Miss Quinces

Fajardo, Kat. Miss Quinces. 2022. 256p. ISBN 9781338535587. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

There's nothing Suyapa would love more than to go to camp with her friends this summer. Unfortunately, she's heading to Honduras to visit her extended family. Before departing for the summer, the comic club at school has given everyone the assignment to create a comic over the summer. But Suyapa is not inspired at all. If she was at sleepaway camp with her friends, maybe she's have some ideas, but now that she's in Honduras, what is she supposed to illustrate? Her own boring life, in the middle of nowhere with no Internet and no cellphone service?

Being the middle daughter of three daughters means that Suyapa is annoyed both by an older sister and by a younger sister. Her cousins are even more of a handful. When Suyapa thinks life cannot get any worse, she realizes that her mother has been planning a quinceañera for her, with frilly clothes and lots of pink. Both of these things are definitively not Suyapa, so now she feels ambushed. 

Suyapa's grandmother helps her gain a new perspective on life, and her sudden death reinforces the idea that she should in fact go through her quinceañera, but on her own terms. And, perhaps this summer vacation spent with her family does in fact make an excellent comic for the comic club!

Fun an engaging, Suyapa's tales of woes having to perform activities she has no interest in are entirely relatable. The images are crisp, well defined, and very colorful. Fans of graphic novels should give this one a read, they will thoroughly enjoy it!

Charmed Life

Dumas, Marti. Charmed Life. Book 2 of the Wildseed Witch series. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9781419755637.

Hasani is a fairly skilled witch, but there have been enough incidents that suggest she's not quite in control of her magical abilities. She spent the summer in a school for witches, where she failed miserably at harnessing her powers. Ready to return to a certain level of normalcy, Hasani looks forward to the school year at Riverbend Middle. Plus, this is the year she will finally be the captain of the Mathletes, something she has been looking forward to for years!

Two large obstacles stand in her way of having a great 8th grade year, however. First, Hasani must find a way to let Angelique, her best friend, know she's a witch. Hasani is part of a coven, and the other two girls have now become friends with Hasani's group, but Hasani is worried that Angelique might not feel the same way about their relationship after she reveals she's a witch. But, more importantly, Hasani's nemesis, a fellow witch LaToya, has returned to ruin her life and now attends Riverbend Middle, and has even joined the Mathletes!

As an infestation of termites ruins the beginning of school, and Hasani is convinced LaToya is behind it. The exterminator turns out to be a witch as well, and she suggests to Hasani and her mother that perhaps Hasani would benefit from additional training. Hasani soon finds herself working with Ms. Lafleur, who teaches her to better control her magic. Hoping to catch LaToya and undermine her credibility once and for all, Hasani pursues an investigation, while juggling her friendships and tutoring. But the deeper she digs, the more she loses sight of what is really important for her. Can Hasani make her way back to what matters most?

American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky

Smith, Sherri L. amd Elizabeth Wein. American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky. 

The soaring of the first airplane triggered a race to the skies in the United States. Intrepid individuals took to the air in home-made planes, but as commercial engines became available, a whole infrastructure grew up around servicing and flying airplanes. African-Americans, who were discriminated against, wanted to fly just like their White counterparts, but were being prevented by segregated airfields and laws and customs that argued for the separation of people. African-Americans who wanted to fly were thus hampered in their abilities to do so, and had to ingeniously devise their owns way to get airborne.

During the First World War, several Black pilots flew airplanes, but they did it for France or for the United Kingdom. American pilots could only be White. Following the end of the war, a few of them came back but found their flying prospects limited. Others, like Cornelius Coffey, were enthusiasts who wanted very much to fly, but were blocked from doing so. Cornelius Coffey, a mechanic by trade, partnered with Johnny Robinson, and the two of them, instead of being deterred by all of the obstacles in their way, decided to create their own flying opportunities. They bought their own plane, secured rights to use a field, and eventually even started their own flying school. Black women were doubly hampered by these restrictions, but they fought just like their male counterparts and soon many of them were flying as well.

The struggle continued with exams that Black students could not sit for, permits that were not delivered, and Jim Crow attitudes especially in the South, but through it all Black pilots persevered. As the world hurled towards the Second World War, the need for more military pilot became apparent, and soon programs were expanded to Black students as well, providing them opportunities that had not previously existed., such as the Tuskegee program. These programs demonstrated that integration was possible and did not undermine the fighting spirit and cohesion of a unit. 

By the end of the Second World War, Harry Truman desegregated the military, and folks of all stripes could now learn to fly. Thanks to the struggles of those who came before them, today's pilots share the skies regardless of race or gender.

One of the authors of this book also wrote Code Name Verity, about two girls who fly airplanes during the Second World War and crash in France.

Naruto, Vol. 16

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 16. 2003. 200p. ISBN 9781421510903. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Naruto concludes his battle Gaara, which started in Naruto, Vol. 15. The two of them are evenly matched, and they expand all of their chakra before arriving at a draw. As they lay on the ground completely spent, Naruto explains to Gaara that love helped him overcome his loneliness, and that despair is the true enemy. Gaara is rescued by Temari and Kankuro, ending this particular battle.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru's attack on Konoha fails as the Third Hokage manages to seal Orochimaru's jitsu away as he enters the lands of death. Konoha's remaining ninjas defeat Orochimaru's ninjas, and the village takes a moment to honor its former leader. But already enemies begin circling. Uchina Itachi, Sasuke's brother, returns to Konoha on a secret mission, but Kakashi interrupts his reconnaissance. 

Jirayia, who was entrusted with teaching Naruto, sets out to find Tsunade, so that he doesn't have to become the next Hokage. They set out, but Uchina Itachi is right on their heels, while Sasuke, who heard that the brother he seeks vengeance against was in town, is also looking for them ...

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 17.

The Misfits #1: A royal Conundrum

Yee, Lisa. The Misfits #1: A royal Conundrum. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781984830296.

Olive doesn't fit in anywhere. She attracts troubles through no fault of her own, and has a tendency to find herself in tight spots. Her grandmother, who used to take care of her when her parents were gone on their frequent trips, has recently passed away, and the home has been lonely and empty without her. Called down to the school office, Olive wonders what she's done now to earn yet another trip to this dreaded place. Strangely, she's met by her mother, who tells her she's not in trouble, but it's time to go.

