GRAB A BOOKMARK

Grab a

Slow down this summer by catching up on your “to be read” list. We’ll be doing the same! Here are two recommendations for your June reading list, courtesy of the librarians at Geneva Public Library.

 FOR YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS: “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Joy McCullough Turning 10 is hard enough, but it’s even more challenging when your single parent is in a new relationship — with the parent of someone in your class! “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” by Joy

McCullough is middle grade realistic fiction suitable for readers age 8-12.

The story centers on Luis and Sutton, who have a lot going on in their lives — especially now that Luis’ mom is dating Sutton’s dad! Sutton loves science and is having robot problems.

She’s also afraid her mom won’t be home in time to celebrate her 10th birthday. Meanwhile, Luis dreams of writing a book, but he’s having trouble writing exciting stories when his life is so ordinary — and restricted by his asthma. As the relationship between their parents gets serious, Luis and

Sutton experience a lot of changes and spend a lot of time together.

Now they have to figure out how to get along with each other. This is a charming and humorous story with authentic characters. Kids will get to know both characters well because the chapters alternate between the two of them. As Luis and Sutton encounter serious issues, they learn how to be tolerant of other people and open-minded to change. It’s a fun book that will speak to readers going through a lot of changes in their lives, too. — Ruth O’Brien, library associate  FOR OUR READERS: “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love” by Dani Shapiro Dani Shapiro is a memoirist, novelist and host of the hit podcast “Family Secrets.” And she has a most unexpected and gripping story to share in her book “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love.” This is a great selection for a book club — or find a reading buddy because you’re going to want to talk about this book when you’re done reading. Shapiro acknowledges: “All my life I’ve known there was a secret.” What she didn’t know? The secret was about her. On a lark, Shapiro takes a DNA test, which shows she’s 52% Jewish. She thought she was 100% Jewish. After comparing her results with her half-sister’s test, Shapiro realizes her beloved father, who is no longer alive, is not her biological father. Her life changes in a moment as she realizes this secret has been kept from her for more than 50 years. Comments and memories from her life float back to Shapiro as she searches for her biological father and pieces together her parents’ infertility story. She wonders: What combination of memory, history, biology and experience make us who we are? This book is a nuanced and vulnerable look at a secret uncovered and how it impacts so many people. Shapiro reads the audiobook version, and listening to her read about her own life makes the story all the more poignant. — Ruth Glen, library associate