Lest: Australian War Myths

Dapin, Mark. Lest: Australian War Myths. 2024. 304p. ISBN 9781761108075.

Australia's national identity is deeply intertwined with its war narratives. The Gallipoli campaign is foundational to the ANZAC legend. During that campaign, Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey became an iconic symbol of Australian courage and mateship for their tireless efforts in evacuating wounded soldiers under fire, despite some historical embellishments. In the Emu War of 1932, the Australian military unsuccessfully deployed machine guns against a burgeoning emu population destroying crops, a widely ridiculed event that saw agile emus outmaneuver soldiers, becoming a humorous symbol of nature's unexpected triumph.

Lest critically examines several Australia's cherished war narratives, from the treatment of Vietnam veterans to World War II prisoners of war. These tales, often considered sacred and commemorated with significant public funds in memorials, are deeply ingrained in the national consciousness. However, Dapin challenges the authenticity of these widely accepted myths, questioning whether the celebrated events truly unfolded as popularly believed.

Through meticulous research and sharp wit, Dapin reveals that the reality of Australia's military history often diverges significantly from the established myths. He argues that by perpetuating these inaccuracies and celebrating the wrong figures, society inadvertently overlooks the true heroes. "Lest" aims to reclaim the factual truth of Australia's military past, offering a re-evaluation that seeks to honor those genuinely deserving of recognition.

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness

 Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9780593655030. 

Adolescent mental health always fluctuates, but back in the early 2010s a sudden and dramatic decline appeared in the statistics. Teens, especially girls, were suddenly facing increased rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide, and this phenomenon took place across many countries, not just the United States. The Anxious Generation argues that this mental health crisis is directly linked to the decline of a "play-based childhood," which began in the 1980s and was ultimately replaced by a "phone-based childhood" in the early 2010s. This shift, which arises with the invention of the iPhone and other smartphones, has interfered with the social and neurological development of children through various mechanisms, including sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, loneliness, and addiction.

The Anxious Generation explores the specific impacts of social media on adolescents, explaining why girls tend to be more negatively affected than boys, while boys are increasingly withdrawing into virtual worlds. Beyond diagnosing the problem, the author provides a clear call to action, offering four simple rules to help combat this epidemic, including banning phones in schools and increasing the amount of time children spend in unstructured play. The Anxious Generation outlines practical steps that parents, schools, tech companies, and governments can take to restore a healthier childhood environment and improve the well-being of the next generation.

An eye-opening study of our modern society, The Anxious Generation gives the readers a roadmap to improving mental health for our teens, and restoring some sanity to our polarized society.

Omen of Ice

Accardo, Jus. Omen of Ice. Book 1 of the Omen of Ice series. 2023. 400p. ISBN 9781649374028.

Keltania Tunne has dedicated her entire life to training as a bodyguard for a Winter Fae, viewing it as the highest honor for a druid. However, upon her arrival at the Winter Court, nothing aligns with her expectations. Her assignment is to protect Valen, the heir to the throne, but he vehemently rejects her presence, wishing her gone immediately. Despite his arrogance, Tania remains steadfast in her commitment, sensing that something is deeply amiss within the Winter Court.

As Tania navigates the intricacies of the court, she discovers that everyone harbors secrets, from the Winter Lord to the lowliest kitchen maids, and a rising faction seeks the prince's demise. No one is truly as they appear. Tania is determined to uphold her sacred oath and protect Valen, even as his sharp wit pushes her to the brink of both love and hate. The more she uncovers, the more she realizes that Valen's own secret is the most significant of all, a truth that could ultimately lead to both their deaths.

A fast-paced fantasy, Omen of Ice features actions, intrigue, and plenty of duplicity. Fans of Throne of Ice and other Sarah Maas fantasy will appreciate this scandinavian-inspired tale.

Naruto, Vol. 34: Reunion

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 34: Reunion. 2011. 192p. ISBN 9781421520025. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following their confrontation with Orichimaru in Naruto, Vol. 33, Naruto and Sakura, accompanied by Sai, finally track down Sasuke, their long-lost teammate, but their reunion is far from amicable. Sasuke remains resolute in his decision to sever ties with Konoha and refuses to return peacefully. This sets the stage for a fierce and unavoidable confrontation between the former allies, their skills and ideologies clashing in a potentially devastating battle.

The gravity of the situation is immense, and Naruto alone may not be enough to subdue Sasuke. Sasuke's power and determination have grown to a level that poses a significant threat even to his former comrades. Can Naruto find a way to bring Sasuke back without anyone getting harmed?

Murdle, Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

Karber, G. T. and Chris Grabenstein. Murdle, Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose. Book 1 of the Murdle Jr. Mysteries series. 2025. 353p. ISBN 9780316582254.

On a cloudy afternoon at Sacred Kidney private school's playground, junior detective Jake, proudly sporting her hard-earned detective badge, is poised to confront Brick, the school's biggest bully alongside her sidekick, Sterling, who has been threatened with the dreaded Cincinnati Twist. Their planned showdown is abruptly interrupted by a scream emanating from the library. The children are certain they heard Miss Saffron the librarian, but upon arriving at the scene, they find the library full of books but no sign of Miss Saffron. What happened? 

Jake seizes this mystery with both hands, and enlists a reluctant Brick along with sidekick Sterling to investigate Miss Saffron's disappearance. Despite the adults present in the library remaining silent, Jake, is determined to uncover the truth. Forming an unlikely alliance sealed with a pinky promise, this trio sets out to unravel the mystery of Miss Saffron's disappearance and solve the crime at Sacred Kidney before someone else gets hurt!

The Good Daughter: A Memoir of Losing my Father and Finding Home

Taguchi, Kumi. The Good Daughter: A Memoir of Losing my Father and Finding Home. 2025. 304p. ISBN 9781925750799.

Growing up, Australian broadcaster Kumi Taguchi perceived her Japanese father as a difficult, silent, and excessively frugal figure, who became largely absent after her parents' divorce when she was younger. Living with her Australian mother and despite attempts to sever their limited connection, Kumi found it impossible to deny this part of her identity. When her father passed away, her complex emotions about him and her Japanese heritage remained unresolved and tangled.

Over time, Taguchi began to understand the profound influences that shaped her father, particularly his harrowing experiences as a child during wartime Japan, and the cultural heritage that both captivated and burdened her. This led her to embark on a journey to Japan, seeking their family home in an effort to reconcile with her past and lay some ghosts to rest. This evocative exploration delves into Taguchi's internal conflicts—the tension between duty and freedom, her relationships, and the challenge of finding a sense of belonging between two distinct worlds—culminating in a candid and resonant narrative about self-acceptance.

Readers who want to learn more about what it is like navigating two very different worlds will appreciate Taguchi's story and what she learned in the process about her family, her ethnic heritage, and herself.

Score Out

Tores, Melisa. Score Out. Book 6 of the Perfect Balance Gymnastics series. 2023. 243p. ISBN 9781958613139

Carmen Alvarez is new to competitive gymnastics, and her Level 4 season is off to a rocky start, plagued by mistakes and falls. Despite her hard work, she faces a significant hurdle: she must achieve an All-Around score of 34.00 to qualify for Level 5 and follow her friends to the next level. As her season draws to a close, Carmen grapples with the possibility of not reaching this coveted score, leading her to wonder if she can convince her family and coaches to allow her one last chance at another meet, and if she'll be able to score out if she gets there.

Set within the world of gymnastics, the Score Out features relatable characters who face age-appropriate challenges, exploring the significant life lesson of persevering. Carmen is empowered girls by discover ing her own inner strength.