Contemporary Jewish Authors
Contemporary Jewish Authors
This year, Hanukkah (or the “festival of lights”) is celebrated December 7-15. Hanukkah, a Hebrew word meaning, “dedication,” is a holiday that celebrates the liberation from oppression. It also provides a strong argument in favor of freedom of worship and religion.
From providing the world with life-changing scientific solutions to writing some of the best-selling novels in the country, Jewish Americans have left an indelible mark on our country’s history.
The Best Strangers in the World by Ari Shapiro
Lost and Found by Kathryn Schutz
Once We Were Slaves by Laura Arnold Leibman
I Want You to Know We’re Still Here by Esther Safran Foer
The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine
Take What You Need by Idra Novey
My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert-Florin
The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights by Kitty Zeldis
Those Who Are Saved by Alexis Landau
Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart
Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo
Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer
More Than I Love My Life by David Grossman
The Late Comer by Jean Hanff-Korelitz
Send for Me by Lauren Fox
The House is On Fire by Rachel Beanland
My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Exile Music by Jennifer Steil
The Vegan by Andrew Lipstein
The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen
Other People’s Pets by R.L. Maizes
FDL Reads: The Golden Dreidel
The Golden Dreidel by Ellen Kushner
Reviewed By: Chelsea Bunton, Youth Services Assistant
Genre: Fantasy, Holiday
Suggested Age: Children (7-10)
What is This Book About? Sara is a Jewish middle-schooler who is feeling a little burned out on the Hanukkah festivities this year- even begging her mother for an evergreen for their living room so she can feel like the other kids on her block. Reluctantly, she accompanies her family to their annual Hannukah party where she and her cousins hunt for chocolate gold coins which they then use in a game of dreidels. Sara finds no joy in the festivities and gives up on the game just as a mysterious guest arrives with gifts for the children. Though everyone receives their desired gift- Sara instead is given a golden dreidel. Little does she know that the dreidel is not what it seems. Instead of a piece to a children’s game, it is a key to a magical world where Sara will learn of her heritage and some deeper meaning behind the spinning-top holiday game.
My Review: This book was a fun, quick read. I always enjoy learning about other cultures and religions, so I found the biblical characters very interesting as Sara came across them in the magical world. I like that the book focused on the dreidel game as I didn’t really know much about it beforehand. I always thought they were just spinning-tops, and didn’t realize there was a whole game involved! This book was very much like a Jewish rendition of Alice in Wonderland- Sara finds herself slipping into another world quite by accident and is introduced to various outlandish characters on her journey. Sara is comparable to Alice as she uncovers an inner confidence and understanding of her home-world while on her quest to rescue the “dreidel” (I won’t spoil what the dreidel actually is!)
Three Words that Describe this Book: Magical, seasonal, cautionary
Give this a try if you like…Magical worlds, learning about religious cultures, The Magical Reality of Nadia by Bassem Youssef and Catherine R. Daly, Magic Treehouse series
Rating: 3.5/5
NOTICE: RSAcat App Disabled
Please note that the library has been informed that the RSAcat mobile app, which allows patrons to search the library’s catalog and manage their accounts, is not available for the foreseeable future. The library’s mobile app service provider (SirsiDynix) reports issues with their app vendor, which has disabled the app, rendering it inoperable and its patron, checkout, and library information incorrect.
We know that the app is valued by many of our patrons and that its loss will be frustrating to many.
While we wait for the launch of a replacement app in 2024, we suggest patrons put a shortcut to the catalog on their device. A mobile-friendly version of Fondulac District Library’s catalog page is available at https://alsi.sdp.sirsi.net/client/en_US/FondulacPLD/.
The library will provide more information about a replacement app when it is available. While this situation was unforeseeable, RSA and Fondulac District Library do apologize for the inconvenience caused by this situation.
How to save a shortcut on your device
For Apple devices:
- Look for the “Share” icon in the bottom bar on the page, next to the forward and back buttons.
- With the share menu open, look for an option called “Add to Home screen” and tap it.
- A box called “Add to Home screen” will appear.
- A new icon will appear on your device’s screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is
- Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website.
For Android devices:
- Look for a three-dot Settings icon in the top-right of the page.
- With Settings open, look for an option called “Add to Home screen” and tap it.
- A box called “Add to Home screen” will appear.
- A new icon will appear on your device’s screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is.
- Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website.
Wordless Picture Books For All Ages!
Wordless Picture Books – for All Ages!
Wordless picture books (literally stories told completely through the use of pictures), have gained popularity in the last decade. There are a few reasons for this. These books can be great as introductions to books and reading for little readers. They can begin working on comprehension skills and book etiquette, even if they cannot decode or recognize words yet. But wordless books have benefits beyond the surface level idea of using them with toddlers and preschoolers. I was a middle school teacher for several years, and I found these types of books to be so beneficial even at the higher level. They allow children to exercise so many different skills including creative writing, predicting, analysis, and reframing.
Here are some wordless picture books at our library to get you started on this creative journey with stories:
Chalk by Bill Thompson
Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
Journey by Aaron Becker
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
–Chelsea Bunton, Youth Services Assistant
FDL Reads: The Longest Race
The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team by Kara Goucher
Reviewed By: Rebecca Cox, Business Manager
Genre: Non-Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About? Kara Goucher, an elite professional runner and Olympian, opens up about her experience on Nike’s special running team the Nike Oregon Project. The Nike Oregon Project was a “secret” and extremely well-funded group of Nike sponsored athletes that was disbanded in 2019 after coach Alberto Salazar was banned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for violations. Later Salazar was given a lifetime ban after being found guilty of sexually assaulting one of his athletes. This book is the first time that Kara Goucher came forward publicly as the woman behind the sexual assault allegations and fully told her side of the story from the beginning.
My Review: While initially this book doesn’t exactly sound like a feel-good type of memoir, I think it is such an important book to read. I am a runner but I related to what Kara was going through as a woman more than I did as a runner. The types of discrimination that women are subject to and the pressure to “keep their mouths shut” is something that we have seen as commonplace until the last several years. Kara’s story, while at times uncomfortable to read about, ultimately is one of her owning her own story and finding the courage to do something about it. I think everybody can learn from her example and find inspiration in her story.
It is also an interesting behind the scenes look at what it is like to work with a huge company such as Nike. Their ability to turn a blind eye to illegal practices since they are getting the results on the podium that they want is frankly sickening. The last several years of following this story and now especially after reading this book has made me sure that I don’t want any Nike clothing in my running wardrobe.
Three Words that Describe this Book: Inspiring, Informative, Eye-Opening
Give this a try if you like… Choosing to Run by Des Linden, Bravey by Alexi Pappas, Good For A Girl by Lauren Fleshman
Rating: 5/5
Introducing the Library’s Strategic Plan
FDL is excited to have developed its latest strategic plan with community input in order to move the library forward. This Thanksgiving and always, we’re appreciative of those who shared their time and unique perspectives to better the library and East Peoria. Our board and staff are committed to using this plan to continue providing vital services. Learn more at https://fondulaclibrary.org/plan/.