What Fell from the Sky

Cuevas, Adrianna. What Fell from the Sky. 2025. 304p. ISBN 9780374390457.

Pineda Matlage, a middle schooler in rural Texas, finds his life turned upside down when the U.S. Army descends upon his town for a supposed training exercise. However, Pineda knows the real reason for their presence: he's secretly harboring an alien creature he named Luisa who crash-landed in his barn. He's promised to help Luisa find her family, but the army's occupation, complete with checkpoints and surveillance, makes this task seem impossible. Pineda soon discovers the army's true motive: to capture and study the alien visitors for their own purposes.

Enlisting the aid of his friends, a sympathetic Black soldier navigating a newly integrated army, and a group of disgruntled townspeople, Pineda embarks on a daring mission to protect his alien friend and reunite her with her parents. This unlikely alliance finds themselves caught in a high-stakes adventure, challenging the authority of the U.S. government and uncovering a conspiracy that extends far beyond their small town. The people of Lariat, united by their shared determination, will face unexpected dangers and forge extraordinary bonds in their fight for justice and understanding as they seek to free Luisa and her parents.

Mr. Einstein's Secretary

Reilly, Matthew. Mr. Einstein's Secretary. 2024. 450p. ISBN 9781761260766.

Hanna Fischer and her twin sister Ooma live in Germany. Ooma has mental health issues, and is frequently hospitalized. At the end of the First World War, their father was one of the negotiators at the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the war but led to the myth that Germany had been stabbed in the back by its civilian government. An aspiring physicist, Hanna lives next door to Albert Einstein, and she dreams of studying physics with him. In 1919, her father is killed by assassins, and their house is burned to the ground. Escaping with only the clothes on her back, Hanna is helped by Einstein to immigrate to the United States.

This turn of events launches her into an extraordinary existence that encompasses roles as a student, secretary, sister, and spy. Her journey is fraught with peril, taking her from encounters with racist gangs in Berlin to dangerous gangsters in New York City, and later, into the menacing presence of Nazis in the 1930s and even Hitler's inner circle during World War II. Throughout these tumultuous historical periods, Hanna navigates a world filled with both brilliant minds and horrific events, all while desperately fighting for her survival, with several encounters with her sister Ooma, who successfully escapes and impersonates her on several occasions.

Over the course of forty years, Hanna serves a variety of "bosses," ranging from astute businessmen to vile Nazi officials, ultimately culminating in her working for the renowned Albert Einstein himself. Her unique position as a secretary places her at the heart of some of history's most dangerous moments. This thrilling tale of a young woman propelled through pivotal historical events promises a narrative where appearances can be deceiving, urging readers to pay close attention to the unfolding story.

Bleach, Vol. 7: The Broken Coda

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 7: The Broken Coda. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591168072. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.  

Following the events in Bleach, Vol. 6, Rukia Kuchiki, the former Soul Reaper who imparted her powers to Ichigo, is now a fugitive. The Soul Society is highly displeased with her transgression of bestowing Soul Reaper abilities upon a human, and as a result, they have dispatched two of their most formidable agents to resolve the situation. Their mission is clear: apprehend Rukia and bring her back to the Soul Society to face punishment, and simultaneously, eliminate Ichigo permanently for possessing stolen powers.

However, an unexpected obstacle stands in the path of the Soul Society's elite agents: Uryū Ishida, a Quincy. As a member of the Quincy, a clan with a long-standing rivalry with Soul Reapers, Uryū's intervention introduces an unpredictable element to the confrontation. His presence complicates the Soul Society's mission, setting the stage for a three-way conflict as they attempt to execute their orders.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 8.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 16: Big Shot

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 16: Big Shot. 2021. 226p. ISBN 9781419749155. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

Following a humiliating performance at his school's field day, Greg resolves to abandon his athletic aspirations entirely. However, yielding to his mother's encouragement for one final attempt, he reluctantly signs up for the basketball team. Despite a chaotic and unimpressive showing at tryouts, Greg surprisingly secures a position, albeit on the squad widely recognized as the least skilled within the school.

As the basketball season commences, Greg and his ragtag teammates face the daunting prospect of likely failing to secure a single victory. Yet, the unpredictable nature of competitive sports leaves room for unforeseen possibilities. When the crucial moment arrives, with the game's outcome resting on Greg's actions with the ball in his possession, will Greg transcend his perceived limitations and seize the opportunity, or succumb to the pressure of the decisive shot?

Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare

Lechner, John. Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare

In 2014, the Wagner Group, a shadowy mercenary organization, emerged during Russia's initial incursions into Ukraine, setting a precedent for their future operations. Under the leadership of Yevgeny Prigozhin, "Putin's Chef," the group expanded its reach, engaging in conflicts across the Middle East and Africa, where their actions, marked by brutality and human rights violations, drew international condemnation. This expansion not only solidified Russia's influence abroad but also transformed Prigozhin from a mere caterer into a powerful figure, eventually challenging Putin's authority.

This investigative account reveals how the Wagner Group, leveraging both military expertise and strategic cunning, exploited geopolitical vulnerabilities to secure access to valuable resources and displace Western peacekeeping efforts. By partnering with authoritarian regimes and instigating conflicts, they became an integral part of Russia's foreign policy. Despite Prigozhin's dramatic rebellion and subsequent death, the Wagner Group's extensive network and business interests remain deeply intertwined with Russia's strategic ambitions, indicating their continued significance on the global stage.

Readers who enjoy recent history and who follow political events will gain an appreciation for the war in Ukraine and Russian aggression around the world.

Things in the Basement

Hatke, Ben. Things in the Basement. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9781250836618. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Milo and his family have just moved in a new house, and parts of it feel very creepy. When Milo's mother asks him to retrieve a special sock for one of his newborn twins, Milo hesitates. The basement of his family's new, historic home feels haunted. Summoning his courage, Milo descends the steps, but things takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a hidden door leading to a vast, unknown world beneath his house. Milo's initial apprehension gives way to curiosity as he ventures deeper into this subterranean realm, encountering its strange inhabitants as he looks for the missing sock.

As Milo navigates the wonders and potential oddities of this Basement World, he begins to understand a valuable lesson about overcoming his fears. He learns that instead of retreating from the unfamiliar, approaching even the most unusual creatures with kindness and understanding is the key to navigating this new environment. His journey becomes not just a physical exploration of a hidden world, but also a personal one of developing empathy and courage in the face of the unknown.

Kin: Rooted in Hope

Weatherford, Carole Boston. Kin: Rooted in Hope. 193p. ISBN 9781665913621.

While the author's family history in Maryland spans over three hundred years, her genealogical research, like that of many African Americans with roots in slavery, extends only five generations before the records cease. From these historical fragments are conjured the voices of their kin, crafting a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative of pain, resilience, and ultimate empowerment. Told through poems, ancestors regain their voices and historical figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman contribute to the story

Kin is a powerful and authentic portrait of a Black family's lineage, intricately shaped by the dual forces of enslavement and freedom. Author Carole Boston Weatherford and her son, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, collaborate to render this history through searing poems and stunning art. The work begins by invoking the names of ancestors listed as property, emphasizing that each possessed their own mind and an untold story, now finally brought to light.