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Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine is about Caitlyn, a girl who has been identified as having Asperger's Syndrome. Caitlyn's condition seems to be somewhat more severe and closer to moderate autism, however.
Identified as odd by her peers, Caitlyn's problems escalate upon the death of her brother. Caitlyn's brother had been acting as a behavioral aide for her and helped her to analyze different social situations. Social situations that may seem clear-cut to others are a maze for Caitlyn.
Caitlyn is mystified by how she "should be" experiencing the tragedy and by how her father is coping with the death. Meanwhile, the general community is coming to terms with the tragedy in relation to her brother's death. How can everybody find peace? How can Caitlyn find her own peace? Read this National Book Award winner to find out!
True (...Sort of) by Katherine Hannigan
True (...Sort of) (AR 6.0, Level 3.4) by Katherine Hannigan, the author of Ida B, is about an unconventional character who doesn't know why she seems to get everyone angry. Misunderstood, everyone keeps putting Delly down. Finally, she decides that she will act out!
Brud is a terrible basketball player. The problem is that he loves basketball! How can he ever become good at the sport that he loves?
Then Ferris moves to town. Delly befriends her because she does not speak; Ferris does not criticize her. Brud befriends her because Ferris is an amazing basketball player and teacher.
If you are a person who doesn't quite fit in at school, you may find a friend in True (...Sort of). Though Ferris has her issues, she accepts her two new friends when no one else will help them. And what is friendship if not for acceptance? Enjoy this great book!
Meet Best-Selling Author: Khaled Hosseini
Enjoy a special evening with Khaled Hosseini, best-selling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Date: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Almaden Branch Library and Community Center
6445 Camden Ave. San José, CA
The event is free and open to the public.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available.
Join us as author Khaled Hosseini talks about his writing inspirations, life experiences and upcoming projects. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet the best-selling author. The event will be followed by a book signing.
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About the author:
Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, moved to San José as a teenager, earned a bachelor's degree in Biology at Santa Clara University, and a Medical Degree at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine.
While in medical practice, Hosseini began writing his first novel, The Kite Runner. In 2003, The Kite Runner, was published and became an international bestseller, published in 70 countries. In 2006, he was named a goodwill envoy to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. His second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns was published in May 2007. Khaled works to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan through The Khaled Hosseini Foundation.
Our Online Book Club is reading The Kite Runner this month.
This program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
I Remember Nothing
I spent last Sunday afternoon with Nora Ephron. I sat under an umbrella in my favorite chair on my patio at home. The weather was perfect: sun shining in a cobalt blue sky; a gentle breeze ruffling the leaves. The temperature was hovering around 78 degrees with no sticky humidity. For me, a transplanted New Yorker, I was in weather heaven. Anyhow, on this beautiful afternoon I sat in my back yard with my old fashioned SONY Walkman CD Player listening to Nora Ephron read her collection of essays: I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections. How bicoastal, I thought, to be sitting under the California sun listening to Norah Ephron narrate her humorous essays with that unmistakable straightforward, sharp edged New York attitude. Nora was born in New York, but her family moved to Southern California when she was a child. She made a permanent move to the East Coast after graduating from Wellesley College and lived most of her adult life in New York working as a journalist, playwrite and screenwriter-director . Remember the films When Harry Met Sally, Silkwood, Sleepless in Seattle, and Julie & Julia ? They are all Nora Ephron's screenplays.
Nora passed away last month after a long illness. I Remember Nothing is the last book she wrote. It is a collection of humorous essays and anecdotes that are reflections on her personal and professional life. Annoyances in contemporary life, the trials and tribulations of aging, and poignant family stories are all narrated with her signature clarity and humor. As I sat there listening and often laughing aloud, I wondered if Nora knew the end was coming as she wrote this book. I think she did. And so along with the laughter, there were a few tears as I shared the afternoon with Nora. She will be missed and long remembered.
The Invisible Bridge
I am always on the lookout for an enthralling historical fiction novel to transport me to another time and another place. Recently, a friend recommended The Invisible Bridge, by Julie Orringer. This novel takes place in Budapest, Hungary and Paris, France during the late 1930’s when Europe was in the grip of the rising Nazi threat. The story begins in Budapest, Hungary as a young Hungarian Jew, Andras Levi, leaves for Paris to begin his studies at Ecole Speciale d’Architecture. While in Paris, Andras meets and falls in love with Klara, a Hungarian ballet instructor. Their love story is the centerpiece of this riveting novel that immerses the reader in the terrifying life that Hungarian Jews endured during the Second World War. I could not put this book down. Warning: it is about 600 pages in length, but every page is beautifully written and absolutely captivating. Vivid details, excellent characterization, and impeccable historical research make this book a memorable read. If you love historical fiction and are looking for a long, satisfying summer read, try The Invisible Bridge. ( Also available as a downloadable audio book or ebook ).
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me (AR 6.0, Level 4.5) by Rebecca Stead is partially a tribute to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Stead's book won the Newbery Award in 2010. If you like science fiction, mystery and historical fiction, you will enjoy this unique story.
It is 1979 and Miranda is helping her mother to prepare for her appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid quiz show. Miranda, foundering after the loss of a friendship, finds new friends when she decides to work at the deli near her school. Soon, she starts to find mysterious notes with information that could have only have come from the future.
Miranda learns about racism, epilepsy, time travel, and friendship as she progresses through her sixth grade year. Do you think she will be able to help the person she is supposed to help? Read this and find out!
Two Exceptional Interview Books
I have not interviewed for a job in several years, but recently find myself in that process
again. As such, I thought it wise to consult books on interviewing. Of the many books I skimmed through, two books were undeniable standouts and have provided me with a wealth of practical information. They were, The Essential Book of Interviewing by Arnold B. Kanter, and 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, by John Kador. I highly recommend these books for any readers interested in learning more about the interview process.
One idea from The Essential Book of Interviewing that really appealed to me was to create a commercial that sells oneself as a product. The author reasoned that creating a commercial gets one to be creative, to tell something personal while using simple and easy to understand language, to be positive, upbeat, and direct, and to have a theme. This exercise struck me as a great way to develop an opening or closing elevator speech. And, I can attest that envisioning myself as a product sold through a commercial advertisement was a real help as I prepared myself for upcoming interviews.
In closing, I’d like to include some ideas I’ve picked up from most interview skills books. For example, it’s very important for the interviewee to take their time, listen fully to the questions being asked, and answer each part of the question fully, without rambling. Every book mentioned this point. Additionally, the interviewer needs to learn if the candidate can think and solve problems, plan projects and meet deadlines, and interact well with others while taking the leadership role, when needed. It is the candidate’s job to ensure they address these key areas.
Best of luck to everyone reading this blog! Ciao.
Yoga in Photos
It’s not infrequently that the cover of a well-marketed library book grabs my attention and compels me to look a little closer at it. One such recent book, Yoga, by Linda Sparrowe, not only drew my attention, but compelled me to check it out. As someone with a long-term interest in yoga, though one who finds many yoga manuals reader unfriendly and hard to follow, I found this book to be nothing short of inspirational. This book is not a manual, however; rather, Yoga is a visual photo exploration (photos by David Martinez) of extremely advanced yoga postures. The photos are artistic and the yoga postures are simply awesome. Now, I must confess that I cannot personally perform any of the advanced postures presented in this work. Instead, the book served as motivation, and inspired me to re-commit myself to a regular yoga practice. If yoga is of any interest to you, the reader of this blog post, I highly recommend checking out Yoga, by Linda Sparrowe. I guarantee the flexibility of the practitioners pictured within it will impress. If nothing less, it’s wonderful to know there are those who can contort their bodies and maintain the suppleness of the very young. Okay, I’m off to practice now…ciao!
Teen Talent Show 2012
Show off your unique talent and win prizes, too!
Do you sing, love to dance, do stand-up comedy or have a unique talent??? Compete in our first round of Teen Talent Show competitions to win prizes and a spot at our final talent show event on Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm at at the Almaden Branch Library.
Visit a participating library to sign-up!
Registration packets will be available at participating San José Public Library locations. Participants must submit their registration form at the location where they want to compete.
Check out pictures of past Teen Talent Show Competitions
Regional Competitions: Prizes 1st place $50, 2nd place $25, 3rd $10
Tully Community Branch, July 5th @ 2pm
Edenvale Branch, July 18th @ 6pm
Hillview Branch, July 19th @ 3pm
Santa Teresa Branch, July 21st @ 3pm
Cambrian Branch, July 25th @ 6:00pm
Evergreen Branch, July 26th @ 4pm
Final Competition: Prizes 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50
Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm
Join us for the grand finale of Teen Talent Show 2012 at the Almaden Branch Library.
The first and second place winners from our local contests will compete for the honor of becoming the San José Teen Talent 2012. Come early and bring your family and friends to cheer on your favorite talent!
Funny Movie: Monkey Business
Monkey Business, which can be found in Link+, is a hilarious movie starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Marilyn Monroe. Cary Grant, who is so great in screwball comedies, partners with the dancing legend, Ginger Rogers, in this irrepressible comedy. Ginger Rogers gets to shine as a comedian in this movie about chemistry and the fountain of youth.
Though Monroe has a very minor role, she does have a side-splitting scene with Grant in a very fast car. Acting as a staid scientist, Grant becomes a teenager when he takes the magic potion. Rogers seems to regress even further as she cries and tattletales on anyone who stands in her way.
If you are getting tired of seeing the repetitive plots of today's romantic comedies, take a stroll down memory lane in this black and white gem!
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