Alice Munro Wins Man Booker International Prize

Alice Munro has been named the winner of the third Man Booker International Prize. The prize "is awarded once every two years to a living author for a body of work that has contributed to an achievement in fiction on the world stage." Ms. Munro was up against some very tough competition--amongst them Mario Vargas Llosa and VS Naipaul (Nobel laureate). If you aren't familiar with her writing, the library has several of her books in our collection.

Congratulations King Henry

It was 500 years ago that Henry VIII became the king of England at the tender age of 17. His rule was a tumultuous era marked by the untimely endings of most of his marriages and a split with the Vatican that lead to the separation of the Church of England from Rome. Henry certainly left his mark on his kingdom. If you are intrigued by this powerful, ambitious, and temperamental monarch, make sure to pick up the bookmark we created, Henry VIII And Company, featuring our favorite historical fiction about Henry and his wives.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult is Flume Award Winner!

The Flume Award has announced the 2009 winner: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Runner-up was Crank by Ellen Hopkins. The Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award was created in 2005 in response to a New Hampshire teens' request to have a book award geared towards high school students. This award is a state-wide venture led by a collaborative effort from school and public librarians. Each year teens nominate titles, published within the last two years, they think deserve to be recognized. Librarians then narrow the group of titles to a list of 13. Teens then vote for the winning title from the list of 13.

Here is the 2010 list of nominees:

Thirteen Reasons Why By Jay Asher
When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

Graceling By Kristen Cashore
In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

Deadline By Chris Cutcher
Given the medical diagnosis of one year to live, high school senior Ben Wolf decides to fulfill his greatest fantasies, ponders his life's purpose and legacy, and converses through dreams with a spiritual guide known as "Hey-Soos."

Little Brother By Cory Doctorow
After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, California, seventeen-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right.

Waves By Sharon Dogar
Hal, a British teen, is able to read his comatose sister’s thoughts. Will this supernatural ability allow Hal to find out who is responsible for putting his sister in a coma?

The Christopher Killer-A Forensic Mystery By Alane Ferguson
On the payroll as an assistant to her coroner father, seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney uses her knowledge of forensic medicine to catch the killer of a friend while putting herself in terrible danger.

Sold By Patricia McCormickThirteen-year-old Lakshmi, though poor, enjoys her life until the Himalayan monsoons wash away her family's crops and she is sold to a brothel in India by her stepfather. She remembers her mother's wisdom, "Simply to endure is to triumph," until the day comes that she can reclaim her life.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X By James Patterson
Fifteen-year-old Daniel has followed in his parents' footsteps as the Alien Hunter, exterminating beings on The List of Alien Outlaws on Terra Firma, but when he faces his first of the top ten outlaws, the very existence Earth and another planet are at stake.

The Last Lecture By Randy Pausch
Reflections of a Carnegie Mellon computer science professor who lectured on "Really achieving your childhood dreams," shortly after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. His advice concerned seizing the moment while living, rather than dying.

I Heart You, You Haunt Me By Lisa Schroeder
This story, written in verse, deals with the grief fifteen-year-old Ava encounters after her boyfriend’s death, which occurred due to a dare made by her. She strongly feels that he is haunting her. Will Ava be able to overcome, not only her grief, but the feeling that her boyfriend is still with her?

Testimony By Anita Shreve
At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

Pride of Baghdad By Brian Vaughan (on order)
This graphic novel is based on a true event in which the lions of the Baghdad Zoo escape captivity during the 2003 American bombing raid. The story is told from the lions’ point of view. Do they find their liberation from the zoo provides them with total freedom?

Show Us Your Pictures! Join the "Faces of Dover"!

The "Faces of Dover" Committee needs your help and participation! We would like to include you and your family in a photo project in donwtown Dover this summer. This is the first initiative of a larger Dover Oral, Written, Video and Still Photo history project for our community.

Do you have a photograph (or other interesting document) that somehow illustrates you or your family's connection to Dover, past or present, that we may include in a series of photo collages which will be placed on display around Dover?

