Storybook Park Garden Party | Exeter Days 2025

The Exeter Public Library hosted a garden party and art activities at Storybook Park on Friday, July 25. This event include many yard games, art activities, and root beer floats. 

 

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Christian/Classic/Romance

 Reflections on the Psalms by C.S. Lewis

A repackaged edition of the revered author’s moving theological work in which he considers the most poetic portions from Scripture and what they tell us about God, the Bible, and faith. In this wise and enlightening book, C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—examines the Psalms. As Lewis divines the meaning behind these timeless poetic verses, he makes clear their significance in our daily lives, and reminds us of their power to illuminate moments of grace.

The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank

In a modern translation, this definitive edition contains entries about Anne’s burgeoning sexuality and confrontations with her mother that were cut from previous editions. Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl is among the most enduring documents of the twentieth century. Since its publication in 1947, it has been a beloved and deeply admired monument to the indestructible nature of the human spirit, read by millions of people and translated into more than fifty-five languages. Doubleday, which published the first English translation of the diary in 1952, now offers a new translation that captures Anne’s youthful spirit and restores the original material omitted by Anne’s father, Otto—approximately thirty percent of the diary. The elder Frank excised details about Anne’s emerging sexuality, and about the often-stormy relations between Anne and her mother. Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation forces, hid in the back of an Amsterdam office building for two years. This is Anne’s record of that time. She was thirteen when the family went into the “Secret Annex,” and in these pages, she grows to be a young woman and proves to be an insightful observer of human nature as well. A timeless story discovered by each new generation, The Diary of a Young Girl stands without peer. For young readers and adults, it continues to bring to life this young woman, who for a time survived the worst horrors the modern world had seen—and who remained triumphantly and heartbreakingly human throughout her ordeal.

Inheritance: The Lost Bride #1 by Nora Roberts

"1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…" Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light. Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease—and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Exeter Days Information | July 25-27

 

What's New on the Library Shelves | Children's Literature

 Take note of the new children's literature books at the Exeter Public Library!

Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman

When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, twelve-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don't think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska. But soon enough, the wind begins to howl, and the lights and telephone stop working. Then the emergency siren starts to wail. Dan, his baby brother, and Arthur have only seconds to get to the basement before the monstrous twister is on top of them. Little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun...

What was Ellis Island? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was the gateway to a new life in the United States for millions of immigrants. In later years, the island was deserted, the buildings decaying. Ellis Island was not restored until the 1980s, when Americans from all over the country donated more than $150 million. It opened to the public once again in 1990 as a museum. Learn more about America's history, and perhaps even your own, through the story of one of the most popular landmarks in the country.

What is the Civil Rights Movement? by Sherri L. Smith

Even though slavery had ended in the 1860s, African Americans were still suffering under the weight of segregation a hundred years later. They couldn't go to the same schools, eat at the same restaurants, or even use the same bathrooms as white people. But by the 1950s, black people refused to remain second-class citizens and were willing to risk their lives to make a change.

What were the Twin Towers? by Jim O'Connor

When the Twin Towers were built in 1973, they were billed as an architectural wonder. At 1,368 feet, they clocked in as the tallest buildings in the world and changed the New York City skyline dramatically. Offices and corporations moved into the towers—also known as the World Trade Center—and the buildings were seen as the economic hub of the world. But on September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack toppled the towers and changed our nation forever. Discover the whole story of the Twin Towers—from their ambitious construction to their tragic end.

What was the Great Depression? by Janet B. Pascal

On October 29, 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worst. The stock market – the system that controls money in America – plunged to a record low. But this event was only the beginning of many bad years to come. By the early 1930s, one out of three people was not working. People lost their jobs, their houses, or both and ended up in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” named for the president at the time of the crash. By 1933, many banks had gone under. Though the U.S. has seen other times of struggle, the Great Depression remains one of the hardest and most widespread tragedies in American history.

What is the Constitution? by Patricia Brennan Demuth

Signed on September 17, 1787--four years after the American War for Independence--the Constitution laid out the supreme law of the United States of America. Today it's easy for us to take this blueprint of our government for granted. But the Framers--fifty-five men from almost all of the original 13 states--argued fiercely for many months over what ended up being only a four-page document. Here is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the hotly fought issues--those between Northern and Southern States; big states and little ones--and the key players such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington who suffered through countless revisions to make the Constitution happen.

