Bair, Sheila    The Bullies of Wall Street: this is how greed messed up our economy    TEEN 330.973093 BAIR

Explains how the broken financial system caused the Great Recession, resulting in many people losing their jobs and businesses closing their doors. Grades 9-up.

Browne, John    Seven Elements that Changed the World: an adventure of ingenuity and discovery    TEEN 546 BROWNE

Combining true stories from the worlds of history, science and politics, describes how the use of seven elements: iron, carbon, gold, silver, uranium, titanium and silicon have changed the world for both the better and worse. Grades 9-up.

Farrell, Mary Cronk    Pure grit: how American World War II nurses survived battle and prison camp in the Pacific    TEEN 940.547573 FARRELL

A tribute to the American nurses trapped in the Philippines by the attack on Pearl Harbor describes the harrowing conditions under which they treated soldiers before being captured and forced to endure starvation and disease for three years. Grades 7-up.

Frydenborg, Kay    Chocolate: Sweet Science and Dark Secrets of the World’s Favorite Treat    TEEN 338.766392 FRYDENBO

A fascinating look at the history, science, and economic and cultural implications of the harvesting of cacao and creation of chocolate. Grades 6-up.

Hillenbrand, Laura    Unbroken : an Olympian’s journey from airman to castaway to captive    TEEN 940.547252 HILLENBR

The inspirational true story of how Louis Zamperini, a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic athlete and World War II pilot, crashed into the ocean and survived for weeks on a life raft only to become a prisoner of war. Grades 6 and up.

Marrin, Albert    A volcano beneath the snow: John Brown’s war against slavery    TEEN 973.711609 BROWN

John Brown’s fight to end slavery in the United States is presented in a broad historical context that reveals an impact far beyond the time it occurred. John Brown and his efforts to end slavery were integral aspects of the lead-up to the U.S. Civil War. Grades 6-up.

Ramsland, Katherine    The Science of Vampires    TEEN 133.423 RAMSLAND

A fascinating investigation into the myths and realities of the vampire, exploring every aspect of the dark force that has played host to our fears of infections, depletions, alien influence, and disease. Grades 9-up.

Smithson, Ryan    Ghosts of War: the True Story of a 19-year-old GI    TEEN 956.70443 SMITHSON

This is a harrowing memoir of combat, friendship, fear, and a soldier’s commitment to his country by a debut author who volunteered to serve in the Iraq war. Grades 7-up.