Teen Non-Fiction

A deathly compendium of poisonous plants : wicked weeds and sinister seeds

Hirsch, Rebecca E., author.

Explore the strange and remarkable stories of poisonous and even deadly plants. Science, history, and true crime converge in an informative and exciting look at Mother's Nature's ghoulish garden. From a hallucinogenic fungus linked to the Salem Witch Trials to the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother, learn how certain plants evolved toxicity to avoid being consumed by predators and became the predator on their own. In A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds author Rebecca Hirsch takes you on a wild journey to look at how toxic chemicals in the natural world have been used for medicine, warfare, and sinister acts of foul play. Tread lightly as we explore these plants' ominous deeds.....

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Civic minded : what everyone should know about the US government

Fleischer, Jeff, author.

How do student loans work? What do sanctions do? Where does federal spending go, and who decides on the budget? Author and established journalist Jeff Fleischer digs into these and other relevant civics topics to explain the history behind different processes and programs, what they look like today, and why it’s important to understand them. Through engaging, well-researched text and related sidebars, this book will help you understand and join many ongoing political conversations in the US, from spending to citizenship to international relations and more.....

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Fight Aids! : how activism, art, and protest changed the course of a deadly epidemic and reshaped a nation

Long, Michael G, author.

'Act up! Fight back! Fight AIDS!' This was the slogan for ACT UP--or AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power--an activist organization that emerged in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The group was loud, direct, and confrontational as it fought for access to treatment, compassionate care, and recognition for everyone with HIV and AIDS. Tracing the history of the LGBTQ+ community from the Stonewall Riots and "gay liberation" movements to the groundbreaking protests of the 1980s and 1990s, Fight AIDS! is a gripping narrative of the AIDS epidemic for young readers, told through the lens of the activism it fostered. Focusing on the people most directly affected by the crisis and on the individuals who fought for justice, it is an intimate and humane account of one of the most devastating eras in United States history and an electrifying celebration of the power ordinary citizens have to enact meaningful change.....

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Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb

Bird, Kai, author.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist who led the American effort to build the atomic bomb during World War II, and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of the revolutionary weapon he helped create. Readers of all ages will witness the rise and fall of a scientific and historical icon in this masterful new edition. Exploring his childhood, his secret work on the bomb, his central role in the Cold War, and his tragic downfall, this quintessential biography is history at its finest. Filled with dozens of photographs and updated information, this riveting and deeply informative account is now available to a middle and high school audience.....

View in Catalog

The happy writer : get more ideas, write more words, and find more joy from first draft to publication and beyond

Meyer, Marissa, author.

If you aren't suffering, you aren't creating. Right? Wrong! Writing can and should be joyful, fulfilling... even fun! Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines-from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published-The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey. Part craft guide, part writing coach, and part cheerleader, this book offers useful advice on a slew of common writing and publishing ailments, such as how to end procrastination, how to build a social media platform that reflects your personality, how to get your imagination to overflow with new ideas, how to listen to your intuition when receiving a critique on your work, how to overcome impostor syndrome, what to do when you're stuck in the query trenches, and so much more. No matter where a writer might be on their creative journey, Meyer encourages them to tap into their own personal sources of joy and to celebrate every milestone, all while confronting challenges (writer's block! rejection! burnout!) with a reservoir of resources for every temperament, budget, and career. Known in writers' circles as a generous mentor, Meyer shares stories from her own writing path to help every writer discover the ultimate joys of living their best writing life.....

View in Catalog

Civic minded : what everyone should know about the US government

Fleischer, Jeff, author.

How do student loans work? What do sanctions do? Where does federal spending go, and who decides on the budget? Author and established journalist Jeff Fleischer digs into these and other relevant civics topics to explain the history behind different processes and programs, what they look like today, and why it’s important to understand them. Through engaging, well-researched text and related sidebars, this book will help you understand and join many ongoing political conversations in the US, from spending to citizenship to international relations and more.....

View in Catalog

Who owns the moon? : and other conundrums of exploring and using space

Levinson, Cynthia, author.

For teens who are space fans, this book is loaded with fascinating facts, great stories, and new ways of thinking about the challenges of space. It covers topics on the science of space and developments in technology (e.g., satellites behaving like spacecraft), and it also considers the laws that have been drafted for space travel and space etiquette-the agreed upon norms of behavior that allow humans to explore without conflict. The book discusses the problem of space debris, and the growth of space tourism. It provides details about the Artemis missions and plans for the Gateway space station, and so much more. It challenges young readers to think about the decisions that need to be made in the years ahead to ensure that space exploration remains an exhilarating and peaceful activity. And the final chapter provides guidance on careers in the space industry-being an astronaut is only one of many exciting paths to pursue.....

View in Catalog

A greater goal : the epic battle for equal pay in women's soccer-and beyond

Rusch, Elizabeth, author.

