Your Sun, Manny


Book Description

Innovative poetry that combines lyricism, narrative, and biography




My Empire of Dirt


Book Description

For seven months, Manny Howard—a lifelong urbanite—woke up every morning and ventured into his eight-hundred-square-foot backyard to maintain the first farm in Flatbush, Brooklyn, in generations. His goal was simple: to subsist on what he could produce on this farm, and only this farm, for at least a month. The project came at a time in Manny’s life when he most needed it—even if his family, and especially his wife, seemingly did not. But a farmer’s life, he discovered—after a string of catastrophes, including a tornado, countless animal deaths (natural, accidental, and inflicted), and even a severed finger—is not an easy one. And it can be just as hard on those he shares it with. Manny’s James Beard Foundation Award–winning New York magazine cover story—the impetus for this project—began as an assessment of the locavore movement. We now think more about what we eat than ever before, buying organic for our health and local for the environment, often making those decisions into political statements in the process. My Empire of Dirt is a ground-level examination—trenchant, touching, and outrageous—of the cultural reflex to control one of the most elemental aspects of our lives: feeding ourselves. Unlike most foodies with a farm fetish, Manny didn’t put on overalls with much of a philosophy in mind, save a healthy dose of skepticism about some of the more doctrinaire tendencies of locavores. He did not set out to grow all of his own food because he thought it was the right thing to do or because he thought the rest of us should do the same. Rather, he did it because he was just crazy enough to want to find out how hard it would actually be to take on a challenge based on a radical interpretation of a trendy (if well-meaning) idea and see if he could rise to the occasion. A chronicle of the experiment that took slow-food to the extreme, My Empire of Dirt tells the story of one man’s struggle against environmental, familial, and agricultural chaos, and in the process asks us to consider what it really takes (and what it really means) to produce our own food. It’s one thing to know the farmer, it turns out—it’s another thing entirely to be the farmer. For most of us, farming is about food. For the farmer, and his family, it’s about work.




The Girl Who Heard Colors


Book Description

This eye-opening picture book introduces readers to their five senses and to synesthesia—a condition in which one sense triggers another. For some people, sounds or tastes have colors. And for others, numbers and letters do. Many famous artists have been synesthetes, including Tori Amos, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Mozart, and Degas. Imagine that when you hear a bell you see silver or when a dog barks you see red. That’s what it’s like for Jillian—when she hears sounds she sees colors. At first the kids at school make fun of Jillian. Jillian worries about being different until her music teacher shows her that having synesthesia is an amazing thing. This lively, informative picture book makes synesthesia easy to understand and celebrates each person’s unique way of experiencing the world.




Race to the Sun


Book Description

Lately, seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has been able to detect monsters, like that man in the fancy suit who was in the bleachers at her basketball game. Turns out he's Mr. Charles, her dad's new boss at the oil and gas company, and he's alarmingly interested in Nizhoni and her brother, Mac, their Navajo heritage, and the legend of the Hero Twins. Nizhoni knows he's a threat, but her father won't believe her. When Dad disappears the next day, leaving behind a message that says "Run!", the siblings and Nizhoni's best friend, Davery, are thrust into a rescue mission that can only be accomplished with the help of Diné Holy People, all disguised as quirky characters. Their aid will come at a price: the kids must pass a series of trials in which it seems like nature itself is out to kill them. If Nizhoni, Mac, and Davery can reach the House of the Sun, they will be outfitted with what they need to defeat the ancient monsters Mr. Charles has unleashed. But it will take more than weapons for Nizhoni to become the hero she was destined to be . . . Timeless themes such as the importance of family and respect for the land resonate in this funny, fast-paced, and exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest.




Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote


Book Description

Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote is an allegorical picture book about the hardships and struggles of immigration from award-winning children’s book author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. A Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Honor Book! An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! Papa Rabbit left two years ago to travel far away north to find work in the great carrot and lettuce fields to earn money for his family. When Papa does not return home on the designated day, Pancho sets out to find him. He packs Papa’s favorite meal—mole, rice and beans, a heap of still-warm tortillas, and a jug full of fresh aguamiel—and heads north. Along the way, Pancho crosses a river, climbs a fence, and passes through a tunnel guarded by uniformed, bribe-taking snakes. He soon meets a coyote, who offers to help Pancho in exchange for some of Papa’s favorite foods. They travel together until the food is gone and the coyote decides he is still hungry . . . for Pancho! Tonatiuh enlivens Pancho’s story with the spirit of regional folklore, and he adds cultural atmosphere in arresting, flat folk art filled with cultural references. Of course, “coyote” has two meanings here. With tenderness and honesty, he brings to light the trials and tribulations facing families who seek to make better lives for themselves and their children by illegally crossing borders. “Incandescent, humane and terribly necessary.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “Pancho Rabbit’s trip has the feel of a classic fable or fairy tale.” ―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)




In the Sun's House


Book Description

In the year he spent teaching at Borrego Pass, a remote Navajo community in northwest New Mexico, Kurt Caswell found himself shunned as persona non grata. His cultural missteps, status as an interloper, and white skin earned him no respect in the classroom or the community—those on the reservation assumed he would come and go like so many teachers had before. But as Caswell attempts to bridge the gap between himself and those who surround him, he finds his calling as a teacher and develops a love for the rich landscape of New Mexico, and manages a hard-won truce between his failings and successes.




