Bridge to Careers Partnership with ICC
Fondulac District Library is excited to partner with Illinois Central College to host the Bridge to Careers program starting in January 2022 to provide adults with high school equivalency preparation and GED testing, as well as career education and workforce preparation.
Bridge to Careers at FDL will provide participants with free GED materials, guided preparation, and testing for eligible students. Led by ICC instructors, the program will also provide one-on-one transition services training to build crucial skills to become job-ready. Library staff will assist participants with job searching, resume writing, online applications, and career resources to further develop their workforce readiness.
“Partnering with the ICC Adult Education Program allows the library to connect participants to services that can help change their employment prospects,” said Genna Buhr, director of Fondulac District Library. “Bridge to Careers at FDL gives area residents an opportunity to position themselves to develop their long-term earning potential and pursue wider options in the future.”
Phone-in registration begins January 4, 2022, at 9 a.m., with classes starting January 19.. Classes will be held at the library, meeting in the evenings for 3-hour sessions twice a week through May. Interested individuals should call (309) 694-5240 to register or for more information.
Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
Native American Heritage Month
November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. It’s important to recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., and to celebrate the value of their diverse people, traditions, and culture. One way to celebrate Native voices is to read some of the brilliant authors that have new books published this year.
Ancestor Approved by Cynthia Leitich Smith
An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States by Kyle T. Mays
Dog Flowers by Danielle Geller
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Girlhood by Melissa Febos
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
Notable Native People by Adrienne Keene
Rites by Savannah Johnston
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
We Are Still Here by Traci Sorell
We Had a Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff
When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky by Margaret Verble
White Magic by Elissa Washuta
FDL Reads: Never Far Away
Never Far Away by Michael Koryta
Reviewed by: Becky Houghton
Genre: Thriller
Suggested Age: Adult
What is this book about?: What will a mother do to protect her children? This question resonates from the beginning to the end of Koryta’s newest novel. Nina Morgan AKA Leah Trenton left her husband and two young children to protect them from her vindictive employer who blamed Nina for the suicide of his son and sought revenge against her. Her husband and children assumed new identities, moved and all was well for ten years until he was unexpectedly killed in an automobile accident. Leah reenters the children’s lives presenting herself as their aunt, but the former employer has been watching and the hunt is now resumed. Can Leah protect Nick and Hailey – and herself – from those who want to kill her? Who can she find to help her?
My Review: I enjoy books by Michael Koryta. They are well written and absorbing thrillers. This book did not disappoint me. I loved the detail and the sense of danger throughout this story. In some parts there was a bit too much violence for my liking, but Koryta weaves it with intrigue, well-developed characters and nail-biting suspense. This book will keep you guessing until the very end. If you want a book that will keep you reading and on the edge of your seat, give this title a try.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Suspenseful, Frightening, Intriguing
Give This a Try if You Like… Those Who Wished Me Dead by Koryta or books by Lee Child.
My Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
Tales from Around the World
Folktales are stories or myths, often with a lesson or message, that are passed on from generation to generation through storytelling. Children can learn about different cultures and traditions through folktales. Here are a few of the great folktales you can find at FDL:
The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folktales by Diane Wolkstein
A collection of folktales gathered by the author in Haiti with comments on Haitian folklore. From orange trees growing at the command of a child to talking fish, these stories present us with a world of wonder, delight, and mystery.
The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy
In this traditional Russian tale, a farmer grows a turnip so big that it takes the combined efforts of him, his wife, six canaries, five geese, four hens, three cats, two pigs, one cow, and, finally, one mouse to pull it from the ground.
The Empty Pot by Demi
When Ping admits that he is the only child in China unable to grow a flower from the seeds distributed by the Emperor, he is rewarded for his honesty.
Coyote Rides the Sun: A Native American Folktale by Amanda St. John
A Native American tale of how the dusty coyote got its coloring, especially its black-tipped tail, and why the coyote is nocturnal.
Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown
When a small mouse’s life is threatened by large jungle predators, a kindly hermit uses magic to change him into a cat, a dog, and a majestic tiger. But the proud tiger must suffer the consequences when he becomes ungrateful and forgets his humble origins.
The Lion Book of Wisdom Stories by David Self
This collection includes fifteen traditional stories drawn from a variety of cultures from all across the globe. Each tale focuses on a different key issue – among them sharing resources, the downfalls of pride, and the nature of true wealth – and offers insight on how they can best be resolved.
– Jackie Laredo, Youth Services Assistant
FDL Reads: The Lincoln Conspiracy
The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President and Why It Failed by Brad Meltzer
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Nonfiction, United States History
Suggested Age: Teen, Adult
What is the book about? In early 1861, the people of the United States were preparing for the inauguration of a new president, Abraham Lincoln. To some, he was a fresh face to replace the unpopular, out-going President, James Buchanan. To others, he was a threat. A threat to their ideals, their beliefs, and to some, their livelihood. Abraham Lincoln had declared that he was against the spread of slavery and there were men who wanted to stop him from becoming President of the United States. Who was plotting against the President-Elect? How did the famous Allan Pinkerton figure in this chain of events? What made Baltimore the ideal place to make an attempt on Lincoln’s life? Did Lincoln ever know of the danger? How was the plot ultimately foiled? The details of the conspiracy and the actions of those who thwarted it are all laid out here.
My Review: I found this book fascinating, since I had never heard of this assassination plot against Lincoln before. I listened to the audiobook version read by Scott Brick. Since the author is an accomplished writer of thriller novels, it was not surprising that this nonfiction account was very engaging. This is not just a dry recitation of facts and timelines. Many of the main players are fleshed out with their backstory. I especially liked that a woman convinced Allan Pinkerton that he needed female investigators like herself, Kate Warne; the first female detective. This book would appeal to history buffs and spy novel fans alike.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Intriguing, Meticulous, and Absorbing
Give This a Try if You Like… The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington by Brad Meltzer & Josh Mensch, George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution by Brian Kilmeade & Don Yaeger, and Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbot
Rating: 4.5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
FDL Game Review: Scooby-Doo! Betrayal at Mystery Mansion
We hope you’ve enjoyed International Games Week! Miss Alice shares why your family will enjoy Scooby-Doo! Betrayal at Mystery Mansion – a more challenging (and haunted) game for ages 8+! Find this game and more at the library!