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Blog Post

It's Banned Books Week! Sept. 27 - Oct. 3

by badwolf

What is Banned Books Week, you may ask? It's an event put on by the American Library Association every year to celebrate the freedom to read! The ALA does not believe in censorship, and celebrating banned or challenged books draws attention to the harm potentially caused when access is restricted. If you haven't already, come check out our Banned Books Week display in the Downtown Youth Department and take a peek at the books we've chosen to highlight - some of them may surprise you!

What does it mean if a book is challenged or banned? Well, it simply means that someone doesn't like it! It could be a parent who doesn't agree with their child's assigned reading list for school, or a teacher who doesn't believe a particular title should be allowed in his/her district's curriculum. Books are challenged with the best intentions - to protect others, most commonly children, from difficult ideas and information. However, banning a book goes far beyond simply expressing a point of view or exercising beliefs. Removing material from a school's curriculum or the public library restricts the access of others who may not hold those same beliefs.

If you've had a chance to look at the display or check out the list of titles that are in it, you're probably wondering why some great books have been challenged or banned. Well, hold onto your hats and find some pearls to clutch, because we're about to tell you!

Here’s a list of the books in our display case in the same order in which you'll see them. Underneath each title are the reasons that were listed on formal complaints filed against them and basic summaries of the content that prompted these complaints.


- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- promotes disobedience, too violent
- Katniss defies President Snow's authority, and there is a lot of bloodshed in the Hunger Games.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
- promotes witchcraft and Satanism
- Magic is a normal part of everyday life in Harry's world.
- Drama by Raina Telgemeier
- sexually explicit
- There is an openly gay character, and two boys kiss in the school play when one plays a female character and the other a male character.
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence, depictions of bullying
- A Native American boy is sent to an all-white high school, where he faces racism and bullying.
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint, “politically, racially, and socially offensive,” “graphic depictions”
- The main character grows up in the middle of a war and witnesses violence and death, and since the book is a graphic novel, there are illustrations of these events.
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- racism
- Native Americans are depicted as “terrible savages.”
- A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
- promotes violence, disrespect, and disobedience
- There are poems about disobeying parents, being selfish or lazy, and lying.
- King & King by Linda deHaan
- homosexuality, anti-family, undermines religious freedom, considered “pornography” for showing a family situation that is different from traditional marriage
- The prince wants to marry another prince instead of a princess.
- Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
- offensive language, violence, sexually explicit, implied nudity
- Captain Underpants flies around in just his underwear and a cape.
- Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
- socially offensive
- The police characters are pigs and are depicted as inept.
- The Rabbits’ Wedding by Garth Williams
- socially offensive
- A black rabbit wants to marry a white rabbit.
- Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
- promotes witchcraft
- Strega Nona is the loveable town witch to whom everyone turns in their time of need.
- And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
- anti-family, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, “promotes the homosexual agenda”
- Two male penguins are given an egg to raise together.
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- promotes/glorifies dangerous behavior (tantrums), child abuse
- Max throws a lot of tantrums and is “deprived” of food as punishment.
- Nappy Hair* by Carolivia Herron
- racially insensitive
- A little African-American girl's hair is described as "nappy" and "knotted up" by her family.
- Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman
- pro-homosexuality, anti-family, unsuitable for children
- The main character has two moms instead of a mom and a dad.
So there you have it! If you're feeling a little rebellious, go ahead and check these titles out. We won't tell.

*Are you looking for Nappy Hair in our catalog, but can't find it? Never fear! We only have one copy in the system, and since it's currently in the display case, it has to be marked as "unavailable." Check back in a few weeks!

