Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14. 2015. 202p. ISBN 9781421582634. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Finding themselves trapped underneath Dream Town Inari following Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13, the Exwires are fighting for their lives. Professor Gedoin's desire to earn Lucifer's recognition and find immortality by injecting Izumo with the nine-tails fox, despite the fact that there is only a 0.08% chance she might survive the procedure. Rin, Shemi and the others escape their cages, and regroup, only to have additional zombie-like monsters, people who first came to Dream Town Inari and were experimented on, charge and attack them. They are too late, however, as Izumi agrees to participate in the ritual. 

Despite her strength, Izumi is not able to hold on to the fox, but her mother, who is herself badly hurt, takes control of the demon and absorbs it again, much to Gedoin's chagrin. Meanwhile, working together, the Exwires defeat all of the obstacles in their way, forcing Gedoin to summon a demon to take over his body. Izumi has not said her last word, however, and she summons Uke and Mike to come to her help, and both of them do so, and together the Exwires successfully defeat Gedoin ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15.

Medical Invention Breakthrough

Schwartz, Heather. Medical Invention Breakthrough. Part of the Edge of Medicine series. 2023. 32p. ISBN 9781945564901.

The field of medicine is constantly evolving, but often there have been discoveries that have suddenly changed patient outcomes for the better. Four of these discoveries are detailed in this short book. The discoveries of x-rays, penicillin, pathology cancer rapid test, and rapid anthrax test helped improve patient treatment and helped doctors diagnose previously hard to detect health issues.

X-rays were discovered in 1895 when a scientist bombarded materials with new radioactive material. W.C. Röntgen realized he could see through human skin to the bones and tumors beneath the skin.  This discovery helped find problems that were not previously detectable. Penicillin was discovered when mold was left in a dish, and the scientist examining the dish realized the bacteria had been killed by the mold. This led to several medicines that could treat bacterial infections. 

In 2001, following the 9-11 attacks, the country was on edge. When letters laced with anthrax were  mailed to government offices, individuals were contaminated and some died. It was possible to determine whether the attack was anthrax, but it took long enough for the test that the patient could literally die before results were delivered. A process was derived to speed up testing, allowing infecting people to be tested and treated before death. Finally, cancer can also be difficult to detect. The creation of rapid tests allows for better and more rapid treatment to be delivered to patients.

Fans of medicine will appreciate learning about these medical breakthroughs, and how they improved medical outcomes.

Nature Meets Nurture: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids

Borelli, Jessica, and Stacy Doan. Nature Meets Nurture: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids. 2022. 350p. ISBN 9781433833106.

Whether a person is shaped by their environment, their family, or their hard wiring remains a source of debate, with research pointing to both sides of the arguments to describe why some individuals are successful despite poor genetic conditions or an inadequate environment, while others have both and seem to not amount to much. In Nature Meets Nurture, the latest investigations on brain science, epigenetics, and social research are analyzed, translated into plain English, and applied to specific situations to demonstrate skills and actions parents can take to help their child exceed the debate of nature versus nurture and instead support whole person emotional well-being.

Genetics are very important, and influence a child even before birth. But they are not the end of the conversation. The environment that surrounds the child, even before birth, also has a direct impact on the child's development in the womb, and, following birth, their emotional bonding. Strategies to deploy the best of genetics and environmental circumstances are presented, with the goal of creating a more resilient child, equipped with skills designed to reduce stress, promote social awareness, and improve learning. 

With so much stress in our lives, whether nature or nurture has a larger influence on a person is moot. We need to deal with both, and we need to incorporate the best that each bring to ensure that children can grow into well-loved and successful individuals.

Maybe an Artist

Montague, Liz. Maybe an Artist. 2022. 176p. ISBN 9780593307816. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Growing up, Liz always knew she was different from the rest of her family. Her two sisters were academically inclined, were amazing readers, and even better athletes. But for Liz, reading was hard, her parents' expectations were crushing, and school was not her thing. Liz loved to draw, but being an artist was not a possibility she could envision, because artists generally starve and don't make a career out of their art. 

But she was good at art, and could use the medium to effectively communicate with friends and family. Growing up African-American in a relatively white New Jersey was difficult, but not as much as it was for the Muslim students at her school following 9/11 and the wave of terrorism worries that swept the country. Through it all, Liz had to learn what she really wanted for herself. 

Exploring Liz's life from elementary school to college and beyond, Maybe an Artist is a process of discovery and exploration. Now a successful artist who has published in the New Yorker and elsewhere, Liz's story is inspiring and shows that with effort and dedication, one can reach their goal.

Gigi Shin is not a Nerd

Lee, Lyla. Gigi Shin is not a Nerd. 2024. 192p. ISBN 9781665939171.

