Working Fire is a remarkable memoir, by turns funny and deeply moving, of one man's coming into his calling and his transformation from ambivalent Ivy League grad to skilled and dedicated firefighter.

Zac Unger didn't feel like much of a firefighter at first. Most of his fellow recruits seemed to have planned for the job all their lives; he was an Ivy League grad responding to a help-wanted ad at an Oakland bus stop. He couldn't keep his boots shined, and he looked horrible in his uniform. Working Fire is the story of how, from this unlikely beginning, Zac Unger came to feel at home among this close-knit tribe, came to master his work's demands, and came to know what it is to see the city of Oakland through a firefighter's eyes.

From the materials of his day's work - the harrowing calls and the hilarious, the moments of triumph and of grief - Zac Unger has forged a timeless story of finding one's path. He never takes himself too seriously, but he comes to take his job very seriously. Because he tells his story with such extraordinary empathy and wit, his fierce passion for his work, his comrades, and the city he protects becomes our own.

It is our pleasure to announce a reading and visit with Zac Unger on Thursday, 8 April at 7:00 PM. Please join us.

"It starts with the earth. How can it not? Imagine the planet like a split peach, whose pit forms the core, whose flesh its mantle, and whose fuzzy skin its crust - no, that doesn't do justice to the crust, which is, after all, where all of life takes place. The earth's crust must be more like the rind of the orange, thicker and more durable, quite unlike the thin skin of a bruisable peach. Or is it? Funny, how you never think to wonder" (from All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki).

With the wheels of fate and fortune thus set in motion, the conflicts build, and the small town of Liberty Falls becomes the point of implosion for a drama that is at once romantic, familial, personal, and political. With its tight ensemble cast, suspenseful plotting, and Ozeki's signature humor, All over Creation tells a celebratory tale of the capacity for renewal that resides within us all.

It is a delight to be able to invite you to a reading and signing with novelist Ruth Ozeki on Friday, 16 April 2004 at 7:00 PM. Please join us for this very special evening.

The hero of Walter the Farting Dog returns!

Walter's family is holding a yard sale, but there are few customers. Walter, farting contentedly near Father, wonders why. When a man offers ten dollars for Walter, Father readily agrees. Walter wonders why. Walter is sad to leave his family behind, but relieved to discover that his new owner is a clown. Walter figures he will help the clown bring joy to children on their birthdays. But the clown has a dastardly plot: he will use Walter's gas to inflate balloons and then pop them to stun guards during bank robberies. Will Walter turn to the dark side? Of course not! He comes out a hero and is reunited with his family by doing what he does best.

Praise for Walter the Farting Dog, a New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Book Sense bestseller: "Kids will find it hysterical. The dialogue is clever, and the art is quite ingenious. Seemingly computer-concieved characters—including Walter, complete with a permanently abashed _expression—are unique efforts, as are the smoothly colored backgrounds. All in all, it's a gas." – ALA Booklist

We are happy to announce a morning's talk and signing with author Glenn Murray on Thursday, 22 April 2004 at 10:00 AM as he shares the return of Walter -- Walter the Farting Dog Trouble at the Yard Sale.

Has your smoke detector ever tattled on you when you burned the toast? Does your sticky back door get the best of you? Do you have a secret hideaway where you keep your private treasures? Told from a child's perspective, the poems in this affectionate collection celebrate everything that makes each house a unique and special place.

From waking up in a cozy bedroom on a chilly morning to exploring a garage full of fascinating junk, this intimate house tour proves there's no place like home.

Margaret Chodos-Irvine's last book Ella Sarah Gets Dressed won her a Caldecott Honor Award for Illustration, so it is a particular pleasure to welcome to Rakestraw Books as we celebrate the publication of My House is Singing. This event will take place on Friday, 23 April 2004 at 10:00 AM. Class reservations are necessary. Please, phone us at (925) 837-7337, if you would like to bring your class.

Having spent 35 years reading approximately 125,000 children's books, Anita Silvey believes, as she states in the introduction to the book, "that the canon of children's books remains the best gift we can ever give children. These books motivate children to read. They include the best stories, the most compelling characters, and use the most imaginative language. But often for parents finding these ideal books seems a daunting task." Anita's new book 100 Best Books for Children makes that task easy and focuses on a select group of books that should be part of every child's literary background.

Special note: I have met Anita Silvey at a number of events over the years and have always found her to be not only an informed and interesting person, but also wonderfully charming. It is a very great honor and thrill to welcome her to Rakestraw Books. We will be hosting a luncheon for Anita Silvey on Wednesday, 28 April at Noon. Please make reservations by calling us at (925) 837-7337.

"The year is 50 BC. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely . . . one small village of the indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudaum and Compendium," so begins each volume in Goscinny and Uderzo's thrilling series of graphic novels: "The Adventures of Asterix." Like the stories of Tin-Tin, to which they are often compared, the stories of Asterix have been favorites with generations of European school-children. The bright and lively Asterix and his more down-to-earth best friend Obelix are in and out of trouble with the strong but easily mis-led Roman forces.

We are pleased to be able to stock a very nice selection of Asterix and Obelix stories including the new hardcover title: Asterix and the Class Act which contains 14 never before collected tales. If your child loves to re-read "Calvin and Hobbes," then introduce him to Asterix and Obelix -- he'll be glad you did.

In addition to our wonderful brown paper Rakestraw Books Gift Certificates (available in any amount), we are pleased to be able to offer Booksense Gift Certificates redeemable in more than 1,200 independent bookstores nationwide. If we are unable to help you choose a book for your farway reader, a Booksense Gift Certificate is the way to go.

We host four book groups here at Rakestraw Books: an Evening Group, a Morning Group (NEW!), a Spanish Group (NEW!), and the Mother-Daughter Group. The details of their April meetings are as follows:

The Morning Book Group Our selection for the month is The Final Confession of Mabel Stark by Robert Hough. This month's meeting is on Friday, 30 April at 10:30 AM.

The Evening Book Group We will be discussing The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich. This month's meeting is Wednesday, 21 April at 7:00 PM.

Spanish Book Group Do you read comfortably in Spanish? Would you like to practice your Spanish discussion skills? Would you like to spend an enjoyable evening discussing books with other Spanish speakers? Then our new El Club de Libros is for you! During our meeting on Tuesday, 11 May at 7:00 PM, we will be discussing En el tiempo de las Mariposas por Julia Alvarez. Please join us! Veteran Spanish teacher Carolyn Thiessen facilitates this group. Please note that the Spanish Book Group does not meet until May.

The Mother-Daughter Book Group is currently on hiatus. Please contact us if you are interesting in joining this group or -- particularly -- if you are interested in helping facilitate it.

We are now happy to offer book group members a 20% discount on their group's monthly selections. There is no need to register your group (though of course we would be happy if you do). We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Contra Costa Library is sponsoring its First Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, 25 April 2004. Rain or shine, participants will start the paved, level course at 9:00 AM. The route includes both city streets and a bike path. Pre-registration is $25 (including a t-shirt) and is available online.
Proceeds from this fun event will benefit all Contra Costa Libraries and will go to purchase new adult and children's books.
Hope to see you there!