Glen Ellyn Public Library https://gepl.org So much more than books! Wed, 25 Apr 2018 18:10:55 -0400 en-US hourly 1 geplhttps://feedburner.google.com Donations from Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage and Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society Help Fund Bus to Books Program http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/LMejfF7BLUM/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/donations-kiwanis-club-central-dupage-glen-ellyn-infant-welfare-society-help-fund-bus-books-program/#respond Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:00:06 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35546 Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Bus to Books program is a summer time partnership with schools and agencies serving children who live in or attend school or programs in Glen Ellyn. In 2018, the library will run three Bus to Books programs serving approximately 135 Glen Ellyn students. The Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage donated $1,000,

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Photo of a yellow school bus.Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Bus to Books program is a summer time partnership with schools and agencies serving children who live in or attend school or programs in Glen Ellyn. In 2018, the library will run three Bus to Books programs serving approximately 135 Glen Ellyn students.

The Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage donated $1,000, which will help cover part of the cost of the program. “Kiwanis members were thrilled to have the opportunity to help the library reach out to local children who may not be able to readily access the public library during the summer,” said Susan DeRonne, Adult Department Director. “Bus to Books is a great local program that keeps with their mission.”

A generous grant from the Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society will also help cover part of the cost of the program. The exact amount of the grant won’t be determined until late May.

For over 15 years, the library has conducted Bus to Books, a literacy-based program, with the intention of combating summer slide in the most at-risk students in our community.

“We are very aware of the key role we play in the community by providing equitable access to resources for families,” said Amy Waters, School Liaison. “In addition to providing access to materials, technology, programming, and a safe place to interact, we continuously seek other ways to help meet the needs of Glen Ellyn’s families.”

Students who take part in Bus to Books have several needs met. They have access to library materials and can participate in the same summer reading program as their peers. For several weeks, they get to look forward to a fun outing at the library where they receive a nutritious lunch. Every student in Bus to Books receives three prize books of their choosing to take home. Research shows that having books in the home is an important indicator of future academic success.

“We believe programs like Bus to Books and Summer Meals, a partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, are essential ingredients to equitable access and quality of life for some of our more vulnerable residents,” said Waters.

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Preparing for College http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/dZwmsHfXejI/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/preparing-for-college/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2018 22:00:29 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35214 Preparing for college — it is something many of you have to look forward to and something many of the adults around you have already been through. It’s one of those things were the more you do, the more you find you need to do to feel ready. Want to know a secret? There’s no

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College kids walking down path.Preparing for college — it is something many of you have to look forward to and something many of the adults around you have already been through. It’s one of those things were the more you do, the more you find you need to do to feel ready.

Want to know a secret? There’s no way to be prepared for everything. There will always be something more you could have done. Want to know another secret? There’s probably something you will completely forget about until the deadline is right in front of you. You have to prepare for the unexpected — surprises happen, and they happen more often than you think.

It can be off-putting; you can never be totally ready and there will always be surprises. So where do you start? Be practical.

Being practical about preparing for college has a few parts to it.

  1. What needs doing now: If there’s something that demands your attention right now, it’s okay to exclusively focus on it.
  2. What needs doing later: Carve out time to go over the details, getting down to the nitty-gritty.

Part of planning includes patience and adaption. Some things will take a lot more time than you realize. Some things will need a quick decision, possibly at a moments notice. It includes figuring out logistics such as money for tuition and food, and how to apply for scholarships. It also means knowing when to take breaks so you don’t burn out.

Some major questions to ask yourself as you begin the planning process are

  • “What do I want?”
  • “What do I need?”
  • “How do I get it?”

One trick I found valuable is trying to prepare for certain feelings. If I know that I’m going to be overwhelmed at some point in the process, I’m not as thrown when it happens. If I know there will be surprises, I’m expecting to be surprised and I’m mentally prepared to encounter something I didn’t anticipate. This moves us to the “gusto” from “practical gusto.” Gusto is a state of mind, or a disposition — a mixed bag of goodies. As I see it, gusto is an over-arching attitude that says you’re up for a challenge. Gusto says everything you do is learning (because failure is a tough lesson, not a death sentence) and a victory (when we learn and grow, we win).

Just remember that planning is essential, but also that things don’t always go according to plan. The key is to set yourself up for success by preparing for what you can, getting good advice, and keeping up a can-do attitude. To help start you on the way, the library is offering a Prep for College series of programs April 21-28.

