Blog Post
From the Page to the Screen: Hidden Figures
by PizzaPuppy
The new movie Hidden Figures is in theaters now, and is already generating positive reviews and a plethora of award nominations. This amazing true story, first published as Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly, chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of extraordinarily talented and dedicated African American female mathematicians, whose calculations launched John Glenn into Earth's orbit and won the space race. These "human computers" used slide rules, pencils, and adding machines to perform the advanced mathematics needed to calculate trajectories, launch windows, and navigational charts in case of electrical failures, among others. These brave women faced adversity through sexism and segregation, but persevere through it all to become key players in evolution of NASA and space exploration. This amazing story is also available on audiobook and Large Print.
Author Margot Lee Shetterly will be speaking at Rackham Auditorium on January 24th from 4-8:15 PM. More information is available here.
Looking to learn more about the phenomenal women scientists that propelled us into space? Check out Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars (also available here in Large Print. Or learn more about the many women who have since traveled to outer space through items such as Promised the Moon, Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, and Astronaut Pam: Countdown to Commander (an especially interesting nonfiction movie that follows Commander Pam Melroy and her crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery). We also have books about women inventors, such as Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women.
Also check out our resources regarding two very famous pioneering female astronauts: Mae Jemison and Sally Ride. Books on Sally Ride for an adult audience include this photobiography and Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space. To the Stars, Sally Ride: Life on a Mission, and Who Was Sally Ride? are all intended for kids interested in learning more about Sally Ride. We also have many resources on Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel to space, such as this biography, You Should Meet Mae Jemison or Mae Jemison, Awesome Astronaut!. You can even read books written by the astronaut herself, such as The 100 Year Starship.
Just into space? We have lots for you to check out here at the library, such as Eyewitness Space Exploration, or the Astronaut Handbook. The Dream is Alive is a fascinating DVD that uncovers life on a space station, and witnesses the first space walk performed by an American woman. We also have a Library Space Camp program for kids coming on Thursday, April 6th at the Downtown branch, where you can learn all about what makes a successful astronaut and complete cool space activities.
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #625, Part 1
by muffy
I don't know any significance to January 17, but three of the most buzzed spring debut novels will be officially released on that date.
The Bear and the Nightingale * * * * by Katherine Arden is set in medieval Russia, steeped in history and myth.
At the edge of the wilderness where winters last forever, Princess Marina risked it all to bring Vasilisa “Vasya” Petrovna into the world, certain that she would inherit her royal grandmother’s gift of magic and knowledge of the spirit world. A stranger with piercing blue eyes presented the grieving father with a precious jewel meant for the child. Growing up wild and fearless, Vasya roamed the woods befriending sprites and household spirits until Konstantin, an exiled priest with golden hair, and Anna, her pious, and troubled stepmother became obsessed with Vasya’s salvation.
As two supernatural beings, Morozko and Medved, sought to harness Vasya’s powerful gifts by threatening the survival of their village, Vasya discovered that, armed only with the necklace and embracing the magic within, she might be the only one who could save them all.
"In a lush narrative with the cadence of a fairy tale, Arden weaves an immersive, earthy story of folk magic, faith, and hubris, peopled with vivid, dynamic characters, particularly clever, brave Vasya, who outsmarts men and demons alike to save her family. This beautifully written, auspicious first novel is utterly bewitching." (Booklist)
"Fleet and gorgeous as the firebird, a highly recommended exemplar of literary fantasy." (Library Journal)
Will appeal to fans of Naomi Novik; Neil Gaiman; and Eowyn Ivey.
* * * * = 4 starred reviews
Blog Post
New Picture Books!
by manz
The new book section at AADL is full of amazing finds! Fiction, non-fiction, youth, teen, and adult! Here are few favorite picture books I found recently.
Kevin Henkes does it again with Egg. It’s a darling story about eggs ready to hatch, and one that just won’t. When it finally does it's a wonderful surprise. With simple words and pretty colors the story demonstrates waiting and friendship. Kids will enjoy the repetition and simple images.
A Greyhound, A Groundhog by Chris Appelhans is a simple and silly book with repeated text featuring rhymes and tongue twisters, as a greyhound and a groundhog go around and around from page to page. I really love the watercolor illustrations in this one.
