Non-Fiction
Discover 902 amazing non-fiction books in our collection — page 8 of 10
All Non-Fiction Books
The Halloween Handbook
Bridie Clark
Suggests ways of assembling hundreds of classic and original Halloween costumes, mostly for adults, from everyday objects, and provides information on holiday lore, party ideas, and seasonal amusements.
THE HEALING HIPPO OF HINODE PARK
Genre
This heartwarming picture book introduces young readers to Hiro, a gentle hippopotamus who uses his special healing powers to help the troubled animals of Hinode Park. When the park's residents face ...
THE HIGHEST EXAM
three scholars presents a history of the exam, told through their personal experiences and framed as a socioeconomic study of Chinese ambition in the 21st century. The gaokao serves as an example of the highly centralized structure of Chinese life. Just as central planning governs much of urban and rural life, so too does the system of learning come from the top. The exam structure reflects not only the highly technocratic foci of Chinese advancement, but also its long\u002Dstanding values. Hard work remains the most important thing. China, however, is no straightforward meritocracy. “It’s not that China’s people are idealists who only believe in the power of an exam to predict intelligence,” the authors write. “Rather, China is a society known for connections and petty corruption—hence, the weakness of its institutions.” Children spend their lives taking exams, and family connections help with tutors and retesting. Teachers are not just paid\u003B they are often personally compensated for a child’s education. The “murky waters of corruption in China” wash over this highly centralized system of advancement. And while success is quantified by score, and while that score stays with the student throughout life, failure is equally branding. This book paints a landscape of vast inequality passing itself off as meritocracy—an exposé of an increasingly powerful global nation and a warning to any society, east or west, that still believes in teaching to the test."
This gripping examination of academic pressure and personal ambition follows a group of elite students competing in a legendary, life-altering test that promises success to only one winner. The narra...
THE HIROSHIMA MEN
Japan’s unexpectedly sudden surrender, Americans accepted the official story that ordinary superbombs had won the war. Stories of gruesome injuries and agonizing deaths that continued to occur months afterward were censored or officially denied. By 1946 Hersey was a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, chafing at Time\u002DLife’s reluctance to let him travel. More amenable, New Yorker editors sent him to Asia, where he returned traditional stories before traveling to Hiroshima, which, despite a year’s passage, smelled of death. Interviewing widely, he concentrated on stories from half\u002Da\u002Ddozen survivors. The result, filling the Aug. 31, 1946, issue, was a jolt, and the later book a worldwide bestseller. Both gave rise to the belief, still popular if not unanimous, that the bomb must never be used again."
This powerful historical account examines the devastating aftermath of the atomic bomb through the eyes of the Hiroshima Maidens—young women who survived the blast only to face severe burns and socia...
THE HOPE NOT PLOT
the KGB. It’s an ambitiously sinister plan, but it’s not one that goes completely undetected. When suspicions regarding the funeral ceremony are brought to the attention of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, he takes action: Not only does he decide not to attend the memorial services, but he also consults former CIA director Allen Dulles, who, along with many other government operatives, recognizes the seriousness of the situation, which could easily spiral out of control.The story begins with a rather bland speech from 1960s\u002Dera Prime Minister Harold Wilson (“We are on the threshold of an extraordinary moment in the history of the realm”)\u003B a bit later on, there’s a similarly unexciting flashback to Churchill’s final public appearance in 1964, in which a woman unnecessarily explains to her young daughter, “Sweetheart, that is Sir Winston Churchill and his wife, Lady Churchill.” Nevertheless, as the pages turn, so does readers’ anticipation regarding the wild spy mission, which involves a large cast of diverse characters\u003B they include a couple in the U.K. that “had dedicated themselves to Soviet intelligence for nearly three decades, their commitment unwavering despite upheavals and betrayals,” as well as a frazzled American spy who, before the threat of KOBA came to the CIA’s attention, had been living a very unhappy existence in Rome. The lively mix of real\u002Dlife historical figures and Stokes’ fictional creations keeps events moving briskly along, and that includes the action scenes\u003B in one, a character makes quick work of his adversaries by firing “three shots with great poise and precision, dropping all three men in less than two seconds.” And, of course, there’s always the chance that world\u002Dchanging fiascoes will occur if the plan actually succeeds. The potential for such chaos will give readers plenty of good reasons to stick with the novel all the way to its conclusion."
This gripping middle-grade adventure follows a group of young heroes determined to stop a sinister conspiracy that threatens their entire community, blending mystery and suspense with themes of frien...
THE HOUSE OF QUIET
a peat bog. White unveils magical abilities and sinister mystery in dreamy, disorienting passages. The third\u002Dperson narration occasionally follows other residents of the house. Once the teens start building relationships—Birdie develops a friendship with Minnow, and each has a love interest among the upper\u002Dclass residents—the intrigue picks up and the fragmented clues come together in an explosive, satisfying finale. Birdie presents white, and Minnow has light brown skin\u003B Minnow’s same\u002Dsex relationship is framed as remarkable only for crossing the class divide. "
This thoughtful exploration of domestic tranquility offers young readers a window into the restorative power of quiet spaces, blending gentle narrative with atmospheric illustrations that celebrate s...
The Huge Pacific Ocean
Doreen Gonzales
The Pacific Ocean covers almost a third of the planet and is home to many different plants and animals. Readers find out why this ocean is so important to the plants and animals that live there, why it is so important, and how people can help clean and protect this ocean.
The Ice-Cream Sundae Guide to Autism
Debby Elley
Autism is a bit like an ice-cream sundae. There are lots of ingredients that go into it. There are so many types of sundae glasses out there. Some are plain and simple, some are loud and proud! In fact, sundae glasses are a bit like people - we're all different. Because we all have different persona
THE IMPOSSIBLE BOMB
the end of the 1930s, Nazi advances in France, Poland, Denmark, and elsewhere had driven scientists to flee to England, many of them physicists highly motived to put their research toward ending the war. The U.S. had not yet entered the war, but their scientists were beginning similar efforts. The two research entities—the Manhattan Project in the U.S. and the Tube Alloys program in England—managed to join forces despite political machinations and ego\u002Ddriven resistance from Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, each of whom wanted his own country to claim ownership of the bomb. Once the leaders realized that neither side could complete the effort on its own, they signed a secret agreement in August 1943\u003B by December, 60 British scientists joined their American colleagues at Los Alamos and Berkeley, and work on the bomb began in earnest. Williams’ book impeccably documents those events, with an excellent selection of photos, timelines, and maps, along with a handy reference list featuring key players."
This gripping science thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes race against time as a brilliant young physicist discovers a world-ending device hidden within a deceptively simple mathematical proo...
THE IMPROBABLE VICTORIA WOODHULL
women. Other firsts followed: Victoria was the first woman to testify before Congress, on the matter of women’s suffrage, and, in 1872, the first to run for president. She touted her causes—suffrage and free love—in a newspaper column, “The Petticoat Politician,” and a weekly newspaper she and her sister published. Early admirers included Walt Whitman, Susan B. Anthony, and newspaperman Horace Greeley. But Victoria’s notoriety and arrogance undid her: She “hunted trouble and didn’t care where her foot landed,” Collinsworth notes succinctly. Anthony Comstock had her arrested twice. Mired in scandal, in 1877, she sailed for England, where, with stubborn determination, she reinvented herself."
This compelling biography brings to life the extraordinary story of Victoria Woodhull, America's first female presidential candidate, whose radical ideas about women's rights and financial independen...
THE INTELLIGENCE EXPLOSION
fierce competition between major tech companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. These corporations, he argues, have released unpredictable generative AI models and are racing to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) without fully understanding or addressing the risks. The result, according to Barrat and the experts he cites, will likely be catastrophic. One chilling comparison equates releasing open\u002Dsource code to publishing plans for a nuclear bomb. Another AI expert envisions rogue data centers developing unchecked AI systems that must be destroyed to protect humanity. Despite the urgency of his tone, Barrat notes that AI does offer tangible benefits for medicine, robotics, and scientific research. From protein folding to factory automation, current AIs already surpass human performance in many specialized domains. But the book’s core concern remains the lack of safeguards, AI’s unpredictable emergent properties, and our present inability to align superintelligent systems with human values. Barrat’s argument is passionate and unapologetically skeptical of industry motivations. His plentiful notes make the book a valuable resource for readers looking to explore the topic further. This volume will satisfy those wondering why many respected researchers are sounding the alarm about AI, fearing a risky, high\u002Dstakes choose\u002Dyour\u002Down\u002Dadventure game where black\u002Dbox models replace human decision\u002Dmaking. Barrat offers some hope, but he warns that smart AIs won’t stay confined to computers for long. Agree or disagree, this thought\u002Dprovoking introduction will add context for those seeking to understand AI’s darker potential."
