New Faith Fiction for the New Year
Marissa Creamer
Begin your new year with a novel from a new author. These three debut novels shake up the convention of the traditional faith fiction genre:
"I did not expect to meet the Angel of Death while he was extricating himself from a washing machine. Actually I wasn't really expecting to meet the Angel of Death at all. Not this soon. Not in this place. Yet there he was, slowly unwinding himself from Dixie Manufacturer's finest front-loading commercial washer, twisting and turning and pulling his full body up and over the rim and out onto the laundromat floor." With an opening like that, I had a hard time putting down "Saving Erasmus," Steven Cleaver's debut novel. And the tale only gets stranger as it proceeds. Andrew Benoit, fresh seminary graduate, encounters the Angel of Death, who informs him he has one week to save the tiny town of Erasmus from destruction. It seems the town has lost its faith, and it's up to Andrew to help them find it. He is assisted by a band of mystics who meet at the Instant Coffee Cup and is guided by visions from the Velveteen Rabbit and Homer Simpson, among others. The editor describes this wacky tale, which was recently named one of "Publisher's Weekly's" Best Books of 2007, as a sort of Angel of Death meets "It's A Wonderful Life."
Leaper: the Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero" by Geoffrey Wood brings us the adventures of a new superhero: James, the over-caffeinated coffee barista who suddenly develops the ability to leap through space. James is a reluctant and neurotic hero ("You can never worry too soon"). We see him grapple with controlling his new ability ("Like a butterfly in a bad breeze, I'm all over the place.") as he attempts to make sense of it all. Is this a gift from God? Is he obligated to use his power to do good deeds? (Does he need a cape?) This quirky debut novel made me laugh out loud, but its deeper message about the purpose of our gifts and the meaning of redemption and faith is thought provoking and profound.
Another "Publisher's Weekly" Best Book selection for 2007 is "Feeling For Bones" by Bethany Pierce. "At the age of sixteen, I suffered recurring nightmares. I was running as hard as I could while my destination on the horizon receded to a pinpoint and vanished like the white pop of an old television screen winking out. Awake, I lay in a trance at the bottom of a pool, suffocating beneath an invisible, silent weight: people's voices reached my ears across a great distance, and the reflection of my body was always before me, wavering in myriad and grotesque distortions." For Olivia, the year a scandal forces her father to lose his position as pastor of their church is a time of troubled dreams and distorted images. The budding artist's unhealthy self-image leads to an eating disorder. As she struggles to overcome her anorexia she learns much about faith, family, self-acceptance, and starting over.
Start out your new year with one of these new faith fiction novels. You can find them at Rowan Public Library.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
PAUL BIRKHEAD
Digital cameras ranked in the top ten gift ideas for this Christmas, so there’s a good chance you might have found one under your tree. Some cameras were put to use immediately while others have remained in their boxes. Any new technology can be intimidating, but it may seem more so for someone who has only used film cameras in the past. However, Rowan Public Library has many books that can educate anyone venturing into digital photography.
“Understanding Digital Photography: Techniques for Getting Great Pictures” by Bryan Peterson, is a good book for those unfamiliar with digital cameras or photography in general. Peterson has a laid-back style of writing that puts digital novices at ease right away. Topics range from learning about pixel size to using software that will bring out the best in your photos. Peterson’s book is filled with digital photographs specifically chosen to show the right and the wrong way to do things.
Tom Ang, a full-time photographer, writer and television host, is the author of several books, including his latest “How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.” In it, Ang’s self-proclaimed goal is to show the reader how to photograph any subject in any situation they might encounter. His photographic recipe for success starts with the basic ingredients of color, light and space. Then he cooks things together with such techniques as exposure, framing and focus. The hundreds of beautiful photographs shown throughout the book were actually taken with the more common digital point-and-shoot cameras, seemingly proving Ang’s theory that proper technique and not fancy equipment make good pictures.
For those with a little more experience, “Shooting Digital: Pro Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Your Digital Camera,” is a good resource for learning how to take your photography to the next level. Author Mikkel Aaland published one of the first books on digital photography back in 1992 and has not stopped writing about the subject since. In this latest book, Mikkel Aaland goes beyond the basics and explains how professional photographers get the most out of their digital cameras. In each chapter, stunning photographs are featured. Then, the techniques utilized to make them great are explained in detail.
Whether you’ve recently acquired a digital camera or are contemplating a purchase, Rowan Public Library has plenty of books that will expose you to the world of digital photography.
PAUL BIRKHEAD
Digital cameras ranked in the top ten gift ideas for this Christmas, so there’s a good chance you might have found one under your tree. Some cameras were put to use immediately while others have remained in their boxes. Any new technology can be intimidating, but it may seem more so for someone who has only used film cameras in the past. However, Rowan Public Library has many books that can educate anyone venturing into digital photography.
“Understanding Digital Photography: Techniques for Getting Great Pictures” by Bryan Peterson, is a good book for those unfamiliar with digital cameras or photography in general. Peterson has a laid-back style of writing that puts digital novices at ease right away. Topics range from learning about pixel size to using software that will bring out the best in your photos. Peterson’s book is filled with digital photographs specifically chosen to show the right and the wrong way to do things.
Tom Ang, a full-time photographer, writer and television host, is the author of several books, including his latest “How to Photograph Absolutely Everything.” In it, Ang’s self-proclaimed goal is to show the reader how to photograph any subject in any situation they might encounter. His photographic recipe for success starts with the basic ingredients of color, light and space. Then he cooks things together with such techniques as exposure, framing and focus. The hundreds of beautiful photographs shown throughout the book were actually taken with the more common digital point-and-shoot cameras, seemingly proving Ang’s theory that proper technique and not fancy equipment make good pictures.
For those with a little more experience, “Shooting Digital: Pro Tips for Taking Great Pictures with Your Digital Camera,” is a good resource for learning how to take your photography to the next level. Author Mikkel Aaland published one of the first books on digital photography back in 1992 and has not stopped writing about the subject since. In this latest book, Mikkel Aaland goes beyond the basics and explains how professional photographers get the most out of their digital cameras. In each chapter, stunning photographs are featured. Then, the techniques utilized to make them great are explained in detail.
Whether you’ve recently acquired a digital camera or are contemplating a purchase, Rowan Public Library has plenty of books that will expose you to the world of digital photography.
Monday, December 17, 2007
‘Tis the Season for Giving
Sara Grajek
December 16, 2007
The season of Christmas is filled with glittering lights, shiny presents, and many traditions. What we can also add to the holiday is a spirit of giving. Rowan Public Library has some books that can help you share this concept with children. From storybooks with beautifully illustrated pictures to short biographies, the public library has a great selection of books.
“The Quiltmaker’s Gift” by Jeff Brumbeau tells the story of an old, wise woman who makes the most beautiful quilts in the land, but only gives them to the poor or those who are homeless. When the powerful and greedy king demands one, she tells him he must give away all his possessions before she will make one for him. The king sends the old woman to various exiles as punishment, but each time she befriends the creatures who inhabit those far away places. As the king realizes how unhappy he is, he follows the old woman’s advice and slowly gives away his prized possessions, making those with less very happy. This in turn, makes the king poor, but happy, and the old woman makes him a beautiful quilt showing his journey.
Set in 1945, “Boxes for Katje” by Candace Fleming was inspired by true events in the author’s American mother’s life. In Holland, Katje’s family receives a box from America, “the land of plenty.” Inside is soap, wool socks, chocolate, and a letter from a little girl named Rosie. Katje writes back telling how much the box has brightened their day. Because of the war, it is very difficult to get anything sweet in Holland. Boxes containing food and clothing continue to arrive throughout the winter, much to Katje and her family’s delight. So many boxes come that the family shares them with the rest of the town. Letters back to America are only thing Katje can offer, until one day when a box of tulip bulbs arrive at Rosie’s door.
In the brightly illustrated book, “If the World Were a Village” by David J. Smith, the author asks you to imagine the world as a village of 100. This makes the current population of just over six billion, an easier number to understand. In the village of 100, 61 are from Asia, 13 are from Africa, while 5 are from Canada and the United States. 76 have electricity and most use it only at night. Of those, 10 have computers, 24 have televisions, and 42 have radios. 50 people do not have a reliable source of food and are hungry some of the time and 20 are undernourished. This book will hopefully bring about a realization that the world is a much larger place than just the small part many children encounter in their everyday life.
Biographies of humanitarians such as Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale and all those who work to make a difference can also be found in the children’s room of the library. These selections and more, from Rowan Public Library are a wonderful opportunity to share with children that each person can be giving and make the world a better place, in the holiday season, as well as everyday.
Sara Grajek
December 16, 2007
The season of Christmas is filled with glittering lights, shiny presents, and many traditions. What we can also add to the holiday is a spirit of giving. Rowan Public Library has some books that can help you share this concept with children. From storybooks with beautifully illustrated pictures to short biographies, the public library has a great selection of books.
“The Quiltmaker’s Gift” by Jeff Brumbeau tells the story of an old, wise woman who makes the most beautiful quilts in the land, but only gives them to the poor or those who are homeless. When the powerful and greedy king demands one, she tells him he must give away all his possessions before she will make one for him. The king sends the old woman to various exiles as punishment, but each time she befriends the creatures who inhabit those far away places. As the king realizes how unhappy he is, he follows the old woman’s advice and slowly gives away his prized possessions, making those with less very happy. This in turn, makes the king poor, but happy, and the old woman makes him a beautiful quilt showing his journey.
