Tasting the Sky
by Ibtisam Barakat
2007
Tasting the Sky is a memoir of a Palestinian childhood. It is divided into three sections. In the first section, the author recounts an incident that occurred when was a teenager taking the bus from her home outside of Ramallah into the city to access her post office box where she receives letters from pen pals all over the world. The bus is stopped by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint and everyone has to exit the bus and enter a holding center. Eventually she is allowed to reboard the bus, but no one is allowed to go to Ramallah that day. Terrified, because one of the soldiers told her that "Ramallah no longer exists," and because she witnesses the unprovoked hitting of a teenage boy, Ibtisam begins to reflect on her earlier years, which leads to the second part of the book.
As a three-year-old child, Ibtisam almost gets left behind as her parents flee their home during the Six-Day War. This begins a four-month odyssey in which Ibtisam and her family wander from one refuge to another in Jordan. Their first refuge is a farmhouse they share with several other fleeing families. Then they live in an apartment with another family, then a school that is a refugee center, and then an apartment near a marketplace. Eventually they are allowed to return to their home near Ramallah, but find that the land all around them is a training ground for soldiers.
They move to a place closer to town, and this leads to the third part of this book, which is a plea for peace and understanding among all peoples, for the sake of the children, if nothing else.
This is a moving and affecting memoir that raised my consciousness about the situation of the Palestinians and really destroyed some stereotypical ideas I had about them. This a "pro-peace" book that would be a good start to any discussion on the Middle East situation.
Find this book at the Martinsburg Public Library with the call number J 956.95 B224.
Marian
Librarian
Martinsburg Public Library
Are you interested in creating a source of retirement income that you can't outlive?
Learn how by attending a FREE educational workshop called Retirement You Can't Outlive at the Martinsburg Public Library on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 pm or 7:00 pm.
The workshop is based on the Amazon #1 bestselling book by Dennis M. Postema. You will learn how you can participate in competitive stock market gains with absolutely no downside risks and how to receive a guaranteed income for life.
Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Retirement You Can't Outlive by Dennis M. Postema ($15 value). To ensure enough resources and the availability of seats, pre-registration is requested. RSVP by calling the library at 304-267-8933 or emailing pam.coyle@martin.lib.wv.us.
James L. Mahaffey II, an independent financial advisor specializing in life insurance and annuities will present the workshop. His passion is helping middle income individuals and families spend, save, invest, insure, and plan wisely for their futures.
James lives in Martinsburg with his wife and three children, and is licensed to advise clients in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia.
All month long at North Berkeley Library, we will GEEK teddy bears! Come see Brenda Lease's collection of teddy bears on display for the month of May!
Don't forget about Tuesday Nights from 6-7 pm!
May 6 | Lego Freeplay
May 13 | Game Night
May 20 | Friends of NBL Meeting
May 27 | Lego Club
Also check out our Thursday morning Preschool Story Times and Crafts at 10:00 am (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). This month's theme will be bugs! On May 1st, we will put caterpillars into a habitat. We will release butterflies (hopefully), 2-4 weeks later! Come by and check on them!
On May 15, the Falling Waters Battlefield Association will meet. There will be a lecture beginning at 6:30 pm on local civil war history. This lecture is open to the public.
And on May 10, North Berkeley Library will go com-postal! Pete Kinyon will share his passion for composting with us. He will give us hints and how-tos. Composting can be a great way to reduce the waste you send to the landfill while providing nutrients for your soil. If done correctly, there is no offensive smell or mess. If you are interested and want to see if composting is for you, come out and ask questions! WE GEEK COMPOST!
Harold the Library Bear contacted Peter at Naylor Memorial Library recently to tell him that he has decided to leave the library and take up the mantle of Bat-Bear, defender of justice and protector of libraries. When Peter interviewed him, Harold explained this sudden change.
"The library is having a big comic book party on May 3, 2014, and when I heard about it I started reading all sorts of comic books. They're awesome!" he said. "Then I found a bunch of books that explain how things like Batman's Batmobile and Batarang could really work! They're in a whole series called Batman Science, and it teaches about the real science behind the gadgets. It's really cool!"
"But why become a superhero?" asked Peter.
"Well, these books tell you all about how Batman's stuff works, so all you need is a suit and you're good to go to become a superhero yourself! That's why I got this fancy suit!" Harold explained. "Plus, the library doesn't have a superhero protecting it from supervillains!"
When Peter pointed out that the library doesn't really have many supervillains, Harold confidently said, "I'm sure they're out there, and I just want to let them know right now that they won't get away with it anymore! They are a bunch of these Batman Science books, so I'm learning a lot!"
Harold was unclear about what "they" are getting away with exactly, but that hasn't dampened his enthusiasm.
