Members Only: Secret Societies, Sects, and Cults -- Exposed! By Julie Tibbot

What are they hiding?  So begins this tantalizing non-fiction title, preparing the reader to delve into the secret (and sometimes not-so-secret) histories of twenty-two groups following alphabetic order and concluding with the Thugees, which, I was fascinated to learn, is with whom the word “thug” originates.  Each chapter follows a template which provides the date or period in which the group originated, their current status, and summarizes in one sentence the group’s exclusivity, secrecy, threat, and quirkiness.  

After this half-page profile in a text box, Tibbott goes on to introduce the reader to the history and background of the group, followed by a section on how to get in and what reportedly goes on within the group.  Interspersed throughout the text are photographs, symbol illustrations, and relevant features on topics.  Examples include Zora Neale Hurston’s account of meeting Felicia Felix-Mentor (an allegedly zombified woman) following the chapter on the Bizango (founded in Haiti in the 18th century), and a list of big name Masons ( including contemporary public figures Jesse Jackson and Shaquille O’Neal along with historical personages like Oscar Wilde and George Washington).  Perfect for older adolescent readers requesting information on the Illuminati (see page 89), the biggest problem with this book is that unsurprisingly, the author chose not to cite her sources. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Tibbott, Julie.  Members Only: Secret Societies, Sects and Cults--Exposed!  San Francisco: Zest Books, 2014.  Print.

Snitch by Allison Van Diepen

Julia DiVino has a plan for her future and it does not involve the gang life.  Julia has managed, with her best friend Q for support, to stay clear of the constant gang-related violence and drama at her Brooklyn high school, despite the fact that some of her friends are in rival gangs.  When gorgeous Detroit-transplant, Eric Valiente shows up, he and Julia fall hard and fast for each other.  But soon he reveals his gang-involved past and joins up again, breaking Julia’s heart in the process.  Then, at a club one night, Julia warns Eric that he’s about to get jumped.  With that one act, her life will never be the same - no one’s will.  Because everyone is not who they seem and she’s not the only snitch.

Snitch is a fast-paced, drama-filled novel that has wide appeal - it is one of the most popular books in our libraries.  Its accessible language and straightforward structure make it a solid independent reading choice for reluctant readers ready to move on from the Bluford High series or similar books. --Regan Schwartz

Those looking to facilitate a book club discussion of Snitch is may want to take a look at the teacher guide available here. 

Van Diepen, Allison. Snitch.  New York: Simon Pulse. 2007.

The 10 Most Outrageous Hoaxes by Judy Coghill

Want to know the truth about the famous haunting in Amityville, NY?  Or about who masterminded the Milli Vanilli scandal?  Then The 10 Most Outrageous Hoaxes is the book for you.  This slim volume is full of background information on some of the most surprising and gutsy hoaxes from the last century.  Each piece of trickery is introduced with a full-page photograph and a few paragraphs of text.  This is followed by a couple of pages illustrated with full-color photographs and sidebars, delving deeper into the hoax.  There are also short sections on mass media pranks and internet legends, as well as other hoaxes to look up.  Front and back matter include a table of contents and a thorough index.  Readers interested in the conspiracies and the unknown will find plenty to digest and discuss here. --Regan Schwartz

Coghill, Judy. The 10 Most Outrageous Hoaxes. Danbury, CT: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2007. Print.

Graffiti Alphabets by Claudia Walde

Easily one of the three most popular reference books in our library, Walde’s Graffiti Alphabets is a heavy, hardcover volume which offers an international collection of fonts inspired by graffiti.  Some of the fonts are designed by writers who stick strictly to the art form, and others are attributed to working graphic designers and artists’.  Each two-page spread shows the writer’s tag, followed by his or her location (city, country), affiliations (i.e. crews), favorite letter, web address, and then a short paragraph describing the writer’s favorite mediums and materials, philosophy, or what s/he loves about graffiti.  The majority of the 150+ writers included are based in Europe, but Asian, American, and South American writers are also included.  Images include one full page dedicated to the alphabet and usually a half-page photograph of a piece or two.  All color images are reproduced in full matte color.  This book is also available in French.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Walde, Claudia.  Graffiti Alphabets.  New York:  Thames & Hudson, 2011.  Print.

