NON- FICTION
Here you will find a mix of mostly narrative nonfiction (tells a story about true events), and a
few expository nonfiction ("how-to" books). Descriptions are paraphrased.
For more nonfiction suggestions see: The YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Award, which honors the best nonfiction written for teens each year.
To request help with finding nonfiction, call the Reference desk at the Library at 978-356-3535
extension 209 or stop by the Ipswich Library's Reference desk or Young Adult desk.
ACTIVISM
An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming, by Al Gore, 2007. This
young readers' version of the recent documentary film's companion adult volume cuts the page
count by about a third but preserves the original's cogent message and many of its striking
visuals.
A People's Art History of the United States: 250 Years of Activist Art and
Artists Working in Social Justice Movements, by Nocolas Lampert, 2013. Art history and the
fight for justice from the colonial era through the present day. Combines historical sweep with
detailed examinations of individual artists spanning the conquest of the Americas, the American
Revolution, slavery and abolition, western expansion, the suffragette movement and feminism,
civil rights movements, environmental movements, LGBT movements, anti-globalization
movements, contemporary antiwar movements, and beyond.
As the World Burns : 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial, by Derrick
Jensen and Stephanie McMillan, 2007. A satirical view of social, cultural, political, and
economic aspects of environmentalism in the United States in comic book format.
Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans & Waterways, by Cathryn Berger Kaye ;
with Philippe Cousteau and Earth Echo International, 2010. Practical suggestions to help plan
and do a meaningful service project that benefits our planet's water system.
The Teen Guide to Global Action: How to Connect with Others (Near & Far) to
Create Social Change, by Barbara A. Lewis, 2008. The Teen Guide to Global Action is a go-to
source teens can use to put their volunteer spirit into practice and make an impact in their world.
Yes You Can! : Your Guide to Becoming an Activist, by Jane Drake & Ann Love,
2010. Guides readers through nine steps to social change and discusses strategies on running an
effective meeting, writing a petition, and lobbying governments.
ART and CRAFTS
Be Crafty - Be A Maker - Nonfiction Resources in the Catalog
An Eye for Art: Focusing on Great Artists and their Work, by National Gallery
of Art, 2013. Illustrated with hundreds of full color images, this art resource introduces more
than 50 great artists and their work, with corresponding activities and explorations to inspire
artistic development, focused looking, and creative writing.
The Annotated Mona Lisa: A Crash Course in Art History From Prehistoric to
Post-Modern, by Carol Strickland, 2007. Presents the history of art from prehistoric times to the
present day, describes major artists and movements, and details the influence of art on society
through the ages.
Aspire: 200 projects to Strengthen Your Art Skills, by Valerie Colston, 2008. Teaches serious
beginners the fundamental skills of graphic design as an introduction to fine art, illustration,
computer game design, interior design, animation, and virtually all other avenues in the visual
arts.
Go, by Chip Kidd, 2013. Go, by award-winning graphic designer Chip Kidd, is an introduction
to the ways in which a designer communicates his or her ideas to the world.
I.M. Pei: Architect of Time, Place, and Purpose, by Jill Rubalcaba, 2011. A biography of the
renowned architect that focuses on six of his signature buildings.
Street Sketchbook: Journeys, by Tristan Manc, 2010. Street art and grafitti:
themes and motives.
Wideness and Wonder: The Life and Art of Georgia O'Keeffe, by Susan
Goldman Rubin, 2011. Traces the events that shaped the artist's work and how art influenced her
life in return.
DANCE and SPORTS
American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron
Crotch, by Matthew Polly, 2007. Tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, Matthew
dreamed of journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China. With humor & cultural insight, this is the
story of one man’s journey into the ancient art of kungfu.
A Passion For Victory: The Story of the Olympics in Ancient and Early
Modern Times, by Benson Bobrick, 2012. Chronicles Olympics history from the 8th century
B.C. to the competitions of the 20th century, with historical profiles of athletes and insights into
how the games were shaped by international events.
A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean, by Tori
Murden McClure, 2009. In 1998, Tori McClure began rowing across the Atlantic Ocean solo.
