Noe Valley Voice June 2002
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Books in our Branch

This month's new books list, written by librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features a profile of the Kennedy family during World War II, stories about libraries, and a look at how detectives work. To find out if a book is 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 a women's literature section, a collection of books in Spanish, and subscriptions to the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today, among others. Hours are Tuesdays, 10 to 9; Wednesdays, 1 to 9; Thursdays, 10 to 6; Fridays, 1 to 6; and Saturdays, 10 to 6.

Adult Fiction

- In Dying to Please by Linda Howard, a butler/bodyguard falls for her employer, then is pulled into a vortex of murder, first as a suspect, then as a target.

- Michael Connelly's thriller City of Bones revisits detective Harry Bosch, when a chance discovery reignites a "cold case" and has all of Los Angeles in an uproar.

- In the Stacks: Short Stories About Libraries and Librarians, edited by librarian and author Michael Cart, features 19 stories by authors as varied as Isaac Babel, Ray Bradbury, and Alice Munro.

- Donald Westlake's latest, Put a Lid on It, introduces a small-time crook recruited for the simple task of keeping evidence secret until an election. Dirty tricks and loose lips abound in this farcical swipe at Washington politics.

Adult Nonfiction

- An eye-opening look at the 19th century in Europe and America, Inventing the Victorians by Matthew Sweet debunks many of the false assumptions we have about the era.

- Edward Renehan's The Kennedys at War, 1937 ­ 1945 profiles America's first family during their years in London, when the younger generation comes of age and tragedy first begins to haunt the family.

- Women Are Not Small Men, by Nieca Goldberg, M.D., is an up-to-date guide to preventing and healing heart disease in women.

Annotations by Roberta Greifer

Head Librarian, Noe Valley Branch

Children's Fiction

- When a young child's pet mouse dies, his parents seem to understand just the right way to console him in Goodbye Mousie by Robie H. Harris, with illustrations by Jan Ormerod. Ages 3 to 5.

- For some people it might be boring to get the car cleaned, but if you imagine it as a trip in a submarine it might be more exciting, as it is in Car Wash by Sandra Steen and Susan Steen, with illustrations by G. Brian Karas. Ages 3 to 5.

- Taking turns reading and looking at illustrations, two children, or a child and an adult, could have a wonderful time with Mary Ann Hoberman's book, You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together. Ages 6 to 9.

- Caleb wants to feel closer to the mysterious stranger who has turned out to be his grandfather, but this has to happen gradually, in Caleb's Story by Patricia MacLachlan. Ages 8 and up.

- Orphaned at a very young age, Tree-ear pursues his passion to become a potter in his Korean village, in the latest Newberry Award winner, A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. Ages 9 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- With chapters like "Uncovering Secrets," "No Two Write Alike," and "When the Innocent Are Convicted," Milton Meltzer provides a comprehensive description of the work of a detective in Case Closed: The Real Scoop on Detective Work. Ages 8 and up.

- Learn about The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, in history, tales, and projects to do in Ellen Jackson's book, with illustrations by Jan Davey Ellis. Ages 7 to 9.

- In Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours, scientist Jane Goodall describes the primates she has studied in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park, and discusses efforts to help and protect chimps worldwide. Ages 8 and up.

Annotations by Carol Small
Children's Librarian, Noe Valley Branch

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES

Summer Reading Club

- This year's vacation reading club theme
is "Reading Road Trip, U.S.A." Prizes will be awarded for reading accomplished between June 8 and Aug. 10; visit the library for details.

Sing-Along

- Award-winning singer/songwriter Lisa Atkinson performs a musical program for kids preschool-age and up, at 10 and 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27.

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, June 4, 18, and 25.

Movie Tuesday

- Preschoolers 3 to 5 are invited to watch films, including Rhinos, Red Riding Hood, and Where the Wild Things Are, at 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20.

June Lapsit

- The family lapsits offer stories, songs, and fingerplays for infants and toddlers at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.

Unless otherwise noted, events are at the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St. * 415-695-5095