Noe Valley Voice February 2003
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Books in our Branch

This month's new books list, selected by Noe Valley branch librarians Roberta Greifer and Carol Small, features the latest from Jeffery Eugenides, a retracing of Captain Cook's journeys, and a Scottish terrier who understands French. To find out what 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 magazines, videos, DVDs, and the archives and index to the Noe Valley Voice. It also has periodicals such as USA Today and the New York Times, a collection of books in Spanish, and a 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 Hollywood Tough by Stephen Cannell, detective Shane Scully sets up a phony Hollywood film company in order to trap a suspicious wise guy.

- Both funny and sad, I Don't Know How She Does It, by Allison Pearson, portrays a modern-day woman trying to balance her career as a hedge fund manager with
motherhood.

- In Middlesex, author Jeffery Eugenides, who also wrote The Virgin Suicides, tells the story of Callie, who is part boy, part girl, due to a rare genetic mutation.

Adult Nonfiction

- In his book Blue Latitudes, Tony Horwitz, author of Confederates in the Attic, retraces English Captain James Cook's three epic journeys during the 18th century, where he met Maori gang members, Aboriginal elders, and the king of Tonga.

- A Castle in the Backyard is an endearing memoir by Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden, two Americans who settle every summer in Perigord, France.

- Spellbound by Dominic Alexander offers a tour of myths, magic, and folklore from ancient times to the present.

- Based in part on hundreds of personal interviews conducted over 20 years, Woman's Inhumanity to Woman, by Phyllis Chesler, author of the classic Women and Madness, addresses the sexism and aggression women exhibit toward one another in friendships, in the workplace, and in mother-daughter relationships.

Children's Fiction

- Cars at Play, by Rick and Ann Walton, illustrated by James Lee Croft, shows what cars might be like if they were to play leap-frog, go ice skating, and engage in other activities normally enjoyed by people.
Ages 2 to 4.

- In Night Train, Caroline Stutson (author) and Katherine Tillotson (illustrator) take us on a long trip that ends with a happy reunion. Ages 3 to 5.

- If you have a cat, is it a good idea to get a fish for a pet? In Cynthia Rylant's book Mr. Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish, the implied answer is "Perhaps not." Ages 6 to 8.

- A well-loved West Highland terrier seems at first to be a failure in obedience school, but when someone gives him commands in French, he earns a red ribbon in McDuff Goes to School, written by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Ages 3 to 6.

- Tony Johnston gives readers a vivid glimpse of life in East Los Angeles, told in the voice of 11-year-old Arturo, in Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio. Ages 9 and up.

- In Alice Alone, the latest book in Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's "Alice" series, a longstanding romantic relationship ends and some shocking memories are revealed by Alice's friend Elizabeth. Ages 10 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus of Rhodes, and several other structures are given brief but impressive description and illustration in The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, by Lynn Curlee.
Ages 6 and up.

- Using historical and personal narratives, drawings, and photographs, Tonya Bolden has created a well-researched, moving compendium, Tell All the Children Our Story: Memories and Mementos of Being Young and Black in America. Ages 10 and up.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Tye the Magic Guy

- All ages are welcome to come see Tye the Magic Guy perform comedy and feats of magic, including expert sleight of hand, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Preschool Story Time

- Children ages 3 to 5 can hear stories read aloud at preschool story time, at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 4, 11, and 18.

Films in February

- The library invites preschoolers 3 to 5 to watch a series of short films at two times on Tuesday, Feb. 25: 10 and 11 a.m.

Family Lapsits

- The library's family lapsit offers stories, songs, and finger plays for infants and toddlers at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 22.

Noe Valley head librarian Roberta Greifer contributed this month's adult book annotations. The children's book descriptions were written by children's librarian Carol Small.

Unless otherwise noted, events take place at the Noe Valley ­ Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey Street, San Francisco, Calif.