Spring has Sprung – March
Are you almost done with your Winter Book Bingo card, but still need a few more suggestions?
Here are a few titles that may help you finish your card by Saturday, March 18 at 3:00pm.
Young Adult (A big thank you to our Teen Coordinator Cynthia for providing me with a list of great YA books!)
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose
Good account of true story of a group of Danish boys who defied Hitler. These determined boys helped spark the Danish resistance movement.
All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
Coretta Scott King Honor Award–winning novel, two teens—one black, one white—grapple with the repercussions of a single violent act that leaves their school, their community, and, ultimately, the country bitterly divided by racial tension. (Review from Amazon.com)
If you are a James Patterson fan check out his series for young adults: Witch and Wizard and Maximum Ride.
Visit http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz to find titles awarded the Michael L. Printz for Excellene in Young Adult Literature.
Diverse Books
This organization We Need Diverse Books says:
We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. We Need Diverse Books web site weneeddiversebooks.org/mission-statement/ This website’s resources include reading list by preferred genre.
The African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe
Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Arrival of Spring
After this winter, it really was that one week in February that was brutal, I cannot wait until the crocus pop up from under the remnants of snow. Next on my checklist for spring are the tulips, and then the shamrocks that appear on windows.
Another item on my spring checklist is to get organized so when the Memorial Day weekend comes I will be able to spend most of my time enjoying the warm weather and planting flowers. If you are like me than come to the library for Organization Zen with Janie Downey Maxwell, Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30pm.
More programs at the library (all are free and opened to the public)
In recognition of National Freedom of Information Day the library will host Brenda Kielty on Tuesday, March 14 beginning at 6:30pm. Kielty will speak about Maine’s Freedom of Access act and the openness of government information.
Let’s Talk About It is underway. The next book is A Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30pm. The series Violence and Belonging: The Fourteenth Amendment and American Literate and is facilitated by Reza Jalali. Stop by the information desk to register and pick up a copy of the book.
Fun facts about Ireland & St. Patrick
Ah, St. Patrick’s Day when we all become a wee bit Irish. I have also loved St. Patrick’s Day – I don’t know why but I just do! I make Irish stew and Irish soda bread for dinner. I found a recipe from an Irish cookbook for apple cake so that tops off the evening’s meal.
Here are some fun facts to entertain your guests at your St. Patrick’s Day festivities:
March 17th is the date associated with St. Patrick because it was the day he died in 461 at Saul, County Down. The saint is buried Down Cathedral province of Armagh.
Luke Wadding a Franciscan friar from Waterford, turned March 17 a feast day for St. Patrick.
The first parade was held in Boston in 1737
The first parade in Ireland was in Waterford in 1903 and Dublin had its first parade in 1931.
Blue was the color first associated with St. Patrick and it wasn’t until the 19th century that green became the color for St Patrick’s Day.
As for St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland that is a wonderful myth. Most scientists now believe that Ireland never had any snakes to begin with.
Insightful Librarian Blog 