From the Page to the Screen:
An Adaptation Wish List

It seems nearly every popular title receives an adaptation of some sort - whether a movie, a streaming service series, or some other format. Each time one of my beloved stories goes from the page to the screen, I always watch with excitement and anticipation, hoping the book is given due justice. Often the adaptation is great in its own right, even if it does not follow the book exactly. Sometimes the adaptation is just awful. But, every now and then, the adaptation does a phenomenal job of bringing to life the characters you’ve grown to love.

The book is usually better, but here are some adaptations that I would like to see.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

 This dystopian fairytale brings together royalty, romance and rebellion in what can best be described as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. Strong-willed America Singer is selected to compete for the heart of Prince Maxon in a competition that is televised across Illea (formerly the United States). Though begrudgingly, she agrees to compete so that her family may receive the financial benefits, though her heart belongs to her first love Aspen. Amid dates, beautiful gowns, broadcasts and drama with the other girls, the rebellion against the crown is growing and attacks on the palace are increasing. The Selection is the first in the popular series by Cass that spans five books and two generations.

            There has been a lot of chatter about The Selection series being brought to the big screen as a feature film, but it seems like it has been just that - chatter. In June 2016, it was announced that the film had a director - Me Before You's Thea Sharrock - but not much else has been said regarding the status of the project. Given the Bachelor-esque nature of the story and the details behind each character, I think the series could be adapted into a wonderful series or mini-series, even better than a movie. This is a fun and exciting book series, and I look forward to its eventual adaptation in whatever form it takes.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

            Newbery Award-winning Moon Over Manifest follows young Abilene Tucker as she explores her home for the summer of 1936 - Manifest, Kansas. While her father is away at a railroad job, Abilene stays with Pastor Shady Howard, an old friend of her father’s from his time in Manifest. When Abilene takes the fateful Road to Perdition, she meets the diviner Miss Sadie, who adds more mystery to the history of Manifest as she shares stories of the past which align with mementos Abilene found at Shady’s house. This encourages Abilene’s hunt for the spy “The Rattler” and her search for the role her father played in Manifest’s history. The story shifts from “modern” day 1936 to 1918 as Miss Sadie shares the stories of former Manifest residents, bringing to life history and modern-day until their momentous intertwining.

One of the best parts of this book is that the reader can vividly see the story as it unfolds - and it was an exciting one. Timehopping from 1936 to 1918 and back again, I could see this easily being an engaging television series. Its historical timeline filled with mystery and adventure would make for a fun movie as well. However, a standalone film may not hold up as well with the constant flashbacks. Either way, this is a great book that could be a great adaptation.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

            A Young Adult book that has both received accolades and faced criticism since its publication, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of Arnold Spirit, Jr., better known as Junior, as he moves from his high school on the Spokane Reservation to an all-white high school in Reardan, Washington. Junior, a budding cartoonist, faces bullying at his new school, near abandonment by his friends on the reservation, the struggles of his family’s poverty and alcoholism, and the tragic deaths of loved ones. Despite these many struggles, Junior holds onto the love of his family and his new friends as well as onto the hope that his future is brighter than what he used to think was his destiny. While it does not sound like an overwhelmingly uplifting story, I can assure those who have not the book that it is absolutely amazing. Drawing from his own experiences growing up on the SpokaneReservation, Alexie writes with such a poignantly true voice and shares the experiences of so many.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is another book that has been rumored to be hitting the big screen too and it looks like looks like those rumors may be true. A high-profile production team, including Hugh Jackman, has been assembled for the Fox 2000 production with Alexie serving as executive producer and adapting the book into a screenplay. According to a USC study in 2015, less than 1 percent of the top 800 movies since 2007 featured Native American characters. With Sherman promising a “culturally authentic” film, an adaptation of  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian would provide a wonderful opportunity for representation and diversity.  Alexie’s involvement in the adaptation assures me that the film will live up to the book completely and I look forward to seeing it when it hits theaters.

What book would you love to see
adapted into a movie or TV series?

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Post by Kristin S. 

January New Releases and Bestsellers!

The cold has set in and our resolutions have begun! Those annual goals will undoubtedly include additions to your reading list which is where this post comes in to play. Check out the selections in fiction, non-fiction, DVDs and recommendations below!

Recent New York Times Bestsellers:

New Fiction

		The People vs Alex Cross by James Patterson Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] [eAudiobook] Charged with gunning down followers of his nemesis Gary Soneji in cold blood, Alex Cross is wrongly portrayed as a trigger-happy corrupt cop while he struggles to prove to a skeptical jury and dwindling supporters that his actions were in self defense.
		The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] Former F.B.I. agent and wanted fugitive Jane Hawk tracks down a group that is brainwashing people into committing suicide.
		Year One by Nora Roberts Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] When a pandemic strikes and the world spins into chaos, several travelers head west to find a new life.
		Tom Clancy Power and Empire by Marc Cameron Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] [eAudiobook] President Jack Ryan seeks to identify the hidden forces escalating the tensions between China and the United States.
		Past Perfect by Danielle Stelle Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] A Manhattan family moves into a mansion in San Francisco and encounters the ghosts of its original inhabitants.
		Darker by E L James Borrow: [eBook] Christian Grey's tormented and difficult pursuit of Anastasia Steele is told from his perspective.

