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July-August 2011 L I B R A R Y L I N K
world premiere
July 6, 4:30-6 pm, Reception, Michigan News Agency July 6, 7 pm, Reading/Q&A, CEN Celebrate the release of Once Upon a River with Bonnie Jo Campbell. A 2009 finalist for both the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award for her short story collection, American Salvage, Bonnie Jo’s earning extravagant praise for her acclaimed new novel, rich with a cast of unforgettable characters. Critics compare Margo Crane, her mythic heroine who Jaimy Gordon describes as “an outcast, feral beauty,” to Sacagawea or Huck Finn in her struggle to survive along the fictitious Stark River, after being abandoned by her mother, then orphaned by her father’s tragic death. In a starred review, Booklist proclaims Once Upon a River “A dramatic and rhapsodic American odyssey...as intricately meshed with the natural life of the river as a myth. ... From killing and skinning game to falling in with outlaws and finding refuge with kind if irascible strangers, Margo’s earthy education and the profound complexities of her timeless dilemmas are exquisitely rendered and mesmerizingly suspenseful. A glorious novel destined to entrance and provoke.” Copies of Once Upon a River available to purchase at both locations. Bonnie Jo will sign books during the reception and following the reading.
leroy “satchel” paige: long rifle August 2, 6 pm, POW
Actor/playwright Cedric Liqueur will perform his 90-minute one-man play about legendary African-American athlete Leroy “Satchel” Paige. Calling Satchel the fastest pitcher he ever faced, “Joltin’ Joe” DiMaggio said, “After I got that hit off him, I knew I was ready for the big leagues.” Paige’s professional career lasted from 1926 until 1966. Considered the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues, Paige compiled such feats as 64 consecutive scoreless innings and 21 straight wins. In 1948, he signed with the Cleveland Indians on his 42nd birthday, still the oldest “rookie” in the Major Leagues. A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cedric Liqueur has written and produced historical biographies as solo performances since 1997, performing at libraries, schools, colleges, and other venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
summer @ kpl Summer reading games for all ages started on June 15, but there’s still plenty of time to play and earn all three rewards. Sign up today at your neighborhood library. Celebrate KPL’s reading games with an end-of-summer concert featuring The Verve Pipe! Enjoy catchy songs and melodies from A Family Album, their critically-acclaimed collection of music for the entire family.
In Concert: The Verve Pipe August 28, 4 pm, Bronson Park All are welcome! Through dynamic live performances in the ‘90s, The Verve Pipe became known for textured rock featuring soul-searching lyrics, layered vocals and inventive arrangements. Today, The Verve Pipe continues to tour, performing throughout the U.S., including appearances at Austin City Limits Festival, Lollapalooza, and SummerStage in Central Park.
contents books & more 2-3 news 4 tween/teen 5 kids 6-7 director’s note 8