Blackwater

Arroyo, Jeannette and Ren Graham. Blackwater. 2022. 304p. ISBN 9781250304025. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Tony Price is a popular high school track star who struggles with his father's expectations. Eli Hirsch, who attends the same school, is a quiet boy dealing with a chronic illness and is often absent. They find their lives intertwined in the haunted town of Blackwater, Maine, as reports of a strange vicious animal prowling the woods makes the rounds. Tony is attracted to Eli, but his friend Biff, who is a bully, sees Eli as a weakling deserving of harassment. Eli also feels something for Tony, but the whole jock attitude acts as a repellant. Plus, Eli is haunted by ghosts, especially the persistent ghost of a fisherman who seems to want something from him.

When Tony ends up in the woods with Biff and his family hunting the beast, he turns out to be the prey. Bit by the monster, Tony begins to suffer the consequences, transforming into a werewolf. Witnesses to this transformation, Eli and Tony's best friend, goth girl Marcia decide they must help their friend before he does something he will regret. Working together, the three of them attempt to find a way to save Tony while living through usual trials and tribulations of high school life.

Exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the supernatural, Blackwater creates a unique and engaging reading experience for fans of graphic novels and supernatural mysteries.

All the Blues in the Sky

Watson, Renée. All the Blues in the Sky. 2025. 208p. ISBN 9781547605897.

The day Sage turned thirteen was a day meant for celebration with her best friend. Instead, it becomes a day of profound loss when her friend unexpectedly dies, hit by a car while crossing the street. This tragedy leaves Sage feeling adrift and alone, struggling to cope with the absence of the one person who shared her secrets and dreams. Seeking support, she joins a counseling group with other girls experiencing similar grief, where she learns that loss manifests in many forms and that the healing process is far from straightforward.

Through her journey in the group and her own internal struggles, Sage navigates the complex emotions of grief: sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, and pain, all intertwined with the enduring presence of love. Even amidst her sorrow, new and positive experiences begin to enter her life, offering glimmers of hope and the possibility of healing. 

 Told in a blend of accessible verse and prose, All the Blues in the Sky explores the multifaceted nature of grief and Sage's path toward self-forgiveness and growth, offering a comforting and relatable perspective for anyone who has experienced loss.

Naruto, Vol. 25: Brothers

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 25: Brothers. 2011. 192p. ISBN 9781421544816. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Having caught up with Sasuke in Naruto, Vol. 24, Naruto confronts his best friend in a fierce battle. Sasuke, driven by a desire for power to avenge his clan, remembers the past to understand how his older brother Itachi became the formidable ninja he is today. This exploration reveals the dark secrets that surround his parents' murders, a tragic event that shaped Sasuke's life and ultimately led to the destruction of their clan. Sasuke also explores why his father seemingly rejected him in favor of his older brother, and felt he could never measure up.

As Naruto fights Sasuke in a fierce battle, he grapples with the devastating realization that his close friendship with Sasuke may ultimately lead to his downfall, as Sasuke reveals that he must kill his best friend to acquire the power he seeks. As the two of them battle at the waterfall, who will come out triumphant, and at what cost?

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 26.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 11: Double Down

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 11: Double Down. 2016. 224p. ISBN 9781419725456. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

Greg Heffley is feeling the squeeze from his mom, who is determined to get him to explore interests beyond his beloved video games. She's pushing him to find some other talent or hobby. When Greg stumbles upon an old video camera in the basement, a lightbulb goes off. He thinks making movies could be his ticket to proving he's got serious skills, and maybe even become famous and rich while he's at it.

Enlisting his trusty sidekick, Rowley, Greg dives headfirst into a plan to create a scary movie masterpiece. They start filming, dreaming of the fame and fortune that surely await them. However, the question lingers: is Greg's all-in approach to filmmaking a stroke of genius that will finally impress his mom and the world? Or is this ambitious project just going to create a whole new set of hilarious and likely disastrous problems for him?

STEM for All: How to Connect, Create, and Cultuvate STEM Education for All Learners

Bakshi McLean, Leena. STEM for All: How to Connect, Create, and Cultuvate STEM Education for All Learners. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781394221448.

