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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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
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