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Cici loves cooking with her A-ma (grandmother) in Taiwan; it makes her feel like she belongs. But when Cici’s family moves to America and away from A-ma, Cici suddenly feels out of place. She misses Taiwan, but especially misses her A-ma. Cici wants A-ma to visit, but A-ma cannot afford the plane ticket to America. When Cici sees a cooking contest for kids offered at a local store for a cash prize, she enters right away. But will the judges be interested in her Taiwanese cooking?

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Family, Graphic Novels & Manga, Read
April 5, 2021
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
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We want to help you read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten with your child! We have a wide array of picture and board books for you to read with your child, and we'll be sharing these titles weekly so that at the end of one year, you can actually have read 1,000 books together. If you're interested in learning more, please contact an MCPL staff member. In the meantime, put these books on hold so you can get started right away!

Special Collections
March 10, 2021
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Growing up as a young boy in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Sundar Paliwal experienced several difficult things such as hunger, poverty and the loss of his mother at a young age. He continues to look at his community as he grows up, gets married and eventually has his own two daughters and one son. He teaches his children about the beauty and importance of all living things. But Sundar’s community and land is being destroyed by mining companies, where he works.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , African American, Civil Rights, Diversity, Environmental, Inclusiveness, Nonfiction, Staff Picks
March 5, 2021
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Snapdragon, who goes by Snap, is kind of a loner who doesn't believe in witches and magic like other kids in town. But even she's slightly nervous when she visits the Town Witch to rescue her dog. It turns out that the grumpy Town Witch, whose name is actually Jacks, isn't so bad at all and has actually fixed up Snap's dog. Snap is instantly taken with Jacks' mysterious and strange ways and decides to enter into a deal with her.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels & Manga, Magic, Read
February 17, 2021

Imagine you’re wearing your favorite shirt. You love this shirt because it makes you feel great! The material is just the right softness, the cut is perfectly loose and comfortable, and when you wear it, you are certain you are taller and more confident. This is a cool shirt! 

Think Library, Kids , Tween , Create, DIY
February 10, 2021
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Until Edie and her mom bought the B&B across the street, Alberta and her two dads were the only Black folks in their neighborhood. Surfer girl Alberta is thrilled to find out that she and the new girl are in the same grade, and expects to immediately be besties, despite how different they are in many ways.

Then, Edie discovers a box of old journals in the attic and recruits Al to help her figure out the mystery of who wrote them, leading to a shocking discovery!

Think Library, Kids , Tween , Diversity, Friendship, Mystery
February 2, 2021
IU Asian Culture Center Presents: How to Make Dumplings!

What is Lunar New Year?

In Western countries, we celebrate the New Year on January 1, but in many Asian countries the traditional new year follows the cycles of the moon so they celebrate what we call "Lunar New Year" (sometimes also called "Chinese New Year") and it usually occurs in late January to early February.

Think Library, Kids , Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Tween , Diversity, Holidays & Cultural Celebrations, Inclusiveness
January 22, 2021
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There’s something special about the doodles Drew and her art club pals create - they come to life! The art club crew usually draft friendly characters, though Drew’s doodles are known to get into trouble, like the time they stole a hat out of a painting in the museum. But that was nothing compared to real trouble her newest doodle, Levi, created in Doodleville! With her monster on the loose destroying all of her friends’ creations, Drew feels hopeless.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Adventure, Create, Fantasy, Fiction, Friendship, Graphic Novels & Manga
January 18, 2021
Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences
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This booklist features titles written about and by members of the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. Stories of these communities’ experiences are significant because they allow children to see themselves in stories and know the person behind the words are similar to them. It means that not only is the story important, but also who tells that story.

Celebrate Identities
January 8, 2021
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Jack and her gender fluid brother, Birdie, are siblings who have to move in with their stoic and no-nonsense uncle after their eccentric uncle proves that he is not a good caretaker after their mother's sudden death. The constant upheaval, new scenery, school, and bullying in their new life throw them through a loop. Through grieving, confronting bullies, and confronting comfort zones -- Birdie, Jack, and both their uncles learn to love and accept each other for who they are.

Think Library, Kids, Reviews , Tween , Coming of Age, Diversity, Family, Inclusiveness, LGBTQIA+, Read, Realistic
January 6, 2021
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Voices
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This booklist features titles written about and by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Stories of the LGBTQIA+ community's experiences are significant because they allow children to see themselves in stories and know the person behind the words are similar to them. It means that not only is the story important, but also who tells that story.

Celebrate Identities
January 4, 2021
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We can usually see the benefit of fairy godmothers’ gifts - after all, who wouldn’t like to be graced with the gift of wisdom, beauty, or humor? But what would happen if a fairy godmother gave the gift of being ordinary?

Think Library, Kids , Tween , Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship, Graphic Novels & Manga
December 22, 2020
A tween girl uses an iPad during a children's program.

We are pleased to share that the Library is the recipient of two grants to support access to digital resources in Monroe County. The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services Department has awarded the Library a Digital Equity Grant of $10,500, and the Wahl Family Charitable Trust has gifted the Library $5,300.

Think Library, Adults, Teens, Kids , Accessibility, Computers & Technology Help, Connect, Create, Diversity, eBooks, eLibrary, Grants, Learn, Library News, Library of Things, Lifelong Learning, Literacy, Read
December 18, 2020
A photo of Bicentennial Art Contest winner Rebecca Mueller's drawing held in front of the Friends of the Library bears.

In 2020 we turned 200! Although our year-long birthday bash didn’t go exactly as planned, we still have many achievements to celebrate. 

Think Library, Adults, Teens, Kids , Bicentennial, Connect, Create, Friends of the Library, Library News, Read
December 15, 2020