The Creepy School Bus, Part Two

Hough, Paul. The Creepy School Bus, Part Two. 2025. B0DLYLQDZX. 

Even after last year's successful rescue, many unanswered questions plague Kaitlin and her friends. The identity of those responsible for the disappearances ofd many students remains a mystery, and the chilling possibility of the creepy school bus returning looms large. While Agent Warren and his FBI team are on high alert, the malevolent forces behind the buses prove incredibly potent, drawing everyone into a conspiracy far more profound than anyone initially conceived.

As more children vanish from school buses across the nation, Kaitlin and her allies are forced to confront an array of new and terrifying horrors. Their fight is not just to save their friends, but to permanently halt the sinister operations of the creepy school buses, facing dangers that push them to their limits in a desperate battle against an escalating evil.

The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris

Dasal, Jennifer. The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris. 2025. 334p. ISBN 9781639731305.

In Belle Époque Paris, a period marked by the newly erected Eiffel Tower and political stability in France, American women found a unique sanctuary in The American Girls' Club. Established in 1893, this female-only residence quickly became a vibrant hub for expatriate life, particularly for a generation of independent, talented, and driven American women dedicated to pursuing fine arts. The Club provided a crucial space for these ambitious individuals to thrive in a foreign city.

The Club unveils the previously untold history of this remarkable institution, its philanthropic founders, and the diverse artists it supported. These women not only honed their crafts but also forged significant connections within the arts and letters, interacting with luminaries such as Auguste Rodin and Gertrude Stein, and even becoming activists through relationships with figures like Emmeline Pankhurst. The Club's true power lay in offering a safe home for single women of ambition, enabling their growth as teachers, artists, suffragists, and individuals, making it a captivating and colorful new contribution to women's history.

I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa

Brandt, Charles. I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa. 2004. 309p. ISBN 9781586420895.

Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran's story begins with the words, "I heard you paint houses," a mob euphemism for killing a man. In a series of interviews with author Charles Brandt, Sheeran confessed to having committed over twenty-five hits for the mob, including for his friend and powerful union leader, Jimmy Hoffa. Sheeran's deadly skills were honed during his time in the U.S. Army, where he served an astonishing 411 days in active combat in Italy during World War II.

After returning from the war, Sheeran began working for crime boss Russell Bufalino, eventually rising to such a prominent position that he was named by then-U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani as one of only two non-Italians on a list of 26 top mob figures. His ultimate act of loyalty, and survival, came when Bufalino ordered him to kill Hoffa. Sheeran carried out the murder, understanding that his refusal would have led to his own death. This account not only sheds light on the Hoffa mystery but also offers a rare and important look into a significant chapter of American criminal history.

Fans of crime story will enjoy reading Sheeran's life and learning about the inner workings of the Italian Mafia in the 1960s and 1970s.

Hunger Games

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. 2008. 374p. ISBN 9780439023528. Available at FIC COL on the library shelves.

In the dystopian future, the nation of Panem rises from the ruins of North America, governed by a harsh and cruel Capitol that controls twelve outlying districts. To maintain order and as a brutal annual reminder of its power, the Capitol forces each district to send one boy and one girl, aged twelve to eighteen, to participate in the Hunger Games. This televised event is a fight to the death, where only one tribute can emerge victorious.

For sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives with her mother and younger sister, volunteering to take her sister's place in the Games feels like a death sentence. However, having faced near-death experiences before, survival is second nature to her. Without consciously intending to, Katniss becomes a formidable contender, but her journey forces her to confront agonizing choices that weigh her own survival against her humanity, and the very essence of life against the complexities of love.

The story continues in 

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 27

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 27. 2021. 218p. ISBN 9781974731077. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Amidst the fiery debris of the Illuminati airship that crashed in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 26, Rin battles to rein in his demonic alter ego, fearing it will consume both him and his brother, Yukio. A deep-seated mutual misunderstanding has driven a wedge between the siblings, culminating in an inevitable, all-out fight that has long been brewing. This intense confrontation forces their unresolved issues to the surface, demanding a brutal resolution.

Following the immediate aftermath, all the Exwires, save Shiemi, reunite to process the traumatic events they've endured. However, the conflict with Satan is far from over, as he finally gains control of a human body that closely resembles Father Fujimoto, Rin and Yukio's father. Meanwhile, Shiemi faces a formidable opponent who will rigorously test her newfound resolve, suggesting that her own significant challenges lie ahead, independent of the main group.

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 28.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 19: Hot Mess

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 19: Hot Mess. 2024. 218p. ISBN 9781419766954. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

Greg Heffley is facing a summer of mounting stress as his family descends upon a small beach house, trying to recreate magical moments from their youth. Spurred on by Greg's grandmother, the experience creates a chaotic blend of personalities and close quarters under the intense heat. The combination of numerous relatives crammed into a limited space is quickly proving to be a recipe for comical yet frustrating situations. Greg finds himself navigating the usual family dynamics of family members fighting with each other, amplified by the confined environment and the sweltering weather.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the vacation is the long-held family secret surrounding the ingredients of Gramma’s renowned meatballs. As Greg endures the various mishaps and interactions of the summer, he also becomes curious about uncovering this culinary mystery. The question remains whether he will successfully unravel the secrets of his family history before their vacation concludes, or if his presence will simply add more turmoil to the already overflowing pot of family dynamics.

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.