New Nonfiction

		Let Trump Be Trump by Corey R Lewandowski Borrow: [Print] [eBook] A former campaign manager for Donald Trump's successful 2016 presidential run offers an insider's look at the ups and downs on the campaign trail.
		Gold Dust Woman by Steven Davis Borrow: [Print] [eBook] An in-depth portrait of the classic-rock artist Stevie Nicks covers her role in the stardom of Fleetwood Mac, the affairs that inspired her greatest songs, her struggles with addiction, and her successful solo career.
		The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish Borrow: [Print] [eBook] [eAudiobook] From stand-up comedian, actress, and breakout star of Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish, comes The Last Black Unicorn, a sidesplitting, hysterical, edgy, and unflinching collection of (extremely) personal essays, as fearless as the author herself.
		Natural Disaster by Ginger Zee Borrow: [Print]  The ABC News meteorologist discusses her career, relationships and struggles with depression.

DVD New Releases (Dec. - Jan.)

		Kingsman: The Golden Circle Borrow: [DVD] In this action-filled installment of the Kingsman series, two top-secret spy organizations - one from the UK and one in the US - join forces to defeat a ruthless common enemy.
		Home Again Borrow: [DVD] Recently separated from her husband, Alice (Reese Witherspoon) finds an unlikely new family and a budding new romance when three young filmmakers move into her guest house. A story of love, friendship, the families we create, Home Again is a modern romantic comedy with one very big life lesson: starting over is not for beginners!
		All Saints Borrow: [DVD] Based on the true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock, who with a group of Southeast Asian refugees risked everything to save their church and their lives.
		The Unknown Girl Borrow: [DVD] After a mysterious young woman dies on her doorstep, a guilt-ridden doctor embarks on an obsessive quest to learn the truth about what happened.
		Once Upon a Time at Christmas Borrow: [DVD] When a serial-killer couple dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus terrorizes a small town, a teen girl and a young cop must solve the pattern behind the seemingly random homicides.
		Despicable Me 3 Borrow: [DVD] Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters, and the Minions are back in the comedy blockbuster where one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.
		American Assassin Borrow: [DVD] American Assassin follows CIA black ops recruit Mitch Rapp and Cold War veteran Stan Hurley as the pair is enlisted to stop a mysterious operative intent on starting a World War.
		Better Watch Out Borrow: [DVD] On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it's far from a normal home invasion.
		The Osiris Child Borrow: [DVD] When a dangerous outbreak threatens to destroy everyone living on a newly colonized planet, Lt. Kane Sommerville goes against orders and leaves his station to rescue his young daughter before it's too late.
		The Women's Balcony Borrow: [DVD] An accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power.
		Crown Heights Borrow: [DVD] In 1980, a young man named Marvin Grant was gunned down in Flatbush Brooklyn. Clarence Lewis, a fifteen-year-old with a penchant for lying, told the police he saw what happened and was pressured to identify a suspect. This set into motion a series of events that led to the arrest of Colin Warner, an innocent teenager who lived in nearby Crown Heights.
		Dunkirk Borrow: [DVD] Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces facing a fierce battle in World War II.
		Stronger Borrow: [DVD] Based on real life events, tells the story of a 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing survivor.
		Mayhem Borrow: [DVD] Just after being fired, Derek's office is put into quarantine for a virus that causes people to act out their wildest impulses. As chaos erupts, he makes his way to the top-floor executives to settle the score once and for all.
		It Borrow: [DVD] When children in town begin to disappear, a group of young kids is faced with their biggest fears as they square off against evil clown, Pennywise. Based on the Stephen King novel.
		Brawl in Cell Block 99 Borrow: [DVD] When Bradley (Vince Vaughn) is sent to prison, he is forced to commit acts of violence that turn the place into a savage battleground.

Want to settle in for some cozy reading during the cold weather? 