This gripping exploration of artificial intelligence and technological acceleration offers young readers a compelling look at where machine learning might take humanity next. The book masterfully bre...
The Jgirl's Guide
Penina Villenchik Adelman
The JGirls Guide is an inspirational, interactive book designed to help pre-teen Jewish girls address the spiritual, educational, and psychological issues surrounding coming of age in today's society. Topics include: - Ideals of beauty- Friendship- Sexuality- Dealing with parents- Attitudes toward e
The Journal of Djuna Malik
a racist man who lived down the street. Mourning her are her much older sister, Nisha, who raised her after their parents were killed in a terrorist attack in Mumbai, and her Lit professor, Liam McFadden, who feels she’s a talented writer and shows her class writings to Nisha after toying with the idea of plagiarizing them as material for his own novel. Liam and Nisha bond over Djuna’s journal and begin an affair. Nisha tells her own story to Liam, which includes her rape by an American youth in India, which led to further tragedy when her vengeful Indian lover at Harvard accidentally blew up himself, his brother, and uncle, with a bomb intended for Nisha’s attacker. She also ruminates on her tense marriage with Michael, a depressed white man with lots of guns and seething resentments. Meanwhile, Liam is wrestling with his own past growing up in Ireland. His father, a famous novelist, was so enraged that Liam’s mother published her own novel that she never finished another one, and he also plagiarized the work of Liam’s brother, Shamus, a talented and volatile poet. After he dropped dead of a heart attack during an argument with Shamus, more tragedy followed. Throughout, Nisha and Liam ponder the dead, while Nisha untangles yet more fraught relationships with Felicity, a friend and also the mother of Djuna’s killer, and Jamie, a troubled friend of Djuna’s.Wieland’s novel works with big themes, including the experience of Indian immigrants eager to pursue the American dream but subject to racist affronts from microaggressions to homicide, and the problems of the story’s many angry men, with a first\u002Dterm Donald Trump being a distant, presiding spirit who haunts the characters’ anxieties. It’s also an atmospheric portrait of the modern university, capturing the classroom torpor, the energetic zeal of its protest culture, the flurry of squabbling and empty\u002Dnest sorrow that surrounds Nisha’s relationship with Djuna as she leaves home, and the central role that prestigious degrees play in shaping the identity and self\u002Desteem of the professional classes. (Djuna is distraught when her dream colleges reject her and she must settle for Chapel Hill, still one of the best schools in the country.) These are big themes, and Wieland explores them with psychological nuance and exactitude in prose that sometimes has a lyrical stillness and other times opens out into harsh, raw feeling (When tragedy strikes, Nisha’s “wailing afterwards was so loud and so long it seemed the sound came from the hospital building, out of the walls and floors, the drywall, the pipes, the wiring, the invisible Internet signal”). Wieland handles this sometimes unbearably dark material with evocative writing that packs an emotional wallop. "
This compelling novel follows a young woman's journey of self-discovery through the intimate pages of her personal journal, capturing the raw emotions and pivotal moments of coming-of-age. Djuna's vo...
THE LACK OF LIGHT
suicide 20 years earlier—a fact we learn in the first chapter but come to fully understand only 700 eagerly turned pages later. The narrator is Keto, who grows up in a delightfully quirky household with two battling grandmothers, a widowed physicist father, and a beloved older brother\u003B the story follows her friendships with brilliant Ira, daring Dina, and beautiful Nene, the darling daughter of a mobster family, from their schoolyard beginnings, through young loves, emerging talents, and life\u002Dchanging decisions, everything thrown into high relief by the unfolding disaster around them. Ferrante lovers will find many echoes of the Neapolitan novels here, the plot similarly featuring almost mythic levels of intensity in love and grief, centering the importance of women’s friendship. An unexpectedly moving translators’ note says that the novel, while not autobiographical, is probably Haratischwili’s \u0022most personal work to date,\u0022 a history strongly felt in myriad gorgeously written summary passages like this one: “We, the children of the nineties, who swapped our childhood and youth for Kalashnikovs and heroin—we, of all people, listened to Barry White and longed for nothing more than eternal love and the ecstatic fruits of that love, for fun and excitement. We, of all people, let the music play. And how! We played it right to the bitter end.”"
This haunting young adult novel plunges readers into a world where darkness has become permanent, following a group of teens navigating a society stripped of electricity and hope. The narrative maste...
THE LADY IN GRAY
the Civil War." />
This gripping historical mystery follows a young girl's investigation into a local ghost story that leads her to uncover hidden truths about her town's Civil War past. When strange occurrences begin ...
THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE
the time they got home, though, it was clear that the treatment had not worked, and that his mother was on the verge of death. When she did die, Jesse, devastated, was unable to function. He neglected his schoolwork, not because he wasn’t interested in learning, but because he couldn’t concentrate—a situation that may be partially a result of “ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, and intrusive thoughts,” all of which are issues that persisted throughout his adulthood. Eventually, Mechanic found a community of fellow “bad kids,” all of whom “went through something” that “dented our innocence.” Mechanic is convinced that these peers, along with punk and hip\u002Dhop, saved his life. After high school, the author worked at a bookstore, cultivating a love of literature and eventually graduating from college with honors. Years later, he became a father and saw his mother’s death in a new light, understanding how much it must have hurt to lose her chance to know her children as they grew older. Mechanic’s illustrations are vibrant and richly detailed, and his use of patterning is especially impressive. This is a raw account of grieving. While the prose feels overwritten at times, overall it’s a tender and frank memoir that will resonate with readers."
This powerful young adult novel explores the devastating aftermath of a violent crime through the alternating perspectives of a grieving mother and the teenage perpetrator, creating an emotionally ch...
THE LAST WIZARD
necessity, a trio comprises an “elf in pursuit of knowledge, a youngster in search of himself, and a burly dwarf embarked on his own mission to change the world.” In the story’s first half, the action is centered in Springdale’s sole tavern. As the trio become familiar with its patrons and proprietor—who’s also the leader of the village—they pick up mapmaking jobs and other odd quests in exchange for money, beer, and meals. Unbeknownst to the three, the titular unnamed wizard secretly oversees their quests and other local activities. Occupying an abandoned house, he’s prevented from materializing in the flesh, due in part to his ailing health: “My best tactic is to remain invisible, all while quietly pursuing the most unique artifact—the Aard of Being—deep within the dungeons.” With a Blood Moon on the horizon, a missing villager returns as a zombie that heralds necromancers and other dark forces converging. The trio discover a hidden dungeon entrance and embarks on their most dangerous quest yet, with the help of a fallen, a satyr, and a healer, to discover hidden artifacts and origins of evil. Mizgailo’s presents readers with a lengthy read that’s divided between accounts of village life and tales of subterranean exploration. The scenes in Springdale’s tavern are full of banter and bawdy characters, lending the characters’ relationships a greater depth. Grampy, the oft\u002Ddisgruntled dwarf, provides much of the humor in his desires for riches and alcohol: “Any free beer makes me happy.” The plucky boy soldier is engaging as he questions the elders in an attempt to learn more than the Warrior Guild permitted. In an addled dream sequence, his mind inspires some of the novel’s stronger prose: “His flame reflected from the moon, illuminating the tortured continent that was slowly devoured by darkness, calling for dawn.” The elf’s loss of faith is also a brief but compelling plot point. As the explorers descend into different dungeon levels, they encounter room after room of unholy creatures—each as deadly as the last. Readers familiar with role\u002Dplaying games, such as Dungeons \u0026amp\u003B Dragons and Warhammer, will enjoy reading about grisly battles and learning the complex, unfolding rules of the Lands of Amun. For others, the scenes may become somewhat repetitive, particularly when a second troop is dispatched to investigate the same area. The wizard provides an effective anchor for exposition, but this long and sometimes\u002Dconvoluted tale may not engage some casual readers."
A young apprentice discovers she's the last hope for a dying magical world in this thrilling fantasy adventure that explores themes of destiny, courage, and the weight of unexpected responsibility. W...
THE LIBRARY AT HELLEBORE
feeding his own body to the school’s ravenous hosts in order to protect his friends\u003B Delilah is an “immortal sacrifice,” dying over and over again in the service of the gods\u003B while Rowan is a “deathworker” whose destiny is foretold by prophecy. There are some intriguing elements—and it’s often hard to take. Like other postmodern antiheroines, among them Chuck Wendig’s Miriam Black (Blackbirds, 2015, etc.) and Julie Crews from The Dead Take the A Train, Alessa’s primary operating mode is pretty much caustic bitch, and her classmates don’t temper it much. Whether the deadpan violence and body horror is excessive is a matter of personal taste, but there’s no denying that the whole thing is pretty squelchy and it’s not always easy to follow. Proceed with caution."
