Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus
By Linda Sue Park
Boston: Clarion Books, 2020 

Hannah and her father are moving to the town of LaForge in Dakota Territory in 1880. Hannah is excited to set up their dress good shops, and maybe show Pa that she's a good enough seamstress to start sewing dresses for the ladies in town. But Hannah is very aware of the fact that she looks different from the other townspeople. Her late mother was Chinese and she and Pa have had to move away from other towns before because of it. Can LaForge be their final stop?

Author Linda Sue Park loved the Little House on the Prairie series growing up, but knew in her heart that Ma would never let Laura play with her because she was Asian. Prairie Lotus is influenced by that series, told through a different set of eyes. Experienced readers will recognize landmarks and some familiar faces in the town of LaForge, but previous experience with Wilder's work isn't necessary. This is a wonderfully written book in a familiar setting, told in a new and necessary voice. I highly recommend it for both fans of the Little House books and anyone looking for a fantastic piece of historical fiction with a female lead. 

Dragon Pearl

Dragon Pearl
by Yoon Ha Lee
New York: Disney Hyperion, 2019

Kim Min is a thirteen year old fox spirit, affecting a human appearance, and living with her family on the settler planet of Jinju. Her mother has always discouraged her from using her fox magic, like Charm and shape shifting. Foxes are not highly regarded by other supernatural beings or humans. But when her brother Jun is reported as a military deserter, Min must use all of her tricks if she's going to find him and clear his name.

Okay, this is Korean folklore and magic and fox spirits and dragons and goblins. In space. What more could you ask for? This is another wonderful afternoon escape from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. I can honestly say I've never read a space opera like this, and I'm looking forward to the second book set in the same world. It should absolutely be noted that one of the main secondary characters uses they/them pronouns, as do other minor characters. And just look at that cover. Dragon Pearl is available for curbside pickup through the Galesburg Public Library and through the Libby app.

100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

August 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which prohibited states and the federal government from denying women the right to vote based on their sex. Introduced into Congress back in 1878, this amendment represents decades of meeting, protests, letter writing campaigns, hunger strikes, marches, and more. Even after 1920, Black, Native American, Latina, and Asian American women were still unable to vote until decades later due to state laws and other barriers.

In honor of this momentous anniversary, we've collected our favorite books on voting and women's suffrage. We hope that you'll check them out through our curbside pickup program!


Go Vote, Baby!
by Nancy Lambert
New York: HarperFestival, 2020 

A fantastic first voting book, this board book has sliders allowing the readers to vote on important issues like cats vs. dogs and ice cream vs. cake.

Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America
by Deborah Diesen
San Diego: Beach Lane Books, 2020 

 A right isn't right
Till it's granted to all

Through rhyming verse, this book provides a look at the history of voting rights in America. While representation was supposed to be a strength of our new nation, in truth only white men who owned property were initially able to vote. But over the years, through the struggles and efforts of many people, more and more Americans were able to vote and make their voice heard.

Vote for Our Future!
by Margaret McNamara
New York: Schwartz and Wade, 2020

'Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn't mean they can't encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change--and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow's voters to change the future.' 

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights
by Monica Kulling
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

This biography is aimed at beginning readers and tells the story of one of the leaders of the woman's suffrage movement.

History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote
by Kate Messner
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

'Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT?

WRONG! Susan B. Anthony wasn't even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution.

The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative's mom. No joke.'

The Woman's Hour (Adapted for Young Readers): Our Fight for the Right to Vote
by Elaine Weiss
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

'This adaptation of the book Hillary Clinton calls "a page-turning drama and an inspiration" will spark the attention of young readers and teach them about activism, civil rights, and the fight for women's suffrage--just in time for the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Includes an eight-page photo insert!'

Primer

Primer
by Jennifer Muro & Thomas Krajewski, art by Gretel Lusky
Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2020

Ashley Rayburn has been bouncing around foster homes for the past several years, after her father got sent to prison. But now she's found a good fit with the Nolans, and has even made a friend at school. But trouble seems to follow her, and she finds a case full of body paints that grant superpowers to the wearer. Now she's trying to balance her alter-ego 'Primer' with her new 'normal' life, while the government and its soldiers are searching for the missing paint.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! It was a quick read, less than an hour, but thoroughly engrossing. It's set in the DC universe, but you don't need to have any prior knowledge of it going in. As to be expected with the subject material, the artwork and colors are simply gorgeous. The characters are well-written, the humor is great, and the ending is set up for a sequel that I really hope will be coming out soon. Highly recommended to graphic novel and comic book fans.

