ADULT FICTION
"Last Night in Twisted River" by John Irving - "In a story spanning five decades, "Last Night in Twisted River" depicts the recent half-century in the United States as "a replica of Coos County, where lethal hatreds were generally permitted to run their course." From the novel's taut opening sentence to its elegiac final chapter, "Last Night in Twisted River" is written with the historical authenticity and emotional authority of "The Cider House Rules" and "A Prayer for Owen Meany." - back cover
"U is for Undertow" by Sue Grafton - "..Set in the 1980s, when old-fashioned footwork, telephones, and typewriters still ruled the lives of PIs, this entry picks up the character as she investigates a kidnapping and presumed death of a child, brought to her attention by a young man two decades after the fact. Although Michael Sutton is an unreliable narrator, and the only fact that's provable now is the child's disappearance, Kinsey's stubborn curiosity keeps her on the case. Then Michael turns up dead, and some weird coincidences begin to make sense. Grafton uses her characters' childhood memories (including Kinsey's own) to lead the reader smoothly across the years, at the same time exploring how long-held feelings of resentment, self-hatred, and fear add up to murder, both in the past and the present. Worth the wait for Grafton fans; Margaret Maron devotees will like this one, too."--Stephanie Zvirin, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"The Vintage Caper" by Peter Mayle - "Never was a novel more aptly titled than this latest effort by Englishman Mayle...The vintage part of this title refers to rare and expensive wine. The caper part adds the element of stolen rare and expensive wine. Danny Roth is a Hollywood lawyer whose wine collection is his pride and joy. One day a major portion of that collection turns up missing, and his insurance company--before handing over the $3 million Roth feels the bottles are worth--hires an investigator to look into the matter. The California setting soon gives way to Mayle's trademark south of France, and the trail to resolving the case provides a richly atmospheric ride for the reader. Mayle delivers what is almost a French version of Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels: good, clean writing; a sophisticated and mouthwatering use of food and wine as the story's upholstery; and a quick yet captivating plot, well sprinkled with humor. This novel is a special invitation for newbies to begin appreciating Mayle's talent as a writer."--Brad Hooper, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
BIOGRAPHY
"Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home" by Rhoda Janzen - "Janzen was raised in a strict Mennonite society, and while she upheld the values as a child and maintained her faith even as an adult, she couldn't help but rebel. However, after marrying an emotionally abusive atheist who leaves her for a man he met on Gay.com, and then barely surviving a terrible car accident, Janzen finds herself back home reliving her Mennonite childhood as an adult. In her compelling memoir, Janzen explores her past and her present with honesty and self- deprecation, and the result is both hilarious and touching. She delves into her relationships with her mother, sister, and ex-husband without holding back, and she explores some of the Mennonite traditions that helped shape her life. No prior knowledge of Mennonite culture is necessary for enjoying and learning from this lively chronicle of the patience and strong sense of humor one needs to go home again."--Claire Orphan, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"The Fourth Star: Four Generals and the Epic Struggle for the Future of the United States Army" by David Cloud and Greg Jaffe - "Two seasoned defense journalists impressively profile four generals who have earned the fourth star..in Iraq. John Abrazaid possesses insight afforded by family ties to the Middle East. George Casey's father was a general killed in Vietnam, and he is filled with the determination not to let Iraq collapse as Vietnam did. Peter Chiarelli may remind some of George Patton, but he pushes himself as well as his men and his superiors to the limit. David Petraeus, the best known of the four, simply pushes the rethinking of methods wherever he finds that it isn't being done. The careers of the four suggest that the modern army is far more capable of rewarding innovation than it was in the Vietnam era, which is good news for national security. The book also deals a blow to any monolithic conception of the 'military mind,' a balloon that cannot be deflated too often."--Roland Green, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"Going Rogue: An American Way of Life" by Sarah Palin - "No good deed goes unpunished. Just ask Steve Schmidt, John McCain's campaign manager and the guy who pushed Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. Now, in Palin's much-hyped book, he's just a fat, smoking bullet- head who told her to 'stick to the script.' The feeling running through Going Rogue is that Palin has been bursting to take a whack at those she believes didn't do right by her during the campaign...Before readers get to that, however, there's personal biography. We're introduced to Sarah the reader--loved to read- -the basketball player, hunter, wife, mother. Then lots and lots of Alaska politics..Once Palin gets into the 2008 campaign, the tone is folksy, but the knives are out. Much has been made of her criticisms of Schmidt and another McCain staffer, Nicolle Wallace. But less has been said about Palin's comments about Barack Obama. For instance, she notes that when she and husband Todd first heard Obama speak, they saw the wow factor but worried that his 'smooth' talk would hide his radical ideas. She also implies that Obama wanted to shield only his own children from the press, though, in fact, in September 2008, he told CNN that Palin's children must be off limits as well. Ronald Reagan's name is mentioned by page 3 and invoked regularly throughout. There's no doubt Palin sees herself as heir to his legacy. But many readers will see the Sarah Palin revealed in these pages as much closer to George Bush, someone you'd like to have a beer with. Or perhaps dinner: 'I always remind people from outside our state that there's plenty of room for all Alaska's animals--right next to the mashed potatoes."-- Ilene Cooper, Online Review. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
NON-FICTION
"Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System--and Themselves" by Andrew Ross Sorkin - This blow-by-blow narrative centers on the near implosion of Wall Street in September 2008. Sorkin, ...concentrates his story on Lehman Brothers, AIG, and Merrill Lynch. With these and other financial firms at risk, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, other government officials, and hundreds of bankers scrambled to avoid what they thought could be financial Armageddon...Sorkin constructs a detailed account of the meetings, phone calls, and even the thoughts of the participants, depicting scenes of bankers and government officials under extreme stress as Lehman went bankrupt, Merrill merged with Bank of America, and AIG became essentially a ward of the government. Sorkin's analysis ends with Paulson's forcing Troubled Asset Relief Program funds on the nine largest banks in October 2008...The level of detail and the multiple typos in the published edition will test many readers' patience. General readers may not find this the introduction and explanation that they were looking for, but Sorkin's historical account of this critical time is highly recommended for motivated readers already in the know. “- Lawrence Maxted, LJ Express Online Review. LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2009.
JUVENILE FICTION
"Closed for the Season" by Mary Downing Hahn - "Gr 5-8--Another well-done, action-packed mystery from Hahn."--Terrie Dorio, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, c2009.
"Raiders' Ransom" by Emily Diamand - "Gr. 4-8 Much of twenty-second-century England has been flooded by the sea and is in danger of attacks by piratical Raiders. Lilly Melkun lives in the Last Ten Counties of England and is the last in a line of fishermen trying to get by when her village is attacked by Raiders, and the prime minister's daughter is kidnapped. Hoping to spare her village from the prime minister's retribution, Lilly steals a mysterious jewel and sets off in her boat in a daring attempt to free the young child. She inadvertently makes friends with the Chief Raider's son, Zeph, and the two try to unravel the plot behind the kidnapping and the scheme to find the jewel that Lilly wields. Diamand, winner of the first London Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, tells her tale in alternating perspectives and delivers a fast-paced adventure with something for everyone. Pirates, fishing, and life on the seas give the novel a historical bent, while talking computers disguised inside jewels show readers a future world where technology and infrastructure have collapsed."--Shauna Yusko, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume - "For anyone who has ever been 'burdened' by pesky younger brother, there's fast and funny reading in store." --Children's Digest
"Zoobreak" by Gordon Korman - Gr. 4-7 'The Man with the Plan' Griffin, animal expert Savannah and her Great Dane Luthor, and Everykid Ben join forces to solve a mystery. This time, they're out to rescue Savannah's pet monkey Cleo from an unethical zoo owner. When Cleo disappears from Savannah's backyard and is later spotted on a school field trip to a decrepit floating zoo, madcap plans and adventures ensue: getting to and from the zoo in the middle of the night; distracting Klaus, the overzealous security guard; springing Cleo from her cage; and ultimately stashing more than 40 freed zoo animals in classmates' houses without any parents noticing. Although often implausible, the action is fast and entertaining, with just the right amount of realistic drama to ring true. Korman knows his audience well, and readers will clamor for a third installment featuring these intrepid young crime solvers. Diane Foote, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"Shadow of the Leopard" by Henning Mankell - Gr. 10-12 Mankell, the acclaimed mystery writer for both youth and adults, once again draws on true events in Mozambique in this haunting, contemporary story of violence and courage...Mankell writes without sentimentality in a clear, matter-of-fact style, and it is the frank, vivid details of Sofia's struggle that will stay with readers ...the drama of betrayal is riveting and will draw many of Mankell's high- school and adult fans. Hazel Rochman, AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
"Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" by David Benedictus - Gr. 2-4. It's been 80 years since A. A. Milne hinted that Christopher Robin had to grow up and leave the Hundred Acre Wood, but Benedictus does away with the decades with a nifty bit of magic: 'Let's call it eighty seconds,' says Pooh in an introduction, 'and then it'll be as though no time has passed at all.' Indeed, readers moving on from The House at Pooh Corner (1928) will not notice the interruption. That said, Christopher Robin is not exactly the same. He's 'quite tall these days,' and goes on about boarding school and playing cricket. The woods are a place, it seems, that he needs less now than in the past--but that doesn't diminish the imaginary three months he spends adventuring with his kindhearted but daft friends (including new addition Lottie, an egotistical otter). Ten chapters, copiously illustrated by Burgess in the miniature manner of Ernest H. Shepard, detail unthreatening events ranging from spelling bees to tea parties. Though the tales can underwhelm when isolated (aside from the near-perfect chapter in which Tigger fantasizes about Africa), the cumulative effect is a warm jumble of happy memories. It's both surprising and comforting that tales of such soft tenderness are still relevant. -- Daniel Kraus, Online Review. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, c2009.
EASY READERS
"Froggy Plays T-Ball" by Jonathan London
"Grumpy Bird" by Jeremy Tankard
"This is Olivia"
"I Heard a Little Baa" by Elizabeth MacLeod
AUDIO BOOKS
"Rough Country" by John Sanford - Investigating the shooting murder of a kayaker at a women-only Minnesota resort, investigator Virgil Flowers finds more suspects than anticipated including the victim's fellow patrons and a talented local country singer, a case that is further complicated by the discovery of other murders. Read by Eric Conger. Simultaneous. --Baker and Taylor
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Holiday Open House
A wonderful celebration honoring our volunteers was held December 18. We even had Japanese refreshments thanks to the homeschoolers who have spent the last three months learning about Japan.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
New DVD's
DOCUMENTARY
"The National Parks: America's Best Ideas" by Ken Burns - "Nearly a decade in the making, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA, a six-part documentary series from the acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, is a breathtaking journey through the nation's most spectacular landscapes and a celebration of the people--famous and unknown--who fought to save them for future generations to treasure."--Back cover
Also available is the companion volume - an illustrated history
FICTION
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" - "the G.I. Joes, a top-secret elite strike force, must race against time to stop Cobra from using a stolen high-tech secret weapon and plunging the world into chaos."
"Duplicity" - "Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as two sexy spies-turned-corporate operatives in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves on either side of an all-out corporate war, they'll put everything on the line to remain one double-cross ahead in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse."--Back cover
"The National Parks: America's Best Ideas" by Ken Burns - "Nearly a decade in the making, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA, a six-part documentary series from the acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan, is a breathtaking journey through the nation's most spectacular landscapes and a celebration of the people--famous and unknown--who fought to save them for future generations to treasure."--Back cover
Also available is the companion volume - an illustrated history
FICTION
"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" - "the G.I. Joes, a top-secret elite strike force, must race against time to stop Cobra from using a stolen high-tech secret weapon and plunging the world into chaos."
"Duplicity" - "Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as two sexy spies-turned-corporate operatives in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves on either side of an all-out corporate war, they'll put everything on the line to remain one double-cross ahead in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse."--Back cover
Holiday Open House
Holiday Open House! December 18, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the Greensboro Free Library, 53 Wilson Street, Greensboro, Vermont 05841
Come enjoy the holiday at the Greensboro Free Library. Sit by the fire eating punch and cookies while our homeschool patrons share with you what they've learned about Japan this fall (2:30 - 3:00) including some Japanese dishes.
Call 802-533-2531 for more information.
