BOOK NOOK

ONE MINNESOTA, MANY STORIES Don’t let the summer “BRAIN DRAIN”

get the best of your family!

By LISA COWNIE

“Public libraries pick up where schools leave off in June. Participating in reading activities prevents learning loss over the summer months. It provides a social opportunity for children and their caregivers and it’s also a free opportunity for children to learn something new via the workshops, classes and, of course, books,” says Kelly McBride, Blue Earth County Director of Library Services.

The library’s summer reading program is meant to keep children of all ages engaged in learning; this year’s theme “One Minnesota, Many Stories,” seems the perfect platform for meeting that mission. “We will have some fun Minnesota-related décor and different weekly activities at the library. We have an action-packed summer ahead that includes activities for families and school-aged children as well as programs specifically for tweens and teens, which we haven’t done before. We also have some great events for adults including a visit from author Nagamatsu Sequoia,” says McBride. “We are working with a number of local organizations including Mankato Area Community Education, Mankato Makerspace, the Moondogs, Dance Express and the local robotics team. We are fortunate we live in a community where so many organizations are excited to get involved and support programs like this.” The program is a popular one with patrons as well, with around 3,000 kids participating each summer. Visit beclibrary. org to join the fun. The North Mankato Taylor Library also has summer programming. This year’s theme is Read Beyond the Beaten Path. Visit northmankato.com/taylorlibrary.

RECOMMENDATION FOR TEENS’

SUMMER READING

Blue Earth County Youth Services Librarian Natasha Otteson says, “I have so many recommendations, but if I had to pick just one, it'd be “OPHIE'S GHOSTS” by Justina Ireland. It's like a historical fiction had a love child with paranormal activity. It's fascinating how she brought these two genres together. But what I really love about it, is that it has a Black, female protagonist, and it doesn't white-wash or sanitize the realistic experiences of Black individuals during the 1920s while still simultaneously keeping this work age-appropriate for middle graders. Her descriptions of the racism that Ophie and her family experience aren't graphically or violently described, but they are talked about. Ok, I'm rambling now, but I really do love this book! It's amazing.” ■