2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the archaeologist who gave adventure a a new name: Directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg teamed up to give us Indiana Jones, who made his debut in Raiders of the Lost Ark. As a young and impressionable viewer Dr. David WestReynolds was blown away by the thrills he saw [...]
When people think of fairy tales, they often think of childhood, but a lot of adults love fairy tales too! No novel-length retellings this time (that's a blog post for a different day), but brief bites of fairy tale flavor for grown-ups. A book I recently read and loved was Veronica Schanoes's short story collection [...]
Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller (2019), 357 pages. (Overdrive/Libby ebook also available) She was known to millions as Emily Doe. After her sexual assault on Stanford's campus, her rapist was convicted, only for the judge to sentence him to a paltry handful of months in jail. At the same time, "Emily Doe" [...]
At this time of year, a lot of people tend to think about American history-- the founding fathers, the revolution, the thirteen colonies. But equally important is the American future-- what will that look like? Some potential answers to that question are found in the short story anthology The People's Future of the United States, [...]
In case you are wondering what the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is, do not fear! I am here to fill you in with everything you need to know.What is the Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award?Each year, a committee is composed of experts in children's literature and children's development to choose five of their favorite [...]
Looking for picture books to build self-esteem and celebrate African American children? Today's book list is for you! Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick C. Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James (2017). Celebrate that amazing feeling of walking out of the barber shop with a fresh haircut that makes you feel like you [...]
Next week a lovely book comes out that I can't wait for you all to be able to read. Appropriately releasing during Pride Month, How We Do Family is the memoir of Trystan Reese, a gay transgender man, about his family. Trystan and his then-boyfriend Biff had only been dating a year when they took [...]
June is Audiobook Appreciation Month, and I’d like to share with you some of my personal favorites I’ve come across while working at the Library. These are great suggestions to help add to your Summer Reading Minutes, as well as enjoy during long summer road trips! Harry Potter (the whole series) by J.K. Rowling: I [...]
This summer, Professor Steve will be sharing with us his amazing tales of science and scientists. Participants will learn about inventions that happened by accident, such as Silly Putty, Play Doe and Popsicles! Students will discover how inventors like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison made discoveries over one hundred years ago that make life easier [...]
June is LGBT Pride Month and today I'm here with some great picture books about gender identity that are perfect for reading during Pride Month. Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney-Barlow. 2021. Just before his fifth birthday, Penelope lets his mother know he is [...]