This middle-grade fantasy adventure plunges readers into a magical library where ancient books contain living stories and dangerous secrets. When a young protagonist discovers the Library at Hellebor...
The Life of Dr. Seuss
Sam Rogers
He was one of the most brilliant men in the world. His books inspired millions of lives. But who was he really? This book, just for kids, will look at his childhood, education, marriage and work to see what made him who he was! KidLit-o is a leading electronic publisher in children’s books; each mon
THE LONELINESS OF SONIA AND SUNNY
leaving home, coming back, connecting, disconnecting, and swimming in the ocean at Goa." />
A poignant exploration of adolescent isolation, this novel traces the parallel journeys of two teens grappling with profound loneliness in their respective worlds. Sonia navigates the treacherous soc...
The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbook
Selwyn E. Phipps
A vibrantly illustrated official guide to everything unicorn-related, from the Magical Unicorn Society. The Magical Unicorn Society has existed for centuries, dedicated to studying, understanding, and protecting unicorns. The secretive society has been shrouded in mystery—until now. This official ha
THE MAGICIAN OF TIGER CASTLE
Genre
A young apprentice magician must master ancient spells to save a mystical fortress from dark forces in this thrilling middle-grade fantasy adventure. The story blends classic magical training sequenc...
THE MAN NO ONE BELIEVED
Genre
This gripping psychological thriller explores the terrifying reality of a man whose desperate warnings about an impending disaster are systematically dismissed by everyone around him. As the protagon...
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
Mordicai Gerstein
The story of a daring tightrope walk between skyscrapers, as seen in Robert Zemeckis's The Walk, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tri
THE MANY PASSIONS OF MICHAEL HARDWICK
the American judiciary." />
This compelling examination of a pivotal Supreme Court case offers young readers a fascinating window into the legal battle that fundamentally reshaped LGBTQ+ rights in America. Through the lens of M...
THE MASK
actors in theater before they were used for protection from disease and pollution. Perhaps that idea of misrepresentation is behind the social and political attitudes of protective mask wearing. Strasser (a biologist) and Schlich (a physician) examine the ways people have used protective masks to avoid “bad air” over centuries. The bad air can be too cold or too dry\u003B full of dust, smoke, bacteria, or viruses\u003B or toxic from military use, industry, or transportation. The use of protective masks illustrates what the authors call a technological fix. “Health and disease are examples of hugely complex phenomena, and they become even more so when considered collectively.” Society looks for a simple solution to a complex problem, and protective masks—and their uses and misuses over centuries—are a good example. Masks can be mandated or just recommended during epidemics, wars, or environmental disasters, but the primary responsibility for protection rests with the wearer. From plague doctors in the 1600s to the discovery of bacteria, protective masks were key to combating disease. Masks were also in great favor during the Industrial Revolution, because forcing workers—who were sanding wood, applying pesticides, spraying paint, mining coal, and making hats—to wear masks at work meant that industrialists didn’t need to clean up the work environment. Just slap a mask on workers, and they were good to go. The technology of masks has evolved over the centuries, but the politics of mask wearing has always been divisive, with some seeing protective masks as symbols of cowardice and fear, infringing on personal freedoms. Choosing to wear a protective mask is nothing less than a choice with cultural significance."
This psychological thriller plunges readers into the unsettling world of a teenager who discovers that the carefully crafted persona they present to the world has begun to consume their true identity...
THE MEMOIRS OF ANDRÉ TROCMÉ
Genre
This powerful memoir offers an intimate look at the life of French pastor André Trocmé, whose courageous leadership in the village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved thousands of Jewish refugees during W...
THE MIGHTY ONION AND GUINEA PIG GIRL!
some hyper\u002Drealistic bits of illustration—a partly chewed candy bar in its wrapper, a fortune cookie, a box of matches, and pages from an old fictional guide to writing comic books by the creator of Toaster Oven Man. The resulting mix is fabulously funny and engaging. Main characters read white."
This vibrant graphic novel follows the unlikely partnership between a superhero onion with surprisingly potent powers and an ordinary girl whose guinea pig companion might just be the key to saving t...
The Minecraft Ideas Book
Thomas McBrien
Discover more than 70 mind-blowing build ideas - plus tips, tricks, and hacks from expert Minecraft builders in this official Minecraft book. Spark your imagination with incredible build ideas inspired by the world around us. Explore landmarks, natural wonders, and inventions. From the Great Wall of
THE MISSION
the Senate Intelligence Committee of the Torture Report, which described in horrible detail the interrogation methods used in the battle against al\u002DQaida. The book also describes the shocking effectiveness of Russian and Chinese cyberattacks. Weiner pegs the difference between the two foes: “China wanted to know their enemies. The Russians simply want to screw them.” Still, the CIA directed the multilateral decade\u002Dlong intelligence operations that enabled NATO and Ukraine to prepare for and react quickly to the Russian invasion in 2023. The CIA is the most studied and misunderstood of any U.S. government agency. Weiner’s book is a balanced and nuanced account that should change that."
This gripping YA thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes world of espionage and moral complexity, following a team of teenage operatives on a critical assignment that blurs the line between duty ...
The Mistakes That Made Us
Irene Latham
Scoring a goal against your own team. Copying a classmate's schoolwork. Accepting a dare to jump down the stairs . . . and getting hurt. This engrossing poetry anthology explores making mistakes and learning from them. Twenty brave poets―Linda Sue Park, Margarita Engle, Allan Wolf, David Elliott, Ma
THE MOON PRINCE
the racial slurs the white quarry manager flings at them. Their earthly society is deeply divided by race, and when they reach the moon, they find there are other ways that beings divide themselves and perpetuate inequalities. Both the illustrations and episodic plot evoke a retro storytelling aesthetic. This adventurous tale is bizarre, entertaining, and grounded in relationships: Molly searches for kindness, and Max fights to protect her. Although this is a satisfying story without the adrenaline\u002Dfilled incidents or lengthy worldbuilding that the genre often contains, there’s a mismatch between the protagonists, whose behavior feels very young, and some of the more mature content."
This enchanting middle-grade fantasy introduces readers to a young boy who discovers he's the heir to a magical lunar kingdom, blending royal destiny with the challenges of growing up. The story weav...
THE MOST UNUSUAL HAUNTING OF EDGAR LOVEJOY
the grotesque faces of dead people lingering on Earth since he was a little boy. He works part time for a cocktail business and a cat café, and then he goes home. It’s safer and less scary that way. When he meets Jamie Wendon\u002DDale, a genderqueer burlesque performer and haunted\u002Dhouse designer, they challenge him to step outside his comfort zone. Jamie loves their life and the pockets of comfort they have found in queer and spooky communities. Predictably, their choices cause their traditional family—their mother is a politician—to bristle. Their sister, Emma, asks Jamie to be her maid of honor (despite the very gendered term), and to step up and help out with wedding plans that coincide with Halloween—Jamie’s busiest time of year, professionally. After Edgar opens up to Jamie about seeing ghosts, he’s able to let Jamie coax him out of his comfort zone and back into the world. And when he has a panic attack at Emma’s rehearsal dinner, it emboldens Jamie to stand up for themself for the first time with their family. Edgar’s own family is only marginally less complicated. His parents aren’t really in the picture anymore, and no one really talks to the crazy aunt who sees ghosts, but his sister’s impending pregnancy might just be enough to bring their absentee brother back into Edgar and his sister’s lives. There’s as much hurt and comfort passing between Parrish’s two very likable love interests as there is scorching chemistry and hot sex. The supporting characters are well\u002Dwritten and nuanced enough to have their own spinoffs, and the book is every bit as cozy as it is steamy."
A teenage boy inherits a ramshackle Victorian mansion only to discover it's inhabited by a motley crew of eccentric ghosts, each with unfinished business that threatens to trap him within the creakin...
THE MYSTERIOUS BOOKSHOP PRESENTS THE BEST MYSTERY STORIES OF THE YEAR 2025
Genre
This annual anthology delivers another compelling collection of contemporary crime fiction, showcasing the sharpest short stories from both established masters and exciting new voices in the genre. T...
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING CRIME WRITER
disappearing herself." />
This clever middle-grade mystery delivers a fresh take on the whodunit genre by following young detective-in-training Lily as she investigates the puzzling disappearance of her favorite author. The s...
