Great Book to Kick Off Summer! “The Secret at Haney Field”

Youth Summer Reading

The smell of fresh-cut grass, hotdogs and roasted peanuts is the same in 2014

 as it was in the ball parks of the 1940s and the love of the game is felt in both eras in “The Secret at Haney Field.”R. M. Clark’s intriguing mystery which has captured the attention of April O’Day, Darren Plummer and owner of the stadium and the Harpoons crosses over between both eras in baseball history. Before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, there were two leagues; one for whites and one for Negroes. Having been selected as a bat retriever for the Harpoons, April stumbles upon a ghostly sight, there seem to be ghost players involved in a game on the field after dark. She later discovers that the Harpoon’s owner, Walter Haney, can see them too and invites her friend Darren to see if he can also see them. While watching the shadow players on the field one night a shadow ball lands in the bleachers. When April picks up the ball, she is transported back into the 1940s and a bright, sunny day with two teams from the Negro League and tons of fans cheering them on. She later visits one of the shadow games from the dugout and meets one of the players, Oscar “Flash” Henderson, who holds the key to a deeper mystery involving Mister Haney.

As deeply moving as “Field of Dreams,” 

R. M. Clark has created a very memorable story that gives honor to those who played in the Negro league in that bygone age. “The Secret at Haney Field” captures your heart and a childlike way that recalls the simplicity of the game. The understanding of the game is portrayed in a twelve-year-old whose passion for it is beyond compare. As she and Darren peel back the different layers of the mystery, the reader is present in a very meaningful way. The intrigue, the game, the history and the righting of past wrongs are all felt on a deep level. Inspiring, intriguing and insightful; “The Secret at Haney Field” will place you in both eras of the game and deliver not only a wonderfully suspenseful mystery, but reveal a rich history as well.

NEW RELEASE!!! CHULOS, CHUZOS AND HOTDOG CONDOMS

Do you really know Medellin, Colombia?

You'll discover that it is nothing like it used to be. In the 1980s and 1990s it was an extremely dangerous place to be. Since the beginning of the 21st Century, however, the development and renewal of this spectacular city in the Andes has changed it dramatically. Steeped in the rich traditions of the Antiqueños, the Medellin and the surrounding pueblos of Antioquia make this city tucked away in the Andes a virtual paradise. Explore some of the culture, language and natural beauty of Medellin as the author recounts his experience as a gringo among Paisas.

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Novelist, Bil Howard, takes a humorous look at how he survived the last year as a gringo in Medellin, Colombia. Packed with plenty of travel tips on transportation, sites to see, food, shopping destinations and more. Bil also describes some of the cultural and language issues that he had to overcome as well. Laugh, learn and enjoy!

EXTREMELY COLORFUL AND CREATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK

Elsa Takaoka and Catherine Toennisson have combined their talents to create the delightful children’s book “Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle.”

Packed with fun and full of color; this rhyming riddle progresses through a series of fun activities and funny creatures that captivate the imagination. Like all riddles there is something hidden in the story that must be solved. Each clue not only stirs the imagination of the two listeners Goo and Spot, but also excites them, and whenever Goo wiggles, Spot does too. Giant bumblebees and squishy, green slugs, dancing, flamingos in shorts and three toads with big, giant warts are only a few of the colorful creatures that are featured in this riddle. Ultimately, the riddle is about the importance of sitting still and listening whenever someone is reading or telling a story, but it is done in a very subtle way.



The magical imagination of children is stirred and their laughter can almost be heard as you work through the colorful rhymes of “Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle.” Elsa Takaoka has created a riddle with a great lesson in it, but done so in a way that is certain to tickle the funny bone of every child (and even a few adults who never grew up). Catherine Toennisson has added her expertise in animation and storyboarding in a way that makes the action and color leap off of the pages. It is impossible not to wiggle when reading this book, because it simply draws it out of you. Fun, creative and colorful; “Goo and Spot in the Do Not Wiggle Riddle” is a fantastic debut for these two extremely talented artists and ought to be the first of many award winning children’s classics to come.