With the holiday season on its way, now’s the time to support your local library and tidy your home or office bookshelves by donating used books and DVDs to the nonprofit Friends of the Library Bookstore.

By doing so, you’ll not only support the Mission Viejo Library but will receive the satisfaction of knowing your books can be enjoyed by others and that your donation helps the library to buy more books. You’ll also receive a tax donation receipt from the bookstore and a hearty “thanks” for your contribution.

Donations can be dropped off at the Friends Bookstore located by the library’s main entrance during the bookstore’s normal operating hours:

Mondays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays: 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sundays: Noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the bookstore at 949-830-7100, extension 5115. The Mission Viejo Library is located at 200 Civic Center Drive. The library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24-25.

In a display fitting of the beloved creator of “The Heroes of Olympus” series, Rick Riordan entered the Village Green at Oso Viejo Park Saturday atop a chariot pulled by four burly Roman guards with 3,500 fans wildly cheering him on.

The “Bunker Nine” stage designed by Saddleback College students set the backdrop for Riordan’s rousing talk to the crowd of mainly 9 to 13-year-old fans.

Riordan is the author of the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians series”; “the Kane Chronicles”; and “The Heroes of Olympus.” In his only California stop, Riordan was in Mission Viejo to promote “The Son of Neptune,” the second book in “The Heroes of Olympus” series. Many fans came dressed as their favorite “demigod” or in togas to the colorful event.

Mission Viejo resident Evan Geiger, 10, said he was excited to see Riordan arrive in a chariot and hear the author’s story of how he became a published author.

Riordan, a former school teacher fielded questions about his fictional characters, how they got their names and his plans for his next series of books. The event attracted people from Oklahoma, Arizona, San Francisco and many other states around the country eager to see their favorite author up close and personal. A group of teens from Carlsbad said they liked how the charismatic author interacted with the audience.

“He was funny and we liked how he encouraged young writers to write … the crafts were awesome too,” one teen said.

Irvine resident Grant Goacher, 11, said his favorite part was getting to meet Riordan in person and having him sign his newly released book. Gina Schumann agreed.

“I’m so proud to be a Mission Viejo resident,” said Schumann, who brought her 11-year-old son Eric for the fun-filled festivities. “This was a great event and very well organized. My son is very happy!”

Brian Selznick, winner of the prestigious “Caldecott Medal,” will appear in the City’s popular Writers Present Program on Thursday, October 20.

Selznick’s 7 p.m. appearance is in the Sycamore Room at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way. The event is expected to attract hundreds of fans of all ages.

Selznick is an accomplished artist and author whose illustrations for Barbara Kerley’s “The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins” won a Caldecott Honor Award in 2002. Six years later, he won the award for his groundbreaking and breathtaking novel, “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” the first book of more than 500 pages aimed at elementary and middle-school readers to receive the award. The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year.

“The Invention of Hugo Cabret” is a gripping mystery about an orphan who lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station. The book has been made into a 3D-screen adaptation – “Hugo” – that is directed by Martin Scorsese and is expected in theaters nationwide on November 23.

Selznick will also discuss his latest novel, “Wonderstruck,” which tells the story of two children separated by 50 years. With more than 460 pages of original artwork, the book takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.

The author will field questions during the presentation, which will be followed by a book signing. Books purchased at the event will be available for signing.

The program is sponsored by A Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe and the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library.

Reservations for this free event are available by e-mailing libreference@cityofmissionviejo.org or calling 949-830-7100 x5105. More information about the author is available at www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_bio.htm.

Families are invited to enjoy some “spook-tacular” Halloween fun when the Jumbo Shrimp Circus returns to Mission Viejo on October 29.

Entertaining families for nearly two decades, this clown troupe is sure to dazzle and amaze with its Halloween-themed variety show that boasts spinning plates, flying witches, spooky magic and silly surprises galore.

Shows will take place at 2 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. in the Saddleback Room at the Mission Viejo City Hall, 200 Civic Center. This free show is for ages 3 and up.

For more information, call 949-830-7100 x5107.