Back home, Olive discovers that her mother, who is about to leave on yet another trip with her father, has enrolled Olive in a boarding school up the coast, and she starts today. Surprised, Olive packs quickly, and drops her suitcase in the car. She soon finds herself in RASCH, a reforming art school located in a former castle on an island that was then turned into a prison before becoming a school. Left with her mother's suitcase by accident instead of her own, Olive must navigate being the new kid at a new school.

But RASCH is not what it seems. In fact, RASCH also train teen spies, and soon Olive joins an eclectic crew of specialists and starts training, honing skills she didn't know she had. However, RASCH is threatened with closing due to a lack of funds. A planned fundraiser centered on a famous jewel auction is planned to replenish the coffers, but one of the greatest jewel thief is also on the prowl, looking to steal this amazing gem. It will be up to Olive and her friends to prevent the theft and save their schools, otherwise they must return to their own boring lives!

Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You

Abdaal, Ali. Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You. 2023. 304p. ISBN 9781250865038.

The focus on productivity in the last decades has increased significantly, with companies attempting to squeeze workers for ever more efforts, while workers and entrepreneurs feel that they are already working as hard as they can. Though the word productivity is now part of our lexicon, most people don't stop to think what it actually means to be productive. And, more importantly, is it possible to feel good while being productive, or is productivity linked only to hard work?

Dr. Abdaal, a productivity expert, explores the psychology behind productivity and he explains that being productive should be defined as being engaged in a meaningful activity. Since the activity represents something of value to you, you are willing to commit time and effort, and in the end it will feel both fun and you will have accomplished much.

In Feel-Good Productivity, Dr. Abdaal presents the three blocks we encounter when we try to be producting, including procrastination and a lack of motivation. He also discusses the three aspects of productivity that can energize you, and the three sustaining aspects of productivity that prevent burning out. Filled with actionable changes the reader can implement in their life, becoming productive does not mean working harder, but working smarter at something you enjoy.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12. 2014. 202p. ISBN 9781421575360. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With the Illuminati on the move in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11, everyone is feeling on edge. Fortunately, it is time to celebrate the True Cross Academy festival. As the exwires prepare themselves for a great evening of fun and entertainment, a spy has infiltrated the organization, and one of their own is in danger. 

Snared by the Illuminati, Izumo finds herself in the basement of one of the organization's buildings, confronted by an evil doctor and ... her very own mother. Izumi's backstory as a child is explored, and the path she took to end up at the True Cross Academy was an eventful one. But now, what could this evil scientist want with her?

With one of their own in the clutches of the Illuminati, Rin and the other exwires pledge themselves to Mephisto. They will find and rescue Izumo!

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13.

The Night in Question

Glasgow, Kathleen and Liz Lawson. The Night in Question. Book 2 of the Agathas Mysteries. 2023. 416p. ISBN 9780593645833.

Alice and Iris are fans of mystery novels, and their hero is Agatha Christie. Last fall the amateur sleuths solved the murder of Brooke Donovan, and managed to get her killer arrested and jailed. This time, the girls are heading to Levy Castle for a school dance, and they look forward to all of the mysteries that are present in that old landmark. Levy Castle was once home to the 1940s movie star Mona Moody, who was killed in the castle and whose murder was never solved. 

But just as they start poking around the place for clues to this old event, one of their classmates is brutally assaulted and is almost killed. With a more contemporary attempted murder available, Alice and Iris grab their metaphorical magnifying glasses and begin investigating clues, looking for the person responsible. However, the more they dig, the more links to the distant past of the 1940s they uncover, and the more persuaded they become that Moody's murder and this attempt on their classmate's life are linked, even if almost eighty decades separate them. But the closer they dig, the closer they get to someone who has nothing to lose!

Fans of light mysteries will appreciate this fast moving tale, and will keep guessing who the culprit is as tantalizing hints are dropped along the way.

Free to Obey: Management from Nazism to the Present Day

Chapoutot, Johann. Free to Obey: Management from Nazism to the Present Day. 2020. 144. ISBN 9781609458041.

When the Nazis were elected to power in 1933, they set out to dismantle the State to achieve what they deemed a "free" society. The Nazis sought to remove any constraints on actions to further the Nazis' goals, as the people were the State, and not the other way around. This created particular difficulties for the organization of labor, as corporations and businesses were organized around unions and management relations. The Nazis took over all unions, and enforced strict management rules. How could workers express their displeasures at labor policies under such a system? Reinhard Höhn, a technocrat and respected labor specialist, joined the Nazis and proposed changes that would increase German productivity without undermining the power of management to set goals and run their organizations as they saw fit. 

Höhn promoted the concept of freedom for employees. Management could set goals, and employees were free to find ways to meet these goals. Obviously, they were expected to be successful, and would own any failure that resulted from attempting to reach these goals. In this way, employees gained flexibility while the rigid hierarchical structure that granted management power and control over the employees remained solidly in place, despite a push for eliminating the rest of the "State."

Following Germany's defeat, Höhn did not disappear from public life like many other former Nazis. Instead, he founded a management school that continued to extoll the virtues he promoted during the Nazi years, without the racial component so clearly loved by them. And over the following decades, more than half a million managers and white collar workers attended the school, receiving instructions and being formed to this management idea that workers should be free to obey. This definition remains a cornerstone of Western-style management today. Thus, Nazi-inspired ideas about organization of labor and the management of corporations remain with us to this day.

Fans of history and of management will appreciate this succinct history, and will wonder if there are better opportunities to structure labor / management relationships in organizations in businesses that will increase productivity while reducing labor conflicts.

Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper

Spangler, Brie. Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper. 2023. 272p. ISBN 9780593428498. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

At 13 and in 7th grade, Gemma is over 6 feet tall and stands out like a sore thumb at her middle school. She loves baseball, but she lives in the shadow of her brother Teddy, an 8th grader with a golden arm who's already talked about being a top prospect in the majors. Her friends only want to hang out with her so they can talk with Teddy. Their mother has left the family, and their father works three jobs to make ends meet. Gemma has become the caretaker for the family, cooking meals, doing laundry, and making sure that everyone, including her younger twin brothers, are taken cared of. On the rare occasions her father's home, he's only interested in Teddy.

