The King County Library System (KCLS) and the South Seattle Emerald are teaming up to bring you the "South End Scoop." Dig into this community-centered column each month for great book, music, movie, and event recommendations from your local librarians.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with KCLS! 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and hundreds of dragons happen to live at your local library. Discover a few of them in the following stories and a classic film. Black History Month is also well underway! Find the perfect book to commemorate it on our Black History Month book list.
Long Goes to Dragon School by Helen H. Wu
The first task at Dragon School is learning how to handle your fire. But Long is not a fire-breathing dragon. As classmates master their cooking skills, Long learns to appreciate his own special gifts. The wonderful watercolors in Helen H. Wu's touching story reveal how cultural differences enrich communities. And get in line for your next great read with Julie Leung's new Caldecott-honored The Truth About Dragons, which has several holds right now, but is worth the wait!
Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer
Eoin Colfer (author of the blockbuster series Artemis Fowl) spins a tale about an unlikely alliance between a bookish prince, a lethargic dragon, and a mysterious maiden. In Three Tasks for a Dragon, Prince Lir is sent on a perilous quest to heal a dragon on an isolated island. A friendship develops between the three characters there, and the companions must work together to battle Lir's sinister stepbrother Delbayne. The watercolor illustrations by award-winning artist P.J. Lynch complement this classic fairy tale.
Burn by Patrick Ness
Author Patrick Ness writes dragons into an alternate universe set in 1950s Washington State. In this sci-fi/historical fiction mashup, dragons provide cheap farm labor for poor farmers. Readers discover a fantastical yet familiar world with a diverse collection of characters and shortcomings that mirror our actual history. Burn is an action-packed read full of twists and turns for one wild ride.
The Way of the Dragon, directed by Bruce Lee
Any Pacific Northwest collection of dragon titles would not be complete without Bruce Lee's The Way of the Dragon. This film has it all. Bruce Lee as the director and star. Chuck Norris as the nemesis in his first motion picture appearance. And nunchakus! Check it out today!
Recommendations courtesy of KCLS Librarian Thomas Swaner. Thomas has worked at the Burien Library for 20 years. Outside the library, he spends his time hiking and traveling the world to share in his children's adventures.
KCLS offers a variety of in-person and online events and activities for all ages! All events are free. Find one that interests you at KCLS.org/Events.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation
United Way
Multiple Dates and Locations
Get free tax help at KCLS throughout April from trained AARP and IRS-certified volunteers.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Online
Find conversation and community in a lively LGBTQ+ book chat on the second Tuesday of each month. This month's theme is "Black and Queer." Get reading suggestions on the group's general recommendations list online.
Thursday, Feb. 15, 1—3:30 p.m.
Federal Way Library
We are living in stressful times. Find assistance and support at the Federal Way Community Resource Center. Social service representatives are available on the first and third Thursday of the month to help connect you to the resources you need.
Thursday, Feb. 15, 3:30—5 p.m.
Federal Way Library
Express yourself by making your own zine! What's a zine (pronounced "zeen")? It's a do-it-yourself (DIY) magazine, pamphlet, comic, or book on any topic. The library will provide supplies and inspiration. Consider submitting your zine for the 9th Annual Washington State Zine Contest!
Friday, Feb. 16, 2:30—4 p.m.
Boulevard Park Library
Join us to learn about electrical circuits. Create playdough sculptures that light up, spin, and buzz at this fun and educational workshop.
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6:30—7:45 p.m.
Online
In old movies and TV programs, all the cowboys seemed to be white. In reality, about 1 in 4 were Men of Color. This presentation reviews the growth of horse and cattle handlers in Mexico and the U.S.
Saturday, Feb. 24, 1—2 p.m.
Online
Hear from Thulani Davis, librettist of X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, as she discusses her recent book The Emancipation Circuit. Honored with the 2023 Museum of African American History Stone Book Award, this book reveals how the political organizations and networks that slavery survivors formed during Reconstruction laid the foundation for the first mass Black political movement for equal citizenship in the U.S. Joining her in conversation from Tagney Jones Hall: The Opera Center will be Bianca Dang, assistant professor of history at the University of Washington.
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1—2 p.m.
Online
Meet Darrin Bell, winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning and author of The Talk. In this powerful graphic memoir, Bell shares personal experiences that vividly illustrate some of the ways racism has impacted his life.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6—7 p.m.
Online
Running Start is for all high school juniors and seniors that are enrolled in a public high school in Washington State. Pick Running Start to be challenged academically, earn both high school and college credits, have more choice and variety in your classes, explore career and college pathways, and more!
Sunday, March 3, 12—1 p.m.
Bellevue Library
Sharpen your skills for reducing consumption and making environmentally friendly choices while shopping. Presented by the City of Bellevue Greener Living Group.
Thursday, March 7, 7—8:30 p.m.
Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center
Join us for an inspiring evening with Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of civil rights icon Malcolm X, also known as Malik el-Shabazz. Reflect on the legacy of one of the most influential figures in history through the lens of his daughter's unique perspective. Hear her bring Malcolm X's narrative to life, as she weaves personal insights into his biography, underscoring the enduring power of his message. This is a rare opportunity to connect with history and be inspired to continue his work to resist oppression, challenge injustice, and fight for social and political equality. Held in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) and the Seattle Opera, and funded in part by the King County Library System Foundation.
Residents in the KCLS service area (in King County, outside the City of Seattle) can sign up instantly for a physical card to access our full collection, or a digital eCard to access our digital collection. Visit KCLS.org/Library-Cards to get started. Contact Ask KCLS at KCLS.org/Ask if you need assistance with your account, or call 425-462-9600 or 800-462-9600.
📸 Featured Image: South Seattle Emerald and the King County Library System (KCLS) are teaming up to give you book, media, and event recommendations each month via the South End Scoop.
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Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!