Two students from the Saddleback College Theatre Arts Department are building a special set that will be featured during Saturday’s Mission Viejo appearance of Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan.

Like master set designers, Heather McLain and Zack Lapinski are building a special set boasting limestone wall, hanging tools and more – to emulate the Cabin of the god Hephaestus in “Camp Half-Blood.”

Riordan will arrive in a Grecian chariot at 1:30 p.m. to Mission Viejo’s Oso Viejo Park to promote “The Son of Neptune,” the second book in “The Heroes of Olympus” series. The books are largely based on Greek mythology. Tickets for the event are sold out.

Fans will enjoy activities in Camp Half-Blood, which the Saddleback College students created using a blueprint collage, crayon drawing, tools and more.

With excitement buzzing about Percy Jackson creator Rick Riordan’s upcoming appearance in Mission Viejo, tickets for the October 8 “Son of Neptune” sold out like hotcakes.

People who purchased their tickets at the Mission Viejo Library, A Whale of a Tale Bookstore or through the City’s online eConnect but haven’t picked them up can do so at the “will call” booth starting at 10 a.m. For Riordan’s book signing, “colored” wrist bands will be distributed to folks who will be called up to meet Riordan by color group. The first 100 wristbands will be handed out starting at 11 a.m.

The popular author will arrive at Oso Viejo Community Park atop a chariot at 1:30 p.m. The book signing starts at 2 p.m. Ticket holders should plan to arrive early to get their seats and craft. A free shuttle will operate from the Civic Center/Library complex at 100 Civic Center from noon to 4 p.m.

Oso Viejo Community Park is next to the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center at 24932 Veterans Way.

For more information, visit www.cmvl.org.

The City is gearing up for the third annual Mission Viejo’s Reader’s Festival on Saturday, October 1, a free fun-filled event that brings books to life and is expected to attract thousands from this fair City and beyond.

The Readers’ Festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oso Viejo Community Park and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

This year’s festival exclusively features the early release of Linda Evans’ memoir, “Recipes For Life.” Her memoir reveals behind-the-scenes tales of her romantic adventures, friendships with the rich and famous, and Evans’ inspiring journey of self discovery. Filled with more than 70 spectacular photos and 40 mouthwatering recipes, “Recipes for Life” is a treasure trove of stories from a life well-lived by a woman well-loved.

Molly Shannon, a comic actress best known for her work on “Saturday Night Live,” will also debut her first literary work – a children’s book, “Tilly the Trickster.” The book focuses on a mischievous girl who loves nothing more than causing a little trouble.

The two personalities will join other well-known authors and illustrators that include Gregory Boyle; Jamie Ford; Heather Vogel Frederick; Cornelia Funke; Robin Preiss Glasser; Gretchen McNeil; Wendy Mass; Marlene Perez; Cindy Pon; Andrew Winer; and Lisa Yee.

Along with the chance to meet and hear their favorite authors and illustrators, festival-goers will enjoy food, entertainment, merchandise and more. Young readers will enjoy storytelling and storybook characters roaming the festival grounds. The Modjeska Playhouse will present its Blue the Book Loving Buccaneer, a 25-minute play that’s fun for the whole family and encourages everyone to turn off their televisions and tune into reading.

This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library and The Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe, which will sell signed copies of the presenting authors’ books.

With convenient, free shuttle service from the Mission Viejo Civic Center at 200 Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., parking is a breeze. Along with the festival grounds, free parking is available at Newhart Middle School, the Civic Center and Thomas R. Potocki Conference Center.

The Mission Viejo Library will be closed that day so library patrons can enjoy a full-filled day at the Readers’ Festival.

For detailed appearance schedules and more, visit www.mvreadersfestival.org.

While savoring a stroll along the picturesque Oso Creek Trail, trail users can also learn about the 13 talented, renowned authors taking part in the 3rd annual Mission Viejo Readers’ Festival on October 1.

