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Lists

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  2021 Summer Scares
  

  Each year, the Horror Writers Association puts together a selection of new horror books for summer reading, to show that horror is for all ages and any time of year. These books are usually by a diverse selection up and coming, living authors, and are accessible to a wide audience. There are three adult, three young adult, and three middle reader selections. Libraries around the country host programming connected to these books. Click the green speech bubble by each item for links to other formats the book may be available in, such as ebooks or audiobooks.

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  Virtual Vault Tour
  

  List of materials shown during the 05/05/2021 virtual tour for the Philadelphia Center for the Book. Additional resources in notes (green speech bubbles).

Reviews

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  The Blind Side

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  True Events.  Emotional.  Awesome Acting.  Inspirational. Uplifting.  Touching. Heart-warming. Family.

  This movie based on true events was very inspiring.  The love and concern depicited in the film was outstanding. I love this movie because it teaches that we are all the same regardless of race, creed, color or gender.  It shows that through kindness lots of things can be achieved. The main character captured my heart because he is so big with a very gentle and soft-spoken voice. He shows so much appreciation for everything done for him. This is a great movie for the family to watch together. It just an "all around feel good movie".  The actors give awesome performances
   

  Reviewed by Joyce L on May 10, 2021

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  Redhead by the side of the road by Tyler, Anne,

  ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

  Baltimore resident, Micah Mortimor, happily lives a life of routine chores.  The 40-ish Micah is a free-lance computer consultant with a side gig as a super in a small apartment building.  He lives rent free in a 2 bedroom basement apartment.

  This narrow and limited man has a lovely and doting girlfriend Cass, a third grade teacher.  When Cass discovers there is a chance she could lose  her sublet apartment, Micah remarks,"Looks like you'll be living out of your car."  A few days later, Cass breaks up with him.  Micah doesn't get it.

  What's more, a teenage boy shows up at his door, thinking that Micah might be his biological father. Micah is clueless how to proceed. Two life changing events occur days apart and Micah's routines and his strict schedules don't help him at all.

  I'm a big Anne Tyler fan. However, this particular novel was not a satisfying read.

  Reviewed by valerie h on May 7, 2021

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  Good Fences

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  Drama. Realistic Events. Awkward Moments. Memorable Characters. Racial Issues. Good Songs. Sexual Innuendos. Nudity. Comedic Scenes.

  I enjoyed watching Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover in this film.  They are two very good actors. Good Fences represents the walls and barriers that keep people divided. Its always a struggle trying  to prove to others over and over that you are worthy of honor and respect.  There is suggested violence and class and race discrimination. Although it was a good storyline... I didn't particially enjoy the movie .

  Reviewed by Joyce L on May 6, 2021

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  Avengers, endgame

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  Avengers Endgame is the last installment to the Avengers franchise. It includes all the characters/actors you came to love, like Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). This focuses on the Avengers figuring out a way to go back in time to collect all of the infinity stones to stop Thanos. While this movie was three hours long, it didn't feel like it as I was intrigued the whole time. I love seeing badass superheroes, especially the women! The writing is so great as there are one-liners that are funny or heartwarming. I think this movie did a great job finishingh up the franchise and I'm sad to say goodbye. Fortunately, we will be seeing other characters in diffrerent Marvel movies/shows.

  Reviewed by Lauren G on May 6, 2021

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  A kid like Jake

  ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

  A Kid Like Jake, starring Jim Parsons and Claire Danes, is about a father, Greg (Parsons), and mother, Alex (Danes), who have a four-year-old child, Jake. They are trying to put him in a great  primary school, but when Jake starts acting up in school and he loves dressing up and watching fairytales, which concerns Greg. Alex thinks everyone is labeling Jake too early, and Jake's behavior causes Greg and Alex to fight. All in all, this was an okay movie. I disliked Alex the whole time. I feel like we didn't get to see much of Jake when he was the main concern. I think this movie does focus on an important topic, but I feel like what was more focused was the fighting between Alex and Greg. It wasn't until the end that they finally accepted Jake to dress up like a girl. I don't know, this movie just didn't stick out to me and I feel like touching on this kind of touchy topic could have been better. I wouldn't see it again. It definitely felt like a different role for Parsons.

  Reviewed by Lauren G on May 6, 2021

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  The marksman

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

  A former Marine helps a young boy get to his family in Chicago after his mom was killed while they were excaping New Mexico and the cartel. Action packed movie. enjoyed watching.

  Reviewed by Donna P on May 6, 2021

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