Down and Dewey — Michigan is for Book Lovers
Posted by Pamela Ribon on Apr 17, 2010 in Going In Circles Drive | 12 commentsSorry for the delay; yesterday was a little hectic, and with this bum knee it takes me twice as long to accomplish something. And you guys accomplished something, too, with 156 donations and counting. Thank you!
It’s still National Library Week, so let’s go help:
Benton Harbor Public Library Children’s Department: Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor is one of the poorest cities in the country. U.S. census data shows around half of the residents live in poverty, and more than 90 percent are African-American. The state has recently taken over the city’s finances, a move that has the area’s NAACP concerned.
Benton Harbor has an unemployment rate of 16.3%, compared to the national average of 5.8%
The Benton Harbor Library has a Twitter feed and a Facebook page, and a fascinating Wikipedia page. Closed on Sundays, The Benton Harbor Public Library is located in southwest lower Michigan, near the shores of Lake Michigan in Berrien County. From the Facebook page alone it’s clear this library is staffed with librarians who care, who listen to the needs of the teens and kids in their community, and then find a way to make the library an engaging, exciting place to visit every day.
EXCITING LIBRARIES. I believe they’re playing at Coachella this weekend.
The Teen Books list is the most extensive, with a ship-to address included, but if you look to the left-hand side of the page, you can see they also need Children’s books… and it looks like they’re hoping for a popcorn cart for their movie nights. Exciting Popcorn-Filled Libraries!
And congrats to the latest Dewey winners: Sarah Hunt and Carolyn Ikari!
I sent three books, including two copies of Sarah Dressen’s: This Lullaby.
I sent four books to Michigan!
Hound of the Baskervilles and Pinocchio for the teens, because you can’t go wrong with the classics, and two Bill Peet books for the kids, because you can’t leave them out…
To show my love for the Mitten, I sent a slew of books on Dewey’s behalf.
For the teens:
Jellicoe Road
Surrender
Twilight, Book 1
For the kids:
van Gogh and the Sunflowers
Cezanne and the Apple Boy
Matisse the King of Color
I sent two books to Michigan!
I took advantage of the 4-for-3 offer on most paperbacks to send following:
“That Summer” by Sarah Dessen
“Lock and Key” by Sarah Dessen
“Genius Squad” by Catherine Jinks
“Suite Scarlett” by Maureen Johnson
“Wintergirls” by Laurie Halse Anderson
“Leonardo and the Flying Boy” by Laurence Anholt
“The Magical Garden of Claude Monet” by Laurence Anholt
“The Cow That Went OINK” by Bernard Most
Pamie! You stole the joy of giving Sarah Dessen from me! Oh well. I found other great YA authors to send — Strasser, Levithan, Plum-Ucci…. I donated these b/c I still love reading YA. I am also lucky enough to work for a library that can buy lots of YA. Our budget is holding steady, but our library systems are in trouble. So any Illinois residents who love libraries should check out http://www.saveillinoislibraries.com.
Hi Pamie,
I just went through the scare of possibly having my library closed (I live in Boston). So when I saw that you were revving up Dewey again, I knew I had to help out. The Benton Harbor Public Library will be receiving 3 books from me.
Until We Meet Again (Bluford High Series #7)
Played
Marcelo in the Real World
The summaries on the teen romance novels had me cracking up! They’re exactly the same stories I read when I was a teen, just updated to include “cellies” and text messages. I included a couple of the romances (I’m sure 15-year-old Pamie read her fair share), but also included one written from the perspective of a teen with Asperger’s just because it looked interesting.
Thanks!
Michelle
Yay, I’ve been waiting for this year’s Dewey Donation! I have been swamped with work, so I am a bit late to donate this year. I missed Children’s Hospital day, but I sent one to a hospital anyway. I donated “Pervasive Developmental Disorder: An Altered Perspective” because my cousin’s son and my college roommate’s son both have this disorder, so I think this is an important book for parents. I also donated to yesterday/today’s Benton Harbor Library, I gave them two copies of “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” partly because it’s set in WA state, near my hometown, and partly because my uncle is Indian and my cousins are half, so it’s a subject I’m familiar with, and it sounds like a great book.
I haven’t gotten your book yet because I am planning to pick up a few copies when you do your signing at the Grove. I try to buy local to keep the bookstores alive too (not that B&N needs help in that dept). I am looking forward to reading it on the plane to India for my next movie! I plan to keep my fellow passengers awake and wondering, “what is that wonderful book she’s reading” with my constant uncontrollable laughing and (potential) crying.
Heather
Thanks for running Dewey — this is a great program!
For the Benton Harbor Public Library:
“Shining On: 11 Star Authors’ Illuminating Stories” Lois Lowry;
“Shattering Glass” Gail Giles;
“The Legend of Buddy Bush” Shelia P. Moses;
“Woodsong” Gary Paulsen
-Carolyn
Hey Pam!
Here is the list of books that I bought for the donation. I love the fact you can actually pick out the books that they want.
Tandi
“Durango Street” Frank Bonham;
“Blood is Thicker (Bluford High Series #8)”
“Drama High: Jayd’s Legacy” L. Divine;
“Imani in Young Love & Deception” Jackie Hardrick;
“Sentries” Gary Paulsen
“Dancing Carl” Gary Paulsen;
Hey Pam!
Here’s what I sent:
Unwind (from their wishlist and a book I found compelling and spooky!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....os_product
And to round things out:
Feed
The Compound
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Family Tree
The Golden Compass
Beauty
Graceling
Yay for the 3-for-4 promotion at Amazon and a big-time YAY for you and Dewey!