Ain't Nothing But a Man: my quest to find the real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson

Tue, 02/05/2008 - 11:34am by Tahira

Was John Henry of the famous song "John Henry" a real person? Did he really beat the steam drill and die with a hammer in his hand? These questions and more are answered in the book Ain't Nothing but a Man by Scott Reynolds Nelson. Reynolds takes the reader on a journey to find the answers and explores the life of Black railroad workers during the Reconstruction Era. An excellent read for Black History Month.

Baby Bits - Piggies!

Tue, 02/05/2008 - 9:38am by ryanikoglu

PIGGIES get their stage in Baby PlayGroup this week. We'll do a gentle home-grown version of The Three Little Pigs. You can check out Piggies by Audrey Wood, the fingerplay story; or Piggy In The Puddle by Charlotte Pomerantz for a rhythmic romp in the mud. VERY oink!

When the South Won

Sat, 02/02/2008 - 10:17am by RiponGood

What would North America be like if the South had won the Civil War? Author Harry Turtledove examines the idea in his book How Few Remain. The book is the first in the Timeline-191 series. The story's alternate history begins on September 10, 1862.

History tells us that on September 10, 1862, a Confederate messenger lost General Robert E. Lee's Special Order 191. The order outlined General Lee's plans for the Invasion of the North. Union soldiers found General Lee's orders. The orders were used by George McClellan to defeat the Army of Northern Virginia at the Battle of Antietam.

In How Few Remain, General Lee's orders are recovered by a Confederate soldier. As a result McClellan is caught by surprise. General Lee forces McClellan into battle on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, resulting in the destruction of the Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Camp Hill on October 1.

Hungry for Storytime?

Fri, 02/01/2008 - 12:16pm by StoryLaura

Rabbit and Dog get just what they want to eat, with a little persistence, in these delicious animal tales at the Wednesday Downtown and Thursday Pittsfield preschool storytimes the first week of February.

Margaret Truman

Thu, 01/31/2008 - 6:30pm by Robb

Another connection to our collective recent past has died. Margaret Truman
(Daniel) daughter of former President Harry Truman died Tuesday January 29. Ms Truman was the author of the popular, mystery series “Capital Crime Series with 23 titles in total.
In addition to her writing skills Ms Truman was an accomplished singer. In 1950 her Father then President sent a now famous missive to a music critic who had trashed his daughter’s performance at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Truman wrote, “I have just read your lousy review …I have never met you but if I do, you’ll need a new nose” I wonder if any of the present aspirants to the Presidency would be as candid.

Sweet, Sweet, Memory by Jacqueline Woodson

Thu, 01/31/2008 - 4:18pm by Tahira

Sarah's family gathers at her grandmother's house and share memories of her grandfather. Sarah can't express how she feels until her relatives repeat grandfather's words that once touched her heart, "Everything and Everyone goes on and on." Jacqueline Woodson touches her readers' hearts in this poignant story.

Celebrate India!

Wed, 01/30/2008 - 5:44pm by StoryLaura

We can't wait for the India Family Cultural Celebration this Sunday, February 3 at 2:00 pm at the Downtown Library! Join us for storytelling with Rohit and Amanda Setty, Tabla and Sitar music by Meeta Banerjee, John Churchville and Dan Piccolo, delicious gulab jamoon and a colorful rangoli craft that the whole family will enjoy!

Whose soul is it?

Wed, 01/30/2008 - 12:37pm by annevm

Charles Baxter has a new novel out and is headed here, where he lived for years before moving to Minneapolis. His new book is The Soul Thief and it sounds eerily intriguing: When Nathaniel Mason meets Jerome Coolberg in graduate school, their identities become mysteriously, maddeningly mixed. I just placed my hold. For information about Baxter’s Feb. 13 local appearance check out Shaman Drum.

The Ark’s 21st Annual Storytelling Festival

Wed, 01/30/2008 - 9:45am by manz

It’s almost February and that means it’s time for storytelling at The Ark in Ann Arbor. February 15 -16, beginning at 7:30pm, there will be stories, spoken word and fun. Saturday the 16th also features stories for kids starting at 1pm! Come out and celebrate some of the performers that have helped make storytelling an art form. (Such as David Holt and Ed Stivender.) You won’t find monotone here! You’ll witness vibrance, inflection, acting, music and sound effects to bring the stories to life. Visit The Ark’s website for scheduling and ticket information.

Vampire Knight

Tue, 01/29/2008 - 4:53pm by joy k

Looking for something to read after Twilight? Try the manga series Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino. Yuki is one of the guardians of Cross Academy, an elite private high school with a night class full of vampires and a day class that has to be shielded from them. Can Yuki protect her classmates while managing her own fascination with the darkly handsome vampire who saved her life so many years ago? And what will happen when the other school guardian begins to discover his dark side?