Check out these recommendations:

		Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie Series: Miss Marple, book #1 Total books in series: 12 Borrow: [Book] The Murder at the Vicarage is Agatha Christie's first mystery to feature the beloved investigator Miss Marple—as a dead body in a clergyman's study proves to the indomitable sleuth that no place, holy or otherwise, is a sanctuary from homicide.
		Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke Series: Hannah Swenson, book #1 Total books in series: 22 Borrow: [Audiobook] [eBook] Take one amateur sleuth. Mix in some eccentric Minnesota locals. Add a generous dollop of crackling suspense, and you've got the recipe for this delicious new mystery series featuring Hannah Swensen, the red-haired, cookie-baking heroine whose gingersnaps are almost as tart as her mouth and whose penchant for solving crime is definitely stirring things up.
		The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini Series: Elm Creek Quilts, book #1 Total books in series: 20 Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [Audiobook] Sarah, struggling to find a job and a sense of place in her new town, finds herself learning how to quilt from a cantankerous old woman who also teaches her about the deep love that can exist between friends.
		Still Life by Louise Penny Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, book #1 Total books in series: 13 Borrow: [Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] [eAudiobook] Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec and his team of investigators are called in to the scene of a suspicious death in a rural village south of Montreal.
		Death of a Gossip by M. C. Beaton Series: Hamish Macbeth, book #1 Total books in series: 33 Borrow: [eBook] When society widow and gossip columnist Lady Jane Winters joined the fishing class, she wasted no time in ruffling the feathers-or was it the fins?-of those around her. Among the victims of her sharp tongue and unladylike manner was Lochdubh Constable Hamish Macbeth. Yet not even Hamish thought someone would permanently silence Lady Jane's shrills-until her strangled body is fished out of the river.
		The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith Series: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, book #1 Total books in series: 18 Borrow: [Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] [eAudiobook] Mma "Precious" Ramotswe sets up a detective agency in Botswana on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, making her the only female detective in the country. At first, cases are hard to come by. But eventually, troubled people come to Precious with a variety of concerns.
		Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson Series: A Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery, book #1 Total books in series: 17 Borrow: [Print] [Audiobook] [eAudiobook] Goldy Bear, recently divorced, has made a home for herself and her young son in scenic Aspen Valley, Colorado. There, calls for Goldilock's Catering have been steady enough to pay the bills. But when a mourner is felled by rat poison during a funeral buffet Goldy is serving, the police quickly close her business. Now it's up to Goldy to find the rat who has tainted her food and her reputation.
		The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun Series: The Cat Who, book #1 Total books in series: 29 Borrow: [Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] Journalist Jim Qwilleran and his feline companion Koko begin their investigative career when Jim finds murder and mischief while covering the art beat for the Daily Fluxion.
		The Hunt for Sonya Dufrette by R. T. Raichev Series: Country House Crime Mysteries, book #1 Total books in series: 9 Borrow: [Print] At a house party on the day of the royal wedding in 1981, a little girl named Sonya Dufrette wanders off and is never seen again. Twenty years on, divorcee and librarian Antonia Darcy sets out to solve the mystery.
		At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon Series: The Mitford Years, book #1 Total books in series: 14 Borrow: [Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy about ordinary people and their ordinary lives.
		The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber Series: Rose Harbor, book #1 Total books in series: 5 Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [Audiobook] [eBook] [eAudiobook] Set in the Pacific Northwest, in the picturesque small town of Cedar Cove, these heartwarming gentle reads feature the cozy Rose Harbor Inn, its young, widowed proprietor, Jo Marie Rose, and a large cast of lovable secondary characters. The beautiful setting and the wise, understanding protagonist make second chances possible for all of her troubled guests.

Happy New Year! Enjoy these books and movies to start 2018 off right!

Sources: The New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon, Goodreads, EarlyWord, Novelist

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Post by Laura R. 

Your Next Favorite Author-Jason Reynolds

It’s been a big year for Jason Reynolds.  The author’s third book to be published this fall, Long Way Down, was released at the end of October.  The book faces topical issues of race and gun violence head on, and cements Reynolds’ reign over the young adult literary scene.  Written in free verse, the novel narrates 15-year-old Will Holloman’s seven-floor descent in an elevator, as he grapples with the gang murder of his older brother.  Intent on taking revenge on his brother’s killer, Will must re-evaluate his mission as each floor introduces new characters, and new revelations.  The book was longlisted for the 2017 National Book Award in Young People’s Literature.

Reynolds made his name in 2014 with his novel When I Was the Greatest, followed quickly by The Boy in the Black Suit, and the absolute stunner, All-American Boys (co-written with Brandon Kiely).  The latter was my first introduction to Reynolds, and evangelized me for life—I suggest his books to nearly every kid at the library looking for a recommendation.  Reynolds books have ended up on the New York Times Bestseller list (Long Way Down debuted at number four) and have earned multiple Coretta Scott King Awards honors.

Reynolds recounts that as a struggling young author, he really got his start when a friend of his, writer Christopher Myers, suggested he write in a “natural tongue.”  The result is prose that is full of heart and authenticity, affirming African-American culture and experience, and never shying away from honest stories.  Reynolds says of presenting experiences of violence and trauma to young readers, “It’s my responsibility to honor young people with honesty, even if their parents are uncomfortable. They are human beings with feelings. They also have the internet, and they come with their own set of trauma. Why should I be disrespectful to the young reader by shielding them from what they already know?”