Through all of this, Gemma does not have time to play baseball. Teddy is under pressure, as he's preparing to go away for months at a training camp for prodigious athletes. He needs the practice time, and Gemma ends up pitching for him over and over. Folks come to watch Teddy hit balls one after another. But Gemma is under pressure too. She has a big fight with her best friend, and she's tired of playing second fiddle with Teddy. 

So when Teddy brings up the intriguing possibility that maybe Gemma should try out for the same team Teddy will be playing with, Gemma is intrigued. How could she possibly abandon her family to pursue the opportunity to play baseball? But with a video going viral, and with the stars aligning, Gemma might manage to pursue her dream after all!

Beautifully illustrated, Gemma's trials and tribulations show her resilience and her grit as she aims to find her own way in the world. Fans of graphic novels will love this story, and those who enjoy a good sports story should absolutely check it out!

This Rebel Heart

Locke, Katherine. This Rebel Heart. 2022. 433p. ISBN 9780593381243.

Csilla's parents were ardent communists, and they supported the Soviet takeover of Hungary following the Second World War. As Jews, the whole family took refuge in the Danube, the river that runs through the capital city of Budapest following the German invasion in 1944. However, revolutions have a habit of devouring their own, and her parents were soon accused of crimes against the state and were executed by Soviet authorities. Now 18 in 1956, Csilla lives in a paranoid society where everyone spies on everyone else, and one wrong word can get you arrested or worse.

For the last year, Csilla has been planning her escape out of Hungary. As the daughters of two enemies of the state, she is under constant surveillance, and she cannot let her guard down even for one moment. Ready to leave, Csilla suddenly finds herself in the middle of a convulsion that threatens the Hungarian Communist party as student protests escalate into something dangerous. Her parents are publicly exonerated, clearing her pariah status, but also revealing that her father was not the hero she thought he was. 

As Hungary drifts into chaos, with Soviet tanks massing on its borders, Csilla has a choice. She can escape as she planned, and look to a new life away from the painful memories of her youth, or she can stay and fight for a new future for her country, with the real possibility that the result will be violence and death. Can Csilla learn to trust again?

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this deep dive into a little known part of European history, and will appreciate Csilla's resilience and determination to survive no matter the obstacles in her path. For a similar perspective, this time from the other side of the Berlin Wall, be sure to grab A Night Divided.

The 40s and 50s: Utility to New Look

Reynolds, Helen. The 40s and 50s: Utility to New Look. Part of the 20th Century Fashion series. 1999. 32p. ISBN 9780836826005. Available at 391 REY on the library shelves.

With the Second World War in full swing, the beginning of the 1940s feature fashion that is utilitarian, mass produced, and cost effective. The war effort required everyone to sacrifice, and clothes were designed to be useful instead of for their appearance or feel. War uniforms were predominant for men, while many women found themselves working on the home front and needing clothes they could get dirty and not need to clean on a daily basis. Military style influenced the fashion of the time, with bomber jackets soon adopted by young males in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Rationing was everywhere, and fabric for personal use was rare.

The war ended, but rationing continued for years afterwards. This did not stop people from enjoying life once again, and soon dancing and movies were more popular than ever. Clothing became more relaxed, with shorter dresses for women and less formal wear for men. The bikini made its appearance, while rebels without a cause began sporting jeans and t-shirts, instead of plaid pants. 

The 1950s saw an explosion of clothes, as mix and match became the norm. Men and women could now find tops and bottoms and mix them, instead of having to purchase sets. This allowed more flexibility in the way people looked, but also promoted consumerism. The zoot suit emerged from Harlem, just in time to be eclipsed by the rock'n'roll look of the new youth culture. Soda fountains became the rage, and jukeboxes were everywhere, playing popular youth music. Changes in fabrics and the appearance of the first synthetic, nylon, dramatically changed what was possible

Naruto, Vol. 15

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 15. 2002. 192p. ISBN 9781421510897. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The battle between Sasuke and Gaara that started in Naturo, Vol 14, continues. Gaara has managed to summon half of the demon that lives within himself, but Sasuke is proving more resilient than expected. Using the jutsu techniques he learned from Kakashi, he repels Gaara's attack and inflicts pain on his enemy. This is the first time that Gaara has felt physical pain, as the sand usually protects him from attack.

Gaara's youth is explored through flashbacks, including his growing up as a lonely and dangerous child shunned by the other children, his birth and the death of his mother, and his killing of his mother's younger sister during an assassination attempt on his life. 

Gaara is too powerful, however, and Sasuke finds himself overwhelmed. He is rescued by Naruto and Sakura. Naruto distracts Gaara while Sakura administers first aid to Sasuke. Gaara, however, pins her against a tree, and taunts Naruto that if he doesn't fight him, Sakura and Sasuke will die. In that moment Naruto realizes that Gaara is a lot like him, isolated and lonely. 

Naruto launches attack after attack, and though all of them do damage, they are not able to stop Gaara as he completes his own transformation into the sand demon. So Naruto summons Kichiyose, the giant frog ...

The story continues in Naturo, Vol. 16.

Best Friends

Hale, Shannon. Best Friends. Book 2 of the Real Friends series. 2019. 256p. ISBN 9781250317452. 

Now that she is in sixth grade, Shannon fully expects life to be better. She's part of the in crowd, and her best friend Jen is the most popular girl in school. But all of the rules that Shannon thought she knew about how to behave at school turn out to be wrong! One's level of coolness is always one incident away from cratering, and the simplest mistake can make you an outcast forever. Well, at least for the day!

With so many things changing, it's now not cool to talk to some people. But Shannon like her friends, even if they are considered not cool by the it crowd. Shannon desperately want to be part of the it crowd, but she also doesn't want to lose her friends. So Shannon sets out to learn who sets the rules, and what can she do to change them!

A hilarious look at entering middle school, Shannon's daily discovery of new rules and the constant change that is swirling through her school makes for funny situations and many lessons learned. In the end, Shannon will need to find her own path and not rely on the cool crowd for guidance!