"I only wish I could have worn my suit when I met the kindergarteners on April 25, but it's okay because then they could have found out my secret identity!" Harold said. "But wait a second, don't you put these interviews on the Internet? And everyone reads them?"
Peter confirmed that they do get posted on the Internet and that many, many people read them.
"Oh no! Now everyone knows my true identity! I can't be Bat-Bear anymore!" Harold wailed.
After taking a deep breath, Harold continued," Well, I guess it's okay. Being a superhero is hard! I tried to fly down from the library roof yesterday and it didn't work well at all! It's a good thing I'm made of stuffing! I guess I can leave the crime-fighting to the professionals."
Peter reminded Harold that he is still loved as the Library Bear.
Harold shrugged. "That's true. And I can still enjoy these Batman Science books. They're great. I think I'm going to go read them again soon!"
Harold the Library Bear is a bear (and no longer a superhero) so he doesn't have a phone, but you can send him a message by calling the staff of Naylor Memorial Library at 304-754-3949 or emailing them at hedgesville.mbcpl@martin.lib.wv.us.
Stop by the Martinsburg Public Library on Saturday, May 3, 2014 starting at 10:00 am to take part in MPL's first ever Pop Culture Convention!
What is a Pop Culture Convention, you ask? It's a celebration of all things sci-fi and fantasy, tech and geek, art and gaming!
At the convention, enjoy comic book-writing and drawing seminars, a costume contest (wear your best comic costume to the library), a costume makeup workshop, and a screening of Star Wars. There will also be gaming (Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, PS3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 4), crafts, and food!
And enjoy a visit from the 501st, a legion of Darth Vader's star troopers who describe themselves as "an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events, as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work" (www.501st.com).
You will have the opportunity to take part in workshops pertaining to comic book illustration, makeup creation, hair design, character painting, and more!
Local teen artists will be displaying their work for the public! The library is still accepting artists who want to display, so if you want to show off your work, give us a call at 304-267-8933.
The library is also partnering with local businesses who will be offering their games, collectibles, and more for purchase on the plaza.
Want to be a part of this event? The library is still taking applications for artists, vendors, and volunteers! Give us a call at 304-267-8933.
In the month of May, stop by for story times at Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 am.
You can also enjoy Saturday afternoon story times at 1:30 pm every Saturday. Below is a list of themes for story times in May.
May 3 | Luau
May 10 | Happy Mommy Day
May 17 | The Great Outdoors
May 24| The Circus
May 31 | Picnic Time
The Middle Reader Book Discussion Group will meet on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 4:00 pm to discuss The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. Attend to create MadLibs and flip books!
Also, the Musselman-South Berkeley Community Library will open at 12:00 pm on Friday, May 2, 2014.
Are you wondering how you can get a Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries library card? Just follow these three easy steps...
1. STOP BY ANY OF OUR FOUR LIBRARIES
2. BRING A VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION
If the address on your photo identification is incorrect, or if you live outside of West Virginia, please bring proof of your address as well. This can be a bill, rental agreement, etc. Anything with your name and your current address will suffice.
3. FILL OUT THE SHORT APPLICATION
And voila, you will have your very own library card!
The great thing about MBCPL library cards is that they work in not only Berkeley County, but Morgan and Jefferson Counties as well. With your library card, you can check out books, DVDs, audio books, magazines, video games, and more! You can also reserve library materials from other libraries in the tri-county system and have them delivered to the library of your choice. You will also be able to renew library materials online with your personal online library account. Your library card allows you access to high quality databases and online resources as well.
It's easy, convenient, and completely FREE!
Stop by an MBCPL library near you to learn more!
Stop by the Martinsburg Public Library on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm as the library takes part in Main Street Martinsburg's annual Chocolate Fest & Book Faire.
Enjoy delicious chocolate treats from the Women's Club Bake Sale. The Women's Club is generously donating half of all proceeds to the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Libraries.
Also take a look at the Ford Mustangs that will be parked on our plaza in honor of the Ford Mustang's fiftieth anniversary.
Don't forget to take a walk through all three floors of the library to experience Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Stop and enjoy two showings of the classic movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starting Gene Wilder at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the young adult section. And visit the Children's Department for a variety of fun activities and treats!
In anticipation of this festive occasion, the library will be closing at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 25, 2014. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.
To learn more about Main Street Martinsburg and their annual Chocolate Fest & Book Faire, click here.
Although Main Street Martinsburg charges $5 for their events, all library events are free and open to the public.
Harold the Library Bear was recently found in a garden celebrating the arrival of spring with the other animals. He was sharing a story about his youth with a hummingbird and a butterfly.
