Book+of+the+Day+-+Nov

Nov slide show



__Seabiscuit: An American Legend__ by Laura Hillenbrand (BOTD Nov 1)

Seabiscuit was a symbol of hope to many Americans during the Great Depression. He didn’t win any of his 1st 10 races and was eventually sold for $8,000. In 1937, he won 11 of 15 races but War Admiral was named Horse of the Year. The two went head to head for the 1st time on Nov 1, 1938. 40 million listened on the radio as Seabiscuit won and was named Horse of the Year for 1938. His career earnings were over $400,000.

__The Real George Washington__ by Jay Parry (BOTD Nov 2)

After leading the rag tag American troops to victory in the Revolutionary War, General Washington stunned the world by relinquishing power. On Nov 2, 1783, Washington disbanded the Continental Army and gave an eloquent farewell address to his soldiers and retired to his home in Mt. Vernon. But the new nation could not survive without him and his retirement was short-lived.

__The Hound of the Baskervilles__ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (BOTD Nov 3)

On Nov 3, 1957, the Soviet Union put the 1st dog into orbit. In this novel, Sherlock Holmes tackles the mystery of a murder supposedly committed by a fearsome, legendary dog. As always, the story is told from the point of view of his faithful sidekick Dr. Watson. Is there really a diabolical hound or is there more going on than meet’s the eye?

__Jurassic Park__ by Michael Crichton (BOTD Nov 4)

This 1990 science fiction novel is a cautionary tale about biological tinkering in an amusement park showcasing genetically recreated dinosaurs. Author Michael Crichton earned a medical degree from Harvard. He died on Nov 4, 2008. “Crichton” rhymes with frighten which exactly what the 1993 movie version did to audiences around the world.

__Failure is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony in Her Own Words__ by Lynn Sherr (BOTD Nov 5)

On Nov 5, 1872, almost 50 years before the 19th amendment gave women the right to vote, Susan B. Anthony illegally voted in a presidential election. She was arrested 2 weeks later and brought to trial the following year. Despite her stirring and eloquent defense the jury found her guilty and fined her $100. True to her word in court she never paid the fine.

__The Da Vinci Code__ by Dan Brown (BOTD Nov 8)

The Louvre Museum opened on Nov 8, 1793. It is one of the primary settings for this 2003 mystery that has sold over 80 million copies and is currently the best selling English language novel of the 21st century. The book and subsequent movie adaptation have created a popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail and Mary Magdalene’s role in the history of Christianity.

__The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo__ by Stieg Larson (BOTD Nov 9)

Swedish author Stieg Larson died on Nov 9, 2004. At the time of his death he left three completed but unpublished novels in a series that has since been dubbed the Millennium Trilogy. He wrote them for his own pleasure after returning home in the evenings from his day job as a journalist. Larson had completed most of a fourth novel before he passed away. This is the first book in the series.

__The Polar Express__ by Chris Van Allsburg (BOTD Nov 10)

This tale begins on Christmas Eve with a young boy lying in bed waiting to hear the sound of Santa’s sleigh bells. He soon hears a loud rumbling outside and a magical train known as the Polar Express pulls up in front of his house. Winner of the 1986 Caldecott Award for best American picture book for children, it was adapted into a movie version that was released on Nov 10, 2004.

__All Quiet on the Western Front__ by Erich Maria Remarque (BOTD Nov 11)

Paul is a German teenager who excitedly joins the army shortly after the start of WW I. But he soon learns that war is not a glorious thing and after the war he finds it impossible to return to normal life. Remarque wrote from personal experience. He was a German soldier during the war. The war ended on Nov 11, 1918.

__Adam of the Road__ by Elizabeth Janet Gray (BOTD Nov 12)

This story about a young boy and his escapades through medieval England won the Newbery Award in 1943. When WW II ended 2 years later and Allied troops occupied Japan, author Elizabeth Janet Gray was chosen as the personal tutor for Akihito, the 10 year old crown prince of Japan. She held the position for the next 5 years. Akihito was crowned Emperor of Japan on Nov 12, 1990.

