The Tiffany Aching Series: Audiobooks

Mon, 03/24/2008 - 1:07pm by Cherie Lee

In Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith we meet Tiffany Aching, a young girl learning to be a witch and helped along the way by the formidable Granny Weatherwax, the Discworld’s most renowned witch and an entire colony of tiny little blue men….

Stephen Briggs, does a hilarious rendition of the tiny Scots men known as the Wee Free men in the audio versions of the Tiffany Aching series, the story of a young girl learning to be a witch. Briggs also does an amazing Tiffany as well as all the other voices. Briggs has been in many Discworld plays and reads many of the other audiobooks in the Discworld series.

Family Time at the Film Festival

Fri, 03/21/2008 - 9:42am by iottJen

Looking for some family fun at the upcoming Ann Arbor Film Festival? The Ann Arbor District Library will co-present a program for all ages during the Film Festival on Saturday, March 29 at 3 pm at the Michigan Theater. Present your Ann Arbor District Library card at the box office prior to the screening and get $2 off the regular ticket price of $8. Or, order advance tickets on the Festival website by entering the discount code AADL2008. Click here to check out the films for Kids of All Ages.

ACT/SAT Test Practice on Saturday, March 22

Thu, 03/20/2008 - 6:36am by K.C.

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Learn how to access Learning Express Library to take practice tests for either the ACT or SAT. Join us from 10:30-12:00 p.m. in the Pittsfield Computer Training Center.

Attend a rock concert (of sorts)

Wed, 03/19/2008 - 10:44am by Maxine

The University of Michigan's Basement Arts program is a hidden gem of their theater department. Begun in 1987 in a space no larger than a storage room, the idea was to offer free quality performances produced by U of M theater students. The performances now take place in Studio One at the new Walgreen Drama Center. Their current production, "Mock Rock," is a "riotous evening of song parodies" by members of this U-M student theater troupe. Time is 11 p.m., this Saturday, March 22 at the Walgreen Drama Center, 1226 Murfin, North Campus. Call 764-6800 for more information.

"It's All Write!" short story Deadline March 21st

Mon, 03/17/2008 - 12:55pm by Bertha

Time to edit and polish that short story! Friday, March 21st is the LAST day to turn in your story for this year's "It's All Write!" short story writing contest for area teens. If you're in Grades 6-12 and you have a story that's a minimum of 4 pages and a maximum of 10, go to 'Events' and then to 'Contests' and click on the link for complete guidelines. Also feel free to call 327-8301 if you have questions. Good Luck! Check out Prize Winning Stories from last year.

Cassandra Carter's Latest!

Sat, 03/15/2008 - 10:29am by K.C.

Released March 1, 16 Isn't Always Sweet is about Jordan who for her 16th birthday gives herself a hip new look. She and her best friend Adrienne audition for the hottest rapper's new video. When only Jordan is selected, Adrienne reacts by spreading ugly rumors. Having lost her reputation and her best friend, Jordan is about to find strength she never knew she had.

Hear teen author Cassandra Carter at Malletts Creek Branch 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18. Learn how she got two books published just out of high school. Nicola's will sell books at the event. Buy your own copies and get them autographed.

DVD Bits - World War II

Sat, 03/15/2008 - 9:57am by ryanikoglu

Two gripping films of World War II Europe can be found in the Library Collections. Sophie Scholl: Die Letzten Tage is the trial and "final days" of Sophie Scholl, her brother, and another member of the White Rose, who became synonymous with civil courage through their resistance and protest against the Nazi regime. Another is Louis Malle's film Au Revoir Les Enfants based on the director's childhood experience in boarding school during the German occupation of France in World War II. If you would like to read a memoir of the Holocaust, the library has more excellent choices.

Cradling, Clamping and Scooping

Sat, 03/15/2008 - 9:56am by jimmyg

These words have their own meaning in the world of lacrosse and if you would like to learn more about a sport where players don helmets, pads, gloves, wield a stick and use a rubber ball that feels like a hockey puck, pick up a copy of Inside Lacrosse at the Downtown library.

If you're already a big fan, but unfamiliar with this title, it's oversize format is loaded with news about pro, college and high-school teams, player profiles, interviews, fitness instruction, strategy, technique instruction, "stringing and dyeing" your stick, and fantastic photos and illustrations.

Oh yeah, you can also check out their website.

Fabulous Fiction Firsts #105

Fri, 03/14/2008 - 5:46pm by muffy

Black Ships* is debut novelist Jo Graham's captivating retelling of Virgil's The Aeneid from the perspective of Gull, a slave girl taken at the sacking of Troy.

At 17, Gull was chosen by the oracle Pythia as her successor for her prophetic visions, but she must decide if she would give up her exalted position and sail with exiled Trojan Prince Aeneas on the black ships, in order to guide him to his destiny.

Graham ably re-creates a vivid picture of the ancient world in this historically based fantasy. Her spare style complements the action-filled plot, and the “smoldering emotional resonance” fully engages the reader.

For historical fantasy fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana Paxson.

* = Starred Reviews

AXIS Coffeehouse tonight at Malletts Creek

Fri, 03/14/2008 - 9:46am by amy

Perform your own poetry or monologue, or a favorite by someone else, at the AXIS Coffeehouse tonight at the Malletts Creek Branch, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. If you'd prefer to just sit back and sip on a hot drink, feel free, but a $5 Fine Forgiveness coupon awaits those who perform. (Grades 6-12). --A great way to get revved up for National Poetry Month in April. If you're looking for a last minute idea, we have great collections of monologues and poetry.