What was World War I? by Nico Medina

In 1914, the assassination of an Austrian archduke set off a disastrous four-year-long conflict involving dozens of countries with battles taking place in all parts of the world. World War I was the first to use planes and tanks as well as deadly gases that left soldiers blinded or “shell shocked” (a condition now called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome). There were battles that lasted for months with opposing troops fighting from rat-infested trenches, battles that often ended in a hollow victory with only a small area of land retaken. The author of many successful Who HQ titles Nico Medina gives young readers a clear and compelling account of this long and tragic event, a war that left over 20 million dead and was the lead-up to World War II barely twenty years later.

Dog Man #1 by Dav Pilkey

George and Harold have created a new breed of justice. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, this heroic hound digs into deception, claws after crooks, rolls over robbers, and scampers after squirrels. Will he be able to resist the call of the wild to answer the call of duty? Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of being true to one's self.

Cat Kid Comic Club #5 by Dav Pilkey

The Cat Kid Comic Club is in crisis! After learning that one of their comics will be published, the baby frogs are filled with anxiety and doubt. How will they get their creative groove back? Will Naomi or Melvin emerge as a leader? Will Flippy convince them to finally straighten up and fly right?

New Stepping Stones at the Library

 

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Historical Fiction

 The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

Colette Marceau has been stealing jewels for nearly as long as she can remember, following the centuries-old code of honor instilled in her by her mother, Annabel: take only from the cruel and unkind, and give to those in need. Never was their family tradition more important than seven decades earlier, during the Second World War, when Annabel and Colette worked side by side in Paris to fund the French Resistance. But one night in 1942, it all went wrong. Annabel was arrested by the Germans, and Colette’s four-year-old sister, Liliane, disappeared in the chaos of the raid, along with an exquisite diamond bracelet sewn into the hem of her nightgown for safekeeping. Soon after, Annabel was executed, and Liliane’s body was found floating in the Seine—but the bracelet was nowhere to be found. Seventy years later, Colette—who has “redistributed” $30 million in jewels over the decades to fund many worthy organizations—has done her best to put her tragic past behind her, but her life begins to unravel when the long-missing bracelet suddenly turns up in a museum exhibit in Boston. If Colette can discover where it has been all this time—and who owns it now—she may finally learn the truth about what happened to her sister. But she isn’t the only one for whom the bracelet holds answers, and when someone from her childhood lays claim to the diamonds, she’s forced to confront the ghosts of her past as never before. Against all odds, there may still be a chance to bring a murderer to justice—but first, Colette will have to summon the courage to open her own battered heart.

Speak to Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins

On her wedding day in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1968, Rafaela Acuña y Daubón has mild misgivings, but she marries Peter Brennan Jr. anyway, in a blaze of romantic optimism. She has no way of knowing how dramatically her life will change when she uproots her young family to start over in the American Midwest, unleashing a fleet of disappointments. Against the backdrop of her mother’s isolation in St. Louis, Missouri in the 1980s, Rafaela’s daughter, Ruth Brennan, longs only to belong. Eager to fit in, Ruth lets go of her language, habits, and childhood memories of Puerto Rico. It's not until decades later, when Ruth’s own daughter, Daisy, returns to Puerto Rico that her mother and grandmother begin to truly reflect on the choices that have come to define their lives. When a hurricane ravages the island in 2023, leaving Daisy critically injured, Rafaela and Ruth return to the city where it all began. As they gather at Daisy’s bedside, they’re confronted by the pasts that brought them to this point. We follow them as they come of age, fall in love, take risks, and contend with all the heartbreaks, triumphs, and reversals of fortune — both good and bad — that make up a meaningful life. As old memories come to light, so do buried secrets, leaving everyone in the family wondering exactly where it is that they belong. A striking, resonant examination of marriage, family, and identity, Speak to Me of Home is ultimately a story of mothers and daughters that asks: how can three women who share geography and genetics have such wildly different ideas of where it is they come from? And more importantly, can they discover the common language to find their way home?

EMF Trapshooting Grows in Size, Skill, and Support

Juniors Team
Courtesy Photo: Leesa Bartu

The EMF Trapshooting team wrapped up an outstanding season this year, marking their biggest team yet and celebrating some incredible accomplishments on the range. Head coach, Justin Harre reflected on the season’s highlights and what makes this team, and the community behind it, so special.

