The Trail of Lost Hearts

October 29th, 2024 by Goshen Public Library No comments »

By Tracey Garvis Graves

Year of Publication: 2024

A summary from Goodreads: 

New York Times bestselling author Tracey Garvis Graves takes readers on a life affirming journey, where two lost souls find the unexpected courage to love again.

Thirty-four-year-old Wren Waters believes that if you pay attention, the universe will send you exactly what you need. But her worldview shatters when the universe delivers two life-altering blows she didn’t see coming, and all she wants to do is put the whole heartbreaking mess behind her. No one is more surprised than Wren when she discovers that geocaching―the outdoor activity of using GPS to look for hidden objects―is the only thing getting her out of bed and out of her head. She decides that a weeklong solo quest geocaching in Oregon is exactly what she needs to take back control of her life.

Enter Marshall Hendricks, a psychologist searching for distraction as he struggles with a life-altering blow of his own. Though Wren initially rebuffs Marshall’s attempt at hiker small talk, she’s beyond grateful when he rescues her from a horrifying encounter farther down the trail. In the interest of safety, Marshall suggests partnering up to look for additional caches. Wren’s no longer quite so trusting of the universe―or men in general―but her inner circle might argue that a smart, charismatic psychologist isn’t the worst thing the universe could place in her path.

What begins as a platonic road trip gradually blossoms into something deeper, and the more Wren learns about Marshall, the more she wants to know. Now all she can do is hope that the universe gets it right this time.

Goshen Public Library call number: LP GRAVES (BOOK)

Hocus Pocus

October 28th, 2024 by Goshen Public Library No comments »

Year of Release: 2002

A summary from Amazon: 

You’re in for a devil of a time when three outlandishly wild witches — Bette Midler (BEACHES, BIG BUSINESS), Sarah Jessica Parker (HONEYMOON IN VEGAS), and Kathy Najimy (SISTER ACT) — return from 17th-century Salem after they’re accidentally conjured up by some unsuspecting pranksters! It’s a night full of zany fun and comic chaos once the tricky 300-year-old trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth — but first they must get their act together and outwit three kids and a talking cat! Loaded with bewitching laughs, HOCUS POCUS is an outrageously wild comedy that’s sure to entertain everyone!|Producer David Kirschner came up with the idea for the movie one night while he and his young daughter were sitting outside and his neighbor’s black cat strayed by. Kirschner began to unspool a narrative of how the cat was once a boy who was changed into a feline 300 years ago by three witches. Actress Kathy Najimy described her character Mary as “Eddie Haskell as a witch,” referring to the character on the classic TV series “Leave It To Beaver.” “She sucks up to Winifred [Bette Midler’s character] every chance she gets. She wants to be part of the power club and Winifred’s got the power.” To create the costumes, designer Mary Vogt read many historical books about Salem, Massachusetts. “I even read diaries of women who were hanged as witches,” she says.

Goshen Public Library call number: DVD-F (VISUAL MATERIALS-J)

The Frindle Files

October 26th, 2024 by Goshen Public Library No comments »

By Andrew Clements

Year of Publication: 2024

A summary from Goodreads: 

One last gift to teachers and readers from Andrew Clements: A sequel to his most beloved, landmark book, Frindle. While the original is a love letter to writing and the power of words, The Frindle Files shows us that using those words carefully—that speaking up—can make all the difference.

Josh Willet is a techie, a serious gamer. Nothing’s better than writing code or downloading a new release. Which is why Mr. N’s ELA class is such a slog; it’s a strict no-tech zone. It feels like being stuck inside a broken time machine. Mr. N makes the kids write everything out on paper, he won’t use a Smart Board, and he’s obsessed with some hundred-year-old grammar book.

Then one night, while s-l-o-w-l-y finishing an assignment by hand, Josh discovers a secret. Turns out Mr. N’s been keeping a lot more than technology from his students! Josh and his best friend, Vanessa, are determined to solve the mystery and rally the other kids around their cause. And maybe—just maybe—get some screen time back, too.

More than 25 years after the publication of Frindle, and set one whole generation later, The Frindle Files is a gift left by the beloved Andrew Clements before he passed away. It’s a story that’s both timeless and timely—about the importance of language, of digging deep to find answers, and of challenging what you think you know to imagine what is possible. Filled with humor and Clements’ potent, no-nonsense prose, The Frindle Files is an inspiring, thoughtful, remarkable novel that will grace children’s and classroom shelves for another 25 years.

Goshen Public Library call number: JF CLEMENTS (BOOK-J)

Year of the Reaper

October 25th, 2024 by Goshen Public Library No comments »

By Makiia Lucier

Year of Publication: 2021

A summary from Goodreads: 

The past never forgets…

Before an ambush by enemy soldiers, Lord Cassia was an engineer’s apprentice on a mission entrusted by the king. But when plague sweeps over the land, leaving countless dead and devastating the kingdom, even Cas’ title cannot save him from a rotting prison cell and a merciless sickness.

Three years later, Cas wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them.

When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer… one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret—one that could threaten the kingdom’s newfound peace and plunge it back into war.

Goshen Public Library call number: YF LUCIER (BOOK-YA)

One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote

October 24th, 2024 by Goshen Public Library No comments »

By Bonnie Worth

Year of Publication: 2016

A summary from Goodreads: 

The Cat in the Hat looks at how, why, and who we vote for in a rhyming, nonfiction book that’s perfect for Election Day, President’s Day, and year-round reading—now with 16 bonus-pages of kid-friendly voting activities!

Written in simple rhyme, this Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library Book introduces early readers to the concept and practice of voting—with a focus on the American Presidency! Revised to include 16 pages of activities showing kids how to hold their own elections, it’s an ideal choice for reading and talking about voting—whether for classroom pet or leader of the free world! Readers will learn the basic principles of democracy; how political parties are made; why Election Day is held in early November; and much more. Fans of the hit PBS show  The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!  will be delighted to see the Cat knows as much about history and civic responsibility as he does about science!

Goshen Public Library call number: J324.65 SEUSS (BOOK-J)