With the passage of Title IX in 1972, the doors opened for young women to play sports at a higher level. But for the women on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, being able to compete at an international level didn't mean fair treatment and fair compensation. From economy-class airplane seats and inadequate lodging to minimal marketing and slashed wages, the women representing the United States at the Olympics, the World Cup, and other tournaments had reason to be fed up. They were expected to-and did-win, but they weren't compensated for their talent and dedication. With the help of their union and in collaboration with the men's team, they secured an equitable contract in 2022 that ultimately benefited both national teams as well as athletes of the future. Elizabeth Rusch's A Greater Goal chronicles how members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team fought to receive fair treatment and equal pay despite the intense pushback they received from U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in the United States. With a narrative that includes player profiles and vignettes framed from team member perspectives, A Greater Goal illuminates the work, support, and grit needed to be treated with equality in a world that often undervalues the contributions of women. ....

View in Catalog

Fight Aids! : how activism, art, and protest changed the course of a deadly epidemic and reshaped a nation

Long, Michael G, author.

'Act up! Fight back! Fight AIDS!' This was the slogan for ACT UP--or AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power--an activist organization that emerged in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The group was loud, direct, and confrontational as it fought for access to treatment, compassionate care, and recognition for everyone with HIV and AIDS. Tracing the history of the LGBTQ+ community from the Stonewall Riots and "gay liberation" movements to the groundbreaking protests of the 1980s and 1990s, Fight AIDS! is a gripping narrative of the AIDS epidemic for young readers, told through the lens of the activism it fostered. Focusing on the people most directly affected by the crisis and on the individuals who fought for justice, it is an intimate and humane account of one of the most devastating eras in United States history and an electrifying celebration of the power ordinary citizens have to enact meaningful change.....

View in Catalog

BOOK CLUB SET : Wild tongues can't be tamed: 15 voices from the Latinx diaspora

In Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed, authors interrogate the different myths and stereotypes about the Latinx diaspora. These fifteen original pieces delve into everything from ghost stories and superheroes, to memories in the kitchen and travels around the world, to addiction and grief, to identity and anti-Blackness, to finding love and speaking your truth.....

View in Catalog

Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb

Bird, Kai, author.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist who led the American effort to build the atomic bomb during World War II, and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of the revolutionary weapon he helped create. Readers of all ages will witness the rise and fall of a scientific and historical icon in this masterful new edition. Exploring his childhood, his secret work on the bomb, his central role in the Cold War, and his tragic downfall, this quintessential biography is history at its finest. Filled with dozens of photographs and updated information, this riveting and deeply informative account is now available to a middle and high school audience.....

View in Catalog

A greater goal : the epic battle for equal pay in women's soccer-and beyond

Rusch, Elizabeth, author.

With the passage of Title IX in 1972, the doors opened for young women to play sports at a higher level. But for the women on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, being able to compete at an international level didn't mean fair treatment and fair compensation. From economy-class airplane seats and inadequate lodging to minimal marketing and slashed wages, the women representing the United States at the Olympics, the World Cup, and other tournaments had reason to be fed up. They were expected to-and did-win, but they weren't compensated for their talent and dedication. With the help of their union and in collaboration with the men's team, they secured an equitable contract in 2022 that ultimately benefited both national teams as well as athletes of the future. Elizabeth Rusch's A Greater Goal chronicles how members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team fought to receive fair treatment and equal pay despite the intense pushback they received from U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in the United States. With a narrative that includes player profiles and vignettes framed from team member perspectives, A Greater Goal illuminates the work, support, and grit needed to be treated with equality in a world that often undervalues the contributions of women. ....

View in Catalog

BOOK CLUB SET : Wild tongues can't be tamed: 15 voices from the Latinx diaspora

In Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed, authors interrogate the different myths and stereotypes about the Latinx diaspora. These fifteen original pieces delve into everything from ghost stories and superheroes, to memories in the kitchen and travels around the world, to addiction and grief, to identity and anti-Blackness, to finding love and speaking your truth.....

View in Catalog

Death in the jungle : murder, betrayal, and the lost dream of Jonestown

Fleming, Candace, author.

How did Jim Jones, the leader of Peoples Temple, convince more than 900 of his followers to commit "revolutionary suicide" by drinking cyanide-laced punch? From a master of narrative nonfiction comes a chilling chronicle of one of the most notorious cults in American history... Using riveting first-person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming reveals the makings of a monster: from Jones’s humble origins as a child of the Depression… to his founding of a group whose idealistic promises of equality and justice attracted thousands of followers… to his relocation of Temple headquarters from California to an unsettled territory in Guyana, South America, which he dubbed "Jonestown” to his transformation of Peoples Temple into a nefarious experiment in mind-control. And Fleming heart-stoppingly depicts Jones’s final act, persuading his followers to swallow fatal doses of cyanide—to “drink the kool-aid,” as it became known—as a test of their ultimate devotion. Here is a sweeping story that traces, step by step, the ways in which one man slowly indoctrinated, then murdered, 900 innocent, well- meaning people. And how a few members, Jones' own son included, stood up to him... but not before it was too late.....

