Wold by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

In this book, it is 1956 and Hitler won the war.  Yael is a former death camp prisoner who had been experimented on by a doctor.  The painful experiments left her different and allowed her to escape.  Now she is 17 years old and part of the resistance that is trying to take down the Axis powers.  Yael's job is to race in a motorcycle race called the Axis tour and win so that she can get close enough to Hitler to kill him.  Throughout the book, she recalls the 5 most important people in her past as she races to win and achieve her goal.  Yael is impersonating last year's winner, Adele Wolfe, a task made much more difficult by the unexpected presence of Adele's twin brother, Felix, and Adele's relationship with one of her rival racer's, Luka.  This is the first book in an action-packed and intriguing new series.

A Boy Named Queen by Sara Cassidy

This is a very short middle grade book about acceptance.  When Evelyn starts 5th grade, there is a new boy in class whose name is Queen.  Although two boys make fun of him, Queen doesn't let that bother him.  Evelyn and Queen become friends and she learns a bit about friendship, bullying, being different and accepting people who are different.  I think that this book would be good for elementary and middle school students, especially those who are reluctant readers because this is a very short book.

The War on Women in Israel: How Religious Radicalism Is Smothering the Voice of a Nation by Elana Maryles Sztokman

This book is not only about Israel, although on the surface it may seem that way.  It is about misogynistic religious radicalism. This religious extremism is found not only in Judaism, and Islam, but also in Christianity and it is threatening women in the USA.  Sexism carried out in the name of God is wrong no matter which God one is carrying it out in.  This book exposes some serious issues that Israel has faced from women being stoned and hit and yelled at and spit at by men for sitting in a seat in the front of a bus, walking on the "men's side" of the street, how they dress and where they pray.  Women in Israel are discriminated against in a huge variety of ways that I was not aware of and it is sad.  In some ways, these issues are beginning to change for the better, but it still has a long way to go, both in Israel and in the rest of the world.  Far too many people are using the name of religion to persecute women.  Sadly, this war on women is increasing in the USA and we need to speak out against it.

Purr Therapy: What Timmy and Marina Taught Me about Love, Life, and Loss by Kathy McCoy

Dr. McCoy, a psychotherapist tells how two different pet cats that she owned were able to help her patients open up in therapy and resolve their issues.  The two cats were friendly and aware of conflict and jumped in as peacemakers and when patients were upset, the cats comforted them.  I love cats and I enjoyed reading about the various personalities of the author's cats and how they were able to help her patients. I think that cat lovers will enjoy this book!

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

This is such a relevant, realistic and necessary story right now.  When 16 year old Starr leaves a party with her friend, Khalil, he is pulled over by a policeman and is shot.  She is the only witness to the murder.  Should she testify?  If she does, will it make any difference?  This is an incredible story and will be out as a movie in the future.  I highly recommend it.

The Best Place on Earth by Ayelet Tsabari

This book is a compilation of short stories set mostly in Israel, with some in Canada and India.  Most of the characters are Israelis of of Yemeni descent, which is the author's background.  It gives a good picture of what it is like to live in Israel, be in the Israeli military and more.  

Transphobia: Deal with It and Be a Gender Transcender by J. Wallace Skelton,

This book is written for children ages 8 and up.  It is illustrated and has little quizzes that have questions to help guide the reader through different scenarios.  It is set in Canada and refers to Canadian laws in a few places.  I think it is a good, clear explanatory book about gender for tweens and teens.