How to Protect Bookstores: The Present and Future of Bookselling

Caine, Danny. How to Protect Bookstores: The Present and Future of Bookselling. 2023. 222p. ISBN 9781648411632.

Since the invention of the printing press, book stores represented a wealth of knowledge that could be purchased locally. Usually located at the center of the village or town, the book store would be patronized by those who could read, and as literacy expanded in the 19th and 20th century, more and more book stores sprung to meet the demand. In the 1970s and 1980s, publishing houses gobbled up each other, leading to a reduction in publishers and a decrease in the profits of local bookstores. They continued to operate, but the overall number of bookstores slowly declined.

The arrival of Amazon changed everything. Suddenly bookstores went out of business in droves as the digital giant pushed profits down, and facilitated access to an inventory no local store could match. The loss of bookstores contributed to the ravage of main streets across the nation. But then a small light at the end of the tunnel appeared, and since the mid 2010s, the number of local bookstores has actually increased, as people seek a community, and not just the lowest price. 

Bookstores feature local collections designed to address the reading needs of their population. They offer onsite events, celebrations, and cement a whole neighborhood. Bookstores challenge the narrative that the United States is a monolith melting pot, and they offer views that may not be popular. Bookstores also document their own community, providing meeting space and a convivial environment where marginalized groups can find themselves.

Bookstores deserve our support. Next time you purchase a book, think about your local bookstore!

Kill a Man

Orlando, Steve. Kill a Man. 2020. 128p. ISBN 9781949028478. 

When James watches his father, kickboxer DJ Bellyi die during a fight with Xavier Mayne in the ring, his whole world crumbles. This is made worse when it is revealed that DJ Bellyi had thrown gay slurs against Xavier Mayne during the fight. Xavier never fought again. 

Years later, James Bellyi has joined the ranks of the MMA, becoming a star and on track to earn top endorsements. However, during a press conference his next opponent reveals that James is gay, and, taken by surprise, James is unable to defend himself. Suddenly, everything that he has built collapses, as no one in the MMA wants to fight a gay guy. James finds himself cast out and abandoned by his friends, his trainer, and his fans. 

Hoping to return to the MMA and earn a title fight, James turns to the only person who could understand his situation. Xavier Mayne continued to train young fighter, but avoided the limelight. Can James reconciles with the man who killed his father so that he can reach the top? Can Xavier forgive the man he killed in the ring long enough to help his son?

Salt the Water

Iloh, Candice. Salt the Water. 2023. 288p. ISBN 9780593529317.

Cerulean is a free spirit caught in a higher schooler body. they've lived their whole live encouraged and supported to be themselves by two amazing parents and a great support network. Unfortunately, high school is all about conforming and following rules and regulations, even if these rules don't make any sense at all. With six months to go before graduation, Cerulean is counting the days before they get to leave their public school and fulfill their desire of living off the grid with friends, away from the capitalist system that has undermined their lives and that of their community. 

Cerulean is particularly resentful of her English teacher, who seems to have it out for them, calling them the wrong name and making insinuating remarks that they are not as smart as they think they are. During a high stake test, despite being warned not to leave, Cerulean finds themself suffering a bathroom emergency, so they sneak out of the room and return a few minutes later. Unfortunately, their teacher noticed their absence, and Cerulean's test is shredded and thrown in the trash. This send Cerulean over the edge, and they have a very robust verbal exchange with the teacher that earns them an out of school suspension for three weeks.

Not wanting to deal with the consequences, Cerulean stops attending school. Why put off their dream when they could start it now? What's the point of school anyway? But the money Cerulean had saved for their future is suddenly needed when their father, the rock of the family, suffers a catastrophic injury in his restaurant, with massive burns on his body, and equally massive medical bills. Cerulean's funds are now needed to keep the family afloat. With all of these obstacles in their way, can Cerulean still pursue the future they have been dreaming of?

A novel in verse, Salt the Water explores nonbinary representation of African-Americans and the measures that must sometimes be taken to prevent others from silencing one's voice. Containing a severe critique of a school system unable or unwilling to accommodate the realities lived by their students, the book offers a gritty portrayal of life in an urban school and what it means to not belong.

Imperialism

Lenin, vladimir. Imperialism. 2022. 318 mins. ISBN 9781781984444.

Best known as the first leader of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin was also Communist philosopher and thinker who expounded on social, historical, and economic issues. While the world was engulfed in the First World War, Lenin wrote Imperialism to present his theory that capitalism, taken to its extremes, created monopolies and generated the need and desire for colonialism, the conquering of new markets and the imposition of one's social structures on another society. These actions in turn fostered imperialism, a practice where strong nations gain political, economic, and social dominance over weaker ones, exploiting their resources and people for their own benefit. The First World War was an excellent example of this, according to Lenin, with Imperialist powers on both sides seeking to retain control of the parts of the world they already controlled.

As a capitalist business became more efficient and generated extra capital, it sought to improve and expand its services while also acquire its competitors, to reduce competition and increases prices. Successful businesses could achieve a monopolistic status at home. As it continued to generate capital, it would then seek additional opportunities outside the boundaries of its state. As it expanded elsewhere, it could lobby its own government to impose favorable terms on the other countries, and, when profits were threatened, the State could militarily intervene. This in turn led to imperalist expansions, and inflict pain and suffering on the local populations as they were mercilessly exploited.

Though Lenin's vision of the world never came to be, his views on imperialism and the exploitative nature of colonialism remains important to understand the world we live in today.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11. 2013. 210p. ISBN 9781421558868. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Having been entrusted with investigating the Seven School Mysteries in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10, Yukio leads his brother Rin and the Exwires as they take on the demons and other ghosts that plague True Cross Academy. Yukio remains still plagued with his own doubts about whether he himself is infected by demonic powers as he observes his brother gaining more control over his own abilities.

Meanwhile, the Illuminate's plan progresses along, as demonic chaos spreads throughout the land. Their man-made Gehenna Gate all but insures that Assiah will be consumed by destruction, unless the Vatican manages to stop them in their tracks. But when revelations indicate there is a spy in the Japan branch, at True Cross Academy, all eyes turn back to Japan...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12.

