|
Book Display IdeasAugust 2015
|
"Some writings could sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds." ~ Elie Wiesel, Romanian-born American author, Holocaust survivor, and Nobel Laureate
|
|
FOR LIBRARY STAFF. The ideas and books listed here are meant as starting points to help you gear up and plan for OCTOBER 2015 displays. Search terms are provided for each of the selected themes to help you find books in your collection and fill out the display. And, if you want more display ideas, other options are listed at the end of the newsletter.
|
|
Rwanda (Adult Fiction and Nonfiction)
|
|
Twenty-five years ago, in October 1990, Rwanda’s civil war began, setting the stage for the horrific 1994 genocide. In memory of that devastating time, we've highlighted books about Rwanda. If you need to do a broader theme, focus on all countries in honor of the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (see the "Still looking for ideas?" portion of the newsletter for more information). Subject search terms: Genocide -- Rwanda; Hutu (African People); Rwanda; Rwanda -- History -- Civil War, 1994; Rwanda -- Politics and Government; Tutsi (African People).
|
|
| Running the Rift: A Novel by Naomi BenaronAdult Fiction. Jean Patrick Nkuba is a Rwandan student who dreams of running in the Olympics -- and he's got the skill to do it. But over the next ten years, as he gets better and faster, tensions between the Tutsis (his tribe) and the Hutus increase. As a star athlete he receives some protection, but eventually civil war lands right at his door, as it does for so many others. The winner of the 2010 Bellwether Prize, this breathtaking novel manages to be both heartbreaking and uplifting. |
|
| Gorillas in the Mist by Dian FosseyAdult Nonfiction. A leading expert on mountain gorillas, the late primatologist Dian Fossey traced her almost 20 years working in Rwanda in this amazing account. A modern classic of science writing, Gorillas in the Mist provides a look at the social life of the endangered big apes and also discusses Fossey's fight against the illegal poachers who killed dozens of animals each year. Sadly, Fossey was murdered in 1985, and the case remains unsolved. Eye-opening and informative, this book provides an in-depth look at undeveloped Rwanda and a woman who devoted her life to helping save its wildlife. |
|
| Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée IlibagizaAdult Nonfiction. In April 1994, 22-year-old devout Catholic college student Immaculée Ilibagiza was spending Easter with her family when the Hutu president of Rwanda was assassinated -- an event that ignited a wave of violence ending in the slaughter of nearly 1 million ethnic Tutsis, including most of Ilibagiza's own family. For the next 91 days, Ilibagiza (along with seven other women) survived by hiding in the bathroom of a local Hutu pastor. Alive but spiritually and emotionally wounded, she turned to God for help. Readers will be moved by this heartbreaking yet inspiring account of faith and perseverance. |
|
| Pagan Babies by Elmore LeonardAdult Fiction. Leave it to Elmore Leonard to write a successful caper about a fake priest on the lam in Rwanda during the genocide. During the massacre, Father Terry Dunn's church was filled with dead bodies; he even witnessed people killed in his church. So when a Hutu "confesses" his sins about the church killings, but is really bragging, and indicates he's ready to do more violence, Dunn kills the man and three other Hutus. Returning to the states, he meets beautiful ex-con Debbie Dewey, who wants to start over...by being a comedian. The two send the plot zinging forward by hatching a plan to get money illicitly from the mob. |
|
Dinosaurs in Fiction (Juvenile Fiction)
|
|
Dinosaur National Monument was established 100 years ago on October 4, 1915. It started with only 80 acres in Northeast Utah but now encompasses over 210,000 acres in both Utah and Colorado. Since kids more than any other age-group love dinosaurs, we chose a few of their favorite fictional friends to celebrate this milestone.
Subject search terms: Dinosaurs.