The City has put up posters of the authors on 30 x 30 easels in the “Celebration Garden” along the trail. The posters feature QR codes (a type of matrix barcode targeted toward smart phone users) that list history and information about the authors and their books. Just download a scanning App on your smart phone and scan the QR codes to get the scoop on Linda Evans, Cornelia Funke, Robin Preiss Glasser and others who will appear from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oso Viejo Community Park and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

While in the Celebration Garden, trail users can also enjoy amenities such as the pilasters filled with community art. To get to there, park in the lower level of the Potocki Conference Center off La Paz Road and walk north along the trail. The Celebration Garden is less than a 1/2 mile on the left.

To find out more about the Oso Creek Trail, visit the City’s website at www.cityofmissionviejo.org. Information about the fun-filled Readers’ Festival is available at www.mvreadersfestival.org.

The Mission Viejo Library’s eBook collection is now compatible with the world’s bestselling eBook reader, the Amazon Kindle. Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app, such as iPhone, iPad, Android, and more. To get started, visit cityofmissionviejo.org/Library/eBooks.aspx.

The Mission Viejo Library also offers eBooks and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphone, MP3 player, and eBook reader like the Barnes & Noble Nook and Sony Reader.

Kindle users can browse the Mission Viejo Library’s collection of bestselling and classic eBooks from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using a library card, and select “Get for Kindle” to deliver eBooks to their Kindle device or any device running the free Kindle app. Users who enjoy eBooks on Kindle will benefit from Amazon’s Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.

The library is anticipating a high demand for eBooks, so patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the always available eBooks with no need for holds. The library will continue to build its eBook collection so keep checking back for more titles.

Visit the library’s website to download eBooks for your Kindle: cityofmissionviejo.org/Library/eBooks.aspx.

Teens and adults alike are in for a huge treat when four popular authors of young adult books take center stage at the Mission Viejo Readers’ Festival October 1.

Gretchen McNeil, Cindy Pon, Lisa Yee and Marlene Perez will get up close and personal with children, teens and tweens during a special panel presentation at 2 p.m. inside the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Gretchen McNeil will discuss her riveting debut novel, “Possess.” The book, which is set amidst the San Francisco fog, tells the story of a high school girl who has the power to banish demons. In addition to writing fiction, Gretchen is a classically-trained opera singer who performs with the Los Angeles-based circus troupe, Cirque Berzerk. She was also the voice of Mary on G4’s animated series, “Code Monkeys.”

Cindy Pon makes readers crave delicious Chinese food with her stunning, adventure-filled teen fantasy novels inspired by ancient China. “Silver Phoenix” was named an Editor’s Choice and one of the Top 10 SF/Fantasy for Youth by Booklist in 2009. Its sequel, “Fury of the Phoenix,” was published in April of this year. Cindy is also an accomplished artist, creating Chinese brush paintings, and is working on a children’s picture book featuring her paintings.

Lisa Yee has a knack for getting to the heart of teens, tweens and kids and writing what they really think about. Her novels include “Absolutely, Maybe” and Sid Fleischman Humor Award winner “Millicent Min, Girl Genius” as well as “Good Luck, Ivy” and the Kalani books for American Girl. Born and raised in Southern California, Lisa has a creative and varied career history in addition to being an award-winning author. She’s been a writer and producer at Walt Disney World, written radio and TV commercials – and has even worked as a hand model.

Orange County resident Marlene Perez is the author of “Dead is the New Black,” which was selected as one of Seventeen Magazine’s summer book club buzz picks and recommended as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association. The series concluded with the fifth and final book, “Dead is Not an Option,” published in May. Marlene has also written realistic contemporary novels for teens, “Love in the Corner Pocket” and “The Comeback.” Marlene’s teen books have received critical acclaim.

These dynamic authors will join actresses Linda Evans and Molly Shannon discussing their new books along with several other well-known authors and illustrators at the free festival. The Readers’ Festival, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library, takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oso Viejo Park and the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way.

The event, which appeals to people of all ages, will boast a food court, entertainment and vendors displaying an array of literature-based products.

For more information about the authors and activities, visit www.mvreadersfestival.org.