Noe Valley Voice December-January 1999-2000
RETURN TO HOME PAGE
FEEDBACK

More Books to Read

This month's new books list, provided by librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features chilling true crime by Ann Rule, the memoirs of violinist Isaac Stern, and, for children, a story of a balletophile wolf. To check out a book's availability, call 695-5095, or drop by the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey St. Besides books, the branch offers magazines, CDs, access to the Internet, and an index to the Noe Valley Voice. Hours are Tuesdays, 10 to 9; Wednesdays, 1 to 9; Thursdays, 10 to 6; Fridays, 1 to 6; and Saturdays, noon to 6.

Adult Fiction

- With a plot featuring secret Tibetan sects pursued by Chinese agents, The Secret of Shambala, by James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy, takes us to new levels of awareness and spiritual truth.

- Three Women, by poet and novelist Marge Piercy, intertwines the lives of three generations of women.

- War of the Rats by David L. Robbins depicts the 1942 battle of Stalingrad, as experienced by two soldiers, one German and one Russian.

Adult Nonfiction

- And Never Let Her Go by Ann Rule reveals the story behind the 1996 disappearance of Ann Marie Fahey, the mistress of a powerful political lawyer.

- Taking us inside a contemporary monastic community, In the Spirit of Happiness, by the monks of New Skete, explores the question of what makes a life meaningful and how best to live it.

- In My First 79 Years, the great San Francisco violinist Isaac Stern, with help from Chaim Potok, shares his memories of a lifetime in music.

- Based on the author's discovery of explorer Padre Rivadeneira's diary 300 years later, Shipwreck by David Horner recounts the tragic shipwrecks of the Capitana and the Maravillas on their attempted voyages from Peru to Spain.

Annotations by Roberta Greifer

Children's Fiction

- Trashy Town, by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha, is told in language that moves right along -- just as Mr. Gilly does as he goes through his day of work. Ages 2 to 4.

- Cook-a-Doodle-Doo! a concoction by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, is an action-packed story in which several friends collaborate on the making of a delicious dessert. Ages 4 to 6.

- A slightly mischievous wolf, originally hoping to have a plump pig for his dinner, instead becomes caught up in the excitement and drama of ballet in Swine Lake. Story by James Marshall, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Ages 5 to 8.

- A boy in a Nigerian village describes the careers of several members of his extended family, but is particularly proud of his grandpa in Grandfather's Work: A Traditional Healer in Nigeria, written by Ifeome Onyefulu. Ages 8 and up.

- In Allen Say's Tea with Milk, Masako finds that she can include different aspects of her Japanese and American heritage in her life. Ages 8 and up.

- During the Depression, a father and son grow closer as they each reveal how they are helping the family in The Babe and I, by David A. Adler. Ages 8 and up.

- In A Name on the Quilt: A Story of Remembrance (by Jeannine Atkins), Lauren, her younger brother, and several other relatives share loving memories of Lauren's uncle, who has died of AIDS. Ages 8 and up.

- In Bat 6, a story about a girl's softball game, Virginia Euwer Wolff shows that feelings engendered during a war can erupt years after the war is over. Ages 10 and up.

Annotations by Carol Small

Films for Kids

- The library shows films for children ages 3 to 5 on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 10 and 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time

- Kids 3 to 5 are invited to the library's preschool story time, starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Dec. 14 and 28.

Infant and Toddler Lapsits

- You and your little ones can sing nursery rhymes and lullabies at the lapsits on Wednesdays, Dec. 1 and 8, at 7 p.m.