Gigi Shin is not a Nerd

Jiyoung "Gigi" Shin is an amazing drawer. She effortlessly creates superheroes, and hopes to become a celebrated illustrator living from her artwork, like her aunt who is in New York City instead of her boring Texas town. Her Korean parents, who own a convenience store and work hard seven days a week, have different expectations, however, and they want Gigi to be good in math and science just like her little brother, so she can become a doctor or a scientist and make the family proud. 

When an opportunity to apply for art camp in New York City is presented in her art class, Gigi jumps at the chance, even if she doesn't have any money and can't ask her parents. Her best friends Carolina and Zeina are also interested in attending, so the girls come up with a brilliant idea to raise funds. They create a tutoring business for other middle schoolers and for elementary students who need help, and they start advertising their services. The Ace Squad soon begins tutoring students.

But not all is well for Gigi. First, her grades are slipping, and her parents are breathing down her neck. She hasn't told them about the Ace Squad, and she's worried that if they find out they will want to put an end to it. Second, her crush is now asking for tutoring help, and even though Gigi is terrible at math, unlike Carolina who's supposed to tutor all students with math issues, Gigi jumps at the opportunity to assign Paul to herself, and changes the schedule on everyone. As the problems pile up, Gigi's friendships start to fray. Can Gigi find a balance between school, friends, and work?

A fast read illustrating the realities and expectations of many immigrant families, Gigi Shin is not a Nerd feature realistic middle school characters who sometimes make poor decisions and must live with the consequences. All ends well for Gigi however, as honesty, even if belayed, often fixes dire situations. Fans of a quick read will appreciate this story and will look for a hopeful sequel, so that we can continue watch Gigi grow as a person!

Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist

Caravantes, Peggy. Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist. Part of the Notable Americans series. 2003. 128p. ISBN 9781931798143. Available at B GAR on the library shelves.

Born in Jamaica in 1887, Garvey was the eleventh children of a family that had middle class aspirations but always struggled to get by. Experiencing racism at an early age when a friend's parents forbade them to play with a Black boy, Garvey dedicated his life to fight for Black people everywhere. Pursuing his education, Garvey gained an appreciation for the plight of Black people around the world. Colonial powers in Africa were oppressing Black majorities. Attitudes in the United States considered African-Americans to be second class citizens. Garvey determined to promote Black nationalism and a return to Africa where Black people could be leaders and serve in independent countries.

Having seen the plight of Black people in Jamaica and Panama, Garvey articulated a consciousness of race that appealed to Blacks, but he found himself blocked by British colonial authorities from effecting any meaningful change. Garvey moved to the United States, where he hoped to pursue the struggle. There he founded UNIA, an organization designed to unite Blacks and promote Black leadership and ownership, as well as a return to the African continent.

Over the years, projects such as purchasing a shipping line, building infrastructure in Liberia, and promoting projects led by Blacks increased Garvey's status, but also brought along enemies. Differences in ideologies and in political aims caused a split in the UNIA, and Garvey found himself behind bars before being released and removed from the United States.

Garvey pursued the struggle from Jamaica and Britain, but was never able to reestablish prominence among Black leaders. Facing personal and professional difficulties, Garvey died in London in 1940, and his body was finally returned to Jamaica in 1964, where he was acclaimed as a hero.

Freestyle

Galligan, Gale. Freestyle. 2022. 272p. ISBN 9781338045802. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Cory and his friends have been part of the same freestyle dance team for ever. The Eight Bitz have participated in countless championships, but this year being their last in middle school, their captain, Tess, has a new routine she has choreographed and wants them to perform. With everyone heading in different directions for high school, this may be their last opportunity to wow the crowd. 

But Cory's grades are bad, and he gets grounded by his parents. And to add insult to injury, he has to be tutored by Sunna, his science partner. Annoyed at the whole situation because now he can't practice with his team, Cory gives Sunna a hard time. Not impressed, his parents lay down the law, and Cory decides to apply himself. When he discovers that Sunna loves the yo yo, he is intrigued. Sunna demonstrates a few tricks, and ties these back to the math tutoring she's doing with Cory, and soon they become friends. 

By experimenting with the yo yo, however, Cory is neglecting his crew and his dance moves. Tess is annoyed, because for her this choreography is her application to the high school of her choice. For Sunna, yo yo is a connection with her older brother, against whom she gets unfairly compared by her parents. As the weeks progress, Cory, Tess and Sunna find that the pressure builds for them to make decisions that will impact their lives. For Cory, will he have to choose between Eight Bitz and Sunna? For Tess, will she get the recognition she needs to propel her forward next year? For Sunna, will her parents accept her for who she is, and not who she should be? Will Cory's friends welcome her into their group? With so many expectations, can this last year of middle school get even more complicated?

