Chapter 250: Reading America’s Story Together is a community book club that explores the American Revolution through shared reading, discussion, and film. The teen group, open to participants ages thirteen through nineteen, will meet on Wednesday, February 25th, at 5:00 p.m. at the McNabb Branch, with a virtual option available via Zoom.

This month’s selection is “Chains,” by Laurie Halse Anderson. As the Revolutionary War ignites, thirteen-year-old Isabel, enslaved and desperate for freedom, must decide whom she can trust. When her sister is taken from her, Isabel bravely risks everything, spying on those in power in hopes of securing liberty for them both. 

Before the discussion, participants will watch a 26-minute preview from the upcoming 2025 PBS documentary “American Revolution,” by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The preview explores religion and religious diversity in the 18th century, offering insight into how faith helped shape the nation’s early history.

Copies of the book will be available at the McNabb Branch beginning in January. For more information, please contact the Library at 815-339-2038. To participate via Zoom, please register via Zoom: https://shorturl.at/uyXwx.