A new lord with a nightmarish past is coming to the village of Glynval, and seventeen-year-old Annabel has heard frightening stories of his fierceness and ugliness.  But soon she finds herself his indentured servant, working to pay her family’s debt.  Annabel prays that someday she will be able to enter an abbey and become a nun so she can permanently avoid the creepy Bailiff Tom, who wishes to marry her.

This story, set in 14th century England, would probably appeal most to fans of history and/or romance. The Merchant’s Daughter follows the basic storyline of the classic Beauty and the Beast, which makes this book predictable.  However, the book has many twists and turns of its own, including the problems and desires of the two main characters. Overall, I highly enjoyed it.

I rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

The Running Dream by Wendlin Van Draanen is an emotional story about a teenage runner named Jessica.  Jessica is in love with running. So when she loses her leg in a bus accident she is completely devastated and thinks her joyous days of running are over. Throughout her recovery, which has its highs and its lows, Jessica’s family, coach, teammates, and new friends encourage her until Jessica begins to hope that she will be able to run again.

The chapters are usually very short, and the book is divided into five parts, each of which corresponds to a part of a race.  It’s about being strong, appreciating what you have, and seeing the person, not the condition.  The book begins in anger and despair but ends in radiant hope, because as Jessica’s friend Rosa tells her, the finish line is “also the starting line” (page 214), opening up a world of wonderful possibilities.

I rate it 4 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

Alex Rider’s world turns upside down when he discovers that his dead uncle never worked in a bank and that he didn’t actually die in a car accident.  His uncle was shot.  The people now in charge of Alex’s life give him no choice but to continue his uncle’s work, thought they are pretty sure Alex will get killed. When Alex uncovers a deadly plot, he must use his wits, luck, and some high-tech toys given him to thwart the terrorist before England’s future is ruined.

Anthony Horowitz’s Stormbreaker is an exhilarating book that had me hooked from the first chapter.  There is plenty of fast-paced, life-threatening action and a protagonist who is young (some people think too young), in a place he doesn’t really want to be, and not sure if he can do the task set before him.  Though the book is several years old, it it perfect for a teenager who is looking for a book of spies and excitement.

I rate it 4 1/2 out of 5 bookmarks.

Note: have you read a good book recently? Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

Becky Lehman
Children’s Department

• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a free program that encourages parents, grandparents & older siblings to read books to preschool children.  Incentives of book bags, stickers, & books are given to each child as they continue to the goal of 1000 books.  Books do not need to be from the library, & favorite stories can be recorded multiple times.
• The Semi-Annual Children’s Book Sale is currently being held in the Children’s Department.  Hundreds of gently used easy & junior books are on sale. Shop early for the best selection.
• Halloween Fun at the Library is on Trick or Treat night, Thursday, October 27.  Families are encouraged to visit the library from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and stay whatever amount of time fits into their family’s Halloween plans.  The Adult, Heritage, & Children’s Departments will each have treats for the children, & the Children’s Department will have games, crafts & stories.

Everyone is invited to participate in these programs.  For more information, call 589-2809.

By Nafisa Haji

Fiction [FIC Haji] (as of posting, this book is still on the New Shelf)

Reviewed by: Angy

A patron came into the library last week and wanted to know where I found this book – she said it was a wonderful book, encompassing themes of war and peace, and Christianity and Islam.  After her high praise of this book, I decided I needed to find the time to read it myself.

The narrative is told through the perspective of a handful of people in different times and places all connected to the book’s protagonist, Jo March, named after the main character of Alcott’s Little Women.  Jo has grown up in a family with a rich heritage in nondenominational, evangelical Christianity, but learns that her ties to Islam are closer than anyone could expect.  As she tries to understand who she is, she must also deal with her brother’s and her own actions in the Middle East during the aftermath of 9/11.

I enjoyed this book very much, but I want to be clear: this book, while dealing with Christianity and religion, is not inspirational Christian fiction.  I recommend it to those who are interested in the interplay between Christianity and Islam, and those who enjoy books that cover multiple generations.  This book does become political at times, and will probably not be well-received by staunch conservatives.

Note: Have you read a good book recently?  Talk to Angy or email her at bpl@bernepl.lib.in.us about getting your review on the library’s blog!

Now, from the comfort of your own home, you can check out digital copies of great books!

The website is: nidl.lib.overdrive.com, or you can start at the library’s catalog.  EBooks and eAudiobooks will have a link on the catalog record that will direct you to the NIDL (Northeast Indiana Digital Library – it rhymes with “riddle”) website.  To check out books, you’ll need to have the number from the back of your library card and the password you use to log in to your online account.  Excessive fines and/or overdue library materials will prevent you from checking out eBooks and eAudiobooks.

The eBooks currently work with all eReaders except for the Amazon Kindle (due to format issues), and the people at Amazon are saying the Kindle will be compatible at some point in the future!

Please contact us with any questions!