Rose Under Fire

Wein, Elizabeth. Rose Under Fire. 2013. 360p. ISBN 978-142318469-0. Available at FIC WEI on the library shelves.

In this companion volume to Code Name Verity, Rose is an American teen pilot as well as an amateur poet. Tasked with flying planes from one location to the other, she has been flying since 1943 and though the war is real, with V1 bombs falling on England from the skies. Rose is friends with Maddie, who is also a pilot and whose best friend was killed in a botched escape attempt from a Nazi convoy.

Asked to fly a damaged observation plane from Paris back to England to get it fixed, Rose is forced to land in Germany and is quickly captured by German soldiers. Turned over to the SS, she is imprisoned at Ravensbrück, the notorious death camp for women. Having arrived with a truckload of French resistance women, she herself is therefore considered French.

Life is threadbare, horrific, and violent at Ravensbrück. Rose meets the Rabbits, a group of Polish girls who were gruesomely experimented on by Nazi doctors. Taken under her wing by Lisette, a matronly French woman, Rose can only count on her friendship with these women to save her life. Sustained by her poetry and by the vain hope of surviving her captors’ viciousness, Rose loses sight of days.

As more and more women become crowded in the limited space of the concentration camp, life becomes unbearable. Is Rose strong enough to make it one more day?

Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products

Leahy, Stephen. Your Water Footprint: The Shocking Facts About How Much Water We Use to Make Everyday Products. 2014. 142p. ISBN 9781-77085-295-2. Available at 333.91 LEA on the library shelves.

What is your water footprint? This overly simple question hides an immense truth that we are ignoring at our peril. Your water footprint does not only refer to the water you use and consume, but also the water that is used in the generating of energy, the manufacturing and transporting of goods, the growing of food. We use water in everything, everywhere, all the time.

In short 1 or 2 pages infographics, facts about water consumption are presented and discussed. The average American consumes 2,000 gallons of water a day, far more than the rest of the world. The very essence of life, only 3% of the planet’s water is fresh and drinkable. Of this finite resource, more than 80% is used to grow our food and make our goods. And most is not fit for reuse afterwards. A cup of coffee requires 37 gallons of water in the growing, processing, and transporting of the beans. Two pounds of bananas necessitate 209 gallons.

This book explains the problem of water shortage, and presents realistic solutions that everyone can adopt. It also introduces the concept of virtual water, the water that is not only present in any given product, such as watermelon, but also that went in the making of that product. It also makes the argument that water poor countries, such as India and Bangladesh, are exporting their water to countries that are already water rich, but that all countries are depleting water resources faster than they can be replenished. With a projected two billion more people on their way, the author does an excellent job advocating for smarter water consumption and a reduction in water usage across the world, to more sustainable levels. If we don’t, we risk not only our way of life, but life itself.

Black Cat, Vol 12

Yakubi, Kentaro. Black Cat, Vol 12. 2000. 192. ISBN 978-1-4215-1470-3. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Hoping to return to his regular size and age, Train, Sven and Eve begin their search for Dr. Tearju, the scientist who engineered Eve. Looking like an adult version of Eve, Dr Tearju has gone in hiding. Eventually, they locate her in a remote area.

But before she can help Train, shock troops from the Apostles of the Stars crash through the wall, accompanied by Echidna and a tao-powered monkey who has the ability to copy any individual. They are here to convince Dr. Tearju to once and for all join the Apostles. Meanwhile, Kyoko meets with Sephiria, number I of Chronos, and after a heated discussion Sephiria agrees to let her go as long as she does not take up arms against Chronos.

Back at Dr. Tearju’s house, Train is able to regain his size, and also masters the super bullet. Fortunately, it lasts long enough to fray the enemy’s nerves and force them back.

Winter

Meyer, Marissa. Winter. Book 4 of the Lunar Chronicles. 2015. 824p. ISBN 9780312642983. Available at FIC WIN on the library shelves.

