Family Movie Night

The Ottumwa Public Library invites you to a very special screening of

The Secret Life

of Pets 2

Join us Thursday, September 12^th at 5:00PM

Kids and adults are invited to this free event.

September Preschool Storytime

Step into September with Storytime!

Preschool Storytime at the Ottumwa Public Library

Fridays at 10:30AM

Sept. 6, 2019

Pirates! Arrrrrr.. here come pirate stories!

Sept. 13, 2019

Fall Leaves! Let’s fall into Fall with stories!

Sept. 20, 2019

Squirrels! We’ll scurry here and there with Squirrel stories!

Sept. 27, 2019

Apples! Crisp and delicious stories will hit the spot!

Library Closed Monday For Labor Day

The Ottumwa Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen at normal hours on Tuesday.

Teen Book Reviews Part 2

Looking for a good book to read? Check out these book reviews written by teens in our Summer Reading Program!

Name and Age: Cera S., 17 years old

Book Title: The Lost Colony

Author: Eoin Colfer

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: The main character’s interactions with his love interest are very entertaining and make me want to read the rest of the series. 

Name and Age: Noah, 15 years old

Book Title: Lent

Author: Jo Walton

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: This book had a unique writing style and portrays the story well. However, the ending is mediocre at best.

Name and Age: Leah C., 16 years old

Book Title: The Crown

Author: Kiera Cass

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: It was exciting and interesting. There were surprises and nice links to earlier books. I couldn’t wait to read the next!

Name and Age: Adalia K., 15 years old

Book Title: Kind of Coping

Author: Maureen Wilson

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: This book was actually pretty relatable. Along with describing the negative results/things about anxiety, it still had its funny moments. It’s also a graphic novel, and I really enjoy reading graphic novels. I found the book pretty helpful with some situations I encounter. 

Name and Age: Noah T., Age 15

Book Title: Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: This book was action-packed and a very fun read; in other words, a page turner. You feel what the character feels, etc. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because it wasn’t my favorite book. 

Name and Age: Madison B., Age 17

Book Title: Carry On

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: This is my favorite book in all of existence. I love the characters and the storyline. The adventure and romance kept me entertained throughout the whole book. I have read this many times and I love it so much.

Name and Age: Ashley D., Age 16

Book Title: Autobiography of a Face

Author: Lucy Grealy

Star Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Review: This book is deeply moving and inspiring- Lucy’s battle with cancer is amazing on how she deals with it as she grows up. 

Name and Age: Noah T., Age 15

Book Title: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Author: R.L. Stevenson

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: While this book was very good, it had a sad and devastating ending. Other than that, this is a very satisfying piece of classic fiction. 

Name and Age: Margaret H., Age 12

Book Title: Wilder

Author: Andrew Simonet

Star Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Review: It was a very interesting book. It didn’t tell me everything I wanted to know about the characters. Overall, it was a good mix of romance and action. It was very exciting and funny.

Name and Age: Ty M., Age 13

Book Title: Ready Player One

Author: Ernest Cline

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: Because there was unneeded things during the story that didn’t help the story in anyway.

Name and Age: Leah C., Age 16

Book Title: Insurgent

Author: Veronica Roth

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: It was a fantastic sequel to Divergent, and continued the story perfectly. It was exciting and suspenseful!

Name and Age: Madison B., Age 17

Book Title: Black Butler Book 5

Author: Yana Toboso

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: This series is great and this book was no exception. I love the plot and the mystery of the book. Additionally the art style and characters are incredible.

Name and Age: Noah T., Age 15

Book Title: No Easy Way Out

Author: Dayna Lorentz

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Review: This book was amazing, but it wasn’t utterly incredible. I am a pretty harsh critic when it comes to books. As books go it was a blast reading. 

Name and Age: Mercedes M., Age 17

Book Title: My Hero Academia Vol. 1

Author: Kohei Horikoshi

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: It kept me interested in it while reading and I even found it funny in certain areas of the book. I found it to have an interesting story line too that had to do with heroes as well.

Name and Age: Adalia K., Age 15

Book Title: The Swap

Author: Megan Shull

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: This book just really hits home. I fell that I can relate to some of the subjects in this book. It’s got a good mix of dealing with friends, family, sports, and reputation. It’s truly one of my favorite books ever. The plot is well drawn out and makes sense throughout the story. 

Name and Age: Shyla A., Age 15

Book Title: Cell

Author: Stephen King

Star Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Review: Because it is probably the best book of that time period, the early 2000s. It is a book that tells the story of the world after an apocalypse. It is in my top 5 list of fave books. The only part I don’t like is the ending. 

Name and Age: Andrea P., Age 14

Book Title: Theodore Boone

Author: John Grisham

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: It gives a good story that involves the law and with each page it grads me to read it more and more. With its mystery and suspense and dramatic plot it deserves 5 stars.  

Name and Age: Margaret H., Age 12

Book Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: I feel this way because it was a very interesting book. It had a great storyline and it was full of adventure. It captures the reader and it is a fun book to read.

Name and Age: Bridgette R., Age 16

Book Title: Bloody Mary Vol. 1

Author: Akazua Sumamiya

Star Rating: 4/5 Stars          

Review: The story draws me in very easily. It’s interesting to read about a vampire searching for a priest so he can die. Despite how dark the plot may sound, the manga actually has quite a few light funny moments.

Name and Age: Shyla A., Age 15

Book Title: Keeper of the Lost Cities

Author: Shannon Messenger

Star Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities is a book about a girl that doesn’t fit in. It’s a book about self discovery and overcoming hardships. This book is uplifting, and funny, so it definitely deserves 4.5 stars.

Name and Age: Andrea P., Age 14

Book Title: Virals

Author: Kathy Reichs

Star Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: The author has published other detective stories, but Virals is the best one yet for someone who likes mystery, forensic thrillers, and suspense and I love all those things and when you combine all these 3 in a book it deserves 5 stars.