Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
Teen Zone Nonfiction-Main Level - 973.7092 S

I tend to get bored with Non-Fiction books but I loved Chasing Lincoln's Killer!

8 hours before President Abraham and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln arrive at Ford Theater, actor John Wilkes Booth learns of their evening plans and sets in motion a plan to assassinate not only the President, but the Vice President and the Secretary of State. From that point forward, James L. Swanson follows the actions of Booth, his co-conspirators, their pursuers and the parties of Lincoln, Secretary of State Seward, and then-Vice President Johnson up until the point of Booth's capture and his accomplices' prosecution and hanging.

Swanson's telling of this story is exhilarating, emotional and action-packed while staying true to historical events (the author notes in the opening notes of the book that the events described are "[...] far too incredible to have been made up.") Chasing Lincoln's Killer based on Swanson's adult book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, is specifically geared toward a youth and teen audience, but I didn't feel at all like I was reading a "dumbed down" version of another book at all.

The Lincoln assassination is a much more complex and interesting story than any history teacher ever told me and I walked away from this book feeling both interested in and well educated on the subject! It was definitely an interesting and worth-while read for teens and adults looking to actually have a great time learning about an important event in American history!

Dignifying Science

Dignifying Science: Stories about Women Scientists by Jim Ottaviani et al
Teen Zone Nonfiction – Main Level – 500.82

Jim Ottaviani is a very nice local comic book writer and librarian who focuses on science titles. This one came out after a similar book featuring male scientists. I recently saw him at a panel discussion where he talked about all the research he does for his books, putting in days and years of reading to find the small true details that will bring the story to life. This book features stories about lesser-known women scientists who nonetheless made great contributions to science and technology. Each short story is both interesting and packs in a lot of information about its subject. Each is illustrated by a different female comic book artist – I recognized Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Lea Hernandez (Birds of Prey, Killer Princesses), and Linda Medley (Castle Waiting). Featured scientists include Hedy Lamarr, Lise Meitner, Rosalind Franklin, Barbara McClintock and Birute Galdikas, with prologue and epilogue featuring Marie Sklodovska Curie. These are stories of women passionate and enthusiastic about their fields, even as they are often encouraged to go into different fields, their contributions unrecognized while their male colleagues receive Nobel prizes. Copious end-notes include explanations, sources, and recommended books for further reading. This could be enjoyed by upper elementary children up through adults, though it’s shelved in teen here.