At the end of Cress, Kai was kidnapped by Cinder and her friends, provisionally saving him from the evil clutches of Queen Levana of Luna. But as they float in space, they need to come up with an actual plan to overthrow Levana and install Cinder, the former Princess Celine, as rightful heir to the throne. At the same time, Scarlett languishes in a cage in the Queen’s animal menagerie.

Meanwhile, Princess Winter, Levana’s stepdaughter, has grown up to be beautiful and admired by the people of Luna. First introduced in Fairest, she refuses to use her lunar gift to control others, but in the process is afflicted by visions and a hint of madness. In love with her guard Jacin, she tries to stay clear of Levana and feeds Scarlet in secret.

Eventually Cinder and Kai decide that the best plan is to conduct the wedding ceremony on Luna. Then they can infiltrate the planet and lead a popular uprising against Levana and her minions so she can reclaim her throne. If only it were so simple.

The plan goes awry immediately when the queen has Kai’s ship searched. All manage to escape except Cress, who is left behind. One by one, the members of Cinder’s party are peeled off, forming smaller groups of operatives. And as they spread throughout Luna, with the vain hope of overthrowing the queen, it will cost them all everything, and then some. This just might be the day the wicked queen and stepmother wins after all ...

Black Butler, Vol 2

Toboso, Yana. Black Butler, Vol 2. 2007. 192p. ISBN 9780316084253. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Sebastian tries hard to maintain the Phantomhive household, but he is thwarted at every turn by the staff he manages. From failed laundry to the yard’s destruction and an explosion in the kitchen, there is no rest for the weary in the butler’s life.

But then a distraction arises. Ciel Phantomhive must go to London and solve the crimes of a serial killer. There he meets his aunt, Madame Red, her companion, Mr. Lau, and her own useless butler. They discuss recent events. Jack the Ripper has been slaughtering prostitutes and stealing their uterus for some dark ritual. After a cursory investigation, only one human could have committed these crimes: the Viscount of Druitt. Ciel, Sebastien, and Madame Red agree to infiltrate the Viscount of Druitt’s party to stop the murderer.

But when the murderer turns out to have otherwordly help, the game suddenly becomes deadly ...

The story continues in Black Butler Vol. 3.

Tips & Tricks for Evaluating an Argument and its Claims

Athans, Sandra K. and Robin W. Parente. Tips & Tricks for Evaluating an Argument and its Claims. 2015. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4777-775592. Available at 808.03 ATH on the library shelves.

How do you evaluate the validity of an argument? The Common Core has transformed reading, focusing more on supporting evidence with textual information. Most informational text make an argument, either in favor of, against, or with a neutral position. Those arguments present claims to support their central idea. But as a reader it is up to you to determine whether an argument made is supported by facts or whether it is in fact inaccurate.

This book provides the reader with specific techniques and advice on how to successfully evaluate and argument and its claim by using evidence from informational texts. It presents two pieces for and against animal rights and immigration, two topics that evoke strong reactions. The expert then guides the reader through a rigorous analysis of the text by looking at the evidence submitted to support the argument made by each side, and then condenses these claims and their supporting evidence into a T-chart.

This is a great way for readers to refresh their reading techniques as well as acquire new ones and examine how reflecting on their own reading skills can help them become better readers.

Other books in this series include:

• Tips & Tricks for Comparing and Contrasting Text
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Ideas, Events, and Individuals
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating an Argument and its Claims
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Structure and Evaluating Ideas
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence
• Tips & Tricks for Determining Point of View and Purpose
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating Multimedia Content
• Tips & Tricks for Summarizing Text

Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 5

Arakawa, Hiromu. Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 5. 2002. 188p. ISBN 978-1-4215-0175-8. Available in the graphic section of the library.