The No-Girlfriend Rule

Randall, Christen. The No-Girlfriend Rule. 2024. 336p. ISBN 9781665939812. 

Hollis knows she's fat and big. Hollis also knows that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes life can be hard, and Hollis would enjoy an easy day once in a while. Living as a fat girl with anxiety is not for the faint of heart, and with her senior year starting, things are about to change. Fortunately, Hollis still has her boyfriend Chris. Their relationship is not like the roller coaster she read about in young adult books. It's more of a slow lane, where everything is comfortable and familiar, if a little stifling.

Chris plays Secrets and Sorcery every Friday night, and there's one inviolable rule at their gaming table: No girlfriends are allowed. So Hollis has never had the opportunity to join Chris in his hobby. Hoping to improve her relationship with Chris, Hollis joins a group of girls who play Secrets and Sorcery in Cincinnati, across the Ohio river from Covington, Kentucky. Run by experienced game master Gloria, six girls gather at the gaming table to adventure together through imaginary realms. 

What begins as a desire to impress Chris and rekindle a connection with him slowly turn into an activity Hollis does for herself. As she learns to play and makes new friends outside of school, Hollis realizes that being fat and anxious are not characteristics that define her. Instead, her mind and her outlook on life are what make her interesting to the other girls. Her character develops a crush on one of the other characters, and Hollis is forced to admit that she's attracted to Aini, who gives her stomach butterflies every time she sees her. And Aini seems to feel the same way Hollis does.

But Hollis has a boyfriend. And this whole thing was to try to get closer to him their senior year. When then she finds out that Chris' best friend is now bringing his own girlfriend at their gaming table, Hollis begins questioning everything. Perhaps it is time to stop playing pretend, and act on her feelings ...

Fans of Dungeons and Dragons will appreciate the plot within the plot as Hollis and her friends complete a campaign at Gloria's table. As a character, Hollis is realistic and her relationship with Aini evolves organically. Readers who enjoy a satisfying conclusion will appreciate The No-Girlfriend Rule.

Abandon Ship! The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia

Tougias, Michael J. and A;lison O'Leary. Abandon Ship! The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia. Part of the True Survival Series. 2023. 272p. ISBN 9780316401371. Available at 940.54 TOU on the library shelves. 

During wartime, sinking enemy ships was considered of paramount importance, denying the enemy the ability to transport troops and move equipment. The laws of warfare suggests that civilians should not be targeted, but in the fog of war, with decisions needing to be taken within split seconds, sometimes tragedies occurred. A reckless disregard for human life often affected commanders in the field as well, as they sought to destroy enemy targets regardless of civilian casualties. 

There have been "famous sinkings" of passenger ships during the First and Second World War, from the destruction of the Lusitania in 1915 to the tragic sinking of Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 with over 25,000 dead. A little-known sinking, that of the Laconia in 1942, however, should be better known, as several passengers who managed to escape survived for nearly a month drifting at sea. Some were rescued by German submarines, others by French warships. Still, some eventually landed on the coast of Africa after a trip of 700 miles.

Mistaking the ship for a cargo ship, a German submarine fired two torpedoes which struck dead center, causing the Laconia to sink in less than an hour. Survivors jumped overboard and boarded rescue boats. Realizing they had sunk a British civilian liner instead of a cargo ship, the German captain made the unprecedented decision to rescue as many survivors as possible, even if this meant putting his own ship at risk. When he discovered that many of the survivors were Italian prisoners of war, the captain received permission to continue the rescue.

An attack by an American bomber ended those efforts, and those who remained in the water found themselves without water or food as they drifted away from shipping lines. Through grit and pure survival instinct, a few hardy individuals survived to tell the tale of the Laconia.

Fans of history and of true survival stories will appreciate this quick read.

Naruto, Vol. 17

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 17. 2007. 192p. ISBN 9781421516523. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Continuing their quest from Naruto, Vol. 16 to locate Tsunada and ask her to return to their village so that Jirayia does not have to become the next Hokage,  Naruto and Jirayia have stopped at a hotel for the night. Hearing a knock on the door, Naruto opens it, only to find himself standing in front of Uchina Itachi, Sasuke's brother. Itachi has been mandated to bring Naruto with him. Sasuke, who wants revenge on his own brother for slaughtering his family, intervenes, but despite his skills he is no match for his brother. Fortunately Jirayia returns at the right time, and manages to trap Itachi and his companion for a few minutes before they successfully escape.

With Sasuke badly hurt, finding Tsunade has become more urgent. Jirayia and Naruto set out to continue Naturo's training while they look for the lady known as the Legendary Loser. Working on his jitsu, Naruto tries to master the art of exploding a water balloon, while Jirayia hunts for any clue as to the whereabouts of Tsunade.

