March 2011 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

 

This month we’re featuring new short-story collections. A book of stories can be the perfect thing to have on hand if you have limited time for reading or if you’d like to sample the works of various authors. It’s easy to dip in and out of a short story when you are waiting for an appoint­ment, killing time at the airport, or taking a break from work.

We’re also featuring the 2011 Caldecott Medal and Newbery Award books for children. These are outstanding books to share with your kids—or to enjoy all by yourself.

 

Short Stories for Adults

- The Best American Short Stories 2010 contains 20 stories selected from U.S. and Canadian magazines by award-winning author Richard Russo, edited by Heidi Pitlor.

- Best European Fiction 2011, edited by Aleksandar Hemon, is a literary anthology containing stories from 37 countries.

- The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2010, edited by Dave Eggers with an introduction by David Sedaris, is an eclectic anthology of fiction, nonfiction, alternative comics, screenplays, blogs, and more.

- The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2010, edited by Laura Furman, contains 20 stories selected from hundreds of literary magazines, including works by Annie Proulx, Wendell Berry, and William Trevor.

- The Best American Mystery Stories 2010, edited by thriller author Lee Child and series editor Otto Penzler, features crime stories and mysteries from well-known novelists and less familiar short-story writers.

Short stories are located in various sections of the library. You can locate them by searching the catalog by author or title. Or you can search the keywords “short stories” and limit your results to items at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library on Jersey Street. Then you’ll be able to browse the wide variety of collections at the branch.

 

Books for Children

- The 2011 winners of the prestigious Caldecott Medal, the award for the most distinguished American picture book for children, and the Newbery Award for distinguished American children’s literature were recently announced.

- The Caldecott Medal winner is A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead. When a zookeeper stays home with a bad cold, some of the animals he cares for pay him a visit and make him comfortable.

Caldecott Honor books:

- Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier, is based on the life of a South Carolina slave who made giant pots, some inscribed with short poems.

- David Ezra Stein’s Interrupting Chicken is a bedtime story about reading bedtime stories.

- Newbery Award winner Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool is a historical novel about the adventures of the 12-year-old daughter of a drifter in a small Kansas town in 1936.

Newbery Honor books:

- Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm is about an 11-year-old New Jersey girl who moves to Florida to live with relatives during the Depression.

- In the mid 18th century, a 14-year-old Japanese boy is rescued by an American ship after his fishing boat is shipwrecked, in Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus.

- Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen, takes a poetic look at nocturnal life in the forest.

- In One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, three sisters attend an Oakland camp sponsored by the Black Panthers during the summer of 1968.

Since these books are now quite popular, the library recommends that you request your copies online at www.SFPL.org. You may also want to look for previous winners of these awards by searching “Caldecott award” or “Newbery award” in the library catalog. This is an easy way to find great books that your child will enjoy reading.

 

On the Same Page

The Library’s current selection is The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food, a part-journalistic, part-personal memoir by New York Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee. The book focuses not on the ancient art of Chinese cuisine but rather on the relatively recent history of North American Chinese restaurant fare—takeout included.

 

LIBRARY EVENTS

Once Upon a Time

Come hear stories, songs, and rhymes at the Tuesday Toddler Tales, held on March 1, 8, 22, and 29, at two times: 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and 11 to 11:30 a.m. If you’re part of a group, call ahead to reserve space. Also, please park strollers by the elevator.

 

Noe Valley Welcomes Puppets

On Wednesday, March 9, from 7 to 7:30 p.m., the nationally known puppet troupe Images in Motion will present “Waterworks,” starring hand-stitched furry puppets who are eager to entertain the whole family.

 

Flicks for Kids

Preschool children can watch a half hour of short films on Tuesday, March 15. First showing is 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; the second starts at 11 a.m.

 

Creativity Through Cards

Local art educator and therapist Lauren Owenmark will introduce a creative process she calls SoulCollage in a fun and enlightening workshop on Saturday, March 19, 3 to 5 p.m. Participants will create a deck of cards using found images that will help address life’s questions and transitions. No art experience is necessary and all materials will be supplied. Sign up in advance at the Noe Valley Library or call 415-355-5707.

 

Reading Partners

The Noe Valley Book Discussion Group meets on Wednesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. New members welcome.

 

All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey Street between Castro and Diamond streets. For information, call 355-5707 or go to www.sfpl.org.

 

BRANCH HOURS

Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch Library

451 Jersey St., 355-5707

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Eureka Valley–Harvey Milk Branch Library

1 José Sarria Ct. (3555 16th St.), 355-5616

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	12-6	10-9	12-9	10-6	1-6	1-6

Glen Park Branch Library

2825 Diamond St., 355-2858

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	10-6	10-6	12-8	1-7	1-6	1-6

Mission Branch Library

300 Bartlett St., 355-2800

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