STEM education has often been lacking for minority students, for students learning English, and for students with a low socio-economic status. Yet educators claim to want to help every student succeed. STEM for All offers a comprehensive guide for educators seeking to improve STEM education and address the persistent achievement gap. Drawing upon the Connect, Create, and Cultivate framework from STEM4Real, practical tools and strategies for creating inclusive and engaging learning environments are showcased. Critical factors that impact student success in STEM are explored, including classroom culture, discourse, identity, family involvement, and equitable access to resources. Through real-world examples and case studies, the importance of addressing implicit biases and fostering a sense of belonging for all students is highlighted.

By identifying and overcoming the challenges that hinder student engagement in STEM, educators can create more equitable and effective learning experiences. STEM for All equips educators with the knowledge and tools to implement culturally relevant teaching practices, build strong relationships with students and families, and ultimately close the STEM gap, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM for All is a valuable resource for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders committed to improving STEM education and preparing students for future success in a rapidly changing world.

Naruto, Vol. 24: Unorthodox

Kishimoto, Masashi. Naruto, Vol. 24: Unorthodox. 2011. 192p. ISBN 9781421544816. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

All of the combats in Naruto, Vol. 23 reached their climax as Naruto and his friends were either forced to withdraw after suffering injuries, or found themselves in a deadly stalemate. When the Sound Ninjas tap deep in their chakra reserve, the chunins from Kohona are utterly spent. But as each of the remaining Sound Ninja seek to deliver a death blow, Naruto is joined first by Rock Lee, who survived his operation, and by the Sand Ninjas. Kankuro, Temari and Gaara join each of the fights, altering the balance in their favor.

Gaara and Rock Lee takes on Kimimaro, allowing Naruto to chase a now awakened Sasuke. Orichimaru still needs Sasuke to reach him, so he can take over his body. Shikamaru and Temari stop Tayuya's flute playing and destroy part of the forest when they take her out. Kankuro help Kiba and his dog Akamaru against the twice entity Sakon and Ukon. These deadly battles leave a trail of destruction in their wake.

Naruto finally catches up to Sasuke. Can he bring him back to Sakura as he promised? 

The story continues in Naruto, Vol. 25.

Needy Little Things

Desamours, Channelle. Needy Little Things. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9781250334817. 

High school senior Sariyah Lee Bryant possesses a unique and unsettling gift: she can hear the unmet needs of those around her. As a result, she always carries a bag filled with strange items, for one never knows when someone will need a tissue, a key, an old wrench, or a ring. However, this ability proves to be more of a curse than a blessing when her friend Deja mysteriously vanishes shortly after Sariyah fulfills her need. Convinced that Deja's disappearance is more than just a coincidence, Sariyah, distrustful of the police and media, embarks on her own investigation.

This is not the first time Sariyah lost a friend. A few years ago, her best friend Tessa went missing, vanishing without a trace. She was never found, and Sariyah remains haunted by the loss of her friend, hoping against all hope that her memory will reveal a significant detail she has missed. With Deja missing, history seems to repeat itself. Her friend Malcolm, Tessa's brother, is all out on finding Deja, and attempts to move mountains to do so. Part of the problem is that both Tessa and Deja are Black girls, not the pretty and popular blonde girls who garner all of the attention when they go missing. Most people don't seem to care that Black girls are disappearing.

Complicating Sariyah's life are mounting challenges affecting her daily existence: her mother loses her job, her younger brother faces health complications due to sickle cell disease, and she herself struggles to manage her emotions and maintain a semblance of normalcy. Desperate to find Deja and help her family, Sariyah resorts to using her gift for profit, offering to fulfill others' needs for money. This risky decision, however, may not only jeopardize her own safety but also put her on a collision course with the same danger that led to Deja's disappearance.

Needy Little Things realistically portrays the social divide when girls disappear, as not all of them receive equal treatment in the media and by the police investigating their disappearances. Sariyah's character is realistic and relatable, making this a great read for fans of investigation with a light touch of paranormal.