New Arrivals - 12/01/09
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
"The Faceless Ones" by Derek Landry - "Skeleton-detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his 14-year-old sidekick, Valkyrie Cain, return for a third adventure following Scepter of the Ancients (2007) and Playing with Fire (2008). The struggle between good and evil intensifies; this time the nefarious Faceless Ones seek a willing Teleporter to open the gates that connect the real world and underworld so that they can destroy everything. This alternate reality is fully developed, but a cast of thousands and frequent references to past adventures may confuse newcomers to this series. Still, brisk action, macabre characters, and a generally dark tone will appeal to mystery and horror fans." Kay Weisman. -- Publisher's Weekly
PICTURE BOOKS
"Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green" by Keith Baker - Mr. and Mrs. Green are energetic alligators who know how to have a good time. Reminiscent of James Marshall's "George and Martha" stories, these three pithy tales center on backyard camping, eating (Mr. Green challenges himself to eat 100 pancakes), and going to the fair. There is a nice undertone of acceptance and love between the two characters with a healthy balance of give and take, and the all-important element of surprise. These tales celebrate the little niceties that make life fun, and incorporate learning elements-colors, numbers, shapes, and maps. The acrylic illustrations have a loud, oversized presence that is complemented by the strong text. The drawings augment the happy, playful spirit of the alligators, adding energy and variety to each page, and the bright green of Mr. and Mrs. (it's their favorite color) ensures that readers' attention will remain riveted to the couple's goofy antics and contagious positive attitude." Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI -- School Library Journal
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"The Faceless Ones" by Derek Landry - "Skeleton-detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his 14-year-old sidekick, Valkyrie Cain, return for a third adventure following Scepter of the Ancients (2007) and Playing with Fire (2008). The struggle between good and evil intensifies; this time the nefarious Faceless Ones seek a willing Teleporter to open the gates that connect the real world and underworld so that they can destroy everything. This alternate reality is fully developed, but a cast of thousands and frequent references to past adventures may confuse newcomers to this series. Still, brisk action, macabre characters, and a generally dark tone will appeal to mystery and horror fans." Kay Weisman. -- Publisher's Weekly
PICTURE BOOKS
"Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green" by Keith Baker - Mr. and Mrs. Green are energetic alligators who know how to have a good time. Reminiscent of James Marshall's "George and Martha" stories, these three pithy tales center on backyard camping, eating (Mr. Green challenges himself to eat 100 pancakes), and going to the fair. There is a nice undertone of acceptance and love between the two characters with a healthy balance of give and take, and the all-important element of surprise. These tales celebrate the little niceties that make life fun, and incorporate learning elements-colors, numbers, shapes, and maps. The acrylic illustrations have a loud, oversized presence that is complemented by the strong text. The drawings augment the happy, playful spirit of the alligators, adding energy and variety to each page, and the bright green of Mr. and Mrs. (it's their favorite color) ensures that readers' attention will remain riveted to the couple's goofy antics and contagious positive attitude." Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI -- School Library Journal
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Monday, November 23, 2009
New Arrivals - 11/20/09
ADULT FICTION
"An Echo in the Bone" by Diana Gabaldon - "Diana Gabaldon's brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in An Echo in the Bone, ...Gabaldon continues the extraordinary story of the eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall." - Inside front cover
"Razor Sharp" by Fern Michaels - "When it comes to repaying a debt, the women of the Sisterhood...never forget. And now one of their allies needs help only they can give...even the highest courts in the land will be no match for seven fearless friends determined to ensure that real justice is served, Sisterhood style." - Back cover
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History" by Margaret MacMillan - "Reminds readers that history matters...This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the importance of correctly understanding the past." - Publisher's Weekly
"The Pleasures of Cooking for One" by Judith Jones - "From the legendary editor of some of the world's greatest cooks--including Julia Childs and James Beard--a passionate and practical book about the joys of cooking for one." -- Inside front cover
"The Sibley Guide to Trees" by David Allen Sibley - "I had thought that trees were so replete with variables that a field guide would be impossible. I hadn't counted on Sibley's genius with words and paint to turn the impossible into this brilliant, eminently useful reality." - Richard Ellis, author of Tuna: A Love Story
JUVENILE FICTION
"Beyond the Grave: The 39 Clues" by Jude Watson - "Amy and Dan Cahill, ...are off to Egypt to find the next clue left by Ekaterina branch founder Katherine Cahill..they learn about the rivalry between the Tomas and Ekaterina branches of the Cahill family, discover a secret Ekaterina stronghold at an Egyptian hotel, and explore tombs of ancient Egyptians. Amy and Dan discover Cahill connections to Napoleon, Thomas Edison, and Marie Curie along with paintings and hieroglyphs that will lead them on their dangerous hunt that's fraught with betrayals and reversals. Like the previous books, historical information is woven into the fast-paced adventure."-- Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Black Circle: The 39 Clues" by Patrick Carman - "Amy and Dan go to their most treacherous destination yet, a frozen land of Cahill secrets and betrayal. With danger close behind, they must track down one of history's greatest lost treasures. Governments were toppled and rulers were killed during the last attempt to find it. Do Amy and Dan even stand a chance?" -- Brodart
"Sword Thief: The 39 Clues" by Peter Lerangis - "Amy and Dan Cahill are now on their way to Japan...while boarding a flight to Tokyo, they are outfoxed by two of their cousins,..Seperated from their au pair, Nellie, and cat, Saladin, they are forced to find alternate transportation in their Uncle Alistair's private jet. Though they never fully trust him, Amy and Dan must rely on his knowledge of Japan and of their Cahill ancestor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous warrior whose stronghold may harbor their next clue." --Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Cycle of Rice: Cycle of Life" by Jan Reynolds - "With captivating text and lush photographs, Jan Reynolds explores the traditional world of rice farming on the beautiful island of Bali. Readers of all ages will come away with an enhanced awareness of how we farm, eat, and live today, and the effects these practices have on the world of tomorrow." -- Inside front cover
"Just the Right Size: Why Big Animals are Big and Little Animals are Little" by Nicola Davies - "Find out what keeps big animals (like us!) from engaging in astonishing feats of strength and agility and why there would be a downside to being tiny and all-powerful." -- Inside front cover
"My School in the Rain Forest" by Margaret Ruurs - "In this lively photo essay, readers get to know students who are pursuing their dreams of a brighter future, and of teachers who are devoted to improving people's lives--from the arid plains of Southern Afghanistan to the rain forests of Guatemala." - Inside front cover
PICTURE BOOKS
"Flip, Flap, Fly!" by Phyllis Root - "With buoyant rhyme by Phyllis Root and cheerful illustrations by David Walker, here is an irresistible page-turner for babies and toddlers everywhere." - Inside front cover
"Good Night, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann - "It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they?...Sneak along behind the zookeeper's back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous goodnight romp." - Inside front cover
"The Dunderheads" by Paul Fleischman - "Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman creates a winning cast of underdogs--and one of the terrifying teachers you'll ever meet--brought to vivid and quirky life by illustrator David Roberts." - Inside front cover
"Pennies for Elephants" by Lita Judge - "Based on actual events that occurred in 1914, this uplifting story is an inspiring example of the great things children can accomplish when they put their hearts and minds to work. - Inside front cover
"Strega Nona's Harvest" by Tomie dePaola - "Tomie dePaola has been delighting readers with tales of the wonderfully wise Strega Nona and her bumbling sidekick Big Anthony for generations. With his trademark charm and humor, he has created another delicious tale perfect for family sharing." -- Inside front cover
"Whoo Goes There?" by Jennifer A. Ericsson - "Jennifer A. Ericcson's rhythmic, cumulative text about one very hungry owl is accompanied by the remarkable paintings of noted artist Bert Kitchen." -- Inside front cover
"Mouse was Mad" by Linda Urban -- "While never communicating quite what Mouse is mad about at the outset, this charmingly illustrated title takes readers through several possible methods of expressing said anger... Urban unfurls the gentle 'be true to yourself' moral perfectly, with plenty of funny dialogue, overplayed reaction and the enduring appeal of the tiny hero...Well-pitched for preschoolers just learning social skills, this would be equally excellent for family reading, classrooms and storytimes." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Bubble Trouble" by Margaret Mahy - "When Mabel blows a bubble, it causes trouble in an inimitable Mahy way, surrounding Baby and taking him on an amazing adventure. The text's tongue-stumbling internal rhymes will keep storytellers on their toes while Dunbar's cut-paper and watercolor illustrations faithfully depict every detail. As suspense builds in both words and pictures, little ones' eyes will be as round as the bubble. R. SMITH." - THE HORN BOOK
"How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?" by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague - "With warmth and irresistible humor, award winners Jane Yolen and Mark Teague present readers with a familiar range of naughty childhood antics followed by dinosaur-sized kisses, hugs, and those three precious words that can never be said too often: I Love You!" - Inside front cover
"Paula Bunyan" by Phyllis Root - "Bounding with outsize visual and verbal humor, Paula Bunyan is a hilariously clever take on a classic American tall tale." - Inside front cover
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins - "In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever...and surprising readers at every turn." -- Inside front cover
"An Echo in the Bone" by Diana Gabaldon - "Diana Gabaldon's brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in An Echo in the Bone, ...Gabaldon continues the extraordinary story of the eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall." - Inside front cover
"Razor Sharp" by Fern Michaels - "When it comes to repaying a debt, the women of the Sisterhood...never forget. And now one of their allies needs help only they can give...even the highest courts in the land will be no match for seven fearless friends determined to ensure that real justice is served, Sisterhood style." - Back cover
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History" by Margaret MacMillan - "Reminds readers that history matters...This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the importance of correctly understanding the past." - Publisher's Weekly
"The Pleasures of Cooking for One" by Judith Jones - "From the legendary editor of some of the world's greatest cooks--including Julia Childs and James Beard--a passionate and practical book about the joys of cooking for one." -- Inside front cover
"The Sibley Guide to Trees" by David Allen Sibley - "I had thought that trees were so replete with variables that a field guide would be impossible. I hadn't counted on Sibley's genius with words and paint to turn the impossible into this brilliant, eminently useful reality." - Richard Ellis, author of Tuna: A Love Story
JUVENILE FICTION
"Beyond the Grave: The 39 Clues" by Jude Watson - "Amy and Dan Cahill, ...are off to Egypt to find the next clue left by Ekaterina branch founder Katherine Cahill..they learn about the rivalry between the Tomas and Ekaterina branches of the Cahill family, discover a secret Ekaterina stronghold at an Egyptian hotel, and explore tombs of ancient Egyptians. Amy and Dan discover Cahill connections to Napoleon, Thomas Edison, and Marie Curie along with paintings and hieroglyphs that will lead them on their dangerous hunt that's fraught with betrayals and reversals. Like the previous books, historical information is woven into the fast-paced adventure."-- Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga County Public Library -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Black Circle: The 39 Clues" by Patrick Carman - "Amy and Dan go to their most treacherous destination yet, a frozen land of Cahill secrets and betrayal. With danger close behind, they must track down one of history's greatest lost treasures. Governments were toppled and rulers were killed during the last attempt to find it. Do Amy and Dan even stand a chance?" -- Brodart
"Sword Thief: The 39 Clues" by Peter Lerangis - "Amy and Dan Cahill are now on their way to Japan...while boarding a flight to Tokyo, they are outfoxed by two of their cousins,..Seperated from their au pair, Nellie, and cat, Saladin, they are forced to find alternate transportation in their Uncle Alistair's private jet. Though they never fully trust him, Amy and Dan must rely on his knowledge of Japan and of their Cahill ancestor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a famous warrior whose stronghold may harbor their next clue." --Jackie Partch, Multnomah County Library -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Cycle of Rice: Cycle of Life" by Jan Reynolds - "With captivating text and lush photographs, Jan Reynolds explores the traditional world of rice farming on the beautiful island of Bali. Readers of all ages will come away with an enhanced awareness of how we farm, eat, and live today, and the effects these practices have on the world of tomorrow." -- Inside front cover
"Just the Right Size: Why Big Animals are Big and Little Animals are Little" by Nicola Davies - "Find out what keeps big animals (like us!) from engaging in astonishing feats of strength and agility and why there would be a downside to being tiny and all-powerful." -- Inside front cover
"My School in the Rain Forest" by Margaret Ruurs - "In this lively photo essay, readers get to know students who are pursuing their dreams of a brighter future, and of teachers who are devoted to improving people's lives--from the arid plains of Southern Afghanistan to the rain forests of Guatemala." - Inside front cover
PICTURE BOOKS
"Flip, Flap, Fly!" by Phyllis Root - "With buoyant rhyme by Phyllis Root and cheerful illustrations by David Walker, here is an irresistible page-turner for babies and toddlers everywhere." - Inside front cover
"Good Night, Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann - "It's bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they?...Sneak along behind the zookeeper's back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous goodnight romp." - Inside front cover
"The Dunderheads" by Paul Fleischman - "Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman creates a winning cast of underdogs--and one of the terrifying teachers you'll ever meet--brought to vivid and quirky life by illustrator David Roberts." - Inside front cover
"Pennies for Elephants" by Lita Judge - "Based on actual events that occurred in 1914, this uplifting story is an inspiring example of the great things children can accomplish when they put their hearts and minds to work. - Inside front cover
"Strega Nona's Harvest" by Tomie dePaola - "Tomie dePaola has been delighting readers with tales of the wonderfully wise Strega Nona and her bumbling sidekick Big Anthony for generations. With his trademark charm and humor, he has created another delicious tale perfect for family sharing." -- Inside front cover
"Whoo Goes There?" by Jennifer A. Ericsson - "Jennifer A. Ericcson's rhythmic, cumulative text about one very hungry owl is accompanied by the remarkable paintings of noted artist Bert Kitchen." -- Inside front cover
"Mouse was Mad" by Linda Urban -- "While never communicating quite what Mouse is mad about at the outset, this charmingly illustrated title takes readers through several possible methods of expressing said anger... Urban unfurls the gentle 'be true to yourself' moral perfectly, with plenty of funny dialogue, overplayed reaction and the enduring appeal of the tiny hero...Well-pitched for preschoolers just learning social skills, this would be equally excellent for family reading, classrooms and storytimes." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Bubble Trouble" by Margaret Mahy - "When Mabel blows a bubble, it causes trouble in an inimitable Mahy way, surrounding Baby and taking him on an amazing adventure. The text's tongue-stumbling internal rhymes will keep storytellers on their toes while Dunbar's cut-paper and watercolor illustrations faithfully depict every detail. As suspense builds in both words and pictures, little ones' eyes will be as round as the bubble. R. SMITH." - THE HORN BOOK
"How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?" by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague - "With warmth and irresistible humor, award winners Jane Yolen and Mark Teague present readers with a familiar range of naughty childhood antics followed by dinosaur-sized kisses, hugs, and those three precious words that can never be said too often: I Love You!" - Inside front cover
"Paula Bunyan" by Phyllis Root - "Bounding with outsize visual and verbal humor, Paula Bunyan is a hilariously clever take on a classic American tall tale." - Inside front cover
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins - "In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever...and surprising readers at every turn." -- Inside front cover
Thursday, November 19, 2009
New Arrivals - 11//19/09
ADULT FICTION
"Transfer of Power" by Vince Flynn - When terrorists crash White House security, the President is swept away to an isolated underground bunker, and the Vice President suddenly finds himself in charge. From the author of the best-selling Term Limits.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. -- Library Journal
"A Courtesan's Scandal" by Julia London - "Another superbly written addition to London's exquisitely entertaining Regency-set Scandal series. In historical romance, Ms. London is one of the very best," -- Publisher's Weekly
"Viking Heat" by Sandra Hill - "USA Today bestselling author Sandra Hill "writes stories that tickle the funny bone and touch the heart." In her newest novel, a modern woman is cast back in time to the icy Norselands, where she must tame--or be tamed by--a sexy Viking worlord.." -- Back Cover
"The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks -- "Sparks brings us a deeply moving story of a young girl's first encounter with heartbreak --and love. Front Flap
"Ford County" by John Grisham - "Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Often hilarious, frequently moving, and always entertaining, this collection makes it abundantly clear why John Grisham is our most popular storyteller." -- Back Flap
"Monster in the Box" by Ruth Rendell - In the The Monster in the Box, the twenty-second book in the Inspector Wexford series, fans will be thrilled to meet the now-aging inspector in the robust early days of his career. For new readers, no introduction to this spectacular writer and her compelling protagonist could be finer." - Front Flap
"Cold Blood" by James Fleming - "The Russian Revolution is breaking out all around him, but Charlie Doig has a private war to fight. Even if he dies in the attempt, he's going to track down and kill Prokhor Glebov, the Bolshevik who murdered Doig's beautiful wife, Elizveta...James Fleming is one of modern fiction's great stylists. His prose is marvelously robust and vivid, his plot breathtaking in its pace and excitement.." Front cover
"To Try Men's Souls" by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen - "Through the thoughts and private fears of these three men (General George Washington, Thomas Paine and Jonathan Van Dorn, private in Washington's army), Gingrich and Forstchen illuminate the darkest days of the revolution. With detailed research and an incredible depth of military insight, this novel provides a rare and personal perspective of the men who fought and founded, the United States of America." - Back cover
MYSTERY
"Hothouse Orchid" by Stuart Woods - "With his usual action and irrestible sense of place, Hothouse Orchid is Stuart Woods at his best." -- Front cover
"August Heat" by Andrea Camilleri - "Fans of the Scilian inspector as well as readers new to this increasingly popular series will enjoy following the melancholy but unflinchingly moral Montalbano as he undertakes on the most shocking investigations of his career." -- Back cover
"True Blue" by David Baldacci - "A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller." Front cover
"About Face" by Donna Leon - "Leon is the ideal author for people who vaguely long for a 'good mystery'...That Leon is also a brilliant writer should only add to the consistently comforting appeal of her Venetian procedurals featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti." -- Back cover
"Kindred in Death" by J.D. Robb - "In 2060, Lieutenant Eve Dallas searches the nooks of New York City for a dastardly and despicable criminal, in the newest novel by #1 New York Times -- bestselling author J.D. Robb" -- Front cover
"The Scarpetta Factor" by Patricia Cornwell - "Throughout, Cornwell delivers shocking twists and turns, and the kind of cutting-edge technology that only she can. Once again, she proves her exceptional ability to entertain and enthrall." -- Inside back cover
"Nine Dragons" by Michael Connelly - "Delivered at a fever pitch far surpassing even his own extraordinary standard, Nine Dragons is Michael Connelly, "the best mystery writer in the world" (GQ), at his blistering best." -- Back flap
NON-FICTION
"Churchill" by Paul Johnson - "Johnson brings to his subject a vitality that can't be matched in any of the professional one-volume histories...His writing is dramatic without histrionics, graphic without being highly coloured." - The New York Times
"The Hidden Life of Deer" by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas - "With a keen eye and a rich heart, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is once again a unique and invaluable guide to our animal neighbors and their world, which is, of course, our world too. In this joyous book, brimming with fascinations, every page is a rare delight." - Diane Ackerman, author of "The Zookeeper's Wife"
"The National Parks: America's Best Ideas" by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns - "The National Parks is a glorious celebration of an essential expression of American democracy." -- Inside front cover.
"Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael J. Sandel - "Michael J. Sandel's aim is not to boss people around but to bring them around to the pleasures of thinking clearly about large questions of social policy. Reading this lucid book is like taking his famous undergraduate course 'Justice' without the tiresome parts, such as term papers and exams." -- George F. Will
JUVENILE FICTION
"Franny Parker" by Hannah Roberts McKinnon - "Family secrets, light and dark, drive this moving first novel, and the contemporary setting of a small rural community in Oklahoma struggling with drought and dust is always part of the story. Just like her parents, Franny, 12, is an animal lover, and with cages and stalls, she starts a makeshift hospital in the barn for injured birds, turtles, mice, and opossum, as she discovers hurt all around her outside the fence. She makes friends with kind, gorgeous Lucas, who moves into the next-door cabin with his mom, but then she wonders what her neighbors are covering up. Who is the drunk who moves in with them? The local details and characters,... sometimes overwhelm the story. But readers will be held by the romance and the mystery next door, the contemporary story with dust- bowl connections, and the family that nurtures small creatures in the burning heat. Hazel Rochman." —Booklist
"In Too Deep: The 39 Clues" by Jude Watson - "A hint from their parents’ past puts Amy and Dan on the trail of secrets their grandmother Grace would NEVER have wanted them to know. Awful memories begin to crowd in on Amy, just as her enemies circle closer. How far would she go to protect Dan? How much of a Cahill is she prepared to be? Perhaps Grace was right – some secrets are better left buried. -- Brodart
"Tonight on the Titanic" by Mary Pope Osborne - "Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks on the Titanic. Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? Will they be able to save anyone? Will they be able to save themselves? -- Back cover
"Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar" by Bob Barner - "This colorful, rollicking, informative book is brought to life with a playful text and vibrant paper-collage illustrations be award-winning author Bob Barner." -- Inside front cover
"The Day of the Pelican" by Katherine Paterson - "Told from the viewpoint of a young Albanian Muslim girl, this stirring docu-novel dramatizes the recent ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the search for home, as well as prejudice right here in America. Meli Lleshi is nearly 12 in 1998 when her non-religious Muslim family must flee their town to escape a Serb massacre. Over the next two years, they travel first to her uncle's farm, then embark on a terrible journey through the mountains to a crowded refugee camp: 'hungry, filthy, exhausted--and homeless.' They are denied permission to cross the border, until finally, sponsored by a church, they find refuge in Vermont. Never simplistic, the political conflict is the story." Hazel Rochman - Booklist
PICTURE BOOKS
"Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated)" by Florence Parry Heide - "Poor Princess Hyacinth! If only she could run and play with the other children on the Palace Grounds. Why can't she, you wonder? Well, because Princess Hyacinth has a problem...she floats!" - Inside front cover
"Tricking the Tallayman" by Jacqueline Davies - "Who will outsmart whom--Phineas Bump, the 1790 U.S. census taker who rides into Tunbridge, Vermont, heartsick, saddle-sore, and down on his luck but determined to count the people for his job, or the townsfolk who don't want to be counted because they think they'll have to pay more taxes? When young rascal Boston Pepper gets an idea, it switches their thinking: more people would mean more government representation and more votes to get things done! Overnight, Phineas goes from knocking on doors of empty houses to being welcomed by Mrs. Pepper, whose family has suddenly multiplied (thanks to numerous animals dressed as humans), and it's a win-win situation."--Julie Cummins -- Booklist
"Transfer of Power" by Vince Flynn - When terrorists crash White House security, the President is swept away to an isolated underground bunker, and the Vice President suddenly finds himself in charge. From the author of the best-selling Term Limits.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. -- Library Journal
"A Courtesan's Scandal" by Julia London - "Another superbly written addition to London's exquisitely entertaining Regency-set Scandal series. In historical romance, Ms. London is one of the very best," -- Publisher's Weekly
"Viking Heat" by Sandra Hill - "USA Today bestselling author Sandra Hill "writes stories that tickle the funny bone and touch the heart." In her newest novel, a modern woman is cast back in time to the icy Norselands, where she must tame--or be tamed by--a sexy Viking worlord.." -- Back Cover
"The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks -- "Sparks brings us a deeply moving story of a young girl's first encounter with heartbreak --and love. Front Flap
"Ford County" by John Grisham - "Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Often hilarious, frequently moving, and always entertaining, this collection makes it abundantly clear why John Grisham is our most popular storyteller." -- Back Flap
"Monster in the Box" by Ruth Rendell - In the The Monster in the Box, the twenty-second book in the Inspector Wexford series, fans will be thrilled to meet the now-aging inspector in the robust early days of his career. For new readers, no introduction to this spectacular writer and her compelling protagonist could be finer." - Front Flap
"Cold Blood" by James Fleming - "The Russian Revolution is breaking out all around him, but Charlie Doig has a private war to fight. Even if he dies in the attempt, he's going to track down and kill Prokhor Glebov, the Bolshevik who murdered Doig's beautiful wife, Elizveta...James Fleming is one of modern fiction's great stylists. His prose is marvelously robust and vivid, his plot breathtaking in its pace and excitement.." Front cover
"To Try Men's Souls" by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen - "Through the thoughts and private fears of these three men (General George Washington, Thomas Paine and Jonathan Van Dorn, private in Washington's army), Gingrich and Forstchen illuminate the darkest days of the revolution. With detailed research and an incredible depth of military insight, this novel provides a rare and personal perspective of the men who fought and founded, the United States of America." - Back cover
MYSTERY
"Hothouse Orchid" by Stuart Woods - "With his usual action and irrestible sense of place, Hothouse Orchid is Stuart Woods at his best." -- Front cover
"August Heat" by Andrea Camilleri - "Fans of the Scilian inspector as well as readers new to this increasingly popular series will enjoy following the melancholy but unflinchingly moral Montalbano as he undertakes on the most shocking investigations of his career." -- Back cover
"True Blue" by David Baldacci - "A mysterious high-profile homicide in the nation's capital collides with the dark side of national security in David Baldacci's new, heart-stopping thriller." Front cover
"About Face" by Donna Leon - "Leon is the ideal author for people who vaguely long for a 'good mystery'...That Leon is also a brilliant writer should only add to the consistently comforting appeal of her Venetian procedurals featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti." -- Back cover
"Kindred in Death" by J.D. Robb - "In 2060, Lieutenant Eve Dallas searches the nooks of New York City for a dastardly and despicable criminal, in the newest novel by #1 New York Times -- bestselling author J.D. Robb" -- Front cover
"The Scarpetta Factor" by Patricia Cornwell - "Throughout, Cornwell delivers shocking twists and turns, and the kind of cutting-edge technology that only she can. Once again, she proves her exceptional ability to entertain and enthrall." -- Inside back cover
"Nine Dragons" by Michael Connelly - "Delivered at a fever pitch far surpassing even his own extraordinary standard, Nine Dragons is Michael Connelly, "the best mystery writer in the world" (GQ), at his blistering best." -- Back flap
NON-FICTION
"Churchill" by Paul Johnson - "Johnson brings to his subject a vitality that can't be matched in any of the professional one-volume histories...His writing is dramatic without histrionics, graphic without being highly coloured." - The New York Times
"The Hidden Life of Deer" by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas - "With a keen eye and a rich heart, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is once again a unique and invaluable guide to our animal neighbors and their world, which is, of course, our world too. In this joyous book, brimming with fascinations, every page is a rare delight." - Diane Ackerman, author of "The Zookeeper's Wife"
"The National Parks: America's Best Ideas" by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns - "The National Parks is a glorious celebration of an essential expression of American democracy." -- Inside front cover.
"Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael J. Sandel - "Michael J. Sandel's aim is not to boss people around but to bring them around to the pleasures of thinking clearly about large questions of social policy. Reading this lucid book is like taking his famous undergraduate course 'Justice' without the tiresome parts, such as term papers and exams." -- George F. Will
JUVENILE FICTION
"Franny Parker" by Hannah Roberts McKinnon - "Family secrets, light and dark, drive this moving first novel, and the contemporary setting of a small rural community in Oklahoma struggling with drought and dust is always part of the story. Just like her parents, Franny, 12, is an animal lover, and with cages and stalls, she starts a makeshift hospital in the barn for injured birds, turtles, mice, and opossum, as she discovers hurt all around her outside the fence. She makes friends with kind, gorgeous Lucas, who moves into the next-door cabin with his mom, but then she wonders what her neighbors are covering up. Who is the drunk who moves in with them? The local details and characters,... sometimes overwhelm the story. But readers will be held by the romance and the mystery next door, the contemporary story with dust- bowl connections, and the family that nurtures small creatures in the burning heat. Hazel Rochman." —Booklist
"In Too Deep: The 39 Clues" by Jude Watson - "A hint from their parents’ past puts Amy and Dan on the trail of secrets their grandmother Grace would NEVER have wanted them to know. Awful memories begin to crowd in on Amy, just as her enemies circle closer. How far would she go to protect Dan? How much of a Cahill is she prepared to be? Perhaps Grace was right – some secrets are better left buried. -- Brodart
"Tonight on the Titanic" by Mary Pope Osborne - "Jack and Annie are in for an exciting, scary, and sad adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the decks on the Titanic. Is there anything they can do to help the ill-fated ship? Will they be able to save anyone? Will they be able to save themselves? -- Back cover
"Dinosaurs Roar, Butterflies Soar" by Bob Barner - "This colorful, rollicking, informative book is brought to life with a playful text and vibrant paper-collage illustrations be award-winning author Bob Barner." -- Inside front cover
"The Day of the Pelican" by Katherine Paterson - "Told from the viewpoint of a young Albanian Muslim girl, this stirring docu-novel dramatizes the recent ethnic cleansing in Kosovo and the search for home, as well as prejudice right here in America. Meli Lleshi is nearly 12 in 1998 when her non-religious Muslim family must flee their town to escape a Serb massacre. Over the next two years, they travel first to her uncle's farm, then embark on a terrible journey through the mountains to a crowded refugee camp: 'hungry, filthy, exhausted--and homeless.' They are denied permission to cross the border, until finally, sponsored by a church, they find refuge in Vermont. Never simplistic, the political conflict is the story." Hazel Rochman - Booklist
PICTURE BOOKS
"Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl who Floated)" by Florence Parry Heide - "Poor Princess Hyacinth! If only she could run and play with the other children on the Palace Grounds. Why can't she, you wonder? Well, because Princess Hyacinth has a problem...she floats!" - Inside front cover
"Tricking the Tallayman" by Jacqueline Davies - "Who will outsmart whom--Phineas Bump, the 1790 U.S. census taker who rides into Tunbridge, Vermont, heartsick, saddle-sore, and down on his luck but determined to count the people for his job, or the townsfolk who don't want to be counted because they think they'll have to pay more taxes? When young rascal Boston Pepper gets an idea, it switches their thinking: more people would mean more government representation and more votes to get things done! Overnight, Phineas goes from knocking on doors of empty houses to being welcomed by Mrs. Pepper, whose family has suddenly multiplied (thanks to numerous animals dressed as humans), and it's a win-win situation."--Julie Cummins -- Booklist
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Classic Children's Book Fund
Chuck (Kathy) Bayles Classic Children’s Book Fund
Established in 2009 in loving memory by her families
“Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment to think of it.”
A. A. Milne Winnie the Pooh, first published in 1926 by E.P. Dutton
An endowment fund for the purchase of classic children’s books has been established at the Greensboro Free Library to honor the memory of Chuck (Kathy) Bayles, a longtime summer resident of Greensboro. Chuck loved books, she loved reading, she loved children, and she loved classic children’s literature. She treasured and shared her passion for such children’s classics as A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, and Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories with all the children in her life, and there were many. Kids adored Chuck. She was so childlike herself, any kid she met recognized her as a kindred spirit and there was an instant bond.
Born in Columbus, Ohio on May 21, 1956, the third child in a family of four, Chuck was perhaps the quirkiest of the four siblings. Her given name was Kathryn Ann but as a teenager she changed her name to Chuck, inspired in part by the Charlie Brown character in Charles Shultz’s Peanuts cartoon, and the name stuck. Chuck grew up in Bloomington, Indiana and attended college there receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in child development from Indiana University. Having spent wonderful summers in Greensboro for most of her life, Chuck moved to Barre, VT in 1990 where she worked in childcare for a decade prior to establishing the consulting firm, Learning Partners, with her business partner and best friend, Deb Curtis.
Chuck devoted her life to making the world a better place for children through her work in childcare and through her loving attention to any child who came into her life. This endowment is a tribute to her memory. Donations to support the endowment can be made at any time by sending your contribution to the Greensboro Free Library, 53 Wilson St., Greensboro, VT 05841, with an indication that it be credited to the Chuck Bayles Classic Children’s Book Fund.
