genna - Fondulac District Library | East Peoria, IL

FDL Reads: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Reviewed by: Nell German, Adult Services

Note: This book is set for discussion in the YA For All reading group in August.

Genre: YA Romance

Suggested Age: 15 – 18 but has universal themes that are interesting to an adult audience. Especially parents of teens.

What is the book about?: Park is a high school sophomore, just trying to make it through without too much hassle. His mother is Korean, and his father is American-Irish. All of the sudden there is this new girl, Eleanor, who is just out to ruin everything.

Eleanor is also a high school sophomore who has just moved back home and is starting all over at a new school. She has four siblings and a step-father that she does not get along with.

As they grow closer over the course of a school year, you get to know a lot about these two, and their families. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

My review: This book is a touching book about self-acceptance, first love, cultural identity issues, and family. I particularly liked that I knew these kids, and their families. They were authentic characters dealing with real issues that high-school students (and their parents) face every day.

It does contain issues surrounding family violence. There is also a brief scene with alcohol and marijuana (not a prevailing theme, or glorified).

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!

genna2014-06-16T09:48:58-05:00June 16th, 2014|

BIG Book Sale Returns in June

Big Book Sale 2014 The Friends of Fondulac District Library BIG Book Sale returns June 20 and June 21 at the library! Excellent hardback and paperback books for all ages will be sold at a reasonable prices on Friday, June 20, from 10 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday, June 21, from 9 am to 3 pm. Shoppers also have the chance to win one of several door prizes donated by East Peoria businesses. After the Big Book Sale, the remaining paperback books will be boxed and mailed to military facilities to support the U.S. Armed Forces and their families using the non-for-profit organization Operation Paperback.

The Friends group maintains a ongoing book sale, as well, at the library. The ongoing sale is open anytime the library is. The Friends accepts donations of books, movies, or music at the library at any time. The Friends of Fondulac District Library is dedicated to supporting the library through advocacy, financial support and volunteerism. Please contact the library at 699-3917 to learn more about this organization, the Big Book Sale, or to donate items.

genna2014-05-27T10:49:24-05:00May 27th, 2014|

Teen Study Night is Monday!

Finals time has come again! Students in grades 9 through 12 can cram for exams at Teen Study Night at Fondulac District Library from 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 26. Enjoy food, drink, and an academic atmosphere with study help from local teachers. Doors close and lock at 6 p.m., so don’t be late! **Please note that the library is closed on May 26 for Memorial Day. The library will be open only from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for teens attending the event.**

genna2014-05-21T17:46:19-05:00May 21st, 2014|

Food for Fines During National Library Week

To celebrate National Library Week, Fondulac District Library is offering a “Food for Fines” waiver program. Exchange canned goods & other foods for library overdue fines during National Library Week, April 13-19, 2014, at Fondulac District Library. All donations go to East Peoria Food Pantry.

Library cardholders will get $1 in current fines* waived for each can or package of the following foods:

peanut butter
canned chicken or tuna
canned vegetables, fruit, or soups
cereal
pasta

Bring canned goods, or items in boxes or plastic bags or jars (no glass can be accepted) to the circulation desk at the library. Don’t forget to bring your library card!

*No drop-offs, glass containers, open packages, repackaged items, or expired food, please. Food for Fines does not apply to existing or future overdue fines, fees related to damaged or lost items, or fees related to agency collections.

genna2014-04-14T13:27:12-05:00April 14th, 2014|

Star Wars Day is April 12

Fondulac District Library announces Star Wars Day, which celebrates reading and the stories of one of the most popular sagas of all time. The all-ages event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, at Fondulac District Library in East Peoria, Illinois.

Free activities and programs for all ages will run throughout the day and include a story time, Jedi training, a costume derby, crafts, a Star Wars Science Station, games, a Wookieespeak contest, prize drawings, and much more. Special guests from the 501st Legion, the Rebel Legion, and the Mandalorian Mercs costume clubs will be in attendance and available for photographs. Additionally, members of the costume clubs will participate in a panel discussion and question and answer session. The library also offers Star Wars-related books and movies on display and available for check out to library cardholders.

AGENDA

10 am-4 pm — Ongoing Activities: Crafts, games, and more! I Spy With My Jedi Eye, Gear Station, Video Game Arcades, Thumb Doodles, Star Wars Puppet Theater, Photo Booth, X-wing Miniature Game, Perler for Padawans, Boba Fett’s Badge Factory, Tatooine Tattoo Parlor, Force Fair Carnival Games, Blast-a-Trooper, Star Wars Science Station, Admiral Ackbar’s Snack Bar

10:15 am — Star Wars Storytime: Join Miss Sue and friends as she tells of the awesome adventures and epic stories of Star Wars.

11 am & 1 pm — Jedi Training:Bring your lightsaber and experience the power of the Force as you train to become a Jedi Knight! Padawan participants (8^th grade or younger) will pledge the sacred Jedi Oath. Then, hone your battle skills as you learn the age-old techniques from a Jedi Master. Under the supervision of the Jedi Master, learn and master moves in an easy, step-by-step process that any true Jedi could handle and even earn a training certificate.