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We Love Storytime http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/E8c0hZ7Fm5U/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/we-love-storytime/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:00:32 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35544 Librarians at the Glen Ellyn Public Library can be pretty busy. I answer questions at the reference desk, connect books with readers, select items for you to checkout, plan developmentally appropriate programs, coordinate preschool visits, and collaborate with my coworkers. I’m constantly learning and trying new things, but one thing remains the same — Storytime is

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Katy reads a story to kids during one of the library's storytime sessions.Librarians at the Glen Ellyn Public Library can be pretty busy. I answer questions at the reference desk, connect books with readers, select items for you to checkout, plan developmentally appropriate programs, coordinate preschool visits, and collaborate with my coworkers. I’m constantly learning and trying new things, but one thing remains the same — Storytime is one of the best parts of my job.

Kids are constantly keeping me on my toes. For example, when asked if an illustration was showing a duck or a rabbit, a preschooler very confidently exclaimed “I think it’s a squid.” I was not expecting that answer! I love storytime because it encourages kids to love reading and learning.

When you think of storytime, what do you picture? Do you picture a group of preschool aged kids sitting quietly while a librarian reads a story? You might not think storytime is exciting, but I promise you storytime has changed since you attended one as a child. And at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, storytime is “so much more than books.”

Kids enjoy catching bubbles during a librarian led storytime.Our storytimes include items that don’t obviously tie to literacy and books. Librarians often add flannel games, bubbles, songs, shakey eggs, rhymes, and even playtime into a storytime session. These, sometimes noisy, additions are like sneaking vegetables onto a pizza. Children are building early literacy skills while they’re having fun. How?

  • Identifying rhythm and rhythmic patterns helps children learn about things spatially. Spatial reasoning is an early math skill.
  • Rhymes paired with finger motions encourage children to separate their fingers. This separation builds the fine motor skills needed to write.
  • Singing helps break down syllables, which helps kids learn that words are made up of parts.

Kids crawl underneath large parachute during storytime.

  • Noticing differences between objects and shapes will help children identify letters. The difference between o and p is a single line.
  • Chasing and popping bubbles builds hand-eye coordination and the visual tracking skills needed to read from left to right.
  • Storytime can spark a conversation between an adult and child, which will increase a child’s vocabulary. Vocabulary is an indicator of future academic success.
  • Children learn how to make friends, share, and socialize with other kids.

We love storytime so much in the Youth Department that we’re taking it out into our community! And, we’re bringing the Adult Department with us to join in on the fun by collaborating to deliver an Intergenerational Storytime. Intergenerational Storytime is a family formatted storytime, complete with a families and residents from Atria Senior Living. We were inspired by research that indicates significant benefits for everyone when multiple generations interact with each other. Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • Reduces ageism in children
  • Enhances social development
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Children are more likely to warmly greet individuals with differing abilities
  • Hearing stories and spending time with children can kindle memories for adults

Storytime is for everyone — and you’re welcome to join us at Atria Senior Living for our first Intergenerational Storytime on Saturday, April 21 from 10-11 am. Hope to see you there!

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3D Printing at GEPL http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/lNnu7oHR3EQ/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/3d-printing-gepl/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2018 13:00:25 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=33899 If you’ve been to the library since the Youth Department remodel, you might have noticed our two 3D printers are featured in a fancy display case. If you haven’t, I’d like to introduce you to the library’s two 3D printers: Eugene and Gertrude. Eugene Gertrude Eugene has been at the library since 2012. He’s older,

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If you’ve been to the library since the Youth Department remodel, you might have noticed our two 3D printers are featured in a fancy display case. If you haven’t, I’d like to introduce you to the library’s two 3D printers: Eugene and Gertrude.

Eugene
One of two 3D printers in Youth Department.

Gertrude

One of two 3D printers in Youth Department.

Eugene has been at the library since 2012. He’s older, but also faster at printing. Library staff have to be very careful when printing with him. If you forget one step, he’ll clog up!

Gertrude is newer to the library. She’s a little slower than Eugene, but a little more careful with details. Don’t tell Eugene, but Gertrude is a little smarter, too.

There are a lot of different types of 3D printing in the world. Our printers use Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), which is a fancy way of saying that it lays down, or deposits, material that quickly fuses together to make a model. FDM printing works kind of like a giant glue gun. The material is cool, fed into the extruder, which heats up the filament to 215 degrees Celsius, and lays the filament in a goo-like consistency in the pattern laid out by the computer design. The printer repeats this process layer by layer, higher and higher, until the design is complete.