View in Catalog

I believe in you

Stach, Sherri I.

Everybody has times in their lives where they wonder where they fit in. You may feel like you are the only one who feels this way, but everybody does at times. We need to be authentic and show our true colors in this world. If you create a false image nobody will truly know who you are. You were created to be uniquely yourself. This book gives young and old alike a boost of positivity and faith. Don't give up on yourself whatever you do! A higher power chose you and is always guiding your life.....

View in Catalog

Who owns the moon? : and other conundrums of exploring and using space

Levinson, Cynthia, author.

For teens who are space fans, this book is loaded with fascinating facts, great stories, and new ways of thinking about the challenges of space. It covers topics on the science of space and developments in technology (e.g., satellites behaving like spacecraft), and it also considers the laws that have been drafted for space travel and space etiquette-the agreed upon norms of behavior that allow humans to explore without conflict. The book discusses the problem of space debris, and the growth of space tourism. It provides details about the Artemis missions and plans for the Gateway space station, and so much more. It challenges young readers to think about the decisions that need to be made in the years ahead to ensure that space exploration remains an exhilarating and peaceful activity. And the final chapter provides guidance on careers in the space industry-being an astronaut is only one of many exciting paths to pursue.....

View in Catalog

The mysterious Virginia Hall : World War II's most dangerous spy

Friddell, Claudia, author.

Virginia Hall was an athletic, outdoorsy girl who dreamed of joining the foreign service and becoming an ambassador. Despite numerous setbacks, including losing her leg to gangrene after an accident, Virginia never wavered in her determination to serve her country. After the outbreak of World War II, a chance meeting on a train changed her life. Virginia joined the Allied Intelligence services as one of its first women agents, where she organized French resistance fighters, performed daring rescues, and provided the Allies with intelligence that was key for ousting the Nazis.....

View in Catalog

I believe in you

Stach, Sherri I.

Everybody has times in their lives where they wonder where they fit in. You may feel like you are the only one who feels this way, but everybody does at times. We need to be authentic and show our true colors in this world. If you create a false image nobody will truly know who you are. You were created to be uniquely yourself. This book gives young and old alike a boost of positivity and faith. Don't give up on yourself whatever you do! A higher power chose you and is always guiding your life.....

View in Catalog

A deathly compendium of poisonous plants : wicked weeds and sinister seeds

Hirsch, Rebecca E., author.

Explore the strange and remarkable stories of poisonous and even deadly plants. Science, history, and true crime converge in an informative and exciting look at Mother's Nature's ghoulish garden. From a hallucinogenic fungus linked to the Salem Witch Trials to the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln's mother, learn how certain plants evolved toxicity to avoid being consumed by predators and became the predator on their own. In A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds author Rebecca Hirsch takes you on a wild journey to look at how toxic chemicals in the natural world have been used for medicine, warfare, and sinister acts of foul play. Tread lightly as we explore these plants' ominous deeds.....

View in Catalog

The happy writer : get more ideas, write more words, and find more joy from first draft to publication and beyond

Meyer, Marissa, author.

If you aren't suffering, you aren't creating. Right? Wrong! Writing can and should be joyful, fulfilling... even fun! Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines-from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published-The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey. Part craft guide, part writing coach, and part cheerleader, this book offers useful advice on a slew of common writing and publishing ailments, such as how to end procrastination, how to build a social media platform that reflects your personality, how to get your imagination to overflow with new ideas, how to listen to your intuition when receiving a critique on your work, how to overcome impostor syndrome, what to do when you're stuck in the query trenches, and so much more. No matter where a writer might be on their creative journey, Meyer encourages them to tap into their own personal sources of joy and to celebrate every milestone, all while confronting challenges (writer's block! rejection! burnout!) with a reservoir of resources for every temperament, budget, and career. Known in writers' circles as a generous mentor, Meyer shares stories from her own writing path to help every writer discover the ultimate joys of living their best writing life.....

View in Catalog

The #ActuallyAutistic guide to building independence : practical, step-by-step advice for teens, young adults, and those who care about them

Brunton, Jennifer Elizabeth, 1969- author.

