By Beverly Ewart
A Spellbinding Novel!
To understand the brilliance of my pun, you will need to read Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent. This novel has been keeping me up at night; a captivating story involving ancient (and old) words, bits of the Bard, and complicated, loveable Lexicographers.
If you are a punster, a lover of words and language, or just like to puzzle out a good old-fashioned mystery, this is a story I highly recommend!
Guilty by Definition: A Novel by Susie Dent. When an anonymous letter is delivered to the Clarendon English Dictionary, it puzzles the team of lexicographers working there. It soon becomes clear that this is not the usual eccentric enquiry. The letter hints at secrets, lies, and a particular year. For Martha Thornhill, the new Senior Editor, the date can mean only one the summer her brilliant, beautiful older sister Charlie went missing. After a decade spent living abroad, Martha has returned to her father, her home, and the city whose institutions have defined her family. But the ghosts she had thought to be at rest seem to have been waiting for her to return. When more letters arrive and the team pulls apart the clues within them, the questions become more insistent and troubling. Charlie had been keeping a powerful secret, but as the mystery of her disappearance starts to unravel, someone is trying to lead the lexicographers to the truth, while another is desperate to keep it buried. — Provided by publisher.
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Chess Club at CFL – Chess Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4. Tuesday is free play with Ryan Nolan and designed for those that have some experience.
Thursday’s weekly session is with Zachary Woodley-White and is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to play. We offer rudimentary instruction and a judgement free space for younger players to establish and build on their fundamentals. No registration needed, ages 12 and below. Questions? Contact Zach at zwoodleywhite@ncls.org
Grab a board, find a friend, and start a game at any open table in the Main Reading Room. Other board games are available or bring your own.
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TEEN ANIME meets on Thursdays from 5-7pm.
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Children’s Programming at the Canton Free Library:
O-17 months: Baby Storytime is for our library babies and their caregivers. We’ll share books, bounce rhymes, songs, finger plays, lots of smiles, and then close with social/play time. Tuesdays 10:30-11:30 am. No registration is needed.
18-35 months: Toddler Storytime for children and their caregivers. We’ll share books, rhymes, music, movement, and lots more early literacy fun! Mondays 10:30-11:00 am. No registration is necessary during the school year.
3-5 years: Preschool Storytime is for children and their caregivers. Stories, songs, movement, crafts, friends, and lots of fun! Wednesdays 10:30-11:15 am. No registration is needed during the school year.
K-2nd grade: Each month at Books and Beyond, we’ll explore themes with books, activities, games, and art. Books and Beyond meets each third Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm. Registration for each month is required by the Monday before the program.
3rd-6th grade: Tween Time offers a mix of cool crafts, art exploration, games, STEAM, and book talks of popular and classic literature. Tween Time meets every fourth Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm. Registration for each month is required by the Monday before the program.
K-6th grade: Lego Club: A different challenge/theme will be given at the start of each meeting. Lego Club meets on the last Monday of the month (unless that’s a holiday, whereupon the date will be announced) from 3:00-4:00pm. Registration is required by the Friday before the program, but it fills fast! Don’t wait!
Ages 5-up: Arts After School: Artist Kris Rozelle will lead a different art project each month for kids 5 and up. Arts After School is free, but registration is needed for each class. Since class size is limited, please let us know if your registered child cannot attend so another child may have their spot. Thanks!
Battle of the Books: The 2026 list for the NCLS Battle of the Books for children in grades 4-6 is out! It may be found on our website, our Facebook page, or you may pick up a copy in the children’s room at the library.
For questions or registration email Ms. Val at vwhite@ncls.org or
call 315-386-3712 ext. 4
Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Canton Free Library and the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau.
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Curbside Service is always available: Call (315) 386-3712 and choose option 1 “Front Desk,” or send an email to canlib@ncls.org.
MORLEY BRANCH is open Tuesday 1pm-3pm; Wednesday 4pm-6pm; Thursday 10am-12pm. Call for more information: (315) 379-0066.
RENSSELAER FALLS BRANCH is open on Tuesdays from 11am – 5pm. Call the library at (315) 344-4155 for more information.
CANTON BRANCH is open 9am-6pm Monday – Friday; 10am-3pm Saturday. Contact us at (315) 386-3712 or cantonfreelibrary.org.