In Lucky Lazlo by Steve Light a young boy finds a rose and plans to take it to his friend’s play to give to her after her performance. But on the way a cat crosses his path and chaos ensues. The book also includes a lovely author’s note which lists the many superstitions in theater and stage that are found throughout the book. And yes, the illustrations are wonderful.
Blog Post
Coming Soon: Writing Contests for Kids and Teens!
by krayla
Come one, come all for the amazing, spectacular, once-every-year-without-fail WRITING CONTESTS hosted by the Ann Arbor District Library! Starting on Monday, January 16, kids can enter the 3rd-5th Grade Short Story Contest and teens in grades 6-12 can send works of flash fiction or short stories to the "It's All Write!" Teen Writing Contest. Guidelines and writing resources are currently available for both contests, so get out your pencils, your keyboards, your quills, or your styli, because it's about to get EPIC.
Blog Post
2017 Michigan Notable Books
by Sara W
The Library of Michigan has announced with 2017 winners of the Michigan Notable Book Award - an honor highlighting books celebrating Michigan people, places, and events.
This year's 20 award winners include Beer Money: A Memoir of Privilege and Loss by Frances Stroh, a recollection of a city, an industry and a dynasty in decline, and finding a way out, Detroit Resurrected: To Bankruptcy and Back by Nathan Bomey, which tells the story of Detroit's financial ruin, backroom intrigue and political rebirth, and Terror in the City of Champions: Murder, Baseball and the Secret Society that Shocked Depression-era Detroit by Tom Stanton, a thrilling true crime story.
The list features fiction too, such as The Charm Bracelet, Viola Shipman's story of love, family and the importance of connectivity, it covers generations of Michigan history and will resonate with anyone who has enjoyed the beauty of summers in northern Michigan, Sweetgirl by Travis Mulhauser, about a fearless teen facing the wasteland of addiction amid the isolation of the Upper Peninsula, and The Last Good Girl by Allison Leotta, the thrilling latest entry in her legal suspense series.
There's something for everyone on this list - whether you're interested in travel, classic cars, biology, poetry, or architecture.
Blog Post
Participate in this year's Washtenaw Reads!
by eapearce
$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America is this year’s Washtenaw Reads book selection. Researched and written by Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer, the book details the lives of six different families who barely survive on less than $2.00 a day in various parts of the country. Eye-opening and alarming, the book also explains the laws behind the reasons that some people are forced to live on so little. The authors will speak at Rackham Auditorium on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00p.m. The event includes time for questions and book signing.
The AADL is also hosting several more intimate discussions of the book. The first of these takes place on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Downtown Library multipurpose room. The second will occur on Sunday, February 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Westgate Branch in the Westside Room. All are welcome to attend these guided discussions, with no registration required. Participants may want to bring a copy of the book—available at all AADL locations—to reference during the discussion.
For more events surrounding this year’s Washtenaw Reads selection, follow the link here.
Looking for resources about $2.00 a Day, including interviews with the authors and related reading? Visit the link here.
Blog Post
"A" is for ANGELS and ANIMALS ... in the snow!
by ryanikoglu
Ms. Rachel brought stories about things that can happen in the SNOW.
A PERFECT DAY tells what happens when the first perfect snow falls.
We sang/acted-out “This Is The Way …” we get dressed for snow … musically accompanied by Ms. Banjo Betsy.
The HAT by Jan Brett … tells a newer version of a very old Ukranian folktale The MITTEN. The forest animals find a cozy hat in the snow and squeeze inside for warmth.
For more of Ms. Rachel’s favorite winter stories try the following:
The SNOW BEARS … Mama Bear can’t find her cubs. She does find three adorable “snow bears” however.
IF IT’S SNOWY And YOU KNOW IT CLAP YOUR PAWS! … an action song and picture book.
SNOW ... animals prepare for winter snow.
WAITING For SNOW ... anticipation !
WINTER IS For SNOW ... and a brother ... and a sister.
TWELVE DAYS Of WINTER ... a school counting book.
ANNIE And The WILD ANIMALS ... See what Annie sees as she looks for her cat.
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND ... the words to the song and pictures. Can you sing along?
