We are absolutely brimming with new books here at the Library and wish we could open our doors for our patrons to browse through them. But since that isn’t yet possible, I hope the reviews here will tempt our readers to try some of these outstanding new books. If you need help in choosing and reserving, please know that we always welcome your calls and are happy to help you fulfill your reading passions.
Nonfiction
“The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine” by Janice P. Nimura is the story of Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell who managed to earn medical degrees despite the blocks put in their way by society and early 1800’s educational systems. They founded a hospital for women and staffed by women and are considered visionaries in their field. The book has earned numerous starred reviews from a variety of sources.
“American Baby: A Mother, A Child and the Shadow History of Adoption” by Gabriele Glaser exposes the horrifyingly true experience of a young woman whose baby was taken from her at birth and her subsequent search to find him. There are many troubling facts in this book, but one of the most troubling is that it takes place in the 1960s when adoption became a lucrative business that was determined to stay secretive. It is a gripping and searingly powerful account.
“18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics” by Bruce Goldfarb tells of Chicago socialite Glessner and her work to solve crimes in the late 1800s. Her fascination with unexplained deaths led her to create gruesome dioramas that helped her determine if a crime had been committed and, if so, how. Thus, her compelling interest in criminology grew into the science of forensic pathology, and many of her methods are still used today.
Fiction
Here are some of the new fiction titles that were added to our collection during the past month:
“The Butterfly House,” a thriller by Katrine Engberg; “Cathedral,” historical fiction by Ben Fuller; “The Children’s Blizzard,” historical fiction by Melanie Benjamin; “Four Winds,” historical fiction by Kristin Hannah; “Lazarus,” a Nordic thriller by Lars Kepler; “Nick,” a portrait of Nick Carraway before “The Great Gatsby” by Michael Farris Smith; “The Rib King,” a satirical social commentary by Ladee Hubbard; “The Wife Upstairs,” a Gothic thriller by Rachel Hawkins; “The Scorpion’s Tail,” the second crime thriller starring Nora Kelly by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; and “Transcendent Kingdom,” a novel of the immigrant experience by Yaa Gyasi.
The American Library Association's 2021 Awards for Young People’s Books
Tae Keller won the 2021 Newberry Medal for children’s literature for her book, “When You Trap a Tiger.” The book, which also won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, tells the story of Lily and her family who go to live with her grandmother who is ill. Keller employs a Korean folktale to show how Lily, tempted to make a deal with a tiger for her grandmother’s recovery, must weigh the consequences and, above all, be brave. The book is appropriate for ages 8-12.
Michaela Goade won the 2021 Randolph Caldecott Medal for illustration for “We Are Water Protectors,” written by Carole Lindstrom. The book celebrates the vital role water plays in our lives and will inspire young children to be “water protectors.” Celebrating indigenous people and their commitment to preserving our water sources, it is a good introduction to why it is important to stand up for environmental justice. It is written for ages 3-6, but its message and wonderful art will be appreciated by everyone.
The Michael Printz Award, given annually for the best new book for teens, was won by Daniel Nayeri for “Everything Sad Is Untrue.” Subtitled “a true story,” it tells of the author’s experiences as a young refugee from Iran trying to fit into middle school life in Oklahoma. Using a story within a story concept, Daniel shares his heritage with his classmates via beautiful tales as foreign to them as their culture is to him. Poignant and extraordinary, the book is for ages 10 and up.
“All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team” by Christina Soontornvat was named a Newbery Honor Book, a Robert Silbert Honor Book, and was a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. It is an exciting account of the young players who became trapped inside a cave by rising floodwaters. Even though their fate is known to the reader, the complicated rescue is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of endurance and determination. Written for ages 8 to 12, it will capture the imagination of even older readers.
2021 Prize Winners Available for Checkout
The American Library Association’s 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction was won by James McBride for his novel “Deacon King Kong.” Also named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the New York Times, “Entertainment Weekly,” and TIME Magazine, this amazing book takes readers into a 1969 Brooklyn neighborhood where drugs and crime are exploding. Following the shooting of a young drug dealer by an elderly drunk named Sportcoat, the events that unfold effect the lives of many members of the diverse community. The author, who also won the National Book Award for his novel “The Good Lord Bird,” has been compared to Mark Twain for his insight and wit.