3D printing is more than just making toys and trinkets. It originally started as a professional device used primarily by architects and engineers. Just like other technology, the devices got smaller and cheaper until the desktop 3D printer was born.

While students in Glen Ellyn make original gifts for parents and teachers, adults use our printers ,too. Submissions from adults include discontinued parts for items used around the house and items that just make life easier. Some of these projects already exist, like broom clamps and iPad wall fixtures. Others were created or improvised — and sometimes patented! The library has printed designs for school projects, replaced (or created) supplies for board games, and pieces of replicas for local museums. Of course, we still get a lot of trinkets and gifts, too.

Interested in making something yourself? The easiest way to get started is to make an account on Tinkercad. It’s free and easy to use 3D design software. They have extensive tutorials to help you navigate, regardless of your previous skill level. Once you’ve created something, download your file in .stl format, and send it to makerbot@gepl.org. We’d be happy to process your print or help you along the way. Be on the lookout for our 3D Open Labs at the library as well.

We can’t wait to see what you create!

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What Our Members Have To Say http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/3oNA5TVFqAM/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/what-our-members-have-to-say/#respond Mon, 09 Apr 2018 13:00:07 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35216 “We love our library. It’s an incredible resource. So very grateful for the time, thought, and intentionality that goes into the programming and resources that are available there. Thank you for your hard work!” – Survey Respondent The Glen Ellyn Public Library — our librarians and staff — strive to listen to the community and

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“We love our library. It’s an incredible resource. So very grateful for the time, thought, and intentionality that goes into the programming and resources that are available there. Thank you for your hard work!”
– Survey Respondent

Members participate in a discussion of the book Frankenstein and its continued cultural influence.The Glen Ellyn Public Library — our librarians and staff — strive to listen to the community and incorporate the needs of our members and the community into future programs and services. Libraries today do so much more than providing access to typical library services and resources such as a wide-ranging collection of books, music, and movies. The Glen Ellyn Public Library acts as a community center: a place to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in business and technology, learn a new hobby, and interact socially with others who share similar interests.

Our value is measured by the impact we have on residents: helping residents learn a new skill, gain knowledge about a subject that interests them, or find information that helps them get a new job, finish a project, or accomplish a goal. We serve as a safe, inclusive place for members of all abilities to meet, socialize, study, and, for our youngest community members, play.

In a recent survey conducted by the Village of Glen Ellyn, the library was one of the top-rated government entities, with 90 percent of residents rating the library and its services positively.

  • Seventy-eight percent of residents reported using the library within the past 12 months, with 53 percent using it once a month or more.
  • Among children, usage of the library is even higher, with 82 percent of grade schoolers and 67 percent of Kindergarten and younger children using the library at least once a month.
  • More than three-fourths (78 percent) of survey respondents said the library reading and reference materials meet the needs of their family.

The Glen Ellyn Public Library’s ratings are higher than the national benchmark, demonstrating higher usage of our public library compared to the national average. We are proud to offer programs and services that our community values and continue to work hard to support the Glen Ellyn community.

Kids and their grown-up listen to songs and stories about Miss Jamie's Farm.If you’ve joined any of our programs at the library, chances are you’ve also received a survey from us. Our surveys help us evaluate and improve our programming, so we can continue to provide quality programs and services for our members. Looking at 2017 survey data, 91 percent of survey respondents rated our programs positively, with 56 percent rating them excellent. The majority of respondents also planned to attend more programs and share information learned with friends and family. See what our survey respondents have to say about the library:

  • “I think the Glen Ellyn Library does a fabulous job of offering many different programs appealing to all ages and various interests.”
  • “I can’t imagine not having my library. It is truly an important part of the community.”
  • “Excellent job making the library stay relevant in today’s world.”
  • “I can’t stress enough how important the library staff is in the helpful, friendly, and engaging manner they interact with the community.”
  • “I love the partnership between the library and Glen Ellyn Schools. I feel the staff is so supportive of classroom initiatives and teachers.”

But we don’t just consider the good (though we admit we love to hear it)! Your opinion matters, and your survey responses provide valuable input on ways we can improve our programming and services. We read and evaluate all survey responses and work to incorporate changes that will enhance our future offerings.

If you haven’t visited the library recently or attended one of our programs yet, you should! We are grateful for all the feedback — both positive and constructive — that helps us create programming and services that truly benefit our community. You are what helps the Glen Ellyn Library be “so much more than books!”