2 pm — Costume Derby and Wookieespeak Contest: YOU are the star of Star Wars Day! Come in costume to Star Wars Day and strut your stuff for a chance to win a prize! Show off your garb and tell us more about your character and your costume. Not dressing up? Still be sure to stop by the costume derby to see and learn more about the cool costumes. All attendees in costume are invited to assemble at the derby for a special drawing. Separate drawings will be held for adults and kids.

Arrrrrwrrrrrronnkkk raarrh! Have you mastered intergalactic communication? Treat us to your best call of the wild, and you could win a prize!

3 pm — Meet the Legions: It takes a Light Side AND a Dark Side to bring balance to the Force of costuming…which side will you join? Members of the 501st Legion, the Rebel Legion, and the Mandalorian Mercs participate in this panel discussion, answering questions about the organizations, their costumes, and more.

These supporters, we thank.

Fondulac District Library would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their support of Star Wars Day.

Midwest Garrison, Illinois chapter of The 501st Legion
Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club
Rebel Legion
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2)
Peoria Riverfront Museum
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Festival of Lights (FOLEPI)
Robert Haddock, Random House Inc.
Fantasy Flight Games
The Levee District, including Potbelly and Costco
Creve Coeur Public Library
Owen and Rion
Our awesome SWD volunteers, including Key Club, Dave Gibbons, the Wheelers, and more

Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

genna2022-12-21T14:22:31-06:00March 26th, 2014|

Spring Newsletter Available!

The latest issue of Community Connection, Fondulac District Library’s quarterly newsletter, is now available! It is mailed to residences within the library district and also is available for download and printing from our website. Read all about the great events, programs, and services from FDL. We’ve got something for everyone this April through June, including Star Wars Day, gardening workshops, new book clubs, Comics Book Week 2, technology and art workshops, Summer Reading, and so much more!

genna2014-03-18T13:11:37-05:00March 18th, 2014|

Valentines for Seniors

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about young, romantic love. Take some time out this Saturday, February 8, to write and send a heartfelt Valentine to a local senior citizen. Knowing someone is thinking of you is some of the greatest love of all! Our Valentine creation station will be open all day, and library staff will deliver the cards to local care facilities before Valentine’s Day.

genna2014-02-03T15:06:05-06:00February 3rd, 2014|

Tax Assistance Cancelled at FDL

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has cancelled its tax preparation assistance service hosted at Fondulac District Library for the 2014 tax season. The AARP Tax Aide volunteer coordinator contacted the library the afternoon of January 31 to notify the library of the cancellation. AARP will notify those who have already made appointments of the cancellation. (Update 2/2/14: The library has been informed that AARP contacted appointment holders with a pre-recorded phone call message the afternoon of 2/2/14.)

AARP Tax-Aide provides tax service at several locations in the area. Please visit the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator online or call 888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277) to find another location. Visit the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for more information about the AARP tax preparation program.

Please note that AARP’s cancellation of the service at Fondulac District Library does not affect the Circuit Breaker form preparation assistance being provided the Central Illinois Agency on Aging being offered at the library. The Central Illinois Agency on Aging helps prepare Circuit Breaker forms on Wednesdays only, February 5 through April 9, 2014, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. No registration is required for the service.

OTHER LOCAL TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

METEC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

genna2014-01-31T16:01:17-06:00January 31st, 2014|

Super Game Day

UPDATE: Super Game Day was a success! About 150 people participated in the gaming fun, and all reported have a great time! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and also to the staff and volunteers that made it happen. Don’t forget that board gaming and video gaming are available at the library anytime the library is open!

Join us Saturday, January 25, as Fondulac District Library kicks off its new gaming program! Get out of the cold, bring the family, bring your friends, or even come by yourself. No matter what, come PLAY at the library! Join us for all sorts of games! Board games, video games, prizes, and much more will be available. Learn to play a new game, and see what your library has to offer.
– video arcade with vintage and new games
– intro to Pathfinder
– learn and play modern board games
– games available for players age 10* and up

*The program has been designed for older kids, teens, and adults. However, all ages are welcome.

Please feel free to call Laura or Nick at the library with questions about subject matter and skill levels.

This program will be located in the Library and Civic Plaza meeting rooms.

genna2014-01-16T15:19:30-06:00January 16th, 2014|

Downton Abbey Tea Time

Downton Abbey Tea Time Fondulac District Library requests your presence at an afternoon tea – Downton Abbey style! At 2 p.m. February 22, learn about English life between the wars, see fashions from the time, enjoy goodies, and discuss Downton, of course! Registration is limited and begins January 2 at the library. $5 per person due at sign up.

genna2014-01-16T15:10:56-06:00January 16th, 2014|

About genna

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

About FDL Reads

AGENDA

These supporters, we thank.