Genocide, a termed coined after the Holocaust’s scope of horror and destruction left world leaders without sufficient vocabulary to describe it, comes from the Greek word ‘genos’ (race or tribe) and the Latin word ‘cide’ (kill), and defines the deliberate annihilation of a race of people. Considered one of the four large-scale genocides of the 20^th century (the Holocaust in Germany, Pol Pot’s regime in Cambodia, and the slaughter of Armenians / Greeks by the Turks), the Rwanda massacre resulted in the murders of approximately 800,000 with a three-month time.

Dan Hardo’s The Rwandan Genocide explains in concise detail how such atrocities could happen. Hardo reviews the historical context of colonialism and explains how the Belgians worked with the Catholic Church to reinforce and exploit the social differences between tribes that sowed the seeds of future hatred between them. Hardo uses interviews with foreign war correspondents to show the reader that beneath the surface of this genocide, there was not a simple issue of tribal hatreds but a complex web of politics, economics, history, psychology and a struggle for identity among the peoples. Hardo presents numerous eyewitness accounts to explain how the United Nations organization hindered the UN peacekeeping forces within Rwanda from stopping the slaughter, how the death squads were recruited and trained, and how radio broadcasts were used to spread propaganda and incite murder.

Hardo also describes how other countries (US, Italy, France) used their troops to evacuate their own citizens but did not commit troops to help Belgium maintain order after ten Belgium troops were brutally murdered. The US and others later admitted that they should have done more to stop the mass murders. Hardo notes that surveys determined that if these governments had used the term ‘genocide’ in the debate of whether or not to commit troops, a majority of their citizens would have supported military action.

Hardo ends the book with an account of how Rwanda has rebuilt itself in the sixteen years since the genocide, how the country has desegregated itself, and sought justice for the ringleaders of the movement.  Interestingly, justice often came in the form of restitution such as working on a victim’s land.

The Rwandan Genocide is a disturbing read with graphic descriptions of slaughter of men, women (including pregnant women), children and even infants. There are color photographs of the victims, as well as photos of the death squads, the military, political figures, and of the country’s natural beauty and wildlife.

As a book in a series on world history, The Rwandan Genocide includes maps, timelines, and an annotated bibliography and defines vocabulary words within the text itself.

In a small town of Montana, where the total number of kids in the high school is twelve, it is more than scary when one girl, Tiffany, goes missing.  The next fall, Nico follows suit.  He was Kendall’s lifetime small town boyfriend, the one who understood her quirky ODC– her best friend in the world.  It’s too much for Kendall to handle–that and losing her school soccer team for lack of players when Nico disappears.  Connected by a love for soccer, Kendall has a rough road to friendship with Jacian, a good foil to showcase both of their strong and determined personalities.  A romance wants to bloom but Kendall can’t let that come out until she knows what happened to Nico.  That’s when the voices start.  Using some suspense and mystery, a reader can sense that Kendall might be next.  But the premise of how she, like the others, could die is so far fetched that readers might be let down in the end.  The soccer terminology is fun for fans of the sport.  While the characters are high school aged, this might find more respect from a middle school aged audience.

With the ease of finding information about people online, at what point does a little snooping become stalking?  When the love of your young life dumps you and you find out who the new girlfriend is, wouldn’t you want to look her up online?  Would you want to see her in person?  Carly did.  Natural curiosity combined with the need to bring closure to a heart-wrenching break-up brings the reader on an adventure in Part 1 of Stalker Girl.  Carly innocently believes that just seeing the new girl will help her understand and move on from the relationship.  But Taylor is different, and Carly needs to see more.  In Part 2, the reader hits rewind and gets to learn of how Carly and Brian met.  Carly is just a normal teen with the dysfunctional family we all have. Brian is the super sweet guitar playing friend who quickly becomes more than a friend in a summer romance.  But when school begins and Brian’s band takes more of his time, Carly’s too clingy for Brian.  Enter part 3 where Carly is now being questioned by not only her parents but a defense lawyer.  How did it go from quiet observations to a threatened lawsuit?   What else could Carly have done?  Readers will feel for Carly and see the knot she ties around herself.  A steadily paced narrative that with the right sales pitch will have interest to most teen girls.

If you like the reality shows such as Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Real Housewives, Run’s House, or others that show off the wealth of pop culture icons, then Spoiled is just up your alley.  Authors Heather Cocks (former producer for America’s Next Top Model) and Jessica Morgan (producer of Growing up Gotti), take their knowledge of the rich and powerful lifestyle of Hollywood and create a fun, slightly far-fetched, tongue-in-cheek story about two newly acquainted sisters and their longing for fulfillment amidst the expectations, glamour and trash in celebrity life.  Brooke has grown up all things couture and she knows how to play the game that her father, Brick Berlin (notice the alliteration) has taught her too well.  Enter Molly, love child of Brick some sixteen years ago.  Molly’s mother died of cancer and lifted from the fields of West Cairo, Indiana, Molly is plopped into the false world Brooke and Brick create.  Brooke’s dismay at her new competition for her father’s fleeting affection begins the drama of this soap opera of a story, but Molly soon learns how to play her hand as well as Brooke’s.  Trust, love, loyalty, and friendship are simple themes amidst the name dropping of fancy shoe labels, restaurants and other celebs.  The ending hints of a sequel and just like the cliffhangers of Bravo TV shows, I’m longing for more.