Published in 2015 as the debate around police brutality was very much at the fore of the national conversation, All-American Boys follows the twin stories of Rashad, a black teen who is falsely accused of stealing and subsequently beaten by a police officer until he ends up in the hospital, and Quinn, Rashad’s white classmate who witnesses the incident.  I loved All-American Boys not only for its candid take on the violent realities faced by young African-Americans in the US today, but also because it’s a story told through the eyes of two relatable characters dealing with more mundane teenage challenges: Rashad would rather draw than listen to his dad’s lectures on joining the army, and Quinn is busy gearing up for basketball season, hoping to land a college scholarship.

Reynolds also writes for middle graders; the second installment of his “Track” series, Patina, was released at the end of August this year.  Ghost and Patina each follow one member of an elite middle school track team.  Ghost (real name: Castle Crenshaw) is the fastest sprinter Coach has ever seen, but is struggling with memories of his violent father.  Patina, or Patty, as her friends call her, smokes the other girls during the four hundred meter dash even as she’s weighed down with caring for her six-year-old sister and diabetic-amputee mother.  Despite the difficult home lives of these characters, the Track series is laced with sparkling adolescent humor and colorful supporting characters, making for truly un-put-downable reads.   

Reynolds himself makes it a point to visit schools and talk to young people.  He often tells his audiences that he didn’t read a book cover to cover until he was seventeen.  He stresses the importance of writing stories that are relatable to kids today.  He told an audience of middle schoolers of the time teachers tried to get him to read Moby Dick: “The teacher was like, ‘Read this book about this man chasing a whale,’ and I’m like, bruh… I don’t know if I can connect to a man chasing a whale when I’ve never seen a whale. Nothing that’s happening in these books is happening in my neighborhood.” 

Kids can see themselves and their neighborhoods mirrored in Reynolds’ books.  As a library professional working with children in Aurora’s uber-diverse center, I find Reynolds’ stories to be a rich and necessary addition to young people’s literature.  Don’t miss any of his books! 

Sources:
Washington Post     National Book Foundation     Twitter      BookList Online 

DATE: 12/26/17
CONTACT: Sgt. Mike Douglass
NATURE: Operation Choose Your Ride 

The APD Traffic Section will offer citizens located within the City of Aurora, 21years old and older, the ability to call the police department at 303-627-3100, and an officer will respond and provide a ride home if the driver feels they are impaired and not safe to drive a motor vehicle.

• The program will run on Friday 12/29/17, Saturday 12/30/17 and Sunday 12/31/17 from 9:00 PM to 2:30 AM.
• The driver and up to one passenger will be given a verbal presentation on the protocol our officers follow on a routine DUI arrest, (explanation of probable cause for a traffic stop, indicators we look for from the driver for DUI or DUI-D, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Preliminary Breath Tests, expressed consent law, Detox vs. Jail, possible penalties and fines, towing fees, etc.).
• Educational materials will be given to all participants, along with a discussion of the consequences of impaired driving.
• All drivers and passengers must be 21years of age to participate, be willing to be searched prior to being allowed in the police vehicle, must provide valid ID, clearance through CCIC/NCIC/DOR will be done, and they will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to being allowed in a police vehicle.
• This program will be provided to the limits of available manpower assigned to the program.If capacity is exceeded, callers will be given suggestions for alternative transportation (taxi, ride services, friends, family), or put on a wait list.
• Officers will transport participants from any location in Aurora to the participant’s home as long as it is within 10 miles of the City of Aurora border.
• Officers assigned to this program will have body cameras, and they will be activated during the duration of the contact with participants.
• The responding officer will have full discretion to refuse this service to anyone if the officer feels it would be unsafe to continue due to extreme intoxication, uncooperative behavior, etc.
• The DUI taxi will be used as one of the transport vehicles, and the rest will be marked police cars to get the most exposure for the program.
• Additional officers will be assigned as DUI enforcement units in case a driver chooses to drive while impaired or intoxicated and is contacted.

The media point of contact for this program will be Sgt. Mike Douglass from the Traffic Section.  Sgt. Douglass can be reached at 303-739-6293, or [email protected]

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Post By: Leigh R. 

Get Cozy With
  
Holiday Picture Books

On December 16, 2017 at approximately 5:35 A.M., Aurora Police Officers responded to a residence at 1410 N. Clinton St. in northwest Aurora on the report of a shooting.  Upon arrival, Officers found a deceased adult male who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. 

The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and is actively investigating this incident.  There is currently not a suspect in custody in relation to this incident.

The identity of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office pending the positive identification of the victims and the notification of next of kin.

To protect the integrity of this open, active investigation no further information is being released at this time.  The Aurora Police Department is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Jamie Krieger with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at (303) 739-6113.  Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095