Summer Olympics for Kids

2024-07-12T13:01:48-05:00July 12th, 2024|

FDL Reads: When the Moon is Low

When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi

Reviewed by:  Dawn Dickey

Genre:  Fiction

Suggested Age:  Adults, Teens

What is the book about?:  Fereiba, a teacher, and her engineer husband, Mahmoud, are middle class parents in Afghanistan, raising their family of two amidst a quickly changing and dangerous political scene. After Mahmoud is murdered, things change drastically and for the worse for Fereiba. She plans a daring escape with her three children, the youngest of whom would never meet his father.

My Review:   Opening this book, I was instantly drawn into Fereiba’s story. The characters and their experiences are true to life and could have been drawn from the news. Their story is compelling, containing both joy and tragedy and dangers I could never have imagined. I marveled at their courage, cried at their misfortunes, and was thankful for the help they received during their dangerous adventures. The tale alternated voices between Fereiba and her son, Saleem. This dual perspective made the audio book especially enjoyable. I highly recommend this book, in text or audio format!

Three Words That Describe This Book:  Courageous, enlightening, hopeful

 Give This a Try if You Like… We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls around the World by Malala Yousafzai or A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende or While the Earth Sleeps We Travel by Ahmed M. Badr

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

2024-07-03T09:35:29-05:00July 3rd, 2024|

Road Trip!

Summer often means it is time for a road trip!  The last thing you want to hear is ‘I’m bored!’ or ‘Are we there yet?’.  So come to the library and check out books, audio books, or launch pads to keep them occupied for the duration.  Or maybe you are not going anywhere – travel along with the characters in the book.  Remember you can use your library card to check out e-books in one of our many digital apps, like Hoopla, Boundless, and Tumblebooks.  They will never run out of things to read!

Check out these stories about characters on vacation:

Picture Books:

Fly High, Fly Guy! By Tedd Arnold

Wherever You Go by Pat Miller

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation                by Stan Berenstain

Duck’s Vacation by Gilad Soffer

1001 Things to Spot on Vacation by Hazel Maskell

Easy Readers:

The Haunted Road Trip (Scooby Doo) by Gail Herman

I am Brave by Suzy Capozzi

Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip by Kim Dean

What a trip, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger

EZ Chapter section:

Pug’s Road Trip by Kyla May

Heidi Heckelbeck and the Wild Ride by Wanda Coven

Lola Levine and the Vacation Dream by Monica Brown

The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation by Shannon Hale

Chapter Books:

Thea Stilton & the American Dream by Thea Stilton

Amelia Bedelia Road Trip! by Herman Parish

Charlie Joe’s Jackson’s Guide to Summer Vacation          by Tom Greenwald

The Someday Birds by Sally Pla

The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser

Julie Fonseca, Youth Services Assistant

cover art for Amelia Bedelia's Road Trip, decorative
cover art for Pug's Road Trip, pug dog in a car
cover art for Duck's Vacation, duck and crab on a beach
cover art for What a Trip, Amber Brown; young girl carrying suitcases
2024-06-28T15:54:16-05:00July 1st, 2024|

#FDL: LGBTQ+ Books

 

Finish out Pride Month with one of these LGBTQ+ book recommendations from our library!

Delilah Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Fairest by Meredith Talusan

Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing by Lauren Hough

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

Blackmail, My Love by Katie Gilmartin

Bodies of Water by T. Greenwood

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Less: A Novel by Andrew Greer

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Let’s Get Back to the Party by Zak Salih

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson

Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Nightcrawlers by Bill Pronzini

 

 

Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.

 

2024-06-28T10:14:11-05:00June 28th, 2024|

FDL Reads: I’m an American

I’m an American by Darshana KhianiI'm an American

Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager

Genre: Picture book

Suggested Age: Kids (4-8)

What is This Book About? A classroom of diverse children share bits of their family history and highlight ideals they value that make them American, each family working in their own way to make our country great. Some describe how their family fled hardships in their homelands, and others describe their lives in this country. Indigenous nations are also highlighted through the story of a Muscogee child. While each story describes challenges these families faced or continue to face, they each have a message of determination and hope that we can continue to improve our communities and country as a whole. For every group highlighted there is a note in the back about the impact these groups have had on our country, as well as factors effecting immigration and their lives once they arrived here.

My Review: I greatly enjoyed this story and learning more about the vast number of diverse experiences of people in this country. Presenting each story as it relates to an American ideal like determination and freedom of expression made them stories I could easily relate my own family to. The back matter taught me a great deal that I want to read more about, like how there were laws allowing Indian men but not Indian women from immigrating to the United States and how, despite immigration from other Asian countries being barred, exclusion laws didn’t apply to Filipinos because it was a U.S. territory. While not hiding the challenges and discrimination that people faced, this book still presents an optimistic outlook for the future.

