From Publishers Weekly... What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel ... set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. (February 2009)
We've had some water leaks due to the heavy rains last night. Fortunately, no books or computers were damaged! The library is open and fully operational...just mind the mess!
"Everyone has the right to build and cherish a private library." With this in mind, Gabriel Levinson of Chicago created the Book Bike: a custom-built tricycle stocked with 200 lbs of free books. Since July of 2008, the Book Bike has been responsible for placing over 3,000 new and used books into peoples’ hands. Weather-permitting, you’ll find the Book Bike at Chicago public parks on the weekends; anyone who wants a book is invited to take something home to read.
