November 2003 RETURN TO HOME PAGE FEEDBACK

This month's book list, chosen by Noe Valley branch librarians Roberta Greifer, Wayne Donica, and Carol Small, features Steve Martin's tale of a quirky recluse, Molly Ivins' comments on the Bush administration, and the story of a cat who cheated. To find out which books are available, call 695-5095, log onto www.sfpl.org, or visit the Noe Valley­Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey Street near Castro. Besides books, the branch has magazines, videos, CDs, and the archives and index to the Noe Valley Voice. It also offers the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, a collection of books in Spanish, and sections on women's studies 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 Frederick Forsyth's Avenger, vigilante Cal Dexter seeks answers for the gruesome murder of an American boy in Bosnia.

- Hospital attorney Karen Hayes represents a midwest CEO who has the misfortune of falling for a beautiful but corrupt receptionist while facing a charge for his wife's murder in Lawyered to Death by Michael Biehl.

- A reclusive but lovable young man with countless phobias, quirks, and self-doubts is drawn to others despite himself in The
Pleasure of His Company by Steve Martin.

- San Franciscan Mark Paulos has spent most of his life in the Big Block, but now makes high-class torture racks for the local
S&M crowd in Jim Nisbet's acidic noir novel The Price of the Ticket.

Adult Nonfiction

- Molly Ivins is in true liberal form when she takes the Bush administration to task in Bushwhacked.

- In a powerful message about personal responsibility and self-reliance, the remarkable Bill O'Reilly tells us it's just "you and you alone," in answer to the question Who's Looking Out for You?

- Party of One: The Loner's Manifesto by Anneli Rufus rebuts the notion that aloneness is indistinguishable from loneliness, and that the only meaningful experiences are shared ones.

- Both amusing and pathetic, the raw and unabridged insightful writings of juvenile offenders are presented in True Notebooks by Mark Salzman.

Children's Fiction

- If you woke up in your own home and found out your friends had a party right there while you were asleep, would you be upset? That's how Bear feels in Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. Ages 2 to 4.

- In It's Bedtime! by Brigitte Weninger, illustrated by Alan Marks, a young boy surprises his mother in his choice of "comfort object" before he settles down to sleep.
Ages 3 to 5.

- For some boys, riding out to find one's brother and getting him home before the storm breaks might be a daunting task, but for a boy determined to be a Mountie when he grows up, it is not a problem, in Under a Prairie Sky by Anne Laurel Carter, with illustrations by Alan and Lea Daniel. Ages 4 to 6.

- After winning several prizes at the fair by cheating, a mischievous cat learns his lesson--maybe--in Practice Makes Perfect for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos, illustrated by Nicole Rubel. Ages 5 to 7.

- In Iris and Walter: The School Play by Elissa Haden Guest (illustrated by Christine Davenier), two good friends learn that even when there are obstacles, "the show must go on," and there may be more exciting experiences yet to come. Ages 5 to 7.

- Tomie dePaola changes the setting and some details of a well-known folk tale, but preserves its essence and adds his own flavor to Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story. Ages 5 to 8.

- In The Same Stuff as Stars by Katherine Paterson, 11-year-old Angel takes care of her brother Bernie, gets to know a man who teaches her about the stars, and makes a life for herself in the home of her elderly great-grandmother. Ages 10 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- In Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez, Kathleen Krull and illustrator Yuyi Morales trace the roots of Cesar Chavez's activism from many childhood experiences. Ages 7 to 9.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Noe Valley History Day Nov. 15

- The annual celebration of our neighborhood's past features videos of Old Noe Valley, including an oral history of Tillie Smith, a photo exhibit, and refreshments, from 1 to 5 p.m. At 3 p.m, Rock-It Science presents "Jack and Jill's Mountain Adventure," an exploration of static electricity and material science for all ages. It all happens Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Noe Valley Library.

Saturday Morning Lapsits

- Accompany your baby or toddler to the library's popular lapsits, featuring stories, songs, and finger plays, on Saturdays, Nov. 15, 22, and 29, at 10:30 a.m.

Stories and Films for Kids

- Children 2 and up are welcome to attend preschool story time, 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 4 and 25. Meanwhile, kids a bit older (3 and up) can come watch short films, including Alligators All Around, The Little Girl and the Gunniwolf, and The Little Engine That Could, at 10 and 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Old Library Photos Wanted

- The architects from Carey and Company, who are working on the upcoming renovation of the Noe Valley Library, appreciate the historic significance of our beautiful building. They would like to find out what the original lighting fixtures looked like; they may install something similar in appearance. Do you have any pictures that show what the original lighting fixtures or other original furnishings and fixtures at the library looked like?

If you have pictures like this, please call Carol Small at the Noe Valley Library, 695-5095. The library will make a copy and return them to you. Thank you so much!