In addition to this endowment, Chuck’s families are also supporting much-needed refurbishing in the children’s section of the Library. This will include painting, new carpet, bookshelves, and comfy chairs to make the space more inviting to library visitors both young and old. A celebration of these renovations and the endowment will be held at the Library this summer, so check back for details.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Japanese Songs for Children
Alex and Yokiyo Smith held a workshop teaching Japanese Songs for Children on Friday, November 6, 2009 at the Library as part of the Vermont Reads program. They learned not only some songs but also how to write in Japanese. A book discussion of "The Emperor was Divine" was held earlier.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
New Arrivals
ADULT FICTION
"Generations of Winter" by Vassily Aksyonov - "The story of a Russian family struggling to survive the convulsions of the Stalin era....(a) triumphantly moving novel by one of the most acclaimed writers of the Soviet diaspora. Overflowing with passion and cruelty, heroism and sorrow (the book) is a masterpiece in the tradition of the greatest nineteenth century Russian novels."--back cover
"The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread" by Don Robertson - "Set against the backdrop of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history, Don Robertson's enduring, beloved masterwork is a remarkable story of destiny, bravery, and responsibility, as fresh and relevant as when it first appeared in print."--back cover
"The Lumby Lines" by Gail Fraser - "Gail Frazer has assembled a wonderful cast of characters and plunked them down in the middle of a beautiful town that rivals Jan Karon's Mitford for pure fun. Of course, there are obstacles to overcome, mysteries to solve, even some romance and reconciliation along the way to a very satisfying conclusion. Altogether a wonderful story, highly recommended."--Cozy Library
"The Widow" by Georges Simenon - "The story of two outcasts and their fatal encounter...It is Georges Simenon's most powerful and disturbing exploration of the bond between death and desire."--back cover
BIOGRAPHY
"When God is Gone Everything is Holy" by Chet Raymo - In what he describes as a "late-life credo," renowned science writer Chet Raymo narrates his half-century journey from the traditional Catholicism of his youth to his present perspective as a "Catholic agnostic." As a scientist, Raymo holds to the skepticism that accepts only verifiable answers, but as a "religious naturalist," he never ceases his pursuit of "the beautiful and terrible mystery that soaks creation." Raymo assembles a stunning array of scientists, philosophers, mystics, and poets who help him discover "glimmers of the Absolute in every particular." Whether exploring the connection of the human body to the stars or the meaning of prayer of the heart, these challenging reflections will cause believers and agnostics alike to pause and pay attention.--Product Description, Amazon
MYSTERY
"The Apostate's Tale" by Margaret Frazer - "Dame Frevisse must determine whether Sister Cecely, newly returned to the nunnery with her young son, is truly interested in repenting for her sins--or if she's just in hiding after involvement in schemes that threaten everyone at St. Fridewide."--the Publisher
REFERENCE
"Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition" by Peggy Post - "It is truly a wonder that more Americans don't consider Emily Post's discourses on etiquette one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus, and a world atlas. And with great-granddaughter-in-law's modernization, this seventeenth edition, covering birth through death, reflects what must be done concerning hundreds of social conventions. Wondering what are appropriate e-mail manners? Look no further than Peggy Post's list of 10 e-mail transgressions. Want to stifle the boorish conversationalist? Check carefully the author's witty rejoinders. With wisdom, wit, and no small amount of humility, Post carries on well the intent of her family: "Courteous people enrich their own spirits by making other people feel good."" Barbara Jacobs, Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association.
DVD
"The Legend of Bagger Vance" - "Tale of a local hero with a promising future whose hopes are shattered on the battlefields of war. The disillusioned young man turns his back on the world--until a fateful visit from a mysterious stranger turns his life around."--back cover
EASY READER
"Piggy and Dad: Brand New Readers" by David Martin - Candlewick adds to its Brand New Readers series with Piggy and Dad by David Martin, illus. by Frank Remkiewicz; The Rosa Stories by Sheila White Samton; and Wow, It's Worm! by Kathy Caple. Each consists of a slipcase that includes four paperback eight-page story books with minimal text on each colorful spread.--From Publishers Weekly, Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
"Piggy and Dad Go Fishing" by David Martin - "Young Piggy is excited about going fishing with his dad for the first time. It's fresh fish for supper tonight! But once at the lake, Piggy has a few problems. When it comes to baiting his hook, the worm wiggles off. When Dad tells Piggy, "You'll really have to hook him," the worm smiles at Piggy, and the fishermen decide to use bread instead. Once Piggy actually catches a fish, he feels compelled, with Dad's agreement, to throw it back. By day's end, the duo finds that feeding the fish is better than catching them. This upbeat book, with its jolly illustrations in watercolor and crayon, raises some interesting issues. On one hand, it's nice to see a bonded father and son, especially with a dad who unreservedly accepts his son's choices. On the other, there's no doubt about the book's political correctness. Fishing comes across as a sport that's cruel to "sad" fish and smiling worms. Many readers will agree, but avid anglers may be offended. It's something to think about."--Ilene Cooper, Booklist
"Mr. and Mrs. Portly and Their Little Dog, Snack" by Sandra Jordan - “The witty . . . story line is well matched by the illustrations’ energy, flair, and ebullient use of color.” —School Library Journal
"Generations of Winter" by Vassily Aksyonov - "The story of a Russian family struggling to survive the convulsions of the Stalin era....(a) triumphantly moving novel by one of the most acclaimed writers of the Soviet diaspora. Overflowing with passion and cruelty, heroism and sorrow (the book) is a masterpiece in the tradition of the greatest nineteenth century Russian novels."--back cover
"The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread" by Don Robertson - "Set against the backdrop of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history, Don Robertson's enduring, beloved masterwork is a remarkable story of destiny, bravery, and responsibility, as fresh and relevant as when it first appeared in print."--back cover
"The Lumby Lines" by Gail Fraser - "Gail Frazer has assembled a wonderful cast of characters and plunked them down in the middle of a beautiful town that rivals Jan Karon's Mitford for pure fun. Of course, there are obstacles to overcome, mysteries to solve, even some romance and reconciliation along the way to a very satisfying conclusion. Altogether a wonderful story, highly recommended."--Cozy Library
"The Widow" by Georges Simenon - "The story of two outcasts and their fatal encounter...It is Georges Simenon's most powerful and disturbing exploration of the bond between death and desire."--back cover
BIOGRAPHY
"When God is Gone Everything is Holy" by Chet Raymo - In what he describes as a "late-life credo," renowned science writer Chet Raymo narrates his half-century journey from the traditional Catholicism of his youth to his present perspective as a "Catholic agnostic." As a scientist, Raymo holds to the skepticism that accepts only verifiable answers, but as a "religious naturalist," he never ceases his pursuit of "the beautiful and terrible mystery that soaks creation." Raymo assembles a stunning array of scientists, philosophers, mystics, and poets who help him discover "glimmers of the Absolute in every particular." Whether exploring the connection of the human body to the stars or the meaning of prayer of the heart, these challenging reflections will cause believers and agnostics alike to pause and pay attention.--Product Description, Amazon
MYSTERY
"The Apostate's Tale" by Margaret Frazer - "Dame Frevisse must determine whether Sister Cecely, newly returned to the nunnery with her young son, is truly interested in repenting for her sins--or if she's just in hiding after involvement in schemes that threaten everyone at St. Fridewide."--the Publisher
REFERENCE
"Emily Post's Etiquette, 17th Edition" by Peggy Post - "It is truly a wonder that more Americans don't consider Emily Post's discourses on etiquette one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus, and a world atlas. And with great-granddaughter-in-law's modernization, this seventeenth edition, covering birth through death, reflects what must be done concerning hundreds of social conventions. Wondering what are appropriate e-mail manners? Look no further than Peggy Post's list of 10 e-mail transgressions. Want to stifle the boorish conversationalist? Check carefully the author's witty rejoinders. With wisdom, wit, and no small amount of humility, Post carries on well the intent of her family: "Courteous people enrich their own spirits by making other people feel good."" Barbara Jacobs, Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association.
DVD
"The Legend of Bagger Vance" - "Tale of a local hero with a promising future whose hopes are shattered on the battlefields of war. The disillusioned young man turns his back on the world--until a fateful visit from a mysterious stranger turns his life around."--back cover
EASY READER
"Piggy and Dad: Brand New Readers" by David Martin - Candlewick adds to its Brand New Readers series with Piggy and Dad by David Martin, illus. by Frank Remkiewicz; The Rosa Stories by Sheila White Samton; and Wow, It's Worm! by Kathy Caple. Each consists of a slipcase that includes four paperback eight-page story books with minimal text on each colorful spread.--From Publishers Weekly, Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
"Piggy and Dad Go Fishing" by David Martin - "Young Piggy is excited about going fishing with his dad for the first time. It's fresh fish for supper tonight! But once at the lake, Piggy has a few problems. When it comes to baiting his hook, the worm wiggles off. When Dad tells Piggy, "You'll really have to hook him," the worm smiles at Piggy, and the fishermen decide to use bread instead. Once Piggy actually catches a fish, he feels compelled, with Dad's agreement, to throw it back. By day's end, the duo finds that feeding the fish is better than catching them. This upbeat book, with its jolly illustrations in watercolor and crayon, raises some interesting issues. On one hand, it's nice to see a bonded father and son, especially with a dad who unreservedly accepts his son's choices. On the other, there's no doubt about the book's political correctness. Fishing comes across as a sport that's cruel to "sad" fish and smiling worms. Many readers will agree, but avid anglers may be offended. It's something to think about."--Ilene Cooper, Booklist
"Mr. and Mrs. Portly and Their Little Dog, Snack" by Sandra Jordan - “The witty . . . story line is well matched by the illustrations’ energy, flair, and ebullient use of color.” —School Library Journal
Sunday, October 11, 2009
New Arrivals
ADULT FICTION
"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett - "an optimistic, uplifting novel set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Feb.)--Publishers Weekly
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"The White Queen" by Philippa Gregory - "The marriage of 22-year-old Yorkist King Edward IV to 27-year-old widow Elizabeth brings a sea change in loyalties: Elizabeth's Lancastrian family becomes Edward's strongest supporters, while Edward's closest adviser, the ambitious earl of Warwick, joins with Edward's brother George to steal the English crown. Gregory invents plausible but provocative scenarios to explore those mysteries (surrounding the period); she is especially poignant depicting Elizabeth in her later years, when her allegiance shifts toward Richard III (who may have killed her sons). Gregory earned her international reputation evoking sex, violence, love and betrayal among the Tudors; here she adds intimate relationships, political maneuvering and battlefield conflicts as well as some well-drawn supernatural elements. Gregory's newest may not be as fresh as earlier efforts, but she captures vividly the terrible inertia of war. -- Publishers Weekly
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PICTURE BOOKS
"Thanks a LOT, Emily Post!" by Jennifer LaRue Huget - "Drawing on actual excerpts and characters from Emily Post's bestselling etiquette book, which was published in 1922, here's a hilarious look at being on your best behavior...and on your worst!" -- inside front cover
"Truckery Rhymes" by Jon Sciezka - For generations, Trucks have been sharing these beloved tales, rowdy rhymes, and honk-along songs. Finally these classics have been gathered into one big, noisy, high-octane collection! All the favorite truckery rhymes are here -- from "Peter Peter Payload Eater" to "Little Dan Dumper"...all the way to "Pop! Blows the Diesel." -- inside front cover
EASY READER
"Three By the Sea" by Edward Marshall - "After a picnic on the beach, Lolly, Sam and Spider are very full. It's too soon to swim, so they decide to tell spooky stories. Lolly's is an eerie story from her school reader. Sam's is suspenseful, with an unexpected ending. And Spider's? Spider thinks his is the best and scariest of them all! Will Lolly and Sam agree? -- back cover
"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett - "an optimistic, uplifting novel set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. (Feb.)--Publishers Weekly
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"The White Queen" by Philippa Gregory - "The marriage of 22-year-old Yorkist King Edward IV to 27-year-old widow Elizabeth brings a sea change in loyalties: Elizabeth's Lancastrian family becomes Edward's strongest supporters, while Edward's closest adviser, the ambitious earl of Warwick, joins with Edward's brother George to steal the English crown. Gregory invents plausible but provocative scenarios to explore those mysteries (surrounding the period); she is especially poignant depicting Elizabeth in her later years, when her allegiance shifts toward Richard III (who may have killed her sons). Gregory earned her international reputation evoking sex, violence, love and betrayal among the Tudors; here she adds intimate relationships, political maneuvering and battlefield conflicts as well as some well-drawn supernatural elements. Gregory's newest may not be as fresh as earlier efforts, but she captures vividly the terrible inertia of war. -- Publishers Weekly
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PICTURE BOOKS
"Thanks a LOT, Emily Post!" by Jennifer LaRue Huget - "Drawing on actual excerpts and characters from Emily Post's bestselling etiquette book, which was published in 1922, here's a hilarious look at being on your best behavior...and on your worst!" -- inside front cover
"Truckery Rhymes" by Jon Sciezka - For generations, Trucks have been sharing these beloved tales, rowdy rhymes, and honk-along songs. Finally these classics have been gathered into one big, noisy, high-octane collection! All the favorite truckery rhymes are here -- from "Peter Peter Payload Eater" to "Little Dan Dumper"...all the way to "Pop! Blows the Diesel." -- inside front cover
EASY READER
"Three By the Sea" by Edward Marshall - "After a picnic on the beach, Lolly, Sam and Spider are very full. It's too soon to swim, so they decide to tell spooky stories. Lolly's is an eerie story from her school reader. Sam's is suspenseful, with an unexpected ending. And Spider's? Spider thinks his is the best and scariest of them all! Will Lolly and Sam agree? -- back cover
Thursday, October 8, 2009
New Arrivals
ADULT FICTION
"Alex Cross's Trial" by James Patterson - The 15th book in James Patterson's Alex Cross series takes us back to early-20th-century America, deep into the heart of Mississippi Jim Crow country. A brave young lawyer named Ben Corbett has been summoned to the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt and given the enviable assignment of investigating reports of lynchings in the Deep South, with the help of a Eudora, Mississippi, man who happens to be Abraham Cross, a great-uncle of Alex. Once on the scene, Ben begins to notice that his every movement is being watched. He has a clear choice: Beat a hasty retreat back to Washington or stay and risk his own violent demise. Torchlit danger and suspense. -- Barnes & Noble
"Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown - Within this book's hermetically sealed universe, characters' motivations don't really have to make sense; they just have to generate the nonstop momentum that makes The Lost Symbol impossible to put down…The Lost Symbol manages to take a twisting, turning route through many such aspects of the occult even as it heads for a final secret that is surprising for a strange reason: It's unsurprising. It also amounts to an affirmation of faith. In the end it is Mr. Brown's sweet optimism, even more than Langdon's sleuthing and explicating, that may amaze his readers most. -- Janet Maslin, The New York Times
"That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo - "Touching, sharp-witted...A deft exploration of the events that can shape a life...A brilliant work, and yes, a great American novel." -- Andrew Egan, Forbes
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Animals Make Us Human" by Temple Grandin - "How do you give your animal the best life? ... (the author) shows us surprising new ways to make our pets and other animals happy."--back cover
