October 2002 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

This month's new books list, selected by librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features Tami Hoag's new thriller Dark Horse, a history of Afghan women living under the Taliban, and a book on bunnies traveling in outer space. To find out if books are available, call 695-5095 or visit the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey Street near Castro. Besides books, the branch offers videos, DVDs, magazines, CDs, and the archives and index to the Noe Valley Voice. It also has periodicals such as the New York Times, a collection of books in Spanish, a large collection of nonfiction by women, and a special section devoted to college and career resources. Branch hours are Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 to 9 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Adult Fiction

- Scotland Yard detective Duncan Kincaid and Sgt. Gemma James search for the brutal killer of the young wife of a wealthy Notting Hill antiques dealer in Deborah Crombie's And Justice There Is None.

- In Blood of Victory by Alan Furst, the battle to cut Nazi Germany's oil supply rages through the spy haunts of the Balkans.

- Attorney Ben Kincaid works feverishly to defend a man of God accused of a brutal murder in William Bernhardt's Criminal Intent.

- In Tami Hoag's thriller Dark Horse, time is running out for a kidnapped 18-year-old girl whose only hope is a washed-up ex-cop.

Adult Nonfiction

- In Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence, the author, Gerard Jones, asserts that make-believe violence plays an essential role in child development.

- Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices, and Hope, by Claudia Henschke and Peggy McCarthy, presents new lifesaving strategies for those already diagnosed as well as for those at risk.

- The Women of Afghanistan Under the Taliban by Rosemarie Skaine addresses the historical, religious, and political factors that have shaped the national identity of Afghan women.

Children's Fiction

- A young boy describes the different cars of a train and tells why the caboose is his favorite, in I Love Trains by Philemon Sturges, illustrated by Shari Halpern.
Ages 2 to 4.

- In Astro Bunnies, written by Christine Loomis and illustrated by Ora Eitan, young explorers travel to outer space, collect scientific information, make new friends, and then come safely home. Ages 3 to 5.

- Old Bear's friends are concerned that their artwork "isn't good enough," but he lovingly shows them that it is, in Old Bear's Surprise Painting by Jane Hissey. Ages 3 to 5.

- Although at first somewhat reserved, Kyle's pet cat comes through in an emergency, in Dolores and the Big Fire: A True Story by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Ellen Beier. Ages 5 to 7.

- A child comes up with a good solution to the problem when a giant monster threatens her town, in Abiyoyo Returns, by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs, illustrated by Michael Hays. Ages 5 to 8.

- Feeling fortunate to have a day off from school, Jennie helps with the preparation of soup, challah, and chicken, and then enjoys visiting with relatives at a fine Sabbath dinner, in The Friday Nights of Nana, by Amy Hest, illustrated by Claire A. Nivola. Ages 5 to 8.

- Although filled with fear when he finds out he will be educated for a year by his Aunt Annie, David finds that his feelings change during the imaginative adventures they share in Lloyd Alexander's The Gawgon and the Boy. Ages 10 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- The first person to fly across America, the first black female pilot, and the inventors of the hot-air balloon are some of the important personages in Bo Zaunders' book Feathers, Flaps, and Flops: Fabulous Early Fliers, illustrated by Roxie Munro. Ages 5 to 8.

Noe Valley Library Highlights

Music and Dance of Mexico

- As part of the San Francisco Library's Latino-Hispanic heritage celebration, Cascada de Flores takes preschoolers on a trip through Mexico with song and dance, 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Preschool Story Time

- Children ages 3 to 5 can come hear stories read aloud at preschool story time, at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 15, and 22.

September Films

- Preschoolers 3 to 5 are invited to watch films, including Alligator All Around, Harry and the Dirty Dog, and Little Girl and the Gunny Wolf, at 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Family Lapsits

- The library's family lapsits offer stories, songs, and fingerplay for infants and toddlers at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and 26; on Oct. 26, come in costume and enjoy refreshments.

Adult book annotations were written by head librarian Roberta Greifer and librarian Wayne Donica, and children's book annotations by children's librarian Carol Small. Unless otherwise noted, events are held at the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey Street near Castro.