What's New on the Library Shelves? | Mystery and Thriller Edition

 The Tenant by Freida McFadden

Blake Porter is riding high, until he's not. Fired abruptly from his job as a VP of marketing and unable to make the mortgage payments on the new brownstone he shares with his fiancée, he's desperate to make ends meet.

Enter Whitney. Beautiful, charming, down-to-earth, and looking for a room to rent. She's exactly what Blake's looking for. Or is she?

Because something isn't quite right. The neighbors start treating Blake differently. The smell of decay permeates his home, no matter how hard he scrubs. Strange noises jar him awake in the middle of the night. And soon Blake fears someone knows his darkest secrets...

Danger lives right at home, and by the time Blake realizes it, it'll be far too late. The trap is already set.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

Nicole “Nic” Monroe is in a rut. At twenty-four, she lives alone in a dinky apartment in her hometown of Mishawaka, Indiana, she’s just gotten a DWI, and she works the same dead-end job she’s been working since high school, a job she only has because her boss is a family friend and feels sorry for her. Everyone has felt sorry for her for the last seven years—since the day her older sister, Kasey, vanished without a trace.

On the night Kasey went missing, her car was found over a hundred miles from home. The driver’s door was open and her purse was untouched in the seat next to it. The only real clue in her disappearance was Jules Connor, another young woman from the same area who disappeared in the same way, two weeks earlier. But with so little for the police to go on, both cases eventually went cold.

Nic wants nothing more than to move on from her sister’s disappearance and the state it’s left her in. But then one day, Jules’s sister, Jenna Connor, walks into Nic’s life and offers her something she hasn’t felt in a long time: hope. What follows is a gripping tale of two sisters who will do anything to find their missing halves, even if it means destroying everything they’ve ever known.

Smuggler's Cove by Fern Michaels

Growing up, Madison Taylor and her younger brother Lincoln lived in privilege, but their sheltered existence abruptly ended when their father was arrested for fraud and the family assets were seized. Since then, Madison has carved out a new path, studying fashion and working her way up to editor in chief of La Femme magazine, while Lincoln teaches wealth management at a small college outside the city. Both have separated themselves from their family and their past—until an unexpected bequest arrives from their late uncle.

Madison and Lincoln are now the new co-owners of a marina at Smugglers Cove on the Navesink river. Instead of a fabulous, Hamptons-style property, Smugglers Cove offers little beyond a dilapidated dock, a few gas pumps, and a handful of clam boats. Madison’s plan to sell the property goes awry when a dead body is found floating under their dock and transforms their new inheritance into a crime scene.

Suddenly, Madison is swapping her city-girl wardrobe for cargo pants and flannel shirts, while she and Lincoln receive a crash course in small-town Jersey shore life, complete with quirky characters, pirate legends, and a mysterious treasure map. They’re discovering more about themselves and each other every day, but with a mystery to solve, and big decisions to make, these are lessons they’ll need to learn fast . . .

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Kid's Edition

 Investigators Series by John Patrick Green

With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on their first mission together, they have not one but two mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks―or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp?

Hands-On History at Filley Stone Barn and Pioneers Park

 In October, the EMF fourth grade students took a special field trip to the Filley Stone Barn to experience life as it was long ago. The day was filled with hands-on activities that helped everyone understand what life was like for early pioneers. Students watched a blacksmith work with glowing metal to shape useful tools and saw a marble being made right before their eyes. They also picked and husked corn, squeezed juice from cane sugared, and even used a large two-person saw to cut logs. One of the favorite parts of the morning was riding on a horse-drawn wagon, which gave everyone a real sense of how people traveled before cars existed. After a busy morning, the group headed to Pioneers Park for lunch. There, students enjoyed a nature walk where they crossed the suspension bridge and spotted buffalo grazing nearby. The trip was both fun and educational, giving students a chance to explore Nebraska's history and nature up close. Students came back tired but fill of excitement and new knowledge about pioneer life.

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Romance Edition

Santa's Holiday Spectacular by Fern Michaels

Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they’re taking a trip or staying close to home.

There’s something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . .

Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children’s toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it’s the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can’t abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . . 

The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han

Belly has always lived for the summertime, because summer means all her favorite things: swimming, the beach, and the Fisher boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. For as long as she can remember, she’s shared her summers with the brothers at Cousins Beach. And for as long as she can remember, she’s been in love with Conrad. Then one summer it seems like he might have feelings for her too—but so does Jeremiah.

As the summer seasons pass, Belly has to choose between two brothers who love her…and she’ll have to break one of their hearts.

This paperback collection of the complete series includes The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You,and We’ll Always Have Summer.

