September 2002 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

This month's new books list, selected by librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features Noe Valley author Andrea Alban Gosline's parenting journal, a military history of Afghanistan, and the story of Johnny Appleseed. 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

- In Ann Packer's debut novel The Dive from Clausen's Pier, a young woman falling out of love with her fiance watches him suffer a paralyzing accident, then moves to New York City in a quest both to forgive and discover herself and to embark on a new career.

- In Evan Hunter's The Moment She Was Gone, we meet Andrew and his twin sister Annie, who has an odd habit of disappearing halfway around the world while her family confronts its secrets and denials.

- Some of Her Friends That Year, by Maxine Chernoff, chair of the Creative Writing Department at San Francisco State University, features short stories portraying the dark side of modern living.

- Set in America's heartland, The Truth About Fire, by Elizabeth Hartmann, is a thriller about a terrorist group called Sons of the Shepherd, which is preparing to unleash a biological weapon.

Adult Nonfiction

- Afghanistan, A Military History, by Stephen Tanner, is an accessible profile of the country's 2,500-year history of defying foreign powers -- from Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan to the present day.

- In Smart Boys: Talent, Manhood, and the Search for Meaning, Barbara Kerr and Sanford Cohn explore the sometimes mixed blessings of having a gifted boy.

- Little Moments of Peace, by Noe Valley author and mother Andrea Alban Gosline, is a year-long reflective journal of child-rearing.

Children's Fiction

- In Daisy's Hide-and-Seek, a new "lift the flap" book by Jane Simmons, Daisy looks for baby duckling Pip and eventually finds him in the best possible place. Ages 1 to 3.

- Two pioneer children who love listening to stories learn about someone famous in Johnny Appleseed: My Story, by David L. Harrison, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Ages 5 to 8.

- An important connection to Windy Hill, N.Y., plus a strong interest in the Brooklyn Dodgers, cements Mariel and Brick's friendship, in All the Way Home by Patricia Reilly Giff. Ages 10 and up.

- Although Jack considers the kiss to be heavenly, his best friend Chris sees it quite differently, in And Sometimes Why by Mame Farrell. Ages 10 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- The origin of the Blackfoot tipi is lyrically explained in Paul Goble's Storm Marker's Tipi, enhanced with his own distinctive illustrations. Ages 7 to 10.

- Through stories, a play, a song, and a recipe, Kerene Marchant illustrates customs and beliefs related to major Islamic holidays, in Muslim Festival Tales. Ages 5 to 9.

- When their ship gets stuck in the Arctic ice, the scientists, hunters, crew, and children aboard have to be creative in order to survive, in The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True Story, by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, with illustrations by Beth Krommes. Ages 6 to 9.

- With The Grapes of Math, author Greg Tang and illustrator Harry Briggs show that you can use humorous poetry and flashy illustrations to sharpen your math skills. Ages 7 to 10.

Noe Valley Library Highlights

Noe Valley History Day

- The annual neighborhood History Day features a photo exhibit, chats with oldtimers, and a 2 p.m. performance of circus arts and magic by Mystic Reality; 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Library Renovation--Find Out What Noe Valley Patrons Want

- The San Francisco Public Library, in conjunction with Friends of Noe Valley, will hold a meeting to discuss the results of a recent survey of local residents on their dreams for the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library, an Andrew Carnegie building scheduled for renovation next year. Saturday, Sept. 21, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Childcare will be available.

Open Garden Day

- Following the renovation meeting, visit the library garden, talk with gardeners from the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners, and enjoy refreshments on the library deck at Open Garden Day, celebrating 22 years of gardening at the Noe Valley Library. Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Preschool Story Time

- Children ages 3 to 5 can come hear stories read aloud at preschool story time, at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17, and 24.

September Films

- Preschoolers 3 to 5 are invited to watch films, including The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash and Let's Give Kitty a Bath, at 10 and 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Family Lapsits

- The library's family lapsits offer stories, songs, and fingerplay for infants and toddlers at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Adult book annotations were written by head librarian Roberta Greifer, 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.