Tina Fey’s Bossypants is awarded Audiobook of the Year 2012, by the Audio Publishers Association. For all of the 2012 winners and finalists listed in various categories, pleas visit the Audies Competition; the titles are grouped in more than two dozen categories including works of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s. Provided with the list are book reviews to read, as well as segments of the audios to listen.

Allan Wolf’s The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic won the award for Distinguished Achievement in Production. “This production tells the story of the passengers on the TITANIC through interlinked poems from multiple perspectives. Five narrators help listeners keep the large cast straight as they create appropriate and distinct voices for each character.” You may listen to an excerpt of this audiobook at the Audies Competition site. Currently in our neighborhood, there is a copy only at Santa Clara County Library though.

For downloadable audiobooks at SJPL, visit Overdrive; and use library card and PIN to download. Below are a couple high-interest titles:

Bossypants

I, Claudius  

The Barefoot Executive

In general, for ebooks and audiobooks, visit the library’s download page; for books or recorded books, see our catalog. For example, here are, besides download, two different formats of Tina Fey’s:

Bossypants (Print)

Bossypants (Book CD)

Happy reading and listening!

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. ---San José Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration (SRC) kicks off on Saturday, June 1st, 2012 at all 19 locations. This year’s theme allows children to Dream, Big, teens can Own the Night and adults can stay up reading Into the Night.

Each year 10,000-14,000 participate in the reading celebration and earn prizes as they read making it for a fun and rewarding summer. Signing up for SRC is quick, easy and free.  Once the sign-up is completed, every eBook, audio book and/or book the participant reads or listens to from June 1st, 2012 through July 31st, 2012 will count toward program prize requirements.  One lucky adult winner will have the chance to win the grand prize, a Kindle Fire.  Full prize details are available at www.sjpl.org/summer.   

This year, all are invited to the library’s first ever system-wide kickoff celebration at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 from 1-4 p.m.   The kickoff event invites people of all ages to participate in a scavenger hunt inside the King Library. The scavenger hunt will be divided into three groups: families with small children, teens and adults.  Each group will have their own set of clues and will have to search for hidden treasures inside the library to win a prize. The kickoff event will also feature a community resource fair and plenty of live entertainment.   

Also, the library will once again hold its 4^th annual Graphic Novel Making Contest.  The contest is open to all ages.  Entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. on July 31st, 2012 at any San José Public Library location – one entry per contestant.  A panel of library staff and comic industry professionals will judge entries based on content and illustrations.  Winners will be announced during a reception held at the Berryessa Branch Library on August 25th, 2012 at 2 p.m. For full details visit www.sjpl.org/graphicnovelcontest

Not only does the Summer Reading Celebration provide great prizes for reading and fun contests but will also feature more than 100 events for all ages that include live performances, activities and programs.  Check the library’s online calendar page at www.sjpl.org/calendar for event details and listings at all 19 locations. 

The Summer Reading Celebration is made possible with additional support from the Friends of the King Library and branch library Friends groups.

For more information on the Summer Reading Celebration contact your local branch library or visit www.sjpl.org/summer.

About San José Public Library

San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city.  SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of nearly 14 million items.

Top 5 Reasons to Enroll Your Child into Our Summer Reading Celebration!

1. The number of books read during the summer is consistently related to academic gains. (Bridging the Summer Reading Gap, 2003)

2. Children who read six or more books over the summer gained more in reading achievement than children who did not.  (Bridging the Summer Reading Gap, 2003)

3. One to three months of academic growth can be lost over the summer. (National Summer Learning Association)

4. Students who do not engage in educational activities during the summer typically score lower on tests at the end of summer than they did at the beginning. (Summer Learning Loss: The Problem and Some Solutions).

5. Libraries contribute to the intellectual growth of children during the summer.  (Making the Case for Library Services to Children and Teens, State Library of North Carolina)

You can start to sign up for the Summer Reading Celebration June 1.

Chương Trình Đọc Sách Mùa Hè Summer Reading Celebration sẽ bắt đầu vào Ngày 1 Tháng 6 và kết thúc vào Ngày 31 Tháng Bảy. Để nhận email nhắc nhở xin bấm vào đây.