100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet: What to Do if it Happens to You by Anna Claybourne

Did you know that hippos kill more people than sharks do?  Would you know what to do if either of those animals was coming for you?  If you’d like to be prepared, 100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet is a great place to start your survival training.  Each entry in this slim volume features full-color photographs, a risk rating, a survival rating, and instructions on dealing with each particular danger in a variety of situations.  The comprehensive and well-organized table of contents allows the reader to find any information they are looking for quickly, while the engaging text entices them to read straight through.  Teachers may find 100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet a useful resource for the early stages of inquiry projects.  It is a strong pick for reluctant readers with a taste for nonfiction. --Regan Schwartz

Claybourne, Anna. 100 Most Dangerous Things on the Planet. New York: Scholastic, 2011. Print.

Yuck! the things people eat by Neil Setchfield

Have you ever eaten kangaroo tail?  Snake on a stick?  Setchfield’s detailed photographs don’t seek to expand reader’s culinary horizons as much as they intend to “demonstrate that, when it comes to food, palatability is highly subjective.”  This concept can spark deep conversations and exploratory arguments leading to greater appreciation for cultural perspectives and global variety.  To be honest, though, this book usually grabs readers’ attention because of the visceral reactions and ensuing debates of readers.  Yuck!’s brief introduction is followed by chapters featuring bugs, sea creatures, four-legged animals, reptiles and amphibians, fowl, and processed foods/remains.  Back matter consists of one page of additional foods omitted and a short bibliography for further reading. This small 240 page volume is in frequent circulation among readers and non-readers alike.  Each double page spread includes a full color photograph faced by a square of text with a paragraph or two describing the delicacy and its context.  Recommended for independent reading, paired readings, and as a conversation starter on taste, preference, and cultural perspective.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Setchfield, Neil.  Yuck!  the things people eat.  London:  Merrell, 2010.  Print.

Fresh for '01...You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection by Aaron McGruder

If you enjoyed watching The Boondocks on television; or the daily, though sometimes censored, comic strip published in the newspaper; and have missed Huey, Riley and the rest of the residents of Woodcrest, this book might be a good fit for you. The black and white cartoon illustrations compiled from the daily comic strip feature the residents of Woodcrest as Huey and Riley attempt to maintain their cultural identity in their suburban surroundings. Caesar, from Brooklyn, is a welcome addition to Woodcrest, and brings his own humor to the small suburban community. Students enjoy the comic strip format of the book as well as the humor of the characters and their antics. The political commentary is still surprisingly relevant more than a decade after the publication date and can serve as a springboard for discussions about current race relations and politics in America. --Bernardine Lowery-Crute

McGruder, Aaron. Fresh for ‘01...You Suckas. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC, 2001. Print.

We Skate Hardcore: Photographs from Brooklyn’s Southside by Vincent Cianni

This popular and evocative collection of mostly black and white photographs documents the vibrant inline skating culture that was thriving in the south side of Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood in the 1990s.  Part photo-journalism and part personal history, We Skate Hardcore weaves the author’s narrative together with photographs (often accompanied by handwritten descriptions by subjects) and interviews.  Southside Williamsburg in the nineties was a neighborhood suffering from high crime and poverty rates.  This book is an homage to these young skaters’ passion and determination to build (sometimes literally!) a better future for themselves.  Additionally, We Skate Hardcore is a window into New York City’s recent history and a very interesting form of memoir, which Social Studies and English teachers may find useful in the classroom.  While the collection is almost entirely school-appropriate, librarians may hope that a vandal takes a scissor to the corner of a page of grainy color photos about fourteen pages from the book’s end. --Regan Schwartz

Cianni, V.  We Skate Hardcore: Photographs from Brooklyn’s Southside.  New York: New York University Press, 2004.  Print.

So Cute You Could Die!: puppies, kitties, bunnies galore! by Jennie Summers

Life can be stressful and unpleasant and sometimes you need to take a moment to relax and remember the wonder of the world around you.  So Cute You Could Die seems tailor-made to the task.  It is 256 wordless pages of adorable, cuddly animals mugging for the camera.  The ultimate stress-free read, So Cute You Could Die is an absorbing book, sure to spark interest and conversation and almost guaranteed to turn bad moods around.  