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What I Just Read: Denton Little’s Deathdate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/zGjWX44Pe30/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/just-read-denton-littles-deathdate/#respond Fri, 06 Apr 2018 22:00:17 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35455 What I Just Read: Denton Little’s Deathdate by Lance Rubin Summary: In a world where everyone knows the day they will die, a teenage boy is determined to outlive his upcoming expiration date. Thoughts: I just finished this one. In the near future, bio-science enables people to know when they’ll die — down to the day. People don’t know

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Check out Denton Little's Death Date by Lance RubinWhat I Just Read: Denton Little’s Deathdate by Lance Rubin

Summary: In a world where everyone knows the day they will die, a teenage boy is determined to outlive his upcoming expiration date.

Thoughts: I just finished this one. In the near future, bio-science enables people to know when they’ll die — down to the day. People don’t know how they’ll die, or what time on a particular day, only that that day will BE IT. So, they have big parties, kids don’t have to go to school, and the people who will die get their own funerals.

The main character, Denton, knows his death date is just days away. Denton’s death day is the day after his high school prom. The book starts with him waking up in a bed he doesn’t remember getting into the night before. So, as you might guess, a big part of the book is Denton trying to figure out what happened to him and about his last decisions. It’s very much a “what would you do if you knew” type of book. He has his last meal — stuff he likes, nothing too extravagant. He doesn’t want to go someplace exotic, or do something crazy (although crazy things happen).

This book is full of dark humor, what some people call gallows humor. Some readers might be put off by it. But I take the point of view that death is one of those things that can be so serious it becomes overwhelming for us to contemplate. Laughter is one of the best ways to affirm life and push through a hard situation when it feels dire. There are times when laughter can be insulting and negative; the difference tends to be about context and how laughter is used. One of the ways that laughter — whether it’s a big guffaw or a smirk — enlivens this “you know when you’ll die” book is that the characters, especially Denton, use laughter to feel normal. Sometimes the best way to cope or deal with extreme situations is to act normally.

Denton doesn’t deliberately try to make people laugh all the time because doing so would feel forced and fake, both to the readers and to the characters. Instead, Lance Rubin writes dialog and situations in such a way that we can’t help but guffaw. For example (and I paraphrase), Denton is in the bathroom trying to get away from the death-party. Everyone who loves Denton, and some people who don’t, are suffocating him with their support and pity. After he gets in and shuts the door, he discovers his friend Veronica already there, also trying to escape. Denton’s best guy friend Paolo knocks on the door and says, “Just want to make sure you’re not… you know… dead yet.” When Paolo finds out Veronica, his sister, is in there as well, he says, “What?! Uh! I mean, I love you guys like brothers, I mean, I’m the brother, and you two aren’t brothers; well, Denton is like my brother, and V, you’re my sister, man… uh… it’s weird but I’m okay with it.”

Some heavy stuff happens, some weird stuff happens, and we can’t help but hope Denton doesn’t die — even when he thinks he’s ready.

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Ready or Not, Here They Come! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/xn3TrofL5Ok/ https://gepl.org/2018/04/ready-not-come/#respond Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:00:31 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35378 If you’ve been to the Youth Department in the past week or so, you may have noticed that our Rebecca Caudill, Bluestem Award, and Monarch Award displays just changed. Each now displays the 2019 nominees. One of the great things about the books nominated for the Caudill, Bluestem, and Monarch awards each year is that

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If you’ve been to the Youth Department in the past week or so, you may have noticed that our Rebecca Caudill, Bluestem Award, and Monarch Award displays just changed. Each now displays the 2019 nominees.

One of the great things about the books nominated for the Caudill, Bluestem, and Monarch awards each year is that there is always something for everyone. The new batch of titles is no exception. Here are a few of my favorites:

Check out The Water Princess by Susan VerdeFor readers in kindergarten through 3rd grade, the Monarch Award nominees offer a great variety of early readers and picture books exploring both fiction and nonfiction topics. Some, like Six Dots: The Story of Louis Braille and John Deere, That’s Who! help us learn about real people. Other choices like The Water Princess and Emmanuel’s Dream help us understand different cultures. And some books on the list, like Creepy Pair of Underwear, are just pure fun!

