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The Book Beat is having a Midnight Madness Monster Party and book sale on August 1st at 10:00 PM -12:30 AM in honor of Stephanie Meyer’s third concluding book The Breaking Dawn, in The Twilight Saga series being released Friday August 1st at Midnight. This is a book her fans have been waiting for… The Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park. Call 248-968-1190 for more information.
Joining the late night festivities will be Detroit’s only local television horror host (actually its Detroit’s only locally produced television outside the news), the legendary . . . Wolfman Mac and his crazy crew of ghouls will be there in the flesh handing out Breaking Dawn books to eager Twilight Saga fans at the stroke of midnight. Its the summertime book happening Stephanie Meyer fans have long been waiting for — and a fun event for the whole family. Wolfman Mac can be seen on Detroit’s Channel 20 every Saturday at midnight. Watch the next NIGHTMARE CINEMA show Saturday, July 26th, on TV Channel 20 when he will announce details about the Book Beat Midnight Madness sale. Wolfman Mac shows the creepiest vintage horror flicks with retro cheeseball humor. Fans of the Ghoul and Sir Graves will love it! Listen to a radio interview with Wolfman Mac produced by WDET-FM. Also, performing “Live at Lincoln Center” (on the sidewalk in front of Book Beat) beginning at 11 PM will be Detroit’s wild and woolly freakout jam band THE ODD CLOUDS. There is nothing like the Odd Clouds anywhere. Click here to watch a Youtube live video of The Odd Clouds … In-store guest DJs will rock the store with creepy old school vinyl, lounge music and horror soundtracks. Come prepared and wear your Halloween costume. Book Beat and the Nightmare SINeMA crew will be filming all the madness for a future commercial to be shown on the Wolfman Mac’s Nightmare Sinema! Wear a costume and be part of the action… come dressed as your favorite monster, vampire or wolfman… This will be truly amazing Monster Madness! AAaaaaaHhhhwwwwwoooooooooahh!! In celebration of our 25th anniversary, Book Beat will be offering a 25% discount on ALL books Friday, August 1st, 10 AM -12 am and Saturday, August 2nd, from 10 AM-7 PM. (costumes are optional) – hope to see you there… stay creepy!
Pictured Above: Detroit’s outerlimit freakout musicians THE ODD CLOUDS!  |
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| Posted in: Book Beat / Shop history, Monsters & Myths, Music, Psychedelia, Reading | 1 Comment » |
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Join us Sunday, May 18th from 1 PM- 4 PM on the front lawn of Berkley High School for the 2nd Annual READ IN THE PARK Book Festival! Aimed to promote reading for children and young adults, there will be authors, celebrity readers, music, storybook characters, food and fun activities for the whole family. Authors planning to attend include; NPR host Charity Nebbe, Susan Collins Thomas, Denise Rodgers, Howard Fridson, Stephen M. Jones and Bryan Chick. Sponsored by the Berkley Educational Foundation and the Book Beat bookstore, funds raised at the Read in the Park festival go to support community literacy programs. Elevate your mind and Discover the Joy and Fun of Reading! Suggested donation: $3.00 per person; $10.00 per family Meet the authors and their books May 18th, now here’s a preview:
In this century Charity claims to have been born in 1975, she has two brothers, two foster brothers, a foster sister, and two parents (one mother and one father–actually collateral descendants). She grew up just outside of Cedar Falls, Iowa where she spent the bulk of her time raising baby animals (her family rehabilitates wild orphaned and injured animals with state and federal licenses), reading books, pretending to be Wonder Woman, and playing with the dogs and cats. Charity went to Iowa State University where she majored in political science with minors in English and Biology. She now lives near Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband (Rob), two dogs (Sara, pictured above, and Mandy), and five cats (Arthur, Vivian, Toby, Chance, and Q). She works at Michigan Radio where she produces The Todd Mundt Show from NPR and cleans the restrooms. Nebbe is the host of All Things Considered on Michigan Public Radio. “Woods” is her first book.  Cesar Takes a Break (Hardcover) When the children are away…the animals will play. Susan Collins Thomas makes a sparkling picture book debut with this hilarious story of class pets on the loose; colorful and humorous pictures by Québécois artist Rogé add to the great fun. Life is great for Cesar the iguana. After all, he went from living in Pets-A-Plenty to an excellent new home in Ms. Lee’s elementary school classroom—with 25 best friends to pamper him. But now spring break has arrived, the kids are gone, and poor Cesar’s a puddle of sadness. Until…he takes a vacation too! From classroom to classroom he wanders, meeting all the other school pets and making hilarious notes in his journal. Before long, he’s feasting on strawberries, dancing the Iguana Shuffle, and playing hockey in the teacher’s lounge. Will he ever want to return to his cage? Cesar’s having a blast—and young readers will too!  