Mamba Point
by Kurtis Scaletta
$16.99

From the publisher:
When his dad gets a job at the U.S. embassy in Liberia, twelve-year-old Linus Tuttle knows it's his chance for a fresh start. Instead of being his typical anxious self, from now on he'll be cooler and bolder: the new Linus. But as soon as his family gets off the plane, they see a black mamba—one of the deadliest snakes in Africa. Linus's parents insist mambas are rare, but the neighborhood is called Mamba Point, and Linus can barely go outside without tripping over one—he's sure the venomous serpents are drawn to him. Then he hears about kasengs, and the belief that some people have a deep, mysterious connection to certain animals. Unless Linus wants to hide in his apartment forever (drawing or playing games with the strange kid downstairs while his older brother meets girls and hangs out at the pool), he has to get over his fear of his kaseng animal. Soon he's not only keeping a black mamba in his laundry hamper; he's also feeling braver than ever before. Is it his resolution to become the new Linus, or does his sudden confidence have something to do with his scaly new friend?

From Kurtis Scaletta, author of Mudville, comes a humorous and compelling story of a boy learning about himself through unexpected friends, a fascinating place, and an extraordinary animal.

Jen's 2 cents: Drawing on his own memories of living in Liberia as a child, Scaletta has created an accessible, multi-dimensional cast of characters. In the spotlight is 12-year old Linus, a smart, sensitive kid struggling to become the person he longs to be ("new Linus"). While the Tuttles are very much the average American family (who happen to be in Africa), Linus is having his own adventure with a black mamba snake, one of Africa's deadliest snakes. Mamba Point is a well-crafted tale of the every boy (every person, really—known to all of us) making his way in an unknown and fascinating place. This book is a stand alone, which is so nice when the trend in young adult books has been series.

Sister Wolf
Wednesday/Thursday Morning
Women's Group*

July 1
6 p.m. (joint potluck):

Thief
by Maureen Gibbon
$14

July 7/8
9 a.m.

Ojibwe in Minnesota
by Anton Treuer
$14.95

July 21/22
9:00 a.m.

The Quickening
by Michelle Hoover

The author will join the discussion
via speaker phone!

Thief
by Maureen Gibbon
$14

July 15
7:00 p.m.

Breakfast with Buddha
by Roland Merullo
$13.95

July 29
7:00 p.m.

Seeking Peace:
Chronicles of the Worst Buddhist in the World
by Mary Pipher
$16

Sister Wolf Faith Talk
July 21, and August 18

Wednesday, July 21
7:00 p.m.

The Story of the Scrolls: The Miraculous Discovery and True Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
by Geza Vermes
$17

Beagle Books Men's Book Group

Tuesday, July 20
8 a.m.

The Girl who Played with Fire
by Stieg Larsson
$7.99/15.95

> > and > >

Freshwater Boys
by Adam Schuitema
$13.99