Multnomah County Library Podcasts

On Sunday, April 10, 2011, an enthusiastic crowd of Devon Monk fans came to hear the author read from her upcoming book and talk about her writing. She started by reading from her soon to be published "Dead Iron: the age of steam", the first book in her new steam punk fantasy series. She then took questions from the audience which included many questions about her ongoing Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series which takes place in Portland. Her latest book in that series, "Magic on the Hunt", just came out on April 5. (about 72 minutes)

VoiceCatcher presents prose and poetry from its fifth women writers anthology. The work of several contributing authors will be highlighted. VoiceCatcher's mission is to publish an anthology of Portland-area women's writing reflecting a diversity of voice and genre. They offer a local publishing opportunity that respects, nurtures and promotes local artists. Web site:                http://www.multcolib.org/events/writers.html

Baba Wagué Diakité is a well known artist and storyteller from Mali, West Africa. Before Mali was a country, it was a great empire whose deeds are still passed down from generation to generation. Baba will tell the 13th century epic story of the creation of the Mali Empire from Sogolon the Hunchback Woman--the spirit of the Buffalo and Maghan the Handsome—the spirit of the Lion. Their invalid son, the great Sundiata Keita grows up to unite the twelve kingdoms of Mali and create one of the greatest empires of Africa.

My Rotten Life by David Lubar Tired of continually having his feelings hurt by popular students and bullies, fifth-grader Nathan agrees to try an experimental formula, Hurt-Be-Gone, and becomes a half-dead zombie, a condition which, he soon discovers, has some real advantages. Speaker: Joaquin Sampson  

My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen The author describes some of the dogs that have had special places in his life, including his first dog, Snowball, in the Philippines; Dirk, who protected him from bullies; and Cookie, who saved his life. Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

The only boy in Superopolis with no superpower, Ordinary Boy discovers there are some talents even better than superpowers.

Charley makes new friends, meets his neighbor, and scares his new friends.

Allie Finkel tries to sabotage her family's planned move.

Babymouse enters the Downhill Derby with the help of her friend, Wilson.

No one appreciates one little girl's sincere help.

The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso Artie King's hopes for easing into life at Camelot Middle School are dashed when he opens a mysterious locker filled with useful, wonderful items and is pulled into a do-or-die dodgeball game that pits Artie and his friends against the school's toughest kids. Speaker: Joaquin Sampson    

How to Draw 101 Things that Go by Dan Green Learn how to draw 101 things that go! It’s easy! Follow the simple step-by-step drawings and you will soon be amazing all your friends with your newfound art skills! Speaker: Joaquin Sampson

When A.J. tells his teacher that he hates school, his teacher tells him that she hates school, too.

Queen learns not to be so bossy from a new and surprising friend.

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel In 1973, when a renowned Canadian behavioral psychologist pursues his latest research project-- an experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills-- he brings home a baby chimp named Zan and asks his thirteen-year-old son to treat Zan like a little brother. Audience: Teen

Stolen by Lucy Christopher Sixteen-year-old Gemma, a British city-dweller, is abducted while on vacation with her parents and taken to the Australian outback, where she soon realizes that escape attempts are futile, and in time she learns that her captor is not as despicable as she first believed. 2011 Prinze Honor Award Audience: Teen

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick Finland, 1910: Fifteen-year-old Sig is shocked to see a hole in the frozen lake outside his family's cabin and to find his father's corpse nearby. Why did Einar steer his dog sled across the lake instead of taking the safer land route? Sig's sister and stepmother go for help, leaving Sig alone with Einar's body in the cabin. Soon after, an armed stranger barges in, demanding a share of Einar's stolen gold. 2011 Prinze Honor Award. Audience: Teen

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl. 2011 Prinze Award Winner Audience: Teens

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past. She discovers a hidden cigar box full of mementos, including some old letters that mention a spy known as the Rattler. These mysterious letters send Abilene and her new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on an honest-to-goodness spy hunt. The more Abilene hears, the more determined she is to learn just what role her father played in that history. 2011 Newbery Award winner. Audience: Teens and Kids

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, always made time to visit his good friends: the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl. But one day--'Ah-choo!'--he woke with the sniffles and the sneezes. Though he didn't make it into the zoo that day, he did receive some unexpected guests.   2011 Caldecott Award Winner Audience: Kids