You can request this book for curbside pickup by using our on-line card catalog or calling the Galesburg Public Library.  

International Tiger Day

Since its inception in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, International Tiger Day has been celebrated on July 29 each year . It's a day to promote global conservation to protect tiger habitat, and raise public support and awareness for tiger conservation.

I was an animal keeper before I came to Galesburg Public Library, and over the years I've had the incredible opportunity to work with Bengal tigers at Nashville Zoo (including hand rearing cubs), Sumatran tigers at Topeka Zoo, and Amur (Siberian) tigers at Peoria Zoo. Even after almost 20 years, being near them would still make me catch my breath.

In celebration of these gorgeous stripey cats, here are some of our greatest tiger books. When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is the story of Lily, who is caring for her ailing Korean grandmother. A magical tiger, from one of her grandmother's stories, appears and offers her a trade: her grandmother's health in exchange for what she stole from the tigers long ago. But can tigers be trusted? In Camp Tiger, a young boy sets off on his annual camping trip with his family, but this year, things are a little different, and he finds himself sharing a tent with a tiger. Finally, we've got a great nonfiction section, and Tigers by Patricia Janes is chock full with facts and information in an easily readable format.

Be sure to check out these and other books at Galesburg Public Library! Happy International Tiger Day!

Children's Book List: Funny Books for Kids

During these Interesting Times, the Children's Department has been hard at work updating our book lists. Whether you're looking for a book on a particular topic (like feeling different) or want to read something similar to that series that you just finished up (and now have that empty, lost feeling), we've probably got a book list for that. You can find the full list of our children's book lists on our website. We've also put all of these awesome lists on Beanstack. If you haven't had a chance to check out Beanstack, you really should. We'll be highlighting some of our book lists in these blog posts throughout the summer. Happy reading!

We could all use a laugh right now. Featured below are three of our favorite funny books. Our reading list has more picture, chapter, and nonfiction books to explore.

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings
by Julie Colombet
Atlanta: Peachtree, 2020 

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings has many rules. Always act in a distinguished manner. No climbing. No mud. No questioning the rules. Bertie the lemming has had enough and goes outside where he meets a bear. The bear doesn't know about the rules, and Bertie finds that he likes climbing and mud and other undistinguished things. When the other lemmings meet the bear, they try to make him follow the rules. Can the bear ever be distinguished?  Does he need to be?




Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

by Judy Blume
New York: Dutton, 1972

Peter Hatcher is in the fourth grade in New York City in the 1970s. And his life is pretty good: he's got a best friend, he's got a turtle named Dribble. But he also has a two-year old brother named Fudge (short for Farley Drexel) who is making his life miserable. 







I'm Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grownups
by Chris Harris
New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017 

Reminiscent of the very best of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss, this madcap book combines poems of all shapes, sizes, and types with fantastic illustrations. Highlights include 'The Gecko', 'The Frog Race', and 'Worst. Birthday Party. Ever.'

 

Children's Book List: And the Winner Is: Children’s Books About Contests and Competitions

During these Interesting Times, the Children's Department has been hard at work updating our book lists. Whether you're looking for a book on a particular topic (like feeling different) or want to read something similar to that series that you just finished up (and now have that empty, lost feeling), we've probably got a book list for that. You can find the full list of our children's book lists on our website. We've also put all of these awesome lists on Beanstack. If you haven't had a chance to check out Beanstack, you really should. It makes signing up for and monitoring summer reading a breeze! We'll be highlighting some of our book lists in these blog posts throughout the summer. Happy reading!

It's not a competition, but you're winning! From dog shows to talent shows to spelling bees, we've got books that tell stories of contests and competitions.

Clifford the Champion
by Norman Bridwell
New York: Cartwheel Books, 2009

 Clifford the Big Red Dog is back! He's trying to become America's Super Dog! But there's a tough competitor named Champ who does everything perfectly. Can Clifford show that he's a good sport?












The Talent Show: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure
by Keith Baker
San Diego: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012 

Everyone's favorite alligator couple are back in another adventure! This time they're entering the town's talent show. As alligators do.










The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee
by Deborah Abela
Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2018


India Wimple is a spectacular speller. A stupendous speller. But when her family convinces her to audition for her favorite televised spelling bee, she's simply scared. Can she overcome her nerves and the competition to become the champion?