Frog: The secret diary of a paramedic

Gould, Sally. Frog: The secret diary of a paramedic. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781761633379

Ever since she was a child, Sally Gould knew she wanted to be a paramedic, just like her father. In Frog, Sally Gould reveals the multifaceted reality of life working in an ambulance, which she describes as an unpredictable mix of traumatic, gross, dull, hilarious, and even magical moments. To succeed in this demanding profession, one must possess an unconventional problem-solving ability, maintain composure amid chaos, have a robust stomach, and be able to quickly process patient fatalities. These traits are crucial, in addition to a deep understanding of human physiology and the skills to address its failures, all often complemented by a dark sense of humor.

Frog offers an intimate look beyond the sirens and intense emergency scenes, delving into the human toll of the job and the cumulative impact of trauma, which is often far removed from public perception. Drawing from years of detailed journals, Sally Gould shares a searingly honest and inspiring personal narrative of feeling like a fraud and eventually having to confront her depression. Her memoir stands as a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable resilience, unwavering courage, and strong camaraderie that are essential to navigating the high-stakes world of emergency medicine.

Gallows Hill

Ruby, Lois. Gallows Hill. 2023. 216p. ISBN 9781728431024.

 

In the year 1692, Salem, Massachusetts, becomes the backdrop for a gripping tale as Thomas, a young Quaker orphan, arrives from England. Immediately ostracized by the dominant Puritan community, he finds himself without shelter or means of support. In a twist of fate, he's taken in by Prudence Blevins, an elderly widow whispered to be a witch. This association only deepens his already precarious position in the distrustful town.

Meanwhile, Patience, a young Puritan woman who has always strived for piety, finds her structured world collapsing when her younger sister, Abigail, succumbs to a mysterious illness. This affliction, mirroring the torments of other Salem girls, leads to accusations of witchcraft and demonic influence. As Abigail and others begin to name their neighbors as witches, fear and paranoia grip the community. Amidst this escalating hysteria, Thomas and Patience are compelled to seek the truth, challenging their deeply held beliefs, loyalties, and their very identities in Salem as they desperately fight to protect those they care about.

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez

Paulino, Jasminne. The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez. 2025. 304p. ISBN 9780593859315.

Seventh-grader Alex Ramirez is captivated by space, spending his free time watching rocket launch videos with his Papi and immersing himself in the NASA website. His ultimate dream is to become an astronaut, a goal he knows will require rigorous study. However, Alex's aspirations are continually thwarted by his placement in the school's SC (self-contained) classroom, where he faces the monotony of repetitive worksheets and outdated reading materials. This segregation prevents him from joining Ms. Rosef's mainstream science class, which Alex believes is the crucial first step on his journey to NASA.

After hearing "not yet" from his teacher for what feels like the millionth time, Alex resolves to take matters into his own hands. Determined to prove his capabilities, he embarks on a mission to convince everyone—his teachers, parents, and schoolmates—that he is indeed capable of extraordinary achievements and is ready to pursue his goals of becoming an astronaut.

Fans of main characters overcoming limitations placed on them will appreciate Alex's efforts to overcome a system that deems him not able to fully participate. Alex feels real, and his issues, though subtle, subtly influence the way the story evolves without being front and center. 

Bleach, Vol. 9: Fourteen Days for Conspiracy

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 9: Fourteen Days for Conspiracy. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591169246. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The race to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society officially began in Bleach, Vol. 8, and Ichigo and his companions immediately encounter their first significant obstacle: Jindanbô. This monstrous, fez-wearing gatekeeper has maintained an impenetrable defense of the Western Gate for over 300 years, refusing entry to any soul, and he shows no inclination to make an exception for Ichigo's group.

Despite the formidable challenge posed by Jindanbô, Ichigo is not deterred. He had anticipated that his assault on the heavily guarded Soul Society would be anything but easy, embracing the difficulty as a necessary part of the mission. For Ichigo, an effortless victory would simply be boring, suggesting he relishes the struggle and the opportunity to prove his strength against such a powerful adversary.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 10.

Somadina

Emezi, Akwaeke. Somadina. 2025. 300p. ISBN 9780593309070.

When the land was devastated by the Split, the only people who survived were those who had a magical ability, called a gift. Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, share an unusually deep connection, almost functioning as a single entity. However, as they reach adulthood, their emerging gifts create a stark divide. While Jayaike's powers are admired and welcomed, Somadina's darkness and void evoke fear and ostracization within their community, exacerbating her lifelong status as an outsider and exposing her to open hostility.

When Jayaike, her closest confidant, mysteriously disappears after being kidnapped by a strange and vicious magical being bent on devouring him, Somadina is compelled to embark on a perilous quest to find and free him. This journey forces her to confront daunting challenges, including venturing into the forbidden Sacred Forest and undertaking grueling, otherworldly travel. She must delve into hidden realms avoided by even those deeply connected to the spirit world, testing the limits of her physical and spiritual strength in her desperate search for her missing twin.

Inspired by West Africa and Igbo cultures, Somadina's tale will resonate with readers who find themselves not identifying with their own culture and society.

Future Millionaire: A Young Person’s Step-by-Step Guide to Making WEALTH Inevitable

Rodgers, Rachel. Future Millionaire: A Young Person’s Step-by-Step Guide to Making WEALTH Inevitable. 2025. 208p. ISBN 9780310158110.

Future Millionaire is a motivational guide for young adults, asserting that anyone can become a millionaire by adopting the right mindset and financial habits. Drawing on insights from psychology and neuroscience, the book provides practical strategies to challenge limiting beliefs and take deliberate action towards achieving financial aspirations. Building wealth isn't just about money, but about enabling dreams and maximizing one's potential for personal growth and career success.

Having overcome her own experiences with financial hardship to build an eight-figure business, the author shares her journey and empowers readers to transform their own futures. Future Millionaire demystifies financial concepts often omitted from school curricula, covering essential topics like budgeting, debt management, and investing. Beyond practical advice, readers are encouraged to cultivate a "millionaire mindset" that includes healthy boundaries and using wealth to support social causes, ultimately challenging systemic inequities and making a positive impact on the world.

Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… in Our Own Words

Campbell, Jen, editor. Owning It: Our Disabled Childhoods… in Our Own Words. 2025. 368p. ISBN 9780571380022.

This book serves as an anthology that explores the experiences of growing up with a disability. It features twenty-two autobiographical stories from some of the most celebrated writers within the disabled community. Directly addressing the often isolating nature of childhood disability, Owning It acknowledges that even with supportive loved ones, it's rare to have peers facing similar challenges—until now, through the shared narratives in this collection.

These powerful, firsthand accounts cover a wide range of experiences, from navigating school sports and the awkwardness of receiving unsolicited free items, to balancing hospital visits with a burgeoning social life. For disabled children, this anthology offers a much-needed sense of companionship and recognition. For non-disabled children, it provides an invaluable own-voice perspective, fostering empathy and understanding. It's truly a powerful and essential book that fills a significant void.