Set in 1945, “Boxes for Katje” by Candace Fleming was inspired by true events in the author’s American mother’s life. In Holland, Katje’s family receives a box from America, “the land of plenty.” Inside is soap, wool socks, chocolate, and a letter from a little girl named Rosie. Katje writes back telling how much the box has brightened their day. Because of the war, it is very difficult to get anything sweet in Holland. Boxes containing food and clothing continue to arrive throughout the winter, much to Katje and her family’s delight. So many boxes come that the family shares them with the rest of the town. Letters back to America are only thing Katje can offer, until one day when a box of tulip bulbs arrive at Rosie’s door.
In the brightly illustrated book, “If the World Were a Village” by David J. Smith, the author asks you to imagine the world as a village of 100. This makes the current population of just over six billion, an easier number to understand. In the village of 100, 61 are from Asia, 13 are from Africa, while 5 are from Canada and the United States. 76 have electricity and most use it only at night. Of those, 10 have computers, 24 have televisions, and 42 have radios. 50 people do not have a reliable source of food and are hungry some of the time and 20 are undernourished. This book will hopefully bring about a realization that the world is a much larger place than just the small part many children encounter in their everyday life.
Biographies of humanitarians such as Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale and all those who work to make a difference can also be found in the children’s room of the library. These selections and more, from Rowan Public Library are a wonderful opportunity to share with children that each person can be giving and make the world a better place, in the holiday season, as well as everyday.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Cowboy Culture
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
December 6, 2007
The cowboy of the American West is one of the best-known cultural icons of the United States. He is a central figure in the American mythology reflecting the courage, honor and individualism with which Americans identify. However, the original cowboy is a much different figure than either the “tough straight-talking hero” or the “lawless, wild villain spreading mayhem on the frontier”. At the beginning of the range-cattle industry, they were generally young men - the average age was twenty-four. “Nearly one cowboy in three was either Mexican or black.” . The hours were long, dirty and difficult and the pay was minimal. Many of the cowboys were former soldiers – mustered out Union soldiers tired of the overworked dairy farms of the northeast, Confederate veterans looking for any work, or freed slaves. By some definitions, the true heyday of the cowboy really lasted only one generation, beginning at the close of the Civil War and ending in the mid-1880’s. Others will say the story of the cowboy began much earlier when cattle was first brought the Americas by the Spanish in 1494 and extends even to the present day.
David Dary in his book “Cowboy Culture: A Saga of Five Centuries” traces the history of cattle and the vaquero in New Spain, its evolution as the Mexican cattle ranching stretched up into the United States and its eventual spread across the American West after the Civil War and continues up to the turn of the century.
William Savage, Jr. has put together a collection of commentaries about cowboys and the life of they led in “Cowboy Life Reconstructing An American Myth”. Walter Baron von Richthofen, the nephew of the Red Baron who himself was a cattle rancher in the American West and Joseph Nimmo, Jr. the chief of the U.S. Bureau of Statistics in 1886 are among those whose fascinating views are included.
Richard W. Slatta, a professor at NC State University, presents a lovely illustrated history of the cowboy considering both the “golden age” of the late 1800’s and the modern cattleman. In “Cowboy” he takes a look at ranching and the changes over time as well as the cowboy image as it is related to food, apparel, and popular culture.
Books devoted to cowboy antique collecting, black cowboys, and artistic works portraying the American cowboy at his work and even rodeo heroes like Ty Murray can be found in our collection. While checking out the books at the library visit the display of cowboy postcards and other memorabilia shown in the case on the third floor of Headquarters.
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
December 6, 2007
The cowboy of the American West is one of the best-known cultural icons of the United States. He is a central figure in the American mythology reflecting the courage, honor and individualism with which Americans identify. However, the original cowboy is a much different figure than either the “tough straight-talking hero” or the “lawless, wild villain spreading mayhem on the frontier”. At the beginning of the range-cattle industry, they were generally young men - the average age was twenty-four. “Nearly one cowboy in three was either Mexican or black.” . The hours were long, dirty and difficult and the pay was minimal. Many of the cowboys were former soldiers – mustered out Union soldiers tired of the overworked dairy farms of the northeast, Confederate veterans looking for any work, or freed slaves. By some definitions, the true heyday of the cowboy really lasted only one generation, beginning at the close of the Civil War and ending in the mid-1880’s. Others will say the story of the cowboy began much earlier when cattle was first brought the Americas by the Spanish in 1494 and extends even to the present day.
David Dary in his book “Cowboy Culture: A Saga of Five Centuries” traces the history of cattle and the vaquero in New Spain, its evolution as the Mexican cattle ranching stretched up into the United States and its eventual spread across the American West after the Civil War and continues up to the turn of the century.
William Savage, Jr. has put together a collection of commentaries about cowboys and the life of they led in “Cowboy Life Reconstructing An American Myth”. Walter Baron von Richthofen, the nephew of the Red Baron who himself was a cattle rancher in the American West and Joseph Nimmo, Jr. the chief of the U.S. Bureau of Statistics in 1886 are among those whose fascinating views are included.
Richard W. Slatta, a professor at NC State University, presents a lovely illustrated history of the cowboy considering both the “golden age” of the late 1800’s and the modern cattleman. In “Cowboy” he takes a look at ranching and the changes over time as well as the cowboy image as it is related to food, apparel, and popular culture.
Books devoted to cowboy antique collecting, black cowboys, and artistic works portraying the American cowboy at his work and even rodeo heroes like Ty Murray can be found in our collection. While checking out the books at the library visit the display of cowboy postcards and other memorabilia shown in the case on the third floor of Headquarters.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Fairy Fever
By Erin Allen
If there is a young girl living in your household, you are probably aware of the current craze for fairies. Yesteryear’s Tinkerbelle is still making her winged rounds, but she’s surrounded by more of her kind than you can shake a woodland stick at. Consider the following series publications.
Scholastic’s Rainbow Magic is a series of short chapter books written at a second grade level. In the original Rainbow Magic series, readers are introduced to Kirsty and Rachel. These ordinary girls share a fantastic secret – they are friends with the fairies. Fairyland royalty King Oberon and Queen Titania have enlisted their help to battle Jack Frost. Wicked Jack has banished the seven rainbow fairies from Fairyland. Each of the seven books details how Kirsty and Rachel manage to rescue one fairy who personifies a color in the rainbow (Ruby, Amber, Sunny, Fern, Sky, Inky, and Heather) and get home in time for dinner.
Similarly, the next two Rainbow Magic sub-series – Weather Fairies and Jewel Fairies – elicit the support of the two girls to thwart Jack Frost in more evil schemes against the fairy world.
These and other series may entice young readers with their age-appropriate vocabulary and innocent characters. Line drawings included on almost every page advance the story.
For the slightly more experienced reader, Pixie Tricks offers another avenue for those interested in the magical realm. In the fourteen-volume series, a girl named Violet and a fairy named Sprite must find ways to corral pixies that have escaped from their world into the human world. Twice as many pages as the Rainbow Magic series, readers will feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete each volume.
Finally, for the incurable fairyphile, there is Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal by Cicely Mary Barker. A beautiful book, it is one of the “Ologies” series that includes Dragonology, Pirateology, and Egyptology. This series embraces the magical thinking of childhood to present documentary-like information in journal form. Fairyopolis is written as a secret journal that reveals what happened to the author in 1920, when she discovered the fairy world. Inclusion of removable parts, fold-outs, maps, and a jewel-encrusted cover make this book a special experience.
By Erin Allen
If there is a young girl living in your household, you are probably aware of the current craze for fairies. Yesteryear’s Tinkerbelle is still making her winged rounds, but she’s surrounded by more of her kind than you can shake a woodland stick at. Consider the following series publications.
Scholastic’s Rainbow Magic is a series of short chapter books written at a second grade level. In the original Rainbow Magic series, readers are introduced to Kirsty and Rachel. These ordinary girls share a fantastic secret – they are friends with the fairies. Fairyland royalty King Oberon and Queen Titania have enlisted their help to battle Jack Frost. Wicked Jack has banished the seven rainbow fairies from Fairyland. Each of the seven books details how Kirsty and Rachel manage to rescue one fairy who personifies a color in the rainbow (Ruby, Amber, Sunny, Fern, Sky, Inky, and Heather) and get home in time for dinner.
Similarly, the next two Rainbow Magic sub-series – Weather Fairies and Jewel Fairies – elicit the support of the two girls to thwart Jack Frost in more evil schemes against the fairy world.
These and other series may entice young readers with their age-appropriate vocabulary and innocent characters. Line drawings included on almost every page advance the story.
For the slightly more experienced reader, Pixie Tricks offers another avenue for those interested in the magical realm. In the fourteen-volume series, a girl named Violet and a fairy named Sprite must find ways to corral pixies that have escaped from their world into the human world. Twice as many pages as the Rainbow Magic series, readers will feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete each volume.
