EUREKA PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT (Eureka, Illinois)
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Picture

July 26, 2023 | 'The Blackthorn Key' by Kevin Sands [Middle Grade Review]

7/26/2023

 
Picture

The Blackthorn Key

Sands, Kevin

2015, Aladdin

Fiction

Grades: 5 - 9; Lexile: 630L

Availability

EPLD: print
ILL: audiobook
​eBook: Boundless
​eAudiobook: Hoopla
“Tell no one what I’ve given you.”

Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way.

But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.

Read a review by Nikki Smith:

the_blackthorn_key.pdf
File Size: 622 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 26, 2023 | 'Shy Willow' by Cat Min [Picture Book Review]

7/26/2023

 
Picture

Shy Willow

Min, Cat

2021, Levine Querido

Fiction

Grades: Pre-K - 2

Availability

ILL: print, audio-enabled book, & Spanish edition audio-enabled book
eBook: Libby & Hoopla
eAudiobook: Hoopla (book on video also available)
Willow is shy. VERY shy.

Her home is in an abandoned mailbox, and she'd rather stay put. Outside kids scream and soccer balls collide, trees look like monsters, and rain is noisy in a scary kind of way. It's much nicer to stay inside, drawing. But then a young boy drops a letter in Willow's mailbox: it's a note to the moon asking for a special favor. Willow knows that if she doesn't brave the world outside, the letter will never be delivered, and the boy will be heartbroken. Should she try? Can she?

Cat Min delivers a breathtakingly illustrated story about shyness, the power of empathy, and what it means to make a friend.

Read a review by Gennifer King:

shy_willow.pdf
File Size: 492 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 19, 2023 | 'The Moth Keeper' by K. O'Neill [Middle Grade Review]

7/19/2023

 
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The Moth Keeper

O'Neill, K.

2023, Random House Graphic

Graphic Novel

Grades: 3 - 7; Lexile: GN710L

Availability

EPLD: print
Being a Moth Keeper is a huge responsibility and a great honor, but what happens when the new Moth Keeper decides to take a break from the moon and see the sun for the first time? A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about passion, duty, and found family.

Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, the protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. Her village needs the flower to continue thriving and Anya is excited to prove her worth and show her thanks to her friends with her actions, but what happens when being a Moth Keeper isn't exactly what Anya thought it would be?

The nights are cold in the desert and the lunar moths live far from the village. Anya finds herself isolated and lonely. Despite Anya's dedication, she wonders what it would be like to live in the sun. Her thoughts turn into an obsession, and when Anya takes a chance to stay up during the day to feel the sun's warmth, her village and the lunar moths are left to deal with the consequences.

K. O'Neill brings to life a beautifully illustrated fantasy world about responsibility to yourself and your community. The Moth Keeper is filled with magic, hope, and friendship.

Read a review by Gennifer King:

the_moth_keeper.pdf
File Size: 610 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 19, 2023 | 'Survival of the Fritters' by Ginger Bolton [Adult Review]

7/19/2023

 
Picture

Survival of the Fritters

Bolton, Ginger

2018, Kensington Books

Fiction

Availability

ILL: print
eBook: Hoopla
eAudiobook: Hoopla
Emily Westhill runs the best donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, alongside her retired police chief father-in-law and her tabby Deputy Donut. But after murder claims a favorite customer, Emily can’t rely on a sidekick to solve the crime—or stay alive.

If Emily has learned anything from her past as a 911 operator, it’s to stay calm during stressful situations. But that’s a tall order when one of her regulars, Georgia Treetor, goes missing. Georgia never skips morning cappuccinos with her knitting circle. Her pals fear the worst—especially Lois, a close friend who recently moved to town. As evening creeps in, Emily and the ladies search for Georgia at home. And they find her—murdered among a scattering of stale donuts . . .

Disturbingly, Georgia’s demise coincides with the five-year anniversary of her son’s murder, a case Emily’s late detective husband failed to solve before his own sudden death. With Lois hiding secrets and an innocent man’s life at stake, Emily’s forced to revisit painful memories on her quest for answers. Though someone’s alibi is full of holes, only a sprinkling of clues have been left behind. And if Emily can’t trace them back to a killer in time, her donut shop will end up permanently closed for business...

Read a review by Gennifer King:

survival_of_the_fritters.pdf
File Size: 617 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 12, 2023 | 'Nimona' by N.D. Stevenson [YA Review]

7/12/2023

 
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Nimona

Stevenson, N.D.

2015, HarperTeen

Graphic Novel

Grades: 8 - 11; Lexile: GN350L

Availability

EPLD: print
ILL: audiobook & Spanish edition
eBook: Hoopla
​eAudiobook: Boundless & Hoopla
The graphic novel debut from rising star ND Stevenson, based on his beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from N.D. Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Read a review by Gennifer King:

nimona.pdf
File Size: 629 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 12, 2023 | 'Wolf's Coming' by Joe Kulka [Picture Book Review]

7/12/2023

 
Picture

Wolf's Coming

Kulka, Joe

2007, Carolrhoda Books

Fiction

Grades: Pre-K - 3; Lexile: 390L

Availablity

EPLD: print
eBook: Hoopla
As a distant howl echoes through the forest, animals quickly stop what they're doing and run for home. Look out―Wolf's coming! As the shadowy figure gets closer and closer and the day draws to a close, the animals shut the door, pull the shades, and turn out the lights. Soon the wolf's glowing eyes appear at the window and the front door opens . . . But things are not as they seem in this suspenseful, clever story, and it's the reader who's in for the biggest surprise of all!

Read a review by Nikki Smith:

wolfs_coming.pdf
File Size: 614 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 5, 2023 | 'No Reading Allowed' by Raj Haldar & Chris Carpenter [Picture Book Review]

7/5/2023

 
Picture

No Reading Allowed: The WORST Read-Aloud Book Ever

Haldar, Raj
Carpenter, Chris
Gladfelter, Bryce - illustrator

2020, Sourcebooks eXplore

Nonfiction

Grades: Pre-K - 3; Lexile: 320L

Availability

EPLD: print
​eBook: Libby & Hoopla
The hero had super vision.
The hero had supervision.

Man, a tea sounds great.
Manatee sounds great!

Sir Francis Bacon
Sir, France is bakin'!

What is going on here?!
You can't believe everything you hear! A single word can have many different meanings. And sometimes two words that sound alike can be spelled completely differently. Ptolemy the pterodactyl is back to show us all how absurd and fun language can be when homophones, homonyms, and tricky punctuation are at play!

No Reading Allowed allows children and their parents to laugh together while also learning something new. ​

Read a review by Gennifer King:

no_reading_allowed.pdf
File Size: 633 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July 5, 2023 | 'Busy Betty' by Reese Witherspoon [Picture Book Review]

7/5/2023

 
Picture

Busy Betty

Witherspoon, Reese
Yan, Xindi - illustrator

2022, Flamingo Books

Fiction

Grades: Pre-K - 2

Availability

EPLD: print
ILL: audio-enabled book
​eBook: Boundless
Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby! When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can't have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae's help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.

From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!

Read a review by Nikki Smith:

busy_betty.pdf
File Size: 601 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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address

202 S. Main St.
​Eureka, IL 61530

phone

309.467.2922

fax

309.467.3527

hours

Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday:
​9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Wednesday & Friday:
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday:
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Library Board
    • Library Policies
    • Staff & Employment
    • Friends of the Library
    • Donations
    • Library Newsletter
    • Fine Free
  • At The Library
    • Program Calendar
    • Illinois Libraries Present
    • Kids
    • Teens
    • Adults
    • Get a Library Card
    • Loan Periods and Fines
    • Library of Things
    • Hotspots
    • Seed Library
  • Find Books & More
    • Search Catalog
    • Access Your Account
    • Wowbrary: Latest Additions
    • Interlibrary Loans
    • Digital Resources
    • Staff Book Reviews
    • Pages of Eureka
  • Services
    • Outreach
    • Porch Pickup
    • Free Services
    • Copy, Print, & Fax
    • Educational Materials Request
    • Talking Books
    • Explore More Illinois
    • Online Classes
    • Mango Languages
    • Niche Academy
  • Research
    • Genealogy & Local History
    • Eureka Pumpkin Festival
    • City & County Resources
    • State & Federal Resources
    • Tax Form Information
    • Voter Information