Greensboro Free Library
“Compulsively readable . . . In exquisite detail, the book describes the devastating dysfunction in Shuggie’s family, centering on his mother’s alcoholism and his father’s infidelities, which are skillfully related from a child’s viewpoint . . . As it beautifully and shockingly illustrates how Shuggie ends up alone, this novel offers a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Very highly recommended.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Beginning with a look at Christopher Columbus’s arrival through the eyes of the Arawak Indians, then leading the reader through the struggles for workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and ending with the current protests against continued American imperialism, Zinn in the volumes of A Young People’s History of the United States presents a radical new way of understanding America’s history. In so doing, he reminds readers that America’s true greatness is shaped by our dissident voices, not our military generals.” — Amazon.com
“Jones and Lee, editor and submission reader, respectively, for the New York Times Modern Love column, assemble a charming assortment of brief tales of love from the popular column. Each of the 175 selections distill a story of love into fewer than 100 words. While romantic love predominates, there are stories of love between parents and children, siblings, and even for pets and places. . . . This is a moving testament to the diversity and depths of love.” —Publishers Weekly
“Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice…combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line”― Publishers Weekly (starred review)
The library is pleased to offer a new video series designed to educate and entertain called “Becoming a Magician”. This successful, self-guided course is free. It teaches students ages 8-80 enough magic to do a 30-minute performance and includes, along with teaching the magic tricks, acting and storytelling skills so the performance is fun and entertaining. Props needed for the course are ones most people already have at home or can be purchased at the local dollar store.
The course was tested in ten Vermont communities and was well received by both libraries and students. “The course is wonderfully designed and not only teaches the magic in a marvelous way, but the performance and storytelling skills make the tricks come alive” states a librarian from Vermont. “There are so many things a librarian can do with this course.” A mother of two who accessed the course through their local library said “My son and daughter performed a magic show for their grandfather whom they had not seen in person for months because of the pandemic.
They have missed each other terribly. He kept shouting, ‘I can’t believe it, this is wonderful, how are you doing this?’ He was astonished. What you taught them has already brightened one person’s life.”
Teachers, Tom Verner and Janet Fredericks are founders of Magicians Without Borders (www.magicianswithoutborders.com) and have traveled to over 45 countries bringing love, laughter, magic and hope to hundreds of thousands of refugee and orphan children in many of the most war-torn parts of the world.
“Outstanding . . . A book not only about modern Tibet but one that helps explain the current, poisonous moment in China.”—Financial Times
“Dog Man: Grime and Punishment” by Dav Pilkey — “High-intensity, heartwarming, and, above all, hysterically funny.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Soontornvat’s narrative nonfiction account shares these events and those that led to the rescue along with intricate details about caverns, sump diving, and other scientific details that emphasize the harrowing conditions of the rescue. She also touches on Thai culture, immigration issues, Buddhism, and religion…This stellar nonfiction work reads like a heart-pounding adventure story. Every library should have a copy.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“[An] absorbing and lengthy saga of life in a chaotic and unstable England on the cusp of the Middle Ages . . . Fans of Follett’s ever-popular Kingsbridge series . . . will flock to this . . . while intrigued newcomers can start here.” —Booklist
“Llamas and the Andes: A nonfiction companion to Magic Tree House #34: Late Lunch with Llama” –– by Mary Pope Osborne & Natalie Pope Boyce — “When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #34: Late Lunch with Llamas, they had lots of questions. Why do people raise llamas? What are llamas’ closest relatives? How tall are the Andes mountains? What other animals live there? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts about llamas and the Andes.” — Amazon.com