Three Words that Describe this Book: patriotic, hopeful, historical

Give This A Try if You LikeBlue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus; The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander; America My Love, America My Heart by Daria Peoples-Riley; My Red, White, and Blue by Alana Tyson; I is for Immigrant by Selina Alko; A is for Asian-American by Virginia Loh-Hogan

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

FDL Reads

2024-06-27T19:21:14-05:00June 27th, 2024|

FDL Reads: Just for the Summer

 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

 Reviewed By: Rebecca Cox, Business Manager

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age:  Adults

What is This Book About?  Just for the Summer is a romantic comedy centered around travel nurse Emma and software engineer Justin who meet thanks to a Reddit thread. Emma and Justin realize that they have the same “curse” that whoever they date then goes on to find their soul mate immediately after they break up. They decide to try to break their curses by dating each other.

My Review: I honestly thought that this was going to be an incredibly predictable romantic novel (which, honestly, I sometimes like – especially in the summer for a bit of hammock reading) but this book brings equal parts romance and real world. Emma and Justin are very relatable characters each dealing with their own huge issues – much bigger than not finding the right person to date. Seeing them adjust to their lives and deal with their respective traumas brought a depth to this book that a lot of rom-com novels are lacking. And it helps that the writing was so good that I couldn’t put it down!

Three Words that Describe this Book: Witty, Romantic, Engaging

Give this a try if you like… Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez, This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune, Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!  

FDL Reads

2024-06-24T16:05:13-05:00June 24th, 2024|

FDL Reads: The Duke and I

The Duke and I by Julia QuinnThe Duke and I: The (Bridgertons Book 1): Quinn, Julia: 9780062353597: Amazon.com: Books

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Adult Services Specialist

Genre: Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about? Julia Quinn’s first book in the Bridgerton series won’t disappoint as it follows the charming love story between Simon and Daphne. Simon, the Duke of Hastings has grown up estranged from his verbally and emotionally abusive father. He has no interest in marrying anyone until he meets beautiful and clever Daphne Bridgerton. The two strike a mutually beneficial deal–they will enter into a fake courtship that will keep the Duke safe from the rabid mothers of the town, and make Daphne appear highly desired. The fake relationship starts turning into a real one, and then more drama ensues!

My Review: I’m getting ready for FDL’s Bridgerton Tea program on June 26. I am a big fan of the Bridgerton show, but I haven’t read any of the books. Fans of the show will find that certain characters and subplots that are in the show are not in the book. But, the main story between Simon and Daphne is about exactly the same. So, if you are a fan of the Bridgerton show, check this out and you may delve deeper into Julia Quinn’s books. She has quite a few in the series now!

Three Words That Describe This Book: Charming, Spicy, Enjoyable

Give This a Try if You Like…books by Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, or Jane Austen

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

FDL Reads

2024-06-18T09:51:58-05:00June 15th, 2024|

Big Fun with Big Trucks!

The Big Rig Petting Zoo may be over; however, the FDL Children’s Department has lots of great transportation books. When you are in the library, checkout the Non-Fiction Section: 629, Picture Book Section: Go, the Board Book Section, and, don’t forget online books: Hoopla, Libby, Boundless, and Tumblebooks. FDL also has a Storytime in the Box: Transportation.

Here are just a few of the many Big Rig books you can find at FDL:

Nonfiction

Dump Trucks by Aaron Frisch

Fire Trucks by Penny Glover

Humvees by John Hamilton

Big Rig on the Move by Candice Ransom

The Usborne Big Book of Big Trucks by Megan Cullis

GO Section

This Truck by Paul Collicutt

Fire Trucks in Action by Mari Schuh

Monster Bulldozers by Chris Bowman

Concrete Mixers by Ray McClellan

Grandma Drove the Snowplow by Katie Clark

I Stink! By Kate McMullan

Board Books

Trucks by Ruth Musgrave

That’s Not My Truck: It’s Too Squashy by Fiona Watts

Jonny Lambert’s Construction Site by Jonny Lambert

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle

Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?
by Brianna Caplan Sayers

eBooks

Trucks by Matt Mullins (Hoopla)

Bucket Trucks by Derek Zobel (Hoopla)

Heavy-duty Trucks by Joyce Milton (Boundless)

Police Cars by Amy Mcdonald (Libby)

Buses by Logan Avery (Libby)

Big Truck Little Island by Chris Van Dusen (Tumblebooks)

Kris Tyler, Youth Services Specialist

2024-06-14T13:30:49-05:00June 14th, 2024|

National Adopt-a-Cat Month!

