ALA Book Awards

The American Library Association announced their award winners yesterday. You can find them all listed on our Award Winners page, but here are some of them.

Printz Award


Newbery Award


Coretta Scott King Author Award


Pura Belpré Narrative Award



Happy Reading!

Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie is one of my favorite authors. So, when I saw that he had written a novel for teens, I couldn’t wait to read it. I finished it today and am amazed at how wonderful the book is.

In many cases, adult novelists who decide to write a book for teens end up having one of two problems. Either the books are too adult for teens or too child-like for teens. Alexie’s book has no such problems.

The story is about a young Spokane Indian boy named Arnold Spirit, but everyone on the reservation calls him Junior. He decides, if he is to have any sort of future, he needs to go to school in the local white farming community. So, early in his freshman year of high school, he transfers and becomes the only Indian kid in his new all-white school.

Junior has lots to deal with after he makes this change – his best friend thinks he’s been betrayed, his new school has a completely different set of unwritten rules Junior has to learn, his sister decides to get married and move to Montana, and he has a semi-girlfriend whose father hates him.

The story is told in Junior’s first-person narrative with his cartoon sketches sprinkled throughout. While this story is very angry, touching on subjects such as poverty, death and teen angst (including rough language), it is also very funny. There is a terrific scene involving the science teacher, Junior, another student and information about petrified wood that made me laugh out loud. And the cartoons, drawn by Ellen Forney, are especially humorous.

I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best teen novels I’ve read in a long time.

National Chicken Month

Did you know September is National Chicken Month? So, try some chicken recipes or just learn more about our favorite fowl.

Or, if you want to see something very odd, check this out.

Enjoy!

Well, That Won't Work

Ever thought of some invention that couldn't possibly work? Perhaps you've got an entry in The Museum of Unworkable Devices. I especially enjoy the gallery of 3-D images.

Enjoy!

Ramadan

The Islamic holiday Ramadan began September 13 and continues through October 11. A month of fasting and prayer, Ramadan is celebrated annually.

For more information, visit the sites for the Islamic Society of Greater Houston and the Masjid El-Farouq.

¡Bienvenidos a la mes de Hispanic Heritage!

September 15 kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month. An estimated 44 million people in United States identify themselves as Hispanic, including these famous people. About 8 million Hispanics live in Texas.

The library has lots of books featuring Hispanic characters or based on Hispanic folktales. And if you want to read award-winning books by Hispanic authors and illustrators, we have those, too!

¡Adios!

Arrr! It Be a Pirate's Day

Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. So, it's a good day to study your pirate lingo and learn your pirate name (mine? Captain Mary Bonney). You could even listen to some pirate music to get yourself in the spirit.



Arrr! What are ye waitin' fer?