Jackie and Warren Hance have endured every parent’s nightmare. The call from authorities informing them that all three of their daughters (aged 8, 7 and 5) were killed in a minivan driven by their aunt. They were returning from a July weekend of camping. The devastated mom’s memoir, co-written with author Janice Kaplain is entitled, ‘I’ll See You Again.’ This is a moving and powerful book that demonstrates the strength that can be had if hope and love are in the equation.

Another strong memoir is, ‘A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier’ by Ishmael Beah. In many countries around the globe the reality is that children are trained and forced to fight in wars. It is estimated by the United Nations that there are 300,00 child soldiers throughout the world and Beah used to be one of them. This is the engrossing and heartbreaking chronicle of war as seen through the eyes of a child, and his ultimate rescue and redemption.

The predicament of Syrian refugees is the focus of a novel by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar entitled, ‘The Map of Salt and Stars.’ This is an epic story of one young girl with an amazing imagination that allows her to cope and survive in an impossible situation. This is a book with a very inspiring heroine.

Ellie Mack was a young woman who at 15 was much loved by family, friends and teachers—and then she was gone. Years later Ellie’s now divorced mom meets a man whose daughter reminds her disturbingly of her lost child. Once again she is looking for resolution to questions that were never answered. ‘Then She Was Gone’ by storyteller Lisa Jewell is complex, rich in character and suspenseful—lots of twists and turns.

Young Adult Pick: ‘Zig Zag’ by Ellen Wittlinger.

DVD Pick: ‘Dunkirk’ starring Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Mark Rylance—a powerful true story from WWII—stunning in its intensity!

There is free wireless access during library hours, so bring your device of choice and join us (we also have three public computers that are available). See you at the Library! Email us at aplgoodtomes@email.com.