Readers’ Advisory

Celebrate and honor America’s veterans through an 
exploration of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice. Coming Home by Greg Ruth This nearly wordless picture book poignantly explores the spectrum of emotions
 experienced at a reunion of a child and their 
deployed parent. War Stories by Gordon Korman
 Twelve-year-old Trevor is obsessed with 
war-like video games and is… Read More

Have you ever finished a terrific book and wondered how the author came up with the idea for the book, put that idea into words, and had it published? The library, often with the help of a partner, hosts author events where you can ask all of these questions! Author events bring books to life… Read More

Celebrate the rich histories and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio This coming-of-age story follows a Harvard student’s journey of self-discovery and resilience as she faces an uncertain future as an undocumented immigrant. Readers who appreciate poignant, character-driven narratives will enjoy this literary novel. Ana María and the Fox by… Read More

Each year, committees of Illinois teachers and librarians select the nominees for the following year's Monarch, Bluestem, and Caudill Award lists. Preparation for the meetings begins months in advance, with members responsible for reading 50 titles that will be winnowed down to the final lists of 20 books. Youth Department staff members Melissa Hilt, Alexa… Read More

In honor of World on the Move, these books take a closer look at why and how people relocate to new places. The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui This graphic novel memoir explores a family’s journey from war-torn Vietnam to America. The author’s moving writing and elegant artwork illuminate how her family’s struggle… Read More

Earth Day is Monday, April 22! Recommendations from Adult Department Assistant Director and Readers’ Advisory Librarian Sarah Kovac Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver A housewife’s life is forever changed when she discovers a giant kaleidoscope of butterflies near her Appalachian home. The phenomenon attracts a swarm of journalists, scientists, and tourists to town. This issue-oriented… Read More

Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn Lola plants a flower garden with her parents’ help, and watches it grow. My Garden by Kevin Henkes The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden. All About Plants! by Andrea Beaty What… Read More

Recommendations from Adult Department Assistant Director and Readers’ Advisory Librarian Sarah Kovac. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May In this memoir, journalist Katherine May faces illness, job loss, and parenting issues all at once. Her pain leads her to explore how difficult phases of life can offer unexpected… Read More

These bingeable series will have you itching to stop by the library to pick up the next volume! Flora by Molly Idle | Three titles Flora and the Flamingo, Flora and the Penguin, Flora and the Peacocks Bright, bold, and beautiful illustrations tell the story of Flora, an ambitious young dancer, in this wordless picture… Read More

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Learn more about Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Read titles written by Asian American and Pacific Islander American authors and/or about charaters who are Asian Americans or Pacific Islander Americans. Browse the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage… Read More

At this spring’s A Human Library event, people will have the chance to “check out” people from all walks of life. Readers can also explore these exceptional accounts and biographies written from personal knowledge or special sources from authors that represent a wide range of unique experiences. Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika… Read More

Fall is the perfect time of year to curl up with a scary book! From horror to mystery/thriller to nonfiction, these reading suggestions have something for everyone. ​ The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia This retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells is set in the lush jungles of Yucatán, Mexico.… Read More