An empowering guide for Autistic teens and young adults transitioning into adulthood, with tips on successful allyship for friends and family. With real-life experiences from the Autistic community, this encouraging book is what you need to ensure home, education, work, and social experiences support your independence in the best way possible. Transitioning into adulthood is already difficult, but being young and Autistic can make it so much harder. Leaving the protections and supports of childhood behind can feel daunting. In a world that often marginalises Autistic people, how do you begin to figure out and pursue your own goals and dreams, while also managing the new challenges of adulthood?This empowering book is here to help you (and your Neurodiverse family and friends who love you) learn how to navigate these transitions on your own terms and timeline. It recognises that no matter where you are - home, school, college, work, out with friends - you have the right to be heard, to feel safe and comfortable, and to chart your own path to success. And it will give you the tools you need to make sure that happens.So join us to hear #ActuallyAutistic teens and young adults share their experiences, helping you to move towards independence and show your allies how they can support you in this journey.....

View in Catalog

The mysterious Virginia Hall : World War II's most dangerous spy

Friddell, Claudia, author.

Virginia Hall was an athletic, outdoorsy girl who dreamed of joining the foreign service and becoming an ambassador. Despite numerous setbacks, including losing her leg to gangrene after an accident, Virginia never wavered in her determination to serve her country. After the outbreak of World War II, a chance meeting on a train changed her life. Virginia joined the Allied Intelligence services as one of its first women agents, where she organized French resistance fighters, performed daring rescues, and provided the Allies with intelligence that was key for ousting the Nazis.....

View in Catalog

A most perilous world : the true story of the young abolitionists and their crusade against slavery

Gaddy, Kristina R. author

Kristina R. Gaddy tells the story of America's tumultuous years leading up to the Civil War and of the war itself from the viewpoints of four children of famous abolitionists, including those of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. Gaddy crafts a surprisingly contemporary braided coming-of-age narrative, supported by meticulous research and featuring dozens of primary documents. Each of these four young people-two white, two Black-was strongly committed to the anti-slavery cause but felt just as keenly a need to make their own names, away from the often over-protective or disapproving shadows of the famous adults in their lives. This is a true story of how a torch of resistance is passed and how a new generation makes its mark.....

View in Catalog

The #ActuallyAutistic guide to building independence : practical, step-by-step advice for teens, young adults, and those who care about them

Brunton, Jennifer Elizabeth, 1969- author.

An empowering guide for Autistic teens and young adults transitioning into adulthood, with tips on successful allyship for friends and family. With real-life experiences from the Autistic community, this encouraging book is what you need to ensure home, education, work, and social experiences support your independence in the best way possible. Transitioning into adulthood is already difficult, but being young and Autistic can make it so much harder. Leaving the protections and supports of childhood behind can feel daunting. In a world that often marginalises Autistic people, how do you begin to figure out and pursue your own goals and dreams, while also managing the new challenges of adulthood?This empowering book is here to help you (and your Neurodiverse family and friends who love you) learn how to navigate these transitions on your own terms and timeline. It recognises that no matter where you are - home, school, college, work, out with friends - you have the right to be heard, to feel safe and comfortable, and to chart your own path to success. And it will give you the tools you need to make sure that happens.So join us to hear #ActuallyAutistic teens and young adults share their experiences, helping you to move towards independence and show your allies how they can support you in this journey.....

View in Catalog

Death in the jungle : murder, betrayal, and the lost dream of Jonestown

Fleming, Candace, author.

How did Jim Jones, the leader of Peoples Temple, convince more than 900 of his followers to commit "revolutionary suicide" by drinking cyanide-laced punch? From a master of narrative nonfiction comes a chilling chronicle of one of the most notorious cults in American history... Using riveting first-person accounts, award-winning author Candace Fleming reveals the makings of a monster: from Jones’s humble origins as a child of the Depression… to his founding of a group whose idealistic promises of equality and justice attracted thousands of followers… to his relocation of Temple headquarters from California to an unsettled territory in Guyana, South America, which he dubbed "Jonestown” to his transformation of Peoples Temple into a nefarious experiment in mind-control. And Fleming heart-stoppingly depicts Jones’s final act, persuading his followers to swallow fatal doses of cyanide—to “drink the kool-aid,” as it became known—as a test of their ultimate devotion. Here is a sweeping story that traces, step by step, the ways in which one man slowly indoctrinated, then murdered, 900 innocent, well- meaning people. And how a few members, Jones' own son included, stood up to him... but not before it was too late.....

View in Catalog

A most perilous world : the true story of the young abolitionists and their crusade against slavery

Gaddy, Kristina R. author

Kristina R. Gaddy tells the story of America's tumultuous years leading up to the Civil War and of the war itself from the viewpoints of four children of famous abolitionists, including those of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison. Gaddy crafts a surprisingly contemporary braided coming-of-age narrative, supported by meticulous research and featuring dozens of primary documents. Each of these four young people-two white, two Black-was strongly committed to the anti-slavery cause but felt just as keenly a need to make their own names, away from the often over-protective or disapproving shadows of the famous adults in their lives. This is a true story of how a torch of resistance is passed and how a new generation makes its mark.....

View in Catalog