"I love being the Library Bear," he told them. "I have my own chair, lots of great books to read, and the staff at Naylor Memorial Library even lets me stay there overnight in the winter!"
"But let me tell you a story," Harold continued. "Before I was the Library Bear, I used to live in the woods, and I would sleep for the entire winter! And let me tell you, after a five month nap it can be hard to wake up. Sometimes my mom couldn't wake me up until April when I was supposed to be awake by March! It made me late for everything!
"But one day while we were at the library, my mom found a book called Spring is Here by Will Hillenbrand. She knew I'd like it because it had a picture of a bear on the cover, and I like stories about bears. Who doesn't?" Harold asked, looking toward the hummingbird.
"And she was right. The story is great!" he exclaimed. "It's a story about Bear and his friend Mole, and how Mole tries lots of different ways to tell Bear that spring has arrived. But Bear stays asleep! I really liked the big, colorful pictures of Bear, and there weren't a lot of words on every page, so even kids that are just learning to read will enjoy this book.
"The best part, though, was that by the end of the story, my mom learned the secret way to make sure I woke up on time every spring! She just did what Mole did to wake up Bear. It really works too. She used it every spring before I moved to the library."
Hummingbird asked about the secret, and Harold smiled, leaned in, and whispered, "You'll just have to read the book. And so should everyone else!"
Harold the Library Bear is a bear, so he doesn't have a phone, but you can send him a message by calling the staff of Naylor Memorial Library at 304-754-3949 or emailing them at hedgesville.mbcpl@martin.lib.wv.us.
Join us on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 7:00 pm for a Blackout Poetry program.
Blackout poetry is made by drawing through words in a text with a marker, leaving behind only a few choice words which make a poem.
This poetry technique was made popular by writer/artist Austin Kleon. To learn more about him visit austinkleon.com.
Supplies will be provided for this program, which is most suitable for people age 13 and above.
Come out and learn how to turn an ordinary book page into a poem.
To celebrate National Library Week, which occurs April 13-19 in 2014, stop by any of our four MBCPL libraries to get a new library card for FREE! Usual replacement costs will be waived during this week, but you must have your old library card to exchange for a new one.
Also, Martinsburg Public Library will be hosting a special GEEK THE LIBRARY program on Saturday, April 19, 2014 to wrap up National Library Week. Stop by the main floor of the library between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to have your picture taken with whatever it is that you geek. For example, if you love knitting, feel free to bring your knitting needles and some yarn. This is an opportunity to share with your community what interests you, or in other words, what you geek! All portraits will be put on display in the library at a later date.
To learn more about GEEK THE LIBRARY, a library awareness campaign, click here.
John Antonik, sports author and Director of New Media at WVU, will be visiting the Martinsburg Public Library on Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm to talk about his experience with WVU sports.
Antonik coordinates websites as the Director of New Media for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He oversees the department's social media program, serves on the schools all-time team committee for men's basketball and football, and is also a contributor on the sports show Mountaineer Tailgate.
Antonik is also the author of The Backyard Brawl, West Virginia University Football Vault, and Roll Out the Carpet.
A native of Martinsville, WV, Antonik received a bachelor's degree in journalism from WVU in 1990 and a master's degree in sports management from WVU in 1992. He received The Lifetime Achievement Award from Magnolia High School in August 2008, and in 2010 he was the recipient of the Paul B. "Buck" Martin Award, presented by the WVU Alumni Association to an individual who has helped to preserve and maintain West Virginia University traditions.
Get ready for exciting story times at Naylor Memorial Library on Thursdays in April at 10:30 am.
April 10 | Easter
April 17 | Spring
April 24 | Birds
Also, stop by Naylor Memorial Library on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 7:00 pm for Teen Craft Night. Participants will be making gazing balls. All supplies included. All teens are welcome!
It's Spring! And after a long and bitter winter it is time to get out and explore again. If you have gotten out of the habit of coming to the library, it is time to renew your library enthusiasm.
One of the best ways to find out the most up-to-the-minute happenings is on our Facebook page. You can find us by "googling" the Martinsburg Library Children's Department. You can also check out our webpage at martinsburg.lib.wv.us. Or give us a call directly at 304-267-8933.
We have so much planned! We will be starting to plant seedlings for our Children's Garden at the Adam Stephen House.
Stop by on Saturday, April 26 to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Children will have the opportunity to win a Golden Ticket, make crafts, and enjoy fun treats! Flyers with more details are available in the Children's Department.
We are also planning for the best summer reading program EVER! It's called Wild and Wonderful Science. We'll be hatching eggs, building cool structures, performing science experiments, and so much more! Registration for this incredibly fun and educational program will begin on June 1, 2014. Information will be available at all of the previously mentioned sources. But feel free to stop by the Children's Department for more information as well.