|
|
| Dinosaurs Before Dark: 20th Anniversary Edition by Mary Pope OsborneJuvenile Fiction. Dinosaurs Before Dark, the 1st in the mega-popular Magic Tree House series, introduces brother-and-sister time-traveling duo Jack and Annie. In their first adventure, Jack and his younger sister discover a tree house filled with books that travels through time. Before you know it, the siblings are hanging out with dinosaurs! If kids like this book, there are plenty more where it came from -- Jack and Annie have now been on over 50 adventures. |
|
| Dinosaur vs. Bedtime by Bob SheaJuvenile Fiction. Dinosaur vs. bedtime! Who will win? Little readers (and listeners) will love to guess the answer as Dinosaur takes on everything around him. From a pile of leaves to his evening bowl of spaghetti, Dinosaur is sure to win the challenge -- but can he defeat bedtime?!?! Though this book has few words and a sparse illustration style, it all works together to create a big, vivid story that's an "irresistible package" (Publishers Weekly). |
|
| Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo WillemsJuvenile Fiction. Mo Willems, of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus fame, turns his attention from birds and buses to a dinosaur named Edwina in this sweet picture book. Everyone in town adores fun-loving Edwina, a dinosaur who makes scrumptious chocolate cookies, helps old ladies, and plays with the children -- everyone, that is, except little Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, who knows dinosaurs are extinct and is determined to prove it! Willems fans get a bonus: Knuffle Bunny and the pigeon are hidden throughout the book. |
|
| How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane YolenJuvenile Fiction. "How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn out the light?" Author Jane Yolen provides a number of possible answers, from feet stomping to teddy bear throwing, before offering a model for perfect bedtime behavior: "They give a big hug, then give one kiss more." This lilting story of bedtime manners is perfect for kids who love dinosaurs -- and that's probably most of them! |
|
Naval Battles in Historical Fiction (Adult Fiction)
|
|
Even people who aren't British know that the Battle of Trafalgar was an important day in world history. Trafalgar Day is celebrated in various Commonwealth countries, and this year marks 210 years since the battle, so we pulled together some historical novels about naval battles (check out the NoveList article "A Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By: Napoleonic Era Naval Fiction" for even more titles). If you don't have enough books for this theme, call it "In the Navy" or "On the Water" instead, and you'll have more options, including memoirs and modern-day novels. Subject search terms: Great Britain -- History, Naval -- 18th Century -- Fiction; Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- Fiction; Trafalgar, Battle Of, 1805 -- Fiction; United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Naval Operations -- Fiction; United States. -- Navy -- History -- Fiction.
|
|
| Sharpe's Trafalgar: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805 by Bernard CornwellAdult Fiction. Fresh from his adventures in India, British soldier Richard Sharpe (who's played by Sean Bean in the Sharpe TV series) takes part in the famous 1805 Battle of Trafalgar while on his way back to England. Although most of the books in this popular long-running series are set on land, readers will be happy to note that author Bernard Cornwell also "brilliantly" (Booklist) writes about naval battles. Sharpe's Trafalgar is the 17th book in the series by order of publication, and 4th by internal chronology. |
|
| Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C. S. ForesterAdult Fiction. In this swashbuckling adventure, readers follow the inauspicious beginnings of gawky, shy Midshipman Hornblower and his initiation to naval life. Originally released in 1950, Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is the 1st in the series based on the books' internal timeline. The actual 1st Hornblower book to be published, The Happy Return (or Beat to Quarters in the U.S.), came out in 1937, but takes place much later in Hornblower's storied career. Several radio and screen adaptions of this series have occurred, including a 1951 movie starring Gregory Peck titled Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. |
|
| The King's Coat: The Naval Adventures of Alan Lewrie by Dewey LambdinAdult Fiction. Alan Lewrie, a young rake and the illegitimate son of a British aristocrat, is caught in a compromising position with his own half-sister. Oops! But his father takes this opportunity to send Alan to the Navy, where the 17-year-old pleasure-seeker sets sail for the war-torn Americas...and discovers he's made for the sailing life. Though not as well known as some of the other books on this list, the Alan Lewrie books are bawdy, fast-paced, well-researched, and well worth readers' time. |
|
| Master and Commander by Patrick O'BrianAdult Fiction. The 1st volume of the Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin novels introduces Captain Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon (and intelligence agent) Stephen Maturin to each other and the world. As the two friends sail and fight in the age of the Napoleonic wars, readers get to enjoy "the best historical novels ever written" (The New York Times). Several books from this outstanding series formed the basis for the 2003 movie, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. |
|
- Feature ghost stories or horror novels this month since Halloween is October 31.
- If you didn't do a Saturday Night Live display earlier this year (see the Book Display Ideas newsletter from December 2014), do one this month; the sketch comedy show first aired 40 years ago on October 11, 1975.
- October 18-24, 2015 is both National Friends of Libraries Week and Teen Read Week.
- J.R.R. Tolkien's final book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King, was first published 60 years ago on October 20, 1955.
- Celebrate the countries of the world -- the United Nations was founded 70 years ago this October, and October 24 is United Nations Day.
|
|
|
St. Charles City-County Library District 77 Boone Hills Drive St. Peters, Missouri 63376 636-441-2300youranswerplace.org |
|
|
|