AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library has announced the following new acquisitions for July.

Fiction

“Burning Midnight” by Loren Estleman. Amos Walker knows Detroit from the highest to the lowest including the gangs of Mexicantown. A friend asks Amos to get his son-in-law out of one of the feuding gangs and Amos soon finds himself in the middle of a deadly gang war. Once involved, he uncovers evidence of an international conspiracy that could make the local trouble seem like child’s play.

“Mission to Paris” by Alan Furst. In the summer of 1938, Hollywood star Frederick Stahl is sent to Paris to make a movie for Paramount Studios. A secret bureau within the Reich Foreign Ministry has been waging a clandestine war against French morale and they select Stahl as a perfect target. What they don’t know is that Stahl, horrified by the Nazi’s war on Jews and intellectuals, has become part of an informal spy ring based at the American Embassy. Spy novelist extraordinaire Alan Furst latest is hard to put down.

“The Queen’s Lover: a Novel” by Francine du Plessix Gray. Gray’s historical novel reveals the powerful love story between Swedish aristocrat Count Axel von Fersen and Marie Antoinette. They first met at a masquerade ball in 1774 when the handsome Fersen and the 19 year old dauphine launch a love affair that spans the years through the French Revolution. After Marie’s death Fersen returns to Sweden only to lose his life at the hands of a savage mob who view him as a symbol of the old aristocracy.

“Istanbul Passage” by Josepth Karon. During World War II Istanbul served as a magnet for refugees and spies and expatriate American businessman Leon Bauer was drawn into and flourished in this shadowy world doing undercover jobs to support the Allies. With the end of the war Leon is given one last mission but the job goes fatally wrong plunging him into a tangle of intrigue and moral ambiguities.

“Risk Agent” by Ridley Pearson. A Chinese national working for an American company along with his bodyguard are grabbed off the streets of Shanghai. Even though private investigations are illegal in China, Rutherford Risk a firm specializing in extraction and hostage negotiations send in two undercover agents to work together. Grace Chu is a forensic accountant who follows the money trail. Her partner John Knox is highly trained in combat and Chinese culture. As they delve into the case they run into complex and dangerous consequences that neither anticipated.

Nonfiction

“Blood of Heroes: The 13 Day Struggle for the Alamo and the Sacrifice that Forged a Nation” by James Donovan. One of the most mythicized and legendary battles is brilliantly brought to life in this page turning account of the Battle of the Alamo. With unforgettable portrayals of the real life characters, the book reads like a screenplay but is a well-researched narrative of early Western history.

“Running with the Kenyans: Passion, Adventure, and the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth” by Adharanand Finn. This part travel, part scientific title by Runner’s World magazine contributor Adharanand Finn gives a hands on account of why Kenyan runners have dominated the world’s big races. Just in time for the upcoming Summer Olympics, this is a great read.

“Suddenly the Cider Didn’t Taste So Good” by John Ford. I have several friends who are Maine Game Wardens and it seems they always have the best and most humorous camp fire stories. John Ford, a Warden in Waldo County, doesn’t disappoint with this collection of tales. Come hear John at the library on July 31 at 2 p.m.

“Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places” by Bernie Krause. This book will bring all readers a new awareness of the sounds that surround them every day. Music and nature fans will find the details enthralling as Krause looks at how all music originated with nature.

“Cleaning House: A Mom’s Twelve-Month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement” by Kay Willis Wyma. Using humorous stories, the tips in this book will help busy parents seeking to end their kids sense of entitlement and get them to actually do some work. Long may the constant eye rolling every time the kids are asked to put their clothes away come to an end.

Young adult

“Spirit’s Princess,” by Esther Friesner. Himiko is the chieftains’ daughter of a tribe in third century Japan, and her destiny is a special one. According to the tribes Shamaness Himiko will one day unite the tribes and become their spiritual leader. A tall order for a teenage girl in ancient Japan, will you join her on the adventure?

“I Hunt Killers,” by Barry Lyga. Every teenager thinks their parents are the worst, but Jasper Dent’s dad really is. Being the son of the world’s most famous serial killer gives a whole new meaning to “take your son to work day.” As more bodies are discovered, Jazz joins up with local police to catch the killer and clear his name.

“This Is So Not Happening,” by Kieran Scott. Drama free were the two words that Ally and Jake wanted for their senior year… they got anything but. Accusations of fatherhood with another girl, school plays with cute guys and every other relationship problem large and small comes packed in this series ending book.

“Hemlock,” by Kathleen Peacock. Amy’s best friend Mackenzie was brutally murdered, a vigilante group of hunters have come to town to track down her killer, Mac is haunting Amy’s dreams, and it turns out a werewolf is responsible for the murder. Lupine syndrome, the werewolf virus, is on the rise across the country and it’s apparently arrived in Amy’s town.

“Saturn Apartments 4,” by Hisae Iwaoka. A giant ring space station hovering 35,000 meters above the planet is what Mitsu calls home. After graduation Mitsu got a job, following his father’s footsteps, as a window washer for the station. In this volume Mitsu’s co-worker Kageyama has to choose between his health and his job.

Children

“Steve Jobs: Thinking differently” by Patricia Larkin. This book is a well-written and well-researched biography about Apple’s pioneer, Steve Jobs. Even reluctant middle grade readers will find this book inspiring. Jobs, the cofounder, chairman and chief executive officer of Apple Inc. has been described in many ways, visionary, genius, college dropout, entrepreneur and rule-breaker. This book will help younger readers understand his impact on our society. Best for kids in grades four through seven.

“Winterling” by Sarah Prineas. This wonderful book will appeal to the fantasy lover in your life. Intrigue, curiosity, and adventure abound in this tale of an alternate universe and the young heroine, Fer, who must discover the secrets of her past in order to save both of the worlds she loves. Best for readers in grades four through six.

“Last Airlift; a Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War” by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. This nonfiction memoir of Tuyet Son Thi Anh, a young Vietnamese girl on the last airlift out of Vietnam in 1975 reads more like a novel. It will captivate middle grade readers and transport them to time and place they may know very little about. The author uses personal interviews and archived photos to bring Tuyet’s story to life. Best for readers in  fourth through sixth grade but will also be of interest to anyone curious about the last days of the American presence in Vietnam.

“Hope and Tears: Ellis Island Voices” by Gwenyth Swain. A beautiful book filled with photographs and stories from the many real immigrants who entered this country through Ellis Island. These personal stories and photos will help children understand the importance of Ellis Island and the immigrant experience. Grades 3-7

“Can I Just take a Nap?” by Ron Rauss and Rob Shepperson. Shhh… in a twist on the usual book about nap time, the hero in this delightful picture book actually wants to take a nap. Will he ever be able to find a quiet spot to take his nap? This charming picture book is sure to appeal to young children who don’t think they need naps and even those who do. Preschool through grade two.