Ball Don’t Lie -- Vote For Me!
Sticky is an orphan, has OCD, and is one of the best street basketball players in Venice Beach. As the end of high school approaches, he must make some tough decisions about his future, his girlfriend, and his compulsive shoplifting habit.

If March madness hasn’t given you enough basketball, give this book a look. I loved not only the action stuff at the Lincoln Rec Center but Sticky’s relationship with the guys he plays with who are more family to him than his own.

Mystery Writers of America 2006 Edgar (Allan Poe) Nominees for Best First Novel by an American author are:

Die A Little by Megan Abbott
Immoral by Brian Freeman (see blog)
Run the Risk by Scott Frost
Hide Your Eyes, by Alison Gaylin
Officer Down by Theresa Schwegel

The winner will be annouced on April 27th, in New York City.

Boy Proof -- Vote For Me!
Victoria’s life revolves around movies, from the cloak she wears to her shaved head to her nickname, Egg, after the heroine in her favorite sci-fi movie. But a new boy, Max sees past all that, and Egg has a hard time staying wrapped in her shell.

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow -- Vote For Me!
Elizabeth Vetter was eight when she turned her parents in for criticizing Adolph Hitler. Hans Scholl rose quickly through the ranks of Hitler Youth but soon rebelled—he was caught and beheaded. Read the chilling stories of Elizabeth, Hans and other German youth who grew up in Hitler’s shadow.

This book is the only nonfiction book on the list, but reads like fiction. I found the dramatic stories combined with sharp black and white photos to be quite compelling. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

Could this be a cruel April Fools joke on fans of the Simpsons?

According to news reports, the most beloved American family made their debut on the big screen this past weekend in a trailer announcing a new Simpsons movie in the works. The short teaser trailer featuring Homer Simpson in his tighty whities was shown in theaters across the country before the new animated film, Ice Age: The Meltdown. The release date is July 27, 2007 so mark your calendars!

The library has many books and videos on the Simpsons, including DVD sets of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons of the popular television show. For those of you who want to read about the Simpsons, there are books discussing the social relevance and philosophy of the Simpsons.

Long before C.S. Lewis introduced us to Aslan, he created Screwtape, a veteran demon in the service of “Our Father Below.” Hoping to instruct his demon-in-training nephew, Wormwood, on the finer points of leading Christians astray, he writes The Screwtape Letters. Lewis satirizes human nature deftly but humanely, the religions humans build to express their beliefs, and the plight of those that would undermine both.

"Willow, titwillow, titwillow" You may be hearing this outside your window as Spring is most definitely here. You can also hear it on April 6-9 at the Michigan League when The University of Michigan Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents one of Gilbert & Sullivan's most beloved operas "The Mikado." With an outstanding cast of old favorites and some new faces, one of UMGASS's most elaborate sets ever, and the most gorgeous silk costumes imaginable, it is sure to be an event you won't want to miss.

Bookmark this website and circle May 13, 2006 on your personal events calendar. This year's Ann Arbor Book Festival will be an awesome event.

For those of us interested in children's literature, the Festival will provide the rare opportunity to see the 2005 National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature and the 2006 Newbery Award Winner together on one stage. Jeanne Birdsall, author of The Penderwicks, and Lynne Rae Perkins, author of Criss Cross, will be appearing at noon on Saturday, May 13, 2006.
Their discussion will be moderated by local author Shutta Crum.

There are currently 73 authors scheduled to appear at this year's Festival.

Every year the Children's Services Division of the Michigan Library Association gives The Mitten Award to the best children's book published within the calendar year. The 2005 Mitten Award committee has announced its finalists. The winner will be chosen from this list and announced in October at the Association's fall conference.

Picture Books
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont. Illus. by David Catrow.
Punk Farm written and illustrated by Jarrett Krosoczka
Zen Shorts written and illustrated by Jon Muth
Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel. Illus. by David Catrow

Fiction
Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach
Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Littman
Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher
Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

Non-Fiction
Hidden Child by Isaac Millman
Song of the Water Boatman by Joyce Sidman

April 1 is not only April Fools' Day but also the date of The International Edible Book Festival. This event brings together book lovers, book artists and gastronomes to celebrate "the ingestion of culture."

Some of my favorites from their gallery include "The Book of Pi" (Guess what that's made of) and "Smore and Peace."

Winners from Michigan from previous years are The Roeper School and The Kalamazoo Center for the Book.