Seeking Whom He May Devour: Chief Inspector Adamsberg Investigates Fred Vargas , 2006

Who or what is slaughtering sheep in the French Alps? One villager is outspoken in her belief that it is a werewolf, and soon she is found with her throat ripped out, like her sheep. An inept team of sheepherder, the adopted son of the victim, and a friend of the victim try to track the suspected murderer or werewolf by careening through the Pyrenees in a rickety farm truck smelling strongly of lanolin, always just missing being able to stop the next grisly murder. Finally, Commissaire Adamsberg from the Sûreté in Paris comes to help out, and the noose finally tightens on the murderer.

Fred Vargas is a medievalist, archaeologist and historian, who writes intelligent, complex mysteries, set in contemporary France. Vargas has developed a protagonist in Adamsberg who is unconventional, intuitive, and insecure in his unexpressed love for Camille, who is alternatively a plumber/concert violinist. Vargas is becoming more well-known in the United States, and the translation from the French is spot-on-all the quirky characters, the creepiness, and the ancient fears come through with great clarity. – Susan Bogart

The Chouteaus: First Family of the Fur Trade Stan Hoig, 2008

This book traces the history of the French-Creole family known to history as the Chouteaus. The patriarch of the family, August, along with another French-Creole, Pierre Laclede, moved from New Orleans to Missouri and established the city of St. Louis. Auguste and his numerous sons (and daughters) created the fur-trading empire that would eventually encompass the states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. Fort Osage (near Sibley, Mo.), established by William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame), is described in some depth. Auguste and his two eldest sons showed courage and fairness always with the Native Americans of the regions they opened up and faced many adventures, as well as tragedies. This is a truly interesting book and if you like local history and the expansion of the United States westward. – Linda Riehle

The Wordy Shipmates Sarah Vowell, 2008

Sarah Vowell writes history books, but I’d bet most of her fans are not history buffs. They’re more likely slackers who didn’t do their history homework in school because they were too busy lying on their bedroom floors, listening to “Exile on Main Street” or watching “The Godfather.” Her books are infused with enough pop culture references and ties to current events that even modern Americans, no matter how self-centered or short attention-spanned, will enjoy them.  But mostly, Vowell’s books are for civics softies. The kind of wonks who choked up watching Congress sing “God Bless America” after 9/11. In her latest book, The Wordy Shipmates, Vowell describes how, while she was writing it, her friends asked why she chose as a subject the “religiously fanatical” puritans. She explains that in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, she was so moved by watching her fellow New Yorkers, normally grouchy when having to wait in line for anything, wait for hours, gleefully, to donate blood. At that time, she found comfort in the communal spirit of Governor John Winthrop’s sermon “Model of Christian Charity” that he addressed to the puritans before they sailed across the Atlantic to settle the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Those words, first uttered in the seventeenth century, reminded Vowell of how all Americans are part of one community. Now, with her words, Vowell comforts us with this same sense of shared purpose. – Becky Carleton

Little Brother Cory Doctorow, 2008

Marcus is intelligent and tech savvy enough to thwart the efforts of his school administrators who keep tabs on his activities. But when terrorists attack San Francisco while Marcus is skipping class with his friends, his whereabouts make him suspect and he is picked up by Homeland Security.

As fear grips the city, Marcus is dismayed at how easily people, including his liberal parents, are willing to sacrifice their personal liberties for a false sense of security. Marcus utilizes his knowledge of technology to embark on an underground campaign against Homeland Security.

Doctorow effectively explores the often times conflicting ideals of national security and personal liberties. Marcus loses friends over their differing reactions to the terrorist attacks and the activities of Homeland Security. He engages in spirited debate with his parents and slowly comprehends their reversal of values. And most importantly, he experiences the impact of the unintended consequences of his well-intentioned actions.

While some adult readers might be turned off by the teen love interest, the issues and conversations raised by Marcus’ situation feel very authentic and pose fascinating questions for teens and adults alike. – Helen Hokanson

Garden Spells Sarah Addison Allen, 2007

Take a little magic, include a dash of suspense, throw in a pinch of love, and add one eccentric aunt. Then stir a little and you get Sarah Addison Allen’s Garden Spells.

The unusually gifted Waverly family consists of: Claire, a caterer extraordinaire, who conjures her recipes from a unique garden with one quirky apple tree; Sydney, Claire’s prodigal sister, who is hiding from an abusive boyfriend; Sydney’s daughter Bay, who knows the exact place for all things. And Evanelle, the sister’s aunt, whose predictions leave all around her baffled.

All in all a fun read! – Terri Bostic

White Teeth Zadie Smith, 2001

This humorous and poignant novel focuses on three generations of families from the U.K., Jamaica, and Pakistan. Zadie Smith takes the reader on a thoughtful and often hilarious journey through the trials and tribulations of both family life as well as the challenges of being a foreigner in a strange land. Smith also addresses the challenges of second generation immigrants and how they find their place in the world. The novel is full of relevant history as well as humor. The book was published in 2000, prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks and yet deals with some of the issues that may have come into play for immigrants around the world. It is a fantastic and entertaining read. – Kasey Riley

Hattie Big Sky Kirby Larson , 2006

Hattie Inez Brooks, is a 16-year-old orphan who has never had a permanent family or home. She has been "Hattie Here-and-There" dependent upon others charity. In 1918, during WWI, Hattie is living with an aunt and uncle in Iowa when she receives a letter stating that her Uncle Chester has passed and left her his homestead claim in Montana.
 
Hattie's adventure starts once she and Mr. Whiskers, her cat, take the Great Northern train from Iowa to Wolf Point, Mont. She has just under a year to "prove" her claim, which means that she has to cultivate, fence and live on the 40 acres. She braves the incredibly harsh winter and an insufferably hot summer with no rain. She endures anti-German sentiment, wild animals, as well as tackling once simple daily tasks. This book is filled with heartache, courage, perseverance and undying faith.
 
Even though this is a young adult book it has appeal for young and old. A quick read that draws you in with the first page, which is a letter to her friend, Charlie, who is away at war. Each chapter begins with a letter, through her letters you learn about Hattie, her true feelings; you discover her humor and love her sensitivity towards her fellow man. Knowing this was a true story was even more special. – Mary Lofstrom