BARONE, Rebecca E.F. Mountain of Fire: The Eruption and Survivors of Mount St. Helens. Holt. ISBN 9781250881656.
Gr 5 Up–The story of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens from the perspectives of scientists and survivors. Barone builds tension from the first page, with facts about the volcano and the previous seismic activity that led to the violent eruption, creating a thrilling nonfiction narrative readers won’t be able to put down.

BAUSUM, Ann. The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion. illus. by Marta Sevilla. Peachtree. ISBN 9781682634950.
Gr 5-10–The story of how Shakespeare’s plays were preserved after his death is also an incisive overview of his life and a broad survey of his work. Brilliantly illustrated with Sevilla’s quirky, revealing drawings and period woodcuts and featuring amply documented sources, this will serve as a browsing guide for casual readers or for serious researchers.

BOUGHTON, Simon. The Wild River and the Great Dam: The Construction of Hoover Dam and the Vanishing Colorado River. Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano. ISBN 9780316380744.
Gr 4-6–In a book that is part social history and part ecological study, Boughton examines the outsize impact of what was, in the 1930s, the most massive engineering project in U.S. history. Broad in scope yet rich in details, with numerous contemporary photos, this is a fascinating read.

BROCKENBROUGH, Martha. Future Tense—How We Made Artificial Intelligence and How It Will Change Everything. Feiwel & Friends. ISBN 9781250765925.
Gr 9 Up–Opening with a history of artificial intelligence, Brockenbrough offers a detailed exploration of humans trying to replicate the brain’s complexities in machines. As AI is evolving, the narrative offers essential food for thought to recognize not only the dangers but also the potential for good.

CLARKSON, Giselle. The Observologist: A Handbook for Mounting Very Small Scientific Expeditions. Gecko Pr. ISBN 9781776575190.
Gr 3-7–Clarkson crafts an eye-catching, interactive field guide to observology: the study of looking. Insects, birds, ecosystems, and more are drawn in lush color and stunning detail. An attractive layout filled with jokes, facts, and prompts will energize readers to find the extraordinary in the ordinary right in front of them.

DORADO ROMO, David. Borderlands and the Mexican American Story. Crown. ISBN 9780593567753.
Gr 4-8–With incisive prose and a thought-provoking format, this is a revelatory overview of Mexican American history. Dorado Romo’s narrative challenges racist misconceptions about border crossings and shines a light on the many unsung heroes and groundbreaking events left out of the history books.

DYSON, Michael Eric & Marc Favreau. Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780759557062.
Gr 9 Up–This timely examination of voting- rights history in the U.S. traces everything from the writing of the Constitution to the 2020 election results, with discussion of those who have fought for voting equity and disenfranchisement efforts that persist today. An important, powerful read.

FADEEVA, Olga. Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us. tr. by Lena Traer. Eerdmans. ISBN 9780802856227.
Gr 3-6–Fadeeva perfectly balances simple and scientific language, making this work ideal for science units or curious readers. Enhanced by beautiful illustrations, the book is a captivating exploration of our most precious resource.

FLEMING, Candace. The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II. Scholastic Focus. ISBN 9781338749571.
Gr 8 Up–An impeccably researched account of the young women who left everything behind to break intercepted Nazi code. Fleming deftly balances descriptions of the deciphering technology and historical events with personal narratives. A compelling blend of WWII, cryptography, and women’s history to fascinate and inspire.

FLORIO, John & Ouisie Shapiro. Marked Man: Frank Serpico’s Inside Battle Against Police Corruption. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250621955.
Gr 10 Up–Fighting back against 1970s New York Police Department corruption was dangerous for Detective Frank Serpico; the authors adeptly use Serpico’s own words to explain how daunting it was. The seedy side of corruption gives gritty details to intensify this vivid biography.

HIRSCH, Rebecca E. A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants: Wicked Weeds and Sinister Seeds. Lerner/Zest. ISBN 9798765625248.
Gr 7 Up–A mesmerizing journey through the perilous world of botany. This guide examines 25 toxic plants, from familiar poisons to the obscurely deadly ones, with dark humor and stunning visuals. Science, history, and cautionary tales combine for an entertaining yet informative botanical thriller.