The "Faces of Dover" Photo Exhibit has two goals:

1.) to stimulate interest and discussion within families about their roots, their ties (contemporary or historical) to Dover, and to uncover interesting events that have happened locally.

2.) to increase foot traffic in the community by encouraging folks to visit the exhibit sites, get some exercise, promote local commerce, and to expose residents and visitors alike to Dover's rich opportunities and sites.

The exhibit will be on view during July--September around the city. Interested folks may pick up a walking guide at the Library (73 Locust St.) or at the new Chamber of Commerce (550 Central Ave.), then stroll around exploring the photos.

If you have a photo or document you'd like to share, pick up a form at the Library and fill it out. We'll be back in contact with you shortly thereafter with instructions on how to submit your photo and documentation. Please act quickly because our deadline for submission is June 1st!

For more information, please email Beth Fischer info@facesofdover.org or Cathy Beaudoin c.beaudoin@dover.nh.gov.

The "Faces of Dover" project is a joint effort of many citizens interested in capturing the Oral History of Dover and is supported by organizations including the Dover Public Library, the Wentworth Home, the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Dover Main Street, the Children's

Museum of New Hampshire, Spires Video Services LLC, Creative Memories, and the Dover Adult Learning Center.

Is Anyone Else Sick of Vampires?

I know I'm being a wet blanket, but I'm really, really sick of vampires. I have only read a couple of teen vampire novels, but that was more than plenty. I don't know where the trend started--Stephenie Meyers perhaps--but it doesn't seem to be slowing down. I was just reading an article about Charlaine Harris, author of the popular Sookie Stackhouse mystery series featuring vampires, and her latest book, Dead and Gone, debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times hardcover fiction best-seller list. Her book Dead Until Dark was made into a movie--sound familiar? I suppose there is money to be made in the vampire genre, but I am really ready for the next trend. Any ideas what that might be?

The Library Will Be Closed Sunday and Monday

The library will be closed on Sunday and Monday, May 24 & 25 for the Memorial Day Holiday.

Summer Reading

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is almost upon us. And what is summer synonymous with? Well yes, swim suits, hot weather, and BBQs, but more importantly, summer makes you think of great reading. I sense you are puzzled. Beach reads of course! Those refreshing, thrilling, just-for-fun books that wake up your poor old brain which has been numbed by way too many articles on the economy, or Very Serious Required Reading. I am well prepared for the forthcoming weekend with a huge stack of books featuring Zombies and Agent Pendergast (Cemetery Dance), magical realism in a small southern town (Secret Keepers), true life adventures of a death defying nature writer (Swimming with Piranhas at Feeding Time: My Life Doing Dumb Stuff with Animals) and a fast paced supernatural thriller (The Crystal Skull). Those are just a few of the action-packed, riveting, and amusing little treats I have waiting for me.

If you are not so fortunate as to have a big, delicious pile of fun filled books waiting for you, make sure to stop in the Library, pick up some bookmarks listing our favorite books, then go get your own big stack of books.

We have been busy creating bookmarks so there are some new choices for you- Africa, Tough Chicks, Gentle Reads, If You Like Kitchen Confidential Try, Prehistoric Fiction, and of course, the 2008 Librarians’ Choice. If you have teenagers, be sure to look in the newly expanded Teen Loft, where you will find book marks expressly for this age group.

"Poor Howard" Stith performs at the Library tonight!

Don't forget the Friends of the Library will be hosting "Poor Howard" Stith in the Lecture Hall of the Library, tonight, Tues., May 19 at 7:00pm. The program is called Leadbelly and the 12-String Blues--here is a description:

Both entertaining and educational, a journey through the music of Leadbelly ("Goodnight, Irene", "Midnight Special" and many more) and his contemporaries performed on 6 and 12-string guitar with commentaries on the songs and music style. This is where both jazz and rock-and-roll had their beginnings.

"Poor Howard" Stith was born in Kansas City, but settled in Dover some 25 years ago. Howard is a scholar of the pre-WW II blues styles and has performed at folk festivals and clubs around the country, as well as in Europe and Japan, and has taught a history of blues intersession course at Hampshire College in Amherst, Ma. He has also taught folk music at Windsor Mountain Camp in Hillsborough. His knowledge of blues, skill on the guitar, and his humor continue to draw new fans to this style of roots music.