Check Out Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly HuntFor 3rd-5th grade readers, the Bluestem Award nominee list for 2019 is full of true stories, and a few fictional ones as well. Find out how the super soaker was invented, what the Great Chicago Fire was really like, how an orchestra was created from instruments made with recycled trash, and many more amazing true stories. Fiction titles on this year’s list range from realistic to fantastical and help us appreciate the uniqueness of others. Perfect for fans of Wonder, Fish in a Tree will help readers understand that there are many ways to be smart. The City of Ember is a futuristic tale about an underground city in a post-apocalyptic world. In Diva and Flea, Mo Willems relates the story of two unlikely friends, a dog and cat, living on the mean streets of Paris, France.

Check out We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell FreedmanFor readers in grades 4-8, the 2019 Rebecca Caudill contenders embrace many cultures, time periods, formats, and themes. Fiction and nonfiction titles take us from Nazi Germany to Modern-day Afghanistan to Medieval Europe. Novels in verse, such as Unbound and Booked, prove that poetry can tell a great story. Graphic novel March: Book 1 and narrative nonfiction titles We Will Not Be Silent and Undefeated tell the true stories of those who stood up for their beliefs in the face of opposition. And The Goldfish Boy and Lily and Dunkin offer compassionate windows into the experiences of youth with identity and mental health struggles.

There are twenty titles nominated for each award, which means there’s guaranteed to be something that interests every kind of reader. You’ve got almost a whole year until voting begins, so there’s plenty of time to read as many as possible and decide on your favorite!

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Grow, Grow, Grow! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/ZLFBQXTK66M/ https://gepl.org/2018/03/grow-grow-grow/#respond Thu, 29 Mar 2018 13:00:08 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35336 Despite the ever-changing weather in Illinois this month, I promise spring is coming! Spring brings flowers, sunshine, and plants. To jump start your spring and end your break from school, why not plant a garden in your house? There are many plants that you can buy and start planting now without waiting for the more

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Despite the ever-changing weather in Illinois this month, I promise spring is coming! Spring brings flowers, sunshine, and plants. To jump start your spring and end your break from school, why not plant a garden in your house? There are many plants that you can buy and start planting now without waiting for the more seasonable weather.

Easter Lily PlantHere are just a few plants for you to consider:

Easter Lily
The Easter Lily can be grown indoors or outdoors, but it needs a lot of indirect, bright sunlight to survive.

This particular plant needs medium moisture in the house, but be careful to not overflow it. They should not sit in a lot of water for too long. Easter Lilies like to remain in cooler temperatures (around 65 degrees Fahrenheit) so if possible, keep the area around your plant cool.

Hoya plant.Once the weather warms up, you can plant your Easter Lily in your outdoor garden.

 

Hoyas
Hoyas are very low maintenance plants that can be grown indoors.

Hoyas are more like shrubs and can have hairy leaves. They are known for being indestructible house plants that do not need a lot of direct sunlight. Since they do not need a lot of sunlight, they may grow a little slower than other house plants. Some Hoyas even grow flowers!

Hanging Spider Plant

 

Spider Plant
Spider plants can be grown in a pot with soil.

Spider plants will grow just fine in indirect sunlight. They actually do not do well in direct, bright sunlight, so make sure to give them some shade. Spider plants have a larger range of temperatures they can thrive in (between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Water these plants occasionally.

You may see something called pups sprouting off the sides if your spider plant is healthy. A good place to keep spider plants: your desk, as they help to get rid of pollutants.

Those are just a few tips to help you get started on your home garden. If you want to find out more information about various plants or on starting your own home garden, here are some great books to check out:

You can get any of these plants at your local Walmart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, garden center, or plant nursery. Growing plants in your house can be a really fun experience and a great activity to do with family and friends. Suggest starting a garden to your friends and see what other plants you all can grow. Happy planting!

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Library Foundation Donates $50,000 to Library for New Cafe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/RnOyJqsWa2k/ https://gepl.org/2018/03/library-foundation-donates-50000-library-new-cafe/#respond Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:00:15 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35302 The Glen Ellyn Library Foundation presented a check for $50,000 to the Glen Ellyn Public Library Board of Trustees at Monday night’s library board meeting. “We are grateful to all of the community members who supported our 2017 fundraising efforts to bring this library donation goal into reality,” said Kelley Kalinich, Glen Ellyn Library Foundation

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Foundation Board Treasurer Merrill Rajeck presents a check for $50,000 to Library Board President Chris CrawfordThe Glen Ellyn Library Foundation presented a check for $50,000 to the Glen Ellyn Public Library Board of Trustees at Monday night’s library board meeting.

“We are grateful to all of the community members who supported our 2017 fundraising efforts to bring this library donation goal into reality,” said Kelley Kalinich, Glen Ellyn Library Foundation Board President.

The donation, the majority of which comes from The Jungle Book Ball proceeds, will help fund the library’s new café, which is planned as part of the Phase III Renovation currently underway at the library. The café, operated by an outside vendor, will sell hot and cold beverages as well as snacks.

“The Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the library renovation through a $50,000 donation,” said Kalinich. “A café has been a frequent community request over recent years.”

Merrill Rajeck, Glen Ellyn Library Foundation Board Treasurer, presented the check to Glen Ellyn Public Library Board of Trustees President Chris Crawford at Monday night’s meeting.

During the previous two renovation phases, Foundation donations paid for the creation of The Lounge, located on the second floor, and specialized audio/visual equipment for the Youth Program Room. Visit gepl.org/foundation to see photos of the Foundation’s past projects at the library.

The Glen Ellyn Library Foundation, an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1998 to build an endowment to ensure that future residents of Glen Ellyn enjoy high-quality library services in an attractive, state-of-the-art facility. The public library is at the heart of the Village, serving residents of all ages, races, creeds, and socioeconomic levels.

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What I Just Read: Retribution Rails http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gepl/~3/vX6DELCM3VY/ https://gepl.org/2018/03/just-read-retribution-rails/#respond Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:00:02 +0000 https://gepl.org/?p=35121 Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman is the first western novel I’ve read. Ever. Yeah, it’s weird it’s my first. Sometimes, we never know we like something until we try it. Sometimes, we don’t ever try it until we get a hunger. Then it’s like getting a surprise, and we’re like “Wait, what? I like this?

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Check out Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman is the first western novel I’ve read. Ever. Yeah, it’s weird it’s my first. Sometimes, we never know we like something until we try it. Sometimes, we don’t ever try it until we get a hunger. Then it’s like getting a surprise, and we’re like “Wait, what? I like this? I never told me.” Anyhow.

What I Just Read: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Summary: Ten years after the events of Vengeance Road, Reece Murphy, who has been forced to join the Rose Riders gang, must work with aspiring journalist Charlotte Vaughn to get free.

Thoughts: This book has all the tropes one could hope to find. One of the central actors, Charlotte Vaughn, is a go-get-‘em girl who bucks traditional gender roles and becomes something she wants, while getting as rough and tumble as any other character. Reece Murphy is an outlaw boy who carries a reluctant reputation as a killer but is stuck in a stay-or-die situation. The outlaw gang looks attractive and depraved, with a leader who could charm you but who manipulates instead.

It’s a good example of the pull of gangs, from inner city types to the mafia to paramilitary groups that use violence. We get a good sense of how the characters find belonging, meaning, and purpose while being a part of the gang. We get a good sense of how hard it is to leave the gang, whether because the members hunt down the person trying to leave, or because that person has such strong emotional and social ties to the gang: feeling love or inclusion and knowing acceptance will be nearly impossible outside.

The character development is solid, showing people make decisions they regret later, or motivations and thoughts that change context over time. For a while, we don’t really know whether the Rose Kid even can change, or survive if he gets out.

We want Charlotte Vaughn to blow wide open the scandal of her uncle’s underhanded business dealings and family betrayals by printing a story in a newspaper, but we don’t know how she’s going to get around the constraints that same uncle has in place to stop her from doing just that. Charlotte moves from seeing the world in black and white to perceiving that every person and situation has layers, and those layers can be all good, mostly bad, or a mix. There’s no question about bad choices: they’re bad. But there is a question of how we deal with situations when we mistakenly think it will be a quick and easy right-versus-wrong decision. In the end, Charlotte makes difficult judgements, but it’s after she’s explored and understood the situations and people involved.

That’s one reason I like Charlotte so much. Her character arch isn’t “I thought this, but now I think the opposite.” She doesn’t go from making value judgements to no longer doing so; she learns better ways to make judgements. She keeps her fire that propelled her to buck social convention, not by burning everything around her down, but by learning to focus and stoke that fire for the greatest success. She makes mistakes. She’s not perfect.

Similarly, I like Reece because he doesn’t “flip a switch” on his semi-depression and angst; it’s hard to work through such tough challenges. He struggles. He needs encouragement. He can’t do it alone, and he can’t do it without working hard. He makes sacrifices that hurt him — including being emotionally vulnerable about his past and reputation.

Retribution Rails is a great read because it combines gimmicky fun with real issues and solid character development. Go for it!

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