Midwives are known for delivering babies, but as mystery writers well know, they are also keepers of secrets. Their job takes them from the echelons of society to the truly desperate, which makes them excellently placed to suss out the truth of a crime. All of the books I mention in this post are just as good…
Going to the Movies with the Captain?
Are you waiting impatiently for the Captain Underpants movie and looking for some silly hi-jinks and caped capers? Well, never fear! The library is here! In our house, we have often checked out all the Dav Pilkey books we can carry—from picture books parodies, Dogzilla and Kat Kong, to the terrifically transitional Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series and all…
Peaceniks
John Lennon told us to give peace a chance. He was shot. Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted nonviolent protest. He was shot, too. So was Gandhi, and I'd rather not get into what they did to Jesus. What I'm saying is that peace is hard. If, like I did, you try to find books about…
Caught Reading: Spring Days in Chicago, May 2017
While this week isn't a great example, Chicago's had some beautiful weather this spring, and I really enjoy getting outside at lunch. Sometimes I walk around my neighborhood, and other days, I just sit down with a good book. During my last trip downtown, I saw that people in the Loop also enjoy sitting outside with a book. Here…
Top Picks: The Words of John F. Kennedy
Avid sportsman, visionary leader, newspaper reporter, war hero, statesman, civil rights activist, Peace Corps founder—and author. So many books have been written about John F. Kennedy, examining his short, yet remarkable life from a myriad of viewpoints, and no doubt hundreds more will follow. Born May 29, 1917, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of…
Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes with Books for Older Readers
When was the last time someone said to you, "Walk a mile in his shoes"? Reading is a way for us to see what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes. Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm recommending these books for older kids to help build empathy. After all, you never know…
It’s All Good in the Hood: Mr. Rogers’ Legacy Lives On
As a kid I loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I have fond memories of watching the opening scenes where Mr. Rogers would come into his "house," strip off his outdoor shoes, slip on his indoor shoes and change into one of his iconic sweaters. There was something wholesome and soothing about Fred Rogers’ persona. But it really…
#TBT: Twin Peaks and Other Hits of 1990
The long-awaited continuation of the iconic television series Twin Peaks is set to debut on Showtime this month. When it first premiered in 1990, David Lynch's lush, atmospheric drama had everyone wondering, "Who killed Laura Palmer?" The series was short-lived, producing only two seasons and the movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, but it influenced a whole…
Love, Marriage, Parenthood, Death
Shakespeare says that a sad tale's best for winter, but I say spring brings tales of hope and growth. These four books are about loss, yes, but also about how we pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. If you're looking for a book that makes you both laugh and cry, try one of these. Abby…
Do I Hear a Waltz? Teens Dancing in Chicago
Weekends in May mean prom for many Chicago teens. After months of planning, the big night has arrived. Now it’s time to slip into formal dresses, rented tuxedos, corsages and boutonnieres. If you look under any flowering tree on Saturday night, you’ll probably see a group of teens posing for pictures to commemorate the evening…
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