What’s New at Jacksonville Public Library in Illinois

What’s New at Jacksonville Public Library:

“The God of the Forest” by Liz Moore: When Barbara Van Laar is found missing from her summer camp bed one August morning in 1975, a frantic, anxious search begins. Losing a camper is a terrible tragedy in any case, but Barbara is no ordinary camper; she is the daughter of the wealthy family that owns the camp—as well as the lavish estate nearby and most of the land in sight. And this is not the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared in these parts: Barbara’s older brother also disappeared 16 years earlier, never to be found. How could this happen again?

“The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Frontlines of Climate Change” by Dr. Debra Hendrickson: Wildfires, hurricanes and heat waves make headlines. But what’s happening in Debra Hendrickson’s clinic tells a different story about this strange and unsettling time. Hendrickson is a pediatrician in Reno, Nevada, the fastest-warming city in the United States, where ash falls like snow during summer wildfires. In “The Air They Breathe,” Hendrickson recounts patients she’s seen who have been harmed by rising smoke, smog and pollen; two boys in Arizona, struck by record-breaking heat while hiking; children fleeing for their lives from Hurricane Harvey and the Tubbs Fire; and a little girl whose life was forever changed by the 2016 Zika virus outbreak.

“Hit me hard and soft” by Billie Eilish: Billie Eilish’s third studio album is her most daring work to date; a diverse yet cohesive collection of songs, ideally listened to in its entirety from start to finish. It does exactly what the album’s title suggests; hits you hard and soft, both lyrically and sonically, while bending genres and defying trends. With the help of her brother and sole collaborator, Finneas, the pair wrote, recorded and produced the album together in their hometown of Los Angeles. This album follows her two hugely successful albums, “When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?” and “Happier Than Ever,” and works to further develop the world of Billie Eilish.

“No monster” by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez: Featuring Spanish vocabulary and a clever color concept, this poetic picture book shares the life cycle of the beloved amphibian — the axolotl — in its natural habitat. An axolotl may look like one, but it’s certainly not a monster. This curious creature, made popular by Minecraft, is actually a salamander that will never lose its gills or fins. “Not a Monster” explores the axolotl’s characteristics, the species’ Aztec origin myth, and how pollution is affecting its natural habitat, the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City. Fun and engaging, this playful and informative read-aloud introduces curious readers to a cool character who not a monster.

Well met, traveler! The library’s D&D Club is looking for brave adventurers. The two groups meet every other week. Contact the library for more information.

The movie on Monday at 2 p.m. is Disney’s “Finding Nemo.” Popcorn and water will be served. Guests are welcome to bring a blanket to curl up on while they watch. The story of the timid clownfish who sets out to save his son from captivity is rated G.

A Teen Paint and Sip will be at 6pm on Tuesdays in the library meeting room. Refreshments will be served.

Come by one of the three library locations every Friday this summer to visit the library. Children from 2 to final year students can borrow two books each week.