Pictures and Pens - Photo #1

What story does this picture tell you? Write its story or poem or whatever form calls out to you and submit it to the library by June 29, 2012 and you could win $50. One author will be selected as the winning story. Entries accepted either on paper at the library or electronically to dadams@arrowhead.lib.mn.us. Winners will be announced by July 20, 2012. "Pictures and Pens" is a new library project. Each month a photograph is selected that tells a story and the following month we ask authors to tell the story of the photo. Winning photographers and authors each win $50. Full program details are available at the library. This project is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Diane

A Last Review (but by no means least)

I have one final review for the Winter Reading program. One of the area's smaller classes did the winter reading program together. The teacher read aloud Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren and the kids worked together on writing a synopsis.

Pippi is a very unique girl. She lives by herself in VillaVillakula with her horse and a pet monkey named Mr. Milsson. Her father is a sea captain and is seldom home. Her mother passed away, but Pippi believes her mother peeks at her through the clouds.
Two children are her neighbors. They are named Tommy and Annika. They join Pippi on many adventures. One time Pippi captures robbers and hurls them overhead, using her unusual strength.

Library Commercials

Another class was held on Saturday, March 10th for people interested in borrowing the library's digital video cameras. The participants created a short commercial about the library. Here are their results.

http://youtu.be/zNJ7qjPJsOM

http://youtu.be/ATMCX-otQ9U

If you are interested in taking this class and borrowing the library cameras, please contact Diane Adams at the library.

end of Winter Reading Reviews

This may be the end of the official Winter Reading reviews, but we'd love to have community members continue to submit reviews of the books they've read. So if you read a great book and want to share it with us, please bring it in or send it to us at dadams@arrowhead.lib.mn.us.

Green by Laura Peyton Roberts
Rated 5 - I really liked this book because it had lots of exciting parts and there was also a mystery to it. There wasn't much I didn't like about the book.

The Postcard by Tony Abbott
Rated 4 - I liked that it had a lot of mysterious parts to it, but it was not really like a mystery book. What I disliked about the book was that there were very short chapters.

The Book of Peach by Penelope Stokes
Southern charm mixed with wit and down to earth characters. If you like Penelope Stokes - you're in for a real treat. A great weekend read with lots of surprises!

Word Virus by William Burroughs
A various array of his works, snippets from many books give us a better understanding of the author.

Naked Lunch by William Burroughs
An obscure book in his collection shows us the rare mind of the author.

The Caregiver by Shelley Shephard Gray
Good story of Amish couple coming together to marriage after bitter hard past.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
Good future story. Earth as we know it has changed. Families live in future colony. All must obey the council and live a good life, those who don't pay the price.

More Winter Reading Reviews

Here are more reviews by adults on what they are reading this winter.

The Treasure Box by Penelope Stokes
A mysterious little trinket box is the leading character in this novel. If you like fantasy and real life stories - this is a really good read.

The Survivor by Shelley Gray
Young Amish girl fights cancer with the help of her boyfriend. A loss of barn and home during tornado.

A Simple Winter by Rosalind Lauer
Remy and Adam meet on a train - both heading home. Remy to her empty life in Philadelphia - Adam to care for his 10 siblings, left orphan by the senseless murder of their parents.
Remy heads to Adam's house for a follow up article on how the family is doing one year later. But instead of a story has she found something better?

Winter's Awakening by Shelley Gray
Well was kinda dry to start but increasingly more interesting. In the end was a good story leaving a person ready for the next book in the series.

Spring Renewal by Shelley Gray
Good Amish tale. English and Amish can be friends.

Autumn Promise by Shelley Gray
Young Adult Amish - love story. One of the teens is deciding to leave the Amish and an English girl decides to join.

The Parchment of Leaves by Silas House
An Appalachian love story about a Cherokee young woman, Vine. She meets an unlikely suitor and realizes she wants to marry a non-native American, Saul. Their lives are anything but boring and full of the usual breath-taking scenery Silas House eloquently describes.

The Coal Tattoo by Silas House
A heartwarming story of everyday life in Appalachia. Well written and full of unexpected twists.

We'll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark
I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down.

My Story by Marilyn Monroe
An insightful look into Marilyn's life, chronicling all her hopes, dreams, and fears. The book gave me greater insight into her as a person and not just as a sex symbol. After reading this book, I've definitely become a fan of hers.

Don't forget, all reviews for winter reading need to be in by 3pm on Saturday, March 10 to be included in the drawing for prizes.