Tori describes her battles against storms that nearly killed her. She was hired by Muhammad Ali,
who told her she did not want to be known as the woman who "almost" rowed across the
Atlantic.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place, by Aron Ralston, 2004. A mountaineer who
survived a near-fatal accident by amputating his arm when it became trapped behind a boulder in
Utah describes how he endured five days of hypothermia, dehydration, and hallucinations before
managing his own rescue.
Born to Run : A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World
Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall, 2009. McDougall reveals the secrets of the
world's greatest distance runners--the Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon, Mexico--& how
he trained for a 50 mile race.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin
Olympics, by Daniel James Brown, 2013. Describes how a group of working class youths from
the University of Washington rowing team emerged from obscurity to defeat a field of elite
international rivals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Set against stark Depression-era realities.
Crazy For The Storm, by Norman Ollestad, 2009. Set amid the surf culture of
Malibu and Mexico in the late 1970s, this riveting memoir recalls Ollestad's childhood and the
magnetic man whose determination and love infuriated and inspired him -- and ultimately saved
his life.
Fourth Down and Inches : Concussions and Football's Make-or-Break Moment, by Carla
Killough McClafferty, 2013. Offers a look at the origins of football and the latest research on
concussion and traumatic brain injuries in the sport.
Friday Night Lights : a Town, a Team, and a Dream, by H.G. Bissinger,
2004. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bissinger spent a year in Odessa, Texas, a town obsessed
with its champion high-school football team, the Permian Panthers.
Grayson, by Lynne Cox, 2006.One morning while the 17-year-old author was training for a
long-distance swim, she became aware that something was swimming with her--a baby gray
whale that had become separated from its mother. This is the tale of how Cox miraculously
reunited mother and baby.
In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle, by Madeleine Blais, 1995. Pulitzer Prize-winning
journalist Blais tracks the championship season of a girls' basketball team from Amherst, Mass.
It is anecdotal, and details the physical & psychological efforts each girl put into the
development of the team.
Isadora Duncan : A Graphic Biography, written and illustrated by Sabrina Jones, 2008. Myth
and controversy still swirl around the dramatic figure of Isadora Duncan--the pioneering modern
dancer who emerged from 19th-century America to captivate the cultural capitals of Europe.
Here, in graphic format Duncan's art and ideas come vividly to life.
One Shot at Forever: a Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season, by
Chris Ballard, 2012. In 1971, a high school baseball team from rural Illinois playing with handme-down uniforms and peace signs on their hats, led by an English teacher with no coaching
experience, emerged from a field of 370 teams to become the smallest school in Illinois history
to make the state final, a distinction that still stands.
Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team that Changed a Town, by Warren St.
John, 2012. Shares the inspirational story of a youth soccer team comprised of refugees from
around the world who, under the guidance of a formidable female coach, helped to transform
their Georgia community.
"21" : The Story of Roberto Clemente, by Wilfred Santiago, 2011. Ingraphic
format the life of baseball star Roberto Clemente includes coverage of a wide range of topics
from the ways in which prejudice challenged his career and his personal responsibilities to his
achievements with the Pittsburgh Pirates and his triumphant 3,000th hit before his tragic fatal
plane crash.
Swimming to Antarctica : Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer, by Lynne Cox, 2004.
Cox was inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame in 2000, and between her plunges, has
written extensively about her adventures.
A Young Dancer's Apprenticeship : On Tour With the Moscow City Ballet, by
Olympia Dowd. 2003. An autobiography of a Canadian ballet student who, while still in her
early teens, was offered the chance to study and tour with the Moscow City Ballet.
FASHION
Chanel and Her World: Friends, Fashion, and Fame, by Edmonde Charles-Roux, 2005. A
pictorial biography of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel (1883–1971).
Jimmy Choo (Profiles in Fashion), by Kerrily Sapet, 2011. This introduction to both an
exemplary designer and to the fashion business includes a time line, source notes, and
recommended resources
Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing, by Erika Stalder, 2008. Part history, part fashion
adviser, part shopping manual, with sections for each garment that include what it looks like, the
designer who first introduced it, celebrities who made it hot, and how it can be worn.
Read My Pins: Stories From a Diplomat's Jewel Box, by Madeleine Albright, 2009. The first
woman U.S. Secretary of State tells stories surrounding her pin collection, describing the pin not
just as a piece of jewelry, but a badge of individuality, a vibrant vehicle for telling a story, and
even a diplomatic tool for delivering messages to world leaders, politicians, and the public.
Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style: How to Find Your Perfect Look, by Ann Shoket & the
editors of Seventeen, 2011. Provides details on six different looks--girly, edgy, boho, classic,
glam, and indie--and how to customize them; offers advice on accessories; and discusses finding
jeans, swimsuits, bras, and underwear to fit one's body type.
The Teen Vogue Handbook: An Insider's Guide to Careers in Fashion, 2009.
A compendium of career advice and tips from an assortment of fashion superstars, up-andcomers, designers, and more.
FILM
Fabulous Films for Young Adults - Administered by Young Adult Library Services
Association.
Either You're In or You're In the Way: Two Brothers, Twelve Months, and One
Filmmaking Hell-Ride to Keep a Promise to their Father, by Logan & Noah Miller,
2009. The hilarious, implausible, & touching story of twin brothers accomplishing the
impossible--making a feature film with no experience, no money & no contacts.
Reel Culture: 50 Classic Movies You Should Know About (So You Can
Impress Your Friends), by Mimi O'Connor, 2009. Discusses 50 classic films in chronological
order from 1938 to 1991 that have had major influences on pop culture.
FOOD
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle : A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver,
2007. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Kingsolver makes a case for putting the
kitchen back at the center of family life, & diversified farms at the center of the American diet.
Cake Wrecks: When Professional Cakes Go Hilariously Wrong, by Jen
Yates, 2009. From the creator of the blog CakeWrecks.com, here are the worst cakes ever,
including the ugly, the silly, the downright creepy, the unintentionally sad or suggestive, and the
just plain funny.
Candyfreak : A Journey Through The Chocolate Underbelly of America, by Steve Almond,
2004. After confessing to being a lifelong chocoholic, the aptly named Almond traces the
history and bittersweet business practices of the companies producing those addictive candy
bars. (Includes relevant Web sites)
Fast Food Nation : The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, by Eric Schlosser,
2001.
Charts the fast food industry's impact on our health, landscape, economy, politics and
culture.
Garlic and Sapphires : The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, by Ruth Reichl, 2005. Reichl
recounts her undercover adventures as the restaurant critic for The New York Times. She
becomes Molly the schoolmarm, Chloe the seductress, & Brenda the downtown earth mother, &
dines out as Miriam, her own mother.
The Omnivore's Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat, by Michael Pollan,
2009. From fast food & big organic to small farms & old-fashioned hunting & gathering, this
young readers' adaptation of food-chain exploration encourages one to consider the personal &
global health implications of food choices.
Relish : My Life in the Kitchen, by Lucy Knisley, 2013. Presents an illustrated memoir of the
author's early life, as she describes key episodes and the foods associated with them, and the life
lessons she learned from cooking and eating gourmet meals with her parents and friends. Each
chapter is book-ended with an illustrated recipe.
Sugar Changed the World : A Story of Spice, Magic, Slavery, Freedom, and
Science, by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos, 2010. Sugar has left a bloody trail through
human history. Cane--not cotton or tobacco--drove the Atlantic slave trade and took the lives of
countless Africans who toiled on vast sugar plantations under cruel overseers. And yet the very
popularity of sugar gave abolitionists in England the one tool that could finally end the slave
trade. This book traces the history of sugar from its origins in New Guinea around 7000 B.C. to
its use in the 21st century to produce ethanol.
What the World Eats, photographed by Peter Menzel ; written by
Faith D'Aluisio, 2008. A photographic collection exploring what the world eats,
featuring portraits of 25 families from 21 countries surrounded by a week's
worth of food.
