ADULT
When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach by Ashlee Vance
Vance takes a look at the idea that outer space is open for business because of the private companies looking for ways to cash in on space travel. Gone are the days when space was controlled by superpowers and government agencies stuck in bureaucratic loops. Vance follows several of the private companies vying for a piece of the space race and he “ably captures the spectacular madness of it all.”
Code Name Blue Wren by Jim Popkin
This entertaining story of the life of the most damaging spy you have never heard of. Investigative journalist Popkin, details the life of Ana Montes, code name Blue Wren, who blindsided her colleagues and family for nearly seventeen years as she worked for the DIA and Fidel Castro. After serving more than two decades in federal prison, Montes was set free in January 2023. This title is a “thrilling detective talk, an insider’s look at the clandestine world of espionage, and an intimate exploration of the dark side of betrayal.”
A Line in the Sand by Keving Powers
This thriller links politics, police work and war crimes as it follows an Iraqi refugee, Arman Bajalan, living in the U.S. after serving as a military interpreter. As the victim count grows around Arman and startling evidence is brought to light, the team working to help Arman finds themselves in a race, committed to unraveling the truth and keeping Arman alive — even if it costs them absolutely everything.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry
This historical fiction novel takes place in 1939 war-torn London as two sisters are evacuated to a rural village in hopes of escaping the horrors of World War II. An “astonishing twist ultimately reveals the truth in this transporting and refreshingly original novel about the bond between sisters, the complications of conflicted love, and the enduring magic of storytelling.”
YOUNG ADULT
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
In modern-day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic — the Mageus — live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Esta is a talented thief, and she's been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. All of Esta's training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future. But for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.
The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy
Khadija Shami is a Syrian American high school senior raised on boxing and football. Leene Tahir is a Syrian refugee, doing her best to adjust to the wildly unfamiliar society of a suburban Detroit high school while battling panic attacks and family pressures. To Khadija, Leene embodies the tame, dutiful Syrian ideal she's long rebelled against. And to Leene, Khadija is the strong-willed, closedoff American who makes her doubt her place in the world. But as Khadija digs up Leene's past, a startling and life-changing discovery forces the two of them closer together. What they find takes them on a journey all the way to Jordan, challenging what each knows about the other and herself.
Wolfwood by Marianna Baer
Indigo is the daughter of famous reclusive artist Zoe Serra, who made a splash in the '90s art world. But since her mom's breakdown, the two have been barely scraping by. When a gallery owner offers Zoe a revival show for her blockbuster Wolfwood series — which Zoe never finished — Indigo sees it as a chance to finally regain stability. However, Zoe refuses to work on the paintings, saying that she can't return to Wolfwood, so Indigo decides to take up the brush herself.
Hot Dutch Daydream by Kristy Boyce
Sage Cunningham has a plan, and she won't be swayed. She'll spend the summer interning in her mentor's lab in Amsterdam, and then she'll be ready for college. All she needs to do to pay for the summer abroad is agree to serve as the au pair for Dr. Reese's three-yearold. But she doesn't anticipate the surprise arrival of Dr. Reese's teenage son. Ryland is spontaneous, flirty and impulsive. He is a talented artist, but he's desperately in need of someone to keep him focused. As nannying proves harder than Sage had expected, it turns out she might need help too, so the two strike a deal. Sage will stop Ryland from going out with a different girl every day, and Ryland will pitch in with his little brother. Spending the summer stuck together is the perfect way to keep distractions to a minimum — right?
CHILDREN’S
The transcontinental railroad: crossing the divide by Andy Hirsch
Enjoy this nonfiction graphic novel from The History Comics Series about the great race to join east and west with steel rails. The race is on between the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific Railroads with the heavy work falling to immigrant laborers from the lowest economic classes. Astounding feats of engineering are accomplished as mile after mile of rails are built from each coast.
The Hackers by Gary Paulsen
Sixth grader Dorso Clayman has noticed his recently repaired school laptop is now projecting people and things from different times in history. There’s nothing like General Custer actually looking at you and seeing you now! Who or what is causing the chaos? Paulsen’s futuristic middle school misadventure will make you laugh and wonder.
Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind, written and illustrated by Jessica Hische
A lovely warm picture book that introduces positive character traits, words of wisdom, and hope to little ones. Share these joy-filled poetic words and sweet illustrations with your family. Try a previous Hische book, Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave, for other positive words.
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Cheaper by the Dozen is a classic family story set in pre–World War I days with family and societal norms of the day with a good dash of Frank’s outspokenness. Frank and Lilie Gilbreth were famous efficiency experts who believed efficiency and love began at home. They also had a house filled with twelve children! Efficiency and calm do not always go together. Frank even tried out various time motion theories with the children. You may have seen the same name movie from several years ago, but you do not know the real story until you read Cheaper by the Dozen. Two of the twelve Gilbreths wrote the book and shared many of their family stories. A wonderful family read aloud for those with middle-grade and older children.
