The War Widow by Tara Moss

“A great new addition to the historical mystery genre. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!” – Lora, Adult & Teen Services

It’s 1946 and journalist Billie Walker is back home in Sydney running her father’s private investigation agency. Most of Billie’s cases involve marital disputes, but client Mrs. Brown hires her to find her son, Adin, who is missing. Billie’s investigation leads her through both the upper and lower classes of society along with providing a great sense of place in post-war Sydney for the reader in addition to the fashions of the time.

Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig

“Taussig’s short essays are beautiful and incredibly powerful. She demonstrates that disability affects everyone at some point and will make you think about the world we all live in, disabled or not. A must-read!” – Amanda, Adult & Teen Services

Growing up as a paralyzed girl during the 90s and early 2000s, Rebekah Taussig only saw disability depicted as something monstrous (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), inspirational (Helen Keller), or angelic (Forrest Gump). None of this felt right; and as she got older, she longed for more stories that allowed disability to be complex and ordinary, uncomfortable and fine, painful and fulfilling. Writing about the rhythms and textures of what it means to live in a body that doesn’t fit, Rebekah reflects on everything from the complications of kindness and charity, living both independently and dependently, experiencing intimacy, and how the pervasiveness of ableism in our everyday media directly translates to everyday life.

The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais

“I loved learning more about written American Sign Language and the Deaf community. A great realistic teen read with romance and disability representation!” – Kira, Adult & Teen Services

Deaf teen Maya moves across the country and must attend a hearing school for the first time. As if that wasn’t hard enough, she also has to adjust to the hearing culture, which she finds frustrating—and also surprising when some classmates, including Beau Watson, take time to learn ASL. As Maya looks past graduation and focuses on her future dreams, nothing, not even an unexpected romance, will not derail her pursuits. But when people in her life—Deaf and hearing alike—ask her to question parts of her Deaf identity, Maya stands proudly, never giving in to the idea that her Deafness is a disadvantage.

Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewing

“With a great sense of place–Chicago, no less, and relatable characters, this is an enjoyable read about following your passions and finding your voice.” – Lora, Kids Room

With her two best friends in a different 5th-grade class, Maya figures it’s going to be a bummer of a school year. But her discovery of a robot named Ralph might help change that.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

“I think we all have been touched by mental illness in some way, whether it’s ourselves or someone we love. It was inspiring to read about someone who lived through it and learned to appreciate life despite their illness. This book is filled with hope.” – Gina, Circulation

In this inspiring and emotional memoir, Matt Haig, author of ‘The Midnight Library,’ depicts his own experience with depression and how he overcame his mental illness.

And We Rise by Erica Martin

“This book may be short in length, but its impact will be long lasting on any reader. 100% worth picking up and reading as soon as you can.” – Amanda, Adult & Teen Services

Erica Martin’s debut poetry collection walks readers through the Civil Rights Movement—from the well-documented events that shaped the nation’s treatment of Black people, beginning with the “Separate but Equal” ruling—and introduces lesser-known figures and moments that were just as crucial to the Movement and our nation’s centuries-long fight for justice and equality. Complete with historical photographs, author’s note, chronology of events, research, and sources.

Three Girls From Bronzeville by Dawn Turner

“Very well written. Gives glimpses into Bronzeville, its people, and its history. I’ve visited a few times, but didn’t know very much about its history or the people who live there.” – Amy, Adult & Teen Services/Kids Room 

I picked up this memoir because of its author, Dawn Turner Trice. I’ve read many of her pieces over the years in the Chicago Tribune. This book is a memoir of her life. It’s the story of a woman who grew up in Bronzeville, attended U of I, and went on to work for the Tribune. It’s the story of Dawn and her sister and her best friend who all took very different paths in life. It’s the story of the evolution of Bronzeville, a neighborhood in Chicago where many people of color, including Dawn’s grandmother, settled after the Great Migration. It’s very well written and moving. It’s tragic and beautiful and triumphant at the same time.

Exit by Belinda Bauer

“With its wide cast of characters and interesting puzzle, this book was a real treat.” – Lora, Adult & Teen Services

In this dark comedic novel, widower Felix Pink is an “Exiteer.” He, along with a partner, sits with someone who is terminally ill as the client takes their own life. It’s all done within the law, but one day it goes horribly wrong. Exit recounts the tale of the police–specifically PC Calvin Bridge–unraveling the crime that was committed and arresting who’s responsible. Felix, meanwhile, tries to make amends with the man mistakenly left alive.

Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rise of Kyoshi by F. C. Yee

“As a fan of the television series Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was excited to dive deeper into that universe with Earthbender Avatar Kyoshi’s origin story. Just like the television series, this story has its fair share of emotions and heartwarming storylines involving friendship and LGBTQ+ representation, to the heartbreaking reality of personal loss, impoverishment, and surviving in a world of political corruption. For fans of the Avatar: The Last Airbender series, this is a book worth picking up, and a hard one to put back down.” – Lane, Circulation

Set in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, readers journey into the origins of Avatar Kyoshi. Beginning with her humble roots in the Earth Kingdom, we follow Kyoshi as she stumbles into her position as the Avatar and journeys across the world in the pursuit of justice.

