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FDL Reads: Pax

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Anderson, Communications Assistant

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Suggested Age: Tweens, Teens

What is the book about?: Twelve year old Peter is forced to abandon his pet fox, Pax, when his father enlists in the military. Stricken by grief and his undying loyalty to his pet, he sets off on a journey to find him. As obstacles bar the path to reunion, both Peter and Pax discover more about themselves and their duties to the new friends they’ve made.

My Review: Like many stories about animals, this is a book that strives to strike an emotional chord with the reader, and it has moments where it hits the mark. The story is thoughtful and layered with deeper, more symbolic connections for older readers, while still offering a straightforward tale for a younger audience. I enjoyed Pennypacker’s fresh and vivid sensory descriptions, and appreciated that she was able to paint a scene without slowing down the narrative for a more restless reader. The chapters alternate between the point of view of Peter and Pax, allowing for the growth and development of both characters. The deepening of the characters in this story and the unfolding image of their lives is, in my opinion, one of the strongest aspects of this book. Though the ending was not an unexpected one, I did find it a little abrupt because I felt there were some loose ends. That being said, life is often riddled with such loose ends, and one could argue that it makes this story hit a little closer to home.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Vivid, thoughtful, unrelenting

Give This a Try if You Like… Foxy by Helen V. Griffith, A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean, and My Life of Crime by Richard W. Jennings

Rating: 4/5

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!

admin2018-05-04T13:28:46-05:00May 4th, 2018|

Digital Collections at the Library

Fondulac District Library offers numerous digital collections to cardholders, including:

Libby: an eBook and audiobook collection for Android, iOS, and Windows 10.
Overdrive: an eBook and audiobook collection compatible with iOS, Chromebook, Android, Kindle, Kobo, and NOOK tablets.
Axis 360: an eBook and audiobook collection compatible with iOS, Android, & Kindle.
Tumblebooks: streaming collections of eBooks, audiobooks, and read-along picture books.
Biblioboard: a free eBook collection filled with classic literature and more.

If you have any questions about utilizing these services, please visit or call the library at (309) 699-3917.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-04-30T08:15:53-05:00April 30th, 2018|

#FDL: Halfway to Halloween

It’s April, and that means 6 months until Halloween!

A lot of people love Halloween more than Christmas or their birthday or any other day of the year. Becky Spratford, author of popular librarian blog RA for All, has a horror version of that blog here as she really loves horror. She’s the person who made “halfway to Halloween” a thing. And even if you aren’t a librarian, you should check out her blog because she has a lot of excellent book recommendations that are for anyone. April doesn’t have a 31st day but there are plenty of ways you can celebrate Halfway to Halloween all month. Or just celebrate Halloween all year.

Check out a Roku from the library. FDL has a lot of movies, but you can only check out 10 at a time. If you check out a Roku, you’ll have access to hundreds of movies and channels and some of them have to be spooky.
Come in and talk to one of our librarians about what to read next. Have you read everything by Stephen King and are looking for other horror authors to devour? FDL librarians are trained to help you find your next great read, but there are a few of us who read horror and thrillers in our downtime and can give you some great titles.
If you’re in the mood to browse books from home, you can look at our catalog through our website, or you can check out our book review blog, FDL Reads. Not every book review is for a horror book, but you might find any number of books that strike your fancy.
Check out a creepy boardgame. Have a halfway to Halloween party and take up to 2 terrifying games from FDL’s collection. We have Cthulhu and zombies and communicable diseases. They’re always a great time!

Post by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist

About #FDL

Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.

admin2018-04-25T09:32:42-05:00April 25th, 2018|

Playaway Launchpad Tablets for Kids

Playaway Launchpad tablets for kids are available for checkout at Fondulac District Library.

Features:

Preloaded with high quality, ad-free apps that are both fun and educational.
Provides hours of interactive learning and play without exposure to unintended content or the need for a network connection or downloading. Launchpads are secure and do not have wi-fi access or a camera.
The library’s collection spans subject areas from math and science to critical thinking and creativity.
Launchpads are powered by an Android operating system and feature a 7-inch high definition touch screen, external speaker, universal audio jack, and a protective bumper.
One Launchpad can be checked out to a library card at a time for a 7 day lending period. Launchpads must be checked out and returned at the Youth Services desk with all of their accessories.

For additional details, visit the library’s Playaway Launchpad webpage, or visit or call the library at 309-699-3917.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-04-16T08:06:13-05:00April 16th, 2018|

Star Wars Day 2018 Itinerary

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 3 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018.