HISTORY
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, by Ishmael Beah,
2008. An absorbing account by a young man who, as a boy of 12, was swept
up in Sierra Leone's civil war, revealing the life and mind of a child abducted
into the horrors of warfare. (920L)
Bomb : The Race To Build - And Steal - the World's Most Dangerous
Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin, 2012. Recounts the scientific discoveries that
enabled atom splitting, the military intelligence operations that occurred in rival
countries, and the work of brilliant scientists hidden at Los Alamos. (920L)
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of
Prohibition, by Karen Blumenthal, 2011. Offers information about Prohibition,
temperance movements at the end of the eighteenth century, the Eighteenth
Amendment, bootlegging, and gangsters. (1250L)
The Boy on the Wooden Box : How the Impossible Became
Possible...on Schindler's List, by Leon Leyson, with Marilyn J. Harran and
Elisabeth B. Leyson, 2013. The biography of Leon Leyson, the only memoir
published by a former Schindler's List child, who was the youngest child in his
family and possibly the youngest of the hundreds of Jews rescued by Oskar
Schindler. (1000L)
The Boy's War : Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil
War, by Jim Murphy, 1990. Includes diary entries, personal letters, and
archival photographs to describe the experiences of boys, sixteen years old or
younger, who fought in the Civil War. (1060L)
Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith, by Deborah
Heiligman, 2009. Charles Darwin and his wife, Emma, were deeply in love and
very supportive of each other, but their opinions often clashed. Emma was
extremely religious, and Charles questioned God's very existence. (1020L)
Claudette Colvin : Twice Toward Justice, by Phillip Hoose, 2009. In March
1955, 15-year-old Claudette, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a
bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would
be 9 months later, Claudette was shunned. Undaunted, a year later she
challenged segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the
landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept
away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South. (1000L)
Code Name Pauline: Memoirs of a World War II Special Agent,
by Pearl Witherington Cornioley with Hervé Larroqu, 2013. Pearl Witherington
Cornioley, one of the most celebrated female World War II resistance fighters,
recounts her life and experience as a special agent for the British Special
Operations Executive (SOE).
The Dark Game: True Spy Stories, by Paul B. Janeczko, 2010.
From clothesline codes to surveillance satellites and cyber espionage, Janeczko
uncovers two centuries' worth of true spy stories in U.S. history. (1200L)
The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton & Aaron
Burr, by Judith St. George, 2009. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were
intertwined for some twenty-five years, with their resentments and
misunderstandings culminating in a tragic duel. (1040L)
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing,
1959. Describes how twenty-eight men battled against almost insurmountable
odds to return to civilization after their ship sank near the South Pole.
Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-year-old GI, by Ryan
Smithson, 2009. A memoir about combat, friendship, fear, & a soldier's
commitment to his country. Smithson brings teen readers inside a world that
few understand, as he describes his experience as a 19-year-old Army engineer
in Iraq. (750L)
Hitler Youth: Growing Up In Hitler's Shadow, by Susan
Campbell Bartoletti, 2004. The story of a generation of German young people
who devoted all their energy to the Hitler Youth and the propaganda that gave
Hitler his power, and the youths that resisted the Nazi movement. (1050L)
The Horrors of Andersonville: Life and Death Inside a Civil
War Prison, by Catherine Gourley, 2010.
Part I - The Camp, December 1863 To November 1864
Part II - The Court-Martial, May 1865 To November 1865
Includes: Source Notes, Selected Bibliography, and Index.
The Life and Death of Crazy Horse, by Russell Freedman; with drawings by
Amos Bad Heart Bull, 1996. A biography of the Oglala leader who relentlessly
resisted the white man's attempt to take over Indian lands. (1100L)
The March on Washington, by James Haskins, 2004. Discusses the people
and events connected with the 1963 March on Washington, as well as the
consequences of this well-known civil rights demonstration. (1200L)
The Mayflower and the Pilgrims' New World, by Nathaniel Philbrick,
2008. Offers the true story of the pioneers who crossed the Atlantic to establish
a new world in Massachusetts, the challenges they faced upon their arrival, and
their relationship with the local Native Americans. (1170L)
The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the
World's Most Notorious Nazi, by Neal Bascomb, 2013. Recounts how,
sixteen years after the end of World War II, a team of undercover Israeli agents
captured the Nazi war criminal, Adolf Eichmann, in a remote area of Argentina
and brought him to trial in Israel for crimes committed during the
Holocaust. (1000L)
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure,
Heroism, and Treachery, by Steve Sheinkin, 2010. A biography of America's
first traitor--Benedict Arnold--that reads like an adventure tale, full of heroism,
treachery, battle scenes, and surprising twists. (990L)
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, by Marjane Satrapi, 2003. Agraphic
format biography. The great-granddaughter of Iran's last emperor and the
daughter of ardent Marxists describes growing up in Tehran in a country
plagued by political upheaval and vast contraditions between public and private
life.