The South has its own fantastical, mythological history, from debutante balls to African-American folklore.  When the two mix, one great story can emerge.  Twists and turns ripple the story in Katie Crouch’s The Magnolia League.  Alexandria Lee is the nail on a chalkboard as she is whisked into Savannah, Georgia after her mother’s tragic and sudden death.  Raised in a hippie commune in California but now in the care of her affluent and aristocratic grandmother, Alex’s dreads, vintage t-shirts and pot smoking clash head on with everything her grandmother expects of her to become before her coming out opportunity at the Christmas ball.  Alex’s journey of the heart is like that of most teens; rebelling, asking for forgiveness, realizing one’s own worth, and learning to put others before self are all lessons she encounters.  Lust and true love are mixed with hoodoo magic as friendships are tested.  When Alex learns more of The Magnolia League’s past and her mother’s involvement in it, she has to decide what her path will be.  The mysticism of southern culture tied with teen honesty will draw readers into Alex’s story.  No doubt a sequel is coming.

Going vegan herself at age 15, author Claire Askew knows the challenges experienced by teens who are curious about veganism, who aspire to become vegan, as well as those who are current vegans. This complete guide  is full of advise, stories, tips and resources. Topics include animal rights, on how to tell one’s parents, how to deal with friends who are not vegan, how to eat and stay healthy, working around dissection assignments in school, and more.

The book is divided into four sections: Part One covers ‘Dealing with Parents and Other Family’, ‘Friends and Peers’, and ‘Yourself’. Part Two covers ‘Stuff You Should Know’ about ‘Health and Nutrition’, ‘Who’s Who and What’s What’ (resources and cook books), ‘Goodies’ (beauty products, clothes / shoes), and ‘Outreach, School, etc.’ (school related ethical conflicts).  Part Three is titled ‘Food’ and focuses on ‘What Vegans Really Eat’, ‘New Foods’ and ‘The Recipes’. Part Four:  ‘How to Stay Vegan!’ has quotes, songs, and bonuses of being vegan in the ‘Inspire Me, Please’ chapter, and a more detailed reference section in ‘Where Do I Find…”. There is also an index and a buying guide for vegan cookbooks.

Drea is who she is.  Smart, witty, self-aware.  But a lot of people treat her with gloved hands, hushed voices, or they go to the the other side of the spectrum, all out mocking and bullying.  As a 16 year old who is literally “on the spectrum” with Asperger’s, she wants to be normal, just like any other 16 year old in the world.  Enter stage left Naomi.  Naomi is the purple haired drug user who accepts Drea for who she is.  This friendship becomes the perfect character contrast for a Venn diagram assignment.  Next, enter stage right Justin.  Justin is the nice guy but is recovering addict who also “gets” Drea’s quirks that come with Asperger’s.  All three share a passion for music, and of course create a band.  Justin and Drea’s relationship is natural, easy-going yet tingling with discovery of what passion is.  Namoi wants this too but has been looking for it through the drug crowd that uses her.  Naomi’s issues take center stage by the end, and unfortunately this trio will never make it to the big stage.  Author Tara Kelly’s account of what life might be like for a high functioning autistic girl coming out of her shell because she found true friends is a great read for high school and public libraries.

Forbidden love begins as soft lapping waves, building and building until it is tidal in nature, only to wash out to sea, leaving behind memories and nothing more.  So is the terse story of Illyria, where two cousins fall madly in love, trying to make sense of their world, their families and their passion for each other.   Rogan and Madeline live across the street from each other, spend most waking hours with one another, and the family mostly ignores them as they hide their romance.  But once cast into Twelfth Night together, the play charts a new course for each character rapidly–maybe too rapidly.   With hints of magic realism, Elizabeth Hand’s story is feels old-worldly at times and then spot on in today’s world.  But a reader knows from the very start that this is a love that can not last.  It’s rapid decline is that crushing tidal wave, only leaving remnants behind.  Anyone who has knowledge of Twelfth Night will enjoy this tale, but it is not required to be enjoyed.

Five 4ths of July is an historical fiction geared towards young adults. The main character, 15 yr. old Jake Mallery, is based on an ancestor of the author’s husband.  The novel covers five 4ths of July, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781 and each is a pivotal day in the life of a teenaged boy living on the Connecticut coast during the Revolutionary War.

The story is filled with rebellion, young romance, adventure, danger and fear, as Jake progresses from a boy to a rebel to a soldier to a prisoner to a patriot. Most gripping is the prisoner section, as it depicts the often overlooked and very grim history of the British prison ships. The author notes that while approximately 4,500 Americans died on the battle fields during the Revolutionary War, another 11,500 died horrific deaths in the holds of British prison ships in the New York harbor.

Government and Social Class in Colonial America covers the time period of 1620 through 1776 and examines social rank in British America, the development of Colonial government, the impact of Nathaniel Bacon’s rebellion, the changing social status of blacks, the impact of the Enlightenment, and the growing disputes with the Mother Country that led to the American Revolution.

Of particular interest is the discussion of the changing social status of white indentured servants, as well as black servants, who before stricter laws were enacted, were able to earn their freedom alongside the white servants. Also discussed were the unsuccessful attempts by colonists to enslave Native Americans.

The restrictions upon, and discrimination against, women is examined. Details of rules on clothing and housing styles, based on social class, are outlined.

This book is filled with interesting and relatively easy to read historical information, and does not gloss over or minimize the suffering of the lower classes, the Native Americans, or the black slaves.

There are numerous pictures, a time line, index, and an extensive bibliography by chapter.