For Release: 12/23/05
Department of External Affairs
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
For Release: 12/23/05
Contact: Communications and Development

Last Minute Holiday Gift Suggestions from the Free Library of Philadelphia

With only two days left before Christmas, Philadelphia's Free Library has some great book purchase suggestions for last minute shoppers. Below are some titles to consider:

Children's Titles:
The holidays are a good time to revisit the great children's classics, including books by C.S. Lewis.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. The other titles in this series are equally as engaging as this one, which is currently out in a movie version.

New children's holiday and seasonal books that the Free Library has just ordered for branch collections include:
Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah.
City Christmas Tree by Rebecca Bond
First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming

For other ideas in matching that special gift book to the age-level and interest level of the child, take a look at the "Highlights of Children's Books" section of the Free Library's website for an array of other wonderful new children's books.
(http://libwww.freelibrary.org/faq/booklistsbycat.cfm?faqcategory=9)

Teen Titles:

Fiction for Younger Teen Girls
Teen Idol by Meg Cabot
Alice on Her Way by Phyllis R. Naylor
You Are SO Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah by Fiona Rosenbloom
The Princess & the Pauper by Kate Brian
Staying Pure by Stephanie Perry Moore
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon
Bound by Donna Jo Napoli
Third Summer of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Fiction for High School Teen Girls
Minister's Daughter by Julia Hearn
Twilight by Stephenie Meyers

Non-Fiction for High School Teen Girls
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
The Real Deal: A Spiritual Guide for Black Teen Girls (Paperback) by Billie Montgomery Cook
Blueprint for My Girls In Love by Yasmin Shiraz
We Beat The Street: How A Friendship Pact Led To Success by Samson Davis, et al
Venus & Serena: Serving From The Hip by Venus Williams
Red Hot Salsa : Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States by Lori Marie Carlson
The Voice that Challenged a Nation by Russell Freedman
An America Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy
Chinese Cinderella: the True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah

Books for Teen Boys
Batman: The Ultimate Guide to The Dark Knight by Scott Beatty
Guys Write For Guys Read by Jon Scieszka
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
The Book of Lists For Teens by Sandra and Harry Choron
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Vampire High by Douglas Rees
Sleeping Freshman Never Lie by David Lubar
Holes by Louis Sachar
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Adult Titles:
March of the Penguins by Luc Jacquet - published by National Geographic, wonderful photos - a beautiful accompaniment to the movie. Great for any age.

For the graphic novel fan, visit Time Magazine's site for the best 100 (not just in the graphic novel category) at www.time.com/time/2005/100books/

Don't forget Philadelphia's favorite crime writer Lisa Scottoline, including her new Devil's Corner and 2004's Killer Smile (now in paperback)

Also available for the first time: "Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials," a five-disc DVD set with all the Emmy-winning specials including the never-issued "Belle of 14th Street" and "Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments."

Just for Fun:
Knitting for Dogs: Irresistible Patterns for Your Favorite Pup - and You! It's not too late to knit your dog a sequined sweater. That's one of the twenty patterns in this whimsical item for crafters - published by Simon & Schuster.

Jazzy Greeting Cards and Really Jazzy Pots: Glorious Gift Ideas by author Mickey Baskett (Sterling publications) for the craft-minded people on your list.

For Cooks:
Mary Ann Esposito's Ciao Italia Pronto! 30 Minute Recipes from an Italian Kitchen (From St. Martin's Press)
Daisy Martinez has Daisy Cooks! Latin Flavors that will Rock your World (from Hyperion Publishing Company)

Just in Time for New Year's:
Bar: a Spirited Guide to Cocktail Alchemy by Olivier Said (Publisher Ten Speed)
Small Bites for Finger Food Ideas by Jennifer Joyce (published by DK)

12/23/2005


Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850