The members of the Jefferson County Public Library Association recommend the following books as gifts for the holiday season. These titles are available for checkout at local public libraries in Jefferson County and many are available as audiobooks. The titles chosen are in print and available for gift purchases from local bookstores.
Gift Books for Adult Readers Compiled by Leslie West, Bessemer Library
	The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green by Joshua Braff. What other book has bar mitzvah thank-you notes as a major plot element? They do in The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, a quirky coming-of-age story that follows Jacob Green's life from age 10 through 15 as he attempts to deal with his learning disabilities and his dysfunctional, Orthodox Jewish family in 1970's suburban New Jersey. The book is hysterical and heartbreaking, a look at a crumbling family and the unique young boy in the middle of it. ---Dennis Nichols, Homewood Library
	The Parchment of Leaves by Silas House. House offers a poignant, evocative look at the turmoil that plagues a rural Kentucky family during WWI, which begins when Saul takes a shine to a beautiful Cherokee woman named Vine. They marry, and she makes her life with his people. Their story of love, acceptance, prejudice, secrets and betrayals is told by Vine. A deep respect for the natural world and the enduring spirit of the human heart are what make this book worth reading and remembering. ---Leslie West, Bessemer Library
	The Taking by Dean Koontz. The rain arrives without warning and with a ferocity that suggests it has a personal agenda to drown the world. The creatures of the forest act as if they are being chased by something and their foreboding is palpable. For Molly and Neil Sloan, this is only the beginning of a long and terrifying night. Their search for neighbors, friends, and answers lead them inexorably toward town and horrors they cannot imagine. Is this the war of the worlds … or something worse? ---Hollie Wesley, Emmet O’Neal Library
	Running on Ice: The Overcoming Faith of Vonetta Flowers by Vonetta Flowers. Birmingham native Vonetta Flowers became the first African American to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2002 when she and partner Jill Bakken won the gold in the two-woman bobsled event in Salt Lake City. This is the story of Vonetta's journey from a track and field athlete competing for a spot on the 2000 Summer Olympic Team to her unlikely status as a Winter Olympics hero. ---Joy Batting, Trussville Library.
	The Italian Secretary: a further adventure of Sherlock Holmes by Caleb Carr. The great detective returns in this new novel by the author of The Alienist, as Holmes and Watson investigate a disturbance in Scotland at Holy Roodhouse, a former residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. Has the ghost of Mary’s murdered secretary, David Rizzio, returned to seek vengeance for his bloody end? Carr has crafted a suspenseful and engaging thriller that will keep the Sherlock Holmes fan turning pages late into the night.---Mary Anne Ellis, Birmingham Public Library
	Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell. Everybody is reading this book. Make a snap decision right now to join the crowd. Find out what makes your instinctive choices good for you. And discover what can make them dangerous. This is a small book describing a fascinating look into your power to read minds. If you have ever wondered why or how you "just knew"… this is the book for you. --- Mondretta Williams, Leeds Library
Gift Books for Teen/Preteen Reads Compiled by Heather Miller, Homewood Library
	The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. With Disney’s movie adaptation coming out in December, now is the perfect time to introduce the teens and preteens in your life to this classic series. The books can be read in the order they were written or in their chronological order. I recommend the former, beginning with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Four English schoolchildren find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter.
	Kipling’s Choice by Geert Spillebeen. This is not a book teens are likely to pick out for themselves. But once they start reading they’ll be hooked. A coming-of-age story set in the middle of a war, this is a good choice for those hard-to-please male readers. In 1915, mortally wounded in Loos, France, eighteen-year-old John Kipling, son of writer Rudyard Kipling, remembers his boyhood and the events leading to what is to be his first and last World War I battle.
	Looking for Alaska by John Green. This very popular new book is already on the short list for several literary awards. Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.
Gift Books for Children Compiled by April Moon, Emmet O’Neal Library
	Younger Children
	The Neighborhood Mother Goose by Nina Crews. Familiar and not so familiar childhood rhymes with accompanying pictures depicting city scenes give these old favorites a fresh twist.
	If Not for the Cat by Jack Prelutsky. Clever haiku describe various creatures in our world. It gives an excellent chance to expand a child’s vocabulary and descriptive abilities.
	The Turn-Around, Upside-Down Alphabet Book by Lisa Campbell Ernst. This book is designed to be held and moved as the reader explores the different visuals provided by the varying angles of the familiar alphabet. A very colorful and deceptively simple alphabet book that will be enjoyed for many hours.
	Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson. A tender, gentle book that depicts the clear coolness of a northern night wrapped in the warmth and safety of a universal home.
	Wild About Books by Judy Sierra. Unabashedly a tribute to the late Dr. Suess, this book celebrates the world of books and is a gift to any age book lover.
	Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems. An interesting visual combination of black and white photographs and color cartoons, this book is both humorous and relative to parents and children alike.
	Older Children
	Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce. A funny story of two English boys who must spend a million in pre-Euro pound notes before the currency expires.
	Merlin and the Making of the King by Margaret Hodges. This book retells three of the Arthurian legends in a simple way that is easily accessible to children.
	The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson. An orphan story with a happy ending set in pre-World War I Vienna. This is a great rags to riches story.
	The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer. Inspired by Norse legend, this story finds Jack on an adventure that leads him into contact with trolls, dragons, huge spiders and dangerous boars.
	Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt. The recipient of numerous honors in 2005, this book, set in 1912, is about the friendship between a preacher’s son and a dark-skinned girl. The story and the images stay with the reader long after the book is finished.
Birmingham Public Library Storytelling Festival Presenting Storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy Monday, November 14 Birmingham Public Library, Central -10 a.m. Springville Road Branch Library – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15 North Avondale Branch Library – 1 p.m. East Lake Branch Library – 3:30 p.m. Five Points West Branch Library – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 16 North Birmingham Branch Library – 10 a.m. Pratt City Branch Library – 4 p.m.
Carmen Agra Deedy The Birmingham Public Library presents Carmen Agra Deedy, an internationally-known author and storyteller. Deedy was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1963 during the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. She grew up in Decatur, Georgia. Deedy’s work is influenced by her Latin American and southern heritage. Carmen Agra Deedy has charmed thousands of adults and children with her performances as a storyteller at schools, festivals, bookstores, and museums across the country. Deedy is a regular contributor to National Public Radio and Latino USA. Her audiobook, Growing Up Cuban in Decatur, Georgia, was named Best Audiobook Storytelling in 1995 by Publishers’ Weekly, and was the recipient of the Parents’ Choice Gold Award. Deedy is the author of six children books, including The Library Dragon, The Last Dance, Agatha’s Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story, The Yellow Star: the Legend of King Christian X of Denmark, Treeman, and The Secret of Old Zeb. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her three daughters. These programs are made possible, in part, by the Jefferson County Commission through the Jefferson County Community Arts Fund administered by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham.
	Dial A Story Need a quick, pick me up?  Check out the Dial-A-Story for a wonderful  new story each week.   Call (205) 226-3650

Contents | Next page >>

Page 1