Blog Post
Rebel Without a Cause
by pumpkin
Today is the birthday of James Dean. In addition to his three movies, the library has several interesting books about the legendary actor.
His rebellious image is preserved in “James Dean: Fifty Years Ago.” You also might enjoy “Rebel: the Life and Legend of James Dean” or “James Dean: the Biography.”
There are also novels about him: “Digging James Dean” and “The James Dean Affair.”
James Dean died at the age of twenty-four and would be seventy-seven today had he lived.
Blog Post
Kid Bits - Adoring Dora ?
by ryanikoglu
For Dora fans, do you know you can find Nick Jr. Dora The Explorer Essential Guide in her non-fiction Dewey address of J 791.457? There is a copy in every Library Branch.
Blog Post
Saiyuki
by joy k
Journey to the extreme with Sanzo, Hakkai, Gojyo, and Goku in Kazuya Minekura’s manga series Saiyuki. Sanzo, a Buddhist priest, has to travel to India to reclaim the sutras stolen from his murdered master. This retelling of the traditional Chinese novel Journey to the West (also known as Monkey) updates the epic for modern readers with lots of action, slang-filled dialogue, and cheerful anachronisms (such as a dragon that transforms into a jeep).
Blog Post
New African-American Teen Lit & Author visit!
by erin
In anticipation of local Ann Arbor, teen author, Cassandra Carter's upcoming appearance at AADL (TUESDAY, MARCH 18 | 7:00-8:00 PM | MC ) be sure to read her latest book, Fast Life. When her single mother is offered a job in the Caribbean away from her Chicago neighborhood where drugs, gang violence, and fast money rule, sixteen-year-old Kyra finally realizes that there is more to life than Gucci, Prada and "ghetto-fabulous bling." Read the book to find out what happens to Kyra... If you're looking for some complicated romance than check out Stacie & Cole by Johnson, R.M.: Cole, who is feeling abandoned by his father and tired of being harassed by his friends for being a virgin, is ready to take his relationship with his girlfriend Stacie to the next level, but Stacie is not sure that she is ready.
Blog Post
Parent Bits - What's in Manga and Anime?
by ryanikoglu
No Flying No Tights has something for everyone! The home page presents three options: “sidekicks for kids,” “the original no flying no tights for teens,” and “the lair for teens and adults.” The site helps walk the fine line between teen appeal and more adult content.” The site’s creator, Robin Brenner, is a library student and “comics and graphic novel enthusiast.”
Anime Cafe offers a "Parent's Guide" for finding anime that is suitable for children. Right-up-front you can choose by age groups. I hope this helps.
Blog Post
toe-tapping JAZZ
by Bertha
A Coretta Scott King Honor book, Jazz on a Saturday Night is a treat, featuring 8 jazz musicians, cool art work, and comes with a CD which highlights each instrument in the book, followed by the original song, "Jazz on a Saturday Night." Leo & Diane Dillon team up on this picture and poetry toe-tapping delight.
If you're inspired to move on to another jazz-picture book collaboration, move right on to, Jazz A B Z ,which isn't your ordinary alphabet book. It's an illustrated catalog, evoking the flare and flavor of various jazz artists. Two different journals handed out starred reviews to Wynton Marsalis and Paul Rogers on their collaboration.
Blog Post
If TV killed the book, what did the Internet kill?
by RiponGood
Have you ever read Fahrenheit 451 and thought it was all about censorship? According to a quote on Wikipedia, author Ray Bradbury really wrote the book about how TV destroyed interest in books. Humm. Very interesting. I had never thought about that. So if TV killed the book, what has the Internet killed? Seems like there are a number of possibilities. How about CDs and DVDs? What about books (again), magazines, and newspapers? Maybe all of those things still have a place in our society just like books in Bradbury's story. Form your own opinions by first reading the book. You can also listen to it on cassette or on CD. It can also be seen on DVD or VHS.
Burn baby burn...
Blog Post
The Play Ground
by Albert
Super Bowl, Schmooper Bowl. For those of us who skipped football for the Puppy Bowl, the most important contest on the tube is the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 11 & 12. For a behind the scene look at this dogworld, check out Going for the blue: inside the world of show dogs and dog shows by Roger A. Caras, famed animal-rights activist who served as president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for eight years. USA Network and CNBC will be airing coverage of the dog show from Madison Square Garden. Woof.
Blog Post
Ice ice baby...
by manz
Looking for a chilly, fun and pretty thing to do this weekend? Main Street will feature an “Ice Carving Extravaganza” where members of the U of M ice carving team will be on Main Street carving and chipping large ice blocks into beautiful ice sculptures. The question is, with Michigan’s wacky weather of late, how long will they last? For a quick know-how and visual sneak peek try a book on Practical Ice Carving.
Check out the art in progress on Friday, February 8 from 6-10pm and from 10am-6pm on Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10.
Blog Post
When a Nebraska sign is not a Nebraska sign
by Maxine
Well. it's not a Nebraska sign when it's another term for a flat electrocardiogram according to The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. The dictionary was first compiled by lexicographer Eric Partridge who was born on February 6, 1894 in Poverty Bay, New Zealand. Partridge later moved to Oxford where he began his writing career. He wrote three novels in addition to his books on slang and English use and abuse.
Check out the Library's other dictionaries on slang as well as etymology dictionaries which give the origins of words. It's fascinating reading. And if you know a slang word that isn't in the new Partridge's, you can submit it on their website. So "scrounge- to rummage or search" through your favorite slang dictionary to celebrate dear Eric's contributions to the lexicon.