Tribute to Sandy Hook

February 25, 2013February 27, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Children’s author of “Sarah, Plain and Tall” and Newbery Award winner Patricia MacLachlan will team up with award-winning illustrator Steven Kellogg to publish a picture book “Snowflakes Fall” in honor of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. Steven Kellogg is a former resident of Sandy Hook. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sandy Hook community. The book is due out November 12, 2013.

Oscar Contenders – They were books first!

February 21, 2013February 21, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Many of the best picture nominees this year are based on books – from serious non-fiction (Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio) to the classics (Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables) to literary fiction (Life of Pi by Yann Martel) to history (Spielberg’s Lincoln had roots in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals) and to a well-reviewed quiet novel (Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick).

How many have you read? How do the movies compare to the books?

Are you ready for another Pride and Prejudice movie?

February 13, 2013February 19, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

The tale of Elizabeth Bennet’s push-and-pull affections toward Mr. Darcy have been endlessly imitated, adapted, modernized, and satirized. There have been three film adaptations, seven miniseries adaptations, a play, and even a Broadway musical. Now, author Jo Baker’s yet-to-be-released novel, Longbourne, which explores Austen’s story from the point of view of the servants in the Bennet household, has been optioned to be turned into a film by Focus Features and Random House Studio Films.

What do you think about this take on P & P, which some are calling “Pride and Prejudice meets Downton Abbey”?

Books for Black History Month

February 12, 2013February 19, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

February is Black History Month. Cheshire Library has books to help all ages celebrate!

An simple introduction to African-American history, from Revolutionary-era slavery up to the election of President Obama.

Heart and soul : the story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson.

Mandela traces the growth of his understanding of the oppression of the blacks of South Africa; his conviction that there was no alternative to armed struggle; his developing belief that all people, black and white, must be free for true freedom; and the effect that his commitment to overthrowing apartheid had on his family, who

Long walk to freedom : the autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela.

Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947.

We are the ship : the story of Negro League baseball by Kadir Nelson.

On June 28, 1839, the Spanish slave schooner Amistad set sail from Havana on a routine delivery of human cargo. On a moonless night, the captive Africans rose up, killed the captain, and seized control of the ship. They attempted to sail to a safe port, but were captured by the U.S. Navy. Their legal battle for freedom made its way to the Supreme Court, where they were freed and eventually returned to Africa.

The Amistad rebellion : an Atlantic odyssey of slavery and freedom by Marcus Rediker.

Presents the stories of ten African-American men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day.

Hand in hand : ten Black men who changed America by Andrea Davis Pinkney.

Congrats to ALA’s Youth Media Award Winners for 2013!

January 29, 2013February 6, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Newbery Award : The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Award given for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

Caldecott Award : This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen. Award given for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award : Hand in Hand : Ten Black Men Who Changed America by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Award given to recognize an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award : I, too, am America illustrated by Bryan Collier. Award given to recognize an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

Michael L. Printz Award : In Darkness by Nick Lake. Award given for excellence in literature written for young adults.

Odyssey Award : The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd. Award given for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults.