MADreads
A review of
Thunder Boy Jr.
by
Sherman
Alexie
A fun story about names, family, and finding your own place in the world, Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie (Little, Brown and Company, 2016) tells a refreshing story paired with beautiful, full page illustrations. Thunder Boy is named after his father – Big Thunder. He loves his dad, but he wants his own name – a name that says something unique about him. Little Thunder thinks of some possibilities . . . he likes playing in dirt, so maybe his name should be “Mud in His Ears” . . . but he also
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Reviewed by Tracy on
September 30, 2016
New Mysteries
For a number of years now I'm been sharing a list of mysteries, both new characters and old. Here is my fall/winter 2016 list of titles I am looking forward to reading. I've already started on my list with Manitou Canyon. Another solid entry in the Cork O'Connor series.
A Deadly Affection by
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Reviewed by Kathy K. - Central on
September 27, 2016
Racial Equity Resources
In 2014, the City of Madison undertook a deliberate, focused and organized effort called the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative (RESJI). One of the guiding principles of the City's RESJI is authentic, ongoing public engagement and participation, with the goal of changing the culture of our city - including addressing institutional racism. The city, and the library, are committed to supporting and aligning with other racial equity and social justice efforts - including the work
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Reviewed by Molly - Central on
September 26, 2016
A review of
The Slowest Book Ever
by
April Pulley
Sayre
Without reading ahead, what would you guess is the heaviest living thing on the planet? Would you guess an elephant? A blue whale? Maybe a giant squid? I was surprised to discover that by weight, giant sequoia trees are the biggest thing on Earth. Giant Sequoias live for about 3,000 years, and at maturity can weigh 2.7 million pounds, as much as eleven full grown blue whales.
Focusing on nature and natural processes, Pulley Sayre invites readers to slow down and learn all
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Reviewed by Karen on
September 23, 2016
A review of
Today Will Be Different
by
Maria
Semple
We’ve all said it: today will be the day I…and we fill in the blank with whatever event will make all the difference in life. That’s the case with Eleanor Flood, a cartoonist who is ready to radiate calm, actually attend her yoga class, exercise enviable self-control and confidence, and stop saying ‘amazing’ so often. But Eleanor lives in Maria Semple’s world, where the mere mention of calmness is a guarantee of ensuing chaos. Today Will Be Different is no different. Like
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Reviewed by Katie H. on
September 22, 2016
A review of
Highly Illogical Behavior
by
John Corey
Whaley
Solomon is sixteen years old, and he hasn't left his house since he was 13. Ever since he had a majorly public (and still talked about) anxiety attack in middle school, the teen has been content to stay in his house and earn his diploma online, with only his parents and grandmother for company. Enter Lisa-- a former classmate who is eager to infiltrate his happy but private world in order to gather material for a winning college essay she hopes to write. Accompanied by her handsome boyfriend
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Reviewed by Beth on
September 21, 2016
A review of
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates
by
Abraham
Lincoln
It's that time!
The dates and venues have been announced for the 2016 Presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as well as the date for the Vice Presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Pence. Find the complete 2016 Presidential Debate schedule here.
As our nation prepares for the upcoming presidential election, let us think back to electoral
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Reviewed by Molly - Central on
September 16, 2016
New Titles
October has to be the perfect month for curling up with a good novel, and there are plenty of new titles to choose from. Brit Bennett’s debut The Mothers has been generating lots of buzz; her tale of love and its fallout in a tight-knit black Southern California community hits shelves October 11. Sticking with Los Angeles, author Joe Ide assigns his unconventional PI the cases the LAPD refuse to touch (and with good reason) in his debut novel IQ. MPL favorite Maria Semple (
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Reviewed by Katie H. on
September 14, 2016
A review of
Troublemaker
by
Linda
Howard
Morgan Yancy leads a dangerous life as a team leader in a paramilitary super-secret group is back in DC for a little rest and relaxation after the latest mission. So, he is not expecting to be shot outside his condo or to be in a hospital fighting for his life.
Isabeau (Bo) Maran has finally established a life she loves in a small town in West Virginia with a part-time administrative job as the chief of police which allows her the time to restructure her life after her last job went up in
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Reviewed by Liz - Sequoya on
September 13, 2016