The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without
Borders, by Emmanuel Guibert, 2009. In 1986, Afghanistan was torn apart by
a war with the Soviet Union. This graphic format/photo-journal is a record of
one reporter’s arduous & dangerous journey through Afghanistan,
accompanying the Doctors Without Borders.
The President Has Been Shot!: the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, by
James L. Swanson, 2013. Recounts the 35th president's assassination and
details key events while sharing informative back matter and archival
photographs. (1080L)
Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex, by
Nathaniel Philbrick, 2005. Recounts the 1820 sinking of the whaleship "Essex"
by an enraged sperm whale & how the crew of young men survived against
impossible odds. Based on the author's book "In the Heart of the Sea." (1170L)
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked
Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II, by Robert
Kurson, 2004. For Chatterton & Kohler, deep wreck diving was more than a
sport, but in the fall of 1991, not even these courageous divers were prepared
for what they found 230 feet below the surface.
The Story of Mankind, by Hendrik Willem van Loon ; updated and introduced
by Robert Sullivan, 2013. Van Loon animates the story of human history as a
grand and perpetually unfolding adventure. Beginning with the origins of human
life and sweeping forward to illuminate all of history, this new version has been
brought up to date by best selling historian Robert Sullivan. (1260L)
Titanic: Voices From the Disaster, by Deborah Hopkinson,
2012. Tells the tale of the sinking of the Titanic using the narratives of the
witnesses and survivors to the disaster.
The War to End All Wars: World War I, by Russell Freedman,
2010. The relationships of many nations, the introduction of modern weaponry,
& the military decisions that resulted in thousands of casualties, in the “great
war,” which people hoped and believed would be the only conflict of its kind.
Includes photographs, source notes, and a bibliography.
MATH
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students
Who Took Vegas for Millions, by Ben Mezrich, 2002. In the midst of the gogo eighties and nineties, a group of overachieving, anarchistic MIT math
geniuses who legally took the casinos for over three million dollars -- while still
finding time for college keg parties, football games, and final exams.
Logicomix: An Epic Search For Truth, by Apostolos Doxiadis &
Christos H. Papadimitriou, 2009. A full-color exploration of the life & ideas of
philosopher & mathematician Bertrand Russell. A comic about the "quest for the
foundations of mathematics."
Mysterious Messages: A History of Codes and Ciphers, by Gary
Blackwood, 2009. From the ingenious ciphers of Italian princes to the spy
books of the Civil War to the advanced techniques of the CIA, codes and code
breaking have played important roles throughout history.
Naked Economics : Undressing the Dismal Science, by Charles
Wheelan, updated 2010. Seeks to provide an engaging and comprehensive
primer to economics that explains key concepts without technical jargon and
using common-sense examples. Tone: Funny.
Super Crunchers:Why Thinking-By-Numbers is the New Way to
be Smart, by Ian Ayres, 2008. The rise of the super crunchers - Who's doing
your thinking for you? - Creating your own data with the flip of a coin Government by chance - How should physicians treat evidence-based medicine?
- Experts versus equations - The future of intuition.
MUSIC
AC/DC: High-Voltage Rock'n'Roll: The Ultimate Illustrated
History, by Phil Sutcliffe, 2010. Follows the band from its roots in Australia, to
its most recent releases & world tours. No stone is left unturned, from the
AC/DC's formation and early club gigs to its worldwide success.
The Anthology of Rap, edited by Adam Bradley, Andrew DuBois ;
foreword by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. ; afterword by Chuck D and Common,
2010. In thisbook, the editors demonstrate that rap is a wide-reaching and
vital poetic tradition born of beats and rhymes, and an influential cultural force.
Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana, by Michael
Azerrad, 1993. The close-up, intimate story of Nirvana -- with exclusive indepth interviews with band members Kurt Cobain, Krist Noveselic, and Dave
Grohl, as well as friends, relatives, former band members, and associates.
Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction, 2011. Describes the early lives of the
band members and their journey to super-stardom as One Direction.
How Music Works, by David Byrne, 2012. The Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame
inductee and co-founder of Talking Heads presents a celebration of music that
offers insight into the roles of time, place and recording technology, discussing
how evolutionary patterns of adaptations and responses to cultural and physical
contexts have influenced music expression throughout history and culminated in
the 20th century's transformative practices.
Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing, by Ann Angel, 2010. Joplin remains among
the most compelling and influential figures in rock history. Her story is one of a
girl who struggled against rules and limitations, yet worked diligently to improve
as a singer.
Joan Jett, by Joan Jett, & Todd Oldham, 2010. "Jett's story, from her days
with The Ramones and the Dead Boys through heavy rotation on MTV and a
slew of hits, a 1990s regeneration, and her continued popularity"-paraphrased from publisher description.
John Lennon: All I Want Is The Truth: A Photographic Biography, by
Elizabeth Partridge, 2005. The story of one of rock's biggest legends, from his
birth during a 1940 World War II air raid on Liverpool, through his turbulent
childhood and teen years, to his celebrated life writing, recording, and
performing with the Beatles and beyond.
Johnny Cash: I See A Darkness, by Reinhard Kleist, 2009. This biography
in graphic format is a bestselling work in Europe. "Johnny Cash: I See a
Darkness" portrays the unpredictable life of a loner, patriot, outlaw, & music
rebel.
Legends, Icons, & Rebels: Music that Changed the World, by
Robbie Roberston, 2013. A tribute to more than two dozen legendary music
artists who significantly influenced the landscape of music, from Ray Charles
and Bob Dylan to Chuck Berry and Johnny Cash. Includes 2 CDs with a single
hit from each musician.
Mo' Meta Blues : The World According to Questlove, by Ahmir "Questlove"
Thompson and Ben Greenman, 2013. "Questlove (aka Ahmir Thompson) is the
drummer for the Grammy Award-winning group The Roots, which also serves as
the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Here Questlove discusses hiphop, his life and career, his interactions with other musicians and artists like Jay
Z and Common, and more. Part personal history, part history of The Roots, and
part music critique." - by Shauna Griffin.
Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie
Underground 1981-1991, by Michael Azerrad, 2001. Black Flag - The
Minutemen - Mission of Burma - Minor Threat - Husker Du - The Replacements Sonic Youth - Butthole Surfers - Big Black - Dinosaur Jr. - Fugazi - Mudhoney Beat Happening.
Taylor Swift: The Unofficial Story, by Liv Spencer, 2010.
PETS AND WILD ANIMALS
Alex & Me : How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden
World of Animal Intelligence--and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process,
by Irene M. Pepperberg, 2008. Documents the 30-year relationship between an
African Grey parrot & his trainer, & the ways in which his life has changed
scientific understanding about language and thought.
Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals, by Temple
Grandin and Catherine Johnson, 2009. The author employs her own experience
with autism and her background as an animal scientist to show how to give
animals the best and happiest life. Also see Grandin's biography:Temple
Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed
the World, by Sy Montgomery, 2012.
Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916, by Michael Capuzzo,
2003. Details the first documented cases in American history of sharks
attacking swimmers, which occured along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey in
1916.
A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me, by Jon Katz,
2001. The story of how Katz discovers a lot about himself through one dog (and
then another). It is a story of trust and understanding, of life and death, of
continuity and change. It is by turns insightful, hilarious, and deeply moving.
Elephant Talk : The Surprising Science of Elephant
Communication, by Ann Downer, 2011. An introduction to elephants,
describing their different types, habitat, herd behavior, how they communicate
using sound, touch, and bodily movement, and the dangers they face from
illegal poaching.
Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95, by Phillip
Hoose, 2012. Documents the survival tale of a shorebird who has endured
annual migrations between Argentina and the Canadian Arctic. Scientists call
him Moonbird because, in the course of his astoundingly long lifetime of nearly
20 years, he has flown the distance to the moon and halfway back.
The Man Who Listens to Horses, by Monty Roberts, 1997. Monty Roberts is a
real-life horse whisperer--whose gentle training methods reveal the depth of
communication possible between man and animal.
Navy Seal dogs : My Tale of Training Canines for Combat, by Mike Ritland,
2013. A younger reader adaptation of Trident K9 Warriors, profiles the world of
elite Navy SEAL working dogs, describing from a trainer's perspective the
extreme missions the dogs undertake to save lives and how after retiring they
are placed in loving homes.
