The Friends of the Dallas Public Library (FoDPL) is proud to support one of the many ways our Libraries serve as vital community hubs. This fall, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is transforming into a place where every child can share in the joy of Halloween, no matter their family’s circumstances.

Throughout September, students in grades K-5 are invited to visit the Library’s Scarytale Closet to pick out a Halloween costume completely free of charge. With the Scarytale Closet, the Library is opening doors for children across Dallas to experience the magic of Halloween together, strengthening our community and creating a brighter season.

We invite the community to donate and support the cause. It not only gives a costume to a deserving family but also helps the Library continue its mission of meeting community needs, from literacy and lifelong learning to providing free resources, safe spaces, and programs.

Help stock the Scarytale Closet by shopping the FoDPL Amazon wishlist at bit.ly/ScarytaleWishlist, or by donating directly to the FoDPL at bit.ly/ScarytaleDonation.

Established in 1950, the Friends of the Dallas Public Library (FoDPL) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports the mission of the Dallas Public Library by working to achieve excellence in the Library’s delivery of resources, services, and information to the Dallas community. To learn more about how to get involved, please visit their website at https://supportdpl.org/.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind

Momo Arashima, #1

by

Misa Sugiura

Non-stop action with magic and mythical beings and creatures will tempt even reluctant readers to fall into the story.

When twelve-year-old Momo Arashima discovers that all the stories of mythical beings and supernatural spirits that her Japanese mother had told her when she was very young were true, she is shocked and dismayed. She had drawn unwanted attention and ridicule at school early on for believing the fantastical tales and had emotionally demanded that her disappointed mother stop telling her those make-believe stories as if they were real. Now she hears that her mother is actually an Earth goddess from the Island of Mysteries and is responsible for keeping the evil spirits and demons from crossing into the world. But the portal between the land of the dead and this one has been breached. Hundreds of demons and worse have made their way onto the island, and the more that enter, the sicker her mother physically becomes. Finding out she is the only one able to stop the monsters, Momo joins a magical talking fox named Niko and her childhood friend, Danny, on a mission to save her mother and the world. 

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind is the first book in author Misa Sugiura's new middle-grade fantasy series featuring the twelve-year-old heroine from the title. Hands down, this is one of the top books I've read this year, and I feel it is sure to be a hit with middle-grade students, including reluctant readers. As the mother of three boys who all needed coaxing to complete independent reading requirements at that age, I wish this book had been available back then! The story would be a fabulous read-aloud selection. 

Momo has had a tough childhood. Not only had she lost her father, but her mother had also been swamped with grief and, eventually, illness. To top off her misery, Momo has been besieged by cool-kid bullies at school because she's seen as "different." The bullying hurts even more when her childhood friend, Danny, is one of the group. It is extremely important at that age to feel like you belong; most readers will relate to Momo's experience. Perhaps, even more important, Momo's plight will strike a chord with young readers that bullying and cruel jokes hurt. Our heroine rises above her mistreatment, but she also stands up for herself. 

The story is fantastic, and its fast pace moves things along like a runaway rollercoaster. It captured my attention from the start, and I didn't want to put the book down until I was finished. With the recent popularity and interest in Asian culture, the story, with its modern take on Japanese mythology, couldn't come at a better time. The fantastical elements are fresh, unusual, scary, and perfect for igniting young imaginations. The awesome cover art already has me hoping for this to become an animated series. 

The trio travels to many magical places while on their quest for the tools to succeed in their ultimate showdown. Real cities, in addition to those of myth and legend, are visited and will please readers familiar with those locations. They may begin to imagine running into some of the magical beings or evil minions, just as Momo, Danny, and Niko did. 

With its highly likable and engaging characters, fun dialogue, the inclusion of current pop cultural references, and a story with non-stop action, I recommend MOMO ARASHIMA STEALS THE SWORD OF THE WIND to older elementary or middle-grade readers who enjoy stories with fantasy, magic, and mythical creatures, fans of the Percy Jackson series, and perhaps those who enjoyed the Nickelodeon series, AVATAR: The Last Airbender.

For this and other reviews, visit BOYS' MOM READS!

Avondale Dealerships is thrilled to present Avondale Night at Dragon Stadium on Friday, September 19, as the Southlake Carroll Dragons face off against long-time rival Euless Trinity. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., but the energy will be electrifying all night long—with rally towel giveaways, high-performance luxury vehicles on display, and one lucky fan taking a once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, valued at up to $50,000!

Don’t Miss the Moment:

• Where: Dragon Stadium in Southlake, 1085 S Kimball Ave., Southlake, TX 76092
• When: Friday, September 19, kick-off at 7 p.m. (make sure to be there for half-time!)
• Visuals: Fans dressed in Dragon Green for Green Out Night; Avondale handing out rally towels for fans; Avondale luxury vehicles on display; one lucky person taking the chance of a lifetime

Game Highlight: Avondale Target Toss

While the action at Dragon Stadium is always exciting, this night will have even more high-octane fun. One lucky fan—pre-registered and selected from the crowd—will step onto the field during halftime for the Avondale Target Toss. The challenge? Toss a Nerf football through a specific target. The reward? A brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine, an Avondale dealership. (The consolation prize is great, too: A fabulous weekend spent in the Mercedes-Benz GLA!)

"Avondale Night is all about celebrating this incredible community and showing our continued support for Southlake Carroll ISD," said Zach Gilbert, general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine and Southlake resident. "We’re bringing excitement, energy, and a deep sense of appreciation for the students, families and fans who make this community so special. We are proud to support educational and athletic opportunities for students here.”