More Evening of Poetry News

Visit our web site to see still photographs of the Evening of Poetry, and to access an adobe file of the winning poems. Here is the K-2 grade category winner:

Math

Difficult questions

that sometimes amuse you

a learning wonderland

with magical numerals

William Marchesi, 1st PlaceCategory

K-2, Grade 2

Eleventh and Twelth Grade Poets

The sole reader in this division offered a poet's perspective on New York City.

Ninth and Tenth Grade Poets

We had two readers in the Ninth and Tenth grade category.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Poets

Only one poet in this category wanted to read her poem.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Poets

Here are the Fifth and Sixth grade poets reading their work.

Third and Fourth Grade Poets

Enjoy the Third and Fourth grade poets reading their work.

An Evening of Poetry Video

The Library had its annual Evening of Poetry on Tuesday. Some of the talented poets consented to read their works. These are the youngest poets.

Cookbooks Only Booksale in June

In celebration of downtown Dover’s upcoming Restaurant Week, “Dover Dines ’09---Take a Bite Out of Dover”, the Friends of the Dover Public Library will sponsor a special “Cookbooks Only” booksale for one week only at the library’s main desk from Monday, June 1 through Saturday, June 6. Prices will range from $.50 to $3.00 and the selection will include hundreds of softcovers and hardcovers, local community cookbooks, exotic foreign cuisines, and everything in between.

Cookbooks are always among the most popular items at the Friends’ annual booksales and the library has recently received some wonderful cookbook donations in near-pristine condition. The Cookbook Booksale is open to all: a library card is not necessary to purchase items, but customers should come early for the best selection.

The Friends of the Library are still accepting additional cookbook donations for the sale, so if you’re cleaning out your kitchen bookshelf, please bring your old cookbooks to the library’s main desk before June 1. The sale will take place during regular library hours: Monday---Wednesday 9am to 8:30pm; Thursday---Friday 9am to 5:30pm; and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Proceeds from the sale will help the Friends of the Library continue to fund special library programs, museum passes, equipment, and furnishings.

Where the Wild Things Are- at the Cinema

Did you know they are making a live action movie out of the beloved children’s classic Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak? Some children’s books have translated beautifully to the silver screen and have been a pleasure to watch such as The Spiderwick Chronicles. I fear that Wild Things will not fare so well. Take a look at the trailer and weigh in with your opinion; enchanting or cheesy?

New Pass to Canterbury Shaker Village!

The Friends of the Library have purchased a pass to NH's Canterbury Shaker Village Museum which will open for the season on May 16.

It is one of the most intact and authentic surviving Shaker community sites, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1993. Canterbury Shaker Village is an internationally-known, non-profit museum and historic site with 25 original Shaker buildings, four reconstructed Shaker buildings and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement. Canterbury Shaker Village "is dedicated to preserving the 200-year legacy of the Canterbury Shakers and to providing a place for learning, reflection and renewal of the human spirit."

Visitors learn about the life, ideals, values and legacy of the Canterbury Shakers through tours, programs, exhibits, research and publications. Its renowned restaurant, The Shaker Table, serves traditional Shaker lunches and dinners spring, summer and fall.

This discount pass is available for borrowing and admits two people with a $5.00 service charge for adults and a $2.50 service charge for children. (Normal admission price is $17 per adult and $8 per child). For more information, visit www.shakers.org.

Other museum passes available for borrowing from the library are:
The Currier Museum of Art, Manchester
Historic New England (SPNEA houses throughout New England)
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of NH History, Concord
The Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
The Portland (ME) Museum of Art
The Children's Museum of Maine, Portland
The Children's Museum of NH, Dover
The Museum of Science, Boston
The NH Farm Museum, Milton
The Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne State Park, Rye
The SEE Science Center, Manchester
Strawbery Banke Museum, Portssmouth

Cardholders may call the library, (603) 516-6050, to reserve any of these free or discounted passes. We thank the Friends of the Library for their financial support of the entire Library Museum Pass Program!!!