"The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care" by T. R. Reid - Washington Post correspondent Reid (The United States of Europe) explores health-care systems around the world in an effort to understand why the U.S. remains the only first world nation to refuse its citizens universal health care. -- Publisher's Weekly
"A Hidden Wholeness The Journey Toward and Undivided Life" by Parker A. Palmer - At a time when many of us seek ways of working and living that are more resonant with our souls, A Hidden Wholeness offers insight into our condition and guidance for finding what we seek--within ourselves and with each other.--Back cover
"NurtureShock" by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman - The central premise of this book is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been overlooked. Two errant assumptions are responsible for current distorted child-rearing habits, dysfunctional school programs and wrongheaded social policies: first, things work in children the same way they work in adults and, second, positive traits necessarily oppose and ward off negative behavior. These myths, and others, are addressed in 10 provocative chapters.--Publishers Weekly
"Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder - ...recounts the story of Deo, the Burundian former medical student turned American émigré at the center of this strikingly vivid story. Told in flashbacks from Deo's 2006 return visit to Burundi to mid-1990s New York and the Burundi of childhood memory and young adulthood-as the Rwandan genocide spilled across the border following the same inflamed ethnic divisions-then picking up in 2003, when author and subject first meet, Deo's experience is conveyed with a remarkable depth of vision and feeling.--Publishers Weekly
"Goat Song A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding and the Art of Making Cheese" by Brad Kessler - "An urban dweller drawn to the land starts a pastoral life with goats on a small farm in Vermont. Wonderful descriptions of how people from many different cultures have both a spiritual and a poetic connection with being a shepherd."--Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human
BIOGRAPHY
"Everything Will Be All Right" by Douglas Wallace - A story of poverty, alcoholism, and violence that destroyed his childhood while perseverance and ambitions saved his life.--Back Cover
"Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy" edited by Peter S. Canellos - Perceptive and carefully reported, drawing from candid interviews with the Kennedy family and inner circle, Last Lion captures magnificently the life and historic achievements of Ted Kennedy, as well as the personal redemption that he found.--inside front cover
"True Compass" by Edward M. Kennedy - "[A] deeply affecting memoir... he writes with searching candor about the losses, joys and lapses of his life; the love and closeness of his family; the solace he found in sailing and the sea; his complex relationships with political allies and rivals. Mr. Kennedy's conversational gifts as a storyteller and his sense of humor -- so often remarked on by colleagues and friends -- shine through here, as does his old-school sense of public service and his hard-won knowledge, in his son Teddy Jr.'s words, that 'even our most profound losses are survivable.'"-- Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
MYSTERY
"Dead and Gone" by Charlaine Harris - "A delightful southern vampire detective series."--The Denver Post
"Even Money" by Dick Francis and Felix Francis - "..a taut crime thriller, featuring an especially sympathetic hero..the authors make bookmaking intelligible while easily integrating it into the plot."--Publishers Weekly
"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson - "As good as crime fighting gets..Completely absorbing and engaging on both a narrative and a moral level...Lisbeth Salander [is] a remarkable heroine."--The Time Literary Supplement
"The Scarecrow" by Michael Connelly - "a nail-biting thriller featuring reporter James McEvoy...This magnificent effort is a reminder of why Connelly is one of today's top crime authors."--Publishers Weekly
"Smash Cut" by Sandra Brown - "This superlative romantic ...features a particularly memorable villain, sociopath Creighton Wheeler, who's obsessed with re-enacting scenes from films like Strangers on a Train and Frenzy."--Publishers Weekly
"The Winner Stands Alone" by Paul Coelho - "Coelho's latest blends spiritual allegory with elements of a thriller and does not lend itself to an easy audio production. Paul Boehner singlehandedly tackles a cast of characters with a wide spectrum of languages and ethnic identities."--Publishers Weekly
JUVENILE FICTION
"The Calder Game" by Blue Balliett - Blue Balliett has created an amazing novel that makes readers observe keenly, feel deeply, and see the world around them in a new and brilliant way.--inside front cover
"The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd - “The best mysteries have at their centers gifted but very human sleuths—their abilities balanced by equally significant flaws or idiosyncrasies. This one is no exception.”--The Horn Book
"Savvy" by Ingrid Law - Mibs is about to turn thirteen, and in her remarkable family, becoming a teenager means finally discovering your extra-special ability--your savvy.--Back Cover
"Greetings from Nowhere" by Barbara O'Connor - "In Barbara O'Connor's warmhearted novel, a cast of unforgettable characters learn that hope is sometimes discovered in the most unlikely places."--inside front cover
"Steel Trapp: The Challenge" by Ridley Pearson - Steven Steel Trapp—so nicknamed for a photographic memory tight as a steel trap— is aboard a train on his way to the National Science Challenge in Washington, D.C., when he unwittingly runs afoul of a gangster with ties to overseas terrorist organizations. Steve joins forces with Kaileigh, a runaway, and the two take it upon themselves to rescue a woman they suspect is being held hostage. Now they just need to figure out by whom, and for what reason, all the while dodging meddling adults—from an overprotective mom and harried nanny to various federal agents—tripping over themselves, even as they stay one step behind Steel and Kaileigh. As the plot accelerates toward the conclusion, Steel realizes, This is just like Spy Kids! a serviceable benchmark. Pearson’s leap into the youth thriller market is less successful than the Peter Pan books he coauthored with Dave Barry, but this has imaginative plot twists, and is a kid-friendly take on a familiar genre. Grades 5-8. --Ian Chipman, Booklist
"The 39 Clues Book 1: The Maze of Bones" by Rick Riordan - Built around a ripe conceit—wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe. Lead-off hitter Riordan (The Lightning Thief) mixes just the right proportions of suspense, peril and puzzles in a fast-paced read. Likable orphans Amy and Dan Cahill have moxie (plus Dan can memorize numbers instantly) and frailties (Amy hates crowds). As the siblings compete with less honorable members of the Cahill clan, all distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, to win the fortune by collecting all 39 clues, they learn about their dead parents, each other and world history. The humor is spot on—one uncle is credited with inventing the microwave burrito. The only flaw? The story does not end so much as drop off a cliff. Ages 9–12. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love" by Lauren Tarshis - Audio Book - Tarshis proves she "gets" adolescent female friendships (not to mention seventh grade) in this funny and empathetic follow-up to Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree...[Emma-Jean's] blossoming appreciation for emotions that logic can't explain, sympathetic supporting characters and an uplifting finale will warm hearts. ---Publishers Weekly
JUVENILE NON-FICTION
"The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary" by Candace Fleming - On spreads that combine well-chosen visuals with blocks of headlined text, Fleming gives a full, birth-to-death view of the “inextricably bound” Lincolns. Once again, Fleming humanizes her subjects and offers a broader perspective on their times with cleverly juxtaposed facts, anecdotes, and images. Although the reproductions are often small and dark, the intriguing visual mix will easily draw readers and browsers alike. Included are paintings and etchings of heartrending historical events, church documents, handwritten notes, and political cartoons. Fleming’s writing, filled with quotes and personal details, is just as lively as the assortment of images, and an extensive time line, suggested resources, and source notes round out the text. Starting with her personal introduction, this exemplary resource will prompt readers to consider how an individual’s life story, and a country’s history, are constructed. Grades 7-12. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan" by Jeanette Winter - Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness? Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.
YOUNG ADULT
"Beneath My Mother's Feet" by Amjed Qamar - Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia has always been a dutiful daughter. She works hard in school, helps her mother at home, and prepares for her upcoming marriage to a cousin. Then Nazia’s father loses his job and his will to work, her dowry is stolen, and the family descends swiftly into poverty. After eviction from their home, Nazia and her mother take positions as live-in servants in a wealthy Karachi suburb, and Nazia begins a life of labor, leaving school behind. With rich detail, Qamar’s heartrending novel explores the cultural and economic pressures facing a young girl in contemporary Pakistan. Grades 7-10. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"The Great Wide Sea" by M.H. Herlong - Ben, Dylan, and Gerry are still mourning their mother’s death when their dad decides to buy a boat and take them on a year-long sailing trip. Tensions flare between Ben and his father, but they gradually learn to live together in close quarters. But one morning, the boys wake up to discover their father has disappeared—and they are lost. What happened to him? Where are they? And what will they do when a treacherous storm looms on the horizon?
M. H. Herlong spins a gripping tale of adventure, survival, and the bonds of brotherhood in The Great Wide Sea.--Product Description, Amazon
"After Tupac & D Foster" by Jacqueline Woodson - "Woodson balances the plotlines with subtle details, authentic language, and rich development. Beautifully capturing the girls’ passage from childhood to adolescence, this is a memorable, affecting novel about the sustaining power of love and friendship and each girl’s developing faith in her own “Big Purpose.” Grades 6-9. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"Bog Child" by Siobhan Dowd - While cutting peat in the Irish hills, Fergus McCann and his uncle discover a body preserved by the bog. Archaeologists and politicians fight over the find, while Fergus starts to dream about the past of the bog child he names “Mel.” Dowd slowly reveals the story of Mel’s mysterious death, an apparent murder, .. Fergus’ imprisoned older brother joins the strike as Fergus is blackmailed into delivering packages that may contain bomb-making supplies. The history may need fleshing out with additional sources, but the intriguing characters and their motivations and sacrifices will translate directly to contemporary readers. The plotlines are braided together into a strong story that is rich in language, setting, and theme. Grades 8-11. --Cindy Dobrez, Booklist
"Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson - Tyler Miller was a socially invisible nerd before he sprayed some attention-getting graffiti and became a legend. Sentenced to a summer of physical labor, he enters his senior year with new muscles that attract popular Bethany Millbury, whose father is Tyler's dad's boss. On probation for his graffiti stunt, Tyler struggles to balance his consuming crush with pressure that comes from schoolwork and his explosive father, and after Tyler is implicated in a drunken crime, his balancing act falls apart. The dialogue occasionally has the cliched feel of a teen movie. What works well here is the frank, on-target humor, the taut pacing, and the small moments, recounted in Tyler's first-person voice, that illuminate his emotional anguish. Writing for the first time from a male perspective, Anderson skillfully explores identity and power struggles that all young people will recognize. Gillian Engberg, BooklistCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"Back Home" by Julia Keller - "Julia Keller has written a novel of heartrending honesty and integrity. Her characters are vividly drawn, her "ordinary" American family is achingly real, and what is perhaps most impressive about Back Home is the author's refusal to provide easy answers, let alone easy solutions, to a contemporary social tragedy. Back Home is a novel for readers of all ages."
--Joyce Carol Oates
"Unwind" by Neal Shusterman - "Shusterman has created a world where nothing is what it seems...a rip-roaring adventure complete with monsters, blimps, and high-diving horses."--School Library Journal
"Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit" by Nahoko Uehashi - "An epic martial arts fantasy straight from the Land of the Rising Sun. Chock full of swords, shuriken, and masterful moves from an unconventional hero who must balance the weight of the world on the tip of her spear." ---Jeff Stone, author of the Five Ancestors series
PICTURE BOOKS
"A Book of 123" by Simms Taback
"Andy Alligator" by Sarah Albee
"Beware of the Frog" by William Bee
"Chicken Said "Cluck"" by Judyann Ackerman Grant
"Marley Goes to School" by John Grogan
"Maybe A Bear Ate It!" by Robie H. Harris
"Old Bear" by Kevin Henkes
"The Hinky Pink" by Megan McDonald
"A Fish Out of Water" by Helen Palmer
"One Boy" by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
DVD's
"Away We Go" - "A marriage made in comedy heaven!" --Karen Durbin, The New York Times
"Crank 2 High Voltage" - "Like a 1,000-volt shot to the heart."--Sam Adams, Los Angeles Times
"Next Day Air" - "A bloody screwball comedy."--Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"Watchmen" - A Powerful Experience." --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"State of Play" -- "A gripping thriller..."--Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"DisneyNature Earth" --"Better than March of the Penquins" --Peter Hammond, Hollywood.com
"Alex Cross's Trial" by James Patterson - The 15th book in James Patterson's Alex Cross series takes us back to early-20th-century America, deep into the heart of Mississippi Jim Crow country. A brave young lawyer named Ben Corbett has been summoned to the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt and given the enviable assignment of investigating reports of lynchings in the Deep South, with the help of a Eudora, Mississippi, man who happens to be Abraham Cross, a great-uncle of Alex. Once on the scene, Ben begins to notice that his every movement is being watched. He has a clear choice: Beat a hasty retreat back to Washington or stay and risk his own violent demise. Torchlit danger and suspense. -- Barnes & Noble
"Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown - Within this book's hermetically sealed universe, characters' motivations don't really have to make sense; they just have to generate the nonstop momentum that makes The Lost Symbol impossible to put down…The Lost Symbol manages to take a twisting, turning route through many such aspects of the occult even as it heads for a final secret that is surprising for a strange reason: It's unsurprising. It also amounts to an affirmation of faith. In the end it is Mr. Brown's sweet optimism, even more than Langdon's sleuthing and explicating, that may amaze his readers most. -- Janet Maslin, The New York Times
"That Old Cape Magic" by Richard Russo - "Touching, sharp-witted...A deft exploration of the events that can shape a life...A brilliant work, and yes, a great American novel." -- Andrew Egan, Forbes
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Animals Make Us Human" by Temple Grandin - "How do you give your animal the best life? ... (the author) shows us surprising new ways to make our pets and other animals happy."--back cover
"The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care" by T. R. Reid - Washington Post correspondent Reid (The United States of Europe) explores health-care systems around the world in an effort to understand why the U.S. remains the only first world nation to refuse its citizens universal health care. -- Publisher's Weekly
"A Hidden Wholeness The Journey Toward and Undivided Life" by Parker A. Palmer - At a time when many of us seek ways of working and living that are more resonant with our souls, A Hidden Wholeness offers insight into our condition and guidance for finding what we seek--within ourselves and with each other.--Back cover
"NurtureShock" by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman - The central premise of this book is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been overlooked. Two errant assumptions are responsible for current distorted child-rearing habits, dysfunctional school programs and wrongheaded social policies: first, things work in children the same way they work in adults and, second, positive traits necessarily oppose and ward off negative behavior. These myths, and others, are addressed in 10 provocative chapters.--Publishers Weekly
"Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder - ...recounts the story of Deo, the Burundian former medical student turned American émigré at the center of this strikingly vivid story. Told in flashbacks from Deo's 2006 return visit to Burundi to mid-1990s New York and the Burundi of childhood memory and young adulthood-as the Rwandan genocide spilled across the border following the same inflamed ethnic divisions-then picking up in 2003, when author and subject first meet, Deo's experience is conveyed with a remarkable depth of vision and feeling.--Publishers Weekly
