Hartsburg-Emden Library

07/28/2023

Having trouble knowing what to read next? Here are some adult books based on your favorite fantasy book from childhood!

I share some of my favorite childhood reads, and then give recs for adult-level books that scratch that same itch.

07/15/2023

Ok, so audiobooks for kids are great, right? But what should we read? Here's a quick list to get you started.

Motivate struggling readers with these fun and exciting audiobooks featuring popular narrators sure to provide a great listening experience.

07/14/2023

Love Taylor Swift? Need a great book recommendation? Look no further.

Taylor Swift’s highly-anticipated Eras Tour has officially kicked off, and whether you’re anxiously waiting for your turn to see her perform some of her most iconic songs live or are just a fan that wasn’t able to get tickets (too soon???), there’s a read for every Swiftie on this list! What...

07/08/2023

Everyone loves a funny book- especially kids! Here's a great list of just a few.

Also, Brightly has a great email newsletter you can sign up for. I would recommend it for anyone who works with kids, especially. (Or just wants to keep up with great new books for kids of all ages.)

Sure, there are plenty of kids' books that have mastered the art of the cute, but how many have really made you laugh? These kids' books bring the funny.

07/07/2023

You may already love audiobooks, but do you listen to any with your children? Read about the benefits of kids reading audiobooks in the article below.

Wondering if you should try out audiobooks with your children? Here's why audiobooks are so beneficial for kids!!

06/06/2023

I am WAY behind on doing book donations in honor of the accomplishments and happy events of former students. (Like by at least a year!!) Please, if you are a former student of mine, let me know of any awesome event(s) you've had in the past year or so, so I can update my list and get donating! Weddings, babies, job things, graduations, personal accomplishments-- any happy thing to celebrate!!

06/03/2023

Want to enter a photography contest? Kids ages 8-18 are eligible for this one through the Illinois State Treasurer's office.

2018 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest for Students 8-18

06/02/2023

Looking for some great online young adult books this summer? Simon Teen does monthly online books for free! Sometimes they are just samples, while other times they are whole books. You can find the June selection here-

We've got a variety of books that you can read FOR FREE on SimonTeen.com this month, plus Extended Excerpts of must-read new releases.

06/01/2023

A quote today from an author you likely already know and love- David Baldacci! Check out his range of books at his website- https://www.davidbaldacci.com/landing-page/david-baldacci-books/. He wrote a lovely essay for 100 Reasons to Love Reading, a book by Scholastic. I loved this particular quote and wanted to share it with you. I'll have lots more from this book to share over the summer!

05/31/2023

Today I hosted a webinar about the Lincoln Teen Readers' Choice Award with the Illinois Library Association. Want to take a look at the books on the 2024 Lincoln List? Follow the link below! Are you a teenager who wants to help make the list for 2025? Ask me how to apply to be a volunteer!

05/30/2023

It's summer break! I'm going to try and share things of interest throughout the summer. It might be places to get books, links to videos or books online, author interviews, activities, and more.

Today I have a new place to get books! (Well, maybe not new, but new to me!) Ollie's in Peoria is a discount warehouse store and they have a LOT of books! The pictures below are just a few I took to show the range of books available. They also have a loyalty rewards program. Not a traditional place to look for books, but I found a lot of great stuff there for cheap and thought you might like to know about it, too!

03/09/2023

Thank you so much to everyone who was involved today and/or tonight with our author visits with David Biedryzcki! The kids had a wonderful time learning about writing and illustrating and editing! Tonight they even learned how to draw a face in profile!