Denise Rodgers: A Little Bit of Nonsense (Hardcover) This attractive hardcover book is filled with 65 whimsical poems by The Poetry Lady herself, Denise Rodgers, and illustrated by Michigan artist, Julie Martin. The book is divided into four sections; Characters I’ve Known, Monster Meat Stew, Noah’s Ark, and Looney Ideas.Known to many Michigan school children as “The Poetry Lady,” Denise Rodgers is a metro Detroit poet and writer. Several of the poems from her “Great lakes Rhythm and Rhyme,” (River Road Publications),collection have been included in the MEAP (Michigan Educational Assessment Program). She is also the author of “A Little Bit of Nonsense,” (Creative Writing Press),a collection of nonsense verse. Two of the poems from the “Nonsense” collection have been included in Jack Prelutsky anthologies, “The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury” (Knopf) and “Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme,” (Knopf). Rodgers visits schools statewide and conducts Poetry Visits and Poetry Workshops. She has also presided over Young Authors Conferences in Grand Rapids and Oakland County. See her web site, www.ThePoetryLady.com for examples of student poetry. Howard Fridson: Our Family Treasue (paperback) An inspiring book about creativity, friendship and family. The story is taken from the author’s own family history and tells the story of his lovely eccentric aunt Else who collected odd bits of things and made her life a joyous creation. The book is a heartfelt journey of two friends who share a creative afternoon. Fridson’s illustrations are soft pastel pencil and crayon drawings that add to this timeless tale of memory and family. Included is a diagram to help children and adults create their own version of Else’s cut-out paper square dance. “When Howard’s Aunt Elsie turned 75, Howard wrote a story about her and drew a few pictures to present at her party. Elsie had always been like a second mother to Howard and his brother, Marty. After she passed away, Howard thought it would be nice to finish the book as a gift to all the cousins and their children. In this way they would always remember their wonderful Aunt Elsie. To his surprise, Howard discovered cousins he never knew existed, from Canada to Viet Nam. The cousins were very excited to read the book, and they insisted that everyone should be able to read about their aunt. The result is “Our Family Treasure.â€Howard Fridson is an artist who lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan with his wife Cathy. They have three grown boys named Nate, Blake and Russel. Howard studied art at Wayne State University where he drew a comic strip for the school newspaper called “The Adventures of Captain Bopper.†He majored in Fine Arts and began painting murals upon graduation. Since then he has continued to paint and has illustrated books, including “Maya’s First Rose†by Martin Scot Kosins.  Steven M. Jones: Charlemagne Mack: Rise of the Queen (Paperback) It’s time to discover “The Urban Harry Potterâ€Detroit, Michigan based playwright Stephen M. Jones has created a buckle up and hold on rollercoaster of an adventure novel for teens in his new book Charlemagne Mack: Rise of the Queen.It all began with a toad in a bowl of Jell-O. Smart, sassy and cool Charlemagne (Charley) Mack is a twelve year old African American, living in The City. Raised on MTV and VH1, Charley is a pure product of our culture. She’s an honors student (or a “colored egg†as she refers to herself), a gymnast, and … the queen of the Sky Conjuring People??Most little girls dream of being a princess, but Charley is thrust into her position as queen at the age of twelve and finds that the glamorous benefits of royalty are swept aside in the face of mystery, danger, adventure and responsibility.Charlemagne’s journey is that of a child who reluctantly leaves childhood behind for a reality nothing like she could ever have imagined. The book is filled with the desire and struggle to; find out who you really are, to learn from adversity, to embrace curiosity and education, and to cherish the value of friendship along the way.America’s first African American princess is on her way, hip hop, pop and lock and dreadlock. Steve speaks to a generation of urban youth and we believe is the next great African American author.  