Miles Morales Suspended

Reynolds, Jason, and Zeke Peña. Miles Morales Suspended. Book 3 of the Miles Morales Graphic Novels. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9781665918466.

Miles Morales got himself in trouble when confronting a racist teacher, and he finds himself spending a whole day isolated in a classroom with other delinquents following his in-school suspension. Though a kid with superpowers, Miles can't get himself out of punishment, and must watch the clock slowly tick by as he waits for the end of the day. Fortunately, the girl he has a massive crush on is also in the room with him, and so are others who have also gotten in trouble. Supervised by the girl's gym teacher and a school guard, Miles and the rest of them must complete a ton of work packets before the end bell.

As Miles attempts to do anything more than babble with his crush, his spider sense begins to tinkle. Something feels odd. Staying focused on not screwing up in front of his crush, Miles once again has to save the world from a dastardly villain who thinks he can destroy Black and Brown history!

The Puppets of Spelhorst.

DiCamillo, Kate. The Puppets of Spelhorst. 160p. ISBN 9781536216752.

Walking in town one day, an old salty captain saw five puppets in the window of a toy shop. There was a girl, a boy, a king, a wolf, and an owl. He immediately felt the need to purchase the girl puppet. When the owner told him he must buy all five, the captain relented and agreed. The girl puppet reminded him of a girl he had once been in love with. Placing these puppets in his trunk, the old captain soon died, and his puppets found their way to a family with young children.

The king always loved to order everyone else around, for what is a king supposed to do? The girl loved to sing, but she only knew one song. The boy knew he was destined to be a hero, for why else would he have a bow and a quiver filled with arrows? The wolf was very impressed with her sharp teeth, and she knew everyone should be scared of her. The owl was filled with wisdom, but longed to fly the skies. As the puppets discovered their new home, they also found new desires and developed new relationships and understandings with each other. Each of them realizes that they are part of a story, and despite their ups and downs together, they belong with each other. The two girls who now own the puppets craft a play they perform in front of their family. In this play, the puppets end up acting the story of a young man who is cursed by a wizard to lose the love of his life, and who looks for her the rest of his life, in a story that resembles that of the old sea captain.

Beautifully told, the story of the puppets resemble folk tales, with bigger than life characters who discover themselves during their adventures, even if they are only puppets. Wherever we found ourselves on the road of life, we can always trust that we will find friends along the road.

You're gonna die alone (& Other Excellent News)

Donalson, Devrie Brynn. You're gonna die alone (& Other Excellent News). 2023. 244p. ISBN 9798212186452.

One of TikTok's hottest star, Devrie Donalson delivers witty and entertaining views on many aspects of life while exploring her own biography, and comes to the conclusion that you will die alone, and that's okay! Society has conditioned us to want to have a partner, a soulmate, a lover that we can spend our days with. But your best friend, the person you should love the most, is the person you spend the most time with throughout your life, and that is you! You are always with you, working, playing, sleeping, and enjoying or regretting life. 

Devrie provides vignettes of her life, examining such aspects as what she would want for her funeral service when she dies; how she grew up in a religious household but eventually realized that the Christians that claim to worship God are not ready to be accepting and welcoming, despite the teachings of Jesus; and how her college house was haunted with a ghost in the attic. All of these vignettes serve to explore existential truths that apply to everyone, regardless of gender, age, religion, and identity. In the end, Devrie reveals the universal truth that the only thing that we can count in life is change.

Fans of humorous writing and of self help will appreciate this short book, and might learn a thing or two about their own lives.

Naruto, Vol. 14

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 14. 2002. 184p. ISBN 9781421510880. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Orochimaru's plot to isolate and destroy the Third Hokage came to fruition in Naruto, Vol. 13. Now, the former student seeks to kill the Hokage with the devious technique of reanimating the souls of the First and Second Hokage and have them engage their successor. It is the ultimate battle between two deadly jutsu techniques.

Meanwhile, Naruto, accompanied by Sakura and Shikamaru, seek to catch up to Sasuke, who is himself chasing Gaara. Sand ninjas are chasing them, and though they would like to set up an ambush, the ninjas in pursuit are trained in these techniques. The only radical thing left to do is to set up a fake ambush. Shikamaru volunteers to waylay the ninjas, and give enough time to Sakura and Naruto to escape and find Sasuke. For someone who never wanted to excel, Shikamaru is worried he's about to become a dead hero.

At the same time, Sasuke catches up with Gaara, and the battle that began during the Chunin exam resumes, except that Gaara's form is now switching ...

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 15.

Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door

Fagan, Cary. Hans Christian Andersen Lives Next Door. 2023. 160p. ISBN 9781774880159.

Andie (with an e, thank you very much) very much feels like an outcast in her own skin. Her parents are weird, and ever since they moved to the countryside, they've been in search of a project to do. Now they're raising crickets to sell to pet stores (crickets make great lizard food). The school bully, Myrtle Klinghoffer, loves to pick on her but always does it in a way that makes Andie feel like she's not even there, since Myrtle never addresses herself directly to her. And the other kids don't really talk to her.

When a new neighbor moves next door, Andie swears she recognizes him. She has seen the man's picture on a book somewhere in her collection. Ah, yes, her uncle gave her a book of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, and the picture looks very much like her neighbor, aside from being black and white and the old-fashioned clothes. When the initials H.C.A. go on the mailbox next door, Andie is convinced that Andersen just moved in.

Andie begin writing her own poems based on the classic fairy tales her neighbor wrote, and she soon finds herself sharing them with him. HCA patiently listens to her, and find that the poems are actually quite good. When he tells Andie he works at the ministry of agriculture, Andie reasons that he must want to stay incognito.

New kid Newton moves to the school, and Andie finds him fascinating. And he's willing to sit with Andie and listen to her poetry. Soon the two of them become fast friends. At the same time, however, Myrtle continues her bullying, and Andie decides to take revenge. Plus, there's the big secret of Hans Christian Andersen living next door ...

Based on the flawed assumption that Hans Christian Andersen, who died in 1875, moved in next door, Andie compounds her beliefs until everything comes crashing down around her, and she is forced to admit that their neighbor is not Hans Christian Andersen. But along the way, she learns a lot about friendship, about herself, and about the fact that her little town is not as boring and dull as she thought it was.