Winter Reading Adult Reviews

I have a whole stack of reviews but don't think I'll get them all typed in today. Reminder... all reviews need to be in by Saturday, March 10 to be eligible for winter reading prizes.

Chinaberry by James Still
A beautifully written story that is set in Appalachia. Silas House beautifully waves the manuscripts of James Still into a truly remarkable story of everyday life for Appalachia dwellers. If you haven't read any Silas House begin here!

A Family in Norway by Jethy St. John
Nice story of life in Norway. Quite informative.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. This was amazing. I couldn't put it down. It was so full of twists and turns that it was hard to formulate how the book would end. I highly recommend this series to anyone who would like to rekindle a love for reading.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
A thrilling end to the Hunger Games trilogy. Full of unexpected twists and turns. Sad the story is over, can't wait to see the movie.

Jades Courting Danger by Margo Hansen
Sequel to "Sky's Bridal Train", but can be read as a stand alone novel. Jade has lost her home and family's money and now works as a maid in a home she used to visit as a guest. At her bosses request she attends a dinner party and meets Tyler. He is on a mission for his friends in the wilds of Northern Minnesota. They need brides. Very good, adventure filled mail order bride story.


Come back tomorrow for more reviews.
Diane

Teens Review Books

Only a few more days until the end of the Winter Reading Program. All reviews need to be in by the 3 pm Saturday, March 10. I'll be drawing winners Monday morning March 12 before we open.

Here are a few reading ideas.

Outlaw Princess of Sherwood by Nancy Springer
Rated 3 I love all the Rowan Hood and Robin Hood books and this was no exception. One of my favorite parts was when they all go to capture the King and save the Queen. However, it didn't have the best writing.

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor
Rated 4 My favorite part was when they find a house to live in at the end. What I disliked about the book was there were too many parts about when they are in the car.

Willow King by Chris Platt
Rated 4 It was a great book and had a good plot, some places the writing was put together well, but the story made up for it. Perfect for any girl that loves horses!

The Chaos by Rachel Ward
Rated 5 I like this book because it has a lot of drama, love and action. I also liked it because I couldn't put it down. It was a page turner.

'Nama Beach High: False Friends and True by Nancy Rue
Rated 4 Great! Not for everyone though. Well written and great plot. I liked that Nancy Rue decided to tackle the subjects of bullying and stealing.

'Nama Beach High: Fault Lines by Nancy Rue
Rated 5 Loved it! Well written and I loved the storyline. Rue did a great job on writing about racism and bullying. I think my favorite part was the great mystery in the story. :)


Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Rated 5 Loved it! Everyone really needs to read this one, there is something for everyone in it. It's about prejudice, abortion, hypocrites, bullying and swimming.

Why We Broke Up by Lemony Snicket
Rated 4 It was good, could be very personal depending on what you've gone through. But very well written.

Winter Reading Reviews

More reviews by winter reading participants.

Cherry Cheese Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Just a same Joanne Fluke mystery. Good

Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling
Lauraine Snellings newest novel takes place in the Dakotas in 1906. Cassie Lockwood's parents have died and their business partner has run the wild west show she stars in, into bankruptcy. So Cassie, her friends, a young man and an Indian pack up her wagon and livestock and head for her father's dream valley. Very good, but definitely a lead in for future books.

Sorry by Zoran Drvenkar
Adult subject matter but very interesting perspective and style of writing. Author writes in a way that you are the bad guy and the good guy.

The Journey by Wanda Brunstetter
Young Amish man, a twin leaves home to find himself in another Amish community 2 states away.

The Healing by Wanda Brunstetter
Second book in series with a third to follow in the fall. Young Amish girls searching for a hubby. English girl Bonnie is posing as a rival.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
An amazing book which I couldn't put down. I had to go buy the rest of the trilogy. Also, I can't wait for the movie to come out, it looks great!

Death of an Outsider by M.C. Beaton
Usual Hamish fare. Very good. A murder is found and the body is in the lobster tank. The lobsters eat it all. Scratches are left all over the bones.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trooper
Fun, realistic examination of a marriage that has ended - but a connection forever. The main character connects everything to a moment of devastation that would throw anyone's world a kilter.

Video class projects

Yesterday we had a couple of kids complete the video/movie making class. Their short library commercials are below.







If you are interested in learning how to use the video cameras and editing computer then contact the library to sign up for a class. Classes are held on an as requested basis when it is convenient for both student and instructor. So even though yesterday the library was closed, we were able to get everyone together (including the new and old instructor, as our old instructor is graduating soon and moving on.)