"Goat Song A Seasonal Life, A Short History of Herding and the Art of Making Cheese" by Brad Kessler - "An urban dweller drawn to the land starts a pastoral life with goats on a small farm in Vermont. Wonderful descriptions of how people from many different cultures have both a spiritual and a poetic connection with being a shepherd."--Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human
BIOGRAPHY
"Everything Will Be All Right" by Douglas Wallace - A story of poverty, alcoholism, and violence that destroyed his childhood while perseverance and ambitions saved his life.--Back Cover
"Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy" edited by Peter S. Canellos - Perceptive and carefully reported, drawing from candid interviews with the Kennedy family and inner circle, Last Lion captures magnificently the life and historic achievements of Ted Kennedy, as well as the personal redemption that he found.--inside front cover
"True Compass" by Edward M. Kennedy - "[A] deeply affecting memoir... he writes with searching candor about the losses, joys and lapses of his life; the love and closeness of his family; the solace he found in sailing and the sea; his complex relationships with political allies and rivals. Mr. Kennedy's conversational gifts as a storyteller and his sense of humor -- so often remarked on by colleagues and friends -- shine through here, as does his old-school sense of public service and his hard-won knowledge, in his son Teddy Jr.'s words, that 'even our most profound losses are survivable.'"-- Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
MYSTERY
"Dead and Gone" by Charlaine Harris - "A delightful southern vampire detective series."--The Denver Post
"Even Money" by Dick Francis and Felix Francis - "..a taut crime thriller, featuring an especially sympathetic hero..the authors make bookmaking intelligible while easily integrating it into the plot."--Publishers Weekly
"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson - "As good as crime fighting gets..Completely absorbing and engaging on both a narrative and a moral level...Lisbeth Salander [is] a remarkable heroine."--The Time Literary Supplement
"The Scarecrow" by Michael Connelly - "a nail-biting thriller featuring reporter James McEvoy...This magnificent effort is a reminder of why Connelly is one of today's top crime authors."--Publishers Weekly
"Smash Cut" by Sandra Brown - "This superlative romantic ...features a particularly memorable villain, sociopath Creighton Wheeler, who's obsessed with re-enacting scenes from films like Strangers on a Train and Frenzy."--Publishers Weekly
"The Winner Stands Alone" by Paul Coelho - "Coelho's latest blends spiritual allegory with elements of a thriller and does not lend itself to an easy audio production. Paul Boehner singlehandedly tackles a cast of characters with a wide spectrum of languages and ethnic identities."--Publishers Weekly
JUVENILE FICTION
"The Calder Game" by Blue Balliett - Blue Balliett has created an amazing novel that makes readers observe keenly, feel deeply, and see the world around them in a new and brilliant way.--inside front cover
"The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd - “The best mysteries have at their centers gifted but very human sleuths—their abilities balanced by equally significant flaws or idiosyncrasies. This one is no exception.”--The Horn Book
"Savvy" by Ingrid Law - Mibs is about to turn thirteen, and in her remarkable family, becoming a teenager means finally discovering your extra-special ability--your savvy.--Back Cover
"Greetings from Nowhere" by Barbara O'Connor - "In Barbara O'Connor's warmhearted novel, a cast of unforgettable characters learn that hope is sometimes discovered in the most unlikely places."--inside front cover
"Steel Trapp: The Challenge" by Ridley Pearson - Steven Steel Trapp—so nicknamed for a photographic memory tight as a steel trap— is aboard a train on his way to the National Science Challenge in Washington, D.C., when he unwittingly runs afoul of a gangster with ties to overseas terrorist organizations. Steve joins forces with Kaileigh, a runaway, and the two take it upon themselves to rescue a woman they suspect is being held hostage. Now they just need to figure out by whom, and for what reason, all the while dodging meddling adults—from an overprotective mom and harried nanny to various federal agents—tripping over themselves, even as they stay one step behind Steel and Kaileigh. As the plot accelerates toward the conclusion, Steel realizes, This is just like Spy Kids! a serviceable benchmark. Pearson’s leap into the youth thriller market is less successful than the Peter Pan books he coauthored with Dave Barry, but this has imaginative plot twists, and is a kid-friendly take on a familiar genre. Grades 5-8. --Ian Chipman, Booklist
"The 39 Clues Book 1: The Maze of Bones" by Rick Riordan - Built around a ripe conceit—wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe. Lead-off hitter Riordan (The Lightning Thief) mixes just the right proportions of suspense, peril and puzzles in a fast-paced read. Likable orphans Amy and Dan Cahill have moxie (plus Dan can memorize numbers instantly) and frailties (Amy hates crowds). As the siblings compete with less honorable members of the Cahill clan, all distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, to win the fortune by collecting all 39 clues, they learn about their dead parents, each other and world history. The humor is spot on—one uncle is credited with inventing the microwave burrito. The only flaw? The story does not end so much as drop off a cliff. Ages 9–12. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love" by Lauren Tarshis - Audio Book - Tarshis proves she "gets" adolescent female friendships (not to mention seventh grade) in this funny and empathetic follow-up to Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree...[Emma-Jean's] blossoming appreciation for emotions that logic can't explain, sympathetic supporting characters and an uplifting finale will warm hearts. ---Publishers Weekly
JUVENILE NON-FICTION
"The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary" by Candace Fleming - On spreads that combine well-chosen visuals with blocks of headlined text, Fleming gives a full, birth-to-death view of the “inextricably bound” Lincolns. Once again, Fleming humanizes her subjects and offers a broader perspective on their times with cleverly juxtaposed facts, anecdotes, and images. Although the reproductions are often small and dark, the intriguing visual mix will easily draw readers and browsers alike. Included are paintings and etchings of heartrending historical events, church documents, handwritten notes, and political cartoons. Fleming’s writing, filled with quotes and personal details, is just as lively as the assortment of images, and an extensive time line, suggested resources, and source notes round out the text. Starting with her personal introduction, this exemplary resource will prompt readers to consider how an individual’s life story, and a country’s history, are constructed. Grades 7-12. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan" by Jeanette Winter - Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness? Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.
YOUNG ADULT
"Beneath My Mother's Feet" by Amjed Qamar - Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan, Nazia has always been a dutiful daughter. She works hard in school, helps her mother at home, and prepares for her upcoming marriage to a cousin. Then Nazia’s father loses his job and his will to work, her dowry is stolen, and the family descends swiftly into poverty. After eviction from their home, Nazia and her mother take positions as live-in servants in a wealthy Karachi suburb, and Nazia begins a life of labor, leaving school behind. With rich detail, Qamar’s heartrending novel explores the cultural and economic pressures facing a young girl in contemporary Pakistan. Grades 7-10. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"The Great Wide Sea" by M.H. Herlong - Ben, Dylan, and Gerry are still mourning their mother’s death when their dad decides to buy a boat and take them on a year-long sailing trip. Tensions flare between Ben and his father, but they gradually learn to live together in close quarters. But one morning, the boys wake up to discover their father has disappeared—and they are lost. What happened to him? Where are they? And what will they do when a treacherous storm looms on the horizon?
M. H. Herlong spins a gripping tale of adventure, survival, and the bonds of brotherhood in The Great Wide Sea.--Product Description, Amazon
"After Tupac & D Foster" by Jacqueline Woodson - "Woodson balances the plotlines with subtle details, authentic language, and rich development. Beautifully capturing the girls’ passage from childhood to adolescence, this is a memorable, affecting novel about the sustaining power of love and friendship and each girl’s developing faith in her own “Big Purpose.” Grades 6-9. --Gillian Engberg, Booklist
"Bog Child" by Siobhan Dowd - While cutting peat in the Irish hills, Fergus McCann and his uncle discover a body preserved by the bog. Archaeologists and politicians fight over the find, while Fergus starts to dream about the past of the bog child he names “Mel.” Dowd slowly reveals the story of Mel’s mysterious death, an apparent murder, .. Fergus’ imprisoned older brother joins the strike as Fergus is blackmailed into delivering packages that may contain bomb-making supplies. The history may need fleshing out with additional sources, but the intriguing characters and their motivations and sacrifices will translate directly to contemporary readers. The plotlines are braided together into a strong story that is rich in language, setting, and theme. Grades 8-11. --Cindy Dobrez, Booklist
"Twisted" by Laurie Halse Anderson - Tyler Miller was a socially invisible nerd before he sprayed some attention-getting graffiti and became a legend. Sentenced to a summer of physical labor, he enters his senior year with new muscles that attract popular Bethany Millbury, whose father is Tyler's dad's boss. On probation for his graffiti stunt, Tyler struggles to balance his consuming crush with pressure that comes from schoolwork and his explosive father, and after Tyler is implicated in a drunken crime, his balancing act falls apart. The dialogue occasionally has the cliched feel of a teen movie. What works well here is the frank, on-target humor, the taut pacing, and the small moments, recounted in Tyler's first-person voice, that illuminate his emotional anguish. Writing for the first time from a male perspective, Anderson skillfully explores identity and power struggles that all young people will recognize. Gillian Engberg, BooklistCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"Back Home" by Julia Keller - "Julia Keller has written a novel of heartrending honesty and integrity. Her characters are vividly drawn, her "ordinary" American family is achingly real, and what is perhaps most impressive about Back Home is the author's refusal to provide easy answers, let alone easy solutions, to a contemporary social tragedy. Back Home is a novel for readers of all ages."
--Joyce Carol Oates
"Unwind" by Neal Shusterman - "Shusterman has created a world where nothing is what it seems...a rip-roaring adventure complete with monsters, blimps, and high-diving horses."--School Library Journal
"Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit" by Nahoko Uehashi - "An epic martial arts fantasy straight from the Land of the Rising Sun. Chock full of swords, shuriken, and masterful moves from an unconventional hero who must balance the weight of the world on the tip of her spear." ---Jeff Stone, author of the Five Ancestors series
PICTURE BOOKS
"A Book of 123" by Simms Taback
"Andy Alligator" by Sarah Albee
"Beware of the Frog" by William Bee
"Chicken Said "Cluck"" by Judyann Ackerman Grant
"Marley Goes to School" by John Grogan
"Maybe A Bear Ate It!" by Robie H. Harris
"Old Bear" by Kevin Henkes
"The Hinky Pink" by Megan McDonald
"A Fish Out of Water" by Helen Palmer
"One Boy" by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
DVD's
"Away We Go" - "A marriage made in comedy heaven!" --Karen Durbin, The New York Times
"Crank 2 High Voltage" - "Like a 1,000-volt shot to the heart."--Sam Adams, Los Angeles Times
"Next Day Air" - "A bloody screwball comedy."--Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"Watchmen" - A Powerful Experience." --Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times
"State of Play" -- "A gripping thriller..."--Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"DisneyNature Earth" --"Better than March of the Penquins" --Peter Hammond, Hollywood.com
Saturday, October 3, 2009
New Arrivals
ADULT FICTION
"Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner - a grand hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure: a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep friends together. - inside front cover
"Change in Altitude" by Anita Shreve - a spellbinding new novel about the fragility of a young marriage .... With stunning language and striking intensity, Anita Shreve transports us to the exotic panorama of Africa and into the core of our most intimate relationships. - inside front cover
"Color of Lightening" by Paulette Jiles - an extraordinary and powerfully moving novel inspired by a true story--a heartrending tale of two American cultures separated by fatal misunderstandings...and one family that walked between them. - inside front cover
"Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Murile Barbery - "By turns very funny (particularly in Paloma's sections) and heartbreaking, Barbery never allows either of her dour narrators to get to cerebral or too sentimental. Her simple plot and sudden denouement add up to a great deal more than the sum of their parts." ---Publishers Weekly
"South of Broad" by Pat Conroy - Charleston, S.C., gossip columnist Leopold Bloom King narrates a paean to his hometown and friends...The story alternates between 1969, the glorious year Leo's coterie stormed Charleston's social, sexual and racial barricades, and 1989, when Sheba, now a movie star, enlists them to find her missing gay brother in AIDS-ravaged San Francisco. Too often the not-so-witty repartee and the narrator's awed voice (he is very fond of superlatives) overwhelm the stories surrounding the group's love affairs and their struggles to protect one another from dangerous pasts. Some characters are tragically lost to the riptides of love and obsession, while others emerge from the frothy waters of sentimentality and nostalgia as exhausted as most readers are likely to be. Fans of Conroy's florid prose and earnest melodramas are in for a treat. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -- Publishers Weekly
"The Women" by T.C. Boyle - a sexy, gripping, fabulously entertaining drama about marriage, the bargains that men and women make, and the privilege and twisting of genius and fame... inside back cover
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Underground: My Life with the SDS and the Weathermen" by Mark Rudd - The leader of the student uprising of 1968 and founding member of the notorious Weather Underground tells his story - for the first time. Rudd speaks out about this tumultuous period, the role he played in its crucial events, and its aftermath, revealing the drama and tension. -- inside cover
MYSTERY
"Swimsuit" by James Patterson - A serial killer with an urge to break into print propels this thriller from bestseller Patterson and collaborator Paetro (4th of July). Ben Hawkins, a former L.A. cop turned reporter and author, travels to Hawaii to look into the disappearance of model Kim McDaniels, who has fallen victim to a sadistic fiend who calls himself Henri Benoit. Ben meets with Kim's distraught parents, but the investigation soon runs into dead ends, even as the body count rises. Back in Los Angeles, Henri gets in touch with Ben, and offers the story of his life and the reasons he continues with his murderous spree. As part of the deal, Henri asks the reporter to write his tell-all book. Ben can't refuse given the killer's threat to his life as well as his girlfriend's. In just one of many clever twists, Henri proves to be the consummate storyteller. Patterson fans will devour this one in a single sitting.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -- From Publishers Weekly
DVD's
"Steve Martin is The Jerk" - Steve Martin portrays Navin Johnson, adopted son of a poor black sharecropper family, whose crazy inventions lead him from rags to riches and right back to rags. Along the way, he's smitten with a lady motorcycle racer, survives a series of screwball attacks by a deranged killer, becomes a millionaire by inventing the "Opti-grab" handle for eyeglasses - and shows why he's one of the hottest comic performers in the world.
"Castle: The Complete First Season" - Rick Castle is a world-famous crime novelist whose stories come to life when a copycat killer follows his literary blueprint. Enlisted to help the NYPD stay a step ahead of the murderer, Castle realizes working with the police can also supply him with a slew of ideas for his next book. The relationship gets a little more complicated - and a whole lot more fun - when he is paired with the attractive Detective Beckett, who doesn't appreciate Castle's unorthodox style.
"88 Minutes with Al Pacino" - a riveting thriller about a forensic psychologist who receives a phone call threatening that he has only 88 minutes to live. As the clock ticks away, tension mounts, suspicions rise and blood flows. With a serial killer he helped convict awaiting execution and a copycat killer on the loose, Jack Gramm has 88 minutes to solve the biggest murder of his career: his own.
