SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, MUSIC, ETC. American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West by Nate Blakeslee Blakeslee tells the story of the reintroduction of the wolf into Yellowstone National Park and the effect on the environmental balance of the park, the wolves who made their lives there, the neighbors of the park, and the people who came to know the wolves. Excellent for teens who like the wild; also of interest for students of human nature. Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain--for Lifeby David Perlmutter and Kristen Loberg For teens who are interested in food, health, and medicine, this thorough exploration on the microbiome of the human body will fascinate.. The Annals of the Former World by John McPhee Rightly called a masterpiece in nonfiction writing, this fascinating book unpacks the geological history of the United States, leaving no stone unturned. Mature teen readers with an interest in geology and/or top notch non-fiction writing will enjoy perusing this book. A Wolf Called Romeo by Nick Jans A large, wild black wolf initiates friendly relations with a number of Juneau residents and their dogs. The inevitable negative consequence for wildlife interacting with humans creates the tension for this book. A moving story filled with the history and biology of nature in the far north, this book will particularly appeal to teens who have a soft spot for dogs and/or wild animals. Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul by James McBride Not only is this a complete and sympathetic biography of the Godfather of Soul, it is a fascinating treatise on soul music within the march of American history. For older teens who like music, history, and social commentary. How Music Works by David Byrne After playing, writing, and recording music for decades, Byrne published this accessible exploration about how music is written, recorded, distributed, and received. Great for all teens who love music. Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster by Adam Higginbotham A riveting story well-told of the science, the history, and the political dynamic that spawned the world's largest man-made disaster, this book will appeal to well-read, mature teens with an interest in science, politics, and human nature. Ten Drugs: How Plants, Powders, and Pills Have Shaped the History of Medicine by Thomas Hager Hager tells the story of how the discovery of significant drugs have eased human suffering over the centuries and how the motive for discovery has slowly evolved from one primarily of empathy to one primarily of money. For all teens interested in medicine and science. The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean Renown science writer Sam Kean delivers a series of riveting histories that follow every element on the periodic table. This is a great book for teens whether enthusiastic or timid about science. The Emperor of all Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee Winner of the Pulitzer and numerous other prizes, this book is a history of the evolution (ongoing) of medical treatment for cancer as well as our understanding of the disease. It is a great book for any teen entertaining the idea of becoming a doctor. The Fate of Food by Amanda Little In a fine example of good non-fiction writing, Little recaps the hunter-gatherer/farmer/ industrial farmer history of our food supply and then plunges into the new frontier of food: technology and science labs. Great for teens interested in the production and business of food, or for teens interested in the future. The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate--Discoveries from a Secret Worldby Peter Wohlleben A forester gracefully and passionately unveils the lives of trees that the casual observer could never imagine. The novice will look at trees completely anew. For all teens with an interest in botany and the wild earth. The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant Tigers, to their great detriment, have always terrified humans. This true narrative tells the story of the tigers of Russia's far east: their struggle to survive the predations of mankind and in this story at least, their ability to hold a grudge and get even. Thrilling as well as informative, this book will appeal to the nature-loving, enthusiastic teen reader. The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean DNA is a hot topic today and will play large in today's teenagers' scientific future. Kean clarifies science by making it into a story which is definitely not to say he skimps on details. Advanced teen readers with an interest in biology will enjoy this book.
See also in my fiction list: The Bees by Laline Paul; Wolf Totem by Jiang Rong; The Soloist by Mark Salzman