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Native American Heritage Month

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  Native Americans were the first people to call this country home, and each year in November we celebrate their history and contributions to art and culture with Native American Heritage Month. Listed below are just a few of the books written by Native Americans that explore their history and culture. Littles: Remember by Joy Harjo is a poetic reflection on how all life is connected to one another, urging readers to embrace their heritage, the natural world, and the wisdom passed down through generations. Being Home by Traci Sorrell is a heartfelt celebration of Indigenous people and the land they call home. Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud tells the inspiring story of a young Indigenous girl as she finds her identity and strength through dance. Middle Grade: I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day is about a young girl named Edie who discovers family secrets that reveal her Native American heritage. The story explores themes of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the complex
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Spooky Reads for October

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  As the leaves begin to change and a decidedly autumnal chill fills the air, it is the perfect time to cozy up with a good scary book. Whether you’re a fan of ghost stories, eerie folklore, or psychological thrillers, the Grayslake Library is your one-stop destination for satisfying that craving for horror. Listed below are just a few of the books that your library and its neighbors have to offer. Check out any of these titles, for middle-grade readers, teens, or adults, for a haunting tale that will haunt you long after you turn the final page! Middle Grade: The Night Gardener: A Scary Story by Jonathan Auxier is a gothic tale that follows orphaned siblings Molly and Kip as they take jobs at an old house inhabited by a mysterious family, who soon discover that there is more to the grounds than meets the eye. They are haunted by a sinister figure known as the Night Gardener, who tends to a cursed tree that feeds on the fears of those around it. The Clackity by Lora Senf is a spooky
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Films for Hispanic Heritage Month

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  September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of hispanic individuals. This year, we would like to highlight several films by hispanic directors, available for checkout with your library card. Bacurau , by Brazilian director Kleber Mendonça Filho, is a thriller set in a small, remote village in the near future. After the death of the village matriarch, strange events unfold, including the sudden disappearance of the town from maps and a series of mysterious attacks. The community soon discovers that they are being hunted by outsiders, leading them to band together in unexpected and fierce resistance. The film blends elements of Westerns, political allegory, and social commentary on colonialism and exploitation. Amores Perros , by Mexican director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, is a gritty, multi-layered drama that weaves together three interconnected stories through a single, life-altering car accident in
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Your Back to School Tool Kit

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  As the new school year approaches, it’s the perfect time to explore the wealth of resources available here at your local library. Whether you’re a student seeking study materials, a parent or guardian looking for educational support, or an educator searching for the right books for your students, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a glimpse of what the Grayslake Library has to offer to help you succeed this academic year! Book Collection Of course, what library would be complete without a robust book collection? Here you will find classic novels for your English class, study guides for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, and more! Search our catalog to find exactly what you need, and if we don’t have it we can probably have it sent here for you from one of the many libraries in our consortium, or through interlibrary loan . Research & Learning Tools With your Grayslake Library card, you have access to a wide selection of online databases and other resources that can h
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Olympic Games 2024 Trivia

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  For over the past century, the world has gathered every four years to compete in the Olympic Games. This spectacle traces its origins back to 776 BCE, when the ancient Greeks competed to honor Zeus. Similar to today’s competitors representing various nations from around the globe, the original participants represented the city-states of Greece. The first modern games were held in 1896, in Athens, Greece, to honor the Games’ origins. The revival of the Games can be attributed to Pierre de Coubertin from Paris, co-founder and second president of the International Olympic Committee. Pierre wholeheartedly believed in the positive impact of sport, be it physical or mental, individual or collective. He saw the Olympics as a way to bring the world together, much like how the Ancient Games brought Greece together. The symbol of the Olympics is iconic and instantly recognizable, but did you know the meaning behind the choice of colors? The five colored rings (blue, black, red, yellow, green)
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Power in Pride

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  Pride Month, observed every June in the United States, is a time to celebrate every color of the LGBTQIA2S+ rainbow. Listed below is a selection of books from each of the letters commonly included in the community’s name. L is for Lesbian Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel G is for Gay The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir by RuPaul Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter B is for Bisexual The Rules Do Not Apply: A Memoir by Ariel Levy Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming T is for Trans Pageboy by Elliot Page Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock Q is for Queer and Questioning Punch Me Up to the Gods by Brian Broome Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H I is for Intersex Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria A is for Asexual I am Ace: Advice on Living Your Best Asexual Life by Cody Daigle-Orians 2S is for Two-Spirit NDN Coping Mecha
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Keep Your Reading on Track!

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  Do you read so much that you find it hard to keep track of it all? Maybe you’ve picked up a book only to realize you’ve already read it, TWICE? Or maybe you just want to get personalized suggestions for books based on what you enjoy? These are all problems that can be solved with an online reading tracker! And with the Summer Reading Challenge just around the corner (sign up here to be notified when registration goes live June 1st!) now is the perfect time to start! In this post, we will be taking a look at three of the leading online trackers, comparing the pros and cons of each, and providing quotes from real users! The trackers we will be looking at today are StoryGraph , LibraryThing , and Goodreads . Let’s start with some similarities between these three. At their core, each of these trackers are designed for users to keep track of what they have read, what they are reading currently, and what they want to read. They also allow users to rate and review books they’ve read, set u
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