HURSTON, Zora Neale. Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers. adapt. by Ibram X. Kendi. illus. by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson. Harper/Amistad. ISBN 9780063098336.
Gr 3-7–Anti-racist scholar Kendi adapts anthropologist Hurston’s 1927 interviews with Cudjoe Lewis, a formerly enslaved Alabama man thought to be the last American with direct knowledge of the Middle Passage. Written by Hurston to recreate Lewis’s dialect and manner of speech, the narrative is deeply reflective and, at times, harrowing.

JARROW, Gail. Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes. Astra/Calkins Creek. ISBN 9781662680236.
Gr 7 Up–Spiritualism, ghosts, and seances captivated many in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A gripping, well-researched narrative follows magicians and investigators unmasking the fraudsters preying on grieving families. A fantastical tale with a plethora of photos and illustrations make this another win for Jarrow.

JOHNSON, George M. Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known. illus. by Charly Palmer. Farrar. ISBN 9780374391249.
Gr 8 Up–Using his influential perspective, Johnson provides 14 biographical vignettes of queer Harlem Renaissance figures by detailing their significance to the arts scene and why recognition is long overdue. Enhanced by Palmer’s dreamy illustrations, this collective biography is a must-read.

JONES, Dan SaSuWeh. Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools. Scholastic Focus. ISBN 9781338889475.
Gr 4–Ponca tribe member Jones chronicles his family’s relationship with Chilocco Indian Agricultural School, a boarding school attended by four generations of his family for the entire duration of its existence. An intimate portrait that expands into a powerful commentary on Indigenous communities and a painfully violent component of America’s history.

KLEINROCK, Liz & Caroline Kusin Pritchard. What Jewish Looks Like. illus. by Iris Gottlieb. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063285712.
Gr 3-7–An insightful collective biography that smashes stereotypes and brings to the fore 36 people of Jewish identity, including Daveed Diggs, Jazz Jennings, and others. The readable and joy-filled entries are organized by categories like “saving a life” and “repairing the world” and are complemented by vibrant portraits.

LEE, Erika & Christina Soontornvat. Made in Asian America: A History for Young People. Harper/Quill Tree. ISBN 9780063242937.
Gr 6 Up–Historian Lee and Newbery Honor recipient Soontornvat collaborate to share the untold story of the diverse Asian American community. This in-depth text offers a nuanced look at the group’s invaluable contributions, the racism and xenophobia they have faced, and the triumphs that make up their against-all-odds history.

MANN, J. Albert. Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780063273481.
Gr 7 Up–Edgy, irreverent, and thoroughly engaging, this book takes readers through the colorful history of labor from ancient guilds to modern unions. Employing historical anecdotes and sharp commentary, Mann examines the dynamics of power, class, and the economy in a lively, contemporary voice that is entertaining and insightful.

MARKLE, Sandra. The Great Wolf Rescue: Saving the Red Wolves. Lerner/Millbrook. ISBN 9781728467962.
Gr 4-8–Markle details an intriguing plan by scientists to restore red wolves, which have been driven nearly to extinction, to the southeastern U.S. through captive breeding. Copious facts and figures enliven the text, and the layout is colorful and inviting, with many lush photos of wolves in the wild.

MESSNER, Kate. History Smashers: Salem Witch Trials. illus. by Falynn Koch. Random. ISBN 9780593705285.
Gr 4-9–Told in an engaging tone, this account delivers the full story of the Salem witch trials. Messner uses multiple formats to tell the tale, including mini graphic novels, snippets from a witch hunter’s handbook, reproductions, and full-page sidebars. Readers will be mesmerized.

OGLE, Rex. Road Home. Norton. ISBN 9781324019923.
Gr 10 Up–Ogle shares the pivotal experiences of being rejected by his father for being gay and living on the streets in this entry of his memoir series. No situation was insurmountable when he remembered his abuela and the promise of an education. This moving read features Ogle’s usual directness peppered with hope.