THE NATURE OF DEMONS
Genre
This gripping supernatural thriller plunges readers into a world where ancient demons threaten modern reality, blending heart-pounding action with deep questions about good versus evil. The narrative...
THE NEFARIOUS NIGHTS OF WILLOWWEEP MANOR
Genre
A gothic mansion with a mind of its own, a trio of teens trapped by supernatural forces, and a race against time to break a centuries-old curse—this atmospheric novel delivers spine-tingling chills a...
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MOANA 2
Greppi, follows characters from the Disney film Moana 2 in four new stories." />
This junior novelization expands the world of Disney's beloved ocean voyager, bringing Moana back to the big screen with a fresh quest that tests her courage and deepens her bond with the demigod Mau...
THE NEW GLOBAL POSSIBLE
2030…relative to 2019 levels,” he writes—a tall order given that global emissions are still rising.) Fortunately, he makes his case compelling with real\u002Dworld specifics and stories of leaders who achieved remarkable progress with limited means, like Wangari Maathai, who won a Nobel Prize for her grassroots tree\u002Dplanting campaign in Kenya. Dasgupta explains it all in straightforward and very readable prose that cuts the wonkery with empathy. (“I understand the helplessness when people ask, ‘Does it really matter if I give up meat?’ or ‘Will switching to an electric vehicle even make a difference?’ And yet the answer is always: Yes, it does matter.”) Readers daunted by the scale of the climate emergency will find much stimulating food for thought here."
This timely exploration of our interconnected world examines the complex systems shaping our future, from climate change and technology to global economics and cultural exchange. The author presents ...
THE NIGHTSHADE GOD
the god in his head, Lore doesn’t know what’s happening with the magic she was born with or the magic she’s gained, her friends are grappling with their own gods and scattered throughout the land. With ash thickening the air, Lore must fight just to survive, but she will never be satisfied with mere survival when she might still be able to save the world. So, with her friends and some allies (who may or may not be trustworthy) she begins to work toward a solution that could fix everything. But striving for salvation means anything might have to be sacrificed: Bastian or his disenchanted former Priest Exalted Gabe, her magic, or even her sense of self. As the Nightshade Crown trilogy draws to a close, its scope expands beyond Lore but ultimately remains focused on her journey. The increased presence of secondary characters, particularly Bastian’s half sister Alienor, makes this finale truly feel like an extension of the previous installments rather than simply a rehashed version of similar plot points. As the world expands, so too does the representation, with characters of different sexualities and gender identities incorporated with little fanfare, as their presence does not require remark. Lore’s moral journey is particularly compelling\u003B alongside her self\u002Dsacrifice, she makes bad choices and, often enough, suffers the consequences. Infusing the wonder of myths and magic with the desperation of a fight for survival and earth\u002Dshattering doom, this conclusion lives up to the trilogy as a whole."
In this gripping YA fantasy, a young woman discovers her family's dark connection to a forgotten deity of shadows and secrets, plunging her into a dangerous world where ancient magic clashes with mod...
THE NIGHTTIME BUTTERFLY
Catholics, Alicja writes like some great, undiscovered Kafka: “I will remain alone, completely alone among the entire human mass.”"
This beautifully illustrated picture book follows a young girl's magical encounter with a luminous butterfly that appears only after dark, weaving themes of wonder, patience, and the hidden beauty of...
THE ONCE AND FUTURE ME
Genre
This debut novel offers a fresh take on time travel that will resonate deeply with teenagers navigating identity and future anxieties. When a high school student discovers they can communicate with t...
THE OTHER GIRL
giving you, in turn, the existence your death gave me”—or to exorcise a spirit."
This gripping psychological thriller explores the dark side of teenage identity when a high school student discovers she has an identical twin she never knew existed. As the protagonist digs into her...
THE OUTWARD PATH
a 16th\u002Dcentury Spanish friar. In this book, he explains it. Beginning at the beginning, Purcell asks the question at the basis of Western philosophy: What is our main goal in life? Conventionally, it’s been the pursuit of happiness, a goal stated literally by Thomas Jefferson but previously given a nod of approval by Aristotle. Few take this literally, preferring to aim for a “good life.” To followers of most religions, it means obeying divine laws and achieving redemption after death. A few religions (Purcell emphasizes Buddhism) and serious philosophers (Purcell adds an entire school, Stoicism) emphasize that there is no divine plan. Life’s value isn’t in achieving grace but in the quality of our struggle here on earth. Aztec thinkers asked, “What does life look like without the possibility of redemption?” Their answer, like that of Stoics and Buddhists (though for different reasons) is that you will be fine because everything of value is already present in a well\u002Dlived life. Purcell’s first chapters will persuade most readers that ingenious insights lie ahead. They’ll be right, but Aztec philosophy (like quantum physics, the Constitution, or evolution) is a complex subject. In a series of Lessons, a “Postface” summary, and three dense appendices, he maintains that Aztec ethics emphasize one’s role in society. It “challenges Stoicism, Buddhism, and other philosophies, which hold that by working on your own, inner self first, you’ll find a way to happiness and fulfillment.” To which Purcell adds, “What makes life worth living also makes it fragile. You are not after happiness, and you are not after invulnerability…but instead a life of meaning.”"
This middle-grade adventure follows a young protagonist's transformative journey through the wilderness, where survival skills become life lessons and the natural world serves as both classroom and c...
THE PAINTER'S FIRE
focusing on three artists whose work inspired rebellion and patriotism: Robert Edge Pine, a British painter likely of African descent\u003B Prince Demah, an enslaved portrait painter\u003B and Patience Wright, an American wax sculptor who ran a London wax museum. Less known than John Singleton Copley, Charles Willson Peale, and Gilbert Stuart, the three were famous among their contemporaries\u003B their clientele spanned the political spectrum, and their art, seen in exhibitions and reproductions, shaped public opinion in Britain and the colonies. Moreover, besides producing art, each contributed to the revolution in other ways: Demah as a soldier, Wright as a patriot spy, and Pine as the founder of popular museum culture. Demah was brought to London by his self\u002Dserving enslaver, who recognized his rare artistic talents and planned to publicize him for her own benefit and arrange for him to study with a professional artist to further develop his skills. On the voyage abroad, he served both as a valet to his owner and as a mariner on the ship. Fortunately, the artist who took him on as apprentice was Pine, an ardent supporter of American liberty. Wright, a successful sculptor in the colonies, was a widow with five children when she decided to go to London to establish herself there. With a letter of introduction to Benjamin Franklin from his sister, Jane, Wright found support to launch her new career. Soon, her networks included aristocrats, politicians, and merchants, from whom she easily gathered intelligence that she passed on to Franklin. “Not all Patriots were white,” Anishanslin writes. “Not all Patriots were men.” The fight for freedom raged beyond combat."
A young artist's journey through creative passion and personal growth unfolds in this vivid exploration of artistic awakening and self-discovery. The narrative captures the intense emotional landscap...
THE PATCHWORK CLOAK OF KAMAL BEY
the author’s mentor and family friend, a “force\u002Dof\u002Dnature raconteur” Egyptian named Kamal Bey who memorably compares the increasing “tribalism” of the United States’ political parties to “the fanatics of the Middle East.” Zada’s own Egyptian ancestry, combined with his Westernized Arab upbringing and lifelong wanderlust, gives him a unique perspective—one that he eloquently expresses with a clear and vivid narrative voice that uses the desert as a metaphor for identity and nationality: “The desert constantly shifts and changes as we move through it… It is one desert, yet it is made up of endless permutations, all slightly different from each other but sharing a common, underlying reality.” This is a compelling travel memoir that doubles as a thoughtful reflection on the unnecessary (and self\u002Dimposed) national and cultural boundaries that exist only to distract us from our shared humanity."
This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows a young protagonist on a quest to mend a magical garment that holds the fate of their world, weaving themes of identity, heritage, and resilience into a ri...
THE PEOPLE'S PROJECT
self\u002Dabandonment, she meant pretending “you don’t know what you know, don’t hear what you hear, don’t see what you see.” And not abandoning others, as well. Several contributors consider forms of resistance. “I think the act of resistance I take the most pleasure in is raising my sons to be good men,” writes illustrator Aubrey Hirsch. For Chase Strangio, simply being a transgender person signifies resistance: “Part of what makes trans people so central in this small and toxic moment is the power we wield by being insistently ourselves.” Disability justice activist Alice Wong considers the challenge of countering fascism: “The fear, chaos, and danger many of us live in changes our relationship with time. To fight, to provide mutual aid, to listen, care for, and love our people, to nourish and sustain yourself—all of these things take time and energy. We must give ourselves space, grace, and time if we are to fight fascism.” Some pieces exude anger\u003B others, sadness\u003B all face the future with more questions than answers. As scholar Imani Perry puts it, “Today I ask: How do we raise the young in the face of deportations, expulsions, captivity, abandonment and targeted cruelty? How do we feed those writhing with hunger pangs for freedom?” All underscore the crucial power of community."
