Mobilization Through Movies: Get Out the Vote!
This film series highlights policy, the implementation of policy, and our political process. After each film, there will be a short discussion that will center on the “why” of the … Continued
I hated this Banned Book
Habibi by Craig Thompson is an epic, sweeping graphic novel. Set in a mythical, Middle Eastern-inspired country, it tells the interweaving stories of two characters who live much of their lives as slaves. The book contains absolutely fantastic illustrations, allusions to the Quran and the Bible, and themes of love, loss, hope and storytelling; it’s one of the top-ten most frequently challenged books in the United States. And I really didn’t like it.
Playtime at the Library’s Family PlayShop
At Family PlayShop babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents or caregivers learn and grow during playtime.
When Kissing Scares People
When I read Two Boys Kissing three years ago, I knew I was holding a banned book. A reader gets an immediate sense of what acclaimed young adult author David Levithan’s novel is about; however, as with so many great books, Two Boys Kissing is much more than its title and cover.
Sugar and Spice and Not So Nice
When you think of your favorite fictional characters, who comes to mind? I’m drawn to powerful, snarky, unforgiving women. You know the ones…the “bad” girls. Whether they’re committing crimes, talking … Continued
My time with Holden Caufield
My only school experience with Catcher in the Rye was in junior year of high school in English class. One half of the class read it and my half read 1984 by George Orwell, another banned book. Somehow along the years, I ended up with a copy of Catcher in the Rye, so I thought, why not read it? I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. I had a few people tell me what a great book it was.
Childhood Favorites
Working in the Children’s Department, I am often reminded of books that I have long forgotten. Whether it’s a patron asking for a specific location of a book or a child in need of recommendations, some of my all-time favorites have begun to resurface right before my eyes.
Banned Books Week Begins with a Book About a Secret School
Banned Books Week begins with Nasreen’s Secret School. In this inspiring true story, Nasreen attends a school for girls when education is forbidden to women in Afghanistan.
Washington DC and the Smithsonian
In just a few weeks I’ll be traveling to our nation’s capitol: Washington, DC. While there I intend to go to as many places as possible to soak up the … Continued
Throwback Thursday: Election Season Reading Challenge
When it comes to politics, there is one thing that most people agree on: making an informed decision about your vote matters. Of course there are myriad ways to stay informed and educated, and it’s great to consult multiple sources of information. So, gearing up for the grind of election season, I decided to give myself a small reading challenge.