Books in Our Branch

- Philip Shelby's By Dawn's Early Light unravels a plot against the first woman president of the United States, amidst political maneuverings by China and America.
- In John Altman's thriller A Game of Spies, set in 1940, spy Eva Bernhardt has vital information for British intelligence, and a devilish time delivering it while saving her own skin.
- Maud Casey's moving and darkly funny The Shape of Things to Come follows a 30-ish San Francisco woman, who returns to live in the Midwest of her youth as a grownup still coming of age.
Adult Nonfiction
- Girl in the Mirror: Mothers and Daughters in the Years of Adolescence, by Nancy Snyderman, offers help for assessing perceptions, handling tough situations, avoiding conflict, and gracefully managing change during a time of personal growth.
- In Robert Baer's See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier in the CIA's Counter Terrorism Wars, we hear an ex-CIA agent's point of view on the workings of terrorism and how the agency sabotaged its own goals and campaigns.
- In Among the Bears, Raising Orphan Cubs in the Wild, Benjamin Kilham records his years observing bears and discovering intelligence and cooperation among bears that has radically revised our notions of animal behavior.
Annotations by Roberta Greifer
Head Librarian, Noe Valley Branch
Children's Fiction
- Mary Ann Hoberman (adaptor) and Nadine Bernard Westcott (illustrator) combine their talents in There Once Was a Man Named Michael Finnegan, an extended and enjoyably silly version of a traditional song. Ages 3 to 6.
- Is Olivia telling the truth about her recent vacation? If she is, she had an extraordinary break from school in Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer. Ages 3 to 6.
- In Bunny Party, Rosemary Wells shows that a gentle but clever sibling can be creatively assertive with an older sibling who tends to be a trifle bossy. Ages 4 to 6.
- In Iris and Walter, True Friends, by Elissa Haden Guest, two children use their complementary skills to help each other move forward into new situations. Ages 5 to 7.
- With Emily's Art, author/illustrator Peter Catalanotto has created a touching story dealing with the pitfalls of trying to judge children's art, and the importance of supporting each child's talents and efforts. Ages 6 to 9.
- Feeling the harsh impact of the Jim Crow laws in 1950s Nashville, Tricia Ann is grateful to finally arrive at the public library in Goin' Someplace Special by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Ages 6 and up.
- Jack starts out feeling he doesn't want to write poetry "because boys...don't," but finally reveals his feelings in poetry and invites an author to visit his school in Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. Ages 9 and up.
Children's Nonfiction
- If you have any questions about the "most popular pet in the United States," you can probably find the answers you need in Joan Holub's Why Do Cats Meow?, an easy-to-read, informative book about the habits and needs of pet cats. Ages 6 and up.
Annotations by Carol Small
Children's Librarian, Noe Valley Branch
National Poetry Month
- In honor of National Poetry Month, two local poets will read from their work. Jenny Lim, a second-generation Chinese American born and raised in San Francisco, is also a playwright whose film Paper Angels was screened at last month's Asian American Film Festival. Louise Nayer, the author of three collections of poetry including How to Bury a Goldfish: 113 Rituals for Everyday Life, is the recipient of six California Arts Council grants as a poet-in-residence, and is currently writing her memoirs. The reading begins at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 24, at the Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey Street.
The Bubble Lady
- Rebecca Nile brings the Bubble Family and other characters to life, for kids preschool-age and up, at 10 and 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 23.
Preschool Story Time
- Children ages 3 to 5 can hear stories read aloud at the library's preschool story time, at 10 a.m., Tuesdays, April 2, 9, and 16.
Movie Tuesday
- Preschoolers 3 to 5 are invited to watch films, including Goldilocks and the Three Bears; Good Night, Gorilla; and Monty, at 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30.
No May Lapsits
- The family-hour Saturday lapsits will resume in June.
Unless otherwise noted, events are at the Noe Valley Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St. * 695-5095