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Blog Post

Parent’s Corner: Brains!

by manz

The Parent Shelf is located in the downtown youth area, and here is where you’ll find a variety of parent-child related books on a multitude of topics- including everything from food and nutrition to potty training to time-outs to homework. These books are available for checkout and can be found in the catalog when searching “parent shelf.” There are many books on cognition in child development. Here are a few to take a look at:

Thirty million words: Building a child's brain: Tune in, talk more, take turns

Smart parenting, smarter kids: The one brain book you need to help your child grow brighter, healthier, and happier

No mind left behind: Understanding and fostering executive control-- the eight essential brain skills every child needs to thrive

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Blog Post

Opiates & Medicine: Where are we, America?

by Beth Manuel

Dawn Farm kicks off their Education Series this year by presenting on the topic of opiates & medicine which has been deemed an "epidemic" by CDC Director Thomas Frieden. Local and national leaders and media headlines echo & highlight this concern. How did we get this way? What drives this “epidemic?” This presentation will be a historically based look at the medical use of opiates, especially in American society. It will focus on the development and use of narcotic medications against the background of the three opiate epidemics in America. The presenter will discuss the history of opiates in medicine, opiate addiction as a brain disease, issues in the use of opiates to treat chronic pain and the medical treatment of addiction. The session is September 22 from 7:30-9:00 PM at the SJMH Education Center.

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Blog Post

Mamas and Babies

by manz

This week at preschool storytime Ms. Amanda told and read stories featuring mamas and babies. The babies were of the pig, kangaroo and human variety.

In Piglet and Mama, little pig strayed a little too far from mama and he spends the story checking in with many animal friends to see if they’ve seen mama, all the while he cries “I want my mama!”

What Shall We Do With the Boohoo Baby? is a silly story where a baby does nothing but cry BOOHOOOO. We changed the baby, fed it, played with it, and the baby still cried. Eventually the baby stopped crying – can you guess how we made that happen? It’s adorable.

In Nighty, Night Cooper a small kangaroo is being put to bed by his mother, but he wants her to sing “one more song.” So she continues to do so. The songs featured in the story are ones that have new lyrics and classic tunes your little ones might recognize. So cute! And by the author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie!

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Blog Post

The Day the Crayons Came Home!

by evelyn

If your kid loved The Day the Crayons Quit, and it seems like almost every kid on the planet did, check out the new companion book, The Day the Crayons Came Home, by collaborators Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers!

Oliver Jeffers’ amazing illustrations drew me to The Day the Crayons Quit, but the text in this new book really shines. The illustrations are still wonderful, and Drew Daywalts’ story is sharper and funnier than the first book. In The Day the Crayons Came Home, each crayon has written their owner Duncan a postcard telling the sad story of where they have been and what they are doing. I won't ruin any surprises, but each crayon's story is sillier than the last. Particularly funny is Neon Red Crayon’s journey through the world. He’s a little confused on geography (he reports riding a camel through the deserts of New Jersey), but he has a great trip. And of course, all of the crayons get their happy ending.

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Blog Post

It's Easy Being Green: A Sustainable Living Expo / Sunday, September 27, 12:30-5:30 PM

by erin

It's Easy Being Green is a day-long learning, local buying, and eating exposition celebrating living a life that’s better for the planet and not so hard on the wallet. From supporting efforts to reduce your carbon footprint to learning homesteading skills for living a more hands-on, DIY life, It's Easy Being Green has you covered!

Join us on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, from 12:30-5:30 PM. The library is open from 12:00-6:00PM. FREE Parking on Sundays too!

The Expo features:

A Keynote presentation, "Plants, Pollinators, and Why They Matter," plus 11 learning sessions on a variety of topics including bike commuting, rain & container gardening, permaculture, fermentation, and more.

Over 20 vendors selling upcycled, recycled, handmade wares including jewelry, clothes, bath products, artwork, wool and other fibers. Plus vendors selling mushroom growing kits, outdoor animal keeping supplies, fermented products, and shrubs (drinking vinegars). Vendors include The Brinery, McClary Brothers Drinking Vinegars, Ann Arbor Seed Company, Happy Fuzzy Yarn, Divine Iguana, Lead Head Glass, among others.

Opportunities to chat with representatives from area organizations such as Recycle Ann Arbor, Project Grow, Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers, Sic Transit, Natural Area Preservation, Slow Food Huron Valley, Agrarian Adventure, Leslie Science & Nature Center, Ecology Center, and other green neighbors.

There will be three outdoor food vendors: The Shimmy Shack (vegetarian/vegan), and Mani Strada (the new venture from the Mani Osteria & Isalita purveyors) and Hello Ice Cream..