The Bushido Way/a Sam Phillips Mystery


Book Description

M. Anthony Phillips presents the debut of his hot new Private Detective series. Vietnam veteran Sam Phillips follows in the footsteps of his father into the world of private investigations. It’s the end of the Vietnam War in 1976 during the Fall of Siagon and a battle-worn Sam has just taken over his father’s company after his death. With his office above a seedy bar off Hollywood and Vine, Sam and his new assistant Constance Turner go weeks before they land their first case. With the help of his troubled friend Armstrong Jones—fresh out of prison for nearly killing two men, they are paid by an old friend Michelle Yamada of protecting her little brother Ken, a Yakuza gang member being hunted by a rival gang, the Yokohama Black Rebels who killed their father—a crime boss. Chasing Ken is the notorious boss Hiroshi Ito, a sadistic killer like no other who has killed nearly all the Yakuza bosses in Little Tokyo. In the meantime Sam finds out he’s the father of a five-year-old Amerasian kid from Vietnam—dropped off at his doorstep in the middle of the afternoon. In protecting Ken, people close to Sam are getting killed off, including detective friends who are trying to capture Hiroshi for murder. When things start to not add up about Ken, Sam and Armstrong begin to wonder if they’re being played the fool. With the body count adding up and Hiroshi getting closer to his target, Sam and Armstrong must go on the offensive before it’s too late.




Tusaayaksat – Winter 2013


Book Description

Nunamin Illihakvia: Learning From the Land




Pet Paradise


Book Description

Welcome to the enchanting world of Pet Paradise, a delightful children’s book by the ever-imaginative Dandy Ahuruonye. This charming tale promises to whisk young readers away to a fantasy realm where pets live happily ever after, and adventures abound. But how? Imagine a place where your beloved pets, even those who have crossed the rainbow bridge, can frolic and play once more. That’s exactly what Didi, a clever engineer, envisioned when she created Pet Paradise. Using a powerful computer program, Didi brings pets back to life, giving them a second chance at happiness. “What if you could see your pets again, even after they die?” she muses. "If you could hug them, play with them, and love them forever, what would you be willing to give to make that happen?" Didi’s creation, an AI supercomputer named Groccolli, is tasked with maintaining this paradise. Groccolli’s mission is simple yet profound: to bring back as many pets as possible and ensure they live happily and healthily. From monarch butterflies to praying mantises, Groccolli’s efforts are nothing short of miraculous. “Every pet deserves a second chance at happiness,” he declares. “And I’m here to make that happen.” But Pet Paradise isn’t without its challenges. The pets must navigate pesky mosquitoes, pollution, and even the fear of death. Didi and Groccolli are determined to create a true paradise, where no pet ever gets sick, grows old, or dies. “We want a place of happiness, peace, and love for everyone, forever,” Didi explains. Their ultimate goal is The Real Pet Paradise, a utopia where every pet and animal can live in perfect harmony. Pet Paradise is more than just a story; it’s a celebration of love, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets. Ahuruonye’s witty and poetic prose brings this surreal world to life, making it a joy for young readers. The book is filled with memorable quotes and highlights, such as: “In Pet Paradise, every wag of a tail and every purr is a symphony of joy.” “Happiness is a warm, furry friend by your side.” “Love knows no bounds, not even the boundaries of life and death.” Parents, this book is a must-have for your child’s bookshelf. It’s educational, entertaining, and beautifully written. It encourages children to cherish their pets, to dream big, and to believe in the power of love and imagination. Plus, it’s packed with humour and wit, making it a delightful read for both kids and adults. So why wait? Dive into the pages of Pet Paradise and unleash your child’s imagination. This is a book that promises to leave them smiling, laughing, and longing for more; especially if they had or have pets. Get your copy today and embark on an unforgettable journey to a place where every pet’s dream comes true!




Manny's Surprise Baby


Book Description

Non-Shifter Mpreg Romance. Enemies to lovers. Pierce MacPherson is a solar eclipse omega with a chip on his shoulder. He was in a horrible relationship where his alpha sold him to other alphas for their pleasure, and now that he's free, he definitely has a thing against alphas. Seth Rider works for Shield and he's an alpha with no desire to settle down with one woman. But when he discovers that a one night stand eight years ago produced a daughter he'd never heard of, he steps up to the challenge. The problem is, Seth doesn't know the first thing about raising a kid. Pierce has some experience working with kids and when they meet, Pierce is guilted in to helping out for a week. It's only supposed to be one week. But when Seth starts having unusual sexual feelings toward Pierce, things get a little complicated. And when the two men give into their urges, and Pierce gets pregnant, things get even more muddled.




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