The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad by Mike Birbiglia and J. Hope Stein

“If you are a parent, read it (you will probably feel better about yourself afterward). If you never want to become a parent, read it (it will reaffirm your decision to not have children). If you were ever an infant, read it (you will realize how much you changed your parent’s life).” – Kelly, Kids Room

Funny yet emotionally raw confessions about being a new parent.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu

“Every kid desperately wants to fit in. It’s even harder when your parents make you move! In this graphic novel, Cici, a 12-year-old who has recently moved to Seattle from Taiwan, has so much going for her: a family who cares, a cooking hobby that she’s really great at, even new BFFs who will stand up for her at the drop of a hat. By sidestepping the usual kid-who-moved storylines, author Lily LaMotte presents to us a much more delicious story: a cooking competition! And to spice it up even more, illustrator Ann Xu draws all the dishes for us to see- and wish that we could taste.” – DG Library Staff

Cici, who has recently moved to Seattle from Taiwan, deeply misses her grandmother back home. She enters a cooking competition hoping to win enough money to invite A-ma over for a birthday visit! Torn between being true to her heritage and trying to fit in (and also obeying her parents and learning to stand up for herself), will she be able to find her place and win against her new friend/archenemy Miranda- whose family OWNS a restaurant?

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

“This book didn’t go anywhere I thought it would! I love all things superhero, and reading something so different was a great ride. It’s full of twists and turns and people you start out liking and end up hating and people you start out hating and end up liking. Vicious (and the sequel, Vengeful) is one I try to get everyone to read so I have more people to scream about it with.” – Erin, Kids Room 

Eli and Victor, college roommates and friends, discover a relationship between near-death experiences and superpowers. When they both get what they think they want, their friendship is destroyed. One becomes a villain and one becomes a hero…but which one?

Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny

“I loved this sweet, tenderhearted, well-written book with its cast of perfectly imperfect characters who reminded me of the immense love and beauty of ordinary life in an ordinary town. Toward the end of the book, I started reading more slowly simply because I did not want to say goodbye to the cast of wonderful, quirky characters!” – Nancy, Adult & Teen Services

Jane, the novel’s protagonist, moves to Boyne City, Michigan to take a job teaching second grade at the local elementary school and almost immediately falls for Duncan, a handsome, warm, kind-hearted local woodworker who happens to have slept with most of the women in town. Jane and Duncan build a life together that includes a cast of quirky characters, including Aggie, Duncan’s ex-wife; Jimmy, a local man in need of a family; Frieda, Jane’s mandolin playing best friend; and Jane’s prickly mother.

The Muppet Christmas Carol by Brooke Vitale and Luke Flowers

“As a longtime fan of The Muppets and the movie, I thought Illustrator Luke Flowers did an amazing job of capturing all the charm and cheer of the original Muppet adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The book is a great way to get into the holiday spirit no matter how many sleeps ’til Christmas!” – Grace, Public Relations

The classic holiday film “The Muppet Christmas Carol” comes to life in this illustrated storybook for kids. Narrated by The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens, with help from his pal Rizzo the Rat, this fully illustrated children’s book retells the classic story of the beloved original film starring Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, and Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit.

It’s You I Like by Fred Rogers

“The text in this book is simple: the song lyrics. The pictures woven around them are lovingly filled with 143s (Rogers’ quiet way of saying “I love you”), a diverse cast of different neighbors, even someone dressed like the modern-day Daniel Tiger! We really enjoy reading it as a quick, feel-good, snuggle together book- the toddler insists that it must be sung, and will always finish singing along with the final, sweet, “it’s you I like” ” – DG Library Staff 

A thoughtfully illustrated board book version of the classic Mister Rogers song.

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Academic Search Complete

Newspaper, magazine, and academic articles on biology, economics, communications, computer sciences, engineering, language and linguistics, arts and literature, and medicine.
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Creativebug

Creativebug is an all ages crafting resource with video tutorials on everything from knitting and crocheting to art and design for crafters of all experience levels. There are also downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes at your fingertips.
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Global Road Warrior

Customs, religion, language, dress, diet, and lifestyle on people of many countries

LinkedIn Learning

Renowned software training tool. Learn to retouch photos, design websites, record songs, create spreadsheets, animate 3D graphics, and more. Users must be ages 16+. Users must have a DGPL library card for in-library and remote access.
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Newspapers - Major US Daily News

Search Chicago Tribune 1849-current, The Wall Street Journal 1984-current, The Washington Post 1987-current, The New York Times 1980-current, and Los Angeles Times 1985-current full text at once. Or click Publications in the top menu to browse individual newspaper content.

Reference Solutions

Formerly ReferenceUSA. Directory of 13 million businesses, residential listings, and telephone numbers in the US.
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Science Flix

Covers more than 30 subjects in all areas of science using video, articles, and interactive content including experiments.
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Universal Class

Online courses on professional development, crafts, parenting, pet care, career training, finance, homeschooling, and more! Courses are self-paced. Completing a course with 70% or higher will earn a CEU Certificate. These courses are also available in the Libby app (some exceptions may apply).
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