Staff Picks Young Adult Nonfiction
August 2023
Victory. Stand!: Raising my fist for justice
by Tommie Smith
A fist in the air. Eighty seconds of a profound symbolic act that will not be forgotten. This engaging graphic novel co-written by Derrick Barnes and the man himself, Tommie Smith, is powerfully illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile and will move readers deeply into a moment in history with such significance that it still resonates today. This is the story of a courageous world record-breaker, from childhood to his stepping into the world stage where he risked all in the name of justice and human rights. The story behind the protesting expression of two black athletes at their triumphant moment at the Mexican Olympic games of 1965 where they decided they had to be seen because they (and many more) were not being heard. Smith’s first-ever memoir for young readers, received the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award among many other recognitions. It is also a pick for the 2023-2024 Read For A Lifetime statewide teen reading program.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
June 2023
Mindfulness Meditations for Teens
by Bodhipaksa
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
March 2023
Everything You Need to Ace American History in One Big Fat Notebook
by Lily Rothman
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein
by Lita Judge
Written in free-verse, this captivating biography is not only intriguing and moving, but also visually mesmerizing. The black and white watercolor illustrations complement the author’s narrative of Mary Shelley’s life as if it were told in her own voice. Full of passion and drive, this pregnant teen runaway created much more than just a horror story. Shelley was a pioneer of science fiction to be celebrated for her remarkable legacy. Judge delivers in her own work biographical poetry paired with such astounding art that truly evokes the essence of Mary and her legendary Monster.
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
December 2022
Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, & Murdered Through History
by Serah-Marie McMahon
This account of stories of unfortunate fashion victims will leave readers considering the price of beauty and style throughout history. McMahon and Matthews David offer intriguing information about questionable ingredients and practices in the fashion industry when it comes to making and wearing clothing, make-up, and accessories. From mercury infused hats, lead make-up, constricting corsets, and distressed denim, the standards used in the long and recent past have affected the health and safety aspects of everyday fashion. Each entry is presented in a two-page spread with a clean magazine-like layout. Includes eye-catching graphics and supportive historical photographs that illustrate the topics, as well as engaging sidenotes such as the myth of the mad hatter or the Kardashians “waist training” trend. A book for curious minds that is indeed “equal parts fab and frightening” as it claims.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
November 2021
In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks
by Don Brown
A deeply moving graphic novel that depicts the events of 9/11 and the personal stories of many involved due only to being in the wrong place or going to rescue those in the wrong place. The ongoing ramifications from that day are told here in the U.S. and abroad. As in Drowned City, Don Brown meticulously researches his topic…7 pages of citations in Bibliography.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
September 2021
All Thirteen: the Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team
by Christina Soontornvat
A fascinating account of the rescue of thirteen people from a flooded cave in Thailand. Experts in different fields from all around the world worked together, against incredible odds, to successfully rescue all thirteen.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
February 2021
Fever Year: The Killer Flu of 1918: A Tragedy of Three Acts
by Don Brown
This nonfiction graphic novel describes the panic in 1918 – 1920 when the Spanish flu killed hundreds of thousands of people. This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
October 2020
Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America
by Marc Favreau
This nonfiction book of the history of the United States from 1929 –1945 is very readable. It includes many pictures depicting those times.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
April 2020
Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir
by Nikki Grimes
This novel in verse takes us through the author’s formative years of life. Since her mother is a paranoid schizophrenic and her father is unable to care for her, Nikki and her sister land in the foster care system. When her mother remarries Nikki is brought back to live with her but her older sister is not. Nikki misses her sister and her biological father who encourages her artistic side. While difficult to read at times, this book is ultimately uplifting and celebrates perseverance and fortitude.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction