TANGLED LIVES

Amedeo Kaplan, same first name as Modigliani, is new in town and befriends William who is helping his mother with the estate sale of his other new neighbor in St. Malo, Florida. He is intrigued by William and by his desire to be a discoverer, and soon they "discover" a sketch by Modigliani that takes them on a journey of the nature of heroism, history of degenerate art & the Nazis. The lives of people in the past and the present are all interwined in this complex story where people aren't just good or bad but are just...people.

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by e. l. Konigsburg is for mature readers in 7th grade and up.

COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER

Little Audrey by Ruth White is historical fiction about a young girl living in a coal mining camp during the Great Depression. As Audrey herself is struggling to recover from the illness which left her underweight and with bad vision, she has to also cope with the loss of a little sister that has left her mother with depression. Her father is an alcoholic mine worker who spends the little money he gets on drinking if he goes to work. There is always shortage of food and hunger lingers at home. The only two people who seem to notice her and like her for who she is, are her teacher and best friend Virgil and she loves them back because they are the only ones who seem to understand her.
Little Audrey's father dies in a car accident while drunk, which devastates the family even more, but ironically his death also brings the end of the tunnel in sight, as they become forced to move out of the mining camp. Her mother will now be able to earn money and bring it all home and Little Audrey and her three other sisters can go to a better school. For grades 5-8.
--Evelyn, Library Assistant

ANOTHER CINDERELLA

Snacktime Readers met last night to talk about this month's book Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. This is the true story of one very young Chinese girl who overcomes great odds to ultimately have a very successful life. Treated badly by her family because they considered her to be at fault for the death of her mother who died giving birth to her, she endures not only that loss, but also the loss of every other family member who was important to her. The story takes place in mainland China in the period right before WWII and gives the reader a glimpse of what life in China was like during that period.

While the group was small this month the discussion was lively. Here's how they rated Chinese Cinderella:

Brittany - 10 I loved this book. The fact that it was a true story was amazing. Even though it was very sad, it kept my interest and I could not put it down.

Jaime - 5 It was an interesting book but sometimes it was just too sad to keep reading.

NEVER ENOUGH FAIRY TALES...

RAPUNZEL AND OTHER MAGIC FAIRY TALES selected and illustrated by Henriette Sauvant, and translated by Anthea Bell was a short but sweet conglomeration of some all-time favorite fairy tales and some I'd never heard. I was initially attracted to this collection of fairy tales because of it's size and beautiful cover page. I especially liked this collection because you could easily read these fairy tales out loud to a group of kids without losing their attention. The illustrations are gorgeous and tell a tale by themselves. A great book to read for grades 2 and up!

BIG BOOK SALE

Booklovers Book Sale at Chevy Chase Branch

Saturday, September 26, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, September 27, 10 am - 4 pm
3301 East Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale, 91206
MAP

Worth the drive up the canyon! More than 15,000 used Library books for children and adults will be on sale. Proceeds will benefit the Chevy Chase Branch Library. The sale will include adult and children's books on all subjects and of all types; something for every book lover. Sponsored by the Friends of the Glendale Public Library.

Early Birds: On Saturday, September 26, Friends of the Library members can attend the sale from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

For more information call (818) 548-2047.

THE THREE LITTLE TAMALES

This is a variation of the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs. Tio Jose and Tia Lupe own a taqueria in Texas. Three little tamales, two sisters and a brother want to run away from the taqueria before they can be eaten. They ran off into the desert. Each tamale built a little casita to live in. The first one build a house of sagebrush. The second build his casita of cornstalks, and the third builds hers out of cactus. Eventually Señor Lobo, the Big Bad Wolf, comes around looking for some lunch and with plans to blow their houses down.

Tamales are adorable, especially the smart one with her big glasses, and the brother with his dramatic eyebrows and mustache. Some Spanish words are scattered. There is a glossary at the front if you need help with the pronunciation. Pictures are wonderfully done. Written by Eric A. Kimmel. Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. For readers 4-8. Grades 1-2.

DOWN ON THE BAYOU - SOUTHERN GOTHIC FOR KIDS

There are many emotional animal stories dealing with adventure and tragedy, but none as poetically beautiful as THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt. Many creatures lurk in dark places, waiting to come out into the light. Some are evil, but some, like two frisky kittens and their mom, are innocent and curious. Unfortunately, from their home underneath the porch of a mean old man called Gar Face, the cat family and their trusty watch dog and companion Ranger rarely get to experience the light. When they dare to risk it, their lives are changed forever. Written with captivating imagery and the dark enchanting tone of a much more mature novel, this story will draw readers in to its tangled web of raw feelings and vivd personification of the many animal characters. Appropriate for grades 6 and up.

ONE BOOK / ONE GLENDALE

The Library is pleased to announce this year's One Book / One Glendale...for younger readers selection, Poison Ivy by Glendale author Amy Goldman Koss. This book deals with the very important issue of bullying among peers and as the book cover states, it does so from several points of view.

There's a lot to talk about in this one and Snacktime Readers will be featuring this title for its October 28 meeting, more details to follow.

Ms. Koss will be speaking at the Central Library on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information, please call the Library (818) 548-2035.

LEAVING THE GLORYTOWN: ONE BOY’S STRUGGLE UNDER CASTRO

As a very young child, Eduardo Calcines had the good fortune of living in a small community in the town of Cienfuegos, Cuba, with loving parents and grandparents, close friends and economic security. However, all this changed in 1959 when Fidel Castro became prime minister of Cuba. Castro’s regime gradually took away almost all luxuries, many basic needs and even some fundamental human rights that people had enjoyed in Cuba before the Revolution. Hunger, fear and isolation became ways of life, particularly for families who did not join the Communist party and instead applied for exit visas to leave Cuba for the United States. Viewed as worms and traitors, Eduardo and his family lived through a series of tribulations and grievances while they waited to get selected by the Cuban immigration to leave the country. Eleven years passed before Eduardo and his family finally arrived to the United States.
This excellent memory will help readers to understand the struggles that people experienced under Castro’s leadership and the opportunities that come with freedom.
For readers ages 12-14. Grades 7-9. Written by Eduardo F. Calcines.

BOOK FIESTA!

BOOK FIESTA!: CELEBRATE CHILDREN’S DAY/BOOK DAY

In this bilingual story, children read aloud in various settings to celebrate El Dia de Los Niños, or Children’s Day. Includes facts about Mexico’s annual celebration of children and the book fiestas. A letter from the author and suggestions for celebrating el Dia de los Libros/Children’s Day/Book Day. Colorful illustrations. Bilingual edition written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Rafael Lopez. Kindergarten, Ages 3-6.

WINDS OF DESTINY

Anybody who has immigrated to this country or has family members who are immigrants will find great escape in reading this book, and those who never had to deal with immigration will find great appreciation and empathy towards it.

WINDS OF DESTINY by SERPOOHI CHRISTINE JAFFERIAN is an incredible story of human survival and adaptability. At times maybe this topic might sound cliche of some sort, but in life one must have the ability to cope and adapt in order to survive. Serpoohi who is the protagonist in the story takes everything that life bring in stride. With ease, she assimilates with different cultures without abandoning her roots.

It's not always easy to be a good person, to say the right things and to do the right things, however after reading this book, one can at least see the many possibilites...

For grades 5th and older.

A PUNNY BUG DETECTIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Who better to be a private eye then a fly with eyes which can see almost 360 degree and therefore would have great observational skills. Joey and sidekick Sammy are hired by to find a stolen diamond pencil box. The two detectives wade through urban landscape, clues & insect suspects to track down the culprit.

Cleverly done in mostlly hues of blues to convey the sense of pulp fiction and black and white noir films of old. It's a fun cheeky story where all the characters are bugs and the bugs are characters.

Joey Fly Private Eye in Creepy Crawly Crime by Aaron Reynolds is a definite must read for those who like the Chet Gecko mysteries.

For 4th & up.