Cho các em nhỏ chưa biết đọc, phụ huynh có thể đọc sách cho các em và các em vẫn được nhận qua thưởng. Trong Chương Trinh Đọc Sách Mùa Hè, xin quý vị khuyến khích các em tham gia Cuộc Thi Viết Và Vẽ Truyện Tranh.

Math and Reading Tutoring for K-5th.  Nếu quý vị muốn cho các em đến học đọc và làm toán ở Thư Viện Tully, xin điền đơn English/Vietnamese và nộp đến cô giáo volunteer, Hương, trong giờ học. Chương trình vào mọi thứ Tư lúc 3:30-5 chiều bắt đầu vào Ngày 6 Tháng Sáu và kết thúc Ngày 25 Tháng 7.

Nếu có câu hỏi xin email cho Chiêu Nguyễn tại chieu.nguyen@sjlibrary.org .

Summer Reading Celebration will begin June 1st. Sign-up online or at your local library. Read between June 1st-July 31st, and claim your prizes. Your email address is required to get the reminder for participation.

If you would like to receive academic assistance for your children, check out the Summer Tutoring programs below at Tully Branch Library:

Math and Reading Tutoring for K-5th. Pick up either English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese registration form at Information Desk and turn it in to the lead volunteer tutor, Ms. Huong Nguyen. The program takes place in Family Learning Center Classroom every Wednesday 3:30-5:00 PM.

For more information, contact  Chieu Nguyen at chieu.nguyen@sjlibrary.org.

Storytimes are available to younger children at Tully Community Branch Library as scheduled below. Children can log the names of the books that they are read to during Summer Reading Celebration period for prize claiming purpose.

Inclusive Storytime with Stay and Play: 1^st Tuesday 11:30-12:00 Noon in Storytime Area.

Bilingual Vietnamese/English Storytime: 2^nd Thursday 10:30-11:00 AM in Storytime Area.

Preschool Storytime with Stay and Play: Every Thursday 10:30-11:30 AM except for 1^st and 2^nd Thursday.

Toddler Storytime with Stay and Play: Every Tuesday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM except for 1^st Tuesday.

Stories with Ms. Kathy: Every Tuesday 6:30-7:30 PM in Storytime Area. The program is performed by our wonderful Storytelling volunteer, Kathy B.

If you haven’t been to our Tully Community Branch Library, come and check it out. Lots of fun programs and lots of materials to check out! DVDs nowadays can be checked out for three weeks. Valid library card and PIN are needed at checkout.

¡Buen Viaje! We are arriving at our last international destination for our series of “You Are Here” summer reading lists for teens. Before we head home with our cool souvenirs and many more stamps in our passports, we are exploring the rich history, mythology, and culture of Central and South America in this week’s list of titles.

San José Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration ends tomorrow, but we hope that you’ll continue to explore the world through the many materials the library has to offer. Thanks to all of you that participated this year, and congratulations to all of the winners! Enjoy the rest of your summer…We hope that your next “You Are Here” destination will be at your local library, but not before enjoying a restful night’s sleep in your own bed, which is always the best part of returning from vacation, right? :)

You Are Here: Central & South America

Chasing the Jaguar by Michele Domínguez Greene

After having unsettling dreams about the kidnapped daughter of her mother's employer, fifteen-year-old Martika learns that she is a descendant of a long line of curanderas--Mayan medicine women with special powers.

City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende

When fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold accompanies his individualistic grandmother on an expedition to find a humanoid Beast in the Amazon, he experiences ancient wonders and a supernatural world as he tries to avert disaster.

Go and Come Back by Joan Abelove

Alicia, a young tribeswoman living in a village in the Amazonian jungle of Peru, tells about the two American women anthropologists who arrive to study her people's way of life.

Keeper by Mal Peet

In an interview with a young journalist, World Cup hero, El Gato, describes his youth in the Brazilian rain forest and the events, experiences, and people that helped make him a great goalkeeper and renowned soccer star.

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau and María Virginia Farinango

Living in a village in Ecuador, a Quechua Indian girl is sent to work as an indentured servant for an upper class "mestizo" family.

Useful Fools by C.A. Schmidt

A fifteen-year-old Peruvian boy, whose mother runs a clinic for poor village children, becomes caught up in the war after Senderistas bomb the clinic, killing his mother and throwing his family into turmoil.