"The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary" - Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz--the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger)--have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades... The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon
PICTURE BOOKS
"Swing" by Rufus Butler Seder - a scanimation picture book - Seeing is believing! The swimmer swims, the gymnast cartwheels, the skater twirls. Just watch these kids go. Flip the pages--it's magical -- back cover
"The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown - a magical story about a boy's dream and how the efforts on one small person can help change the world. -- inside front cover
"Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School" by Herman Parish - "Readers will giggle over Amelia's mishaps, and her genuine joie de vivre may assuage first-day fears." Publishers Weekly
"The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School" by Laurie Halse Anderson - a terrific tale of hairy hijinks, classroom chaos, and the importance of teachers and students learning to work together. -- inside front cover
"Best Friends Forever" by Jennifer Weiner - a grand hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure: a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep friends together. - inside front cover
"Change in Altitude" by Anita Shreve - a spellbinding new novel about the fragility of a young marriage .... With stunning language and striking intensity, Anita Shreve transports us to the exotic panorama of Africa and into the core of our most intimate relationships. - inside front cover
"Color of Lightening" by Paulette Jiles - an extraordinary and powerfully moving novel inspired by a true story--a heartrending tale of two American cultures separated by fatal misunderstandings...and one family that walked between them. - inside front cover
"Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Murile Barbery - "By turns very funny (particularly in Paloma's sections) and heartbreaking, Barbery never allows either of her dour narrators to get to cerebral or too sentimental. Her simple plot and sudden denouement add up to a great deal more than the sum of their parts." ---Publishers Weekly
"South of Broad" by Pat Conroy - Charleston, S.C., gossip columnist Leopold Bloom King narrates a paean to his hometown and friends...The story alternates between 1969, the glorious year Leo's coterie stormed Charleston's social, sexual and racial barricades, and 1989, when Sheba, now a movie star, enlists them to find her missing gay brother in AIDS-ravaged San Francisco. Too often the not-so-witty repartee and the narrator's awed voice (he is very fond of superlatives) overwhelm the stories surrounding the group's love affairs and their struggles to protect one another from dangerous pasts. Some characters are tragically lost to the riptides of love and obsession, while others emerge from the frothy waters of sentimentality and nostalgia as exhausted as most readers are likely to be. Fans of Conroy's florid prose and earnest melodramas are in for a treat. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -- Publishers Weekly
"The Women" by T.C. Boyle - a sexy, gripping, fabulously entertaining drama about marriage, the bargains that men and women make, and the privilege and twisting of genius and fame... inside back cover
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Underground: My Life with the SDS and the Weathermen" by Mark Rudd - The leader of the student uprising of 1968 and founding member of the notorious Weather Underground tells his story - for the first time. Rudd speaks out about this tumultuous period, the role he played in its crucial events, and its aftermath, revealing the drama and tension. -- inside cover
MYSTERY
"Swimsuit" by James Patterson - A serial killer with an urge to break into print propels this thriller from bestseller Patterson and collaborator Paetro (4th of July). Ben Hawkins, a former L.A. cop turned reporter and author, travels to Hawaii to look into the disappearance of model Kim McDaniels, who has fallen victim to a sadistic fiend who calls himself Henri Benoit. Ben meets with Kim's distraught parents, but the investigation soon runs into dead ends, even as the body count rises. Back in Los Angeles, Henri gets in touch with Ben, and offers the story of his life and the reasons he continues with his murderous spree. As part of the deal, Henri asks the reporter to write his tell-all book. Ben can't refuse given the killer's threat to his life as well as his girlfriend's. In just one of many clever twists, Henri proves to be the consummate storyteller. Patterson fans will devour this one in a single sitting.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. -- From Publishers Weekly
DVD's
"Steve Martin is The Jerk" - Steve Martin portrays Navin Johnson, adopted son of a poor black sharecropper family, whose crazy inventions lead him from rags to riches and right back to rags. Along the way, he's smitten with a lady motorcycle racer, survives a series of screwball attacks by a deranged killer, becomes a millionaire by inventing the "Opti-grab" handle for eyeglasses - and shows why he's one of the hottest comic performers in the world.
"Castle: The Complete First Season" - Rick Castle is a world-famous crime novelist whose stories come to life when a copycat killer follows his literary blueprint. Enlisted to help the NYPD stay a step ahead of the murderer, Castle realizes working with the police can also supply him with a slew of ideas for his next book. The relationship gets a little more complicated - and a whole lot more fun - when he is paired with the attractive Detective Beckett, who doesn't appreciate Castle's unorthodox style.
"88 Minutes with Al Pacino" - a riveting thriller about a forensic psychologist who receives a phone call threatening that he has only 88 minutes to live. As the clock ticks away, tension mounts, suspicions rise and blood flows. With a serial killer he helped convict awaiting execution and a copycat killer on the loose, Jack Gramm has 88 minutes to solve the biggest murder of his career: his own.
"The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary" - Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz--the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger)--have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades... The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon
PICTURE BOOKS
"Swing" by Rufus Butler Seder - a scanimation picture book - Seeing is believing! The swimmer swims, the gymnast cartwheels, the skater twirls. Just watch these kids go. Flip the pages--it's magical -- back cover
"The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown - a magical story about a boy's dream and how the efforts on one small person can help change the world. -- inside front cover
"Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School" by Herman Parish - "Readers will giggle over Amelia's mishaps, and her genuine joie de vivre may assuage first-day fears." Publishers Weekly
"The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School" by Laurie Halse Anderson - a terrific tale of hairy hijinks, classroom chaos, and the importance of teachers and students learning to work together. -- inside front cover
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Upcoming events
As part of Vermont Reads, a statewide one-book community reading program, the Greensboro Free Library will be having a book discussion of "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka on October 24th at 10 am.
The book tells the story of one Japanese American family's internment in a Utah enemy alien camp during World War II. Come learn about one of the things that happened during World War II. The books are available at the library. Be sure to take one out and read it to learn about life during World War II.
The book tells the story of one Japanese American family's internment in a Utah enemy alien camp during World War II. Come learn about one of the things that happened during World War II. The books are available at the library. Be sure to take one out and read it to learn about life during World War II.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Banned Books Week
Books such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", "The Catcher in the Rye" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" may not be available in some libraries.
Since 1990, the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom has recorded more than 10,000 book challenges, including 513 in 2008. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum.
Most challenges are unsuccessful. The most challenged and/or restricted reading materials have been books for children. Challenges are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others.
Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded us that while not every book in intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to or view.
Come to the Greensboro Free Library and see our collection of books banned in 2008-2009. Borrow one and see if you agree with why it was challenged.
Since 1990, the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom has recorded more than 10,000 book challenges, including 513 in 2008. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum.
Most challenges are unsuccessful. The most challenged and/or restricted reading materials have been books for children. Challenges are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others.
Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded us that while not every book in intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to or view.
Come to the Greensboro Free Library and see our collection of books banned in 2008-2009. Borrow one and see if you agree with why it was challenged.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
New Books at the Library
JUNIOR NON-FICTION
"The Year I Was Grounded" by William New - "Consisting of word puzzles, a series of poems and a diary, this book will delight young readers and young adults alike." - back cover
"The Year I Was Grounded" by William New - "Consisting of word puzzles, a series of poems and a diary, this book will delight young readers and young adults alike." - back cover
Thursday, September 3, 2009
New arrivals
DVD's
"A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil" - an informative inspirational documentary aimed at sharing ideas to provoke environment-friendly and cost-effective changes in cities worldwide.
"The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream" - The consequences of inaction in the face of the decline of fossil fuels are enormous. What does the Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket, how will populations in suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow?
"The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" - Cuba survived an energy famine during the 1990's, and how it did so constitutes one of the most important and hopeful stories of the past few decades. - Richard Heinberg, author of The Party's Over, Powerdown
"King Corn: You Are What You Eat" - a fun and crusading journey into the digestive tract of our fast-food nation....King Corn shows how-and why-whenever you eat a hamburger or drink a soda, you're really consuming...corn.
"A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil" - an informative inspirational documentary aimed at sharing ideas to provoke environment-friendly and cost-effective changes in cities worldwide.
"The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream" - The consequences of inaction in the face of the decline of fossil fuels are enormous. What does the Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket, how will populations in suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow?
"The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" - Cuba survived an energy famine during the 1990's, and how it did so constitutes one of the most important and hopeful stories of the past few decades. - Richard Heinberg, author of The Party's Over, Powerdown
"King Corn: You Are What You Eat" - a fun and crusading journey into the digestive tract of our fast-food nation....King Corn shows how-and why-whenever you eat a hamburger or drink a soda, you're really consuming...corn.
Friday, August 21, 2009
New Books at the Library
ADULT FICTION
"A Short History of Women" by Kate Walbert - Walbertoffers a beautiful and kaleidoscopic view of the 20th century through the eyes of several generations of women in the Townsend family. The story begins with Dorothy Townsend, a turn-of-the-century British suffragist who dies in a hunger strike. From Dorothy's death, Walbert travels back and forth across time and continents to chronicle other acts of self-assertion by Dorothy's female descendants. Dorothy's daughter, Evelyn, travels to America after WWI to make her name in the world of science—and escape from her mother's infamy. Decades later, her niece, also named Dorothy, has a late-life crisis and gets arrested in 2003 for taking photos of an off-limits military base in Delaware. Dorothy's daughters, meanwhile, struggle to find meaning in their modern bourgeois urban existences. The novel takes in historical events from the social upheaval of pre-WWI Britain to VJ day in New York City, a feminist conscious-raising in the '70s and the Internet age. The lives of these women reveal that although oppression of women has grown more subtle, Dorothy's self-sacrifice reverberates through generations. Walbert's look at the 20th century and the Townsend family is perfectly calibrated, intricately structured and gripping from page one. -- Publisher's Weekly (June)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"The Pig Did It" by Joseph Campbell - Unhappy in love, New York creative writing instructor Aaron McCloud, 32, arrives in Western Ireland's County Kerry to suffer amid its natural beauty in this very funny sixth novel from Caldwell (The Uncle from Rome). Aaron stays with his aunt Kitty, who makes a living rewriting the classics (her version of Oliver Twist features lots of repentance), but Aaron's wallow in self-pity is interrupted by a lost pig that attaches itself to him. When the pig digs up a human skeleton buried in the backyard, Kitty identifies the remains as the missing Declan Tovey and blames the pig's mischievous owner, Lolly McKeever. But Lolly won't admit to owning the pig, let alone killing Declan, and Aaron, for his part, is attracted to Lolly and suspicious of his aunt, who had her own reasons for wanting Declan dead. The stage is set for an Irish country comedy of manners in which darts, pints, pigs and burial plots all play a part. Caldwell's shaggy pig story, the first of a projected trilogy, puts farcical doings into lilting language and provides a payoff that is as unexpected as it is satisfying. -- Publisher's Weekly (Jan.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"A Short History of Women" by Kate Walbert - Walbertoffers a beautiful and kaleidoscopic view of the 20th century through the eyes of several generations of women in the Townsend family. The story begins with Dorothy Townsend, a turn-of-the-century British suffragist who dies in a hunger strike. From Dorothy's death, Walbert travels back and forth across time and continents to chronicle other acts of self-assertion by Dorothy's female descendants. Dorothy's daughter, Evelyn, travels to America after WWI to make her name in the world of science—and escape from her mother's infamy. Decades later, her niece, also named Dorothy, has a late-life crisis and gets arrested in 2003 for taking photos of an off-limits military base in Delaware. Dorothy's daughters, meanwhile, struggle to find meaning in their modern bourgeois urban existences. The novel takes in historical events from the social upheaval of pre-WWI Britain to VJ day in New York City, a feminist conscious-raising in the '70s and the Internet age. The lives of these women reveal that although oppression of women has grown more subtle, Dorothy's self-sacrifice reverberates through generations. Walbert's look at the 20th century and the Townsend family is perfectly calibrated, intricately structured and gripping from page one. -- Publisher's Weekly (June)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"The Pig Did It" by Joseph Campbell - Unhappy in love, New York creative writing instructor Aaron McCloud, 32, arrives in Western Ireland's County Kerry to suffer amid its natural beauty in this very funny sixth novel from Caldwell (The Uncle from Rome). Aaron stays with his aunt Kitty, who makes a living rewriting the classics (her version of Oliver Twist features lots of repentance), but Aaron's wallow in self-pity is interrupted by a lost pig that attaches itself to him. When the pig digs up a human skeleton buried in the backyard, Kitty identifies the remains as the missing Declan Tovey and blames the pig's mischievous owner, Lolly McKeever. But Lolly won't admit to owning the pig, let alone killing Declan, and Aaron, for his part, is attracted to Lolly and suspicious of his aunt, who had her own reasons for wanting Declan dead. The stage is set for an Irish country comedy of manners in which darts, pints, pigs and burial plots all play a part. Caldwell's shaggy pig story, the first of a projected trilogy, puts farcical doings into lilting language and provides a payoff that is as unexpected as it is satisfying. -- Publisher's Weekly (Jan.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
New Books at the Library
ADULT FICTION
"The Alexander Cipher" by Will Adams - "A razor-edged thriller that delves into crumbling tombs and ancient secrets. Explosively paced and tautly told, the book demands to be read in one sitting." -- James Rollins, New York Times Bestselling Author
JUVENILE FICTION
"Mogo, The Third Warthog" by Donna Jo Napoli - As in Napoli’s Ugly (2006), the protagonist here is a young animal learning to survive on its own. The last of three male warthogs born in his litter, Mogo always walks behind his mother and his just-slightly-older brothers in the last position, the most vulnerable to the many predators on the savanna. In a convincing first-person narrative, Mogo tells how he survives after his mother forces the three brothers out on their own. Instincts, learned lessons, and reasoning are on his side, but luck and an unlikely friendship with a lone baboon also come into play. Though the final art for Judge’s illustrations was not seen, the sketches look very promising. Readers with no particular interest in African animals may find themselves unexpectedly caught up in this well-told, life-or-death adventure tale, while children who love animals, even those as apparently unlovable as the warthog, will be in their element here. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
"The Alexander Cipher" by Will Adams - "A razor-edged thriller that delves into crumbling tombs and ancient secrets. Explosively paced and tautly told, the book demands to be read in one sitting." -- James Rollins, New York Times Bestselling Author
