Linda Sue Park's engaging story, A Long Walk to Water, is based on real-life experiences during two different decades in Southern Sudan. In 1985, young Salva is forced to flee from his village to escape civil war. He makes a dangerous trek to uncertain safety in Kenya, along the way facing hunger and violence from cruel soldiers. Other refugees have doubts that such a young boy is anything more than a burden. Salva’s perseverance over hardship and eventual travel to America as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan makes for inspirational reading.

The story of Nya, another Sudanese youngster, takes place in 2008 and is interwoven throughout Salva's story. Nya makes an eight-hour daily trip to and from a pond that is her family's only source of water. When the pond is found to be contaminated, the village begins the project of digging a well. Physical and financial obstacles, as well as the doubts of the villagers, must be overcome for the project to succeed.

Park's terse but beautiful prose and powerful socially-conscious message in A Long Walk to Water will resonate with both children and adults.

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April 24, 2011 Easter Sunday

From the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Lincoln, to the speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the steps of the Lincoln Memorial have meant change; one step at a time. Climbing Lincoln’s Steps: the African American Journey, chronicles some of the significant events in the African American struggle for freedom and equality. Suzanne Slade brings past to present with a common symbol of America, the Lincoln Memorial. Short biographies of prominent African American’s are included at the end of the book.

Josh Casey is coming all the way from California to celebrate National Library Week with us and we are really excited because he cracks up the crowd every time! Josh will juggle and pull off wacky stunts with hapless victims from the audience. It all happens this Saturday, April 16 at both the Downtown and Pittsfield libraries.josh logo

Come to the library this Saturday for a cozy reading time with a R.E.A.D dog. All beginning readers can have this opportunity on every Saturday at 10:00 am at the Traverwood Branch during the whole month of April! This week our friend Gloria will be volunteering with her dog Annie, who is an excellent listener!

The sayings and teaching from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are collected in this beautiful book for children. Inspirational as well as practical advice for living life with peace, gratitude, morals and manners. A must read for anyone who wants to learn more about the teachings of Islam.

Last week we had great new readers show up for a special, cozy reading time with a R.E.A.D dog. All beginning readers can have this opportunity on every Saturday at 10:00 am at the Traverwood Branch during the whole month of April! This week our friend Jared will be volunteering with his awesome dog Bella.TherapawsBella

Referring to the words “burning-ham” for Birmingham and “knee-grow” for Negro are just a few of the twists of phrases Stephen Alcorn uses to tell the story of Odetta Holmes. Odetta loved music since childhood but didn’t find harmony until one day “the birdcage in her throat grew too small for her bird, and its door unhinged,” from then on Odetta sang. Stephen Alcorn’s brightly colored illustrations blend with segments of poetic text, bringing Odetta, the Queen of Folk into harmony.

Diana Wynne Jones, fantasy writer for children and teens, has died

Diana Wynne Jones, beloved author of fantasy for children and teens, died Saturday, March 26, in Bristol, England at the age of 76.

Librarians championed her magical books for young readers who had devoured the Harry Potter series and wanted more, more, more fantasy. Jones' Chrestomanci series was particularly popular. Its first entry, Charmed Life (1977), introduced readers to Gwendolyn Chant and her brother, Cat, who are called to Chrestomanci Castle which is chockful of necromancers. In the final entry in the series, Pinhoe Egg (2006), Cat, who is now living in Chrestomanci Castle, befriends Marianne, a young villager destined to head her clan but who is currently thwarted by her deranged grandmother.

Another hot Jones title, Howl's Moving Castle (1986), was turned into a successful animated film by the same name in 2004.

Ms. Jones' final book, Earwig and the Witch, is scheduled for publication in 2012.

UMMA2

On Saturday, March 26th and again on Saturday, April 16th, children ages 4-7 are invited to hear a story at the University of Michigan Museum of Art! Student guides from the University will read stories related to the art in the gallery, with kids welcome to participate and respond! Storytimes start at 11am. Parents must accompany children, and older siblings may accompany the group. Meet at the museum information desk! For the UMMA event listing and contact information, click here.