, Off the Beaten Path Michigan: A Guide to Unique Places by Jim DuFresne and Backroads & Byways of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips and Weekend Excursions by Matt Forster. Also visit www.michigan.org for other trip ideas. If you are planning to leave the state, try the Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel or for that driving trip to Florida Kid’s Love I-75. New at the Library 1.”Leopard” (Jo Nesbo) After two young women are found dead, both drowned in their own blood, Inspector Harry Hole is compelled to return to Norway to see his dying father and to investigate the brutal crime, which may be the work of a serial killer. (Adult Fiction)

2. “Magic of the Moonlight: A Full Moon Novel” (Ellen Schreiber) As 17-year-old Celeste seeks a cure for her werewolf boyfriend, Brandon, Legend's Run's highly anticipated Moonlight Ball is approaching, and Celeste must decide if she is willing to risk attending with Brandon and possibly revealing his secret to the entire school when the moon appears. (Young Adult Fiction)

3. “Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY and the

Lost Story of 1970.” (David Browne) (Non- Fiction)

4. “Sports Illustrated Kids All Access” (Aimee Crawford) This is a fascinating book for sports lovers of all ages. The large size book shows behindthe scenes photos of sports stars, locker rooms and gear, starting with a large photo of the Red Wings locker room. There is a full size photo showing the size of Shaquille O'Neal's hand next to one of

Shawn Johnson's, showing the difference in their size.

Acetate overlays display the inside of a NASCAR team hauler. (Juvenile

Non-Fiction)

5. “Lunatics” (Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel) Philip Horkman is a happy man — the owner of a pet store called The

Wine Shop, and on

Sundays a referee for kids’ soccer. Jeffrey Peckerman is the sole sane person in a world filled with jerks and morons, and he's having a really bad day. The two of them are about to collide in a swiftly escalating series of events that will send them running for their lives, pursued by the police, soldiers, terrorists, subversives, bears, and a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese. (Adult Audiobook)

This column is a regular feature submitted by five library systems in Lapeer County: Almont District, Dryden Township, Lapeer District (8 locations), North Branch Township, Ruth Hughes Memorial District (2 locations). Find out more about them all at www.lapeer.org under “Libraries.” Check your local library for the specific events and items they have. Books they do not own, they will borrow for you. Upcoming Events:

Join Dave & Al Eicher in a presentation of Michigan Lumbering Days & Camp Life at the Marguerite de Angeli Branch of the Lapeer District Library on February 27, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Call the library at (810) 664-6971 for more information.

Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library is hosting Jenifer Strauss on Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. She is presenting an action packed evening of story and story activities designed for families. Call the library at (810) 724-8043 for more information