We look forward to seeing you this spring and to exploring science with you and your children very soon!
As part of Money Smart Week (April 5-April 12), a program called Smart Travel will be presented at the Martinsburg Public Library on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at 7:00 pm by Keith Hammersla and Dale Parker.
Hammersla and Parker will elaborate on their own travel experiences over the last several years and will offer budget travel ideas and tips. The program will cover all aspects of how you can travel all over the world inexpensively. Topics covered will include planning a smart itinerary, how to pack your luggage, transportation, food, lodging, and attractions.
Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, and government agencies come together once a year during this week to stress the importance of financial literacy, to inform consumers about where they can get help, and to provide free educational seminars and activities.
Special Story Times
Join us on Saturdays at 1:30 pm for special story times.
April 5 | Jack & the Beanstalk
April 12 | Superheroes
April 19 | Bunnies
April 26 | Winnie the Pooh (with movie)
And don't forget to stop by Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 am for weekly story times. Children are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animals on April 9 and April 10.
NOTE: There will be no story time held on Wednesday, April 30.
Black Out Poetry
In honor of National Poetry Month, stop by Musselman on Saturday, April 5 at 3:30 pm for a special Black Out Poetry program. This program is open to patrons of all ages. Learn how to create poems from discarded books, magazines, and newspapers. Supplies will be available at the program and throughout the month of April.
Middle Readers Book Group
Join us on Thursday, April 10 at 4:00 pm to discuss the book Big Nate: In a Class by Himself. Enjoy a discussion and snacks and create your own comic strips!
Scrapbook Program
Come out on Sunday, April 13 from 2:00-3:30 pm to socialize and scrapbook. Bring pictures and any other materials you would like to use. The library will provide basic supplies (scissors, glue, scrapbook paper,and decorative materials). Completed scrapbooks will be available for ideas and tips.
Candle Light Romance Book Group
Join this NEW book group for romance-lovers at their first meeting on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 4:00 pm. They will be discussion Highlander Ever After by Jennifer Ashley. You can access the book online by clicking here.
Contact Tina Hess at tina.hess@martin.lib.wv.us or call Musselman at 304-229-2220 for more information!
Tuesday Nights at the Library
Stop by North Berkeley Library on Tuesday nights from 6:00-7:00 pm for lots of free, family fun...
April 1 | Lego Freeplay
April 8 | Easter Egg Activity
April 15 | Friends of NBL Meeting
April 22 | Lego Club
WE GEEK CIRCUSES
Come see Lynne and Don Cosner's vast display of all things CIRCUS! This collection will be on display throughout the month of April at NBL.
Preschool Story Times
Join us at 10:00 am on Thursdays, April 3, 10, 17, and 24 for Preschool Story Times which include finger plays, books, and a craft! When we meet on April 17, bring your teddy bear for story time and enjoy bear-themed games, songs, stories, and crafts.
April brings the fourth letter in the acrostic poem for library - R. The most obvious word associated with this letter is read, and for most people, reading is synonymous with libraries. Being able to read makes you ready for life. As you learn to read, improve your vocabulary, and learn to communicate well both orally and in writing, you are making yourself ready for a variety of opportunities.
Young children recite the alphabet, learn to read, and do well in school. Studies show that children are happier when they are read to and when they are exposed to adults who read. A child's reading level often determines whether they are ready to advance to the next grade or not. Teachers often tell children's libraries they they can pick out which students participated in the library summer reading program because of their reading skills.
Teenagers may use "creative" spellings in their texts, but being able to read well (and correctly) enables them to explore the universe. From blogs to Facebook, you must able to read to understand content and its context. You must also be able to read to write. Communication is very important and successful communication relies on how well you express yourself. Reading a wide variety of authors and subjects makes you ready to understand and discuss a variety of issues. Being able to read and communicate well also enables you to successfully complete driver's license exams, college applications, and other entrance exams which help lead you toward a successful future.
Applying for jobs beings in adolescence and continues throughout our lives. Many applications must be completed online and the instructions are sometimes complicated. Being able to read makes anyone at any age ready to complete applications. In the workplace, promotions often depend on your ability to read as well.
Middle-age brings the raising of children, and while experience and advice from seasoned parents can be helpful, reading about parenting issues can broaden your insights. I'm not sure anyone is ready to be a parent!
As you get ready for retirement, reading about insurances, retirement locations, investment strategies, and the psychological impact of retirement is extremely important. In the end, literally, everyone should read and prepare the necessary documents including a living will, power of attorney, and other documents to make your passing easier for your loved ones.
The ability to read makes you ready for life!
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