This is a lovely story of turmoil in a young woman's faith journey. She is an American raised as an atheist. She becomes Muslim while in college. Her faith journey takes her to Cairo so she can live in a culture that supports her new religion. This memoir will ring true regardless of your faith. It is also a touchstone for those of us who have been expatriates for any length of time. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
This is a beautiful film. It is based on the true story of a small group of Jews that survived the liquidiation of the ghetto by the Germans in Poland. Leopold Socha is a the sewer inspector with a dubious moral character that begins a business relationship with the Jews. He will protect them and provide food for a daily fee. As the story progresses there are daily decisions to be made about whether or not he will abandon them, turn them in for a reward, or continue to care for them. The Jews spend 14 months living in the labyrinth of the sewers. Unique to this film, love and sex are portrayed in a way that shows the Jews not just surviving, but living. The film was nominated in 2011 for Best Foreign Language Film. Hearing the characters speak in the languages of the time brought an even richer depth to the film. For example, Socha spoke in a Polish dialect of the lower class of the time. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
If you are a Hunger Games fan and looking for more, this is it. The tweens are contracting a terrible virus that kills many of the children, those that survive have dangerous symptoms that frighten the adults. So much so, they are killed or sent to a horrific rehabilitation camp. In Ruby's case the disease manifests as being able to erase memories of those around her. She escapes after years of confinement, joins up with others and they fight for their freedom. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
There are books that every kid should read. This is one of them. August was born with a facial deformity. Due to many surgeries he was home schooled until 5th grade. The journey he, his family, and classmates take in discovering kindness and courage is emotional. This book resonates for those that feel a little different or are entering a new environment-middle school! It provides a true lesson in empathy. Also, in standing up for oneself and others against the bully afraid of the different. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
My 9 year old said this was a "must read". It is a gem. Read it slowly, savor it. Ivan, a mighty silverback gorilla, tells his story from the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. He paints his way to where humans make amends, a good zoo, where he gets to enjoy a taste of what was his stolen youth. Ivan's story has much to tell us about our humanity. Ivan's voice speaks volumes for caged animals. Ivan would say I am speaking too much, chattering like a chimp , and crowding the world with noise. Read the book, hear Ivan's low timber resonate in your heart. Check Our Catalog!
Cindy A., Circ.
This was a powerfully aching tale about women in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest in the 1970's. The story revolves around two young sisters that need to fend for themsleves after their mother abandons them after the death of their father. It truly talks about women's choices and being self-sufficient rather than dependent on a man as it tells the story of the girls' mother and other women that act as surragetes to the girls. The storytelling is as rich as the description of the landscape. A great survival tale for any female. This was a true pleasure to read. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
Theodosia is a wonderful character-she is an eleven year old living in the Museum of Legend and Antiquities in 1906 London. Her parents work there, but Theodosia has the touch. She can sense curses and is skilled at removing them from the artifacts brought back to the museum by her mother from digs in Egypt. Because of her gift she gets into the middle of very dangerous situations as the adults in the world fight for the powerful charmed artifacts. This series makes for great mysteryies, adventures, English humor, and you couldn't ask for better if you are fascinated with all things Egyptian. Check our catalog
Cindy A., Circ.
I am intrigued, I need to go digging in the 921 section to find out what we think we know about William Shakespeare. Anonymous poses the hypothesis that a nobleman, an earl, was actually the author of the works we attribute to William Shakespeare!! Evidently, the evidence is lacking to support that an illiterate, who could not write his own name and would not have had the means to travel to Italy, coud have written works we have all come to love. The movie is full of political intrigue and romantic scandal as one expects from the English Royal Court. Check our catalog
Cindy A. Circ.