Out On A Limb : What Black Bears Taught Me About Intelligence and
Intuition, by Benjamin Kilham, 2013. For decades, Kilham has studied wild
black bears in Northern New Hampshire woodlands. For years, scientists have
considered black bears to be mostly solitary. Kilham's observations, though,
reveal the extraordinary interactions wild bears have with each other.
The Race to Save the Lord God Bird, by Phillip Hoose, 2004. Tells the story
of the ivory-billed woodpecker's extinction in the United States, describing the
encounters between this species and humans, and discussing what these
encounters have taught us about preserving endangered creatures.
Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most
Unwanted Inhabitants, by Robert Sullivan, 2004. Thoreau went toWalden
Pond to live simply & contemplate his place in the world by observing nature.
Sullivan went to a garbage-filled alley in lower Manhattan to contemplate the
city & its lesser-known inhabitants -- the rat.
PHILOSOPHY
Action Philosophers!: The Lives and Thoughts of History's A-list Brain
Trust, by Fred Van Lenter & Ryan Dunlavey, 2009. In graphic format,
explains the theories of various philosophers through humorous examples and
anecdotes.
Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar: Understanding Philosophy
Through Jokes, by Thomas Cathcart, & Daniel Klein, 2007. Philogagging -
Metaphysics - Logic - Epistemology - Ethics - Philosophy of religion Existentialism - Philosophy of language - Social & political philosophy Relativity - Meta-philosophy - Final exam - Great moments in the history of
philosophy.
SCIENCE
Feynman, written by Jim Ottaviani ; art by Leland Myrick, 2011. A
substantial graphic format biography, that presents the larger-than-life
exploits of Nobel-winning quantum physicist, adventurer, musician, world-class
raconteur, and one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century: Richard
Feynman.
How to Fake a Moon Landing: Exposing the Myths of Science Denial, by
Darryl Cunningham, 2013. Is hydro-fracking really safe? Is climate change real? Did the
moon landing really happen? How about evolution: fact or fiction? Cunningham shows how
information is manipulated by all sides. Graphic Format.
Packing for Mars: the Curious Science of Life in the Void, by Mary
Roach, 2010. The author of Stiff and Bonk explores the irresistibly strange
universe of space travel and life without gravity.
Phineas Gage: A Gruesome But True Story About Brain Science, by John
Fleischman, 2002. A railroad construction foreman, Phineas was blasting rock
near Cavendish, Vermont, in 1848 when a 13 pound iron rod was shot through
his brain. He survived another 11 years and became a textbook case in brain
science. But he was forever changed by the accident, and what happened inside
his brain will tell you a lot about how your brain works and what makes us who
we are.
The Radioactive Boy Scout: The True Story of a Boy & his Backyard
Nuclear Reactor, by Ken Silverstein, 2004. In suburban Detroit, David Hahn
was fascinated by science. While working on his Atomic Energy badge for the
Boy Scouts, David’s attention turned to nuclear energy. Throwing caution to the
wind, he plunged into a new project: building a nuclear breeder reactor in his
backyard garden shed.
Rocket Boys: A Memoir, by Homer H. Hickam, Jr., 1998.
After a distinguished NASA career, Hickam shares the story of his youth in the
little mining town of Coalwood, where Homer H. "Sonny" Hickam, Jr.,& a
handful of his friends were inspired to start designing and launching the homemade rockets that would change their lives and their town forever.
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach,
2003. From medicinal mummies to cadaver models for crash-test dummies, a
San Francisco writer presents a well-researched, lively dissection of offbeat
ways that the dead have served the living, and treats medical and ethical
issues.
Washed Up: The Curious Journeys of Flotsam & Jetsam, by Skye
Moody, 2006. The travels of marine debris. From rubber ducks and beeswax
to refrigerators and dead whales.
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring, by Richard Preston,
2007. In California are the largest & tallest organisms in the world–Sequoia
sempervirens. 96% of the ancient redwood forests have been destroyed by
logging. Suspended in their crowns, hundreds of feet above the forest floor, is a
primeval kingdom of plants & animals that only a handful of people have ever
seen.
SOCIOLOGY
Black Like Me, by John Howard Griffin, 2004. Griffin's controversial
novel about his experiences as a white man, who transforms himself with the
aid of medication & dye, in order to experience the life of a black man living in
the DeepSouth in the late 1950s.