POLAK, Monique. Remember This: The Fascinating World of Memory. illus. by Valéry Goulet. ISBN 9781459834125.
Gr 4-7–An intriguing text for pleasure reading or research. Polak explores the intricacies of personal memories, collective memory, and illnesses that affect memory. Divided into 13 engrossing chapters, this absorbing work is expertly composed for middle grade readers. Jewel-toned illustrations and a mix of photos and diagrams make this volume memorable.

RAE, Rowena. Why We Need Vaccines: How Humans Beat Infectious Diseases. illus. by Paige Stampatori. Orca. ISBN 9781459836945.
Gr 6 Up–From how they are created to what we can do to help, this timely and browsable title about vaccines is encyclopedic and accessible. A thoroughly researched and visually appealing book that belongs in every library serving middle school students.

SABIC-EL-RAYESS, Amra with Laura L. Sullivan. Three Summers: A Memoir of Sisterhood, Summer Crushes, and Growing Up on the Eve of War. Farrar. ISBN 9780374390815.
Gr 3-7–Struggling to cope with grief and loneliness after her brother dies from a genetic disorder, 11-year-old Amra spends three summers healing with her cousin in the years before the mid-1990s Bosnian genocide. Sensitively told with abundant detail from Bosnian Muslim culture, Sabic-El-Rayess’s memoir will resonate broadly with middle graders.

SEMENYA, Caster. The Race to Be Myself: Young Readers Edition. Norton. ISBN 9781324030973.
Gr 4-9–Olympic runner Caster Semenya recounts her experiences growing up in a South African village as a girl with a disorder of sex development and how her right to compete in the World Championships was challenged because of her gender. Vulnerable and powerful, this heartfelt memoir will resonate with readers.

VAN VLEET, Carmella. Frozen in Time: What Ice Cores Can Tell Us About Climate Change. Holiday House. ISBN 9780823453986.
Gr 4-9–An astounding introduction to the fascinating field of paleoclimatology, the study of climate history, and how cylinders of ice all over the world can reveal the impact of the changing climate. Accessible text, eye-catching photos, and appealing design make this a perfect fit for budding scientists and environmental activists.

WATKINS, Steve. The Mine Wars: The Bloody Fight for Workers’ Rights in the West Virginia Coalfields. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781547612185.
Gr 5 Up–The little-known story of a lost civil war and its vital role in labor history. Through flawed heroes, shrewd scoundrels, and vivid archival photos, this meticulously researched account reveals overlooked roots of the labor movement, sparking fresh insight into today’s battles for justice.

WEINBERG, Steven. What Is Color? The Global and Sometimes Gross Story of Pigments, Paint, and the Wondrous World of Art. Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781250833419.
Gr 3 Up–This creative primer on color explores the science, art, and history behind our favorite hues. Weinberg’s rollicking text, gross facts, and quirky illustrations will draw kids in and spark their imaginations.

WILLIAMS, Dinah. Amazing Immortals: A Guide to Gods and Goddesses Around the World. Abrams. ISBN 9781419761904.
Gr 4-8–This jaw-dropping compilation introduces readers to over 80 gods and goddesses. Accompanied by the work of 17 diverse artists from around the world, these entries will captivate mythology newbies and aficionados alike. The impeccable design, plentiful back matter, and breadth of deities covered makes this a true treasure.

WOOD, Chelsea L. Power to the Parasites! illus. by Dave Mottram. Macmillan/Godwin. ISBN 9781250833983.
Gr 5 Up–This engrossing work will open kids’ eyes to the many parasitic creatures that keep the world moving. Accessible language, pencil illustrations, and a quirky narrator will intrigue readers who won’t be able to look away from the slimy, creepy, and crawly.

YOO, Paula. Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire. Norton. ISBN 9781324030904.
Gr 6 Up–The 1992 LA riots rocked the nation, bringing to the forefront years of racial tension, police inequities, and the consequences of the war on drugs. Yoo delicately weaves profiles, news reports, and photos to capture a haunting and balanced historical moment with lasting impact.