Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett (Candlewick, 384 pages, grades 8 and up). This graphic history of trans people, from ancient times to the present, is mostly told through stories of individuals that show the beliefs and treatment of trans people of that time. A concluding chapter includes stories about present-day activists.

A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Yas Imamura (Random House, 304 pages, grades 5-8). Nicholas Day looks at the 1815 eruption of the volcano Tambora with the resulting changes in climate around the globe, the creation of the book Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, inspired by the months of gloomy weather, and what we can learn that applies to our present-day climate change.

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming (Anne Schwartz Books, 368 pages, grades 7 and up). The story of Jim Jones, his People’s Temple, and the tragic murder of over 900 people in the jungles of Guyana gives readers a look at how important it is to maintain a questioning attitude, particularly around charismatic leaders like Jones.

Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws That Affect Us Today by Cynthia Levinson and Sanford Levinson (Peachtree, 2025, grades 6 and up). Although this book was originally published in 2017, I first read it this year in its third edition with extra information added. The authors dig into eight different issues to show flaws in the Constitution and how they might be corrected using methods from the governments of states and other countries.

A Dangerous Idea: The Scopes Trial, the Original Fight Over Science in Schools by Debbie Levy (Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 288 pages, grades 6 and up). The story of the 1925 Scopes Trial reveals that questioning science is nothing new. Debbie Levy does an excellent job of connecting the trial with current controversies involving scientific ideas.