Staff Picks Young Adult Nonfiction

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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 readableIt 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


August 2019

Illegal

by Eoin Colfer

This graphic novel tells the story of an immigrant’s journey from Northern Africa to Europe. It humanizes the people and the risks they take and the sacrifices they make to try for a better life. This is not for the faint of heart! Tragedy abounds in this realistic depiction of the immigration saga.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager 

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction


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