One of the biggest changes this year was the team’s size, “We went from 52 kids last season to 70 kids this year,” Harre said. “The interest in the sport and our team has grown over the years, and that is very exciting. It’s a lot of work, but we have great coaches working with the kids, and the families have been great to work with.” Harre also credited the communities involved for supporting the team through fundraisers to help cover the costs of the season.

Above all trophies and titles, Harre said the team’s proudest accomplishments always starts with safety. “We taught a lot of new shooters how to properly handle a gun and enjoy the sport of trapshooting.” Returning shooters also saw great improvement, earning multiple weekly and team awards during conference shoots. By the end of the conference season, EMF had 12 team members named to the all-conference teams.

Senior Team

At the Cornhusker State High School Shoot in Doniphan, EMF shooters made their mark on the state stage. Braxton Harre took home the High Overall Junior Award, while Rylee Rohren earned High Overall Female Junior Award. The Friend Junior Team, made up of Rylee Rohren, Blake Bruntz, Brock Bruntz, Grady Arp, and Brenson Brandt, placed 2nd overall. Senior shooter Carver Kanode placed 13th out of over 1,500 competitors in the singles event, an incredible individual achievement.

For Harre, one of the most rewarding parts of the season is watching the kids grow from their first year and their second. “Second-year shooters always look so much more confident than their first year. You’d be surprised how some of these kids, who aren’t very big, can handle a shotgun so well,” he said. Beyond scores, the friendships made along the way are what really make the team special. “We have kids from eight different schools shooting on our team, so there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people. They support each other on and off the range, and even cheer on their friends from other teams.”

Of course, no Nebraska spring sport is complete without weather challenges. “The wind will always blow if there’s a shoot - guaranteed,” laughed Harre. The team always works through the unpredictable spring conditions and will still perform at their best.

One of the most exciting developments for the EMF Trapshooting Club this year was the addition of a new building. “We’ve been wanting a larger facility for years because of the growth of our club and the kids,” Harre explained. Thanks to generous donations from community members and surrounding towns, and the many hours of volunteer time and resources, the dream became a reality. Harre says the new facility opens the door for even more opportunities. “Having a larger facility will allow us to possibly do more events at the gun club and hopefully continue to grow.”

It’s clear that the EMF Trapshooting Team is more than just a team, it’s a community built on safety, hard work, and the support of families and friends who believe in the sport and in each other.

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

Each week new books will be featured by genre from the Exeter Public Library. Be sure to check out your next book.

The First Gentleman: A Thriller by Bill Clinton and James Patterson

A political–crime thriller set in an alternative present where the U.S. has elected its first female president. Her husband, a former NFL star, finds himself accused of a murder that took place 17 years ago—just as she embarks on a re‑election campaign. A pair of investigative journalists dig into his past, uncovering alarming evidence tied to a missing cheerleader and buried secrets, all while the White House braces for the scandal. Full of political sabotage, courtroom intrigue, and insider perspective drawn from Clinton, it’s a “[twisty] thriller…with plenty of inside jobs, political sabotage and many, many deaths,” according to USA Today pecheyponderings.wordpress.com+3

Badlands: A Nora Kelly Thriller by Preston & Child

Archaeologist Nora Kelly and FBI agent Corrie Swanson are plunged into a supernatural mystery in New Mexico’s remote badlands. The skeletal remains of a woman are discovered clutching rare “lightning stones” once used by the Chaco people to summon gods. When an eerily similar second death is uncovered, they suspect that ancient rituals might have unleashed a terrifying power. What begins as a puzzling case soon crosses into the realm of ancient curses, ritual sacrifice, and dark forces awakened from slumber.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly

Detective Stilwell, a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department veteran, has been relegated to policing Catalina Island—a place meant to be low-key, but which quickly turns sinister. A body is found in the harbor, wrapped in plastic and weighed down, the only clue a purple dye streak in the victim’s hair. As Stilwell doggedly pursues the case—navigating local politics, departmental friction, and the isolation of island life—he begins to uncover a dark secret behind this seemingly idyllic tourist spot. A gripping launch to Connelly’s 40th novel and a promising new series.

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Happy 4th of July!