More Books to Read

Here's a selection of new books at the Noe Valley Sally Brunn Library, chosen by Branch Librarian Roberta Greifer and Children's Librarian Carol Small, with the aid of Armin Palkhivala. The library is located at 451 Jersey St. (near Castro). Besides books, the branch has magazines, CDs, Internet access, and past issues 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. To inquire about the availability of a book or other materials, call 695-5095.
Adult Fiction
- In The Crook Factory, award-winning author Dan Simmons combines the subjects of Cuba, World War II, and a deadly spy ring to create a novel of historical suspense.
- Evensong, the latest novel by Gail Godwin, examines family relationships in a small Smoky Mountain town.
- Mary, Mary, a psychological thriller by Julie Parsons, begins with a psychiatrist's determination to avenge the sadistic death of her teenage daughter.
Adult Nonfiction
- Confessions of a Late Night Talk Show Host -- The Autobiography of Larry Sanders, by Gary Shandling, is a hilarious romp with one of America's favorite television characters.
- Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad, by Gordon Thomas, tells the untold story of the fearsome Israeli intelligence organization.
- Talking to Your Children About God, by Rick Osborne, creator of the 101 Questions Children Ask About series, quides parents on how to answer children's questions about heaven, God, and the Bible.
- In Things in Heaven and Earth, edited by Harold Fickett, 14 internationally acclaimed authors share their experiences related to the supernatural.
Annotations by Roberta Greifer
Children's Fiction
- A very large family of hamsters has a wide variety of adventures, right up to the last second, in 10 Minutes Till Bedtime, by Peggy Rathmann. Ages 3 to 6.
- Lively guinea pigs and delightful illustrations make adding by 1's a lot of fun in Kate Duke's One Guinea Pig Is Not Enough. Ages 3 to 6.
- In Guess Who's Coming, Jesse Bear, by Nancy White Carlstrom, Jesse Bear is excited about the upcoming visit -- but will he and his cousin enjoy being together for a whole week? Ages 4 to 6.
- Wilson Bentley was fascinated with photographing nature and grew up in a family that supported his interest, in the latest Caldecott Award winner, Snowflake Bentley, written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated with tinted woodcuts by Mary Azarian. Ages 5 to 8.
- Willie's "old best friend" and his "new best friend" learn to get along when they face a haunted house together in Ghost Trap: A Wild Willie Mystery, by Barbara M. Joosse. Ages 6 to 9.
- Stanley Yelnats finds buried treasure and manages to free his family from an old curse in the most recent Newbery Award winner, Holes by Louis Sachar. Ages 9 and up.
Children's Nonfiction
- Barrio: Jose's Neighborhood, by George Ancona, is a photo essay set in the Mission District of San Francisco, bringing us the daily routines and celebrations as seen through a boy's eyes. Ages 6 to 9.
- Eyewitness Books' Russia brings together illustrations and information to help us discover the rich history and culture of this vast and beautiful land. Ages 8 to up.
Annotations by Carol Small,
with help from Armin Palkhivala
Films for Kids
- The library will show films for children 3 to 5 on Tuesday, April 13, at 10 and 11 a.m.
Preschool Story Time
- Parents and kids 3 to 5 are invited to the library's preschool story time, at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays April 20 and 27.
Infant and Toddler Lapsit
- Children's Librarian Carol Small leads the finger play and lullabies at the Wednesday evening lapsits, April 14, 21, and 28. The music starts at 7 p.m.