Learning Sessions Schedule:

12:30-1:15

Keynote: Plants, Pollinators, and Why They Matter with Joseph Tychonievich, Greensparrow Gardens

1:30-2:15

Family Bike Commuting with Michael Firn of Sic Transit Cycles
Container Gardening with Growing Hope

2:30-3:15

Rain Gardens with Jesse Tack of Abundant MI Permaculture and Whole Culture Repair
Mending Workshop with Karen LePage of Gentle Clothing
Bee Keeping with Jamie Berlin of Ypsi Melissa

3:30-4:15

Permaculture with the People’s Food Co-Op
Keeping Animals with Harnois Farms

4:30-5:15

Intro to Canning with Cynthia Hodges
Vermiculture with Starr Valley Farms
Fermentation 101 with The Brinery

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Blog Post

Summer Game 2015 GAME OVER Gala!

by erin

Monday August 31, 2015: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Downtown Library Lobby

Let's take the Summer Game out with a bang with a building-wide scavenger hunt, badge coloring, a free photo-booth and light refreshments to commemorate the 2015 summer game! Check out the new digs at the Downtown library and get a chance to meet other summer game players!

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Blog Post

The Blue Whale

by manz

“Once upon a time, a child took a book from a shelf and started to read.”

I was so happy to come across this beautiful and educational picture book! The Blue Whale is written and illustrated by ">Jenni Desmond and presents facts and info about the majestic blue whale. A young boy becomes immersed in the book as he learns about the animal. With words and images it’s written in a way that’s simple enough for children to understand and appreciate. If you have a kid that’s into facts, numbers, animals, or just pretty picture books, check it out! Even as an adult reader, I sure learned a lot about these amazing creatures.

For more books from Enchanted Lion Books be sure to check out the list to find some of the most unique, quirky and beautiful picture books around.

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Blog Post

Congratulations to all of the WINNERS at the 10th Annual LEGO Contest! 2015 is the summer of LEGO Awesome!

by erin

Summer 2015 has been the summer of LEGO in all of its interlocking awesomeness and the highlight of EVERY summer, the annual LEGO contest, has come and gone and now it’s time to celebrate! This year we had 200 entries in 6 age categories:

Preschool, Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12 and Adults!

We gave out 24 LEGO trophies, 72 medals and over $500 in gift cards to the winners! As always the house was packed and about 600 people attended to vote of their favorites, see all the projects and experience the Award Ceremony!

Congratulations to the winners in our 10th Annual LEGO Contest!

Preschool Category:

1st Place = Hotel by Emmet Forbes
Runner-Up = Outer Space by Nate Kubiak
Honorable Mention = Tootie Ta Train Tower by Clara Balazer
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = Hotel by Emmet Forbes

Best Motorized = Its’s a Camp by Eleanor Coffman
Best Architectural/Engineering = Rainbow Pyramid by Sam Mickey
Coolest Robot = Rock Mech Robot by Gabriel Nazario
Best Vehicle = Drone Galaxy Cruiser by Jackson Erickson
Most Creative = Indian Street Food by Amit V.
Most Sophisticated = Knights of Fires all Fighting All Day by Liam Anderson
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Lava, Frank the Dog, Alligator, Ninjago Volcano by Isaac Semrau
Best Use of the #10/Visual/Conceptual = Waterfall by Theo Tsai

Grades K - 2:

1st Place = Edmund Fitzgerald & Andersen by Alexander Burrow
Runner-Up = SS Collage by Dominic Nazario
Honorable Mention = M City by Emma Khan
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = Farmer’s Market by Ivy & Ethan Miller

Best Motorized = Top in 10 Years by Mave Coffman
Best Architectural/Engineering = Gems & Marble Run by Desmond Beckerleg
Coolest Robot = The Best Workers by Lincoln Bolazer
Best Vehicle = Spy Tracker by Connor Geoghegan
Most Creative = Banana Boat by Sorin Bleed
Most Sophisticated = Spy Central by Evan Lowrie-Miuccio
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Pacmania by Ruby Brabbs
Best Use of the #10/Visual/Conceptual = I Spy 10 by Will and Sean Beaupre
Best RV = Every kind of person animal Tubobus by Micah Jule Rijke-Epstein
Best Planes, Trains and Tower Cranes = Busy Day at the Harbor by Jacob Rice

