July-August 2000 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

This month's new books list, provided by librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features a thriller from Michael Ondaatje, Julia Butterfly Hill's account of the two years she lived in a giant redwood, and a collection of recipes from Mollie Katzen for ages 8 and up. To check out a book's availability, call 695-5095, or visit the Noe Valley­Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey Street near Castro. In addition to books, the branch offers magazines, CDs, music, an outside deck, a computer with Internet access, and the archives of the Noe Valley Voice. Hours are Tuesdays, 10 to 9; Wednesdays, 1 to 9; Thursdays, 10 to 6; Fridays, 1 to 6; and Saturdays, 10 to 6.

Walt Anthony, Conjurer

2 Walt Anthony performs a program of magic, for ages 6 and up, based on the Harry Potter books. Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m.

Rhythm Salad's Beat Bonanza

2 Children age 4 and up are invited to explore rhythm and make music when Rhythm Salad presents Beat Bonanza. Saturday, July 29, at 11 a.m.

Preschool Story Time

2 Kids 3 to 5 are invited to the library's preschool story time, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. on July 11, 18, and 25, and Aug. 1, 8, 15, and 29.

Infant and Toddler Lapsits

2 Stories, lullabies, and fingerplays are on the agenda at the lapsits, for parents and their little ones. Wednesdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26; and Aug. 2, 9, 16, and 30.

Adult Fiction

2 In Anvil's Ghost by English Patient author Michael Ondaatje, a forensic anthropologist attempts to solve a series of murders.

2 Demolition Angel, a thriller by Robert Crais, features a bomb-squad technician overwhelmed by memories of an explosion that killed her lover.

2 In The Run, by Stuart Woods, Will Lee, a senator from Georgia, becomes the target of a clandestine plot.

2 The Toughest Indian in the World, a new collection of short stories by Sherman Alexie, portrays American Indians from all walks of life.

Adult Nonfiction

2 Alphabetically arranged, Blended Medicine, by local author Michael Castleman, presents the natural, alternative, and mainstream medical treatment choices for over 100 ailments.

2 The Book of Honor, by Ted Gup, pays tribute to many of the men and women who died anonymously in the service of the CIA.

2 Five Sisters, by James Fox, traces the lives of the Langhorne sisters of Virginia from the time of the Civil War. Among them were Nancy Astor and Irene Gibson, the model for the Gibson Girl,

2 The Legacy of Luna, by Julia Butterfly Hill, describes her two-year-long "treesit" in Humboldt County, on behalf of the ancient redwoods.

Annotations by Roberta Greifer

Head Librarian, Noe Valley Branch

Children's Fiction

2 If you enjoy photographs of dogs and also want to learn the alphabet, Henry Horenstein's Arf! Beg! Catch! Dogs from A to Z is the perfect book for you. Ages 2 to 5.

2 Some of the universal truths relating to motherhood are heartwarmingly described and illustrated in Laura Leuck's My Monster Mama Loves Me So, illustrated by Mark Buehner. Ages 3 to 5.

2 In the posthumously published Another Important Book, Margaret Wise Brown reviews for children some of the main features of their first few years of life. Ages 4 to 6.

2 A devoted pet owner must overcome numerous obstacles in order to care for his pet properly in the easy reader Tiny's Bath, by Cari Meister. Ages 5 to 7.

2 With Dog and Rat, the need for companionship eventually wins out over their other feelings about each other in Don't Need Friends, by Carolyn Crimi. Ages 5 to 7.

2 In The Troll with No Heart in His Body and Other Tales of Trolls from Norway, Lise Lunge-Larsen retells stories she heard and enjoyed as a child. Ages 6 to 9.

2 For a while it seems to Emma that she will have a terrible year, but then a new friendship and membership in a club make a big difference in Leaving Emma, by Nancy Steele Brokaw. Ages 9 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

2 Mollie Katzen's delicious new collection of recipes for you to try at home is Honest Pretzels and 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Cooks Ages 8 and Up. Ages 8 and up, with adult help at times.

Annotations by Carol Small

Children's Librarian, Noe Valley Branch