Can I See Your I.D.? : True Stories of False Identities, by Chris Barton,
2011. Looks at the lives of ten imposters, including Keron Thomas, Princess
Caraboo, and Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., describing their motivations and exploits.
The Courage to be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About
Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure, edited by Al Desetta
with Educators for Social Responsibility, 2005. In 26 first-person stories, real
teens write about their lives with searing honesty.
Geeks : How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho, by Jon Katz,
2000. Geeks is the story of how Jesse and Eric—and others like them—used
technology to try and change their lives and alter their destiny.
True Notebooks, by Mark Salzman, 2003. The author shares his experiences
assisting teens with their writing in Central Juvenile Hall, a jail located near Los
Angeles.
Why Do We Fight? : Conflict, War, and Peace, by Niki Walker, 2013.
Explores how conflict develops and has the potential to evolve into war, using
real world examples.
TRAVEL
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian
Trail, by Bill Bryson, 1998.
An adventure, a comedy, and a celebration.
Greasy Rider: Two Dudes, One Fry-Oil-Powered Car, and a
Cross-Country Search for a Greener Future, by Greg Melville, 2008. The
quest: to be the first people to drive cross-country in a french-fry car. Part
adventure, part investigation, of what we're doing (or not doing) to preserve
the planet. Upbeat, funny, and full of surprising information.
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster, by Jon
Krakauer, 1999. The author describes his spring 1996 trek to Mt. Everest, a
disastrous expedition that claimed the lives of eight climbers, and explains why
he survived.
Europe From a Backpack: Real Stories From Young Travelers
Abroad,edited by Mark Pearson and Martin Westerman, 2004. For the students
who make the trek across the ocean in search of adventures, this collection of
short essays will foreshadow much of what is in store and, when they return,
echo their experiences. Maps.
The North Pole Was Here: Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the
World, by Andrew C. Revkin, 2006. Discover the North Pole and the arctic ice
that covers the ocean water there. Learn about historical expeditions, and the
recent one the author joined and where these chapters were written.
Rite of Passage: Tales of Backpacking 'Round Europe, edited by
Lisa Johnson, 2003. Backpackers on their first visit to Europe tell it like it really
is. They describe crossing the language barrier in Corfu, meeting locals in
Prague, surviving hostel life in London, finding love in Paris & overindulging in
Greece.
To Timbuktu: Nine Countries, Two People, One True Story, by
Casey Scieszka, 2011. Covers the nearly two-year odyssey that Casey &
Steven embarked on after graduating from college in 2006. Explores each
nation's language, politics, traditions, & food. Illustrated by Steven Weinberg.
WRITING & YOUNG ADULT AUTHORS
Bad Boy: A Memoir, by Walter Dean Myers, 2001.
From bad boy to role model, the author tells the story of his life as a
troublemaker and truant while growing up in Harlem in the 1940s and '50s. In
his own words, the author reveals his struggle to find his own way and become
a successful writer.
Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books, by Gary
Paulsen, 2001. Paulsen tells the stories of the adventures that inspired him to
write Brian Robeson's story. He also takes readers on his first hunting trips,
showing the wonder and solace of nature along with his hilarious mishaps and
mistakes.
Hole In My Life, by Jack Gantos, 2002.
The author relates how, as a young adult, he became a drug user and
smuggler, was arrested, did time in prison, and eventually got out and went to
college, all the while hoping to become a writer.
I am Scout: A Biography of Harper Lee, by Charles J. Shields,
2008. The author of Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee adapts his bestselling title to bring to young readers the life of the unconventional, highspirited woman who wrote one of the greatest novels of all time, To Kill a
Mockingbird. (1120L)
Red: The Next Generation of American Writers--Teenage Girls - On
What Fires Up Their Lives Today, edited by Amy Goldwasser, 2007. A vivid
portrait of what it means to be a teenage girl in America today, from 58 of the
country's finest, most credentialed writers on the subject.
Say What? : The Weird and Mysterious Journey of the English
Language, by Gena K. Gorrell, 2009. Presents the history of the modern
English language and how previous languages and civilizations influenced its
development.
Thrice Told Tales, by Catherine Lewis, 2013. Depicts three not-so-helpless
blind mice who demystify useful literary elements, sharing lighthearted
language secrets and absurdest rules that include coverage of the differences
between bildungsroman, epigram, and epistolary.