South End Scoop: Books & More From KCLS — April 2024
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 the arrival of spring with these birding stories and activities!
LIBRARIAN PICKS
Kids (Ages 3 to 7)
Bird Boy by Matthew Burgess
Author Matthew Burgess hatches a sweet and gentle story about a young boy named Nico who stands out for his love of birds and all things wild. Seen as an outsider to his classmates, he's given the nickname Bird Boy. At first, the name hurts Nico's feelings, but he soon finds himself embracing the alias and proudly stands firm in his love for the natural world. Eventually, Nico makes friends and discovers all sorts of natural wonders along the way.
Teens (Ages 14 to 17)
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Cullen Witter is a 17-year-old aspiring writer who is stuck in the small town of Lily, Arkansas. While still reeling from the tragic death of his cousin, the town goes into a media frenzy over the sighting of a supposedly extinct woodpecker. Readers follow Cullen through a thrilling summer of highs and lows until he arrives at a place where grief meets hope in this beautiful coming-of-age story.
Adults (Ages 18 and older)
Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper
Christian Cooper, a Black man who took a video of a racist encounter in Central Park that went viral in May 2020, shares the resiliency and joy he's found from a life of birding. A self-proclaimed "Blerd" (Black nerd), Cooper also wrote the first gay storyline for Marvel Comics. The book includes a mix of personal stories, travel adventures, and basic education on birding.
All-Ages Activity
Inspired by the nature books you're reading? Excited about the weather getting warmer? Then grab KCLS' Check Out Washington kit and get outside! Each kit contains a pair of binoculars, a backpack, a set of field guides, and a Discover Pass, which allows free entry to all Washington State Parks.
Curious about other ways to get to know birds in your area? Download the Merlin Bird ID app for free! Run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin helps you identify birds you see or hear outside. Available on both iPhone and Android.
Recommendations courtesy of KCLS Librarian Julie from the Burien Library.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
Closes Tuesday, April 30Enter your poem in our online poetry contest for a chance to have it published on our website! Open to all ages. Winners will be announced on May 15.
Tuesday, April 30, 6—7:30 p.m.
Federal Way 320th
Help us understand the perspectives and lived experiences of immigrants, refugees, English Language Learner (ELL) individuals, and multilingual communities. Share your ideas and vision of how KCLS can help build stronger communities that better serve you.
Tuesday, April 30, 6—7 p.m.
Newcastle Library
Join hiking guidebook author Craig Romano and get tips for exploring the beautiful Columbia River Gorge on foot with his new book Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, 2nd Edition. Watch a slideshow and get inspired to explore the many scenic paths and waterfalls of this iconic destination!
Tuesday, April 30, 6:30—7:30 p.m.
Online
What if we developed technologies that support various ways of communicating? Would it enhance personal connections? Can art help form inclusive communities where diverse people and languages unite? Join artful activist and writer David James "DJ" Savarese as he encourages us to break free from a speech-based culture.
Thursday, May 2, 5—6 p.m.
Online
Whether you're a student looking for new tips or a parent wanting to support a student, join Nancy Colburn to hear great strategies that could take your study habits to the next level.
Saturday, May 4, 3—4:30 p.m.
Burien Library
Join us to learn about jobs, internships, apprenticeships, community resources, and much more!
Sunday, May 5, 2—3 p.m.
Woodmont Library
The Money Monsters are a group of creatures new to this universe. That means they need to learn about many important things, like school, friendship, and money! Using educational materials provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, learn along with the Money Monsters in this workshop series that runs through May. Designed for kids and tweens, come explore the financial world and work on your money skills with a different financial concept in each class.
Tuesday, May 7, 5:30—8 p.m.
Renton Library
The Main Street Pitch Competition is a business pitch competition to help entrepreneurs grow so our local Renton downtown community can thrive. The competition includes five workshops leading up to a live pitch competition. By attending these workshops, you will gain the necessary skills to take those first critical steps in starting a successful business or expanding an existing one. New this year: Not ready to join the competition, but still want to attend the workshops? You can attend the workshops, but not enter the competition.
Friday, May 10, 3—8 p.m.
Renton Community Center
Join us for the inaugural Read with Pride and Joy Book Fair, a 2SLGBTQIA+-centered event for teens and adults! We'll celebrate community in a safe space for everyone to explore and connect. There will be author signings, books for sale by Charlie's Queer Books, book giveaways, the KCLS Library2Go van, swag, and author talks! Held at the Renton Community Center (next door to Carco Theatre in Renton).
NEED A LIBRARY CARD?
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.
Before you move on to the next story …
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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!
