kmerwin

No Boundaries

by

25 Women Explorers and Scientists Share Adventures, Inspiration, and Advice

by Clare Fieseler

In these inspirational, exhilarating, and poignant accounts of exploration, 25 female National Geographic explorers reveal their greatest successes, most epic failures, and astonishing adventures.

Track a volcanologist as she braves the elements atop an active volcano. Travel alongside a mountaineer as she battles stereotypes and frostbite to conquer the famed Seven Summits. Join a conservationist on her passionate fight to save lions. Dig with a paleontologist to uncover massive dinosaur fossils, bit by breathtaking bit. These heartfelt stories give readers an insider’s look at the amazing work female explorers at National Geographic and beyond are doing in the field to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

This anthology celebrates lesser-known changemakers and outstanding women of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and fields of study who are just beginning to make a name for themselves. Each profile is based on first-person interviews and comes paired with useful tips and relatable advice for budding explorers and scientists. Stunning photography and fascinating general interest information about the animals, places, and practices add drama and context.

No Boundaries sends a positive message to every girl who has ever dreamed or dared to go a little further. And although these explorers’ endeavours are quite adventurous, the lessons they share can inspire all girls, as well as boys, whatever their goals, skills, and interests.

Find it in Young Adult New/Non-Fiction here.

The Day of the Dead = El Día de los Muertos

by

by Bob Barner

Follow two children as they celebrate their ancestors on this vibrant holiday. They offer marigolds, sugar skulls, and special bread, and make delicious foods. By spreading marigold petals, they guide the dead home to join the festivities. Finally, after singing and dancing, it’s time for bed. Bob Barner’s luscious collages incorporate the traditional symbols of Day of the Dead. His poetic text is both English and Spanish. An author’s note provides additional information on the holiday.

Find it in Picture Books here.

Pick a Pumpkin

by

by Patricia Toht

Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right.

Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.

Find it in Picture Books here.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

by

by Katrina M. Phillips

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is about celebrating! The second Monday in October is a day to honor Native American people, their histories, and cultures. People mark the day with food, dancing, and songs. Readers will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Find it in Juvenile Non-Fiction here.

Book Review: “Ordinary Grace”

by

Carter Hedberg, Director of Philanthropy, recommends Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger.

Summers were pretty quiet for me growing up in the village of Waldorf in rural south-central Minnesota, population 283. Every Sunday my family went to church, and a trip to the town’s tiny grocery store meant riding my bike two blocks. I have fond memories of navigating the railroad tracks on the edge of town with my cousin Debbie as we looked for the perfect agate, or going down to Little Cobb Creek where I would collect water bugs and an occasional crayfish. The summer heat was broken by an occasional thunderstorm and the warm evening breezes sometimes brought the sweet scent of freshly cut alfalfa into town from a nearby farm. Life in a small town may sound quaint and idyllic, but of course it was never perfect, and as with all of life, there often can be a dark side to the good.   

William Kent Krueger’s gripping book, Ordinary Grace, places on full display the dark side of the fictional town of New Bremen, Minnesota. New Bremen is located in the Minnesota River Valley, not too far from where I grew up.  It is the summer of 1961—a time of excitement with a new young president and the Twins baseball franchise making its debut in Minnesota. Thirteen-year-old Frank Drum is expecting to have a fine summer doing the things he loves to do—visiting the soda counter, reading comic books, walking along the river with his little brother, and mowing lawns to earn some extra money. When calamity hits, Frank’s summer turns ugly.  Yet he is able to bravely and with budding maturity, confront tragic deaths, scandal, human frailty, and his own limitations.  

“Early in the novel, all emotional hell breaks loose when a series of deaths transpire and the townsfolk grapple with the horror and confusion of confronting these nightmarish tragedies.” 

Frank’s wise father, Nathan, is the town’s Methodist minister who lives with an undisclosed emotional burden from in World War II, and seeks solace in his deep faith, especially as one tragedy after another happens. Ruth, Frank’s mother, does her duty as a pastor’s wife, yet she is restless and dreams about her unmet desire to be a professional performer and often resents Nathan’s devotedness. Frank has two siblings: sister Ariel is a talented vocalist and composer with plans for Juilliard. His little brother Jake, who is his constant companion, is shy with most people because of his stutter, but is intuitively insightful in ways that are far beyond his years. 

Early in the novel, all emotional hell breaks loose when a series of deaths transpire and the townsfolk grapple with the horror and confusion of confronting these nightmarish tragedies. The reader follows the narrative as told by Frank and his storytelling is so gripping, so authentic, and written so beautifully it is hard to put the novel down.   

“Thirteen-year-old Frank Drum … is able to bravely and with budding maturity, confront tragic deaths, scandal, human frailty, and his own limitations.” 

Honestly, I do not want to reveal too much of the plot because I want you, the reader, to discover the power of Kreuger’s prose.  That said, wisdom, grace, faith, and forgiveness are dominant themes that run throughout the book. Krueger has stated that by setting the book during this era he was able to “explore themes that have been important to me all of my life.”  The voices he gave brothers Frank and Jake are transcendent, with the clarity needed to navigate these difficult themes with artistry and aplomb.  Krueger said that Ordinary Grace is the “best thing” he has ever written; “everything I know about storytelling” went into this book. You experience the power and grace of exquisite storytelling, and there is nothing ordinary about it.   

Find Ordinary Grace in print and eaudiobook here.

Party Skeleton at The Gold Mine

by

This ghoulish gent from Pottery Barn has plenty of strength to hold up two glass bowls filled with condiments, nuts or olives.

  • Made of aluminum with an antique bronze finish.
  • Two glass bowls.
  • Bowls are removable for easy cleaning.

Description courtesy of the Potter Barn. This same item for sale elsewhere retails for upwards of $73. Now at the Gold Mine for $25.

Support the Library

The Community Library’s free resources and services reflect the generosity of community members like you!
Donate
Gold Mine Stores
Volunteer