June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month! According to shelteranimalscount.org, 2.6 million cats were adopted from shelters and rescue centers in 2023. While adoption rates are up, shelters and rescues sadly become more and more overpopulated.

Common misconceptions about shelter animals include bad behavior, poor health, or that they are “old” and undesirable. The truth is cats adopted from shelters or rescue centers can be more healthy, loving and unique.

Read more about adopting a furry feline friend!

Mutual Rescue : How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too by Carol Novello

I Found a Kitty! by Troy Cummings

Pretty Kitty by Karen Beaumont

Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn

For the Love of Cats by Sandy Robbins

For the Love of Rescue Cats by Tom Colvin

2024-06-03T15:47:07-05:00June 10th, 2024|

#FDL: Fantasy – June Giveaway

From the barest hint of magic realism to an amazingly detailed epic fantasy with extraordinary world-building, the fantasy genre has a wide spectrum of magic and mysticism.  Here are some new and upcoming titles that demonstrate this variety.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

Published: 04/25/24

Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp, academy dropout, and―thanks to a duel that ended badly―the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine, rigged card games, and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away. When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances, he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes, he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.

His search for answers leads him to Saphrona, fabled city of merchant princes, where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth, but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow. For in Saphrona, everything has a price―and the price of truth is the deadliest of all.

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi

Expected Publication: 07/09/24

In Navola, a bustling city-state dominated by a handful of influential families, business is power, and power is everything. For generations, the di Regulai family—merchant bankers with a vast empire—has nurtured tendrils that stretch to the farthest reaches of the known world. And though they claim not to be political, their staggering wealth has bought cities and toppled kingdoms. Soon, Davico di Regulai will be expected to take the reins of power from his father and demonstrate his mastery of the games of Navolese knowing who to trust and who to doubt, and how to read what lies hidden behind a smile. But in Navola, strange and ancient undercurrents lurk behind the gilt and grandeur—like the fossilized dragon eye in the family’s possession, a potent symbol of their raw power and a talisman that seems to be summoning Davico to act.

As tensions rise and the events unfold, Davico will be tested to his limits. His fate depends on the eldritch dragon relic and on what lies buried in the heart of his adopted sister, Celia di Balcosi, whose own family was destroyed by Nalova’s twisted politics. With echoes of Renaissance Italy, The Godfather , and Game of Thrones , Navola is a stunning feat of world-building and a mesmerizing depiction of drive and will.

 

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Expected publication: 07/16/24

As boys, best friends Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell went missing in a vast West Virginia state forest, only to mysteriously reappear six months later with no explanation for where they’d gone or how they’d survived.

Fifteen years after their miraculous homecoming, Rafe is a reclusive artist who still bears scars inside and out but has no memory of what happened during those months. Meanwhile, Jeremy has become a famed missing persons’ investigator. With his uncanny abilities, he is the one person who can help vet tech Emilie Wendell find her sister, who vanished in the very same forest as Rafe and Jeremy.

Jeremy alone knows the fantastical truth about the disappearances, for while the rest of the world was searching for them, the two missing boys were in a magical realm filled with impossible beauty and terrible danger. He believes it is there that they will find Emilie’s sister. However, Jeremy has kept Rafe in the dark since their return for his own inscrutable reasons. But the time for burying secrets comes to an end as the quest for Emilie’s sister begins. The former lost boys must confront their shared past, no matter how traumatic the memories.

Alongside the headstrong Emilie, Rafe and Jeremy must return to the enchanted world they called home for six months—for only then can they get back everything and everyone they’ve lost.

 

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Expected publication: 07/09/24

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she and her assistant, Caz—a magically sentient spider plant—have spent the last decade sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite.

When a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz flee with all the spellbooks they can carry and head to a remote island Kiela never thought she’d see again: her childhood home. Taking refuge there, Kiela discovers, much to her dismay, a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor who can’t take a hint and keeps showing up day after day to make sure she’s fed and to help fix up her new home.

In need of income, Kiela identifies something that even the bakery in town doesn’t have: jam. With the help of an old recipe book her parents left her and a bit of illegal magic, her cottage garden is soon covered in ripe berries. But magic can do more than make life a little sweeter, so Kiela risks the consequences of using unsanctioned spells and opens the island’s first-ever and much needed secret spellshop.

 

-Annotations from the publishers

 

Post by Melissa Friedlund, Adult Services Specialist

 

Giveaway

Enter your name here for a chance to win ARCs of the books mentioned in this post. One entry per person. Drawing to be held approximately 7 days after this post.

ARCs are “advanced reading copies.” These are free copies of a new books given by a publisher to librarians and other reviewers before the book is printed for mass distribution.

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.

2024-06-06T18:59:19-05:00June 6th, 2024|
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