As part of the experience, Avondale will showcase four elite vehicles in Dragon Stadium—including two Porsche vehicles from Porsche Grapevine and two Mercedes-Benz models from Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine -- blending the thrill of automotive excitement with the fun of Friday night lights.

About Avondale Dealerships

Avondale Dealerships is an innovative business led by a team with decades of success and experience in the automotive industry. Avondale is supported by members who have an incredible spirit for delivering an elevated client experience. This SPIRIT of Avondale runs deep and is channeled in multiple ways to care for the local community. Avondale Dealerships operates Porsche Grapevine, Mercedes-Benz of Grapevine, Sprinter Grapevine, Aston Martin Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Koenigsegg Dallas, McLaren Dallas, Maserati Dallas and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas. In addition, the company manages Avondale Collision & Repair and Avondale Luxury Rentals.

For more information, visit www.avondale.com. Stay connected with Avondale on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@Avondaledealerships and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/avondaledealerships for the latest updates and stories from our team.

SPARK!, a nonprofit that ignites the spark of creativity, announces its participation in Our World: Worldwide Day of Play as Dallas’ only host venue on Saturday, September 27, 2025. As a day dedicated to experiencing joyful learning through play, this event is focused on getting kids and their families up, out and playing around. The public is invited to come to SPARK! to play.

The day features play by connecting creativity and exploration. Children and families are invited to participate in this event by visiting SPARK! from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at the door (adults and children: $15 each, $5 admission available for families participating through Museums for All*).

Each half hour, there will be a guided program to keep families moving and playing. At the top of the hour, staff and volunteers will facilitate nostalgic games based off of the classic 1990s Nickelodeon shows. Between guided games and play on SPARK!’s giant indoor creative play structure, children will have the opportunity to create their own Nickelodeon Green Slime.

Meg Bittner, Executive Director of SPARK! said, “We are excited to be a part of this momentous play day and invite you and your family to join us. At SPARK!, our mission to ignite the spark of creativity starts with play. Children and their families walk in speechless and leave transformed as they fully immerse into a world of imaginative play and access to creativity! A very special thank you to West Monroe for underwriting this event, too.”

“Play is a powerful experience that enriches people’s lives in museums, schools, homes and beyond,” states Arthur G. Affleck, III, executive director of the Association of Children’s Museums. “ACM is pleased to partner with Nickelodeon on amplifying the importance of play on wellbeing and healthy brain development, and to make learning more effective and joyful for everyone. As children’s museums, we believe in the power of play and we strive to nurture more play and playful learning everywhere we go.”

Our World: Worldwide Day of Play is part of Nickelodeon’s Our World global initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency.  As part of a network of more than 360 ACM member children’s museums who reach millions of families in North America, and the over 1,450 museums participating in Museums for All, a national access initiative that ACM manages, SPARK! is a vital collaborator in the Our World: Worldwide Day of Play.

For a list of all participating Our World: Worldwide Day of Play events and more information about the initiative, please visit www.childrensmuseums.org/dayofplay.

About SPARK! Dallas: A nonprofit founded in 2010, SPARK! Dallas provides children from second grade to high school with a fully immersive creative environment with hands-on learning that develops their self-definition as creative individuals. Through an endless roster of workshops and pop-up activities, students exercise their creativity and learn from creative experts, innovators and artists. The organization’s vision is to help students acquire creative skills to excel in school and compete in the work force. SPARK! also hosts interactive camps, field trips and birthday parties. SPARK! is located in the historic South Side of Lamar building at 1409 Botham Jean Blvd, Ste 004, Dallas, Texas 75215. For more information, visit https://sparkdallas.org/.

About Association of Children’s Museums (ACM): ACM is the foremost professional society supporting children’s museums in developing rich environments that stimulate children’s natural playfulness, curiosity, and creativity. With more than 470 members in all 50 states and in 19 countries, ACM champions children’s museums and together enrich the lives of children worldwide. As a global leader, advocate, and resource for the field, ACM and our member organizations strive to build a better world for children and serve over 30 million visitors annually. Started in 1962, ACM recently marked its 60^th year of impactful service to children, families, and children’s museums.”

About Nickelodeon: Nickelodeon, now in its 48^th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

*As a participating member of Museums for All, SPARK! offers $5 admission during Open Play hours, Monday-Friday 1-5pm for families who are on SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Medicaid. To receive their discounted admission, each family must present their form of assistance and valid photo ID. In its first 3 months, SPARK! has served more than 400 children and their family members by providing greater access to families who otherwise would not be able to experience the joy & creativity at SPARK! https://sparkdallas.org/museums-for-all/

On September 10, Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala Co-Chairs Vanessa and David Cain welcomed guests to a stunning preview party at the home of Kathryn and Craig Hall. Presented by Charles Schwab, the intimate gathering offered an elegant glimpse into what awaits at the highly anticipated Gala on October 4. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of this year’s enchanting theme, Moonlight Garden. With just weeks to go, anticipation is building for one of the Symphony’s most dazzling evenings of the year, celebrating music, artistry, and community—while raising vital support for the DSO’s education and outreach initiatives.

This year's Gala is especially meaningful as the DSO celebrates its 125th Anniversary. The Gala will feature a black-tie cocktail reception, seated dinner and Gala Concert performed by the DSO with featured violinist, Leonidas Kavakos. Music Director Fabio Luisi will lead a show-stopping program featuring TCHAIKOVSKY’s Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra and BEETHOVEN’s Overture to Egmont for a special one-hour concert. After the concert, a dazzling after-party will conclude the evening. The annual Symphony Gala is one of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s largest annual fundraisers, benefitting the DSO’s life-changing education and community outreach initiatives, including Young Strings and Young Musicians. These programs touch the lives of more than 200,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children. Learn more at https://www.dallassymphony.org/gala.