Frank Carlson Library

"It is 1950. London is still reeling from World War II, and Margery Benson--a sensible schoolmarm and lonely spinster--is just trying to get through life. But one day, she reaches her breaking point, abandoning her job and her tidy, circumscribed life, to set out on an expedition to the other side of the world in search of an insect that may or may not exist: the golden beetle of New Caledonia, Margery's childhood obsession ever since her father gave...

The family and staff of Downton Abbey prepare for a royal visit from the King and Queen of England.

When Amelia Bedelia volunteers to fill in as director of a third-grade Thanksgiving play, she misunderstands everything from one girl's desire to play a big role to an opening night wish that she "break a leg," but all is well in the end.

Bhima, a domestic servant in the household of Sera Dubash, an upper-class Parsi housewife, develops a bond with her employer over the course of many years as they both suffer through abusive marriages, loss, and disappointments, but their friendship still cannot overcome the restrictions of class and money.

Amelia Bedelia helps with the school newspaper -- to rave reviews.

"Chambermaid Faris Shayhan escapes from Tremeshton Manor to work for Lady Rockrimmon at Loch Loland Castle and encounters the rogue Highwayman of Tanglewood who steals her heart. When Lochlan Rockrimmon returns to the castle and protects her from Kade Tremshton, Faris must reconcile her love for the Highwayman with her growing attraction for the heir of Rockrimmon"--

With Mom too busy and Dad away much of the time, Belle finds companionship with a household employee who after each day's work takes Belle "hand in hand" to the beach.

When her father is injured, fourteen-year-old Nazia is pulled away from school, her friends, and her preparations for an arranged marriage, to help her mother clean houses in a wealthy part of Karachi, Pakistan, where she finally rebels against the destiny that is planned for her.

Ida Early, who keeps house for the Sutton family in rural Georgia during the Depression, becomes the unwitting target of the children's matchmaking schemes during the holiday season.