The 20s and 30s: Flappers & Vamps

Blackman, Call. The 20s and 30s: Flappers & Vamps. 1999. 32p. ISBN 9780836825992.

With the end of the First World War, young people once again wanted to celebrate being alive. The United States' economy roared back to life as the country expanded and spending returned to pre-war levels. New materials such as rayon and elastics allowed for the creation of new clothes, while the music scene and the silver screen influenced how people dressed and what was deemed fashionable. For women, slim and boyish was popular in the early 20s, while men relaxed their appearance away from the more formal Edwardian-style made-to-order to baggy trousers and off the rack clothes purchases.

Movements such as the jazz age as represented in the Great Gatsby and Art Deco had strong influences on colors and patterns, while the practice of sports became more popular, creating new fashion. The nude look of bare arms, neck, and legs for women was a small revolution in what was previously considered shocking. The Great Depression suddenly ended the excesses of the 1920s, but gangsters continued to ply their deadly trade, and their popularity in movies and in popular culture meant that their look also trickled down into the fashion of the era. 

The Golem's Mighty Swing

 Sturm, James. The Golem's Mighty Swing. 2003. 100p. ISBN 9781896597713. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

In the 1920s, America is in the grips of baseball mania. The Stars of David are a team of Jewish baseball players criss-crossing the United States in search of teams to play. Some of the players made it to the majors, but all they did was warming the bench. Equipped with a bus that breaks down, and lead by Noah Strauss, manager and player, the team is always chasing the next dollar. But with anti-semitism ramping throughout the land, most small towns are eager for their local team to take down the Stars of David.

When the team is approached by a Chicago promoter with a gimmick that could increase the team's take, the players are at first reluctant. It's already hard enough fighting local prejudices. However, financial difficulties force their hands, and soon the Golem becomes the center of attraction. The Golem is a legendary creation in Jewish lore, a creature much like Frankenstein, which escapes the control of its creator and wrecks havoc. A large and tall African American player who is not even Jewish is dressed up at the Golem, and the Stars of David find themselves facing the Putnam All-Americans. But prejudices and racial taunts turn a baseball game into a clash of civilizations, and winning becomes less important than surviving.

The illustrations are crisp, and the story is well written. Sports fans and baseball lovers will appreciate this dive into a historical period that saw much stereotyping and racial hatred.

Once in a Blue Moon

Flake, Sharon G. Once in a Blue Moon. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9780593480984.

James Henry was always one of the bravest kids around, at least that is what his twin sister Hattie used to say. But the day he and his mother went searching for their dog by the lighthouse at night is a day of tragedy, and James Henry stopped being brave. Interested by space, and fascinating by the moon and by Buck Rogers, James Henry can't go to school, so every day he watches his sister leave, and eagerly waits for her to return home so they can play together. Scared by the outside, James Henry rarely ventures out of his house, and every time he does he anxiously looks around, hoping to avoid the Baker boys, the local bullies. With his father in Detroit working hard to help his mother heal in the hospital following the tragedy, James Henry and Hattie live with Gran in segregated North Carolina of 1939.

When Hattie returns home one day with Lottie Jean, a new friend she made at school, James Henry realizes that their uncomplicated lives will never be the same. Lottie tries hard to connect with James Henry, but he wants nothing to do with her. All he wants is to go back to his spaceship and his sister. Hattie knows that things must change, however, for Hattie has been offered the opportunity to go to school in Philadelphia, which would leave James Henry alone at home. Working with Lottie Jean, Hattie eventually convinces James Henry that he must leave his home on the blue moon and return to the lighthouse to confront his fear and the tragedy that took place there when his mother got hurt. Along the way, James Henry learns how to see the world again, and grows out of his shell.

Told in verses, James Henry's story is slow moving at first, but it builds a powerful picture of a boy who is grieving for a life that no longer exists, and who must learn to deal with the world as it is, not as it could be. Inspired by the author's father and his life as an African-American child in North Carolina in the 1930s, this powerful story will stay with the reader long after they put down the book.

A First Time for Everything

Santat, Dan. A First Time for Everything. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9781626724150. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

As an only child, Dan loved spending time with his parents and with his friends. He loves drawing, but he discovers in Middle School that standing out makes you a target for bullies. So it's better to be invisible, even if this means denying part of who you are and what you want. Halfway through his last year in middle school, Dan discovers that his English teacher is organizing a field trip to Europe during the summer. With his mother being sick, his parents' idea of a vacation is to go some place, then take a picture of Dan there. They're not all that fun. 

Dan is surprised when his mother agrees he can go on the trip, but as the day nears, Dan is regretting his decision. He'd rather stay home. But it's too late, and Dan finds himself on a plane with girls from his school, who have been making fun of him for three years, as well as other American kids from Missouri. Though there are still people who claim to know him, Dan suddenly finds himself in Paris with kids who don't know anything about him. This is an opportunity to rediscover who he truly is underneath that layer of invisibility.

Falling in love with Fanta and the local food, Dan also meets Amy on the tour, and she's as interested in him as he is in her. The trip he dreaded becomes more interesting with every passing day, and slowly but surely Dan's life changes for the better, as he builds confidence and realizes that his past is not important in the grand scheme of things.

Inspired from the author's own trip to Europe when he was 14, A First Time for Everything relates the anxieties of growing up and leaving home, and then discovering that who you are is not tied to where you come from or what people think they know about you. The illustrations are amazing, and the story is engaging. If you've ever thought about traveling but were concerned, this is the book for you!

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10. 2013. 192p. ISBN 9781421558868. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The Impure King was defeated in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 9, but Rin's brother Yukio continues to feel tainted. If his brother Rin is the spawn of Satan, what does that make Yukio? Worried about his situation, he refuses to meet with the True Cross Academy doctor for an evaluation. The rest of the exwire students have returned to their daily routine, attending classes. Rin meets a student maned Godaiin who can also see demons when most of the other students can't. Rin tries to help him, and Mephisto Pheles proposes a deal where Rin and his friends will remove seven demons from True Cross Academy in exchange for a potion that will prevent Godaiin seeing the demons, Rin heartily agrees.

