March, 2024
Reprinted by permission of the University of Arizona Press
The town of Patagonia has around 900 citizens and it’s turnout for our author talk was about as good as it gets. Full house at the Patagonia Public Library for A. T. Cole reading “Restoring the Pitchfork Ranch” on Saturday. Thank you for making the final book tour stop in Arizona one of the best!
Today the 11,300 acres that make up the Pitchfork Ranch provide an important setting for carbon sequestration, wildlife habitats, and space for the reintroduction of endangered or threatened species.
May, 2023
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times
Every so often, a group of middle schoolers and their teachers will come visit the library before our opening hours to have a full hour of undivided attention and assistance from the library staff.
As hectic as these mornings can be, I love having the chance to get to know the kids, understand what they’re looking for, and showing them that the library is here to help however we can.
During their visit in March, the kids pointed out something lacking at our library – books in Spanish! At least a third of them came into the library looking for Spanish books and found a meager handful. Desperate to fulfil their reading needs before their next visit, the library has added around two dozen Spanish chapter and YA books.
I highly encourage everyone, regardless of their fluency level, to try one of these books! Not only are YA/chapter books fun to read, reading in multiple languages is a great workout for your brain. Whether you are a fully fluent, native speaker looking to enjoy a good story, a beginner looking for something simpler to read, or someone just honing their Spanish skills, this new collection of books will have something for you.
February, 2023
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times
Graphic novels, manga, comic books, and the like continue to be an incredibly misunderstood genre. One of the complaints I hear most often from parents is that their kids keep reading comic books instead of “real books.”
Well, I have great news for all frustrated parents out there: comic books are great for your children’s reading comprehension! A 2014 study published in The International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education found that in addition to student enjoyment, “the use of graphic novels also improved student comprehension and deeper understanding of reading material.”
Comic books can also introduce complex issues. “Squire” by Nadia Shammas, for example, covers topics such as racism and discrimination in a story that is easy for kids to understand and learn from.
For those who are not familiar with graphic novels, let me tell you, they are really fun to read! The use of illustrations and other art forms can create a beautifully immersive reading experience for all ages, not just for children. “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy, is a graphic novel that explores anxiety and societal expectations that many adults feel. “Maus: My Father Bleeds History” by Art Spiegelman, tells the story of one man’s experiences in a Holocaust concentration camp, and how his trauma ended up affecting his children as well.
Give graphic novels a chance… and let your kids read them too!
January, 2023
Reprinted by permission of the Patagonia Regional Times
As the year comes to an end and the winter approaches, everyone has just one thing on their mind: good food. No? Just me? For anyone who shares the same love of food, the Patagonia Library has great book options for you.