Stephen M, Jones is a copywriter and playwright, with his first play “Back in the World†voted best Play by the Detroit Free Press. Charlemagne Mack is the first of a trilogy and Stephen Jones first children’s book.Take a look at what critics say and why Charlemagne Mack Rocks “The intelligence of this novel has real warmth to it, and mythology and cultural history unfold throughout like delightful discoveries. The salient detail is personal empowerment, and the strength and happiness that come from knowing who you are even as you struggle to make things better. Charley rises to the occasion in charming and touching way, I can’t help but wonder what’s in store for her in Journal #2.†— Hatie Haegele, Philadelphia Inquirer“Charlemagne Mack, a 12-year-old African American, is an honors student in a poor part of The City. She lives with her uncle and aunt until the day a giant spider named Miss Lettie comes through her bedroom window to warn her that she is in grave danger. Charlemagne escapes to Louisiana and is surprised to discover that she is not simply an above-average student to whom odd things sometimes happen, but is instead Queen of the Sky Conjuring People. She learns to deal with her new identity, ruins the plans of some very bad, bad guys, and learns about her family…This book definitely helps to fill a gap in fantasy/science fiction featuring strong African-American characters.†–School Library Journal“Harry Potter fans will love this book! Smart and sassy Charlemagne, a twelve year old black girl, learns the value of love, trust and faith in herself as she is transformed into Orisha, Queen of the Sky Conjurers.‖ Florence Waszkelewicz Clowes, author of Bones in the Backyard“Welcome to the world of Charlemagne Mack; not your average kid, but a Queen by nature. This story is full of spells, demons, monsters and bad things lurking in the walls of a mystical library. Sit back and take this journey of personal acknowledgement through the eyes of a child….†APOO Book Club  Bryan Chick: The Secret Zoo (Paperback) “This book, which is the first of a series, is a fast-paced mix of mystery and fantasy. There is enough action and suspense to keep the most reluctant reader entertained while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of friendship and teamwork. It promises to be the beginning of a popular series.” –School Library Journal
Noah Nowicki and his younger sister live next to the Clarksville Zoo. One night, Megan mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a few pages from her diary as clues. Noah and his friends, Ella and Ritchie, who call themselves the Adventure Scouts, set out to rescue her. They befriend a batch of sentient yet nonspeaking zoo animals that include a polar bear named Blizzard; Podgy, a penguin; and Marlo, a Malachite Kingfisher. These creatures, who claim to know what happened to Megan, lead the Scouts into the zoo, which has a secret entrance to a fanciful land called the City of Species where animals and humans live alongside one another. About the author: Bryan lives with his wife and three young children in Clarkston, MI. Overall, he’s a pretty simple man—a father and a husband before anything else. He is terrible with remembering names, simple math, and geography (on last account he could name maybe two-thirds of the fifty United States—and don’t ask him to convert that fraction to decimal). |
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| Posted in: Author signings, Book Beat / Shop history, Detroit & Michigan, Reading | No Comments » |
Chinwag Theater producer Charity Nebbe spent much of her childhood in rural Iowa of the 1850’s. There she enjoyed milking cows, churning butter, and tending the geese. Attacked by an enraged goose, young Charity’s life was despaired of–but a scientist, Dr. Sylvester Lapa-Lapa, At Des Moines’ famous Zoroastrian Hospital, put the child into a primitive form of suspended animation. Thus, she came to live in this century, Raised by her great-great-nephew’s family. This experience accounts for her unusual knowledge of, and interest in, Iowa history, odd experiments, and Daniel Pinkwater. 
Bryan Chick spent most of his childhood bumping into things. Mostly awkward and shy, he wasn’t particularly good at paying attention, and he was bored with things his imagination couldn’t manipulate. His love for writing began when he realized how cool and rewarding it is to flood the contents of his mind across stacks of paper.
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We will have two local music experts that will each give a presentation followed by a group discussion. On hand will be James A. Mitchell, author of the newly published IT WAS ALL RIGHT: Mitch Ryder’s Life in Music and Marilyn Bond, author of The Birth of the Detroit Sound: 1940-1964 (paperback). A book autographing for the authors will follow the presentation. For any questions or to reserve autographed copies please call 248-968-1190. The Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park.