Meanwhile, Orichimari is also looking for Tsunade, as his confrontation with the Fourth Hokage has left him badly injured, and only a healer of her caliber can restore him to full health ... 

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 18. 

Pardilita

Estrela, Joana. Pardilita. 2023. 244p. ISBN 9781646142552.

Life in a small town can be painful when you're a teen, whether you're in the United States or in another country. Everybody knows everyone else, and people have their noses in your business all the time. Raquel is 16, and she yearns for more. Her parents went through an acrimonious divorce, and her father recently remarried. Feeling sensitive about the topic, she gets very angry at a paraprofessional at her school when she's questioned about her father's new bride, and as a result she is suspended from school. Raquel's best friends, Luísa and Fred, are very supportive, but they can't seem to cheer her up. Raquel wants more from life than what her town can offer.

Joining a play, Raquel makes the acquaintance of Pardalita, a senior she's seen before but never interacted with. Pardalita is brash, bold, colorful, and artistic. The two of them hit it off very quickly, and soon Raquel is head over heels for Pardalita. But Pardalita is leaving town to attend university in Lisbon in the fall, and Raquel will be left behind along. Fortunately, there's a whole summer to go through before that happens, so Raquel will live life to the fullest, ensuring that each and every day spent with Pardalita is the best one yet!

Told through poems, illustrations, and graphic novel vignette, the story of Raquel and Pardalita beautifully portrays teenage angst and the desires, effects, and repercussions of a first love. Readers who are looking for an experience that is both sad and joyful will appreciate Pardalita and its real-life representation of formative teenage years.

A Stinky History of Toilets

Meikle. Olivia. A Stinky History of Toilets. 2024. 48p. ISBN 9781684493739.

We use them every day, and by the time we live a long full life we will have spend over 2 years of our lives sitting on them. But really, when is the last time you thought about the history of toilets? Most likely never, which is why this book exists to tell the fantastic stories of how human excrements have been handled in societies past and present.

From gross-out details like Romans sharing sea sponges to wipe their behinds to Mongols catapulting buckets of waste over city walls, A Stinky History of Toilets describes how human ingenuity sought (sometimes poorly) to overcome a massive and stinking waste problem. Filled with fun (and disgusting) facts, like the average human produces 24,320 pound of poop during their lifetime, the early toilets were prone to explode, and most mammals, regardless of size, take about 12 seconds to void their insides, this book will fascinate, spark some thinking, and perhaps induce vomiting, but all in the name of learning!

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13. 2014. 202p. ISBN 9781421575360. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With Izumo in the Illuminati's hands following Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12, the Exwires have decided to infiltrate that evil organization's lair. Breaching into it, they soon run into atypical zombies. Professor Gedoin, the mad scientist working for the Illuminati, has created zombies that do not die after they are dispatched the usual way. Looking for a serum that will save Lord Lucifer's life, Gedoin has been conducting experimentation on unwilling subjects. Those that survived became his army of zombies.

Izumo, meanwhile, attempts to escape so she can protect her younger sister, but she is recaptured by the traitor Shima, who brings her back to Gedoin. Despite the fact that there is only a 0.08% chance Izumo is a match for the demon that inhabits her mother, with Izumo's mother Tamamo dying, Gedoin makes the decision to transfer the demon now, regardless of the low chances of success.

Rin and the other Exwires have been divided by a clever trap designed by Gedoin, and they must all combat these new zombies by themselves. Can they all devise strategies to escape their confinement? And what of Sheimi, who is unconscious as a zombie shambles towards her?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14.

Remember Us

Woodson, Jacqueline. Remember Us. 2023. 192p. ISBN 9780399545467.

Old buildings in Sage's neighborhood are going up in flames the summer following her 6th grade. Sage loves basketball, and she would rather shoot hoops with the guys than spend time with the girls she has known her whole life. Except, it seems like relationships between boys and girls are now changing, and Sage feels at a disadvantage. And with so many fires happening, Sage is worried her home is next. When Freddy moves into the neighborhood, Sage is thrilled to finally have a friend that gets her.

As they spend time on the court and hanging out, they observe their neighborhood and how quickly it seems to be changing. Sage is better than most of the boys on the court, but a bully steals her ball and makes her question herself, Sage does not tell Freddy. Is she an athlete, someone who excels at basketball, or is she a girl, someone who wears makeup and fusses with her hair. Sage questions her identity, wondering where she fits in this expanding universe.

When a fire destroys a nearby home and kills one of her friends, Sage and Freddy are there for each other. As summer comes to a close, and as Sage prepares to move to a new home away from the neighborhood and its fires, she must come to terms that the future is never static, and the only constant is change. 

Focused on daily life and memories, Remember Us nevertheless explores universal truths about identity and remembering, effectively conveying the many transitions Sage finds herself in. Fans of growing up novels will appreciate this short poetic read.