Finally, for the incurable fairyphile, there is Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal by Cicely Mary Barker. A beautiful book, it is one of the “Ologies” series that includes Dragonology, Pirateology, and Egyptology. This series embraces the magical thinking of childhood to present documentary-like information in journal form. Fairyopolis is written as a secret journal that reveals what happened to the author in 1920, when she discovered the fairy world. Inclusion of removable parts, fold-outs, maps, and a jewel-encrusted cover make this book a special experience.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Lynn Denison
October 28, 2007
The dynamics of the relationship between the baby boomer generation of parents and their adult children is an intriguing topic to delve into, especially if you, like me, are a “boomer” with grown children. According to an article in the November/December 2006 AARP magazine, today’s young adults are confronting higher hurdles on the path to independence than previous generations. A University of Michigan study based on Census Bureau data reports that since 1970 the number of adults ages 25 to 34 living in a parent’s home has ballooned by more than 50 percent, to 39 million. Parents, on average, are spending an inflation-adjusted 13 percent more on their grown offspring.
One of the books available at Rowan Public Library that addresses this situation is Mom, Can I Move Back In With You? by Linda Perlman Gordon and Susan Morris Shaffer. Ms. Perlman refers to the phenomenon of parental involvement in grown children’s lives as a “cultural sea change.” She and Shaffer use the term “adultescence” to describe the prolonged period today’s young people often spend as no-longer-adolescents and not-quite-adults.
For a look at the situation from the young adult perspective, check out Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parents . . . the Second Time Around. In this insightful book written in a lighthearted style Elina Furman offers sensible suggestions to help everyone in the family deal with redefined relationships.
Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship between Adult Children and Their Parents is a warm, witty book that both parents and their grown offspring can enjoy. Author Jane Isay relates that many baby boomer parents have been involved in every aspect of their children’s lives. As these children become adults who no longer need or welcome parental advice, learning to relate in a new, healthy way can be difficult. Ms. Isay discusses many case histories of families she has interviewed, describing problems and discussing workable solutions that build strong, abiding adult relationships.
Generation Debt: Why Now Is a Terrible Time to Be Young by Anya Karenetz, looks at the financial problems that this current generation of young adults face. Another title that might be read in tandem with Ms. Karenetz’s book is Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled—and More Miserable Than Ever Before, by Jean M. Tweenge. Her book is a result of 14 years of research comparing the results of personality tests given to boomers when they were under 30 and those given the GenMe-ers (Gen-X & Y combined) today. Pick up this book soon to read her fascinating findings, enlivened by analysis of films, magazines, TV shows, and anecdotal stories from her life and others.
One last book that I’ve found very helpful is an old standby – Parenting Your Adult Child: How You Can Help Them Achieve Their Full Potential by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. This book is an invaluable resource for parents that deals with issues ranging from helping your child find success, dealing with anger, when adult children return with their children, religious choices, and positive parental love. The library has numerous other resources available on these topics. Make it a point to stop by to visit us soon.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Rowan Public Library and NC LIVE
Edward Hirst
Rowan Public Library
NC LIVE offers the citizens of Rowan County access to a diverse collection of electronic resources including complete articles from over 16,000 newspapers, journals, magazines, and encyclopedias, indexing for over 25,000 periodical titles, and access to over 25,000 online print and audio books. NC LIVE is available free of charge to members of Rowan Public Library. The NC LIVE website http://www.nclive.org/ can be accessed from within the library or remotely. Access from home is restricted by password which can be requested from any Rowan Public Library location. The citizens of Rowan County can receive help using NC LIVE from the library’s helpful staff.
NC LIVE is supported by the General Assembly and the citizens of North Carolina as well as the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Generous support for some of the independent college and university libraries has also been received from The Duke Endowment and The Cannon Foundation. The role of state funding is to "level the playing field" so that rural isolation, community or institutional financial constraints, and limited local library resources are not barriers to accessing information.
NC LIVE provides equal access for all people of North Carolina to an essential and powerful array of online resources and related services to enhance education, economic development, and quality of life throughout the state. The libraries of North Carolina share a vision of each library in the state serving as a gateway to the total library and information resources in the state and to a rich array of electronic information.
The goals of NC LIVE are to provide citizens: Universal access to core group of reference and research materials online in the form of full-text electronic information and indexes; Unlimited access to digital versions of important historical documents and state government information; Information to assist users in gaining access to print materials available in libraries statewide; Assistance from library staff with the skills to help people of all ages use these exciting resources.
If you would like to learn more about accessing some of these resources, there will be a class held at the Headquarters location of Rowan Public Library on Thursday, November 1st at 9:15 a.m.
Edward Hirst
Rowan Public Library
NC LIVE offers the citizens of Rowan County access to a diverse collection of electronic resources including complete articles from over 16,000 newspapers, journals, magazines, and encyclopedias, indexing for over 25,000 periodical titles, and access to over 25,000 online print and audio books. NC LIVE is available free of charge to members of Rowan Public Library. The NC LIVE website http://www.nclive.org/ can be accessed from within the library or remotely. Access from home is restricted by password which can be requested from any Rowan Public Library location. The citizens of Rowan County can receive help using NC LIVE from the library’s helpful staff.
NC LIVE is supported by the General Assembly and the citizens of North Carolina as well as the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Generous support for some of the independent college and university libraries has also been received from The Duke Endowment and The Cannon Foundation. The role of state funding is to "level the playing field" so that rural isolation, community or institutional financial constraints, and limited local library resources are not barriers to accessing information.
NC LIVE provides equal access for all people of North Carolina to an essential and powerful array of online resources and related services to enhance education, economic development, and quality of life throughout the state. The libraries of North Carolina share a vision of each library in the state serving as a gateway to the total library and information resources in the state and to a rich array of electronic information.
The goals of NC LIVE are to provide citizens: Universal access to core group of reference and research materials online in the form of full-text electronic information and indexes; Unlimited access to digital versions of important historical documents and state government information; Information to assist users in gaining access to print materials available in libraries statewide; Assistance from library staff with the skills to help people of all ages use these exciting resources.
If you would like to learn more about accessing some of these resources, there will be a class held at the Headquarters location of Rowan Public Library on Thursday, November 1st at 9:15 a.m.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Teen Read Week
Marissa Creamer
October 14, 2007
The third week of October each year is designated Teen Read Week by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. Although teens have much required reading for school assignments, this annual event encourages teens to read just for the fun of it, and this year's theme is "LOL @ Your Library."
It is encouraging to note that many teens are reading for pleasure. They are buying books at the fastest rate in decades, with sales up by a quarter between 1999 and 2005, according to one industry analysis. Booklist journal critic Michael Cart, a leading authority on young adult literature declares, "We are right smack-dab in the new golden age of young adult literature." In the Harry Potter afterglow, publishers are courting teens with new fantasy titles, but graphic novels, adventure, romance, and humor are popular as well. There is a growing sophistication in young adult literature, with many books depicting older protagonists and more complex plotting and content in books that straddle the teen and adult markets.
YALSA is joining with Readergirlz, an online book community founded by four YA authors, to present a month-long celebration of Teen Read Week. The readergirlz divas will be hosting 31 authors for 31 days. Readergirlz members are invited to chat with a different YA author each evening during the month of October at 8:00 pm EST. Authors participating in the "31 Flavorite Authors for Teens" include:
Lauren Myracle, whose "Internet Girls" series is comprised of "ttyl," "ttfn," and "l8r, g8r." These books follow the lives of three high school girls, with the entire narrative composed of their instant messages.
John Green, author of the Michael L. Printz award-winning novel "Looking for Alaska." His latest novel, "An Abundance of Katherines," tells the story of Colin, a recent high school graduate and former child prodigy who has just been dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl named Katherine. Colin subsequently sets off on a road trip to find some new direction in his life, and along the way tries to create a mathematical formula to predict the duration of romantic relationships.
Janet Lee Carey, whose latest book is "Dragon's Keep", an action-packed fantasy about a twelfth-century princess with a great destiny to fulfill. She must, however, prevent others from finding out her deep secret-she was born with a finger that looks exactly like a dragon's claw.
Other authors participating in the readergirlz chats include Deb Caletti, Holly Black, and Stephenie Meyer, author of "Twilight", "New Moon", and "Eclipse," the bestselling fantasy tales of star-crossed love and vampires. A complete list of the scheduled authors can be found at the Readergirlz website: www.readergirlz.com.
Visit Rowan Public Library to check out any of these books, or take a look at our New Fiction shelves for the latest from even more YA authors.
Marissa Creamer
October 14, 2007
The third week of October each year is designated Teen Read Week by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. Although teens have much required reading for school assignments, this annual event encourages teens to read just for the fun of it, and this year's theme is "LOL @ Your Library."
It is encouraging to note that many teens are reading for pleasure. They are buying books at the fastest rate in decades, with sales up by a quarter between 1999 and 2005, according to one industry analysis. Booklist journal critic Michael Cart, a leading authority on young adult literature declares, "We are right smack-dab in the new golden age of young adult literature." In the Harry Potter afterglow, publishers are courting teens with new fantasy titles, but graphic novels, adventure, romance, and humor are popular as well. There is a growing sophistication in young adult literature, with many books depicting older protagonists and more complex plotting and content in books that straddle the teen and adult markets.
YALSA is joining with Readergirlz, an online book community founded by four YA authors, to present a month-long celebration of Teen Read Week. The readergirlz divas will be hosting 31 authors for 31 days. Readergirlz members are invited to chat with a different YA author each evening during the month of October at 8:00 pm EST. Authors participating in the "31 Flavorite Authors for Teens" include:
Lauren Myracle, whose "Internet Girls" series is comprised of "ttyl," "ttfn," and "l8r, g8r." These books follow the lives of three high school girls, with the entire narrative composed of their instant messages.
