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Here’s the second part of our series on new nonfiction titles recently added to the New Books section at CA Library…

Social Studies

Strange Fruit, Volume 1: Uncelebrated Narratives From Black History / words and pictures by Joel Christian Gill ; foreword by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. — This unique graphic anthology offers historical and cultural commentary on nine uncelebrated heroes whose stories are not often found in history books. “The short narratives are conversational in tone and the accompanying detailed images convey tragic beauty. Gil doesn’t shy away from portraying brutal scenes, but does so without sensationalism.” – School Library Journal

Literature

Jane Austen: Her Life, Her Times, Her Novels / Janet Todd – An exploration of the life of the famous author, including information on her relationships with family and friends, on the contemporary attitudes that shaped Austen and her writing, and on the settings that inspired her and feature in her stories. Austenites will particularly treasure the 15 pieces of removable memorabilia, which include facsimiles of early manuscripts, notes and letters. “A lovely title that…will please readers who love her books.” – School Library Journal

Technology

Learn To Program With Scratch: A Visual Introduction To Programming With Games, Art, Science, And Math / by Majed Marji — Scratch is a fun, beginner-friendly programming environment popular in schools around the world. This book shows how much you can do with Scratch and teaches essential, universal programming concepts along the way. “A solid volume that fills a void in the current literature on how to play with and manipulate Scratch.” – School Library Journal

Business and Finance

The Teen Money Manual: A Guide To Cash, Credit, Spending, Saving, Work, Wealth, And More / by Kara McGuire — This book offers today’s teens the best and most up-to-date tips on how to make money, how to spend it, how to invest and save it, and how to protect it. “This practical manual will supplement standard textbooks and complement other popular guides…consider this for browsers, researchers, and aspiring tycoons alike.” – Booklist

So, You Want To Work In Fashion?: How To Break Into The World Of Fashion And Design / Patricia Wooster — A guide to landing a dream job in fashion and design profiles industry career opportunities, from clothing design and fashion photography to models and colorists, sharing inspiring true stories, activity suggestions, and helpful resources. “Teens will enjoy poring over the well-written, relatable text and uncovering new blogs, classes, and even a website that allows readers to create their own fashion magazine. A fun and informative read for fashion fans.” – School Library Journal

Undecided: Navigating Life And Learning After High School / Genevieve Morgan — A comprehensive handbook for high school teens who have not yet established their post-graduation path outlines options ranging from training programs and the military to community colleges and universities to help students decide which course is best for them. “Morgan gives substantial advice and suggestions on how to make the right choice and how to succeed once that choice has been made.” – School Library Journal

Biography

Wooden: A Coach’s Life / Seth Davis — A provocative and revelatory new biography of the legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, by one of America’s top college basketball writers. “Davis…has provided a multidimensional, nearly cradle-to-grave portrait of a highly successful and revered coach and teacher, in the process delivering a history of the evolution of college basketball and profiles of many of its stars.” – Booklist starred review

Pete Rose: An American Dilemma / Kostya Kennedy – Kennedy, the bestselling author of 56: Joe DiMaggio and the Last Magic Number in Sports, delivers a fascinating re-examination of Pete Rose’s life, from his cocky and charismatic early years through his storied playing career to his bitter war against baseball’s hierarchy to the man we find today – still incorrigible, still adored by many. “A wonderful biography as well as a thoughtful examination of a moral quandary.” – Booklist starred review

Health and Wellness

Positive: Surviving My Bullies, Finding Hope, And Living To Change The World / a memoir by Paige Rawl — Paige Rawl was an ordinary girl, one of the good kids at her middle school. Then she disclosed the one thing that made her “different”: her HIV-positive status. Within hours, the bullying began. In this astonishing memoir, Paige immerses the reader in her experience and tells a story that is both deeply personal and completely universal: a story of one girl overcoming relentless bullying by choosing to be Positive. “This realistic and honest biography of a young woman living with HIV will draw readers in, shedding light on this difficult topic.” – School Library Journal

To This Day: For The Bullied And Beautiful / Shane Koyczan — In February 2013, Koyczan’s passionate anti-bullying poem “To This Day” electrified the world. An animated video of the lyric narrative went viral, racking up over 14 million hits on YouTube and inspiring an international movement against bullying in schools. Now this extraordinary work has been adapted into an equally moving and visually arresting book, illustrated by thirty international artists who have been inspired to create exceptional art to accompany “To This Day”. “The variation of artistic styles and media from page to page, like a collection of different voices, makes it clear that if the culture of bullying is to be defeated, it will take a chorus of collaborators.” – Publisher Weekly

Rethinking Normal: A Memoir In Transition / Katie Rain Hill — A transgender girl shares her personal journey of growing up as a boy and then undergoing gender reassignment during her teens. Told in an unwaveringly honest voice, this is a coming-of-age story about transcending physical appearances and redefining the parameters of “normalcy” to embody one’s true self. “An invaluable title that puts empathetic human faces on a condition that otherwise might be presented as coldly clinical.” – Booklist

Some Assembly Required: The Not-So-Secret Life Of A Transgender Teen / Arin Andrews — Seventeen-year-old Arin Andrews shares all the hilarious, painful, and poignant details of undergoing gender reassignment as a high school student in this winning teen memoir. “This is a brave book that handles complicated and sensitive topics honestly and, at times, with humor.” – Publishers Weekly