Fake Blood

Gardner, Whitney. Fake Blood. 2018. 332p. ISBN 9781481495561. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

AJ can't wait to grow up. Over the summer, his best friends Hunter and Ivy had amazing experiences and got taller, but AJ still looks the same and didn't do anything special. Another thing that hasn't changed is his crush for Nia. But he might as well not exist, as she barely notices him even though they're in many classes together at Spoons Middle School. Even if she did notice him, however, what could he offer her, a fan of vampires?

Fate intervenes when their new teacher, an elegant man from England, pairs them to work on a group project. They select Transylvania, which prompts AJ to come up with an amazing plan. He will pretend to be a vampire, so that Nia will find him attractive. Unfortunately for him, his plan works too well. Not only is Nia suddenly attracted to him, but it turns out she has ambitions to become a vampire slayer, and she begins hunting him.

But a real vampire is lurking in the shadows at Spoons Middle School. When his best friend Hunter goes missing, AJ must marshal his friends and the girl who wants to kill him to save Hunter from a gruesome death!

The illustrations are crisp, and the story is entertaining. Anyone who has ever tried to attract some unrequited love will relate to AJ's experience and will appreciate his efforts, even if they are misplaced. Fans of graphic novels will enjoy this middle school tale!

The Jump

Morris, Brittney. The Jump. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9781665903981.

Team Jericho is comprised of four exceptional teenagers. There's the puzzle-solving Jax. There's the agile Yas. There's the tech-savvy Spider. Finally there's the skilled cartographer Han, who is autistic and has trouble reading people. Team Jericho is the reigning champion of Seattle's scavenger hunts. However, their community faces imminent danger with the construction of an oil refinery threatening their livelihoods and homes. 

When a clandestine group known as The Order takes over the scavenger hunt forum, offering a prize of immense influence, Team Jericho sees an opportunity. By winning this perilous game, they hope to acquire the power to protect their families and save their city from the impending disaster. Unfortunately, a formidable team of rivals also seek this prize. This high-stakes competition will demand more than just their street smarts and resourcefulness.

Team Jericho navigates the treacherous challenges devised by The Order. Their journey is filled with exhilarating action, intricate puzzles, and nail-biting suspense. They must not only outmaneuver their opponents but also grapple with the ethical implications of their actions and the potential consequences of wielding the influence they seek. As the stakes rise and the danger escalates, Team Jericho must rely on their unique skills, unwavering teamwork, and a deep-seated love for their community to emerge victorious and secure a better future for themselves and their loved ones.

Hydrogen

Hulick, Kathryn. Hydrogen. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238424. Available at 546.2 HUL on the library shelves.

Hydrogen, the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, plays a pivotal role in powering our world. It's the fundamental building block of stars, fueling their immense energy output through nuclear fusion. On Earth, hydrogen is harnessed in various forms to generate electricity and heat. In fuel cells, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, emitting only water as a byproduct. Additionally, hydrogen is a key component of many renewable energy sources, such as solar cells and wind turbines, where it's used to store energy efficiently.

Beyond its energy applications, hydrogen is essential for numerous industrial processes. It's used in the production of fertilizers, plastics, and other chemicals. Moreover, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. By transitioning to a hydrogen-based economy, we can significantly decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable future.

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

Naruto, Vol. 21: Pursuit

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 21: Pursuit. 2007. 216p. ISBN 9781421518558. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Determined to pursue his brother and avenge himself, Sasuke tried to leave Kohona to rejoin Orichimaru's elite squad, a group he encountered in Naruto, Vol. 20. His exit is interrupted by Sakura, who confronts him and declares her love for him. She even promises to follow him into battle if he will allow her to be with him. Sasuke knocks her unconscious and departs the village.

When his absence is discovered the following morning, Lady Tsunade has no choice but to send ninjas after him to bring him back. Unfortunately, all of the high level ninjas are already out on missions or defending the village, so she turns to Shikamaru, a newly minted chunin, to assemble a team to track and retrieve Sasuke. Shikamaru turns to Naruto, Kiba, Neji and Choji. Sakura and Lee both want to join the team, but Lee is still recovering from the recent battles, while Sakura has already failed, and therefore cannot join them.

