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Fiction books for English Language Learners

Adult English Language Learners who want to work on reading skills might find the following books helpful and interesting:

1984: a novel by George Orwell ; with an afterword by Erich Fromm

 





Brave new world by Aldous Huxley


The Stepford wives; a novel by Levin, Ira


True grit: a novel by Charles Portis


Tender is the night by F. Scott Fitzgerald


The old man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway


A walk to remember by Nicholas Sparks

Books that made us laugh

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud, try some of these suggestions:

Stuff white people like: the definitive guide to the unique taste of millions by Christian Lander

A walk in the woods: rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson

All I know about animal behavior I learned in Loehmann's dressing room by Erma Bombeck

Eat less cottage cheese and more ice cream: thoughts on life by from Erma Bombeck ; illustrations by Lynn Chang

America (the book): a citizen's guide to democracy inaction by written and edited by Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin, David Javerbaum ; writers, Rich Blomquist ... [et al.] ; additional material, Samantha Bee ... [et al.] ; with a foreword by Thomas Jefferson

10 Off-beat Films About Food

Check out one of these food-related films and earn a Chow Down badge:

1. Big night [videodisc] by Rysher Entertainment presents a Timpano production:
Determined to drum up business and foil his Little Italy rival, Secondo concocts a rumor that bandleader Louis Prima will dine at his restaurant that very night, sending chef Primo into a frenzy. Will it be the finest night of his career, or will it be a financial disaster? Will Louis Prima actually come to dine? With wonderful performances by Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub, it's worth viewing this film just to see the dinner's masterpiece timpano.

2. Toast [videodisc] by W2 Media Inc, BBC, and Screen WM present ; produced by Faye Ward ; written by Lee Hall ; directed by SJ Clarkson:
England's reputation for terrible food may be deserved if this film, based on food writer Nigel Slater's memoirs, can be believed. Nigel's mum may have served meals from boiled tin, but he and his dad adored her. When she dies and her place in his father's affections is threatened by their gastronomically adept cleaning lady, Nigel enters into an unofficial culinary contest with his late mother's rival.

Kids Read Comics

Do you love comics? Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, June 23rd the Ann Arbor District Library invites you to a totally free event: Kids Read Comics!  Learn, draw, meet cartoonists!  Can't make it to KRC?  Check out these great graphic works by some of KRC's featured artists:

Hercules: the twelve labors by story by Paul Storrie ; pencils by Steve Kurth ; inks by Barbara Schulz

Drama by Raina Telgemeier ; with color by Gurihiru ; [lettering by John Green]

Giants beware! by written by Jorge Aguirre ; art by Rafael Rosado ; story by Rafael Rosado & Jorge Aguirre ; colors by John Novak, Matthew Schenk

Phineas and Ferb: it's about time! by adapted by John Green

Zombie Fiction

Why do we love zombies?  They're smelly, they're slow (most of the time), and they bite.  But...zombie stories remind us of our humanity.  These stories aren't about the end of the world, they're about survival in the face of devastating tragedy.  

Feed by Mira Grant

The walking dead: rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga


Zombies vs. unicorns by Justine Larbalestier, Holly Black

Warm bodies: a novel by Isaac Marion


Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Calling all Pinterest Users

PinterestAre you a Pinterest user? Then check out our Connect Your Summer Pinterest boards. There's a board for every badge with ideas, materials suggestions and activities.
Follow all the library's Pinterest boards, or click for badge-specific boards. Check back often as we'll be adding content all summer long.

Animal Lover
Back in Time
Be Creative
Be Well
Chow Down
Curtains On
Game On
Green Thumb
Geek Out
Love It
My Mitten
Sleuth It

Detroit History

This Special Collection was created as Detroit prepared to celebrate its 300th birthday, a year-long event that was marked by a host of festivities and events. The history of the city is broad enough and rich enough, though, to warrant a continual presence and periodic updating as one of the library's special online resource collections. As we celebrate the city's 312th birthday, check the books, websites and other materials listed here to discover more about the Motor City and its colorful past.

