True Crime meets autobiography in The Butterfly Garden, a striking and capturing book about a boy's experiences living as the son of one of America's Most Wanted. Chip St. Clair was always told not to open the trunk in his father's bed room, but one day he did and his life was never the same again. What he found in the trunk was false documents as well as possible trophies from children his father had murdered in the past... several baby teeth, phony birth certificates, forged credit card and student loan paperwork and family photographs with cryptic messages written on the back. Chip's entire life--his name, even his date of birth--had been a lie, and the man he called 'Dad' was an impostor, an escaped child killer who had been on the run for over two decades. The stunning revelation would send one of America's Most Wanted to justice and another on a quest for his true identity.

"With chilling detail and a riveting, lyrical narrative, The Butterfly Garden reveals St. Clair's struggle to piece together his haunted past before it consumes him and shares his inspiring metamorphosis from victim to victim's advocate. The Butterfly Garden is a timeless triumph, a reminder that hope can be the most powerful of all emotions, freeing us to soar despite the past and the odds against us."

Huge, sweeping patterns of intricate, geometric shapes appear in fields of standing wheat and barley over night. No tracks appear leading to the shapes. The crop circles are perfectly formed - with mathematical precision and utilizing ancient symbols - they have created a following of “croppies” all over the world. Star Dreams investigates the phenomenon, interviewing true believers (in the other-worldly artists) and researchers, and providing dozens of aerial shots of the most breath-taking circles. Though you may argue about how they get here, there is no doubt they are mysterious and beautiful. Hundreds of circles appear in England every summer and you can track each one as it is reported. For more on crop circles try Secrets in the Fields: The Science and Mysticism of Crop Circles.

Jean De Florette is a wonderful French film. Making its debut in 1987, the film stars Gerard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil. The beautiful setting for this movie is 1920's Provence, France.

Jean De Florette, the main character, is played by Depardieu. Jean makes his living as a tax collector in the city, until one day he inherits a plot of land in Provence. Only too happy to make a move to the country for a new beginning, he arrives in Provence with family in tow. He is joyously looking forward to working a garden and raising small livestock, all the while utilizing a wonderful fresh water spring that is located on the property.

Unknown to Jean De Florette, his "new" neighbors have long had their eyes on his newly inherited piece of heaven. They scheme against Jean and begin to make his life of farming unbearable. They are motivated by their belief that if they can discourage Jean enough, he will fold like a cheap card table, and sell his land to the first buyer. They block the natural spring, conceal its location from Jean, and sit back to see what happens.

I'll be the first to admit that a story about the tribulations of a rural farmer in 1920's France doesn't sound that interesting. However, that's not really what this film is all about. This film is an interesting study in human nature. Jean De Florette is a must see film for anyone interested in exploring the realm of French Film. This movie is as much a staple to French cinema, as baguettes are a staple to French cuisine.

The official FFG rating of this film is 8.

A Benedictine nun from The Abbey of Regina Laudis, Sister Noella, The Cheese Nun, is an expert on cheese. A real expert -- she got her PhD in cheese chemistry. For field work, she travelled all through the various cheese-making regions of France, investigating and tasting the special "terroir" of cheese. This is the story of how she discovered that the diverse fungi from each locale account for the tastes and unique culture of cheeses. Perhaps you would try making some of your own. A cave makes it especially tasty, but is not required! Try Cheesemaking Made Easy or, for those who want to simply appreciate what they are tasting, Cheese: A Connoisseur'sGuide. For a quick start making mozzarella here is a recipe from the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company.

Today is the eightieth birthday of Maya Angelou. It is also the fortieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. Ms. Angelou and Dr. King were close friends, and for years she refused to celebrate her birthday.

After a turbulent and traumatic childhood, Ms Angelou went on to develop an extraordinary career as a poet, singer, memoirist, actress and civil rights leader. Her most well-known work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was nominated for a National Book Award. She was the first poet since Robert Frost to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration: “On the Pulse of Morning” at the first Clinton inauguration. Despite the critical acclaim she received, she tried to remain close to ordinary women, becoming Oprah Winfrey’s mentor and even appearing on her show several times.

The assassination of Dr. King is especially being covered this year on cable channels. CNN had a special documentary about it last night, and the History Channel is also having a special Sunday night.

The film The Diary of Anne Frank will be showing at the Michigan Theater April 26th at noon. This is in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Huron Valley Council. This is the last in their series called "Girls Read! A Celebration of Literacy and Film". A discussion will follow the film. All girls are welcome to attend, and you get free popcorn and a soft drink with your ticket!

The most recent collection of Get Fuzzy comics is titled Loserpalooza. Get Fuzzy is one of the funniest newspaper comics of all time, rivaling the ranks of Calvin and Hobbes, Foxtrot, and The Far Side. While we are on the topic of hilarious comics, give Unshelved a look the next time you are online. This is a funny interpretation of library life, through the eyes of reference librarian Dewey.

The Childrens Picture book The Wizard can only be described as "An illustrated, rhyming tale of a wicked wizard and his evil deeds, as he uses 'elemental sorcery' to change a bullfrog into a series of objects, from a flea to a flame." The author of the the book, Jack Prelutsky, was named the first Children's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation in 2006. His verse along with the enchanting illustrations by Brandon Dorman, make The Wizard a truly delightful find. Other interesting books of his include Dragons are Singing Tonight, Gargoyle on the Roof, and Wild Witches Ball.

Neutral Zone High School Drop-In Hours are Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 5-8 pm, Wednesday 2:30-8, and Friday 2:30-6. That’s for foosball, air hockey, tv, pool or chillaxin’. Homework help happens 2:30 to 4:45 Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I know, right?

Do you love Mysteries? Maybe you've even read one of the books in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series. Well here's your chance to see him locally.

The Ypsilanti District Library is proud to present:

Alexander McCall Smith
April 19th, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Pease Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in one of three ways:

In person at EMU Ticket Center

By phone at (734) 487-2282

Or Online

Do you enjoy reading book jackets and covers? Do you have five minutes in your day to enjoy a excerpt from a book in your favorite genre? Well then a Online Book Group is for you!!!

A few months back, I joined 3 online Book Discussion Groups. Each Week (Monday-Friday), you start a new book and read a few pages a day, so by the end of the week you have read a chapter or two of a book that may become one of your favorites. Choose from: Business, Non-fiction, Classics, Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Teen, Science Fiction, and more!

Readers can comment about book selections several places throughout the site and are encouraged to email Suzanne (the leader of the groups) with any suggestions or questions.

You can check this out at http://www.dearreader.com/

Join a Book Group Today!

Interested in making a lasting difference in the life of a non-reader or English Language Learner? Washtenaw Literacy is always looking for one-on-one tutors and ESL Group Leaders. Come to a volunteer orientation to see how you can make a difference. The next session is Saturday March 22nd from 10-11 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library. On April 22 there's another orientation at 7 pm at Nicola's Books. Go to Washtenaw Literacy for their training schedule and other information. Washtenaw Literacy is the only agency in the county who offers free tutoring year round and they do marvelous work in an effort to enhance the life of our community members.

Recently, a patron asked me to put a hold on a book I haven't heard of in years. As soon as she asked for the title I thought "Hey I remember that book from when I was a kid." So I put a hold on it and a week later, "Surprise!" it was ready to be picked up. I've only read a couple chapters of Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, but already I feel at home in the story. For those of you who have not read the book, it is a the tale of a young girl Karana, who loses her family and village and has to live on her own, surviving with the skills she's learned and off the resources of the island. This book has inspired me to read some of my other favorite childhood books that I also recommend: Zia, The Giver, Julie of the Wolves, Julie, The Call of the Wild and last but not least The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (which is actually being made into a movie) These are great reads for older kids and adults alike! I hope this inspires you to go back and reread some of your childhood favorites!