Chasing Sasuke, Shikamaru's team soon encounters Orichimaru's elite ninjas, the Sound Ninjas, and while three of them carrying an inconscious Sasuke flee, one remains to challenge the team. One versus five is not a fair fight for Shikamaru and his team, who soon find themselves overwhelmed. Can Choji deploy his secret weapon and save them all?

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 22.

What Makes Us

Mittlefehldt, Rafi. What Makes Us. 2019. 352p. ISBN 9780763697501

Eran Sharon, a high school senior passionate about social justice, finds his life turned upside down when a video of a heated moment during a protest goes viral. This inadvertently exposes a dark secret from his past: his father, who abandoned him as a baby, was allegedly involved in a terrorist event fifteen years prior. Suddenly, Eran is labeled as potentially similar to his father, and faces suspicion and scrutiny from his community.

Forced to confront his family's hidden history, Eran grapples with his own identity and legacy. As he navigates the fallout of the viral video, he must grapple with the prejudices and fears within his community, while also exploring his own beliefs and values. 

What Makes US delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the impact of past events on the present, prompting readers to consider the power of perception and the importance of understanding.

The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening

Shapiro, Ari. The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9780063221345.

In The Best Strangers in the World, NPR host Ari Shapiro delivers a moving collection of essays that serve as both a personal memoir and a heartfelt ode to the power of journalism. Shapiro transports readers around the globe using captivating narratives, recounting poignant encounters that range from heartwarming to heartbreaking. He shares intimate experiences, such as accompanying President Obama on Air Force One and tracing the harrowing journeys of Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil war. 

Shapiro's insightful reflections on his career as a journalist offer a valuable perspective on the challenges and rewards of navigating an increasingly polarized world. The book underscores the crucial role of journalism in fostering understanding and promoting dialogue. By sharing his own experiences and observations, he invites the reader to engage more deeply with the world around them and to seek out meaningful connections with others, even those who may seem vastly different.

With a profound understanding of the divisive forces shaping our world, Shapiro emphasizes the importance of bridging divides and fostering empathy. He passionately advocates for active listening and finding common ground amidst our differences, reminding us of our shared humanity that transcends religion, nationality, and political affiliations. The Best Strangers in the World is a testament to Shapiro's unwavering commitment to "Considering All Things" and his dedication to sharing the stories that connect us all and serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of human connection and the transformative power of storytelling.

Batman: Dark Victory

Loeb, Jeph and Tim Sale, illustrator. Batman: Dark Victory. 2014. 392p. ISBN 9781401244019.

Bruce Wayne began his crimefighting career a year ago, working with Detective James Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to put a dent in the criminal underworld of Gotham City. But Falcone, the mob boss, destroyed Dent's face and his sanity when he threw acid in the District Attorney's face. Since then, the man that was Harvey Dent has become Two-Face, a criminal mastermind. 

A year later, a criminal known as the Holiday Killer has returned, and individuals connected to Harvey Dent are turning up dead. The suspicions fall on Dent as the killer, but Alfred Falcone, the real Holiday Killer and one of the sons of the former mob boss, is at Arkham Asylum. His sister Sofia Falcone is now crippled and in a wheelchair. On the anniversary of Dent's attack, the Asylum is assaulted by unknown criminals, and every psychotic individual in Gotham escapes. Vicious killers are back on the street, and Batman has his hands full, pursuing Dent while chasing villains like the Joker and Poison Ivy.

Sometimes helped by Catwoman, often hindered by her, Bruce Wayne descends deeper into the role of Batman and slowly loses his humanity as the Holiday Killer strikes once a month. Bruce adopts the orphan son of slain circus performers, and soon Dick Grayson joins him as Robin. As Gotham's villains fight the mob, the body count rises, dead cops are eliminated by the Holiday Killer, and Batman finds himself at a crossroads in his relationship with Dent. Can Batman solve the mystery of the Holiday Killer before the bloodbath spreads further?