Isinglass Award Winner Announced!

The Isinglass Award is a state wide award for 7 & 8 graders. Each year a list of 20 books is selected by a committee, from suggestions by teens, and kids have a year to read the books on the list to get ready to vote in May. This year's winner is Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. I was thrilled to hear the winner because this was my favorite book on the list. Here is a description of the book:

Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life: he plays drums in the All-Star Jazz band, has a crush on the hottest girl in the school, and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey. But when Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia, Steven's world is turned upside down. He is forced to
deal with his brother's illness and his parents' attempts to keep the family in one piece. Salted with humor and peppered with devastating realities, DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE is a heartwarming journey through a year in the life of a family in crisis.

What Your Car Says About You

Normally I am not a big fan of those magnetic ribbons of support that people plaster all over their cars but today I saw one that I really like.


What does your car say about your interests?

Poetry Winners Announced!

The Dover Public Library would like to announce the winners of our 7th Annual Poetry Contest. We would like to thank our judges: Janice Alberghene, John Michael Albert, Maria Faskianos, and Marsha Pelletier.

Category 1:
1st Place: William Marchesi, Grade 2, Woodman Park

2nd Place: Chloe Noonan, Grade 2, Portsmouth Christian Academy
3rd Place : David Brackett, Grade 2, Portsmouth Christian Academy
Honorable Mention: Chase Amarosa, Grade K, Garrison School (tie)
Kieran Whitney, Grade 2, Woodman Park (tie)

Category 2:
1st Place: Caitlin Morrison, Grade 4, Garrison Elementary
2nd Place: Melanie Gouldthorpe, Grade 3, Horne Street
3rd Place : Vaughn Harmon, Grade 4, Woodman Park
Honorable Mention: Grace Indoccio-Kerr, Grade 3, Garrison School

Category 3:
1st Place: Grayson Tuttle, Grade 6, Dover Middle School
2nd Place: Emma Teague, Grade 6, Saint Mary Academy
3rd Place: Shaiteanna Ball, Grade 6, Dover Middle School
Honorable Mention: Bryce Berchulski, Grade 6, Saint Mary Academy (tie)
Kieran Lombard, Grade 5, Dover Middle School (tie)

Category 4:
1st Place: Lilah Cherim, Grade 7, Dover Middle School
2nd Place: Rachel Sobol, Grade 8, Saint Mary Academy
3rd Place: Meghan Hill, Grade 8, Dover Middle School
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth Malia, Grade 8, Dover Middle School

Category 5:
1st Place: Danielle Auger, Grade 10, Dover High School
2nd Place: Harry Slepian, Grade 9, Oyster River High School
3rd Place: Ashley Daigle, Grade 9, Dover High School

Category 6:
1st Place: Katy Sternberger, Grade 12, Portsmouth Christian Academy
2nd Place: Sarah Fitzpatrick, Grade 12, Dover High School
3rd Place: Kyle Lanzit, Grade 12, Berwick Academy
Honorable Mention: Lizzie Kinney, Grade 11, Saint Thomas

Please Donate Your Old Cookbooks!

In celebration of downtown Dover’s upcoming Restaurant Week, “Dover Dines ’09---Take a Bite Out of Dover”, the Friends of the Dover Public Library will sponsor a special “Cookbooks Only” booksale for one week only at the library’s main desk from Monday, June 1 through Saturday, June 6. Prices will range from $.50 to $3.00 and the selection will include hundreds of softcovers and hardcovers, local community cookbooks, exotic foreign cuisines, and everything in between.

Cookbooks are always among the most popular items at the Friends’ annual booksales and the library has recently received some wonderful cookbook donations in near-pristine condition. The Cookbook Booksale is open to all: a library card is not necessary to purchase items, but customers should come early for the best selection. Proceeds from the sale will help the Friends of the Library continue to fund special library programs, museum passes, equipment, and furnishings.

PLEASE NOTE: The Friends of the Library are still accepting additional cookbook donations for the sale, so if you’re cleaning out your kitchen bookshelf, please bring your old cookbooks to the library’s main desk before June 1. THANK YOU!!!