John Green, author of the Michael L. Printz award-winning novel "Looking for Alaska." His latest novel, "An Abundance of Katherines," tells the story of Colin, a recent high school graduate and former child prodigy who has just been dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl named Katherine. Colin subsequently sets off on a road trip to find some new direction in his life, and along the way tries to create a mathematical formula to predict the duration of romantic relationships.
Janet Lee Carey, whose latest book is "Dragon's Keep", an action-packed fantasy about a twelfth-century princess with a great destiny to fulfill. She must, however, prevent others from finding out her deep secret-she was born with a finger that looks exactly like a dragon's claw.
Other authors participating in the readergirlz chats include Deb Caletti, Holly Black, and Stephenie Meyer, author of "Twilight", "New Moon", and "Eclipse," the bestselling fantasy tales of star-crossed love and vampires. A complete list of the scheduled authors can be found at the Readergirlz website: www.readergirlz.com.
Visit Rowan Public Library to check out any of these books, or take a look at our New Fiction shelves for the latest from even more YA authors.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
TAKE A HIKE
PAUL BIRKHEAD
OCTOBER 7, 2007
October is the perfect month to take a hike. Resplendent autumn landscapes seem to have the ability to beckon even the most sedentary people out of their cars and homes. Cool, crisp air invigorates the senses. And with temperatures dipping down to reasonable levels, you might not have to break a sweat.
Rowan Public Library encourages you to get outside and enjoy nature for awhile. Soon, freezing weather will be upon us and then you can sit inside and read to your heart’s content. In the meantime, if you just can’t quit turning pages, try these books.
Hiking North Carolina: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina’s Greatest Hiking Trails, by Randy Johnson is a book that’s sure to inspire you to get outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a backwoods adventure or a casual walk in a park, this guide will show you places that you might have never thought to go. Useful information, splendid photos and GPS-compatible maps make this a very valuable trip companion.
North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide, by Kevin Adams is another good read. Who doesn’t like discovering a beautiful waterfall at the end of a trail, ready and waiting to be photographed? While no one knows just how many waterfalls North Carolina has, this book impressively describes over 600 of them. Photographic tips are given about each waterfall as well as important details like accessibility, elevation, and a ‘beauty rating.’
Reading Wilderness First Responder: How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent Emergencies in the Back Country, by Buck Tilton might actually save your life or someone else’s. How many books can you say that about? While somewhat disturbing (there’s a lot that can go wrong out there), there is some extremely valuable information inside. From cuts to cardiac arrest, Tilton’s book does a good job of teaching the reader how to assess and treat injuries outdoors.
If you enjoy hiking already or these book titles have whet your appetite, you should know the Frank T. Tadlock South Rowan Regional Library will be hosting ‘Take A Hike’ programs during the month of October. Sponsored by The Hillbilly Hikers and Rowan County Parks and Recreation, these programs are being offered to the public to celebrate the great outdoors. The schedule of events for the branch in China Grove (704-216-7727) include:
PAUL BIRKHEAD
OCTOBER 7, 2007
October is the perfect month to take a hike. Resplendent autumn landscapes seem to have the ability to beckon even the most sedentary people out of their cars and homes. Cool, crisp air invigorates the senses. And with temperatures dipping down to reasonable levels, you might not have to break a sweat.
Rowan Public Library encourages you to get outside and enjoy nature for awhile. Soon, freezing weather will be upon us and then you can sit inside and read to your heart’s content. In the meantime, if you just can’t quit turning pages, try these books.
Hiking North Carolina: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina’s Greatest Hiking Trails, by Randy Johnson is a book that’s sure to inspire you to get outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a backwoods adventure or a casual walk in a park, this guide will show you places that you might have never thought to go. Useful information, splendid photos and GPS-compatible maps make this a very valuable trip companion.
North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide, by Kevin Adams is another good read. Who doesn’t like discovering a beautiful waterfall at the end of a trail, ready and waiting to be photographed? While no one knows just how many waterfalls North Carolina has, this book impressively describes over 600 of them. Photographic tips are given about each waterfall as well as important details like accessibility, elevation, and a ‘beauty rating.’
Reading Wilderness First Responder: How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent Emergencies in the Back Country, by Buck Tilton might actually save your life or someone else’s. How many books can you say that about? While somewhat disturbing (there’s a lot that can go wrong out there), there is some extremely valuable information inside. From cuts to cardiac arrest, Tilton’s book does a good job of teaching the reader how to assess and treat injuries outdoors.
If you enjoy hiking already or these book titles have whet your appetite, you should know the Frank T. Tadlock South Rowan Regional Library will be hosting ‘Take A Hike’ programs during the month of October. Sponsored by The Hillbilly Hikers and Rowan County Parks and Recreation, these programs are being offered to the public to celebrate the great outdoors. The schedule of events for the branch in China Grove (704-216-7727) include:
- Saturday, October 13 at 2:00 pm Wilderness First Aid Demonstration by Instructor Charles Seaford
- Monday, October 15 at 6:30 pm Movie Night - Continental Divide starring John Belushi
- Saturday, October 20 at 10:00 am Hiking Discussion with Bob Pendergrass
Friday, September 21, 2007
Poetry
Sara Grajek
September 23, 2007
Ask a third grader and chances are they can tell you all about Where the Sidewalk Ends. They can tell you about being eaten by a boa constrictor, the recipe for a hippopotamus sandwich, and how everyone who is a "dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...." is invited to come sit by Shel Silverstein's fire and listen to his book of poetry. Where the Sidewalk Ends might be one of the best-known works of children's poetry, and it is certainly one of the most popular at Rowan Public Library. On the shelves surrounding Shel Silverstein's classic book are his other collections of poetry as well as those by other poets. Stop by the library someday and check them out.
One of my personal favorites, Please Bury me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis, is a collection of poems with a literary theme. Selections are titled, "Reading in the Dark," What if Books Had Different Names," and "Summer Reading at the Beach." Full- page illustrations accompany each poem to further enhance them. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow, by Joyce Sidman offers a science lesson cleverly disguised as a poetry riddle. Moving throughout the day, from morning to night, this book takes the reader on an adventure through the meadows with poems about grasshoppers, hawks, rabbits, and even a fox.
If you are very brave, you can check out Big, Bad and Scary: Poems that Bite Back illustrated by Wade Zahares. This is a collection of poems by well known authors and poets, with one thing in common; creatures featured in this book all slither, stalk, swoop or bite! Snakes, alligators, lions, bats and sharks are stars of this book and Zahares has done a great job illustrating them. For those seeking a bit of humor, try Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex. Filled with poems about classic movie monsters, Frankenstein is joined by Count Dracula, the Mummy, and Godzilla. Except, they don't quite act as expected in this collection of tales; the "Invisible Man Gets a Haircut," "Count Dracula Doesn't Know He's Been Walking Around All Night With Spinach in His Teeth" and of course, "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich."
If reading all of these poems inspires your children to try writing their own and you'd like some advice, read Wishes, Lies and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry by Kenneth Koch. And don't forget the timeless words of Shel Silverstein, "if you are a dreamer, come in." That is what poetry is all about, and Rowan Public Library's poetry collection can keep you dreaming for as long as you want. So come on in.
Sara Grajek
September 23, 2007
Ask a third grader and chances are they can tell you all about Where the Sidewalk Ends. They can tell you about being eaten by a boa constrictor, the recipe for a hippopotamus sandwich, and how everyone who is a "dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...." is invited to come sit by Shel Silverstein's fire and listen to his book of poetry. Where the Sidewalk Ends might be one of the best-known works of children's poetry, and it is certainly one of the most popular at Rowan Public Library. On the shelves surrounding Shel Silverstein's classic book are his other collections of poetry as well as those by other poets. Stop by the library someday and check them out.
One of my personal favorites, Please Bury me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis, is a collection of poems with a literary theme. Selections are titled, "Reading in the Dark," What if Books Had Different Names," and "Summer Reading at the Beach." Full- page illustrations accompany each poem to further enhance them. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow, by Joyce Sidman offers a science lesson cleverly disguised as a poetry riddle. Moving throughout the day, from morning to night, this book takes the reader on an adventure through the meadows with poems about grasshoppers, hawks, rabbits, and even a fox.
If you are very brave, you can check out Big, Bad and Scary: Poems that Bite Back illustrated by Wade Zahares. This is a collection of poems by well known authors and poets, with one thing in common; creatures featured in this book all slither, stalk, swoop or bite! Snakes, alligators, lions, bats and sharks are stars of this book and Zahares has done a great job illustrating them. For those seeking a bit of humor, try Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex. Filled with poems about classic movie monsters, Frankenstein is joined by Count Dracula, the Mummy, and Godzilla. Except, they don't quite act as expected in this collection of tales; the "Invisible Man Gets a Haircut," "Count Dracula Doesn't Know He's Been Walking Around All Night With Spinach in His Teeth" and of course, "Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich."
If reading all of these poems inspires your children to try writing their own and you'd like some advice, read Wishes, Lies and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry by Kenneth Koch. And don't forget the timeless words of Shel Silverstein, "if you are a dreamer, come in." That is what poetry is all about, and Rowan Public Library's poetry collection can keep you dreaming for as long as you want. So come on in.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Royal Attention
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
September 17, 2007
Despite our rejection of the British monarchy as a form of government, American audiences tend to be fascinated by the royal family of England. One of the most written about monarchs is interestingly, also the one with the longest reign thus far. While many books and even a movie delve into the life of Queen Victoria, most write about her early and married years. Greg King’s book “Twilight of Splendor” explores her widowed years, particularly the year of her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th year of her reign. His descriptions of her day-to-day life, her residences, and her complicated and manipulative dealings with her relations make very intriguing reading.