So Cute You Could Die is a great book for engaging reluctant readers in the library.  It has proven popular with boys and girls alike, and has prompted some serious discussions, from dog breeding and fighting, to wildlife conservation and general wonderings about the intricacies of the animal kingdom. --Regan Schwartz

Summers, Jennie. So Cute You Could Die!: Puppies, Kitties, Bunnies Galore! Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2007. Print.

Would You Rather: Doubly Disgusting by Justin Heimberg and David Gomberg

Would you rather get lost in your favorite novel, or debate with a group of your peers?  If you fall into the latter category, then this is the book for you.  It starts quietly, a question posed to a nearby friend, “Would you rather...” marking the discovery of this hilariously disgusting tome by another curious student.  Suddenly everyone is thinking long and hard about the options, weighing the pros and cons, and discussing the long-term ramifications of choices such as, “Would you rather clean yourself like a cat, or use a litter box like a cat?”  This small book is full of options designed to nauseate and repel, so it is obviously very popular.  One part joke book, one part introduction to debate, Would You Rather is an engaging and stress-free read for students that will get them talking about what they are reading, as well as a wonderful tool to introduce the idea of argument and debate to a class.  --Regan Schwartz

Heimberg, Justin and David Gomberg. Would You Rather: Doubly Disgusting. New York: Seven Footer Press, 2009. Print.

Sports Illustrated Kids: In Your Face 3-D: the Best 3-D Book Ever! by David E. Klutho

This has been, by far, the most handled book in the Horizon library this summer. Perfect for reluctant readers, book lovers and everyone in between, each page in this book dares the reader to swipe a hand over the image to make sure there’s nothing actually floating above it. Using the 3-D glasses that come with the book (and I just discovered a phone number printed inside to receive FREE replacement glasses!), students have been eager to take turns flipping through and pointing out their favorite images to one another and staff. There is very little text throughout, mainly in captions and highlighted quotes, saving plenty of room for oversize pictures of sports action.

My favorite thing about In Your Face 3-D? Everyone forgets to maintain their cool while wearing the 3-D glasses. This book has the ability to bring out the fun-loving kid in even the most stoic teen.  --Anja Kennedy

A Girl Like Me by Ni-Ni Simone

Elite Parker is living a lie.  She works so hard to keep up the show - great clothes, attitude to spare, amazing voice, and hot boyfriend - but her home life is a dangerous mess.  Elite has been raising her four younger siblings for years, paying the bills and keeping everyone fed, healthy, clothed, and (most importantly) together.  Her mother is an addict with an addict boyfriend and their father was never in the picture.  Elite is struggling to hold down a job, keep up her grades, and keep her facade from crumbling.  When her vocal talent wins her tickets to the hottest concert of the year, Elite is swept up in a fairytale romance that threatens to ruin everything she has worked so hard for.

Written with plenty of humor and slang, A Girl Like Me is almost always a hit with readers looking for “real” books.  Ni-Ni Simone’s honest depiction of a family in crisis and the responsibilities shouldered all-too-often by older siblings is immediately relate-able, despite the over-the-top romantic fantasy.  This is a Cinderella story that emphasizes family, friendship, and honesty. --Regan Schwartz

Tyrell by Coe Booth

Tyrell is feeling the pressure. He and his mom and his little brother just got kicked out of the projects and they’re living in a shelter. His dad is in prison and his mom wants him to start selling drugs to support the family. He’s torn between his long-time girlfriend (whose life seems perfect and nothing like Tyrell’s) and the new girl he met at the shelter (whose life is more similar to his own). With all of these challenges in his life, school is not a priority and he stops going. Booklist, in its starred review of the book, said Tyrell is “heartbreakingly realistic,” and I agree. Tyrell’s life reflects the stressful experiences of many of our students’ own lives. The plot is immediately familiar, as is the characters’ language and dialog. This book flies off the shelves; it gets checked out more times than any other novel in the library, and it is the most difficult one to get returned. One student borrows the book, but it often then gets read by each student in the group home before it comes back to school. This book is highly recommended for independent reading— trust me, it’s not a tough sell. Also exciting for students and teachers, the sequel, Bronxwood, is coming out soon! We are eagerly anticipating Ms. Booth’s visit with our high school students at Summit in December.

Booth, Coe. Tyrell. New York: PUSH Scholastic, 2006.