Noe Valley Voice May 2013
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What’s New at the Library

In this month’s book list offered by Noe Valley librarians Susan Higgins and Catherine Starr, you will find a posthumous novel by singer Woody Guthrie, the Nolo guide to maximizing retirement, and a treasury of songs selected by actress Julie Andrews and daughter Emma Walton Hamilton. For more books, as well as an assortment of music and films, visit the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey St. (415-355-5707) or explore the San Francisco Library online at www.sfpl.org.

 

 

Adult Fiction

• Inspector Montalbano searches for a missing colleague in The Dance of the Seagull by Andrea Camilleri, translated by Stephen Sartarelli.

• We Live in Water is the first collection of short stories by Jess Walter, author of the popular Beautiful Ruins.

• The Abundance by Amit Majmudar is a story of Indian immigrants in the American Midwest, their families, and the power of cooking.

• House of Earth is folksinger Woody Guthrie’s posthumous novel set during the Dust Bowl era.

• College friends who are aspiring writers travel the world in The Unchangeable Spots of Leopards by Kristopher Jansma.

 

Adult Nonfiction

• Yoko Ono: Collector of Skies, by Nell Beram and Carolyn Boriss-Krimsky, is an illustrated biography highlighting her art, music, and life.

• Detroit: An American Autopsy, by Pulitzer Prize winner Charlie LeDuff, explores the reasons for his city’s decline.

• Updated for 2013, Nolo’s Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits, by Joseph L. Matthews, can help you get the benefits you’re entitled to.

James Owen Weatherall looks at how science drives the markets in The Physics of Wall Street: A Brief History of Predicting the Unpredictable. 

• Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson make the case for eating asparagus, sweet potatoes, chocolate, kale and more in The Longevity Kitchen: Satisfying, Big-Flavor Recipes Featuring the Top 16 Age-Busting Power Foods.

 

Children’s Books

• Whether it’s cloudy, sunny, or stormy, the sky puts on a show in Blue Sky,written and illustrated by Audrey Wood. Ages 18 months to 5 years.

• The kids in The Schmutzy Family, created by Madelyn Rosenberg with artist Paul Meisel, enjoy playing in the mud all week long but get “unswamped” on Friday night in time for Shabbat. Ages 3-7.

• Julie Andrews’ Treasury for All Seasons, written by the mother-daughter duo Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, is filled with songs and poems to celebrate special days during the year. Illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Marjorie Priceman. Ages 4 and up.

• The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau, by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Amanda Hall, tells how a middle-aged man with no formal training won over the art world with his “primitive” animal paintings. Ages 5-8.

• An African Grey parrot who knows a hundred words and how to count, add, and subtract is the hero of the amazing true story Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird, by Stephanie Spinner. Illustrated by Meilo So. Ages 6-10.

• Violet has to have her tonsils out but she is sure her voice will be more like an opera singer’s when she wakes up, in Violet Mackerel’s Remarkable Recovery, by Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen. Ages 6-10.

• A crew of Elvis impersonators helps Sammy find out where her mom is and who her dad is in Sammy Keyes and the Showdown in Sin City, the 16th book in Wendelin Van Draanen’s popular mystery series. Ages 10-13.

• During the Nazi occupation of Norway, 14-year-old Espen first joins the resistence, then plots to escape to Sweden on skis, in Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus. Ages 11-14.

 

LIBRARY EVENTS

 

Write Your Will Workshop

Is it time to write a last will and testament? Attend a workshop led by estate planner and probate lawyer Stuart Bronstein, and you may walk away with a fully functional will. Bring a blue non-erasable pen. Space is limited, so call 415-355-5707 or stop by the information desk to register. Wednesday, May 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

 

Take Off Your Overcoat and Talk Gogol

The short story “The Overcoat” by Nikolai Gogol will be the topic at the May meeting of the Great Books Council of San Francisco, a group that gets together to discuss famous short stories, essays, and speeches. Wednesday, May 8, 6:15 p.m.

 

Noe Valley Reads Stegner

The Noe Valley Book Discussion Group reads a variety of contemporary fiction and nonfiction. The May selection is All the Little Live Things by Pulitzer Prize winner Wallace Stegner. Wednesday, May 15, 7 p.m.

 

 

CHILDREN’S EVENTS

 

Puppy Dog Tales (and Tails)

This SPCA program pairs trained dog-and-owner therapy teams with kids to grow their literacy, self-confidence, and socio-empathic skills. Whether your child underperforms in reading or needs extra attention in vocabulary and grammar, s/he will love reading to a calm canine companion in a non-judgmental setting. The program is for ages 4 to 7, but older children are welcome. Call 415-355-5707 to reserve your spot. Space limited. Saturday, May 18, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

 

Homework Help

A friendly volunteer helps school-age kids in grades K through 5 with their homework in the Children’s Room. Thursdays, May 2, 9, and 16, 4 to 5 p.m. Please note: Homework Help may be cancelled if the library’s volunteer is unavailable.

 

Toddler Tales

Join the children’s librarian for stories, rhymes, songs, and movement, tailored for kids ages 18 to 36 months and their parents or caregivers. Tuesdays, May 7, 14, and 21, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and 11 to 11:30 a.m.

 

At the Movies

Children ages 3 to 5 years and parents and caregivers are invited to Preschool Films on Tuesday, May 28. There are two half-hour shows: 10:15 to 10:45 a.m., and 11 to 11:30 a.m.

 

All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey St. near Castro Street. For information, call 415-355-5707 or visit www.sfpl.org.

 

 

BRANCH HOURS

Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch Library

451 Jersey St., 355-5707

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Eureka Valley–Harvey Milk Branch Library

1 José Sarria Ct. (3555 16th St.), 355-5616

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Glen Park Branch Library

2825 Diamond St., 355-2858


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Mission Branch Library

300 Bartlett St., 355-2800

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