Candle Island

Wolk, Lauren. Candle Island. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9780593698549.

Lucretia and her mother seek refuge on the secluded Candle Island, Maine, hoping to find solace from the lingering trauma of her father's death and the relentless attention of the media surrounding her renowned artist mother. The island's rugged beauty and the calming rhythm of the ocean provide a welcome change for Lucretia, who spends her summer immersed in painting, exploring the unfamiliar landscape, and nurturing an orphaned osprey chick. This quiet existence offers a temporary reprieve from their grief and the pressures of their former life.

However, Candle Island holds its own mysteries that soon begin to entangle Lucretia. A concealed room within their new home and an angry girl named Murdoch are the first strange things Lucretia discovers. She then becomes mesmerized by the enigmatic presence of a boy with a captivating voice, which pique sher curiosity and draws her into the island's hidden depths. Much like the powerful tides that shape the coastline, these secrets and new connections inevitably pull Lucretia into their current, challenging her to confront her own emotions and discover the strength of her own voice amidst loss, art, and the complexities of human relationships.

The Thrashers

Soto, Julie. The Thrashers. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781250377173

The Thrashers are the seemingly perfect and envied elite clique at New Helvetia High, comprising the wealthy and attention-loving Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the notorious Zack Thrasher. Jodi Dillon, Zack's childhood friend, was unexpectedly pulled into their exclusive circle as Zack's popularity increased,.Ten years after being best friends, Jodi is feeling like an outsider amidst their sophistication. However, the group's seemingly untouchable status begins to unravel with the sudden suicide on their Junior prom night of Emily Mills, a girl who desperately desired to be a Thrasher, igniting rumors and suspicion.

As Emily's journal surfaces and detectives begin to investigate, Jodi is torn between her loyalty to her newfound friends and the need to protect herself. The situation takes a sinister turn with the emergence of eerie messages and unsettling events, suggesting that Emily's presence lingers beyond the grave. Jodi and the Thrashers must confront the secrets surrounding Emily's death and the possibility of a supernatural force at play, threatening to expose their carefully constructed world and the darkness beneath.

At the same time, Jodi must rediscover herself and learn the circumstances of her own mother's death when she was two. Meanwhile, her entire world is unravelling fast. A psychological thriller with the possibility of supernatural involvement, The Thrashers will keep the reader on the edge of their seat!

Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves

Twilley, Nicola. Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9780735223288.

Refrigeration is considered by many to be one of the most important modern inventions. Refrigeration allowed us to slow down the decay of food, and greatly reduced food-borne illnesses. However, refrigeration also standardized the foods we eat, reduced biodiversity, and transformed our concept of fresh food. Frosbite explores the profound and often overlooked impact of artificial refrigeration on our food systems, tracing its evolution from a source of novelty and fear to an indispensable element of modern life. 

Just a century ago, refrigerated food was a luxury, but today, it underpins the vast majority of what we eat, enabling the global availability of previously seasonal and geographically limited foods. The book highlights how this technology has fundamentally reshaped human nutrition, overcoming spoilage and revolutionizing our diets.

However, Frostbite also delves into the hidden costs of our reliance on refrigeration, revealing its significant contribution to climate change and its role in distancing consumers from the origins of their food. Through a journey across various sites within the cold chain, the reader examines the environmental and economic implications of this pervasive technology. Ultimately, it poses critical questions about our dependence on refrigeration and suggests a need to re-evaluate our relationship with the fridge for a more sustainable future.

Stargazing

Wang, Jen. Stargazing. 2019. 213p. ISBN 9781250183880. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

When Moon moves in her family's accessory dwelling, Christine meets a girl that is her polar opposite. Moon is bold, spontaneous and artistic, which is a stark contrast to Christine's own personality, despite their shared Chinese-American upbringing in the same suburb. An unexpected friendship blossoms between the two, which quickly evolves into a deep bond where they share intimate moments and dreams, including plans for the school talent show. Moon even confides in Christine about her visions of celestial beings who suggest her true home lies beyond Earth.

However, their seemingly idyllic friendship faces a sudden and unforeseen crisis. Christine, who has grown reliant on Moon's vibrant and supportive presence, is suddenly faced with the challenge of being the steadfast friend Moon now desperately needs when she is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Will Christine step up and provide the necessary support and strength for Moon during this difficult time?

Beautifully illustrated, Stargazing explores the true depth and resilience of a connection between friends. Both Christine and Moon are realistic characters who face growing pains and whose friendship evolves. 

Throwback

Goo, Maurene. Throwback. 2023. 368p. ISBN 9781638930204. Available as an ebook from Overdrive. 

Samantha Kang, a first-generation Korean American, has always struggled to connect with her mother, Priscilla, particularly over Priscilla's nightmare high school expectations. Following a significant argument, Sam is unexpectedly sent back in time, landing squarely in her mother's 1990s high school experience, with the reluctant mission of helping her teenage mom win Homecoming Queen.

For this Gen Z girl, adapting to an analog world proves baffling, despite her mastery of fashion. She grapples with unfamiliar concepts like microfiche and the prevalent casual racism and misogyny of the era. Surprisingly, Sam begins to see a different side of her young mother, even considering her a potential friend. This unexpected journey into the past forces Sam to re-evaluate her perceptions of her mom and herself, navigate a budding romance in the wrong time, and confront profound questions about the inheritances and losses within the immigrant experience, all while trying to figure out how to return to her own time. Sam discovers why her mother has such expectations for her.

Fans of the movie Freay Friday or of time travel will appreciate this light read about growning up and having the opportunity to better understand one's parents.

Naruto, Vol. 30: Puppet Masters

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 30: Puppet Masters. 2011. 190. ISBN 9781421519425. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Naruto and his friends have to split up again following their discovery of a hidden cave where Gaara was taken in Naruto, Vol. 29. Naruto tempestuously rushes in battle but soon finds himself imperiled. Sakura steps forward to take on the formidable Sasori, a master puppeteer from the Akatsuki. Accompanied by the experienced Granny Chiyo, Sakura faces the challenge of battling Sasori's undead golems, which he manipulates with deadly precision. The fight becomes a tense display of puppet mastery, as both Sasori and Granny Chiyo utilize their skills to control their respective creations.

However, the battle takes on an added layer of complexity as Granny Chiyo, despite being Sakura's ally, also possesses the ability to control puppets, raising the possibility that she might use Sakura as her own puppet. This creates a precarious situation where Sakura must not only fight against Sasori's relentless attacks but also remain wary of her supposed ally, adding a layer of suspense and uncertainty to the already intense confrontation as both Naruto and Gaara lay injured in the room ...

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 31.

The Song of Orphan's Garden

Hewitt, Nicole. The Song of Orphan's Garden. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781250906045.

In a perpetually freezing arctic world, Lyriana desperately seeks the mythical Orphan's Garden, a sanctuary rumored to be free from the oppressive Winter Spirits and the tyrannical Giant king. This garden, with its healing trees and promise of warmth, represents her only chance to save herself and her younger brother, Zave, from the harsh, unforgiving climate. Their survival hinges on finding this elusive haven before the relentless cold claims them.

Meanwhile, Brob, a Giant boy, also seeks refuge in the Orphan's Garden after his family is banished to the deadly Winter Blight. Believing the garden to be his, as he accidentally created it with ancient magic, Brob is determined to keep it from humans, whom he sees as a threat to its delicate balance. However, when the garden faces imminent destruction, Lyriana and Brob are forced to confront their long-standing animosity. They must overcome the deep-seated conflict between their races and forge an unlikely alliance to save the only place that offers them hope for survival.