The granddaughter of George III, our foe in the Revolutionary War, Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819. Amazingly, before her birth none of the six sons of George III had any legitimate issue. Even with a throne at stake, few of them were interested in providing an heir. Edward, Duke of Kent and fourth son of George III rose to the occasion by abandoning his mistress, married and successfully produced a legitimate heir a few years before dying. Drina, as she was called in childhood, grew up isolated from almost everyone, including her less than savory Hanoverian relatives. Overprotected by her formidable mother and companionless but for her half-sister, Victoria ascended the thrown on a summer morning in 1837 having just passed her eighteenth birthday.
After a string of older, debauched kings, the British welcomed this morally upright, pristine young queen. “She was a new Gloriana …destined to preside over the greatest period of British prosperity and grown in the modern era”. With her husband Albert and her large family of nine children, Queen Victoria focused on changing the image of the monarchy into the bastion of propriety. Victoria’s influence was vast – she was mother, mother-in-law, grandmother or grandmother-in-law to nearly every royal family of Europe. Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia was her first grandchild, son to her eldest daughter Vicky (Victoria). Her granddaughter Alix, later Alexandra, married the ill-fated Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Victoria’s brood and their antics are fascinating. King delights in some interesting details of her private life, for example, it was common for her and her husband to exchange nude figurines and other risqué art as birthday presents. One of her grandsons was rumored to be Jack the Ripper. King’s vivid descriptions of the elaborate costuming at events and the furnishings at each royal residence are also engaging as are the details of royal service, railcars, holidays, and expenditures. It provides a marvelous glimpse into a world long past.
Take a look at other books about the royals – “Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved” by Christopher Andersen; “The Decline and Fall of the House of Windsor” by Donald Spoto; Hannah Pakula’s “An Uncommon Woman”; “Victoria's Daughters” by Jerrold M. Packard and Robert Rhodes James’ biography of “Prince Albert”, Victoria’s Prince Consort.
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
September 17, 2007
Despite our rejection of the British monarchy as a form of government, American audiences tend to be fascinated by the royal family of England. One of the most written about monarchs is interestingly, also the one with the longest reign thus far. While many books and even a movie delve into the life of Queen Victoria, most write about her early and married years. Greg King’s book “Twilight of Splendor” explores her widowed years, particularly the year of her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th year of her reign. His descriptions of her day-to-day life, her residences, and her complicated and manipulative dealings with her relations make very intriguing reading.
The granddaughter of George III, our foe in the Revolutionary War, Alexandrina Victoria was born in 1819. Amazingly, before her birth none of the six sons of George III had any legitimate issue. Even with a throne at stake, few of them were interested in providing an heir. Edward, Duke of Kent and fourth son of George III rose to the occasion by abandoning his mistress, married and successfully produced a legitimate heir a few years before dying. Drina, as she was called in childhood, grew up isolated from almost everyone, including her less than savory Hanoverian relatives. Overprotected by her formidable mother and companionless but for her half-sister, Victoria ascended the thrown on a summer morning in 1837 having just passed her eighteenth birthday.
After a string of older, debauched kings, the British welcomed this morally upright, pristine young queen. “She was a new Gloriana …destined to preside over the greatest period of British prosperity and grown in the modern era”. With her husband Albert and her large family of nine children, Queen Victoria focused on changing the image of the monarchy into the bastion of propriety. Victoria’s influence was vast – she was mother, mother-in-law, grandmother or grandmother-in-law to nearly every royal family of Europe. Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia was her first grandchild, son to her eldest daughter Vicky (Victoria). Her granddaughter Alix, later Alexandra, married the ill-fated Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Victoria’s brood and their antics are fascinating. King delights in some interesting details of her private life, for example, it was common for her and her husband to exchange nude figurines and other risqué art as birthday presents. One of her grandsons was rumored to be Jack the Ripper. King’s vivid descriptions of the elaborate costuming at events and the furnishings at each royal residence are also engaging as are the details of royal service, railcars, holidays, and expenditures. It provides a marvelous glimpse into a world long past.
Take a look at other books about the royals – “Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved” by Christopher Andersen; “The Decline and Fall of the House of Windsor” by Donald Spoto; Hannah Pakula’s “An Uncommon Woman”; “Victoria's Daughters” by Jerrold M. Packard and Robert Rhodes James’ biography of “Prince Albert”, Victoria’s Prince Consort.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
“Native Guard” by Natasha Trethewey
September 2, 2007Betty Moore
New at Rowan Public Library is Natasha Trethewey’s “Native Guard,” winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. Now a teacher of creative writing at
Trethewey’s slim volume of poems explores both her personal history and Southern history. Her writing reflects on her own experiences of growing up biracial in the South, having both a blond doll and a crèche with a dark baby, seeing a cross burning in her family’s yard. She explores the history of her black mother and white father, who traveled to
The ten-section title poem looks back to the time during the Civil War when former slaves, members of the Louisiana Native Guards of the Union Army, manned
“We know it is our duty now to keep/ white men as prisoners—rebel soldiers,/ would-be masters. We’re all bondsmen here, each/ to the other. Freedom has gotten them/ captivity. For us, a conscription/ we have chosen—jailors to those who still would have us slaves.
“Elegy for the Native Guards,” takes the poet by boat to today’s
She uses language to reinforce her meanings: layers of repetition, phrases mirrored at beginning and end.
Throughout the book, Trethewey sifts through layers and contradictions of the South, bringing up what has been buried. Her mixed feelings stand out in the last lines of the volume: “I return/ to
Monday, August 27, 2007
Rowan Public Library Has Two Upcoming Storytelling Programs
Erin Allen
August 26, 2007
Rowan Public Library is gearing up for the school year with two storytelling programs. The first is a perennial September favorite, Stories by the Millstream.
Millstream 2007’s special guest will be Mitch Capel, better known as Gran’Daddy Junebug. Gran’Daddy Junebug is a renowned storyteller who has a unique affinity with children. According to Alvin Poussaint, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Gran’Daddy Junebug, “through the quiet morals of his stories, strengthens their self esteem with playful yet positive messages”.
Although Millstream is open only to Rowan County second graders, Gran’Daddy Junebug will also be giving a public performance at the Main library in Salisbury at 7:00 p.m. on September 28. People of all ages are invited to the library’s Stanback Auditorium for this unforgettable evening of tales.
Stories by the Millstream is made possible through the efforts of Friends of the Rowan Public Library, Rowan Parks and Recreation, Rowan Public Library, and the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
October 13 is the date scheduled for the first annual Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. As most Rowan County citizens know, Jackie Torrence was a woman of incredible talents. This celebration honors her memory and seeks to continue her warm tradition of sharing stories. The festival will highlight the performance talents of upcoming area youth ages ten to twenty. If you are a young person interested in performing storytelling or stories accompanied by music, call Rowan Public Library at (704) 216-8258 or (704) 216-8234 for more information.
Donna Washington is slated to headline the Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. Ms. Washington is a nationally known storyteller, and author of many books and CDs, including A Big, Spooky House, A Pride of African Tales, and The Story of Kwanzaa. Selected books and CDs will be available for purchase at the festival.
The Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival is scheduled for October 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the grounds of Rowan Public Library, 201 West Fisher Street, Salisbury. Area youth will perform from 10:00 to 12:00. Donna Washington will begin at 12:00. Free popcorn and lemonade will be on hand.
Erin Allen
August 26, 2007
Rowan Public Library is gearing up for the school year with two storytelling programs. The first is a perennial September favorite, Stories by the Millstream.
Millstream 2007’s special guest will be Mitch Capel, better known as Gran’Daddy Junebug. Gran’Daddy Junebug is a renowned storyteller who has a unique affinity with children. According to Alvin Poussaint, Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Gran’Daddy Junebug, “through the quiet morals of his stories, strengthens their self esteem with playful yet positive messages”.
Although Millstream is open only to Rowan County second graders, Gran’Daddy Junebug will also be giving a public performance at the Main library in Salisbury at 7:00 p.m. on September 28. People of all ages are invited to the library’s Stanback Auditorium for this unforgettable evening of tales.
Stories by the Millstream is made possible through the efforts of Friends of the Rowan Public Library, Rowan Parks and Recreation, Rowan Public Library, and the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
October 13 is the date scheduled for the first annual Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. As most Rowan County citizens know, Jackie Torrence was a woman of incredible talents. This celebration honors her memory and seeks to continue her warm tradition of sharing stories. The festival will highlight the performance talents of upcoming area youth ages ten to twenty. If you are a young person interested in performing storytelling or stories accompanied by music, call Rowan Public Library at (704) 216-8258 or (704) 216-8234 for more information.
Donna Washington is slated to headline the Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival. Ms. Washington is a nationally known storyteller, and author of many books and CDs, including A Big, Spooky House, A Pride of African Tales, and The Story of Kwanzaa. Selected books and CDs will be available for purchase at the festival.
The Jackie Torrence Storytelling Festival is scheduled for October 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the grounds of Rowan Public Library, 201 West Fisher Street, Salisbury. Area youth will perform from 10:00 to 12:00. Donna Washington will begin at 12:00. Free popcorn and lemonade will be on hand.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Library Notes
Rebecca Hyde
August 26, 2007
Should you buy an old piece of furniture that has been damaged? Should you try to repair a worn heirloom quilt? The following books offer advice on buying collectibles that show their age and on restoring items to preserve their value or usefulness.
"The Antiques Clinic: A Guide to Damage, Care and Restoration," by James Fielden, gives advice on looking at an object to determine its "general health": materials, stress points, and environmental factors that may affect its condition. For example, try to identify the different woods in a veneered or inlaid surface to see how they work in relation to each other. A veneered fruitwood surface may lift from a soft pine carcass if exposed to atmospheric changes because the two woods react at different rates. Fielden gives practical hints on general care: extending the supports for a gateleg table beyond 90 degrees strains the delicate knuckle joints on which the supports pivet. As for an old patchwork quilt, it should be examined for replacement patches that may detract from its value. An occasional worn patch is not serious: reinforce from behind, or protect with net, or do both, but don't replace it.
Judith Miller also offers guidance in the care of family treasures. Her book, "Care and Repair of Everyday Treasures," is a "step-by-step guide to cleaning and restoring your antiques and collectibles." Even if you are not going to undertake the repair of damaged needlepoint or the restoration of a caned chair seat, the description of materials, tools, and techniques may help when a professional's skills are needed.
For general information on the care of tapestries, embroidery, or clothing, read "The Care & Preservation of Textiles," by Karen Finch and Greta Putman. The authors are experts in the field of conservation, but the book is not a manual for professionals. It draws a clear line between basic housekeeping, which can be undertaken by anyone with "reasonable skills in washing and needlework," and cases in which the skills of a professional conservationist are needed.
In "A Passion for Antiques," Barbara Milo Ohrbach offers a tour of the antiques world. She touches on the motivations for collecting, and then sketches profiles of collectors (romantic, individualist, minimalist, connoisseur, free spirit). Close-ups of individual collectors include photographs of some amazing rooms and interviews. "Essentials of Antiques" offers information on broad categories (ceramics, silver, glass, textiles), with advice on care and professionals to consult. And finally, Ohrbach gives suggestions on where and how to shop, visit and dine, in a number of cities around the world for those on a quest for antiques.
Rebecca Hyde
August 26, 2007
Should you buy an old piece of furniture that has been damaged? Should you try to repair a worn heirloom quilt? The following books offer advice on buying collectibles that show their age and on restoring items to preserve their value or usefulness.
"The Antiques Clinic: A Guide to Damage, Care and Restoration," by James Fielden, gives advice on looking at an object to determine its "general health": materials, stress points, and environmental factors that may affect its condition. For example, try to identify the different woods in a veneered or inlaid surface to see how they work in relation to each other. A veneered fruitwood surface may lift from a soft pine carcass if exposed to atmospheric changes because the two woods react at different rates. Fielden gives practical hints on general care: extending the supports for a gateleg table beyond 90 degrees strains the delicate knuckle joints on which the supports pivet. As for an old patchwork quilt, it should be examined for replacement patches that may detract from its value. An occasional worn patch is not serious: reinforce from behind, or protect with net, or do both, but don't replace it.
Judith Miller also offers guidance in the care of family treasures. Her book, "Care and Repair of Everyday Treasures," is a "step-by-step guide to cleaning and restoring your antiques and collectibles." Even if you are not going to undertake the repair of damaged needlepoint or the restoration of a caned chair seat, the description of materials, tools, and techniques may help when a professional's skills are needed.
For general information on the care of tapestries, embroidery, or clothing, read "The Care & Preservation of Textiles," by Karen Finch and Greta Putman. The authors are experts in the field of conservation, but the book is not a manual for professionals. It draws a clear line between basic housekeeping, which can be undertaken by anyone with "reasonable skills in washing and needlework," and cases in which the skills of a professional conservationist are needed.
In "A Passion for Antiques," Barbara Milo Ohrbach offers a tour of the antiques world. She touches on the motivations for collecting, and then sketches profiles of collectors (romantic, individualist, minimalist, connoisseur, free spirit). Close-ups of individual collectors include photographs of some amazing rooms and interviews. "Essentials of Antiques" offers information on broad categories (ceramics, silver, glass, textiles), with advice on care and professionals to consult. And finally, Ohrbach gives suggestions on where and how to shop, visit and dine, in a number of cities around the world for those on a quest for antiques.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Get a Second Life at the Library and Read Books Too
Edward Hirst
August 19, 2007
"The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed sub-category. Right now he is preparing to carry out his third mission of the night. His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachno-fiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, but excess perspiration wafts through it like a breeze through a freshly napalmed forest. So begins the book Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, a cyber punk novel written in 1992.
The user-defined "metaverse" the Snow Crash described was the inspiration for Second Life, created in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Labs in San Francisco, the company that runs Second Life. This virtual world went live in 2003 with just under 1.000 registered users and today almost 9,000,000 accounts have been created. Around 1,000,000 accounts are active and at any given time approximately 30,000 to 45,000 avatars are actually “in world”.
What is Second Life? It’s a 3-D world created and owned entirely by the inhabitants who live there. It's not really a game in the sense that there are no goals to attain or dragons to slay. The primary focus is socialization and Linden Labs only provides the platform that the inhabitants or "avatars" use to interact with one another. Second Life has it's own economy that is based on Linden dollars. It even has its own time zone! It's a virtual world that contains the same places that you would find in real life. There are malls, villages, parks, neighborhoods, and even libraries to explore. You can attend events such as movies, concerts, author talks and dances. To paraphrase Laurie Anderson, who had paradise in mind when she said it, "Second Life is exactly like where you are now, only much, much better." Linden dollars can be exchanged for US dollars and they currently trade at 265 LDN to 1 USD. Anyone age 18 and over, (Teens 13 - 17 have their own area called Teen Second Life), can create a free account to begin exploring in Second Life. A premium account is currently $9.95 a month, which entitles the user to own virtual land and receive a weekly stipend of 300 Linden dollars a week.
Besides reading Snow Crash you can also check out a couple of different books that will help you get started having a Second Life. Rowan Public Library has A Beginner’s Unofficial Guide to Second Life, which is full of great tips for the beginner. Did you know that residents own the intellectual property rights to anything they create in Second Life? It’s possible to sell your creations there and exchange your LDN for USD. We also have Second Life: The Official Guide in our collection. It lists numerous places you can visit such as the International Spaceflight Museum or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s island where you can experience weather related exhibits such as hurricanes and tsunamis. Second Life is a huge world with lots of places to visit and did I mention you can fly?
Edward Hirst
August 19, 2007
"The Deliverator belongs to an elite order, a hallowed sub-category. Right now he is preparing to carry out his third mission of the night. His uniform is black as activated charcoal, filtering the very light out of the air. A bullet will bounce off its arachno-fiber weave like a wren hitting a patio door, but excess perspiration wafts through it like a breeze through a freshly napalmed forest. So begins the book Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson, a cyber punk novel written in 1992.
The user-defined "metaverse" the Snow Crash described was the inspiration for Second Life, created in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Labs in San Francisco, the company that runs Second Life. This virtual world went live in 2003 with just under 1.000 registered users and today almost 9,000,000 accounts have been created. Around 1,000,000 accounts are active and at any given time approximately 30,000 to 45,000 avatars are actually “in world”.
What is Second Life? It’s a 3-D world created and owned entirely by the inhabitants who live there. It's not really a game in the sense that there are no goals to attain or dragons to slay. The primary focus is socialization and Linden Labs only provides the platform that the inhabitants or "avatars" use to interact with one another. Second Life has it's own economy that is based on Linden dollars. It even has its own time zone! It's a virtual world that contains the same places that you would find in real life. There are malls, villages, parks, neighborhoods, and even libraries to explore. You can attend events such as movies, concerts, author talks and dances. To paraphrase Laurie Anderson, who had paradise in mind when she said it, "Second Life is exactly like where you are now, only much, much better." Linden dollars can be exchanged for US dollars and they currently trade at 265 LDN to 1 USD. Anyone age 18 and over, (Teens 13 - 17 have their own area called Teen Second Life), can create a free account to begin exploring in Second Life. A premium account is currently $9.95 a month, which entitles the user to own virtual land and receive a weekly stipend of 300 Linden dollars a week.
Besides reading Snow Crash you can also check out a couple of different books that will help you get started having a Second Life. Rowan Public Library has A Beginner’s Unofficial Guide to Second Life, which is full of great tips for the beginner. Did you know that residents own the intellectual property rights to anything they create in Second Life? It’s possible to sell your creations there and exchange your LDN for USD. We also have Second Life: The Official Guide in our collection. It lists numerous places you can visit such as the International Spaceflight Museum or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s island where you can experience weather related exhibits such as hurricanes and tsunamis. Second Life is a huge world with lots of places to visit and did I mention you can fly?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Don't be a Dummy at the library
Lynn Denison
August 7, 2007
Do you ever feel like a “dummy” when certain subjects are mentioned? Maybe you know just enough about a subject to realize that you would like to learn more without expending too much time and effort. If so, you have a delightful experience awaiting you at Rowan Public Library when you begin to explore the For Dummies series of books. These informative books are the perfect ones to turn to when you want to briefly investigate a topic. Currently, the library has over one hundred fifty For Dummies titles available for checkout.
