We would like to thank South Plains Electric for awarding the Operation Round Up Community grant to the library.
With some of the funding from this grant we were able to bring a couple of very special programs to our Collaborative Summer Reading program. First was the visit from the Abilene Zoo (with a record-breaking attendance), and this week the library buzzed with excitement as South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation joined us for a special presentation. Sarah and her dedicated team of Sidney and Dawson gave an engaging and informative session, teaching children the importance of respecting and safely interacting with wild animals.
The children were enthralled by the animal guests that made an appearance. A lively squirrel brought smiles all around, while a milk snake and an albino ball python introduced everyone to the fascinating world of reptiles. The show’s stars were Shadow, a majestic barred owl, and a great horned owl—both captivating with their impressive presence and intriguing stories.
The fun doesn’t stop there! Our children's reading contest continues until Monday, June 30, at 4 p.m. Be sure to bring in your book logs every 10 books read earns an entry into the grand prize drawing, which will be held live on Facebook. For adults, the reading contest runs until Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m., with entries submitted for every three books read. Don’t forget the adult prize drawing will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, live on Facebook.
We recently received two very different reads thanks to the grant from the Tocker Foundation: “The Tenant” by Freida McFadden and “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins. Whether you're in the mood for a psychological twist or a return to a dystopian world we thought we'd left behind, there's something here to add to your summer reading list.
McFadden, known for her addictive psychological thrillers, delivers another nail-biter with “The Tenant.” When a woman rents out her upstairs apartment to a quiet new tenant, strange things start happening odd noises, missing items, and a creeping feeling that someone’s always watching.
As the story unfolds, the secrets of both the tenant and the landlord slowly unravel. True to McFadden’s style, nothing is as it seems, and just when you think you’ve figured it all out, she flips the script. This book is fast-paced, full of suspense, and packed with jaw-dropping twists that will leave readers questioning their instincts. It’s perfect for fans of domestic thrillers and unreliable narrators. Just maybe don’t read it alone at night!
Suzanne Collins returns us to Panem in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the long-anticipated fifth book in “The Hunger Games” series. This prequel, set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute, centers on Haymitch Abernathy and the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the second Quarter Quell.
What makes this installment stand out is its emotional depth and sharp political commentary. We see Haymitch not just as the gruff mentor, but as a 16-year-old boy trying to survive a system designed to break him. Collins gives readers a raw look at how trauma and rebellion take root. It’s darker, more introspective, and hauntingly relevant to our own world.
Fans of the original trilogy will appreciate how “Sunrise on the Reaping” deepens the lore of Panem, while new readers can jump in without needing to reread the previous books—though they may want to afterward!
Check it out at the library.