Songs performed by Detroit rocker Mitch Ryder, such as Devil with a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly and Jenny Take a Ride are among the most well loved of the twentieth century, but his fascinating life story is unknown to many. It Was All Right is a portrait of Ryder built on firsthand road stories—a rock-and-roll travelogue that is also an insider’s look at fame and popular culture in America.
“Whether the soundtrack of your early years included Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels or if you’re new to American pop culture of the volatile 1960s and 1970s, It Was All Right will galvanize you. It’s an intimate, spot-on look at the world of rock, celebrity, and Detroit’s continuing contribution to world culture.†— Loren D. Estleman James A. Mitchell is a writer and community journalist based in southeast Michigan. He is also the author of Applegate: Freedom of the Press in a Small Town and the forthcoming But For the Grace: Profiles in Peace From a Nation at War, based on his travels to an orphanage in Sri Lanka’s war-torn northeast. Marilyn Bond is a music industry insider and promoter who began working in the business in 1955. She currently coordinates shows featuring classic Detroit music throughout southeastern Michigan, and manages many artists as well. |
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| Posted in: Author signings, Book Beat / Shop history, Detroit & Michigan, Music | 1 Comment » |
Join us at Book Beat bookstore on Saturday, May 24th at 6:30-7:30 PM for a mini-seminar on the early history of Detroit rock n’ roll.
An epicenter of American music by the mid-1950s, Detroit built its reputation upon a wealth of talented singers and musicians, the vast amount of clubs and theaters available to them, and a multitude of enthusiastic industry professionals who helped bring their unique sound to the world. Many record labels, including Fortune and Fox, also thrived in the metro Detroit area in the days before Berry Gordy’s Motown Records gained international recognition. 
The Birth of the Detroit Sound chronicles great talents like John Lee Hooker, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Jackie Wilson, Jack Scott, Andre Williams, and Nolan Strong. Featuring a rare collection of vintage photographs, the book also spotlights record industry personalities, deejays, and long-forgotten venues where the giants of Detroit music once performed. &&&&&&&&&&&&&
In all, Ryder’s abundant commentary and Mitchell’s easy narration combine to give readers a fast-paced tour of a turbulent musical journey that is still unfolding. Whether blending musical genres or dabbling in political activism, Ryder’s one-of-a-kind experiences will intrigue music fans and anyone interested in musical or cultural history.
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Children’s book authority Anita Silvey has noted, “Polacco’s most touching stories focus on cross-cultural friendships…. her exceptional talents were clearly evident in her first book, Meteor! (1987).” Polacco is one of Americas most cherished and bestselling author-illustrators, with over two dozen published books including the classic autobiographical folktales; Babushka Baba Yaga, The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, Mrs. Katz and Tush, Casey at the Bat, and Rechenka’s Egg. It is a great honor for us to be hosting this event in our community. The Book Beat will have on hand many of Polacco’s stunning picture books including her most recent titles, The Lemonade Club and Ginger and Petunia. More about the author: Although she struggled in school and was unable to read until age 14 due to dyslexia, she found relief by expressing herself through art. Polacco endured teasing and hid her disability until a schoolteacher recognized that she could not read and began to help her. Thank you, Mr. Falker is Polacco’s retelling of this encounter and its outcome. The early years of Polacco’s childhood were spent at her grandmother’s farm in Union City, Michigan, the setting for many of her published stories. The farm, originally called The Plantation was established in 1859 and was part of the Underground Railroad. President Lincoln actually visited the home during his presidency. A meteorite that fell into the front yard of that farm “(Meteor!)”is now used as their family’s headstone. Although Polacco’s grandmother died in 1949, when Polacco was only 5, “babushka,” or grandmother, nevertheless appears in several of Polacco’s books. Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. Photo credit for Mz. Polacco above right: Karen A. Lloyd. *Source: Penguin Publishing.com: “Children and adults alike ask me where I get my ideas…I get them from the same place that you do….MY IMAGINATION… I would guess the reason my imagination is so fertile is because I came from storytelling and, WE DID NOT OWN A T.V.!!!!!!!!! You see, when one is a writer, actor, dancer, musician; a creator of any kind, he or she does these things because they listen to that “voice” inside of them. All of us have that “voice”. It is where all inspired thoughts come from….but when you have electronic screens in front, of you, speaking that voice for you… it DROWNS OUT THE VOICE! When I talk to children and aspiring writers, I always ask them to listen to the voice, turn off the T.V. and LISTEN…LISTEN…LISTEN.” — Patricia Polacco |
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| Posted in: Author signings, Book Beat / Shop history, Children's Books | No Comments » |
Join us on Saturday, May 17th from 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM at the Oak Park Library, located at 14200 Oak Park, Blvd., in Oak Park, for a rare area appearance and book signing event by children’s author and illustrator Patricia Polacco.