__A Tale of Two Cities__ by Charles Dickens (BOTD Nov 15)

Charles Dickens wrote many of his books in a serial format meaning that new chapters were released weekly or monthly. The final installment of this tale about London and Paris during the French Revolution was published on Nov 15, 1859. The opening line is one of the most famous in English literature, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

__Secret of the Andes__ by Ann Nolan Clark (BOTD Nov 16)

On Nov 16, 1532, Conquistador Pizarro captured and killed the Incan Emperor and Spain seized power in South America. In this fictional tale, Cusi is a 20th century boy who lives in a hidden valley high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. He is raised in the ancient Incan fashion and eventually learns a powerful secret. He has been chosen to guard a legendary Incan treasure that was not plundered by the Spanish.

__Heidi__ by Johanna Spyri (BOTD Nov 17) Heidi is a young girl who lives with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. On Nov 17, 1968, the New York Jets were beating the Oakland Raiders 32-29 with 65 seconds left in the football game. NBC cut away from the game to a pre-scheduled movie version of this beloved children’s classic. The Raiders scored 2 TD’s and came from behind to win 43-32 in a game that became known as the Heidi Bowl.

__Watchmen__ by Alan Moore (BOTD Nov 18)

Published in 1986, this dark and complex tale transformed comic books into a higher art form known as the graphic novel. The plot follows a group of superheroes that are being hunted down and killed by an unknown assailant. Packed with symbolism, intricate plots, and memorable characters, it is a story that can be read over and over again. Author Alan Moore was born on Nov 18, 1953.

__Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows__ by J.K. Rowling (BOTD Nov 19)

This is the 7th and final installment of the Harry Potter series. Harry must leave the safety of Hogwarts and set off with Ron and Hermione to defeat Voldemort one and for all. But should they follow Dumbledore’s advice and seek Voldemort’s horcruxes or pursue the Deathly Hallows – 3 ancient and powerful magic items? The movie version hits the theaters on Nov 19, 2010.

__Case Closed__ by Gerald Posner (BOTD Nov 22)

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov 22, 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime but was shot and killed a few days later. Elaborate conspiracy theories became popular. In this detailed book, former lawyer Gerald Posner uses hard evidence and interviews to show that Oswald acted alone and that none of the conspiracy theories hold any weight.

__Charlie and the Chocolate Factory__ by Roald Dahl (BOTD Nov 23)

Willy Wonka holds a contest in which 5 golden tickets are hidden under the wrappers of his candy bars. The lucky children who find the tickets are given a tour of his factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate. One by one the children misbehave on the tour and are taken away by workers known as Oompa Loompas. Charlie survives the tour and is chosen as Wonka’s heir. Author Roald Dahl died on Nov 23, 1990.

__The Origin of Species__ by Charles Darwin (BOTD Nov 24)

Published on Nov 24, 1859, this book is considered the foundation of evolutionary biology. Darwin included evidence that he accumulated on a 5 year ocean voyage around the world. The idea of evolution had been around long before Darwin. His major contribution was explaining that evolution occurred through a process known as natural selection.

__ A Wrinkle in Time __ by Madeleine L’Engle (BOTD Nov 29)

Meg is an exceptionally bright, but awkward teenage girl whose father was a scientist working on a form of time travel before he mysteriously disappeared. Meg soon learns that her father is still alive and is being held hostage by an evil being threatening to take over the entire universe. Author Madeleine L’Engle was born on Nov 29, 1918.

__The Adventures of Tom Sawyer__ by Mark Twain (BOTD Nov 30)

This is an American classic about an imaginative and mischievous 12 year old boy growing up in a small town along the banks of the Mississippi River. Tom’s adventures include skipping school, falling in love, running away, witnessing a murder, and discovering gold. Tom’s friend Huck Finn is introduced in this story and later featured in his own book. Author Mark Twain was born on Nov 30, 1835.