THE BOOK NOOK

of the United States. The activities center around a cartoon character called Herkimer, a Hobbs-like character (Calvin and Hobbs) used by Smith for many years while teaching mathematics at Cate School and Santa Barbara City College.

by Amanda Coplin

Because I tend to go from thing to thing, often in a hurry, in a life filled with people, I am drawn to calm, deliberate, solitary characters in my reading. This month I am recommending “The Orchardist” by Amanda Coplin – Coplin’s debut novel. Coplin was honored on the “Five under 35” list in 2013, a list of noteworthy young writers.

The main character is a middle-aged man who, while lives alone on his fruit orchard at the turn of the last century, tending his trees. Two young women enter his life by stealing from him. The young women are struggling: they are hungry, pregnant and have nowhere to go. They have a hard time trusting people. The protagonist, Talmadge, takes them into his life. The first half of the novel is beautiful, quiet and steadfast; then the plot pivots to dramatic and heart rending. One reviewer likened the book to Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.”

There is beauty in the kindness, understanding in the gentle care of each other and enough love to make a family. There is drama and violence, even. This character-driven novel pulled me in through Talmadge’s relationships, almost all of which are with women – the two thieves, his sister and mother, the midwife, as well as his friendship with a mute Nez Perce horse trader named Clee.

This is not a new book, but it is a lovely read about people doing their best amidst unspeakable hardship and challenge. Fair warning, there may be tears. But that is sometimes why we read, right?

––Jody Thomas, Carpinteria Community Library librarian

The challenges involve working with state and capital city names, areas, populations, order of statehood for the 50 states, state representations in Congress and graphs relating to s tate data. A fascinating (and unique) activity is the Separation State challenges where, given two states, one must find a land travel route between the two states that involves a minimum number of other states. For instance, one can travel from California to North Carolina by land travel through just five other states. There is also a fascinating USA trivia quiz. (Can you identify the only state name that has no letters in common with the name of its capital city?) The book also contains state and patriotic songs, patriotic pictures, a collection of U.S. maps and an informative state information table. From elementary school students to senior citizens, this fascinating book can be a fun source of educational entertainment. Parents can use it to enhance children’s appreciation for our great country, the United States of America.

––Sanderson Smith, Friends of the Carpinteria Library

CVN Reads…

“Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller

CVN Managing Editor Evelyn Spence is reading “Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller. Miller was known only as Emily Doe when she wrote a victim impact statement –later published in Buzzfeed – to the man who attacked her. In her memoir, she reveals her identity for the first time and tells her story in her own words. She describes her time at UC Santa Barbara, experiencing the Isla Vista Tragedy, and what it means to be a survivor of sexual assault. Her memoir was chosen as the Best Book of 2019 by the New York Times Book Review and several other publications. (Published 2019; 368 pages)

“Crowing” by Debbie Murphy

CVN photographer Robin Karlsson is reading “Crowing” by Debbie Murphy, a personal narrative about strange moments in time. The book, a short collection of musings, features short stories or poems from Murphy’s life that she felt “compelled to document,” she told CVN in January. The title stems from several stories featuring the crows that eat seeds on her deck. (Published 2022; 76 pages)

Paul Bitters won first and second place in his category for his sea creature sculptures.

Woman’s Club holds 2023 Student Art Contest

The Carpinteria Woman’s Club held the reception for its 2023 Student Art Contest on Monday, April 3 at the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center, awarding several seniors from Carpinteria High School prizes for their works, ranging from pencil drawings to sculptures.

CHS senior Paul Bitters placed first and third place in the high school category for his sea creature sculptures and eight-yearold student Brandon Rodriguez placed second in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grader category.

The Carpinteria Woman’s Club have held student art contests for more than 60 years, spanning from kindergarten to high school, to encourage and celebrate young artists.

Alexandra Guerrero had her painting featured in the exhibit.

Patricia Clarke Studio grand reopening scheduled for late April

“Fun USA Educational Activities with Herkimer and the Stat Pack” by Sanderson Smith

This educational and entertaining

316-page book was created by two longtime Carpinteria residents. It provides hundreds of fun family challenges for people of all ages related to the 50 states

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The Patricia Clarke Studio in Carpinteria will hold its grand reopening on Saturday, April 29. The studio will also open its latest exhibit, titled “Blessings,” on that same day.

The “Blessings” exhibit will include photography from around the world taken over a period of 20 years by the studio’s namesake, Patricia Houghton Clarke. The reopening also marks the launch of the studio’s annual Facing Ourselves speaker series. The studio will hold its grand opening reception on Saturday, from 2–5 p.m. at the Patricia Clarke Studio at 410 Palm Ave.