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West Branch Closing for Renovation
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We are thrilled to announce that beginning in January 2019, the 109-year-old West Branch Library will begin undergoing an extensive renovation! Saturday, November 17th is the last day the West Branch will be open. Please join us for an open house from 10 am - 1 pm to say goodbye to the building as we know it and celebrate the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the West Branch!
Following a thorough community process, this project aims to expand and enhance programming and resources, community space, and operations. During the renovation, a small temporary branch library will be available at the Tufts Administration Building, at 167 Holland St. on the 2nd floor. If you have any questions please contact the West Branch at 617-623-5000 x2975.
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In
Exit West
Mohsin Hamid explores themes related to migration, in particular, why people leave their homes and what arrival is like in an unfamiliar land. We've invited panelists from SomerViva, the Welcome Project, and the Somerville Board of Alderman to share their personal insights.
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We've extended the artist submission deadline for the Gallery at SPL's 2019 exhibition season! Please submit applications by November 30th. For more information, contact Julie at (617) 623-5000 x2966 or jwalker@minlib.net.
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November Book Recommendations
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Adult Recommendations
This issue's recommendations come courtesy of Lilly, Heidi, Kerry, and Tim at the Central Library.
In the wake of World War II, Charlie St. Clair is determined to find the truth about her missing cousin, Rose. Charlie finds herself on the doorstep of Eve Gardiner, a former spy (and now a bit of a mess).
Eve and Charlie set out on a journey across France and the readers discovers that they may have a common wartime enemy.
Great for fans of
All the Light We Cannot See
and
The Nightingale!
Recommended by Lilly
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Somerville artist Dave Ortega tells the story of his grandmother's early life in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution.
This 5-part comic series gives an intimate account of how the Revolution impacted the daily lives of regular people and caused many of them, including Consuelo, to seek refuge in America.
Recommended by Tim
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This bestselling book tells about the final days of Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots tight end. It shows a different side of the superstar, his personality and struggles with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a common condition of football players that is just now beginning to be recognized.
Recommended by Heidi
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This romantic suspense story offers a look into gun violence in America, following two young people as they experience a mass shooting, and explores its effects on their lives. When they finally meet, years later their romance is palpable, and their shared past makes that connection stronger. But will they be able to save each other when danger threatens once again?
Recommended by Kerry
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YA (Young Adult) Recommendations
This issue's YA recommendations come from Ellen, Julie and Mary at the Central Library.
Bridge of Clay
by Markus Zusak
It's been 13 years since Zusak's last book, the deeply wonderful
The Book Thief
,
but now he's back and yes, the wait was worth it.
Bridge of Clay
tells
the story of the five Dunbar boys who, in the absence of their parents, basically raise each other. Clay, "the best of us" is the heart of this story of redemption and so much more. Bonus: if you're a lover of Homer (think The
Odyssey
, not The Simpsons) there are extra layers just for you.
Recommended by Ellen
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In the near future, the world is obsessed with Warcross, a virtual reality game where people go to escape from their troubles, make money, or meet in competition.
After a hack during the Warcross Championships exposes bounty hunter Emika Chen to the world stage, Warcross creator Hideo Tanaka hires Emika to track down a security problem... while in the guise of a top competitor.
Recommended by Karen
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Fans of Harry Potter and X-men will enjoy this fun graphic novel about a prep-school for mutants and witches.
The highly stylized black and white illustrations are reminiscent of newspaper comic strips but the content and characters are playful, imaginative, and full of real life anxieties we can all relate to.
Recommended by Julie
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Children's Recommendations
This issue's recommendations come courtesy of Alison at the West Branch and Kerry and Annamarie at the Central Library.
Mom isn't up on the latest technology, so her kids give her a smartphone for her birthday. Soon Mom becomes obsessed with taking selfies, and the kids regret their gift! This funny (even my 12-year-old laughed) story about a real issue in today's society features rhyming text and colorful illustrations of a biracial family.
Recommended by Alison
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Written by an educator at the Museum of Science in Boston, this thrilling chapter book follows a group of middle-school students who have been selected to work on a top-secret project at Yellowstone National Park involving a super volcano. Before they know it, they are caught up in intrigue and deception, and must rely on teamwork and science knowledge to save the world from disaster. Your adrenaline will be through the roof!
Recommended by Alison
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Louisiana Elefante's grandmother wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that they have to leave home immediately, hoping to finally break the family curse that makes them always leave one place for another. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana tries to find a way home.
Louisiana's character first appeared in DiCamillo's Raymie Nightingale, a great read, but not required to enjoy this story.
Recommended by Annamarie
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If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud, check out
No, David! by David Shannon. An oldie-but-goodie,
No, David! is about a mischievous young boy who tends to get himself into trouble. If you're reading this with younger kids, it might be a good choice to explain why some behaviors are a little bit naughty, but trying not to chuckle while you do will be a challenge. With childlike illustrations that are brimming with emotion, movement, and artistic expression, don't be surprised if this book ends up on your favorite's shelf. It's definitely sitting on mine.
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Our ESL Program Goes Beyond the Classroom
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The Somerville Public Library offers free, drop-in ESL classes for English Learners of all levels. You may have seen us on Mondays at the East Branch, Tuesdays at the Central Library, or maybe even on Thursdays at the West Branch, but did you know that in addition to offering ESL classes across the libraries, we also organize field trips to local museums and businesses? This year, the ESL program has taken tours of the Museum of Fine Arts, the Sports Museum at the T.D. Garden, and the Taza Chocolate Factory. Field trips are a great opportunity for English Learners to use their language skills in an authentic setting and also a great way to get to know Somerville and the surrounding areas.
If you would like more information about the ESL program or would like to become an ESL volunteer, please contact Brigid Pigott, Literacy/Volunteer Coordinator, 617.623.5000 x.2935 or bpigott@minlib.net.
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