Here’s a look at some of the latest nonfiction titles that have been added to the CA Library collection. Look for them in the New Books section!
If an eBook and/or audiobook is available from CA Library, BOCES or OWWL2Go, links are given for those too (Sora login required).
Birding to Change the World: A Memoir by Trish O’Kane — A writer and educator specializing in environmental justice and climate change chronicles her bird-watching journey and shares what she has learned from each new bird she’s observed about life, social change and protecting the environment.
“A perfect example of the art of the memoir that will also engage teen nature lovers” (Booklist).
Born A Girl: It Takes Courage by Alice Dussutour — Sharing the stories of five girls in five different countries whose lives are overshadowed by violence and injustice, just because they’re female, this heartbreaking but also inspiring book shows how their individual experiences are different, but their desire for freedom and equality is universal. Get the eBook
“Saturated, vibrantly colored illustrations highlight the girls and symbolic items in their lives, celebrating girls’ resilience, courage, and initiative” (Kirkus Reviews).
Clay and Bones: My Life as an FBI Forensic Artist by Lisa G. Bailey — Told with unflinching honesty and a touch of gallows humor, Clay and Bone is the personal memoir of the first female forensic sculptor in the FBI. This is a memoir with a mission, and a fascinating exploration into the surreal and satisfying work of a forensic artist. Get the Audiobook
“Shines a light on a crucial position in law enforcement while also revealing systemic flaws at the premier U.S. law enforcement agency. Readers will be mesmerized by Bailey’s work and angered by the targeted harassment she received” (Booklist).
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming — During WWII, Bletchley Park, operating under the code name Station X, was run by teenaged girls who helped turn the tide of the war for the Allies with their hard work, their determination and, most importantly, their ability to keep a secret. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Illustrated with fascinating photos and diagrams, this is a gripping narrative celebrating teen girls’ underrecognized contributions to Allied war efforts” (Kirkus Reviews).
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School by Tiffany Jewell — This narrative follows author Tiffany Jewell from early elementary school (in Syracuse, NY) through her time at college, unpacking the history of systemic racism in the American educational system along the way. Throughout the book, other writers of the global majority share a wide variety of personal narratives and stories based on their own school experiences.
“Accessible for teens to read on their own, but would also be an excellent choice for group reads” (School Library Journal).
Extra Life: The Astonishing Story of How We Doubled Our Lifespan by Steven Johnson — Humans live longer now than they ever have in their more than three hundred thousand years of existence on earth. And most (if not all) of the advances that have permitted the human lifespan to double have happened in living memory. This fascinating tour through the prism of scientific advances, adapted from Johnson’s bestselling book for adults, shows how we have doubled our lifespan in less than a century with the discovery of vaccines, seat belts, pesticides and more. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Illustrated with documentary photos and charts and appended with further reading, this is a fascinating look at how science and certain politics have improved human life” (Booklist).
A Firehose of Falsehood: The Story of Disinformation by Teri Kanefield and Pat Dorian — As America grapples with the Big Lie and the future of democracy hangs in the balance, Firehose of Falsehood takes us through history to showcase how dictators and kings have used different methods of disinformation to disenfranchise the public and consolidate power. Using examples from as far back as 522 B.C.E., Kanefeld and Dorian lushly illustrate how tenuous humanity’s relationship with the truth has always been — and then show us how we can beat back the lies.
“Using dynamic page layouts and retro-art style, with a flair for caricature, Kanefield and Dorian condense a thorny topic into an accessible guide” (Kirkus Reviews).
Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away by Candy J. Cooper — Recounting the explosive story of the Kids for Cash scandal in Pennsylvania in the early 2000s, this gripping combination of extensive research and original reporting shows how more than 2,500 children and teens were wrongly sent to a for-profit detention center by two corrupt judges. Get the eBook
“This story about peer victims will appeal to true-crime enthusiasts and socially conscious readers” (Booklist).
Sleep-Deprived Nation: Why Sleep Matters by Don Nardo — Today, large numbers of people of all ages and walks of life get too little sleep on a regular basis. This unfortunate situation has far-reaching negative effects on society, from increased highway accidents and fatalities to lost productivity at work. This volume explores possible ways to combat the widespread problem of too little sleep.
“Nardo’s clear and succinct style, reliance on up-to-date research, and eye-opening statistics are certainly not sleep-inducing” (Kirkus Reviews).
This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets, edited by Kwame Alexander — Exploring joy, love, origin, race, resistance and praise, this beautiful poetry anthology, featuring works from the most prominent and promising Black poets and writers of our time, is filled with poignant and delightful imagery, music and raised fists.
“A vibrant and welcoming gathering of poems that will resonate with teen readers” (Booklist).
Unstoppable!: My Journey from World Champion to Athlete A to 8-Time NCAA National Gymnastics Champion and Beyond by Maggie Nichols — This inspirational tell-all offers an intimate look into the world of elite gymnastics, the 2015 sexual abuse scandal that shattered lives and dreams, and how Maggie Nichols risked everything in the name of justice. Maggie now tells this story in her words: a story of hope, trauma, reclamation, and above all, triumph. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“This is a courageous and important cautionary tale . . . readers will find much to learn from” (Kirkus Reviews).
Where to Start: A Survival Guide to Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Challenges by Mental Health America, illustrated by Gemma Correll — The nation’s leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to helping those living with mental illness provides clear, honest, jargon-free information for anyone struggling emotionally and looking for help. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook
“Gemma Correll’s illustrations are the perfect complement to this essential survival guide” (School Library Journal).
For even more great nonfiction titles in the CA Library collection, check out these previous posts:
