August 2023

Nishikawa, a Tokyo college student, discovers a dead body with a gun beside it. From the moment he decides to take the gun, the world around him blurs. As he spirals into obsession, his focus is consumed by one idea: that possessing the gun is no longer enough – he must fire it.

In March 1943, a team of expatriate Norwegian commandos sailed from northern England for Nazi-occupied arctic Norway to organize and supply the Norwegian resistance. But they were betrayed, and the Nazis ambushed them. This is the incredible and gripping story of the only man to escape and survive – Jan Baalsrud. Fascinating!

While the Dilbert cartoonist Adams has fallen from grace for some controversial views and ill-advised statements, he continues to make me laugh with his contrarian advice. I’d argue that anyone interested in succeeding should read this book, as it’s a fun, easy read – filled with gems.

Students LOVE this book about Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians. Isolated by Mexico's deadly Copper Canyons, they have honed the ability to run hundreds of miles without rest or injury.

A dark, intensely moving story of a girl desperately determined to find a cure for the illness that swept her mother away, and could possibly destroy her own life as well.

Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.

Great tweener by the Newbery-winning author of The One and Only Ivan. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. Crenshaw is a cat that’s large, outspoken…and imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? Great book about the importance of friendship.

Rubin loves the beautiful sounds that are played by the orchestra. He wants to learn to play the violin and make his own music. But when Rubin plays, it doesn't sound like he imagines it should. Rubin goes into the forest to practice alone and despite only getting the violin to screech, he finds an unlikely audience that loves his unique style.

Holt’s spare text and humorous artwork come together perfectly in this charmingly humorous tale about a seagull who learns a lesson or two about style, "fitting in," and confidence.

A book about manners that a lot of adults should read and heed. Mr. Rabbit's new neighbors are Otters. Otters! But he doesn't know anything about otters. Will they get along? Will they be friends?
Just treat otters the same way you'd like them to treat you, advises Mr. Owl. Great read aloud about how to be a good friend and neighbor by simply following the Golden Rule.