July 2022

In 1915, The Birth of a Nation cast a spell across America, swelling the Klan's ranks and drinking deep from the darkest thoughts of white folk. All across the nation they ride, spreading fear and violence among the vulnerable. They plan to bring Hell to Earth. But even Ku Kluxes can die. Standing in their way is Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter. Armed with blade, bullet and bomb, they hunt their hunters and send the Klan's demons straight to Hell. But something awful's brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to heat up. Can Maryse stop the Klan before it ends the world? I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough in devouring this book.

Throughout Southern India, 86 villages are set to completely submerge due to a government-sanctioned dam across the Krishna River. One such village, Nilgi, has so far avoided the illegal iron-ore mining and floods that have ravaged the district for decades, believing itself to be indestructible and incorruptible despite warnings of impending doom. One night, Reshma, a young orphan girl, appears alone in the village. Her presence, and the mystery of her origins, sets off a chain of events threatening the protests, the family and Nilgi itself. Soon, secrets and corruption flood the village along with the waters.

A quiet night in a local pub is shattered by the arrival of a sword-wielding fugitive; a funeral party teeters on the edge of this world and the next, as ghosts simply won’t lay in wake; a shooting sees a veteran policewoman confront the banality of her own existence; and an aspiring writer grapples with his father’s cancer diagnosis and in his despair wreaks havoc on his mentor’s life. Beautifully-written collection of short stories in this second effort by one of Ireland’s most gifted new voices.

 

Jenny Watts has always been shy. So much that her parents introduce her as “their shy one.” But heading into 5^th grade, Jenny has a plan. This year she’s going to be confident and popular. But sometimes even the best laid-out plans don’t turn out as expected. 

 

Riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. This book honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.

No parents, no rules. Fender, Linnea, Lucas, and Kate are celebrating Kate’s birthday in a luxury hotel. They’re here to have fun and make forever memories. They all know not to bring up what happened last year, especially on this weekend. All that matters is having the most epic time ever. Celebrating a birthday isn't fun when there's a killer on the loose in this scream-worthy read from the author of Escape Room.  

Great book for tweeners. Meet Rachel Carson, the woman who changed the way America fought against the environmental crisis through her bestselling books, ultimately spurring the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The true story of the marine biologist whose dedication, compassion and integrity gave a new generation of Americans hope for a brighter tomorrow. Second installment of the Seen: True Stories of Marginalized Trailblazers series, where students will find the stories of the real groundbreakers who changed our world for the better. 

Words, sentences, and even worse, paragraphs fill up books. Ugh! So what’s a reluctant reader to do? This clever and playful read-aloud breaks the fourth wall and will have all readers coming back for laughs again and again!

 

Kindness counts. Adults need to read more children’s picture books like this one. This book encourages us to lead with kindness and curiosity, remembering that the most important thing we can do in life is to keep going. Remember: it’s okay to be afraid or to sometimes wander down the wrong path.

 

With wonderful artwork from one of my favorite illustrators, Peter Reynolds, this is a great read aloud to share with students about everyday courage: believing in ourselves, speaking out, trying new things, asking for help, and getting back up no matter how many times we may fall.