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Gripping and moving, heartbreaking and hopeful, this memoir is a must-listen. Child star Alyson Stoner details their life from childhood in Ohio to a move to Hollywood at age 7 to chase a dream of stardom. From a breakthrough performance as a dancer in Missy Elliot's "Work It" music video to a host of Disney Channel appearances and one of the Baker children in the Cheaper By the Dozen remakes, Alyson was a familiar face in the early 2000s.

The Midnight Library is a novel about 30-year-old Nora Seed whose life did not end up how she imagined it would be twenty years ago. Nora's life is full of regret, plagued by what-ifs and missed opportunities. Unexpectedly, Nora comes across a rare and mystical opportunity that allows her to live through all those what-ifs and find her perfect fit. 

If you’re looking for an audiobook that feels like both a story and a retreat, The River Has Roots (2025) by Amal El-Mohtar is a beautifully woven tale you won’t want to miss. The soothing background noises transport you into the world of the narrative—like drifting along a riverbank, every sound adding depth and warmth.

The Great Gatsby, written by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, is an American classic that follows the story of Nick Carraway, and his revolutionary encounter with Jay Gatsby. In the novel, Nick moves into a new neighborhood, where he encounters his peculiar neighbor named Gatsby. Following his introduction, Nick is pulled into Gatsby's world, and he seeks to unveil Gatsby's mysterious past and motives.

Too Old for This (2025), by Samantha Downing, is told from the perspective of Lottie Jones, a “retired” serial killer in her 70s. Her quiet life, mostly consisting of church social events, is upended when a documentary filmmaker knocks on her door and asks to interview her about her past, when she was “wrongfully” accused of murder many years ago.

In this romantic dramedy, Naveen and Jay meet, date, fall in love, and plan to marry. But Naveen has never brought anyone home to meet his South Asian family, and especially not a white man. Full of laugh-out-loud and tender moments, misunderstandings and redeeming actions, A Nice Indian Boy (2024) will tug on your heartstrings while calling back to classic Bollywood tropes.

Discover helpful resources for parents and caregivers at Wheaton Public Library. From kids to adults, find support for everyone.

Online Resources

Educate Station: Educational content for homeschooling families and teachers.

Brainfuse HelpNow: Provodes online tutoring, writing feedback, and practice exams.

Katherine Arden's most recent novel, The Warm Hands of Ghosts (2024), expanded my understanding of what a novel dealing with an actual historical event can do.

Learning about the lives of your ancestors can be fun and rewarding! Wheaton Public Library has a variety of genealogy resources including programs, databases, reference materials, and more for creating your family tree. 

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The first in the Secret Staircase mystery series features magician Tempest Raj after her career implodes. Something went horribly wrong during her last show in Las Vegas and everyone assumes she’s to blame. Tempest returns to her childhood home in small-town California, reluctantly joining the family business of renovating homes to add magical features such as secret reading rooms and hidden entrances.