Free activities and programs for all ages will run throughout the day and include Jedi training, crafts, games, Star Wars Bingo, prize drawings, and much more. Special guests from the 501^st Legion, the Rebel Legion, and the Mandalorian Mercs costume clubs will be in attendance and available for photographs. Additionally, members of the East Peoria Robo Raiders, a local First Tech Challenge (FTC) team, will participate in a presentation and demonstration of the real-life “droids” they design, build, and take to competition. The library also offers Star Wars-related books and movies on display and available for check out.

Special Activities

10:15 Star Wars Bingo
11:30 Jedi Training (both Jedi training sessions are the same)
12:30 Jedi Training
2:00 Real-Life Droids: East Peoria Robo-Raiders

Ongoing Activities

I Spy with My Jedi Eye: Starting at the Children’s Information Desk
Craft Cantina: Children’s Department: Story and Craft Room – Star Wars puppets
Star Wars Puppet Theater: Children’s Department
Photo Booth: Children’s Department
Jedi Training Obstacle Course: Children’s Department & Atrium
Video Arcades: Second Floor (Teen Space)
Tattooine Tattoo Parlor: Second Floor
Perler for Padawans: Second Floor
Mace Windu’s Mementos: Second Floor
Force Fair: Atrium & Children’s Department – Porg Invasion, Death Star Destruction, and Blast-a-Trooper.
Star Wars Science Station: Atrium
Admiral Ackbar’s Snack Bar: Treats for sale from the Friends of the Library

For more information about this special event, call the library at (309) 699-3917. This post will be updated with any changes or additions to the schedule.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-04-05T14:51:42-05:00April 5th, 2018|

Live Chat Feature Now Available

Live chat is now available at fondulaclibrary.org during the library’s regular operating hours. Quick and convenient personalized assistance from FDL staff is only a click away! Chat is perfect for asking reference questions, inquiring about upcoming events, and getting connected with library services. Click the “Chat Now” link in the upper right hand corner of the website to get started. On a desktop computer the chat will open in a new tab or window.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-03-26T10:40:29-05:00March 26th, 2018|

Travel Photo Contest

The library is celebrating the summer reading program, “Reading Takes You Everywhere,” with a Travel Photo Contest. Submit photographs from your trips and vacations for a chance to have one or more printed, framed, and displayed in the library’s second floor exhibit space in June and July. Submissions will be accepted starting April 1, and the deadline to enter is May 1. The framed prints will be given to the photographers when the exhibit is over. Photos entered into the contest must be taken by the entrant and be able to be enlarged to 16×20 inches. Please provide your name and the date and location that the photo was taken. Entries must be in a digital format and may be submitted in person at the library or emailed to elizabeth@fondulaclibrary.org.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-03-23T08:23:26-05:00March 23rd, 2018|

Check Out a Museum Pass

Thanks to sponsorship from the Peoria Riverfront Museum’s Visionary Society, Fondulac District Library cardholders can now borrow a pass to the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

The library has one pass which is available to be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis to patrons with a valid Fondulac District Library library card. The pass can be used on the day of checkout or the following day. The pass includes general admission to all exhibits, galleries, and daytime planetarium shows for two adults and their children or grandchildren. Please see additional details available at fondulaclibrary.org/museum.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-03-22T09:35:15-05:00March 22nd, 2018|

Online Payments

For patron convenience, Fondulac District Library offers online fine payment.

To pay a fine online:

Click “My Account” on the top menu bar of the library website.
Type in your library card number and PIN.
Click on the tab entitled “Fines” to display fines associated with the card.
Read and select “Accept terms and conditions to submit payment.”
Click “Pay online to Fondulac Library.” Please note that the minimum online payment allowed is $1, and a convenience fee of 50¢ will be added to your payment.
Choose your credit card type, and enter your credit card information.
Select “Email me a payment receipt,” and enter your email address.
Click submit to complete your payment.

Please call the library at (309) 699-3917 with questions.

Elizabeth Anderson2018-03-19T08:04:12-05:00March 19th, 2018|

Spring 2018 Newsletter Now 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. Printed copies can also be picked up at the library.

Whether you are into history, writing, gaming, music, science, or crafts, we’ve got something planned for everyone at the library this spring! Please take a moment to review the newsletter and mark your calendars with the great lineup of programs happening at Fondulac District Library through June. Enjoy!

Download (PDF, 2.31MB)

Elizabeth Anderson2018-03-14T09:44:07-05:00March 14th, 2018|