Last week, we had fun presenting our new fall books in a librarian preview webinar. I thought I’d share a few of Millbrook’s upcoming nonfiction titles today. Next month, I’m hoping to share more about some of our upcoming picture books.

Without any further ado . . .

The Great Monkey Rescue is an exciting new title from veteran science writer Sandra Markle. The monkey in question is the golden lion tamarin, which lives only in a small area within Brazil. Golden lion tamarins were at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, but scientists and citizens took action. This book introduces readers to these fascinating animals and explains how scientists were able to stop the population from decreasing to critical levels. It’s a wonderful and hopeful story of a species successfully coming back from the brink of extinction. Back matter includes additional facts as well as a glossary, further reading and websites, and an index. Check out the starred review from Kirkus here.

The next one is from author and archaeologist Lois Miner Huey, whose previous book Ick! Yuck! Eew! Our Gross American History was a big hit. In Forgotten Bones, Huey tells the story of a slave cemetery that was discovered near Albany, New York, during a 2005 construction project. The book brings together science and history as it presents the excavation, lab work, and facial reconstructions along with exploring the nature of slavery in the northern United States. By the end of the book, readers will have a sense of who these people were and what their lives were like. The book includes historical images and documents as well as photos of the excavation and lab work, and it offers readers a look at slavery unlike anything they may have seen before.

Late in 2014, Ebola seemed inescapable. It was in newspapers, on television, and no one knew what was going to happen next. During that time, I approached Patricia Newman about writing a book on the topic. The result is Ebola: Fears and Facts. This book offers upper-elementary and middle school readers an up-close look at the 2014 outbreak, which ultimately killed more than 10,000 people, most of them in West Africa. Newman also presents a short history of the disease and discusses symptoms, transmission, and current and experimental treatments. Photos from the 2014 outbreak as well as other outbreaks are included throughout. There are also several diagrams and maps, as well as a frequently asked questions section, media-literacy tips on evaluating information in times of crisis, and suggestions for where readers can look online to find the most current information about Ebola. From the School Library Journal review, “Breaking new ground, Newman has written a truly excellent book for middle grade students that tackles the terrifying specter of Ebola.”

Bonus: You can find a fantastic student-made book trailer here.

Millbrook’s final nonfiction title is a must-read for any football fan. In The College Football Championship, author and sports nut Matt Doeden covers the history of how the nation’s top college football team has been determined. As I learned after reading the manuscript, traditionally the process was anything but simple. Only recently has the champion been determined by a final game between the top two teams. Doeden also highlights some of the greatest games, most memorable football dynasties, and key moments in the history of college football.

Happy reading, everyone!