Meanwhile, across the world in the deserts of Arabia, another demon similar to the Impure King has risen, and the Church now confronts the very clear threat that a secretive group called the Illuminate has been conspiring to awaken powerful evil forces that will consume the world and at last turn it into a demon playground. 

Tasked with removing demons from campus, Rin and his friends begin this afterschool activity with minimal supervision....

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11.

Joy, to the World

Shappley, Kai and Lisa Bunker. Joy, to the World. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9780063242753.

Joy, her older brother and her mother moved from Minnesota to Texas so that their mother could pursue a new opportunity. Joy is really excited to start middle school. She meets new friends and is accepted in their circle. Joy discovers that in Texas cheerleading is huge, and she convinces her mother to let her join the tryouts for the squad. After hard work and training with her friends, Joy is accepted into the squad, and looks forward to their first performance.

Unfortunately, someone discovered that Joy is a transgendered girl, and the superintendent, using a law passed in Texas, orders Joy off the team. Even though both the principal and the nurse knew that Joy was transgendered, and even though she was allowed to use the girls' bathroom, the superintendent's decision forces Joy to go to the nurse to use the restroom, something that is extremely embarrassing.

Accepted and supported by her family, Joy comes out to her friends, who nod and agree that it's no big deal for them. Her best friend convinces Joy to continue practicing, and soon they are joined by more and more misfits at school. Joy's new cheerleading squad even performs at a protest at the Texas State House, making the news and attracting more attention, and attracting support from her idol, a trans activist named Kai, whom she meets in Austin. Despite the obstacles placed in front of her, Joy is resilient and won't let the world drag her down!

A story of courage and standing up for what you believe, Joy only wants to live her life, but forces beyond her control are conspiring to make her the villain of a culture war. Supporters of trans individuals and those who wish to learn more about them will appreciate this story of living life against the odds.

Naruto, Vol. 13

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 13. 2002. 192p. ISBN 9781421510873. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The epic battle that started in Naruto, Vol. 12 concludes in this book as the last pairing of the Chunin Exam is about to take place. Naruto, Sakura and the rest of the ninjas in training have been wondering where Sasuke had gone to, and whether he would even return to fight Gaara. They shouldn't have worried. Under Kakashi's brilliant tutelage, Sasuke has captured the synergies involved in Rock Lee's moves, and he has incorporated them into his own technique. 

When the most ancitipated fight starts, Sasuke immediately dominates the battle, putting Gaara on the defensive. But even his protective sand sphere is unable to survive Sasuke's repeated assaults, and Gaara is in danger of being defeated when Orochimaru, disguised as the secretive leader of the Sand village, triggers a ninja war. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke go from being in training to full-fledged ninjas, and they must track down an escaping Gaara, while Kakashi figures a way to save the Fourth Hokage from Orochimaru's deadly clutches ...

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 14.

Their Vicious Game

Wellington, Joelle. Their Vicious Game. 2023. 416p. ISBN 9781665922425.

Adina has always played her cards right. A Black scholarship student at the prestigious Edgewater Academy where the overwhelming majority of students are White, Adina has received early acceptance at Yale, her favorite school, and she sees her future traced before her. Going to Yale means escaping suburbia, where her parents, faculty members at Edgewater, built a comfortable but unassuming life. For Adina, Yale is her means of leaving her scholarship status, meaning being poor in the eyes of her classmates, behind. 

But her best friend Esme, who also applied to Yale, does not get in, and in a careless moment, Adina lets it slip that Esme's family is being investigated for insider trading and Esme is about to be poorer than Adina. Jealous at Adina's admission and furious that this family secret is out, Esme takes it out on Adina by having her parents pull strings, and Adina finds her admission to Yale rescinded. With her carefully constructed future crumbling, Adina turns to the Finish, a competition held by the Remingtons, the wealthy family that donated the school and its land. Every year, twelve girls of merit are invited to participate in games to determine which one will receive a full scholarship to any college of her choice, as the Remington's name can open doors anywhere.

The Finish, however, is different when a Remington boy graduates from high school. Pierce Remington, a classmate of Adina, is also graduating this year. Adina is admitted in the Finish, only to discover that the girls are competing to be Pierce's future wife. She's even more dismayed when she discovers that this competition is to the death, and the Remingtons have the power to make bodies disappear and stifle any questions parents may ask.

Now faced with the deadly possibility that she will not make it out, Adina must find a way to survive the Finish, especially since Esme is also participating, and she wants Adina dead. Plus, Adina does not love Pierce and she does not want to be his prize. With her roommate Saint's help, and with assistance from Graham, Pierce's older brother who is also enammored with Adina, she must succeed at three deadly events: the Ride, the Raid, and the Royale. In a deadly game, Adina soon discovers that sometimes one needs to change the rules to triumph...

An excellently written parody of dystopian books where teens compete in a deadly game for the one position available, Their Vicious Game is a quick read that is both entertaining and still manages to raise some important questions. How far would someone go to secure their future? Fans of might also enjoy the following: Arena One, Starters, Maze Runner, Ship Breaker, Reboot, Not a Drop to Drink, Birthmarked and Divergent.

In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years After the 9/11 Attacks

Brown, Down. In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years After the 9/11 Attacks. 2021. 120p. ISBN 9780358223573. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, struck at the heart of the American psyche. The events directly impacted thousands of people in New York City, Washington D.C, and in Pennsylvania. Hundred of thousands more then served to first rescue then retrieve bodies from the crash sites and from the collapsed towers, while others served in the military to bring the fight to those who had planned and sponsored the attack. 

The story is by now well known. What is not well known, however, are individual stories of valor, sacrifice, courage, and determination to survive. In this powerful graphic novel, the lives of people, from a cameraman who happened to be filming near the Twin Towers to heroic firefighters who ran into the burning towers moments after airplanes crashed into them. Each life was irrevocably changed by the attacks, causing permanent injuries and deaths.

Over the course of the next days and months, the fires in New York were put out, and the grisly task of clearing out the rubble and respectfully recovering the bodies of those still entombed began. At the same time, war started in Afghanistan as American troops, allied with local warlords, sought to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist mastermind behind the attacks. 