On their way to meet with Izumi Curtis, their old alchemist master, Edward, Alphonse and Winry stop in the town of Rush Valley, where the best mechanics live and try to outdo one another. This is heaven for Winry. But not for Edward, who loses his watch to a crafty pickpocket. In the ensuing pursuit, the Elric brothers manage to capture the thief but not without causing a lot of damage to the town.

The thief agrees to introduce them to the best auto-mail mechanic in the world, and they arrive in his remote location just in time to help in the delivery of his daughter in law’s first baby. All three are suitably impressed by this small miracle of life.

The Elric brothers continue on their trip and are finally reunited with Izumi. She, however, refuses to answer their questions until they explained what really happened to them. So Edward begins telling the tale of their youth and how they  first mastered the principles of alchemy ...

The story continues in Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 6.

Zom-B Goddess

Shan, Darren. Zom-B Goddess. 2016. 196p. ISBN 978-0-316-33845-5. Available at FIC SHA on the library shelves.

Back again in the clutches of Dr. Oystein and the Owl Man at the end of Zom-B Fugitive, B has been neutralized. The Owl Man controls her every move, while his evil dog lurks a few steps behind her. But now the time for inaction has passed. Dr. Oystein reveals his plan to rid the world of the human race, and the retrieval of both vials of Clements-13, designed to wipe out every human, and Schlesinger-10 designed to wipe out every zombie, means that the delicate balance between the evil genius clown Mr. Dowling and Dr. Oystein has been broken.

Now all that remains for Dr. Oystein is to confront his clown brother and release the virus to establish a zombie paradise for the zom-b babies. Only B can stop this, but getting away from under the control of Owl Man will only be the first challenge to Dr. Oystein’s designs.

The twelfth and last volume of the Zom-B series does not disappoint, with destruction and mayhem as well as a satisfactory, if bittersweet conclusion.  Fans of the series will enjoy the climactic ending. Ever the master of horrors, Shan leaves the door opened a crack for B’s possible return. Will she be back?

Inuits

Harper, Judith R. Inuits. 2000. 32p. ISBN 978-188706874-1. Available at 973.04 HAR on the library shelves.

The Inuit people of Canada have struggled for thousands of years to eke out a living amid an unforgiving landscape. Yet, despite the elements, or maybe because of them, they have been able to create and sustain a distinct culture. Now, however, this culture is threatened both by modernity and by climate change.

This short book introduces the reader to the world of the Inuits, from the distant past to today. Their way of life is discussed, and the impact that colonization has had on them is explored. Finally, the world of today’s Inuits is presented.

With a glossary of terms, a further reading page, and an index, this book provides a good overview of the challenges still facing the Inuit in Canada and beyond.

Islam, Law, and Human Rights

Melman, Anna. Islam, Law, and Human Rights. Part of the World of Islam series. 2010. 64p. ISBN 978-1-422-1362-9. Available at 342.167 MEL on the library shelves.

Islam has been present in many of the political discussions over the last decade, and no aspect of this world religion is more debated in Western societies than Sharia law. In this volume, law and human rights are examined from Western standards, from Sharia, and from actual application in Muslim countries.

The greatest differences between Western and Sharia law systems appear in freedom of expression and in relations between men and women. Sharia law is considered the word of God, and is therefore perfect. It is subject to interpretation only by learned clerics, and there is no appeal. This becomes problematic when issues that did not exist during the prophet’s time are attempted to be abjudicated.

This book thus provides a good overview of this issue, and helps to explain how Muslim societies operate.

The Shield of Kuromori

Rohan, Jason. The Shield of Kuromori. Book 2 of The Sword of Kuromori series. 2016. 336p. ISBN 978-1610673563. Available at FIC ROH on the library shelves.

In the Sword of Kuromori, Kenny destroyed a dragon and acquired a unique sword. But Kiyomi, the girl he likes, died, so he fused her soul with that of an oni, a Japanese ogre, to bring her back. Kenny’s new adventure begin with him having to deal with the consequences of his action. Kiyomi is slowly turning into an ogre herself, eating raw meat and losing her temper. Now Kenny must bargain with deities to rescue her whole soul, and each deity wants something from him. Meanwhile, a new plot to take over the world is afoot as a silver oni leads a gang of other onis and steal large telescopes. 

