Exciting News for Chanda's Secrets

I was so happy to get an email from Allan Stratton today with a link to a TIME magazine article about the movie, Life, Above All. The movie, which is based on Allan's book, Chanda's Secrets, is an Un Certain Regard selection for the Cannes Film Festival. The award ceremony will be held tomorrow night.

I was equally excited to see the movie trailer on YouTube. Looks like the movie does nice justice to the novel.

Student Reports on "Read the World"

New Hope-Solebury High School senior, Wade Millward, reports on our Read the World program on KYW News Studios.

http://67.72.16.166/kyw/2279878.mp3

New Addition to Library Courtyard!

Thanks to a generous donation by the Steve Buck/Hardy Bush Foundation, the library received two new, beautiful benches for the courtyard! This was a needed addition to the previous improvements that were made to the library courtyard - that thanks to a grant by the NH-S Education Fund.
Just hours after the benches were delivered, Mrs. Reeder's English class took advantage by gathering there to collaborate on a project.

New Material from the Krist Family

Just a few days ago, I was excited to have received this newly published book from Peggy Krist who lives here in New Hope with her husband, Bob. Though I haven't had a chance to read it yet, a quick glance through the book affirms that this will be a must-read for many. This is what Peggy had to say about her book in an email to me:

I recently wrote a tribute to Jonny, On His Way Home, to help me cope with his death. The book is my road map from grief to generosity and how we came to start a foundation in his name. It is a story about giving back the future our son lost. You can order the book online. Paperback is $20, Hardcover $25. All proceeds benefit the foundation.

Jonny graduated from our high school in 2005 and his death just a year later devastated many in our community. On His Way Home is available for purchase here, or can be borrowed from our library. Information about the Jonathan Krist Foundation can be found on their website.

Bob, Peggy's husband and world-renown photographer, also has something of interest for the community of New Hope - a new collection of photographs: "New Hope: In Character". According to an article in today's Intelligencer, the collection will be featured in the New Hope Arts Center on Stockton Avenue and, among many other super New Hope people, will include our very own math teachers, Brian Loving, Brian Rutledge and Mike Bongiovanni as well as the popular musicians of Ween. You can get insight about the inspiration for the project on Bob's blog and in the video below.

A Terrifying Yet Wonderful Read

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Thriller and Horror are certainly not genres which I tend to read, but was intrigued by the reviews and awards which this book has received. I was not disappointed!
In the year of 1888, 12-year-old Will Henry witnesses an intrusion of terrifying, carnivorous monsters and captures every gruesome detail in his journal. Over one hundred years later, that journal reaches the hands of Rick Yancey who then turns the journal into this book...or so the story goes. The story of this young boy, who is a dutiful assistant to a monstrumologist in New England, is absolutely horrifying and has the potential of causing many a reader's nightmares. Yet, with a captivating story-line and exquisite writing, a literary gem lies beyond the bloodcurdling prose. Look for a sequel in September!

Visit Rick Yancey's website for more information on The Monstrumologist, including a captivating book trailer and a discussion guide.

Marcelo in the Real World

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
When his father insists that seventeen-year-old Marcelo work at his law firm for the summer, Marcelo feels nervous and reluctant. Having a condition similar to autism, he has trouble interacting with people and would be much more comfortable working on the horse farm as he has every other summer. However, once Marcelo is in the "real world", he surprises himself and others with his capacity for love and compassion and his strong sense of morality. Readers will appreciate the honest and innocent voice of Marcelo as well as the sincere characters who help inspire him.

Into the Beautiful North is a Beautiful Read!

Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea

An epiphany comes to Nayeli and her two girlfriends when they see The Magnificent Seven at their local theater in their small Mexican town. Following the plot of this American movie, they decide to head north to the United States to find seven worthy men to protect their village and to replenish their weakened male population. With their whole town rooting for them, and accompanied by Nayeli's gay employer, Tacho, they lead a mission filled with adventure, despair and plenty of laughter. Highly recommended!