Check out these book reviews from Deena. Deena was a member of the Library’s Patron Service Team who recently retired. She has generously continued to share book reviews with us. Thank you, Deena!
Let us know if you would like any titles added to your booklist or head over to BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) to download the titles now. Need more information about BARD? See our BARD Page.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys DB106794
This carefully researched historical fiction is the story of Romania’s fight for freedom, in the late 1980’s. The author interviewed many people who lived through this period. At the time, Romania was ruled by communist leader Nicholae Ceausescu. His countrymen lacked food, electricity was intermittent and the people were cold. To get what they needed they bartered with packages of cigarettes. They were ruled by fear. Many people were made to inform on their neighbors, friends and even their own family. At the end of the novel, Romania follows East Germany and other countries behind the Iron Curtain and begins a revolution at the cost of many citizens lives. The incidents in this book are true. The author created the characters for the story.
Kisses From Katie: a story of relentless love and redemption by Katie Davis DB75591
Katie Davis convinces her parents that she wants to go volunteer in an orphanage over her Christmas break. Katie and her mother go to Uganda and work with the babies and Katie falls in love with people and the area. After graduating from high school Katie feels God is calling her back to Uganda. Katie again, convinces her parents to take a year off from college to return to Uganda. In her year living in Africa, she sets up a ministry to provide food, medical care and schooling for some of the children in the villages where she lives. She also adopts several girls who have no one else to look after them. She leaves her daughters after a year, to return to the United States to keep her promise to her parents to attend college. While in the U. S. she raises money for her ministry and gets people to sponsor a child so they can go to school. After a semester of college, she drops out and returns to Uganda. She adopts more girls and expands her ability to feed additional children and provide medical care. Her most important job is being a mother to fourteen girls.
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins DB98146, Spanish title DB100709
Lydia and her husband, Sebastian live in Acapulco. Lydia owns a bookstore and Sebastian is a journalist. Sebastian’s writings sometimes oppose the cartels in Mexico and the family has to go into hiding until things cool down. Lydia has befriended a man at the bookstore who shares her passion for good literature. Sebastian has recently written a piece about the head of one of the cartels, including a poem written by him. Lydia’s family is gathered at her mother’s house to celebrate her niece’s birthday. The cartel that was written about in Sebastian’s article takes its revenge. Lydia, knowing the cartel will continue looking for her and her son pack to leave the country for the United States. Lydia and Luca suffer a harrowing journey towards the United States. They meet a lot of characters along their journey some good, some bad. If you like action and adventure this is the read for you.
The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is excited to introduce a new program that will encompass a variety of supportive, enriching opportunities designed specifically for parents of blind children. The IDB Parent Toolbox Program will combine a newsletter, virtual meetups, and a subscription box to provide parents with information, activities, and a network of support.