The 2021 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction went to Australian writer Rebecca Giggs for her book “Fathoms: the World in the Whale.” After seeing a stranded humpback whale on a beach near her home, the author decided to study the relationship between these giant creatures and the ecology of the ocean. What she discovered expands our knowledge of whales, as well as delves into the environmental challenges that humans face. Called “a profound meditation,” by the Los Angeles Review of Books, the book has been praised for both its lyrical writing and for its brilliant research.
by Karin Glendenning
Nonfiction
“The Doctors Blackwell: How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine” by Janice P. Nimura is the story of Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell who managed to earn medical degrees despite the blocks put in their way by society and early 1800’s educational systems. They founded a hospital for women and staffed by women and are considered visionaries in their field. The book has earned numerous starred reviews from a variety of sources.
“American Baby: A Mother, A Child and the Shadow History of Adoption” by Gabriele Glaser exposes the horrifyingly true experience of a young woman whose baby was taken from her at birth and her subsequent search to find him. There are many troubling facts in this book, but one of the most troubling is that it takes place in the 1960s when adoption became a lucrative business that was determined to stay secretive. It is a gripping and searingly powerful account.
“18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics” by Bruce Goldfarb tells of Chicago socialite Glessner and her work to solve crimes in the late 1800s. Her fascination with unexplained deaths led her to create gruesome dioramas that helped her determine if a crime had been committed and, if so, how. Thus, her compelling interest in criminology grew into the science of forensic pathology, and many of her methods are still used today.
Fiction
Here are some of the new fiction titles that were added to our collection during the past month:
“The Butterfly House,” a thriller by Katrine Engberg; “Cathedral,” historical fiction by Ben Fuller; “The Children’s Blizzard,” historical fiction by Melanie Benjamin; “Four Winds,” historical fiction by Kristin Hannah; “Lazarus,” a Nordic thriller by Lars Kepler; “Nick,” a portrait of Nick Carraway before “The Great Gatsby” by Michael Farris Smith; “The Rib King,” a satirical social commentary by Ladee Hubbard; “The Wife Upstairs,” a Gothic thriller by Rachel Hawkins; “The Scorpion’s Tail,” the second crime thriller starring Nora Kelly by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child; and “Transcendent Kingdom,” a novel of the immigrant experience by Yaa Gyasi.
The American Library Association's 2021 Awards for Young People’s Books
Tae Keller won the 2021 Newberry Medal for children’s literature for her book, “When You Trap a Tiger.” The book, which also won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, tells the story of Lily and her family who go to live with her grandmother who is ill. Keller employs a Korean folktale to show how Lily, tempted to make a deal with a tiger for her grandmother’s recovery, must weigh the consequences and, above all, be brave. The book is appropriate for ages 8-12.
Michaela Goade won the 2021 Randolph Caldecott Medal for illustration for “We Are Water Protectors,” written by Carole Lindstrom. The book celebrates the vital role water plays in our lives and will inspire young children to be “water protectors.” Celebrating indigenous people and their commitment to preserving our water sources, it is a good introduction to why it is important to stand up for environmental justice. It is written for ages 3-6, but its message and wonderful art will be appreciated by everyone.
The Michael Printz Award, given annually for the best new book for teens, was won by Daniel Nayeri for “Everything Sad Is Untrue.” Subtitled “a true story,” it tells of the author’s experiences as a young refugee from Iran trying to fit into middle school life in Oklahoma. Using a story within a story concept, Daniel shares his heritage with his classmates via beautiful tales as foreign to them as their culture is to him. Poignant and extraordinary, the book is for ages 10 and up.
“All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team” by Christina Soontornvat was named a Newbery Honor Book, a Robert Silbert Honor Book, and was a finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. It is an exciting account of the young players who became trapped inside a cave by rising floodwaters. Even though their fate is known to the reader, the complicated rescue is a thrilling and suspenseful tale of endurance and determination. Written for ages 8 to 12, it will capture the imagination of even older readers.
2021 Prize Winners Available for Checkout
The American Library Association’s 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction was won by James McBride for his novel “Deacon King Kong.” Also named one of the Top Ten Books of the Year by the New York Times, “Entertainment Weekly,” and TIME Magazine, this amazing book takes readers into a 1969 Brooklyn neighborhood where drugs and crime are exploding. Following the shooting of a young drug dealer by an elderly drunk named Sportcoat, the events that unfold effect the lives of many members of the diverse community. The author, who also won the National Book Award for his novel “The Good Lord Bird,” has been compared to Mark Twain for his insight and wit.
The 2021 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction went to Australian writer Rebecca Giggs for her book “Fathoms: the World in the Whale.” After seeing a stranded humpback whale on a beach near her home, the author decided to study the relationship between these giant creatures and the ecology of the ocean. What she discovered expands our knowledge of whales, as well as delves into the environmental challenges that humans face. Called “a profound meditation,” by the Los Angeles Review of Books, the book has been praised for both its lyrical writing and for its brilliant research.
by Karin Glendenning
RSS Feed