Bausum, Ann. Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights. 128p. bibliog. ebook available. index. notes. photos. reprods. Viking. May 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780670016792.

Gr 9 Up –This powerful, well-researched work examines the Stonewall riots, which took place in 1969 in New York City when members of the gay community fought back in response to a police raid on a gay bar. Bausum describes the restrictive lives that many gays and lesbians led in the 1960s and the relief—and risks—of meeting at gay bars. On June 28, 1969, when police arrived at the Stonewall Inn to make arrests, people—transvestites, drag queens, lesbians, and gay men—fought back, instead of filing quietly into police wagons. Quoting from a variety of firsthand sources (journalists, bar patrons, cops, and others), Bausum paints a vivid picture of the three nights of rioting that became the focal point for activists, some of whom had been fighting for gay and lesbian rights in a quieter way and others who found themselves suddenly drawn to the struggle. A month later, a large group of protestors rallied to speak out in Washington Square Park and marched down Christopher Street to the Stonewall Inn in what became the nation’s first gay pride march. In the following chapters, Bausum describes the growth of gay and lesbian activism, setbacks, the impact of HIV/AIDS, and issues such as gays in the military and same-sex marriage, bringing readers to the present day and expertly putting these struggles into historical context. VERDICT An essential purchase.–Nancy Silverrod, San Francisco Public Library

Collard, Sneed B., III. Fire Birds: Valuing Natural Wildfires and Burned Forests. 48p. Bucking Horse. 2015. Tr $17. ISBN 9780984446070.

Gr 4-8 –Blame it on Smokey the Bear and his “Only you can prevent forest fires!” campaign. We know today that the long-held U.S. Forest Service fire suppression policy led to a build-up of large amounts of dead wood and leaves, which, coupled with warmer temperatures and drier forests, has been responsible for some of the extreme fires witnessed in recent years. Adding to that information are the discoveries made by scientists studying these devastated areas, who have learned that various species flock to them and, in some cases, prefer them. In particular, Collard follows the work of Richard Hutto, a Montana ornithologist, who has been monitoring birds in charred landscapes since 1988. The book is both a look at the benefits of these potentially dangerous events of nature and an exploration of ecosystems that thrive in their wake. Wood-boring beetles that detect the infrared radiation emitted by fires arrive to lay eggs, and woodpeckers come to feast on the beetle larvae and nest. With a steady supply of food and fewer predators, avian young survive in greater numbers, and so it goes. The author also discusses private vs. public policy in response to forest fires and the questions surrounding the efficacy of salvage logging. Large print, glossy pages, and numerous full-page, up-close color photos of bird species add up to a handsome volume. VERDICT A book that will leave readers asking questions and challenging assumptions—and with a keener appreciation of our environment. A first purchase for most libraries.–Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Reef, Catherine. Noah Webster: Man of Many Words. 224p. bibliog. index. maps. notes. reprods. Clarion. Aug. 2015. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780544129832.

Gr 7 Up –Many people take the dictionary for granted, rarely stopping to think of how it began. This well-written, impeccably researched book tells the story of Noah Webster (1758–1843), who was responsible for the first dictionary. Webster was fortunate to have a supportive father who mortgaged his farm so his son could afford to attend Yale. Webster saw the American Revolution unfold around him while a college student. He went on to work as a teacher, eventually opening a school and even offering classes to girls (a rarity in early America). It was his experiences as an educator that led him to pen an early version of the dictionary, a primer aimed at young children, teaching them spelling, language, and basic history. An ardent proponent of independence from England and a strong federalist, Webster believed that the language spoken in the New World differed significantly from British English and “ought to be a source of national pride.” Reef expertly emphasizes the link between her subject’s fervent desire for a strong central government and his commitment to a unified language. Though Webster was ridiculed for his ideas, he persisted. Reef not only crafts a clear picture of the man but provides readers with a glimpse at historical figures such as Thomas Paine, George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin and effectively integrates Webster’s own words into the text. Featuring a large font and images throughout, this attractive offering is an excellent look at a noteworthy individual. VERDICT A first-rate addition to biography and history collections.–Jessica Lorentz Smith, Bend Senior High School, OR

Silvey, Anita. Untamed: The Wild Life of Jane Goodall. 96p. chron. filmog. further reading. index. maps. notes. photos. reprods. National Geographic. Jun. 2015. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781426315183; lib. ed. $28.90. ISBN 9781426315190. LC 2014017715.