Bobcats Take Third at State Tournament

EMF Lady Bobcats finished their 2025 volleyball season in third place.  Pictured from the left (front row) Alivia Luzum, Kiley Oldehoeft, Taylin Schluter, Kaydance Haase, Babe Weber; (second row) Alexis Paulsen, Kendall Filipi, Miley Ricenbaw, Sophia Weber, Avery Tuttle, Chezney Kanode, Lindsey Landis; (third row) Head Coach Madalynn Fousek, Gracie Vyhnalek, Brynnlye Johnson, Aniston Meints, Reese Tuttle, Makenna Pedersen, Assistant Coaches Katherine White and Taylor Erdkamp. Photo courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

What's New on the Library Shelves? | History

 Dust Child by Que Mai Phan Nguyen

In 1969, sisters Trang and Quỳnh, desperate to help their parents pay off debts, leave their rural village to work at a bar in Sài Gòn. Once in the big city, the young girls are thrown headfirst into a world they were not expecting. They learn how to speak English, how to dress seductively, and how to drink and flirt (and more) with American GIs in return for money. As the war moves closer to the city, the once-innocent Trang gets swept up in an irresistible romance with a handsome and kind American helicopter pilot she meets at the bar.

Decades later, an American veteran, Dan, returns to Việt Nam with his wife, Linda, in search of a way to heal from his PTSD; instead, secrets he thought he had buried surface and threaten his marriage. At the same time, Phong—the adult son of a Black American soldier and a Vietnamese woman—embarks on a mission to find both his parents and a way out of Việt Nam. Abandoned in front of an orphanage, Phong grew up being called “the dust of life,” “Black American imperialist,” and “child of the enemy,” and he dreams of a better life in the United States for himself, his wife Bình, and his children.

Past and present converge as these characters come together to confront decisions made during a time of war—decisions that reverberate throughout one another’s lives and ultimately allow them to find common ground across race, generation, culture, and language. Immersive, moving, and lyrical, Dust Child tells an unforgettable story of how those who inherited tragedy can redefine their destinies with hard-won wisdom, compassion, courage, and joy.

The Dull Knife of Pine Ridge: A Lakota Odyssey by Joe Starita

Joe Starita tells the triumphant and moving story of a Lakota-Northern Cheyenne family. In 1878, the renowned Chief Dull Knife, who fought alongside Crazy Horse, escaped from forced relocation in Indian Territory and led followers on a desperate six-hundred-mile freedom flight back to their homeland. His son, George Dull Knife survived the Wounded Knee Massacre and later toured in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Guy Dull Knife Sr. fought in World War I and took part in the Siege of Wounded Knee in 1973. Guy Dull Knife Jr. fought in Vietnam and is now an accomplished artist.

Starita updates the Dull Knife family history in his new afterword for this Bison Books edition.

Students Honor Local Heroes at Veterans Day Program

 6-12th grade students from Exeter-Milligan-Friend Public Schools gathered this week to honor local veterans through music, reflection, and heartfelt performance at the annual Veterans Day Program.

The ceremony opened with a welcome from Shawn Gray, followed by a prayer led by Tim Schrunk. Sixth-grade student Brynn Rohren led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and this year’s Boys and Girls State participants - Brett Kallhoff, Caleb Black, Babe Weber, and Taylin Schluter - were recognized for their leadership. The program also featured Diane Odoski, the Auxiliary Speaker, and a closing statement was provided by Principal Liz Stutzman.

The program included performances from the 6th grade choir and band, 7th and 8th grade choir and band, and the high school choir and band. Each group performed patriotic selections that reflected gratitude and respect for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mark Perez, EMF’s 6-12 Vocal and Instrumental Teacher, shared insight into how he prepares students for such a meaningful event.

“I enjoy going with the classic, patriotic songs,” Perez said, “but I also like to find songs with good, meaningful messages about unity.”

Perez encourages students to connect personally with the meaning behind Veterans Day. 

“One thing that I have the students do leading up to Veterans Day is to have them raise their hand if they know of a family member who has served in the military,” he explained. “Most kids raise their hands. To the ones who don’t, I encourage them to ask their parents. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they learn that they do - and it becomes a little more personal for them”

One of the highlights of the program was the high school band’s performance of “America’s Finest,” a medley of songs representing each branch of the armed forces. As the band played, Mrs. Brandi Perez announced each branch, inviting current service members and veterans to stand and be recognized for their service. 

Perez said he hoped the community felt the students’ appreciation through their performances.

“I hope that the audience was able to see the amount of respect these students have for our veterans through their performances,” he said.

The Veterans Day program served not only as a musical showcase but as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served and the gratitude felt by the students and staff who honored them.

Bobcat VB Team Earns Third Place at State

 The Lady Bobcats played Shelton in the consolation match at the Nebraska State Volleyball Tournament. The Bobcats swept Shelton to earn third place. Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

Veterans Day

 

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Christian Edition

 Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

The scattered Tribulation Force is drawn toward the Middle East, as are all the armies of the world, when human history culminates in the battle of the ages.

During the last year of the Great Tribulation, safe houses are no longer safe and the world has become a powder keg of danger. Except for those already in Petra, everyone has been forced to relocate as the Antichrist ratchets up the pressure in the world’s most treacherous game.

As the Tribulation Force waits for the coming of Christ, Chloe Williams is drawn out of the safe house to investigate something suspicious. Buck and Tsion travel to Jerusalem while Nicolae Carpathia orders an attack on the city, and Rayford becomes seriously injured outside Petra. Who will survive Armageddon?

Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

On a Boeing 747 headed to London, passengers instantaneously disappear from their seats, resulting in terror and chaos for those left behind―not only throughout the plane, but also worldwide as the apocalypse begins.