Following the 40-year absence from the home of her youth, Polacco returned to Union City, where she currently resides. Her home is often opened up to the public for writing seminars and children’s literature festivals. Polacco does all of her own illustrations, and since she does not own a computer, responds to all letters with a hand-written reply. Whenever Polacco speaks with children, her advice is always the same: “Turn off the TV and LISTEN…LISTEN…LISTEN.”*
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URB’s founder Raymond Leon Roker writes a very cogent editorial on his 150th anniversary in which he shares some thoughts on publishing a magazine in this age of digital mass media; “I can’t be bothered with all of this conventional wisdom and unimaginative doom and gloom… I’m more excited about print –and this magazine — then I have been in a long while.” We couldn’t agree more. Passion and bullheaded focus will keep the most imaginative and radical works alive for years to come, be they magazines, books, music or hippie-punk print palaces. The Nov/Dec URB holiday issue runs down the 150 things they love most which includes; #42 Amoeba records, #50 The Hollywood Bowl, #58 Supper Rad Toys, #104 Red Bull, #120 Street Walkers, #130 DC rapper Wale, #125 Chicago’s rainbow colored party scene. We’re blushing red. Check back soon for Book Beat’s 25 things we love for 25 years. |
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| Posted in: Book Beat / Shop history, Gossip | No Comments » |
Clocking in at #83, Book Beat was name checked in the 150th issue of
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Best of Best 2007: More Staff Favorites from the Book Beat Our Gift guide is also viewable at the Backroom Blog and in our newsletter archives. Beautiful Picture Books (& Toys) for Ages 3-8 Years  Little Fur Family Fur Edition » There was a little fur family/warm as toast/smaller than most/in little fur coats/and they lived in a warm wooden tree. The Little Fur Family tells the story of a little fur child’s day in the woods. The day ends when his big fur parents tuck him in bed “all soft and warm,” and sing him to sleep with a lovely bedtime song. Cuddle up to a classic with this timeless story! Garth William’s soft illustrations join Margaret Wise Brown’s rhythmic text to create a gentle lullaby. Bound in imitation fur, Little Fur Family is sure to comfort and delight. First published in 1946, a timeless classic. Fur covered board, $12.99
 Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? » This final collaboration by a gifted duo focuses on 10 animals native to America. The language includes actions typical of the creature highlighted- “Blue heron, blue heron, what do you see?/I see a prairie dog digging by me.†The animals, in colorful collages set against stark white backgrounds, strut, slide, glide, and hoot across the full spreads. A terrific read-aloud destined to rank high with the other titles by Bill Martin and Eric Carle. Baby Bear is sure to become a lasting classic, this finely crafted picture book will make a great addition to a first library, a great early read-a-loud. Hardcover, $16.95 The Snowy Day and Whistle For Wille DVD and Book Gift Set » The 1963 Caledecott Medal winner, The Snowy Day, Ezra Jack Keats’s lushly illustrated story of Peter, a young boy experiencing the year’s first snowfall, has delighted millions of readers. When Whistle for Willie, featuring Peter and his dog Willie, followed in 1964, the New York Times wrote, “Mr. Keats’ illustrations boldly, colorfully capture the child, his city world, and the shimmering heat of a summer’s day.†These two classics are now available together in a striking package. Complete with a DVD that includes a fillm of each book, this is a must have gift for the holidays. Hardcover $19.99
 Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity » Her Daddy in tow, Trixie hurries off to school to show off her one-of-a-kind Knuffle Bunny to her classmates; but an awful surprise awaits her: someone else has the exact same bunny!Thus begins an exciting, frustrating, and ultimately revelatory twenty-four hours of squabbling, teacher-enforced bunny “time-outs,†bedtime realizations, late-night phone calls, and a special middle-of-the-night encounter.