This timely narrative follows a diverse group of young activists as they mobilize their community to save a beloved local park from commercial development, offering a powerful look at grassroots orga...
THE PHOEBE VARIATIONS
Books"
This middle grade novel explores the complex dynamics of friendship and identity through the eyes of twelve-year-old Phoebe, who navigates shifting social alliances and personal growth during a trans...
The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems
Alison D. Schonwald M.D., FAAP
Making potty time happy for toddlers and parents. It’s one of the first rites of passage in life. Somewhere around the age of 26 months—more or less—toddlers are introduced to the potty. In The Pocket Idiot’s Guide® to Potty Training Problems, Alison D. Schonwald, also known as “The Poop Doctor” of
THE PODCAST PANTHEON
Genre
This YA novel delivers a fresh take on modern mythology, following a group of tech-savvy teens who discover that the ancient gods are real and now thrive on the power of online engagement. When a hig...
THE POTENCY OF UNGOVERNABLE IMPULSES
this third installment, as charming and even action\u002Dpacked as it is, the construction of this science fantasy might be pushing the boundaries of implausibility too far. Older has degrees and experience in economics, politics, and disaster response\u003B she clearly knows that a society with limited resources would be unlikely to produce the luxurious food and drinks she describes, and understanding people as she does, it seems equally unlikely that a society that also produces murderers wouldn’t have at least one prison and a stricter judicial system than is presented here. There’s a point being made, but it’s not entirely clear what it is."
This psychological thriller explores the dangerous intersection of impulse control and criminal behavior through the lens of a forensic psychologist's most challenging case. The narrative follows a s...
THE PRINCE OF ILERIA
characters who need his help." />
A young prince must navigate treacherous court politics and magical dangers to save his kingdom in this immersive fantasy adventure. When dark forces threaten the realm of Ileria, the protagonist dis...
THE PRINCESS AND THE P.I.
an unsolved case involving Fiona’s father’s megachurch. Is Maurice bailing Fiona out to help her or to find dirt on her dad? Payne’s foray into romantic suspense starts with a high\u002Dstakes tech event and a backstory about Fiona’s family dynamics and the cultish church she has been serving. Add to it Maurice’s demons about his failure to help a young woman escape that church, plus the ugly end of his police career, and the narrative feels like it’s being pulled in several different directions. The plot gets further crowded with other characters and connections between the corporate espionage plot and the religious Mafia one. Villains abound, including Fiona’s sister, her brother’s former lover, the publicist for the tech firm, a second\u002Din\u002Dcommand at the church who keeps leering at Fiona, and Maurice’s ex–best friend on the force. There is also a scene at a sex party, a break\u002Din at the tech office, a fight on a yacht, and a confrontation during a church service. The sequence and timeline of the scenes is confusing and the trail of murders, suspects, and motives hard to follow."
A teenage princess flees an arranged marriage and finds herself under the protection of a rugged private investigator in this modern royal romance. The unlikely pair navigates a world of paparazzi, p...
THE QUIET ONE
Genre
In the coastal town of Wintermere, where history clings like salt to the air and the past seeps through cracked wood and whispered legends, silence often says more than words ever could. Sera Linden arrives to lead a revitalization project-confident, driven, and trying hard not to look back. Julian
The Rainforest Ecosystem
Baby Professor
Learn all about the ecosystem of the rainforest, Earth’s oldest living ecosystem. Understand the characteristics of a rainforest, where they are located and how old some of them are. Examine the plant and animal life in a rainforest, and determine why they are important. What are the threats to the
THE RAVEN BOYS
Academy. While he can’t always escape the perception of being a condescending rich boy, Gansey, influenced by a near\u002Ddeath experience seven years earlier, throws himself fully into finding the sleeping king, Owain Glendower. Searching for ley lines that will lead them to Glendower, Gansey, Blue, and the others get swept up in a race to activate the lines before those with dark motives can seize the ancient magic for themselves. Though some of the illustrations don’t convey the full gravitas of some moments in the original, others adroitly capture the humor, dread, and camaraderie that made the novel so intriguing and endearing. Newcomers to the story may not catch the significance of certain developments, but other elements, like the town of Henrietta and Gansey’s journal, gain extra life and added dimensions thanks to Milledge’s expressive and nostalgic artwork, which is enhanced by Ko’s luminous colors. Blue has brown skin and dark curly hair, and the boys present as white. "
This paranormal fantasy follows Blue Sargent, the only non-psychic in a family of clairvoyant women, whose lifelong prophecy warns that she will cause her true love to die. Her fate becomes dangerous...
THE REAGAN FILES 2025
offering transcripts of declassified conversations between Reagan and his closest confidants during his first term. Topics on well\u002Dknown aspects of his foreign policy are certainly present, such as Reagan’s staunch opposition to the Soviet Union or his policies toward the Middle East, but the conversations also provide readers glimpses into lesser\u002Dknown areas, including his approach to allies, if occasional economic rivals, in the Caribbean, Japan, and South Korea. Based largely on declassified materials from the National Security Council and National Security Planning Group, the transcripts provide an intimate look inside Reagan’s administration. In one conversation, for instance, the president describes Lebanon as “the strangest place in the world” because he couldn’t reconcile the nation’s rising terrorist threats with its cosmopolitan hotels, television shows, and sophisticated restaurants. With a law degree from the University of Wisconsin and a former researcher for Reagan biographer Richard Reeves, Saltoun\u002DEbin is intimately familiar with the archival material hosted at the Reagan Presidential Library. Not only has he written multiple volumes on the former president himself, he also led the way in digitizing his archival materials at TheReaganFiles.com. This is a carefully curated and abridged version of select documents, accompanied by the learned commentary and historical analysis of a leading Reagan researcher. This edition could have used some tighter editorial trimming\u003B many of the conversations consume multiple pages. Nevertheless, the book’s emphasis on engaging both scholars and lay readers is effectively supported by a glossary and ample historical contextualization."
This political thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes Washington D.C. landscape where classified documents and government secrets drive a tense narrative of power and conspiracy. The story unfol...
The Reluctant Womb
her friend Frank, Thea joins him doing volunteer work in San Francisco, and Chris heads off to do volunteer work in Jamaica, where she falls in love with a local Black leader named Winston. Over the next school year, Cilla faces a pregnancy scare, Chris finds herself pregnant and decides on an illegal abortion, and Thea becomes pregnant and chooses to have the baby and put her up for adoption. Blair’s narrative is an exploration of the emotional, psychological, societal, and familial complexities and challenges regarding abortion, adoption, and interracial dating, the aftereffects of which linger throughout her characters’ adult years. The author captures the angst and ethos of campus life in the early, pre–Roe v. Wade 1960s and bakes in a primer on the period’s history, referencing the Cuban Missile Crisis, the blatant racism, the misogyny of the medical profession, and the burgeoning Civil Rights movement (“A meeting of Students for a Democratic Society. She wondered what kind of group it was. For Democrats? If she’d been old enough to vote in the 1960 election, she’d have voted for Kennedy. Maybe she’d look into it”). This homage to loving friendships also touches on the issues of mental illness and bisexuality. Blair’s prose is conversational and accessible, vividly evoking a time when social values were on the cusp of great change."
This unconventional picture book explores the profound journey of pregnancy from a surprising perspective—that of the womb itself, personified as a hesitant but ultimately willing participant in the ...
THE ROAD THAT MADE AMERICA
his passion for the GWR naturally, having been inducted by a scholarly father in the pleasures of visiting historical places. An aficionado of Revolutionary War history, Dodson hits on plenty of battles along his path, which stretches from Pennsylvania and down the Shenandoah Valley into the Carolinas and Georgia. Like so many historic roads, the GWR began as a Native trail, but it soon came to serve as a conduit for moving new waves of immigrants out of crowded cities like Philadelphia into unsettled places. On that score, Dodson serves up an apposite quote from Benjamin Franklin, who, in an intemperate moment, railed, “Why should Pennsylvania, funded by the English, become a colony of aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us, instead of us Anglifying them?” Many of Dodson’s historical subjects are those Germans, many others Scots\u002DIrish, while his modern interlocutors come from all over, with one generous\u002Dminded local historian remarking, “The good news…is that many of the migrants we see coming here from Central and South America are hardworking folks eager to make a living.” Dodson touches on other current controversies, including efforts to remove Confederate statues from Southern historical sites and, of more specialist interest, the exact routes of the GWR’s numerous spurs. He writes with a light hand, talking with everyone who comes across his path and capturing some apt ideas, including one observation that in the colonial American melting pot, “the English built the houses, the Germans built the barns, and the Scots\u002DIrish built the stills.” "
This comprehensive history traces the development of the United States' first federally funded highway, chronicling how this ambitious infrastructure project connected the young nation from Maryland ...
THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY
Black and Frangello, the memoir does make it feel like it’s Donovan’s voice that is being heard—she has such a seamless, conversational, and introspective way of recounting her story that the fact that she didn’t directly put pen to paper is quickly forgotten. Though the epilogue could perhaps have been split into multiple chapters, it looks forward to the future with Donovan’s established frankness as she admits to mistakes while also fully demonstrating that her “desire is to shine a light in the darkness for others.” "
This compelling historical novel transports readers to the turbulent era of the American Civil War, following a young protagonist whose family is torn apart by conflicting loyalties. The narrative po...
The Robin on the Oak Throne
Genre
This enchanting middle-grade fantasy introduces readers to a woodland kingdom where a young robin unexpectedly inherits the royal throne, challenging the forest's traditional hierarchy and sparking p...
THE ROMA
the almost universal hatred that greeted the Roma, who maintained their own culture and traveled in caravans at a time when almost no one traveled. They were attacked, expelled, imprisoned, and even enslaved. The first enslaved people taken to America—by Columbus—were Roma. During World War II, from several hundred thousand to a million Roma were murdered or transported to extermination camps, including Auschwitz. Today most Roma are settled, but they do not have it easy. Their children in Sweden were not permitted in public schools until 1959. Although caravans are uncommon, stronger British trespassing laws were directed at them in 2022. Traveling widely, Potter is perhaps too focused on recording unpleasant encounters, but she is not shy about pointing out Romani celebrities and cultural achievements. Spanish flamenco is one, as are, despite the names, Franz Liszt’s Hungarian rhapsodies and Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian dances."
This powerful nonfiction work offers young readers an immersive journey into the rich cultural heritage and complex history of the Roma people, tracing their migration from ancient India across conti...
The Rough Guide to France
Rough Guides
This comprehensive guide delivers exactly what travelers need for navigating France's diverse regions, from the sun-drenched Mediterranean coast to the snow-capped Alps. The clear maps and practical ...
THE SACRED STRUGGLE
rabbis Danziger and David, an array of Jewish thinkers and spiritual leaders explores how trauma—individual and communal—interacts with Jewish culture, teaching, and belief. The October 7, 2023, terror attacks in Israel are strongly present throughout in essays that highlight the pain of victimization, anger toward leadership, and a rise in antisemitism. In one essay, arguably the collection’s best, rabbi Wendy Zierler puts the tragedy into a context of classic Israeli songs, drawing parallels to the Kaddish prayer while illustrating how one has a capacity not only to mourn but “to bring people back.” Other entries address other crises, such as the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the Tree of Life and Parkland mass shootings, and the isolating agony of Covid\u002D19\u003B the Yom Kippur War and the Holocaust are also addressed. Editor and avid runner David recounts his first time participating in the Boston Marathon, which coincided with the horrific 2013 bombing. Just as affecting are essays of private struggle, including Danziger’s candid reflection on living with chronic cancer, and rabbi Debra R. Hachen’s account of caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease while questioning whether she could meet what the role required. Although a shared faith binds these essays together, their tone shifts dramatically—some are passionate or outraged, others more measured and thoughtful, and still others take a scholarly tone. Nearly every essay is anchored by ritual or communal liturgy, which offer comfort or give shape to unresolved pain. Most resist easy answers and frame trauma not as something people “get over,” but rather “integrate…into our life view.” What emerges isn’t a theology of trauma, but a testimony to how Jewish practice, language, and leadership can respond to crises without closure. Though aimed at Jewish readers, the collection’s emotional honesty will resonate with anyone interested in how tradition can help one face what can’t necessarily be fixed."
This powerful exploration of religious conflict and spiritual identity offers young readers a thoughtful examination of how faith shapes personal and cultural struggles across different traditions. T...
THE SCAPEGOAT
Genre
This gripping narrative explores the devastating impact of false accusations and the psychological toll of being made a scapegoat, following a protagonist whose life unravels after being wrongfully b...
The Screenwriter's Handbook
Barry Turner
Encompassing thousands of entries that cover every aspect of the screenwriter's trade, a valuable resource features articles, essays, advice, and insider's tips from leading scriptwriters on topics including British and U.S. film and TV companies, agents, contracts, copyrights, markets, and more. Or
The Seasons
William Rice
During the summer, it is warm outside. During the winter, it is cold. This is because of seasons. This science reader introduces students to the seasons. With easy-to-read text and vivid images, this book teaches students important scientific subjects and vocabulary terms like migrate, hibernate, cy
THE SECOND CRUSADE
defeat. If none of his interviewees can help Dietrich win new battles, then what has he learned? It’s an intriguing premise for a novel. However, this narrative fails to contextualize it in a compelling way. Written in stark, straightforward prose, it reads like a moral fable that lacks the nuances that might make it more engaging. Moral tales set in the distant past often have thinly disguised messages that are relevant to the present, but it’s never clear whether the absence of deeply felt morals here is intended. Is this a story about a hero’s spiritual journey, an antiwar tale, or a simple bildungsroman? There’s too little here that makes the tale worth telling, and a hurried and convenient conclusion doesn’t help matters. "
This gripping historical novel plunges readers directly into the tumultuous 12th-century campaign to reclaim the Crusader States, bringing the complex politics, brutal warfare, and clashing cultures ...
The Self-Confidence Handbook
Dan Johnston
Discover how to become confident easily and quickly with these 15 proven principles from author of Self-Confidence Secrets. You could be just a few hours away from new levels of confidence and high self-esteem! This inspiring book can show you how to: Master the Four Key Influencers of Self-Confiden
The Shadow Stealers
Tracey West
When Hiro's family is plagued by moon sickness, this eleven-year-old ninja-in-training must journey to an ancient monastery to find a cure. But unknown enemies, like the magical, shape-shifting cats called bakeneko, stand in his way. Can Hiro defeat the shadow-stealing bakeneko in time to save his f
THE SHATTERING PEACE
Genre
In a world where silence has been forcibly imposed, a young protagonist discovers that sound itself is a revolutionary act. This gripping dystopian novel plunges readers into a society where music, l...
THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME
contemporaries—not unlike today’s polarized biases—underscores just how unreliable is much of the tradition we have of Rome specifically and the ancient world in general. However, the author does his best to parse the probable from the improbable and rarely takes things at face value."
This concise yet comprehensive volume delivers exactly what its title promises: a remarkably efficient journey through the colossal sweep of Roman history, from its mythical founding by Romulus and R...
THE SHROUD PROJECT
the name of Michael Fairchild, a cybernetic clone of Christ made from DNA extracted from his 2,000\u002Dyear\u002Dold shroud. Michael wields his spiritual power to convince the masses that “Digital Ascension” is the way to salvation. But when Joshua discovers the truth behind the process, he sets out—alongside a group of like\u002Dminded rebels, including a young woman named Mae Lin and her eerily perceptive little girl, Zen—to stop Michael. The messiah proves a formidable foe, however\u003B he attempts to stop the rebels by whatever increasingly violent means are necessary. When a shocking connection between Michael, Mae Lin, and Zen is revealed, Joshua will have to finally tap into his latent powers if he’s to save the ones he loves—and the world. Zalewski weaves together religion and science to create a kind of parable both entertaining and philosophical. While allusions to Christianity largely form the book’s backbone, they can occasionally be too on the nose (Joshua’s mothers are named Maria and Josephine, a character wears a “neural crown,” etc.). However, the story’s sheer imagination—combined with Zalewski’s smooth narrative voice—propels the story forward with a delicious sense of mounting dread: “From the recesses beneath the altar, articulated mechanical arms emerged like the limbs of some deep\u002Dsea creature, moving with an almost elegant precision born of advanced engineering and dread aesthetics.” The book’s climax, while not particularly surprising, provides a satisfying conclusion to a fun, gripping tale of religious dystopia."
A high school science fair project takes a chilling turn when a group of students attempts to use experimental technology to analyze a replica of the Shroud of Turin, only to find their equipment pic...