JUVENILE FICTION
"Mogo, The Third Warthog" by Donna Jo Napoli - As in Napoli’s Ugly (2006), the protagonist here is a young animal learning to survive on its own. The last of three male warthogs born in his litter, Mogo always walks behind his mother and his just-slightly-older brothers in the last position, the most vulnerable to the many predators on the savanna. In a convincing first-person narrative, Mogo tells how he survives after his mother forces the three brothers out on their own. Instincts, learned lessons, and reasoning are on his side, but luck and an unlikely friendship with a lone baboon also come into play. Though the final art for Judge’s illustrations was not seen, the sketches look very promising. Readers with no particular interest in African animals may find themselves unexpectedly caught up in this well-told, life-or-death adventure tale, while children who love animals, even those as apparently unlovable as the warthog, will be in their element here. Grades 3-5. --Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
Monday, August 17, 2009
New Books at the Library
ADULT MYSTERY
"Private Patient" by P.D. James - Both P. D. James and Adam Dalgliesh, both in their 80s, have aged like fine wine. Critics agreed that if The Private Patient, a closed-room mystery, is not among the best in the series, it nonetheless outranks most crime fiction. James brings her usual intellect to bear on this novel: literary references and philosophical discussions; an elegant, leisurely style; a highly atmospheric setting; suspicious distant relatives; and meaningful coincidences. Reviewers diverged, however, on the characterization and plotting. Some thought the characters were psychologically complex, while others thought they—along with the plot—were "reduced to a kind of box-ticking" (Guardian). Finally, Dalgliesh didn't seem completely present—perhaps in anticipation of his imminent retirement and marriage. -- Bookmarks Magazine
PICTURE BOOK
"Hook" by Ed Young - “This stirring story will remind readers of the Ugly Duckling, but its timeless message of determination reaches far past the fairytale genre.” —Starred, Booklist
“Young's suggestive dusky views are by turns confusing, comical, and striking. Along with the minimal narrative, they leave space for readers to ponder and question. They offer nice opportunities for shared reading and, of course, special moments of recognition for readers familiar with Andersen's tale.” —School Library Journal
"Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy" by David Soman - Taking on the guise of her superhero alter-ego (including a red tutu and spotted wings), she makes her own fun on the way to the playground by leaping over sidewalk cracks and counting to infinity. However, once she and her mother arrive, Ladybug Girl faces a new challenge: she wants to play with her friend Sam, but they can't agree on what to do. Lulu is frustrated at first, but then suggests playing the Ladybug Girl game. Sam, clad in yellow and black, quickly turns into Bumblebee Boy, and the two "zoom around…looking to help anyone in trouble." When two girls ask to join in, but both want to be Butterfly Girl, Ladybug Girl tactfully defuses the situation by saying, "If we're going to play together...we don't fight each other." One youngster agrees to be Dragonfly Girl and the Bug Squad flies again. Like the previous book, this offering paints a realistic picture of the daily struggles in a youngster's life. The conflict and resolution ring true, as does the dialogue. The lesson is clearly stated, but not heavy-handed. The cartoon illustrations are bright, expressive, and beautifully presented. Pair this book with one of Mini Grey's "Traction Man" titles (Knopf) for a superb superhero storytime.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD
"Tale of Two Mice" by Ruth Brown - Tension builds as a feline predator, often hiding in plain sight, stalks two mice. Children will appreciate the efforts of cautious Billy, who repeatedly attempts to alert his older sibling, Bo, of their imminent danger. Happily, the mice make a narrow escape even as the ever-oblivious Bo cautions Billy, "If you ever see a cat, you must tell me AT ONCE." Muted watercolors in various hues of brown and blue depict the world of a gloomy old manor full of spooky surprises. Lift-the-flaps offer plenty of opportunity to explore these detail-laden pages. Brown plays with scale, sometimes showing the entire cat hidden in a corner; on other pages, readers see just a hint of an oversize tail, or a large gleaming eye from behind a cabinet door. The spare prose and large pictures make this good for sharing.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library
YOUNG ADULT
"Bayou, Vol. 1" by Jeremy Love - Extremely beautiful, scary and wonderful, this Web comic takes readers to a pair of almost familiar, frequently threatening worlds. We first journey back in time to Mississippi, 1933, where a black sharecropper's daughter, Lee Wagstaff, is learning how to be strong in a segregated society. While Lee and her white friend, Lily, are playing near the bayou where black victims of racial violence are thrown, Lily is abducted by a monster—but Lee's father is blamed. To save him from a lynch mob by rescuing her friend, Lee enters the parallel universe of Dixie, where Southern folklore comes to life in disturbing echoes of our world. There she meets the eponymous character, a hulking creature living alone in a shack, troubled by disturbing memories and threatened by hateful embodiments of the South's violent past. When Lee convinces Bayou that he doesn't have to remain a victim, the two of them set off on a joint quest for understanding and redemption. Love's script and art, laid out in big blocks like Sunday comics, are lovely and eloquent; Morgan's coloring fills the panels with hazy sunlight and menacing darkness. --Publisher's Weekly Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"Private Patient" by P.D. James - Both P. D. James and Adam Dalgliesh, both in their 80s, have aged like fine wine. Critics agreed that if The Private Patient, a closed-room mystery, is not among the best in the series, it nonetheless outranks most crime fiction. James brings her usual intellect to bear on this novel: literary references and philosophical discussions; an elegant, leisurely style; a highly atmospheric setting; suspicious distant relatives; and meaningful coincidences. Reviewers diverged, however, on the characterization and plotting. Some thought the characters were psychologically complex, while others thought they—along with the plot—were "reduced to a kind of box-ticking" (Guardian). Finally, Dalgliesh didn't seem completely present—perhaps in anticipation of his imminent retirement and marriage. -- Bookmarks Magazine
PICTURE BOOK
"Hook" by Ed Young - “This stirring story will remind readers of the Ugly Duckling, but its timeless message of determination reaches far past the fairytale genre.” —Starred, Booklist
“Young's suggestive dusky views are by turns confusing, comical, and striking. Along with the minimal narrative, they leave space for readers to ponder and question. They offer nice opportunities for shared reading and, of course, special moments of recognition for readers familiar with Andersen's tale.” —School Library Journal
"Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy" by David Soman - Taking on the guise of her superhero alter-ego (including a red tutu and spotted wings), she makes her own fun on the way to the playground by leaping over sidewalk cracks and counting to infinity. However, once she and her mother arrive, Ladybug Girl faces a new challenge: she wants to play with her friend Sam, but they can't agree on what to do. Lulu is frustrated at first, but then suggests playing the Ladybug Girl game. Sam, clad in yellow and black, quickly turns into Bumblebee Boy, and the two "zoom around…looking to help anyone in trouble." When two girls ask to join in, but both want to be Butterfly Girl, Ladybug Girl tactfully defuses the situation by saying, "If we're going to play together...we don't fight each other." One youngster agrees to be Dragonfly Girl and the Bug Squad flies again. Like the previous book, this offering paints a realistic picture of the daily struggles in a youngster's life. The conflict and resolution ring true, as does the dialogue. The lesson is clearly stated, but not heavy-handed. The cartoon illustrations are bright, expressive, and beautifully presented. Pair this book with one of Mini Grey's "Traction Man" titles (Knopf) for a superb superhero storytime.—Rachael Vilmar, Eastern Shore Regional Library, Salisbury, MD
"Tale of Two Mice" by Ruth Brown - Tension builds as a feline predator, often hiding in plain sight, stalks two mice. Children will appreciate the efforts of cautious Billy, who repeatedly attempts to alert his older sibling, Bo, of their imminent danger. Happily, the mice make a narrow escape even as the ever-oblivious Bo cautions Billy, "If you ever see a cat, you must tell me AT ONCE." Muted watercolors in various hues of brown and blue depict the world of a gloomy old manor full of spooky surprises. Lift-the-flaps offer plenty of opportunity to explore these detail-laden pages. Brown plays with scale, sometimes showing the entire cat hidden in a corner; on other pages, readers see just a hint of an oversize tail, or a large gleaming eye from behind a cabinet door. The spare prose and large pictures make this good for sharing.—Madigan McGillicuddy, Los Angeles Public Library
YOUNG ADULT
"Bayou, Vol. 1" by Jeremy Love - Extremely beautiful, scary and wonderful, this Web comic takes readers to a pair of almost familiar, frequently threatening worlds. We first journey back in time to Mississippi, 1933, where a black sharecropper's daughter, Lee Wagstaff, is learning how to be strong in a segregated society. While Lee and her white friend, Lily, are playing near the bayou where black victims of racial violence are thrown, Lily is abducted by a monster—but Lee's father is blamed. To save him from a lynch mob by rescuing her friend, Lee enters the parallel universe of Dixie, where Southern folklore comes to life in disturbing echoes of our world. There she meets the eponymous character, a hulking creature living alone in a shack, troubled by disturbing memories and threatened by hateful embodiments of the South's violent past. When Lee convinces Bayou that he doesn't have to remain a victim, the two of them set off on a joint quest for understanding and redemption. Love's script and art, laid out in big blocks like Sunday comics, are lovely and eloquent; Morgan's coloring fills the panels with hazy sunlight and menacing darkness. --Publisher's Weekly Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Friday, July 31, 2009
New Books
ADULT NON-FICTION
"Education of an American Dreamer" by Peter G. Peterson - For years, Pete Peterson has performed with distinction on the world’s stage—both in finance and public policy. But he still remains the same Nebraska boy who counted change in his father’s café. His journey is a remarkable story and his book is an entertaining and refreshingly honest account of his education in business and life.” – Warren E. Buffett
ADULT FICTION
"Mounting Fears" by Stuart Wood - With his usual blistering pace and dry wit, Stuart Woods has created another adventure that shows why he’s truly the master of the game. – inside cover
"Robert Ludlum's: The Bourne Deception" by Eric van Lustbader - “Lustbader’s cinematic vision is once again on display as he sends Bourne on a chaotic chase that leads from Washington to Moscow and back again, dogged by pursuers even as he himself pursues. This is one novel that will keep you reading long into the night.” – Bookreporter.com
"Awakening" by S. J. Bolton - “Page-turning suspense and spectacular snake science..Murky, abandoned churches and dark family secrets stretching back a generation lend a compelling gothic sensibility to this story of a woman who awakens to new possibilities.” – Booklist
"Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich - Published for 2009's summer reading season, a latest installment in the best-selling Stephanie Plum series features tested loyalties, cliff-hanger resolutions, and a tempting assortment of doughnuts.
"The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet" by Reif Larsen - “Fantastically charming, funny and smart. I felt my brain growing as I read it. Who knew the combination of cartography and adolescence could prove to be so touching and so much fun!” –Gary Shteyngart
"Wicked Prey" by John Sandford - “What’s the secret of Sandford’s success other than profligate talent? He insists on keeping his main characters flawed people instead of letting them calcify into iconic figures of truth or justice. Phantom Prey shows yet again why he’s just so good.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer
JUVENILE FICTION
"Rat Trap" by Michael J. Daley - “Short, snappy sentences, appealing characters, and tension …. combine with constant threats of ship malfunctions and Rat’s struggle to survive to create a fast-paced story sure to please.” --Booklist
JUVENILE NON-FICTION
"Lucy Long Ago: Uncovering the Mystery of Where We Came From" by Catherine Thimmesh - Uncovering a collection of bones, a mystery was revealed that would bring scientists around the world to study the find with regard to its ancestral connection to the human race in this chronicling of the discovery of the world's most famous hominid, enhanced with full-color photographs.
PICTURE BOOKS
"Elephants Cannot Dance!" by Mo Willems - “These masterful mini-dramas will delight and amuse easy-reader and picture-book audiences, alike.” –School Library Journal
"Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraodinaire!" by Jane O'Connor - With her best friend Bree by her side, Fancy Nancy heads to the great outdoors to explore the many wonders the natural world has to offer; observing butterflies, watching birds, smelling wildflowers, and more!
"It's a Secret!"by John Burningham - “With this whimsical story about one unforgettable night, the inimitable John Burningham brings to life another delightful and unique tale.” – inside front cover
"Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney - “The expressive animal faces and attention to detail make it a charming addition.” – Publisher’s Weekly
"The Man Who Lived in a Hollow Tree" by Anne Shelby and Cor Hazelaar - With a storyteller’s lilt and a folk-artist’s eye, a writer and an illustrator have made something magical of an Appalachian legend. – inside front cover
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
"A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess - “A brilliant novel…a savage satire on the distortions of the single and collective minds.” –New York Times
"Education of an American Dreamer" by Peter G. Peterson - For years, Pete Peterson has performed with distinction on the world’s stage—both in finance and public policy. But he still remains the same Nebraska boy who counted change in his father’s café. His journey is a remarkable story and his book is an entertaining and refreshingly honest account of his education in business and life.” – Warren E. Buffett
ADULT FICTION
"Mounting Fears" by Stuart Wood - With his usual blistering pace and dry wit, Stuart Woods has created another adventure that shows why he’s truly the master of the game. – inside cover
"Robert Ludlum's: The Bourne Deception" by Eric van Lustbader - “Lustbader’s cinematic vision is once again on display as he sends Bourne on a chaotic chase that leads from Washington to Moscow and back again, dogged by pursuers even as he himself pursues. This is one novel that will keep you reading long into the night.” – Bookreporter.com
"Awakening" by S. J. Bolton - “Page-turning suspense and spectacular snake science..Murky, abandoned churches and dark family secrets stretching back a generation lend a compelling gothic sensibility to this story of a woman who awakens to new possibilities.” – Booklist
"Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich - Published for 2009's summer reading season, a latest installment in the best-selling Stephanie Plum series features tested loyalties, cliff-hanger resolutions, and a tempting assortment of doughnuts.
"The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet" by Reif Larsen - “Fantastically charming, funny and smart. I felt my brain growing as I read it. Who knew the combination of cartography and adolescence could prove to be so touching and so much fun!” –Gary Shteyngart
"Wicked Prey" by John Sandford - “What’s the secret of Sandford’s success other than profligate talent? He insists on keeping his main characters flawed people instead of letting them calcify into iconic figures of truth or justice. Phantom Prey shows yet again why he’s just so good.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer
JUVENILE FICTION
"Rat Trap" by Michael J. Daley - “Short, snappy sentences, appealing characters, and tension …. combine with constant threats of ship malfunctions and Rat’s struggle to survive to create a fast-paced story sure to please.” --Booklist
JUVENILE NON-FICTION
"Lucy Long Ago: Uncovering the Mystery of Where We Came From" by Catherine Thimmesh - Uncovering a collection of bones, a mystery was revealed that would bring scientists around the world to study the find with regard to its ancestral connection to the human race in this chronicling of the discovery of the world's most famous hominid, enhanced with full-color photographs.
PICTURE BOOKS
"Elephants Cannot Dance!" by Mo Willems - “These masterful mini-dramas will delight and amuse easy-reader and picture-book audiences, alike.” –School Library Journal
"Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraodinaire!" by Jane O'Connor - With her best friend Bree by her side, Fancy Nancy heads to the great outdoors to explore the many wonders the natural world has to offer; observing butterflies, watching birds, smelling wildflowers, and more!
"It's a Secret!"by John Burningham - “With this whimsical story about one unforgettable night, the inimitable John Burningham brings to life another delightful and unique tale.” – inside front cover
"Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney - “The expressive animal faces and attention to detail make it a charming addition.” – Publisher’s Weekly
"The Man Who Lived in a Hollow Tree" by Anne Shelby and Cor Hazelaar - With a storyteller’s lilt and a folk-artist’s eye, a writer and an illustrator have made something magical of an Appalachian legend. – inside front cover
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
"A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess - “A brilliant novel…a savage satire on the distortions of the single and collective minds.” –New York Times
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