Readers who enjoy history will appreciate the attention to details the author provides for each and every panel. The story is engaging and serves as a reminder that individuals can make a difference and change the world.

The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House

 Gaiman, Neil. The Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll's House. 1990. 232p. ISBN 9781563892257.

When Morpheus was imprisoned in Sandman, Vol. 1, one of the people who suffered greatly was Unity Kincaid. Caught in a dream, Unity rarely woke up, and as decades came and went, she floated through them and barely remembered anything. She did recall having a baby while she slept, however. After Morpheus was freed, Unity tracked her child, who by now had a daughter of her own named Rose, and she invited them both to come to England so she could tell them about her life and learn about theirs.

After the initial shock of learning they are related, Rose is tasked by Unity to track down her missing brother, Jed. She returns to the United States, and tracks her brother to Florida. She secures a room in a house filled with strange individuals. Her brother, meanwhile, is being abused by a foster family, who chains him in the basement of their house so they can collect the money the state gives them every month.

Meanwhile, some of Morpheus' dream creatures have escaped the dream world and found residence in reality. Morpheus sets to find his errant creatures and either bring them back or eliminate them. But he soon discovers that Rose is a vortex, a rare human being who can rip the barriers between the dream world and human reality, and therefore must be eliminated.

As Rose continues her search, she finds herself in the middle of a serial killer convention, which is attended by some of Morpheus's creatures, one of whom has captured Jed and plans on killing him. As dreams and reality collide, can Rose find a way to save her brother while escaping Morpheus' goal of eliminating her as a threat of his real?

Dear Medusa

 Cole, Olivia A. Dear Medusa. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9780593485736.

Alicia Rivers is known as the school slut. She'll get in anyone's car, and no one at school trusts her. But Alicia has a dark secret. She was groomed and abused by the Colonel, a male science teacher at her high school that dresses up as Colonel Sanders every Halloween. Known as the best teacher at the school, and appreciated by all staff and students, the Colonel is, in Alicia's eyes, a wolf who predatorily hunts students for his own sexual gratification. Like Medusa, Alicia has been convicted in the eyes of others and transformed from victim to monster.

The twin events of her abuse at the Colonel's hand and her parents' nasty divorce have shattered her life, causing her to retreat inside of herself. Alicia is now on a quest, to see if the wolves out there, men, will ignore or restraint themselves in her presence. She keeps hoping that someone will walk away, restoring part of her faith in the world, but they never do. Her brother is just as lost, abusing marijuana and hanging out with bad influences. Her mother is dealing with her own demons, and just can't be there for her daughter, while her father has left and is dating a much younger woman.

Spending more time in detention than in classrooms suits Alicia fine, since she can't totally ignore the stares and the gossip. Plus people keep leaving nasty notes in her locker. But the arrival of a new girl, Deja, who is not intimidated by her reputation provides a ray of sunshine in an otherwise drab existence. She's also attracted to another new student, Geneva, who reciprocates her feelings. 

When one of the note indicates that a student knows about the abuse, Alicia's world is once again thrown into turmoil. Can she really fight off the teacher she's been trying to ignore? With the help of her friends, and through a process of self discovering involving therapy where issues of ownership of one's body and labels, Alicia learns to reconnect with the girl she once was. Will she be able to own up Medusa's monstrosity to rediscover the humanity that lays inside of her?

1900-20: Linen & Lace

Mee, Sue. 1900-20: Linen & Lace. Part of the 20th Century Fashion series. 2002. 32p. ISBN 9780836825985. Available at 391 MEE on the library shelves.

The world was in effervescence at the beginning of the 20th century. Automobiles were filling up roads. The globe was now connected through wires, allowing messages to be distributed almost instantly. Technology was rapidly improving lives. For most, modernity represented progress and better living conditions. But then the First World War destroyed illusions that technology could only be used for the better. By the time the war ended, life had changed for everyone.

Clothes provide an image of society. At the beginning of the 20th century, most women were wearing corsets and several layers under their dresses. Clothes were meant to be seen, and displayed the wealth of person wearing them. As habits changed and marketing and advertisement became more important, clothes had to adapt, from motorist outfits to changing silhouettes and tastes. Styles from all over the world also began to appear in European and American fashion, from those inspired by orientalism to those exotic clothes of the Russian ballet. 

The war strained economies, and fashion became more practical. Uniforms were produced in the millions, and rationing shortened dresses, revealing more leg. After working in factories and elsewhere as men went to war, women had gained economic freedom and learned new skills, and the clothes of the post-war period adapted to this newly-found independence by freeing women from some of the constraints they had experienced during the war and even before. One of the most revolutionary item of clothing to emerge from this period is the bra. Invented by Caresse Crosby from two handkerchief and a ribbon, the bra freed women from the tightening confines of corsets, and allowed a wider variety of clothes to be worn while providing support at a cheaper cost.

Readers interested in the history of fashion or the social changes that affected the clothes we wear will appreciate this short volume.

Big Bad Ironclad!

Hale, Nathan. Big Bad Ironclad! Book 2 of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. 2012. 128p. ISBN 9781419703959.

At the beginning of the American Civil War, the Union's leadership decided to strangle the trade of the Confederate States by blockading its ports and destroying its ships. The South fought back by equipping blockade runners. They also recuperated a burned ship hull and decided to clad it in iron, resurrecting the Merrimack and renaming it the Virginia, the first iron ship. The North entered the race to build an iron ship,  and soon the Monitor, which adopted a radically different design, was put out to sea. Designed by John Ericsson, the ship featured a turret above water, with the rest of the ship below the water line.

The two steam-powered ironclads met in in waters known as Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, Virginia, and though the battle was a draw, with neither ship able to disable or destroy the other, the limitation of the Merrimack forced it to depart the battle, and advancing Union forces led to the ship being scuttled to avoid it falling into enemy hands. The Monitor, for its part, sank on December 31, 1862 on its way to support the naval blockade of North Carolina.

Filled with memorable characters and significant history, the ironclads ushered in a new era of naval warfare and revolutionized the way combat was conducted. Illustrated with vivid pictures, and filled with details and impressive feats by sailors and soldiers, Big Bad Ironclad! will be appreciated by fans of the Civil War and of history.