It is once again up to Kenny, the foreigner, to save Japan from itself. Using his abilities to manipulate matter and energy, Kenny and Kiyomi encounter many mythological creatures on their way to confront their biggest enemy yet. With millions of people's lives at stake, Kenny will once again need ingenuity to thwart the conspirators.

Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence

Athans, Sandra K. and Robin W. Parente. Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence. 2015. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4777-77539-4. Available at 372.47 ATH on the library shelves.

How do you read a text? The Common Core has transformed reading, focusing more on supporting evidence with textual information than relating the text to one’s own experiences and emotions. But close reading a text require a different set of strategies than required for pleasure reading.

This book provides the reader with specific techniques and advice on how to successfully analyze text and cite evidence from both informational and literature texts. Two chapters of the Odyssey are examined, along with two informational texts on the possible existence of Atlantis. The authors demonstrate these techniques as they read through the texts, writing down ideas, concerns, and questions they still have. They provide examples of summaries that draw on specific evidence from the text as well as questions that allow the reader to check their understanding. These techniques better prepare the reader for school and career readiness.

This is a great way for readers to refresh their reading techniques as well as acquire new ones and examine how reflecting on their own reading skills can help them become better readers.

Other books in this series include:

• Tips & Tricks for Comparing and Contrasting Text
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Ideas, Events, and Individuals
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating an Argument and its Claims
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Structure and Evaluating Ideas
• Tips & Tricks for Analyzing Text and Citing Evidence
• Tips & Tricks for Determining Point of View and Purpose
• Tips & Tricks for Evaluating Multimedia Content
• Tips & Tricks for Summarizing Text

Fairest: Levana’s Story

Meyer, Marissa. Fairest: Levana’s Story. Book 3.5 of the Lunar Chronicles. 2015. 220p. ISBN 978-1-250-06055-6. Available at FIC MEY on the library shelves.

Levana was never supposed to be queen. As the second child of the royal family, her role was to always be a princess, in the background, ready to be married off to cement an alliance. At fifteen, the Lunar King and Queen are assassinated, and Levana’s sister, Channary, ascends to the throne. But Channary is more interested in being the most beautiful queen Luna has seen than by the political necessities of being a monarch. Levana gingerly steps in the role of advisor, wishing that it was she who made the decisions.

Smitten by one of her guard, she conducts an illicit affair with him once his wife dies, and she even adopts his daughter, the new princess Winter. But Evret is not interested in her, and she has to use her lunar gift to manipulate his mind and his emotions. She convinces herself that he loves her, and she forces a marriage on him. Queen Channary is not impressed, but she has her own issues to deal with now that she’s given birth to Princess Celine, who will succeed her. Levana’s hopes for the thrones all but vanish.

Channary, however, suddenly dies due to a particularly virulent disease, and Levana becomes Regent until Celine grows up to take her rightful place. Celine and Winter are best friends, and Evret loves them both. However, Levana’s dreams of being queen are threatened by Celine’s existence, and she comes up with the most dreadful plan to get rid of her. She will do to Celine what Channary did to her, burn her in the flames of a fire. But unlike Channary, who was stopped on time by attendants, Celine will die in this purifying fire and Levana will be forever queen.

This short novella exposes the Lunar Queen’s darkest secrets and explain her character and who she has become. Fans of Cinder, Scarlet and Cress will enjoy witnessing the life of the most terrifying queen Earth has ever seen, and will enjoy the connection to Meyer’s newest entry in the Lunar Chronicles, Winter.

Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 4

Arakawa, Hiromu. Fullmetal Alchemist. Vol 4. 2002. 185p. ISBN 978-1-59116-929-1. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Edward Elric has fought many enemies and always triumphed. But faced with Lust and Envy, he finds himself unable to defeat them. Injured, bleeding, and broken, Edward senses that the end is near. However, both Lust and Envy let him live, telling him he plays an essential part in their overall plan. They destroy the secret laboratory and Alphonse barely manages to rescue Edward before the building’s collapse.

Once again hurt, Edward contacts Winry and asks her to come to Central to fix his gear. While she works, the Elric brothers return to their investigation, now aware of the vast conspiracy that surrounds the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone.

Meanwhile, Scar is rescued by Ishbalans who dwell in a refugee camp, and he is slowly nursed back to health.

When Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes makes a connection between the Ishbalans, the riots, and the Philosopher’s Stone, he suddenly places himself and the state alchemists in danger...

The story continues in Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 5.

The History of Rock

Rosen, Steven. The History of Rock. 2009. 32p. ISBN 978-0-7787-3823-7. Available at 781.66 ROS on the library shelves.

Rock and roll music evolved out of country music and blues music as the young adults who grew up at the end of the Second World War began to hunt for a sound all of their own. The mixing of these two types of music, combined with the use of electric guitars and bass allowed Bill Haley and His Comets to record (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock, the first rock and roll song.

Over the next decades, rock and roll adapted to a new generation of young people, first giving us Elvis and his gyrations then the Beatles and the Rolling Stones before morphing into a fight against the system with punk and grunge. Metal bands appeared, singing about love, and post grunge era bands sang about social problems.

This short book is a concise history of rock and roll, and clearly explains the changes in society that affected the music played. Fans of music will enjoy this short introduciton.

Library of Souls

Riggs, Ransom. Library of Souls. Book 3 of Mrs. Peregrine’s Peculiar Children. 2015. 458p. ISBN 9781594747588. Available at FIC RIG on the library shelves.

At the end of Hollow City, Jacob and Emma had been left on the platform of a metro station in modern-day London. Library of Souls picks up right where the 2nd book of the trilogy left off, with Jacob and Emma separated from the other peculiar children. They must discover where their friends have been taken by the Wights, but it is a race against time as peculiars out of their Loop age quickly.

Jacob and Emma continue to fall in love with each other as they connect with Addison, Mrs. Wren’s intelligent and articulate dog. Racing through London trying to escape the Wights that chase them, the trio manages to pick up the scent of their peculiar friends and trace them to the Thames river. There they meet the enigmatic Sharon, a boatsman who offers to take them across on a historical tour.

When they arrive at their destination, the trio is crestfallen. They are on Devil’s Acres, the worst slum of the Victorian era. The Wights have built their fortress here, and the peculiar children and their Ymbryne leaders are imprisoned in the foul basement. Unfortunately, the other inhabitants of Devil’s Acres are as deadly as the Wights. So Jacob, Emma and Addison must figure a way to infiltrate the fortress to free their friends. Even his newfound ability to control the hollowghasts may not be enough to survive this rescue mission.

Black Cat, Vol 11

Yakubi, Kentaro. Black Cat, Vol 11. 2000. 192. ISBN 978-1-4215-1040-8. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Having abandoned the Apostles of the Stars, Charden and Kyoko run into Train, Sven and Eve. Kyoko is thrilled to see the Black Cat again, and decides to join forces with him. Still a child following his nano transformation in Black Cat, vol 10, Train nevertheless agrees to allow Kyoko to remain with them.

Unfortunately, two of Chronos’ rogue members, Baldor and Kranz, are on the hunt looking for the Apostles, and Train’s presence is an added bonus. The fight ends in a stalemate when Jenos arrives on the scene with Rinslet and tells Baldor and Kranz they are to report to Chronos immediately.

Rinslet agrees to take Kyoko to meet with Chronos’s Number I, while the Black Cat and his team decide to track Dr. Tearju, the scientist who engineered Eve. Maybe she can bring him back to his correct age!