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.
Fall is nearly here, signaling students’ return to school and upcoming elections! KCLS offers free resources, like homework help, tutoring, and career services, to help students of all ages gear up for success. Find nonpartisan resources, ballot box locations, and voter events at the KCLS elections webpage.
And join us for Welcoming Week to support immigrants and refugees across King County. Enjoy world music, dance, author events, book giveaways, and more from Sept. 13 to 22.
Read on for great titles and activities to help you celebrate Welcoming Week!
Uno Más, One More by Silvia López; illustrated by Olivia Sua
Inspired by the 1966 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner Always Room for One More, this new picture book celebrates hospitality. Both the original folktale and this retelling are about a family that never turns guests away, even when the house is full to the brim. Children can chime in with the refrain, “¿Uno más? One more? Pues, ¡claro! Of course!” The book is illustrated by local artist Olivia Sua, who you can meet at several upcoming library events!
The Door Is Open by 11 Desi Voices; edited by Hena Khan
Each of the 11 stories in this book was written by a different author, but the storylines are all connected. The main characters are South Asian American kids who go to the same community center in their New Jersey town. The community center hosts parties, chess tournaments, spelling bees, sports, and other events that bring diverse groups of people together. When there’s a chance it will be shut down, will the kids rally to save it?
Just Another Story by Ernesto Saade
We hear a lot of generalities about people crossing the southern border into the U.S. But this story is very specific. It follows Carlos and his mother, Elena, who are based on real people (author Ernesto Saade’s cousin and aunt). Why did they leave El Salvador? What dangers did they face on their journey? Was it worth it? The story is harrowing, violent, and heartbreaking at times, but it’s also about the importance of family and the hope for a better life. This moving pick is also available on hoopla and in Spanish as an eBook.
Past Lives directed by Celine Song
This Oscar-nominated movie is about a South Korean woman who moved to Canada with her family when she was 12. As an adult, she reconnects with her childhood sweetheart who still lives in Seoul. What do they mean to each other after so many years apart? This is a quiet, moody, and romantic story that explores how immigration and geography affect our sense of self. Available on Kanopy, hoopla, and DVD.
Recommendations courtesy of KCLS Children’s Librarian Destinee. She works at the White Center Library and enjoys helping readers of all ages find books and information to meet their needs. You can find her at story time and online at KCLS.org/Author/Destinee.
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.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2–4 p.m.
Renton Highlands Library
Learn about “casitas típicas,” traditional decorative houses from Colombia, and how they bring charm to homes. Join Olivia Sua, Illustrator of Uno Más, One More, to trace, assemble, and decorate your own casitas at this fun-filled event.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Online
Join KCLS for a special author talk with NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Ali Vitali. She will discuss her 2022 book Electable: Why America Hasn’t Put a Woman In the White House…Yet. The road to election day is long, but can a woman finally break the glass ceiling and win the White House?
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Online
Hear from Josh Tuininga, an author, artist, and designer living in North Bend. Presented both online and at the North Bend Library, he will discuss his new graphic novel, We Are Not Strangers, at this engaging event.
Saturday, Sept. 28, 2–3 p.m.
Tukwila Library
Meet local Tukwila resident, Sharon Hashimoto, winner of the 2022 Washington State Book Awards for Poetry. She will share excerpts from her new collection of short stories, Stealing Home, to explore the intergenerational impact of war and internment on Japanese American families.
Monday, Oct. 7, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Online
In honor of National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, join a discussion with Marcela Fuentes, Pushcart Prize-winning fiction writer and essayist. Her debut novel, Malas, received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist.
Wednesday, October 9, 6–7 p.m.
Online
Join an interactive conversation with Seattle PFLAG representatives. Learn about resources and local support networks available for those with LGBTQIA+ people in their lives. Whether you have a trans friend, a queer sibling, or a gay co-worker, this is a safe space to learn, share, and grow together.
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.