Grades 3-5 Category:

1st Place = iPhone Characters Come to Life by Ennis Poskovic
Runner-Up = Castle Under Attack by Nathan Gillick
Honorable Mention = Under the Water by Avalon McNew
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = Brenda Khuu

Best Motorized = Baja by Jeffrey Wang
Best Architectural/Engineering = Top Notch Security Robot Lab by Joe Bonenberger
Coolest Robot = B-29 Robot Dog by Beck Nordstrom
Best Vehicle = Ann Arbor Airport 2110 by Kevin Hudson
Most Creative = Dog Walker by Noah Forbes
Most Sophisticated = LEGO Jewelry Part 2 by Hiba Khan
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Frank the Pub by Gabriel Senrau
Best Use of the #10/Visual/Conceptual = Tenth Anniversary of Ten by Caitlin Trievel
Wettest Infrastructure Fail = Ann Arbor After it Rains by Brendan Khuu
Best Municipal Amenity = Skate Park by Levi Berg
Fastest Spaceship = New Horizons by Alexa Daniels
Toxoplasmosis Award = 3 Kittens by Daniel Lee

Grades 6-8:

1st Place = LEGO Bridge by Deniz Kirza
Runner-Up = 21 Balloons by Ethan Mascato
Honorable Mention = PLAY by Elliot and Milo Varnum
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = LEGO Bridge by Deniz Kirza

Best Motorized = LEGO Car Wash by Brian Khuu
Best Architectural/Engineering = City of the Future by Bach Nguyen
Coolest Robot = The Robot that Shoots Bot by Aakarsh Verma
Best Vehicle = Main St. USA
Most Creative = Pizza Horse’s Food Temple by Connor & Charlie Wilcox
Most Sophisticated = Good vs Evil by Katrina Walbridge
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Snoopy & Woodstock by Nishant Domala
Best Use of the #10/Visual/Conceptual = LEGO Chopped by Conor Pyle
Most Relaxing = Bernice’s 24 Hour Spa by Jennifer Shim
Bits to Bricks by Sam Fleming

Grades 9-12 Category:

1st Place = My Ride, Our Ride, The Ride by Casimir Mankowski
Runner-Up = A Day On Set by Hamza Khan
Honorable Mention = Winter Treehouse by Saskia & Tara Van Nieuwstadt
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = My Ride, Our Ride, The Ride by Casimir Mankowski

Most Sophisticated = Desolation by Isaac Ferguson
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Art in the Park by Ethan Jansen

Adult Category:

1st Place = Spinning the Cube by David Lorch
Runner-Up = Elves vs. Orcs by Gabriele, Matter and Valentina Carcassi
Honorable Mention = Save the Monarchs by Nieka Appell
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (voted on by attendees of the contest) = Elves vs. Orcs by Gabriele, Matter and Valentina Carcassi

Best Architectural/Engineering = I’m not saying it was aliens, but… by Denise Kratz
Best Vehicle = 201 Fiat Aburt by John Huber
Most Creative = LEGO Foosball by Michael Bleed
Most Sophisticated =
AADL LEGO Master Builder = Viking Ship by Paul Bierdz
Best Use of the #10/Visual/Conceptual = Port-a-John by John Bayles
Master Minecrafter = Skeleton From Minecraft by Milo Hofer

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Blog Post

A Tiny Walrus and his Giant Adventure!

by evelyn

So, I have been going on and on to everyone about artist Lisa Hanawalt (read my glowing post about her adult book My Dirty Dumb Eyes!), but until this point, I thought her work would only ever be for adults. No more! Enter her great collaboration with author and filmmaker Arthur Bradford!

Benny’s Brigade is a beautiful, strange, and funny picture book produced by creative publisher McSweeney's. The book tells the tale of two sisters who find a miniature walrus named Benny hiding in a walnut shell. Benny acknowledges that he is very small, but points out that there is nothing wrong with being a small walrus. Benny goes on a variety of adventures with the two girls and his new friends, including a trio of adventurous slugs. The oversized pages in Benny’s Brigade showcase Hanawalt’s amazing drawings in lovely color and detail. Packed with imagination and adventure, this is a sweet tale of friendship that warrants multiple readings.