Blog Post
New Snowy Picture Books to Warm You!
by manz
A chilly winter day is a great time to play in the snow, wish for snow, or cuddle up with a cozy book featuring snowy days and a sweet story.
Samson in the Snow is by Caldecott winner Phillip Stead. In this beautifully illustrated, tender story we meet Samson, a large and friendly wooly mammoth. One sunny day he happens upon a bird gathering yellow flowers for his friend before flying off. Samson continues to wander, and sun turns to snow and Samson can no longer find the bird. As he heads out to search he finds the kind of friends he didn’t even know he was looking for. A very sweet and gentle book.
Before Morning by Newbery Winner Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Caldecott Winner Beth Krommes is simply delightful! The most gorgeous sketched illustrations set the backdrop for a day when a young child wishes snow would come so his pilot mother can stay home. Delightful, tender, with few words, this pretty and poetic book is a treat for a snowy day.
Waiting For Snow is a darling look at a group of animals waiting ever-so-patiently for snow to fall. Waiting is not easy, but it will snow in snow’s time, as badger soon finds out.
How to Build a Snow Bear is also a lesson on waiting. It snowed and it’s time to go play in it! But a sleepyhead who would be a big help in building a snow bear is still hibernating. Wait we must for the sleepy bear to wake up and help out.
Best In Snow features photographs of winter scenes paired with simple words that describe the images and the weather around the onlooker. Air warms, snow softens, it drip drip drops. A lovely book with fantastic photos of snow and animals.
Blog Post
Enjoying and Understanding Outlander
by ballybeg
I just got around to reading Outlander. It is only the first long, complex book, of a long, complex series of books, loaded with characters, details, symbolism, history, and inter-weaving, multi-layered plots. The television series is another dimension of the Outlander phenomenon, also rich with period detail, language, folklore, and a dizzying array of settings and characters.
I was surprised and gratified, therefore, to discover these aids to appreciating the books and films, with some Scottish history and background, and lots of details to enhance the understanding of Gabaldon’s highly imaginative series.
For the television series, The Making of Outlander: The Official Guide to Seasons One & Two, adds interest and depth to the filmed version.
For the books, The Outlandish Companion Volume One is an elaboration of the first four books, and The Outlandish Companion Volume Two highlights details from books five through eight. Included are synopses of the plots, commentary by the author, glossaries of Gaelic language, bibliographies of books Gabaldon used when researching and writing the books, but also fiction series, by other authors, she recommends to enjoy and which complement hers (I got some good reading ideas here), and so much more.
For really fascinating detail about the rich world of Outlander, this book is a must: The Symbolism and Sources of Outlander: The Scottish Fairies, Folklore, Ballads, Magic, and Meanings That Inspired the Series. Here you can find: all about the mythologies of standing stones, sun and fire feasts; voodoo, Native American and Scottish folklore; the symbolism of plants, jewelry, animals, clothes, kilts and tartans (and what about that dragonfly in amber?); references to literature (the Bible, classics, Shakespeare and the English romantic poets) and music explained; and all about magic, witches, second sight, herbs, the sword dance, kelpies in the loch, La Dame Blanche, and more.
Then, just for fun, because everything ends with food, and who can resist oatmeal scones with clotted cream?, Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook.
Blog Post
A watch with super powers...
by mansii
A watch with super powers, an underground gestapo, an expert climber, and a mysterious lighthouse...follow Reuben in this swashbuckling adventure as a very scared, ordinary boy fights evil with true friendship, hard choices, and a big dose of courage. Trenton Lee Stewart gave the world The Mysterious Benedict Society--one of the best things to happen to children's literature since Harry Potter. Now, Stewart's new stand alone novel The Secret Keepers has arrived to take fantasy lovers (or just lovers of great story!) by the pant-seat.
The writing is superb, the characters shine, the relationships sparkle, and the layers of story exude goodness from their pores. Stewart's characters wrestle with moral dilemmas that don't have easy answers, and come to understand the internal slavery of those who propagate evil, exercising compassion.
Both a powerful look at the sinister spiral of power's addictive nature and a bracing encouragement, the The Secret Keepers affirms that whatever battles we each must find the courage to fight, all will be well at last. When you rub your eyes to come back to reality, your heart will glow treasuring the life you have been gifted and the people in it that make it extraordinary.