The For Dummies phenomenon began in the early nineties when new computer technologies were popping up all over the place. The accompanying “how-to” manuals were often frustrating to new users and difficult to understand. Starting with the publication of DOS for Dummies in 1991, the For Dummies publishers began to tackle topics that are often complex, confusing, and intimidating. For Dummies books, while being informative and reliable, have a down-to-earth style and a lighthearted approach. All books make use of cartoons and humorous icons, a “just plain English” style, and a modular format enabling the reader to find answers quickly and easily.
Today, with more than 125 million books in print, For Dummies books cover virtually all topics, including cooking, dating, Shakespeare, gardening, managing finances, running a business, planning a trip, exercising, choosing a dog and eating right.
Let’s explore one of the library’s newest acquisitions, Understanding Autism for Dummies. One of the authors,Stephen M. Shore Boston University
Just inside the front cover of this book is a two-page “Cheat Sheet,” with numerous concise and helpful “post-it note” style lists. These include “Logging On to Helpful Autism Web Sites,” “Deciphering Important Acronyms,” “Inquiring about Interventions,” “Carrying an Emergency ID Card” (copy of card included), “Preparing for Emergencies,” and “Communicating with Autistic People.” There is an extensive Table of Contents, enabling the reader to quickly zero in on the topics of most interest. An Appendix lists places to go for treatment as well as associations and organizations that deal with research, treatment, advocacy and parental issues. A quote that sums up the philosophy of the book is, “The main thing people lack when they first come into contact with people who have autism or first discover signs of the disorder in a loved one is knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding, acceptance, treatment, and happiness. Allow us to help bring you that knowledge!” You’ll find that all For Dummies titles have similar philosophies consistent with their subject matter.
Other new For Dummies titles available at the library include Resumes for Dummies, Windows Vista for Dummies, Office 2007 for Dummies, Manga for Dummies, and Bookkeeping for Dummies.
Do you ever feel like a “dummy” when certain subjects are mentioned? Maybe you know just enough about a subject to realize that you would like to learn more without expending too much time and effort. If so, you have a delightful experience awaiting you at Rowan Public Library when you begin to explore the For Dummies series of books. These informative books are the perfect ones to turn to when you want to briefly investigate a topic. Currently, the library has over one hundred fifty For Dummies titles available for checkout.
The For Dummies phenomenon began in the early nineties when new computer technologies were popping up all over the place. The accompanying “how-to” manuals were often frustrating to new users and difficult to understand. Starting with the publication of DOS for Dummies in 1991, the For Dummies publishers began to tackle topics that are often complex, confusing, and intimidating. For Dummies books, while being informative and reliable, have a down-to-earth style and a lighthearted approach. All books make use of cartoons and humorous icons, a “just plain English” style, and a modular format enabling the reader to find answers quickly and easily.
Today, with more than 125 million books in print, For Dummies books cover virtually all topics, including cooking, dating, Shakespeare, gardening, managing finances, running a business, planning a trip, exercising, choosing a dog and eating right.
Let’s explore one of the library’s newest acquisitions, Understanding Autism for Dummies. One of the authors,
Just inside the front cover of this book is a two-page “Cheat Sheet,” with numerous concise and helpful “post-it note” style lists. These include “Logging On to Helpful Autism Web Sites,” “Deciphering Important Acronyms,” “Inquiring about Interventions,” “Carrying an Emergency ID Card” (copy of card included), “Preparing for Emergencies,” and “Communicating with Autistic People.” There is an extensive Table of Contents, enabling the reader to quickly zero in on the topics of most interest. An Appendix lists places to go for treatment as well as associations and organizations that deal with research, treatment, advocacy and parental issues. A quote that sums up the philosophy of the book is, “The main thing people lack when they first come into contact with people who have autism or first discover signs of the disorder in a loved one is knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding, acceptance, treatment, and happiness. Allow us to help bring you that knowledge!” You’ll find that all For Dummies titles have similar philosophies consistent with their subject matter.
Other new For Dummies titles available at the library include Resumes for Dummies, Windows Vista for Dummies, Office 2007 for Dummies, Manga for Dummies, and Bookkeeping for Dummies.
Please visit Rowan Public Library either on the web at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or at
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Young Adult for All
Marissa Creamer
8-5-07
Well, the Harry Potter saga has finally come to an end. By now, most fans of the popular children's series have probably devoured the seventh and final book: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Whether or not you are a fan, it is hard to ignore the impact of this fantasy series by British author J.K. Rowling. Undeniably popular with youth, Harry Potter has also been embraced by adults, competing in sales with adult books. In fact, the first three Harry Potter books so dominated the "New York Times" fiction bestseller list that in 2000 a separate list for children's bestsellers was created.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has shown adults that juvenile and young adult literature can be worthwhile reading. More adults have come to realize what I have known for some time: some of the smartest and most entertaining books available are written for children and teens. Other recent books written for young people that can also be enjoyed by adults include:
"Framed," by Cottrell Boyce. The newest novel by the author of "Millions" combines threads of Italian Renaissance art and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a message about the power of art to inspire and transform. It begins when flooding in London causes the contents of the National Gallery to be brought to the sleepy Welsh town of Manod for safekeeping in an abandoned slate quarry (an incident based on a real art evacuation that took place during World War II). The caretaker of the artworks mistakenly believes that Dylan has an interest in renaissance art when he hears the names of Dylan's pet chickens: Michelangelo and Donatello, not realizing they are actually named for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While Dylan (and eventually the entire town) is invited to experience the masterpieces, Dylan's younger sister plans a heist involving replacing Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" with a paint-by-numbers copy. One by one, the quirky citizens of Manod find their lives quietly transformed by the presence of the paintings.
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures" by Brian Selznick. Don't be intimidated by the massive size of this novel; much of the story is told in illustrations. This unique story combines text, sequential art, and period photographs into an engrossing mystery set in 1930s Paris. It tells the story of an orphan boy and his quest to repair a salvaged clockwork automaton in hopes that it will deliver a message from his deceased father. Little does he realize that the cantankerous toyshop owner he encounters also has a connection to the automaton. Fans of film history will appreciate this homage to early filmmakers and the celebrated filmmaker Georges Melies.
"Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville is being marketed as a young adult title, but adult fantasy fans will be sure to enjoy this magical tale set in a sort of "London through the looking glass." Ghosts, walking bushes, and sentient umbrellas inhabit this alternate world where all the lost and broken objects of London accumulate, and houses are built of obsolete technology. When sentient smog threatens the inhabitants of Un Lun Dun, a young hero is prophesied to save the city. It appears that Zanna is the chosen one, but then things begin to go horribly wrong...........
Well-known authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, and Carl Hiaasen have released books for teens in recent years, bringing some of their loyal fans into the young adult reading world. So don't be put off by a book labeled "juvenile" or "young adult." All that's really important is the story. You can find all of these tales at Rowan Public Library.
Marissa Creamer
8-5-07
Well, the Harry Potter saga has finally come to an end. By now, most fans of the popular children's series have probably devoured the seventh and final book: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Whether or not you are a fan, it is hard to ignore the impact of this fantasy series by British author J.K. Rowling. Undeniably popular with youth, Harry Potter has also been embraced by adults, competing in sales with adult books. In fact, the first three Harry Potter books so dominated the "New York Times" fiction bestseller list that in 2000 a separate list for children's bestsellers was created.
The Harry Potter phenomenon has shown adults that juvenile and young adult literature can be worthwhile reading. More adults have come to realize what I have known for some time: some of the smartest and most entertaining books available are written for children and teens. Other recent books written for young people that can also be enjoyed by adults include:
"Framed," by Cottrell Boyce. The newest novel by the author of "Millions" combines threads of Italian Renaissance art and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a message about the power of art to inspire and transform. It begins when flooding in London causes the contents of the National Gallery to be brought to the sleepy Welsh town of Manod for safekeeping in an abandoned slate quarry (an incident based on a real art evacuation that took place during World War II). The caretaker of the artworks mistakenly believes that Dylan has an interest in renaissance art when he hears the names of Dylan's pet chickens: Michelangelo and Donatello, not realizing they are actually named for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While Dylan (and eventually the entire town) is invited to experience the masterpieces, Dylan's younger sister plans a heist involving replacing Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" with a paint-by-numbers copy. One by one, the quirky citizens of Manod find their lives quietly transformed by the presence of the paintings.
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures" by Brian Selznick. Don't be intimidated by the massive size of this novel; much of the story is told in illustrations. This unique story combines text, sequential art, and period photographs into an engrossing mystery set in 1930s Paris. It tells the story of an orphan boy and his quest to repair a salvaged clockwork automaton in hopes that it will deliver a message from his deceased father. Little does he realize that the cantankerous toyshop owner he encounters also has a connection to the automaton. Fans of film history will appreciate this homage to early filmmakers and the celebrated filmmaker Georges Melies.
"Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville is being marketed as a young adult title, but adult fantasy fans will be sure to enjoy this magical tale set in a sort of "London through the looking glass." Ghosts, walking bushes, and sentient umbrellas inhabit this alternate world where all the lost and broken objects of London accumulate, and houses are built of obsolete technology. When sentient smog threatens the inhabitants of Un Lun Dun, a young hero is prophesied to save the city. It appears that Zanna is the chosen one, but then things begin to go horribly wrong...........
