I don’t remember much about my high school English classes (it was a long time ago), but I do remember studying The Canterbury Tales. That work, by Geoffrey Chaucer, sparked in me a lifelong interest in the history of the English language and medieval history. It is a piece of literature that continues to […]
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Eleanor and Park is an ultimately hopeful Young Adult novel grounded in some harsh realities that probably won’t feel unfamiliar to many teen readers. The characters face bullying, domestic abuse, and racism. The book still manages to feel light and romantic in spite of the obstacles the characters are facing and illustrates that change is possible […]
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This week’s picture book is by celebrated author Matt de la Peña, who has written numerous young adult and some children’s titles. Last summer, Mesa County Libraries welcomed de la Peña to our Central location, where he gave a great teen writing workshop and presentation. While he is best known for longer books aimed at a somewhat older […]
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We are celebrating Banned Books Week this entire week from September 28 through October 2! What is Banned Books Week? It is an annual celebration of the freedom to read! Libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country and across the world highlight titles that have been frequently challenged or banned. In 2015 the week is focused […]
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In 1776 the Dominguez-Escalante expedition traveled through the Canyon Pintado region just south of Rangely, Colorado. The goal of the expedition was to find an easy route to California. However, the individuals on that expedition were far from being the first human inhabitants of the area. The Fremont Culture and later the Ute people had […]
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In 1995, the fading farm town of Mount Holly, Indiana, has an air of mourning. Shops are empty. Factory farms have muscled out people like Jim Falls, a struggling chicken farmer. A Korean-War veteran with old age ailments, he fights to survive each day while raising his biracial teenage grandson Quentin. With an off-putting weirdness, […]
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On an island of music, the Drum Dream Girl imagines playing the drums – but she is told over and over again that only boys can play. Drum Dream Girl hears the rhythm wherever she goes and taps along, until finally her music is heard in public and celebrated by all. Margarita Engle’s Drum Dream Girl […]
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On Sunday, September 20, 1925 the residents of Grand Junction must have been excited about the upcoming week. Monday would mark the beginning of classes at the first college in Grand Junction and the newest institution of higher learning in Colorado. Grand Junction State Junior College opened it doors to students at 8:00 AM on […]
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A goat with good dance moves and decent enough marshmallow square-making-abilities is filled with envy when Unicorn enters the scene. What’s so great about making rainbow cupcakes, turning things into gold, and flying? Bob Shea’s Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great tells the tale of a jealous goat who learns that he has some pretty impressive traits […]
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Momo is a flying squirrel, and his cousins are excited for him to come visit. But when Momo comes into town, his cousins soon realize he isn’t quite what they were expecting. Momo is shy, he dresses differently, and his idea of pretending to be a superhero is wearing a giant muffin costume! Momo’s cousins are frustrated […]
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