The Spellman Files was a Fantastic Book!

I just finished The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. It was really a great, satisfying read. I can't wait to read the next one, Curse of the Spellmans. (Yes, I have it on order!!)

The main character, Isabelle, is kind of a scrappy, tom-boyish private detective. She isn't into fashion or saying the politically correct thing very often but I LOVED her and I think it would be a blast to be in her shoes for a day (or longer).

I hope everyone gets a chance to read it before our next meeting which I think I'll schedule for March 31st after spring break.

Be sure to stop by the LMC and pick up a copy. You won't be sorry!

Note the newest Spellman Files book: Curse of the Spellmans, coming to our LMC soon!

Slavery still exists???

I just read a fantastic memoir by Francis Bok about his life as a slave, and later, an escaped slave. It's called Escape from Slavery. Bok is from Sudan, and was captured in 1986 (yes, only 22 years ago!) when he was only 7 years old. Now he lives in the US and works with the American Anti-Slavery Group to end slavery all over the world. His story is so inspiring because he always remained determined to be free and never gave up on himself. This would be a great topic for English 9 students for their Human Rights Project during 4th quarter, but it's also just a gripping read and an important topic for anyone to learn about.

March's Cafe Library book

We will be reading Lisa Lutz's mystery/detective book, The Spellman Files for March. This is a bit of a divergence from our last Cafe Library book. Last month's The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon is a true account of the author's attempted suicide by dousing himself with gasoline and lighting himself on fire. The majority of the book is Runyon's 14-year-old self coming to terms with what he did emotionally, psychologically and physically. See January 25, 2008 blog entry.

While deciding if she should quit working for her family's private investigation firm, Izzy Spellman copes with meddling parents, an alcoholic uncle, the disappearance of her younger sister, and her own problems with men and drinking. (Summary from the LMC catalog.)

The Spellman Files has gotten good reviews; always a plus for a book club pick. It also won the 2008 Alex award given by the Young Adult Library Services Association. An Alex Award is given to a book that is written for adults but has appeal to young adults as well.
Find out more about the author, Lisa Lutz on her webpage.
There are copies available for check out behind the circulation desk. Please pick one up!!

3rd Clue to the Mystery Discussion Leader for April

Click on the Gabcast icon to the right to hear the latest clue for the Cafe Library Mystery Discussion Leader for the month of April.

OK now it's working

The Gabcast icon is apparently working now!
Click away!!

Second Clue

Click on the Gabcast! Cafe Library #1 on the upper right side of the blog to hear your second clue for the Mystery discussion leader for the month of April.

For some reason I was able to click on the Click to Play icon after I posted my first clue. Hmmm. ..don't know why this changed.

Anyway, hope you listen and try to guess. The next clue will narrow your guesses.

Gabcast Clues

Hey everyone!
I added a new Gabcast to the Cafe Library Blog. I'm going to give you several clues in the next couple of weeks to our mystery discussion leader for April. I have a bulletin board with the clues listed by Mr. Schuenke's room. But, I'll reveal the mystery discussion leader here first!

Click on the blue Gabcast icon to the right that says, "click to play", then click on "play" on the next screen.

Sorry this first episode sounds like there is a thumping rabbit in the background. I hope to resolve this problem!

Mrs. Bade