Well-known authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, James Patterson, and Carl Hiaasen have released books for teens in recent years, bringing some of their loyal fans into the young adult reading world. So don't be put off by a book labeled "juvenile" or "young adult." All that's really important is the story. You can find all of these tales at Rowan Public Library.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Clutter and Organization
Paul Birkhead
July 29, 2007
Admitting you have a problem – isn’t that considered the first step in rehabilitation? Well, I must be on my way to recovery then, because I admit that I’m a clutterholic. I have a bad habit of keeping things that should be thrown out or given away. Why do I do it? I’m sure I can blame it on genetics (thanks Grams) or on circumstances (house downsizing), but mostly I can’t stand the thought of getting rid of something that I might need later. Throw disorganization in the mix and you have the recipe for chaos.
I must not be the only one struggling with clutter control and organization, because Rowan Public Library has dozens of books about the subject. There’s possibly no better place to start the recovery process than at the library. Almost as if to set an example, all the books on organization are waiting, lined up on the shelves in perfect order.
One title that jumped out at me right away was, It’s All Too Much, by Peter Walsh. Clutter busting is nothing new to Mr. Walsh, as he is the host of TLC’s popular show, Clean Sweep. Followers of the program swear by Mr. Walsh’s methods of removing clutter from the home and he shares the same secrets in this book. Not sure you even have a problem? Take the clutter quiz and find out. I took it and trust me, it wasn’t pretty.
Although written for a younger crowd, Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens, had some good tips that we all can learn from. Written by Julie and Jessi Morgenstern, a mother and daughter team, the book shows teenagers how to organize everything in their lives, from their backpack to their entire room. Glowing reviews from both parents and teens make this a must-read, especially if there is a teenager living in your house.
Christopher Lowell’s Seven Layers of Organization is good to read once you are determined to get organized. Written by Christopher Lowell, Discovery Network star and designer extraordinaire, this book outlines a plan for organization in seven simple steps, or layers. The last section features room makeovers with plenty of stunning photographs.
Storage Solutions, not only tells you how to get organized, it shows you the tools you’ll need to get organized. And I don’t mean tools, as in ideas. This book demonstrates how to actually build the cabinets, shelves and cases that you need to store the belongings you decided to keep.
If you can’t open your closet without getting a sickening feeling, don’t fret. If you’re tired of the things you own owning you, don’t give up hope. Rowan Public Library has the books you need to eliminate clutter from your life and get organized.
Paul Birkhead
July 29, 2007
Admitting you have a problem – isn’t that considered the first step in rehabilitation? Well, I must be on my way to recovery then, because I admit that I’m a clutterholic. I have a bad habit of keeping things that should be thrown out or given away. Why do I do it? I’m sure I can blame it on genetics (thanks Grams) or on circumstances (house downsizing), but mostly I can’t stand the thought of getting rid of something that I might need later. Throw disorganization in the mix and you have the recipe for chaos.
I must not be the only one struggling with clutter control and organization, because Rowan Public Library has dozens of books about the subject. There’s possibly no better place to start the recovery process than at the library. Almost as if to set an example, all the books on organization are waiting, lined up on the shelves in perfect order.
One title that jumped out at me right away was, It’s All Too Much, by Peter Walsh. Clutter busting is nothing new to Mr. Walsh, as he is the host of TLC’s popular show, Clean Sweep. Followers of the program swear by Mr. Walsh’s methods of removing clutter from the home and he shares the same secrets in this book. Not sure you even have a problem? Take the clutter quiz and find out. I took it and trust me, it wasn’t pretty.
Although written for a younger crowd, Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens, had some good tips that we all can learn from. Written by Julie and Jessi Morgenstern, a mother and daughter team, the book shows teenagers how to organize everything in their lives, from their backpack to their entire room. Glowing reviews from both parents and teens make this a must-read, especially if there is a teenager living in your house.
Christopher Lowell’s Seven Layers of Organization is good to read once you are determined to get organized. Written by Christopher Lowell, Discovery Network star and designer extraordinaire, this book outlines a plan for organization in seven simple steps, or layers. The last section features room makeovers with plenty of stunning photographs.
Storage Solutions, not only tells you how to get organized, it shows you the tools you’ll need to get organized. And I don’t mean tools, as in ideas. This book demonstrates how to actually build the cabinets, shelves and cases that you need to store the belongings you decided to keep.
If you can’t open your closet without getting a sickening feeling, don’t fret. If you’re tired of the things you own owning you, don’t give up hope. Rowan Public Library has the books you need to eliminate clutter from your life and get organized.
Action, Adventure, Mystery and Mayhem
Sara Grajek
July 13, 2007
Summer is the time for blockbuster movies, action, adventure, and…reading? Of course! Rowan Public Library has plenty of books to keep even the most fidgety on the edge of their seats. Pirates are popular these days and we have no shortage of books to indulge that interest. What about superheroes? No problem. Don’t forget about martial arts and mystery books. They are sure to catch young readers’ attention and hold it until the very last page.
If you’ve got a pirate fanatic, try Peter and the Starcatchers, and the sequel, Peter and the Shadow Thieves. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, they offer their own version of what might have happened before Peter Pan’s original adventure. Full of wild creatures such as flying crocodiles, biting mermaids, pirates, and of course the orphans led by Peter, these books are sure to intrigue all true pirates. A sequel to the classic J. M. Barrie tale is Peter Pan in Scarlet, by Geraldine McCaughrean. The author won a contest held in Britain by the estate of J. M. Barrie. She was awarded the rights to pen the approved sequel to Peter Pan. Years after Barrie’s tale ended, Neverland is in need of help and Wendy and the Lost Boys, who are now grown-ups, return to make things better.
Are you in need of a superhero to rescue you from a boring summer? Call on Ordinary Boy! In a town where everyone is a superhero and they all have a special power, Ordinary Boy stands out for his lack of one. In The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface, Ordinary Boy fights evil villains such as The Amazing Indestruco and Professor Brain-Drain. Fans of Captain Underpants, will want to read this book as well as its sequel, The Return of Meteor Boy?.
Martial arts fans will enjoy the Five Ancestors series by Jeff Stone. Five orphans in 17th century China are raised and trained as martial arts masters and each one is specially trained with the traits of an animal. Their story is related in each of the five books: Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Crane, and the yet to be released Eagle. In the first of the series, Tiger must reclaim scrolls outlining ancient training methods, which have been stolen from his home. The books have been described as graphic novels without pictures, and will appeal to those who like video games or anime. They are recommended for middle grade readers because of the fighting and content.
For an adventure story centered around a girl spy, check out Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller. One ordinary day, Ananka, who lives in New York City, wakes up to find a large hole outside her apartment. No one seems to pay much attention to the hole, even when a monkey or a troll of some sort crawls out. Ananka soon discovers that inside the hole is another city, just as large as New York, if not even larger. What exactly is under there? What does she do? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you need more girl adventure, there is always the new and updated Nancy Drew: Girl Detective series, new at the library and just in time for the movie. Whether you are in the mood for pirates, superheroes, or a mystery, one thing is for sure – summer isn’t for sitting around and Rowan Public Library has got you covered.
Sara Grajek
July 13, 2007
Summer is the time for blockbuster movies, action, adventure, and…reading? Of course! Rowan Public Library has plenty of books to keep even the most fidgety on the edge of their seats. Pirates are popular these days and we have no shortage of books to indulge that interest. What about superheroes? No problem. Don’t forget about martial arts and mystery books. They are sure to catch young readers’ attention and hold it until the very last page.
If you’ve got a pirate fanatic, try Peter and the Starcatchers, and the sequel, Peter and the Shadow Thieves. Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, they offer their own version of what might have happened before Peter Pan’s original adventure. Full of wild creatures such as flying crocodiles, biting mermaids, pirates, and of course the orphans led by Peter, these books are sure to intrigue all true pirates. A sequel to the classic J. M. Barrie tale is Peter Pan in Scarlet, by Geraldine McCaughrean. The author won a contest held in Britain by the estate of J. M. Barrie. She was awarded the rights to pen the approved sequel to Peter Pan. Years after Barrie’s tale ended, Neverland is in need of help and Wendy and the Lost Boys, who are now grown-ups, return to make things better.
Are you in need of a superhero to rescue you from a boring summer? Call on Ordinary Boy! In a town where everyone is a superhero and they all have a special power, Ordinary Boy stands out for his lack of one. In The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface, Ordinary Boy fights evil villains such as The Amazing Indestruco and Professor Brain-Drain. Fans of Captain Underpants, will want to read this book as well as its sequel, The Return of Meteor Boy?.
Martial arts fans will enjoy the Five Ancestors series by Jeff Stone. Five orphans in 17th century China are raised and trained as martial arts masters and each one is specially trained with the traits of an animal. Their story is related in each of the five books: Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Crane, and the yet to be released Eagle. In the first of the series, Tiger must reclaim scrolls outlining ancient training methods, which have been stolen from his home. The books have been described as graphic novels without pictures, and will appeal to those who like video games or anime. They are recommended for middle grade readers because of the fighting and content.
For an adventure story centered around a girl spy, check out Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller. One ordinary day, Ananka, who lives in New York City, wakes up to find a large hole outside her apartment. No one seems to pay much attention to the hole, even when a monkey or a troll of some sort crawls out. Ananka soon discovers that inside the hole is another city, just as large as New York, if not even larger. What exactly is under there? What does she do? You’ll have to read the book to find out. If you need more girl adventure, there is always the new and updated Nancy Drew: Girl Detective series, new at the library and just in time for the movie. Whether you are in the mood for pirates, superheroes, or a mystery, one thing is for sure – summer isn’t for sitting around and Rowan Public Library has got you covered.
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