THE SISTERHOOD
marrying Peregrine, Marquess of Harrington. The Goldsborough girls are admired and envied because of their grandmother’s plans to marry them off to great advantage, and Victoria’s death is a terrible blow to the family. Emily and Colin have solved many crimes, and given all the suspects from the cream of society, it’s far better for everyone concerned if they investigate than if it’s Scotland Yard poking around. They question the family for hints of a motive. Victoria died from yew poison that must have been administered within a limited window of time. Peregrine’s mother had a diamond tiara she’d planned to give Victoria. Its disappearance on the night of Victoria’s death leads Emily and Colin to suspect Sebastian Capet, a charming, erudite jewel thief in love with Emily and currently involved in opening what may be Boudica’s grave. Victoria’s closest friend, Frances Price, is the daughter of a suffragette, although neither Victoria nor Frances is involved in the battle for women’s rights, a cause despised by Peregrine and many in his set. Emily finds out that both girls were secretly involved in Boudica’s Sisters, a group of society women planning on marrying well and convincing their husbands to support the suffragette cause. When another debutante is poisoned, the sleuths must step up their game and dig out the real reason for murder."
This gripping debut novel follows five teenage girls who form a secret society to expose injustice at their elite private school, weaving together themes of friendship, privilege, and the courage to ...
THE SPACE CAT
that harsh reality. But ultimately, Periwinkle puzzles out his place in Nigeria’s feline society and enjoys a disaster\u002Daverting adventure, with help from the curious cast of animals who slink around the local marketplace. Okorafor’s storytelling is intuitively episodic, blurring the realities of everyday pet life with gleeful fantasy. Ford’s sci\u002Dfi comic illustrations, rich with cosmic blues, purples, and oranges, bring a dynamic energy to this eccentric escapade. Periwinkle’s particular syntax (“When I come here, I reminded all things possible,” “Yes, I winning!”) may distract or amuse, depending on the reader."
This action-packed space adventure follows a clever feline astronaut on a mission to save the galaxy from an intergalactic threat, blending science fiction excitement with genuine heart. Young reader...
The Story of Easter
Aileen Fisher
With an informative text and glorious illustrations, this book explains both how and why people all over the world celebrate Easter. It tells the biblical story of Jesus’ Resurrection and then describes how people honor this day and the origins of these traditions. Hands-on activities help draw chil
THE STORY OF X0
Celina soon gives rise to another threat that the allies must confront: She’s the creation of Nyxothar, an immortal being who consumes entire universes. Celina is the key to activating the enigmatic X0 station, which will unleash Nyxothar’s power and be the end of everything. In the meantime, humans who’ve been trying to comprehend the X0 station have opened a small portal releasing the Hollows, an assortment of vicious creatures that periodically attack Dynasty and the others. If the four can stay ahead of a tenacious military force, fight off a host of bloodthirsty otherworldly monsters, and shut down the station without inadvertently activating it and annihilating the universe, then there’s a relatively good chance they’ll survive.This briskly paced yarn features electrifying characters with fantastical abilities. The leads are effectively antiheroes—Dynasty once killed for the Anexsein Empire, Jade yearns for revenge, and both Celina and Death have murky pasts. Trust among the group isn’t easy to come by, especially as Celina initially confides in only one of the others (who keeps her secret) and the consistently unpredictable Death envies and seems intent on taking Celina’s power. As such, the people coming after these four aren’t necessarily villains\u003B the standouts include hard\u002Das\u002Dnails Gen. Capt. Ja Posa and a special forces team called the Royal Flushes with members named Queen, Jack, and Ten (they possess “Skills so ridiculous they might as well have been main characters in their own story”). The authors dish out innumerable action scenes that boast an even mix of gunfire and supernatural powers: One of Death’s abilities is taking control of a corpse for a short window of time, while Dynasty, echoing Jade’s crystal blades, can summon a sword that materializes in his hand. The frenetic pacing does occasionally backfire, especially in earlier, hasty scenes—the allies find themselves on a farming planet that’s more than it appears in a chapter that sacrifices any potential suspense by ending too quickly. The action intensifies as Dynasty and company focus on their mutual goal of taking out the X0 station. The blistering final act begets a few turns that most readers won’t see coming and closes with a hint of a sequel."
This innovative picture book introduces young readers to the fascinating world of binary code through the journey of X0, a character who discovers the power of representing numbers with just two digi...
The Threads Remain
German soldiers, which upends their lives. Postwar Germany in 1957 finds 16\u002Dyear\u002Dold Friedrich Becker grieving the recent loss of his adoptive mother, Minna. Spurred by her death to investigate the identity of his biological parents, Friedrich meets Sigrid, an orphan who works at an orphanage and joins him in his search. He remembers nothing of the time before his own adoption, but he has a crocheted bear named Bärli, which he had with him at age 4. Over the course of this layered narrative, Shapiro demonstrates an exceptional talent for storytelling as he highlights war’s capacity to separate people, but also to draw them together in common cause. Indeed, the story effectively shows how conflict can bind people together across generations and, as it happens, across time itself. As the various timelines intertwine, the author’s fine attention to detail results in a satisfying reading experience. Overall, the work ably reminds readers that although “there is no hope of creating a better past,” the future is still full of possibility."
This gripping novel explores the complex aftermath of trauma through the interconnected stories of three teenagers whose lives were shattered by a shared tragedy. The narrative weaves between their p...
THE THRESHOLD AND THE LEDGER
both Aeschylus’ Oresteia and artist Douglas Gordon’s seminal video installation 24\u002DHour Psycho. McCarthy’s play is reprinted in this book’s appendix, as is Bachmann’s “Salt and Bread,” in both English and German. Reveling in the subtle delicacy of Bachmann’s wording, the author investigates particularly potent etymologies and scans multiple translations in tandem. Invocations of works by Kafka, Dostoevsky, and Shakespeare add to McCarthy’s storm of citations, all of which usher in a short study of Bachmann’s 1971 magnum opus, the novel Malina. McCarthy’s work is an invigorating and inspiring incantation: Readers will not only marvel at how the author reads but also at his ability to articulate that experience into something both erudite and accessible. Eventually, Bachmann’s importance feels secondary to the journey: McCarthy resists guiding readers to a comprehensive closing statement and instead chooses to create a framework for the reader with a foundation of literary ideas. Ending on “the threshold of both Malina and the poetic event\u002Dfield, all the books\u002Dto\u002Dcome, to which Bachmann’s masterpiece opens the door,” McCarthy invites readers through, toward revelations of their own."
This gripping young adult novel masterfully blends supernatural suspense with the emotional turmoil of adolescence, creating a compelling narrative about a teenager who discovers an ancient ledger th...
THE TRAGEDY OF TRUE CRIME
Genre
This gripping exploration of true crime cases offers young readers a thoughtful examination of criminal justice, forensic science, and the human stories behind notorious investigations. The author pr...
The Troll King
John Vornholt
When a power-hungry sorcerer decides to bridge the Great Chasm and conquer the elves and fairies who live on the other side, he inadvertently enables a gentle troll to reach for a much nobler dream.
The Ugly Dino Hatchling
Stephanie True Peters
There once was an ugly duckling... who was actually a baby dinosaur! A dino egg tumbled through a time vortex into a duck nest, but it's clear the hatchling Rex doesn't fit in with his duckling family. So the lost dino leaves the nest on a quest to find his place among the barnyard animals. Will Rex
The Ultimate Guide to Bedtime Routines: From Bath Time to Lullabies
Aurora Brooks
The Ultimate Guide to Bedtime Routines: From Bath Time to Lullabies is the perfect resource for parents looking to establish a peaceful and effective bedtime routine for their children. This short read book provides a comprehensive guide on the importance of bedtime routines and offers practical tip
The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft Server
Timothy L. Warner
Run your own Minecraft server: take total control of your Minecraft experience! What’s more fun than playing multiplayer Minecraft? Running your own Minecraft server. Now there’s a complete, up-to-date guide to doing just that–even if you have no networking or server experience! Best-selling tech au
The Ultimate Teen Book Guide
Daniel Hahn
Covering such genres as fantasy, horror, chick lit, graphic novels, sci-fi, and mystery, an all-encompassing, must-have resource profiles more than 700 of the best books for teens, from the classics to the latest bestsellers. Simultaneous.