History of Detroit

Celebrating 300 Years of Detroit Cooking, 1701 to 2001 edited by Marguerite J. Humes: A "historical cookbook" presenting information about Detroit's social setting and cooking history from 1701 to 2001. Includes original recipes handed down by Native Americans and immigrants alike, as well as some developed by native Detroiters.

Detroit, 1860-1899 by David Lee Poremba: Venture back in time to Detroit in the mid to late 19th century with this fascinating book.

Detroit: A Motor City History by David Lee Poremba: A concise and highly readable history by the acting manager of the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library.

Detroit: Across Three Centuries by Richard Bak: Bak introduces readers to some of the epic names and events from the city's past.

Michigan Art & Architecture

Alden B. Dow: midwestern modern by Diane Maddex

Art Deco in Detroit by Rebecca Binno Savage and Greg Kowalski

Art in Detroit public places by text by Dennis Nawrocki ; photographs by David Clements

Buildings of Michigan by Kathryn Bishop Eckert

Artists of early Michigan: a biographical dictionary of artists native to or active in Michigan, 1701-1900 by compiled by Arthur Hopkin Gibson ; research assistants, Beverly Bassett and Jean Spang

Marshall M. Fredericks, sculptor by edited by Suzanne P. Fredericks ; introductory essay by Edgar P. Richardson ; foreword by Sammuel Sachs II ; researched and compiled by Marcy Heller Fisher ; with contributions by Barbara Heller ... [et al.]

Michigan Critters

Enslaved by ducks by Bob Tarte


The amphibians and reptiles of Michigan: a Quaternary and Recent faunal adventure by J. Alan Holman


Birds of Detroit by Chris C. Fisher, Allen T. Chartier


Michigan turtles and lizards: a field guide and pocket reference by James H. Harding and J. Alan Holman ; photography and illustrations by James H. Harding, except where otherwise credited


Fish of Michign field guide by David Bosanko


The wolves of Isle Royale: a broken balance by Rolf O. Peterson


Fowl weather by Bob Tarte

Ethnic Michigan

Michigan has a rich history of ethnic diversity. Early European explorers were met by the most populous Native American tribes of the Ottawa, Potawatomi, and the Ojibwa (or Chippewa) people. Later, in the 17th century, the French voyageurs explored and settled in Michigan. These included Etienne Brule, Jacques Marquette, and Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of the city of Detroit. However, over time large populations of various European, Middle Eastern, and Asian ethnicities have emigrated to our state. Find out more about the people who have contributed to Michigan's growth and culture.

Arab Americans in Metro Detroit: a pictorial history by Anan Ameri ; Yvonne Lockwood

Arab Americans in Michigan by Rosina J. Hassoun

Chaldeans in Michigan by Mary C. Sengstock

Michigan Historical Fiction


Detroit breakdown by D.E. Johnson — Detroit, 1912.


The Detroit electric scheme by D. E. Johnson — Detroit, 1910.


The expeditions: a novel by Karl Iagnemma — Michigan Territory, 1844.


Grand River and Joy by Susan Messer — Detroit, 1967.


Looking for Przybylski by K.C. Frederick — Detroit, mid-1970s.


The mercy killers: a novel by Lisa Reardon — Ypsilanti, 1967.


Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides — Detroit, from Prohibition to the present.

Pure Michigan Travel

Michigan's motto declares: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." With that in mind,  take some time to explore the natural beauty and wonder of our great state with the resources listed below. For more ideas explore the Pure Michigan website.

Of woods and water: a photographic journey across Michigan by Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan ; foreword by Dave Dempsey


The paddler's guide to Michigan by Jeff Counts


Hiking Michigan by Roger E. Storm, Susan M. Wedzel


Belle Isle to 8 Mile: an insider's guide to Detroit by edited by Andy Linn, Emily Linn and Rob Linn


Twelve classic trout streams in Michigan: a handbook for fly anglers by Gerth E. Hendrickson ; fully revised by Jim DuFresne

Michigan in Song

music notes: music notesCheck out some of these tunes that mention Michigan or its cities:

Michigan Authors

Michigan: MichiganMichigan is home to many noted authors. Whether native born or longtime residents, writing fiction, nonfiction or poetry, the following authors have produced a remarkable body of work.