Knots in my Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid

Spinelli, Jerry. Knots in my Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid. 1997. 160p. ISBN 9780679887911.

Jerry Spinelli's autobiographical work offers a candid and engaging look into his formative years, spanning from his earliest memories to his high school experiences. Drawing on the same storytelling prowess that made his fictional works beloved, Spinelli recounts pivotal moments like his first kiss, his first fight, and his first encounters with authority. However, this is not just a chronicle of unique personal events; it's a relatable exploration of the awkward, emotional, and often humorous transitions of adolescence.

The memoir, much like Spinelli's fiction, resonates with readers due to its accessibility and universal themes. It captures the essence of growing up, with all its embarrassing, painful, and unexpectedly wonderful moments. The fast-paced and entertaining narrative makes it a highly readable experience, offering fans of all ages a deeper connection to the author and the experiences that shaped his writing.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back

Chan, Ruth. Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781250855343. Available as a graphic novel on the library shelves.

Ruth Chan, a Toronto native, is devastated when her family relocates to Hong Kong for her father's new job. While her mother is thrilled to reconnect with her family, Ruth struggles to adapt to her new environment. The academic challenges, her limited Cantonese, and her parents' frequent absences leave her feeling isolated and displaced. She misses her familiar life in Toronto, her best friends, and her beloved ketchup-flavored potato chips.

However, as her father shares stories of their family's resilience and courage through hardship, Ruth begins to find her own inner strength. She gradually starts to build a new life in Hong Kong, forming connections and creating a sense of belonging. Through these experiences, Ruth learns that "home" is not just a physical location but a feeling rooted in her heart and her connections to family and community.

Readers who found themselves at a new school will relate to Ruth's challenges as she adapts to her new home.

When Devils Sing

Kaur, Xan. When Devils Sing. 2025. 388p. ISBN 9781250357175.

When Dawson Sumter vanishes, leaving only blood in a room at Neera Singh's family's struggling motel, it marks another unsettling disappearance in the rural Georgia town of Carrion. Such incidents are disturbingly common, particularly every thirteen years when a periodical cicada brood emerges, filling the air with their deafening cries. For Neera, Dawson's disappearance is a stark reminder of Carrion's harsh reality: the wealthy prosper, while the impoverished face grim fates.

Determined to uncover Dawson's whereabouts, Neera embarks on an investigation, joined by an unlikely trio: Isaiah, a judge's son and secret true crime podcaster; Reid, the son of the region's wealthiest man; and Sam, the estranged daughter of the local hitman. As they delve into a complex web of secrets and lies, they unearth a terrifying truth: the prosperity of the neighboring Lake Clearwater community is linked to an ancient source of power, rooted in the town's founding and an urban legend of three increasingly sinister devils. The teens must now confront the pervasive corruption and find a way to escape its insidious reach, before they become the devils' next victims.

Gritty and dark, When Devils Sing feature strong characters who aim to escape their own fate and set out on a life of their choosing, instead of suffering the circumstances imposed by others. The alternating point of views propel the story forward, and add to the tension building as the teens discover dangerous clues. Fans of horror will enjoy this story.

Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 4

Muira, Kentaro. Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 4. 2020. 704p. ISBN 9781506715216. 

With Griffith imprisoned and with Casca and Guts now more than friends following Berserk Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3, the Band of the Hawk is reunited to conduct an extraction operation to free Griffith from his prison cell underneath the dungeon of the Midland Castle, where he has been brutally tortured for his affair with the King of Midland's daughter. Though isolated and suffering, Griffith is not alone in the castle's dark depths.

Within the dank catacombs of Windham Castle lurk unspeakable horrors, far more terrifying than mere imprisonment and torture. As Guts descends into this nightmarish realm to liberate his former commander, he will confront not only human adversaries but also the monstrous denizens of the castle's underbelly. The dangers are so profound that the living within these walls might indeed envy the fate of the dead.

With Griffith freed, another terror begins chasing the Band of the Hawk. And just as Guts and Casca think that they have escaped, another, more ancient horror arises and claims Griffith as its own!

Bad Badger: A Love Story

Wood Maryrose. Bad Badger: A Love Story. Book 1 of the Bad Badger series. 2025. 192p. ISBN 9781454953456.

Septimus, a badger living a solitary life by the sea, struggles with traditional badger expectations. He prefers sunsets and dreams of Venice over typical badger activities, leading him to question his own identity. Though content with his tidy cottage and quiet routine, he longs for companionship. This longing is fulfilled when a laconic gull named Gully lands on his windowsill, sparking an unlikely friendship that blossoms over time.

When Gully mysteriously disappears, Septimus embarks on a quest to find his only friend, venturing into unfamiliar territory and encountering a diverse group of characters. This journey tests Septimus's courage and heart, forcing him to confront his insecurities about being a "bad badger." Ultimately, his adventure becomes a journey of self-discovery, teaching him that true strength lies in embracing his unique qualities and understanding who he truly is.

Shadows of Tyranny: Defending Democracy in an Age of Dictatorship

McGoogan, Ken. Shadows of Tyranny: Defending Democracy in an Age of Dictatorship. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9781771624244.

Shadows of Tyranny draws parallels between contemporary political trends and the rise of authoritarianism in the 20th century, echoing the dystopian warnings found in novels like 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale. Figures like Donald Trump are replicating the tactics of past tyrants, exploiting paranoia, polarization, scapegoating, and demagoguery to undermine democratic institutions. By referencing authors like Orwell, Atwood, Wells, Zamyatin, London, and Arendt, the author emphasizes the cyclical nature of history and the persistent threat of totalitarianism.

Shadows of Tyranny raises critical questions about how Canadians should respond to the potential collapse of democracy in the United States and the expansionist rhetoric of far-right figures. It explores whether such rhetoric is mere sensationalism or a harbinger of a resurgent authoritarianism that could threaten Canada's sovereignty. In the tradition of cautionary tales, It hopes to be a galvanizing call to action, urging readers to recognize the warning signs and take proactive steps to safeguard democratic values and prevent a descent into a dark future.

Brownstone

Teer, Samuel and Mar Julia. Brownstone. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9780358394747. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Almudena, raised by her white mother, finds herself spending an unexpected summer with her Guatemalan father, Xavier, whom she's never truly known. Left behind while her mother travels, she's thrust into a world vastly different from her own, living in Xavier's dilapidated brownstone and struggling to bridge the language gap created by his fluent Spanish and her own lack of English. As she tries to acclimate to her new surroundings, Almudena is introduced to the vibrant, diverse Latin American community that surrounds her father.

Within this community, Almudena encounters a range of perspectives and expectations, as residents grapple with their own personal struggles and offer unsolicited advice on how she should embrace her Latina identity. Some question her lack of cultural knowledge, while others deem her "not brown enough." Despite these challenges, Almudena and Xavier attempt to forge a connection during their limited time together, discovering that their shared history and the bonds of family may lie in uniting the diverse elements of their community. While repairing the physical structure of the brownstone is a tangible task, building a family from these disparate individuals proves to be a more complex and time-sensitive endeavor.

Beautifully illustrated and featuring plenty of clever one liners, Brownstone will warm your heart as Almudena learns and discovers what it means to be of two worlds.