The Underrepresentation of Women in Science
Stephen J. Ceci
There is no shortage of articles and books exploring women’s underrepresentation in science. Everyone is interested--academics, politicians, parents, high school girls (and boys), women in search of college majors, administrators working to accommodate women’s educational interests; the list goes on
THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY
a well-published scholar of that movement." />
This scholarly work offers a comprehensive examination of the modern mindfulness movement, tracing its philosophical roots from ancient Buddhist practices to its contemporary therapeutic applications...
The Unofficial Guide to Coding with Minecraft
Álvaro Scrivano
In The Unofficial Guide to Coding with Minecraft, you can walk through a sunflower field, create a sheep pen, get hopping with rabbits, and farm your own field. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions will guide you through coding these fantastic projects. Once you've got the hang of it, there are
The Vanishing of Rose B.
Genre
This gripping psychological thriller follows a teenage girl's investigation into her best friend's mysterious disappearance, weaving together social media clues, unreliable narrators, and the intense...
THE VANISHING PLACE
Genre
This gripping psychological thriller plunges readers into the chilling world of a small town haunted by disappearances, where the protagonist must unravel a web of secrets before becoming the next vi...
THE WATERBEARERS
reliable women,” Bonét writes. “The men were peripheral—inefficient and fickle.” Central to her history is her grandmother Betty Jean (b. 1933), the great\u002Dgranddaughter of enslaved people, who migrated to Houston from Louisiana in 1955 and eventually had 11 children with nine different men. One of those children was Bonét’s mother, Connie (b. 1956), who grew up poor and angry, resenting each new baby who arrived to deplete what little the family had. She fled Houston as soon as she could, landing in Manhattan, where she was a stern, uncompromising mother to her own children. Besides recounting the lives of the women in her family, Bonét looks at other Black women: Betty Davis, enslaved seamstress of George and Martha Washington, whose daughter, Ona Judge, escaped and lived in the north as a fugitive\u003B Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama’s mother, who moved into the White House to care for her granddaughters\u003B and activist Recy Taylor: Raped by white men in 1944, she contributed—along with Rosa Parks and other women—to forming the Committee for Equal Justice, an inspiration for the Civil Rights Movement. There’s Iberia Hampton, who feared for her outspoken son, Fred\u003B he became a Black Panther and was assassinated. There’s artist Camille Billops, who rejected motherhood in favor of pursuing her art. “Each of us are the sum of our grandmother’s prayers,” Bonét writes, “the sum of many moments, of all the care and cruelty we have absorbed.” At times tender, furious, selfish, and sacrificial, these were “complicated women,” whom Bonét portrays with compassion."
This powerful novel explores the lives of young women tasked with carrying water across a drought-stricken landscape, blending environmental urgency with coming-of-age resilience. The narrative follo...
The What to Expect Babysitter and Nanny Handbook
Heidi Murkoff
Marrying the reassuring authority and trust of all the WHAT TO EXPECT books with a lively, accessible voice, THE WHAT TO EXPECT BABYSITTER AND NANNY HANDBOOK contains everything a childcarer needs to know when minding a child, from newborn to toddler. Packed with information, it covers all the basic
THE WILDERNESS
setting select scenes—including the novel’s shattering climax—in the near future, Flournoy seems to warn that the violence and oppression characteristic of 21st\u002Dcentury American life can be mitigated only by community, care, and the families we choose."
This gripping survival novel plunges readers directly into a harrowing adventure when a group of teenagers must fend for themselves after a plane crash leaves them stranded in a remote, unforgiving w...
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary
Jeff Kinney
Go behind the scenes with Jeff Kinney and the making of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movie, a live-action film by 20th Century Fox. Includes photographs, script pages, storyboard sketches, costume designs, and original art by Kinney.
The Wimpy Kid School Planner
Jeff Kinney
Wimpy Kid fans can keep track of all of their tests, appointments, and activities with this one-of-a-kind planner. Features drawings on every page favorite characters; and columns, graphs, and charts all specially designed to help users track important notes, lists, and the information they need to
THE WITCH-HUNT
Genre
This gripping historical novel plunges readers into the terrifying atmosphere of the Salem witch trials, weaving a suspenseful narrative that explores mass hysteria, false accusations, and the courag...
THE WITCH’S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES
the “answer” in the form of a unique narrative. The opening query, for example, concerns The Wizard of Oz: “When the tornado took Dorothy’s house to Oz, it landed on the Wicked Witch of the East and killed the witch instantly. What was the witch doing in the road in the first place?” The answer, it turns out, involves an argument with her apprentice. Garg explores a handful of tales, including the motivations behind duping the naked emperor (in “The Honor of Emperors and Thieves”) and the reason why Jack (of Jack and Jill fame) was carrying that pail of water in the first place (in “To Fetch a Pail of Water”). Each story varies in length\u003B the haunting “Denying Hamelin” is only three pages, and the longest, “The Beauty Before She Sleeps,” is 33. While none of the stories can be called happy, some are particularly grim in nature—parents left bereft at the disappearance of their children, death, betrayal, etc. Each story gets its own question and answer except for “Sleeping Beauty”and “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” whose questions and answers combine in what feels like a fever dream involving shapeshifting witches and magic portals. While some stories veer toward the predictable (the real identity of Sleeping Beauty’s new lady in waiting, for example, will likely prove glaringly obvious to readers), these tales aren’t necessarily about changing the narrative of the established story from which they come. Instead, Garg adds depth and background to these familiar characters, making them delightfully all her own."
Born at the end of the 1930s depression, New Zealander John Broomfield began a lifetime of travels as an infant that took him to every corner of his rugged homeland and ultimately around the world. Readers of his first memoir, Carried on Great Winds, admire his capacity to combine radical political
THE WOMAN WITH FIFTY FACES
R. Crumb, or as if Art Spiegelman’s Maus were told by Mr. Natural. There is a trippy terror to the book: Mouths distort, noses grow, eyes bulge out. Its bizarre genius is to take a woman known for her face on Modernist canvases and transform her into a visage fit for 21st\u002Dcentury comics. Lani was an artist of impersonations, a true charlatan worthy of this book’s outré imagination."
This psychological thriller follows a woman whose fractured identity manifests as fifty distinct personalities, each with their own memories and motivations. When a series of unexplained events begin...
THE WOMEN'S ORCHESTRA OF AUSCHWITZ
the Shoah Foundation. Crucially, she tells the story not only of the players, but also of their audience of fellow prisoners. “How could we play light music here, against the background of the flames and black smoke that billowed day and night from the crematoria chimneys?” reflects one survivor. The author leaves open the question of whether the music helped prisoners or intensified their suffering. She makes clear, however, that the orchestra did not play during the “selection” of poor souls sent to the gas chambers. The players’ musical skills saved at least their own lives, exempt from the work squads, though they themselves were exhausted and starving, and Jewish orchestra members were always vulnerable to “selection” for gassing. Their resident block was mere meters from a crematorium, and human ashes settled inside some of their instruments. They experienced the “scandal of music at Auschwitz on a daily basis,” as the Nazis’ abuse of music was itself “a form of torture.” Their playing was an “effort to claw back something of what it meant to be human.”"
This powerful historical account chronicles the true story of female musicians forced to play for their survival in the Auschwitz concentration camp, offering young readers a profound look at resilie...
THE WORLD'S WORST BET
Lynch, global economics correspondent for the Washington Post. He reminds us that America’s industrial production has been declining since the 1950s and that automation, not foreign competition, remains the biggest factor. Obsessed with cutting costs, American businesses were already moving to Mexico and other nations, but everyone thrilled to China, which had discarded “Maoist idiocy” to open a titanic market to world entrepreneurs. The world was getting richer, and the world’s richest nation could only benefit by trading in this immense, supposedly free market. Giving President Clinton most of the credit, Lynch describes his 1990s crusade for globalization. Business leaders and congressional Republicans were enthusiastic. Labor unions and Democrats were not, but many were won over by promises of government benefits and retraining for laid\u002Doff workers. This never happened. Almost everyone agreed that a free market would bring democracy to China\u003B increasingly prosperous citizens would demand it as they had in other nations (Spain, Taiwan, South Korea, Chile). This also didn’t happen, but globalization did make the U.S. wealthier. From 2000 to around 2015, inflation and prices were low, but the 2.4 million jobs lost created great resentment, along with the feeling that China was playing dirty and muscling in on our status as world leader. The political climate soon turned uniformly anti\u002DChina. Lynch dismisses President Trump’s solutions, which emphasize tariffs and jingoism. Lynch’s own proposals for international cooperation and a generous safety net are political poison today."
This middle grade novel delivers a hilarious and heartfelt story about friendship, family, and the lengths one kid will go to win a seemingly impossible bet. The narrative cleverly explores themes of...