Gr 4-8 –Featuring gorgeous, full-color photographs; primary sources; and fun nature facts, this biography of Jane Goodall will easily entice children. Goodall is presented as inspiring and intelligent as well as down-to-earth in her personality and methods. Silvey focuses on the scientist’s relationship to the chimpanzees she studied, and also discusses the anthropologist’s trajectory from curious young girl to respected scientist (black-and-white childhood photos and anecdotes add to the appeal). Sidebars provide additional material, such as brief profiles of her mentor, Louis Leakey, and her mother. The photographs of Goodall and her primate friends are beautiful, and the book is well designed and laid out with care. The writing is clear and concise, and learning about the subject’s work in such an accessible manner will boost children’s self-confidence, especially girls with an interest in science. VERDICT An ideal purchase for science or biography collections.–Shalini Miskelly, St. Benedict Catholic School, Seattle, WA

Albee, Sarah. Why’d They Wear That?: Fashion as the Mirror of History. 192p. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. photos. websites. National Geographic. 2015.

Collier, Peter. Choosing Courage: Inspiring Stories of What It Means to Be a Hero. 240p. glossary. index. photos. Artisan. May 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781579655969; ebk. $15.95. ISBN 9781579656607.

Dunkle, Elena & Clare B. Dunkle. Elena Vanishing. 296p. Chronicle. May 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781452121512.

Glass, Andrew. Flying Cars: The True Story. 128p. bibliog. diags. glossary. index. notes. photos. reprods. Clarion. Aug. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780618984824. LC 2014027740.

Hearst, Michael. Extraordinary People: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide to Some of the World’s Most Fascinating Individuals. illus. by Aaron Scamihorn. 110p. maps. Chronicle. May 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781452127095.

Kalman, Maira and Daniel Handler. Hurry Up and Wait. 64p. ebook available. illus. photos. Abrams. Apr. 2015. Tr $15.95. ISBN 9780870709593.

Mulder, Michelle. Trash Talk!: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World. 48p. ebook available. filmog. further reading. index. photos. reprods. websites. Orca. Apr. 2015. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781459806924. LC 2014952068.

Murray, Elizabeth A. Overturning Wrongful Convictions: Science Serving Justice. 120p. bibliog. diag. ebook available. further reading. index. notes. photos. reprods. Twenty-First Century. 2015. lib. ed. $33.32. ISBN 9781467725132. LC 2014017225.

Roadmap: The Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do with Your Life. 368p. illus. index. photos. Chronicle. 2015. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781452128450.

Rogers, Simon. Information Graphics: Space. illus. by Jennifer Daniel. 80p. diag. Candlewick/Big Picture. 2015. pap. $17.99. ISBN 9780763677695. LC 2014939335.

Van Dijk, Sheri. Relationship Skills 101 for Teens: Your Guide to Dealing with Daily Drama, Stress, & Difficult Emotions Using DBT. 208p. New Harbinger. 2015. pap. $16.95. ISBN 9781626250529.

von Holleben, Jan & others. That’s What You Think!: A Mind-Boggling Guide to the Brain. tr. from German by Jen Metcalf. photos by Jan von Holleben. 184p. Die Gestalten Verlag/Little Gestalten. 2015. Tr $24.95. ISBN 9783899557251.

Graphic Nonfiction

Van Lente, Fred. Howtoons: [Re]Ignition. illus. by Tom Fowler & Jordie Bellaire. 1. 160p. (Howtoons). diag. Image Comics. 2015. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781632150561.