The Clockwork Scarab: A Stoker and Holmes Novel

Gleason, Colleen. The Clockwork Scarab: A Stoker and Holmes Novel. 2013. 356p. ISBN 1452110700. Available as an eBook on Overdrive.

Mina Holmes is the daughter of Mycroft Holmes, older brother of Sherlock. Just as her uncle, Mina is very observant and has already dabbled in the family business of sleuthing. Evaline Stoker is the very much younger sister of Bram Stoker, and descends from a family of vampire hunters imbued with superhuman strengths and skills. The only time she faced a vampire, the sight of blood prevented her from killing it. Neither of them really want to become like their older, more famous relatives, but both of them still find themselves attracted to these professions.

In the last month, one high society girl has been found dead, while another one has gone missing. Stoker and Holmes are approached by an agent of the Crown to investigate these acts and attempt to discover who is behind it. Stoker, with her strength and passion, and Mina with her intellect and power of deduction, are ideally suited to solve these events with only the one clue that was discovered: a mechanical Egyptian scarab.

As the girls investigate, they quickly realize that there is a vast conspiracy at work to bring back an Egyptian goddess, and that many high society girls are involved. Out of their elements, the girls will nevertheless risk it all to save a steampunk London from troubles. If they are not careful, however, they will become the next victims!

Fans of Etiquette and Espionage and Leviathan will enjoy this steampunk tale.

Oxycodone

Stanmyre, Jackie F. Oxycodone. Part of the Dangerous Drugs series. 2016. 64p. ISBN 978-1-50260-558-0. Available at 615.78 STA on the library shelves.

In the past drug users generally started with a gateway drug such as marijuana and then proceeded to experiment with other drugs such as cocaine. Over the last ten years, however, there has been an epidemic of prescription drug abuse that has increased the number of overdoses and fatalities throughout the United States. And unlike earlier times when there was at least the criminal intent of doing drugs, most of today’s abusers started with a legal product to soothe their pain and became addicted.

Oxycodone, one of the painkillers from the opioid family, has been prescribed numerous times to manage pain in patients. But many of them become addicted and build a tolerance to it. They begin seeking higher and higher doses. Eventually, the lack of availability and the expense turn people to heroin, also from the opioid family and a cheaper substitute.

This book describes the history of oxycodone and the impact it has on society, from its benefits to its drawbacks and the side effects that people can incur from using it. The lives of celebrities who abused painkillers is also examined, along with a list of possible signs that one of your loved ones has become addicted. Finally, possible avenues of addressing this epidemic are discussed. Only by knowing the facts can we hope to solve this crisis.

Air Gear, vol. 1

Oh! Great. Air Gear, Vol. 1. 2006. 224p. ISBN 9780345492784. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Itsuki is the best fighter and the toughest kid at Higashi Junior High School. Never shying away from a fight, Itsuki takes on too much when he wins a bout against a group of Westside punks. Turns out one of them is connected to the Skull Saber Storm Riders, a criminal gang. The Riders move in on Itsuki, beat him, and claim his school as part of their territory.

Meanwhile, Itsuki has it hard at home, where he lives with the four Noyamano sisters, who are stronger, quicker, and tougher than he is. With his life shattered and his reputation in tatters, Itsuki has no hope left. In his darkest hour, however, the Noyamano sisters come to his aid. It turns out they are the Sleeping Forest, an elite group of Air Trekers who easily defeat the Skull Sabers. The Air Treks allow users to feel like they are flying. They can accomplish amazing feats of acrobatics. But with these skates come responsibilities. Can Itsuki meet them?

The story continues in Air Gear, Vol. 2.

Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing our Kids for the Innovation Era

Wagner, Tony & Ted Dintersmith. Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing our Kids for the Innovation Era. 2015. 296p. ISBN 978-1-5011-0431-2. Available on the shelves at 371.20 WAG on the library shelves.

In this thought-provoking book, Wagner and Dintersmith argue that the current school model used in the United States dates from the 1893’s Committee of Ten recommendations and is perfectly geared towards molding individuals who will be active participants in the manufacturing age. But we have moved on beyond the manufacturing age, and we are even leaving the information age behind as we arrive at the innovation age.

Today’s economy emphasizes entrepreneurship and initiative in detecting problems and creating solutions to resolve them. Instead of focusing on content, GPAs, and AP classes, schools need to emphasize creative skills and innovation to produce citizens who are engaged and able to reflect on their own learning. The authors focus on what can be done to improve American high schools and share insights on how successful individuals accomplished amazing things without following a traditional educational path. Anyone interested in promoting creativity, initiative and entrepreneurship must read this book.   

Special Ops: Tactical Training

Blount Christian, Mary. Special Ops: Tactical Training. Part of the Inside Special Forces series. 2015. 64p. ISBN 978-1-477775479. Available at 356.16 CHR on the library shelves.

How does one become a member of the U.S. Special Ops forces? Mental and physical conditioning are only the beginning of an intense journey that takes the willing recruit to the status of elite soldier in the United States’ Special Operations.

The training varies based on which special forces one joins, including the Green Berets, Rangers, Delta Force, SEALs, SOARs, and MARSOC. Each Corps has its own specialized teams responsible for the safety and security of the larger units. All of the training, however, include intense physical and mental preparation on very little food and sleep, parachute jumps from airplanes, and close combat attack and defense methods. Trainees have to survive ever longer hikes and endurance trials, as well as participate in increasingly complex scenarios such as surviving ambushes and leading freedom fighters against an oppressive regime.

Those who complete this demanding training become members of a highly trained and effective special force, but their training will continue throughout their service.

Books in this series include:

• Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team
• Special Ops: Air Commandos
• Black Ops and Other Special Missions of the U.S. Navy SEALs
• Special Ops: Military Intelligence
• Special Ops: Tactical Training
• Special Ops: Weapons and Gear

History Debate

O’Hearn, Michael. History Debate. Part of the This or That Debate series. 2013. 32p. ISBN 978-1-4296-9274-8. Available at 909 OHE on the library shelves.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a medieval knight? How about being a samurai warrior? You may have considered this possibility, but have you ever compared the two of them? What would be benefits and drawbacks of each? This short books posits several scenarios that oppose two alternatives, each of which may not be that pleasant. For example, would you rather be on the Titanic as it is sinking or in the Hindenburg zeppelin as it is exploding in the air? Be sent to Alcatraz or to a medieval dungeon? Travel in an ancient Egyptian desert caravan or across the American West in a wagon? Read this book and make your own decision!

Dragon Heir

Chima, Cinda Williams. Dragon Heir. Book 3 of the Heir Chronicles series. 2009. 348p. ISBN  978-1-42313713-9. Available as an eBook from Overdrive.

At the end of Wizard Heir, D’Orsay fled his conspiratorial meeting at Second Sisters with a Covenant that once again binded the underguilds to the wizards’ dominion, following the wizards’ loss of control at the Tournament in Warrior Heir. The Roses have laid siege to D’Orsay’s ancestral home, hoping to get their hands on that Covenant. The Weir inhabitants of Trinity are weary of this battle between the three sides and have declared themselves a Sanctuary for all Weirs.

Jason Haley, wishing to get involved, smuggles himself in D’Orsay’s land and discovers a long-forgotten cave and a hoard of powerful magical items, including the Dragonheart, a strange stone filled with magical energy. When elicitor Madison Moss touches the Dragonheart, it suddenly reacts to her and wizards suddenly lose access to it. As wizards marshall outside the Weirwall erected around Trinity and protected by the wizard Seph, and the warriors Jack, Ellen, and their ghost armies, betrayal and tragedy are about to befall the unlikely band of rebels. Are Jason and Madison willing to finally commit to the cause of magic?

A satisfying if bitter-sweet end to the Heir Chronicles, all of the main characters gather one more time in a fast-moving plot in which many of them will die. Fans of the fantasy / modern world hybrid will find their fill in this brilliant conclusion.