 DELICIOUS! Cat, Squirrel, and Duck have a very serious problem: there are no ripe pumpkins in the garden for their favorite soup! They’ll have to make something else, but while Cat and Squirrel are willing to experiment, all Duck wants is pumpkin soup. He won’t even try a taste of the fish soup or mushroom soup, and the beet soup his friends make is the last straw— “I’m not eating that,†he says. “It’s pink!†Can Cat and Squirrel find a way to please their fussy friend? This follow-up to the popular Pumpkin Soup and A Pipkin of Pepper is a perfect story about a picky eater, illustrated with rich, expressive paintings in which children will find much to discover—and it includes a recipe for pink soup! Frida Kahlo 7″ Doll » With soulful eyes, a distinctive eyebrow, and a playful smile, Frida dons a richly colored and detailed Mexican dress made of pink, silk-like shantung with a white organza pinafore and a ruffled apron over it. She also features soft hair gathered into two pony tails, glimmering blue ribbons that frame her face, and a vibrant green bow of sparkling organza attached to the back of her dress. The most beautiful Frida Kahlo doll we’ve seen, 7″ tall.
 Good Enough to Eat » This is a tall tale with all the earmarks of becoming a classic. The story is engaging, both humorous and a little scary, and the illustrations, from the woebegone look on the girl’s face to the ghastly gulpings of the gluttonous ogre, are captivating. “It’s a subtle message about how we treat the poor, and how those we sacrifice can come back to get the last laugh, but as a picture book story it is excellent on its surface story alone. The text itself, written with a breezy feel that never drags, contains little rhymed couplets to help propel things along much like a Grimm tale. The familiarity of the text still leaves me feeling like I’ve read it somewhere before, but not in a bad way.”–Starred Kirkus Review, Hardcover, $16. Langston Hughes: The Dream Keeper and Other Poems 75th Anniversary Edition » The Dream Keeper, the great African-American writer Langston Hughes’s only collection of poems for children, includes some of his best loved works. It is being reissued in a handsome hardcover edition in celebration of its 75th anniversary. Filled with elegant scratchboard illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkey, and featuring an introduction by noted children’s poet Lee Bennett Hopkins, this gift edition is sure to be cherished by young readers and longtime poetry lovers alike. All ages, hardcover $16.99 Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals » This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. With a kaleidoscope of color and cut paper, Hans Christian Anderson Award nominee and two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan celebrates three favorite spirituals: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” The power of these beloved songs simply emanates through his joyous interpretations. Come, sing, and celebrate! Hardcover, $16.99 The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain » The Wall is a Masterpiece – a great treat for art fans, the book is a fascinating look at life under communism in Prague and the liberation of spirit through art and music. “I was born at the beginning of it all, on the Red side—the Communist side—of the Iron Curtain.†Through annotated illustrations, journals, maps, and dreamscapes, Peter SÃs shows what life was like for a child who loved to draw, proudly wore the red scarf of a Young Pioneer, stood guard at the giant statue of Stalin, and believed whatever he was told to believe. By joining memory and history, SÃs takes us on his extraordinary journey: from infant with paintbrush in hand to young man borne aloft by the wings of his art. Hardcover, Ages 8 and up. Young Pele: Soccer’s First Star » How did a poor boy named Edson—who kicked rocks down roads and dribbled balls made from rags—go on to become the greatest soccer player of all time? While other kids memorized letters, Edson memorized the scores of soccer matches. And when Edson finally played in a youth soccer tournament in the town of Bauru, Brazil, he focused on only one thing from the moment the whistle blew: the goal. Here is the story of the boy who overcame tremendous odds to become the world champion soccer star Pelé. Hardcover, $16.99 Freckleface Strawberry » If you have freckles, you can try these things: 1) Make them go away. Unless scrubbing doesn’t work. 2) Cover them up. Unless your mom yells at you for using a marker. 3) Disappear. Um, where’d you go? Oh, there you are. There’s one other thing you can do: 4) LIVE WITH THEM! Because after all, the things that make you different also make you YOU. From acclaimed actress Julianne Moore and award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham comes a delightful story of a little girl who’s different … just like everybody else. Hardcover, $16.95
Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy » Fancy Nancy is back! And when her family decides to get a dog, she’s certain she can be fancier than ever. After all, a papillon—a small, delicate, fluffy dog—is the ultimate accessory. But her family wants a large, plain dog. How unglamorous! With Fancy Nancy’s trademark humor and warmth, Nancy discovers that real fanciness does not depend simply on appearance but more on a genuine joie de vivre, which is a fancy phrase for having lots of fun. Hardcover, $16.99
Best of the Best: Great Reading for Young Adults
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You » “Not since The Catcher in the Rye has a novel captured the deep and almost physical ache of adolescent existential sadness as trenchantly as the perfectly titled Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You. You don’t have to be eighteen to relate to James Dunfour Sveck and his sense of alienation from a world he doesn’t understand, nor to be profoundly moved by his story. Told with compassion, insight, humor, and hope, Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You deserves to be read by readers of all ages for years to come. I would have loved it as a teenager, and I love it now.” —James Howe, author of The Misfits “Deliciously vital right from the start … a piece of vocal virtuosity and possibly Cameron’s best book … The novel possesses too much emotional complexity and artfulness of construction to exclude adult readers … Stunning.” –New York Review of Books, Hardcover, $16.00, ages 14 and up.
Chock full of puzzles to solve, some involving the mystery and others Winston runs into along the way, this treasure hunt will keep readers challenged right to the end. Even the cover of this book is a puzzle — a new “Da Vinci Code” for kids. Hardcover, $16.95
“The plot meshes well with the setting, a close-up of school social life. Future Jane Austen fans will appreciate the subtle humor, minute observations, and snapshot of the unwritten class structure that governs 12-year-old behavior. Get this into the right hands by recommending it as a read-aloud for kids lucky enough to be read to in later elementary or early middle school.” – Faith Brautigan, Librarian – Hardcover, $16.95
“I think that a daring girl likes to do challenging and hard things because she thinks they are fun. She loves adventure and learns from always trying new things. I think challenges help you grow, even though they can be really frustrating. This book helps with the frustration because it explains some things about activities that you might not know, which provides solutions to problems. A daring girl has to be able to solve problems and not let frustration hold her back. Otherwise, she won’t know about new things and won’t grow and become better at stuff. That would take away a lot of adventure and fun!” — Online review by a Girl Scout from Hip Mama
Graphic Wonders
Quality Lit Gifts:  WHAT IS THE WHAT » Dave Eggers’s “What Is the What” is, like “Huckleberry Finn,” a picaresque novel of adolescence. But the injustices, horrors and follies that Huck encounters on his raft trip down the Mississippi would have seemed like glimpses of heaven to Eggers’s hero, whose odyssey from his village in the southern Sudan to temporary shelter in Ethiopia to a vast refugee camp in Kenya and finally to Atlanta is a nightmare of chaos and carnage punctuated by periods of relative peace lasting just long enough for him to catch his breath. –New York Times, $15.95 paperback Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing » “These are the rules I’ve picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I’m writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what’s taking place in the story.”—Elmore Leonard
For aspiring writers and lovers of the written word, this concise guide breaks down the writing process with simplicity and clarity. From adjectives and exclamation points to dialect and hoopetedoodle, Elmore Leonard explains what to avoid, what to aspire to, and what to do when it sounds like “writing” (rewrite). Beautifully designed, filled with free-flowing, elegant illustrations and specially priced, Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing is the perfect writer’s—and reader’s—gift. Hardcover, $14.95
 The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps: The Best Crime Stories from the Pulps During Their Golden Age – the ’20s. ’30s & ’40s » The biggest, the boldest, the most comprehensive collection of Pulp writing ever assembled. Weighing in at over a thousand pages, containing over forty-seven stories and two novels, this book is big baby, bigger and more powerful than a freight train—a bullet couldn’t pass through it. Here are the best stories and every major writer who ever appeared in celebrated Pulps like Black Mask, Dime Detective, Detective Fiction Weekly, and more. These are the classic tales that created the genre and gave birth to hard-hitting detectives who smoke criminals like packs of cigarettes; sultry dames whose looks are as lethal as a dagger to the chest; and gin-soaked hideouts where conversations are just preludes to murder. This is crime fiction at its gritty best. paperback, $25.00Just for Fun, Curiosa & Beyond Fun:
For the Art & Music Lover:  Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist In paintings, murals, and book illustrations, Aaron Douglas (1899–1979) produced the most powerful visual legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, prompting the philosopher and writer Alain Locke to dub him the “father of Black American art.†Working from a politicized concept of personal identity and a utopian vision of the future, the artist made a lasting impact on American art history and on the nation’s cultural heritage. Douglas’s role, as well as that of the Harlem Renaissance in general, in the evolution of American modernism deserves close scholarly attention, which it finally receives in this beautifully illustrated book. exhibition catalog, Hardcover, $60.00
W
 Art: A World History The history of art in the palm of your hand! This lavishly illustrated and super-condensed history of world art is the perfect gift for any art lover. A pocket-sized book bursting with 900 illustrations, it takes the reader from the beginnings of art in prehistory to the contemporary scene. A small museum’s worth of information that fits in a purse or backpack. Paper boards, $19.95 Grit, Noise and Revolution: The Birth of Detroit Rock N Roll (paperback edition) From the early days of John Lee Hooker to the heyday of Motown and beyond, Detroit has enjoyed a long reputation as one of the crucibles of American pop music. In Grit, Noise, and Revolution, David Carson turns the spotlight on those hard-rocking, long-haired musicians—influenced by Detroit’s R&B heritage—who ultimately helped change the face of rock ‘n’ roll. Carson tells the story of some of the great garage-inspired, blue-collar Motor City rock ‘n’ roll bands that exemplified the Detroit rock sound, paperback $17.95 Richard Avedon: Portrait of a Family » Legendary photographer Richard Avedon provides an intimate look at the Kennedy family on the eve of John F. Kennedys inauguration. The accompanying text details all aspects of the sitting and examines what the photographs reveal about each member of the family and their relationships to one another. Hardcover, 128pps $29.95 Andre Kertesz: Polaroids » Taken in Kertész’s apartment just north of New York’s Washington Square, many of these photographs were shot either from his window or in the windowsill. We see a fertile mind at work, combining personal objects into striking still lifes set against cityscape backgrounds, reflected and transformed in glass surfaces. These photographs are a testament to the genius of the photographer’s eye as manifested in the simple Polaroid. Andre Kertesz came to Polaroid photography late in life, but unlike other masters of the 20th Century who used it experimentally to work with form and color, he approached it existentially and it saved his life. Hardcover, 88 color, $35.00 Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture »SILENT MOVIES captures the greatest directors and actors and their immortal films. SILENT MOVIES also looks at the technology of early film, the use of color photography, and the restoration work being spearheaded by some of Hollywood’s most important directors, such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. Richly illustrated from the Library of Congress’s extensive collection of posters, paper prints, film stills, and memorabilia-most of which have never been in print-SILENT MOVIES is an important work of history that will also be a sought-after gift book for all lovers of film. Hardcover, $45.00
greatest work in a single volume for the first time. The photographs are arranged chronologically into five major periods in order to convey Adams’ development as an artist-from his first photographs made in Yosemite and the High Sierra in 1916 to his work in the National Parks in the 1940s up to his last important photographs from the 1960s. An introduction and brief essays on selected images provide information about Adams’ life, document the evolution of his technique, and give voice to his artistic vision. Hardcover, $40. Cool Yule Stocking Stuffers: Stop by soon and check out our wild windups, folk art, Mexican imports, African beadwork & sculpture, noir, cult and strange DVDs, classic blues, jazz, experimental & holiday music, magical spectacles, “Infinity Light Tunnel Bling” and more… The Book Beat is an independent locally owned full service bookstore serving the Metro Detroit area since 1982. Free Gift Wrapping and shipping available. Call us at 248-968-1190 to reserve items or place a special order. Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park. Thank you for your support. Happy Holidays! If you wish to unsubscribe from the Book Beat Newsletter, please send an email to info@thebookbeat.com. Write “unsubscribe” in the subject section and we will delete your name. For more information on events and upcoming news, visit us online at:http://thebookbeat.com |
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