AUBURN – Some Auburn Public Library new acquisitions for February have been announced.

Nonfiction

“In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto,” Michael Pollan. In this follow-up to “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” Pollan explains why so much of what the experts have been telling us about diet and nutrition is really making us fatter and more unhealthy.

“An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the World’s Biggest Problems,” Glenn Beck. Equal parts funny, informative and absurd, conservative talk-show host Beck provides his unique take on the problems with lazy people, the media and Al Gore.

“The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star,” Nikki Sixx. A key member of a band known for its legendary partying, Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx describes in detail what happens when having it all leads to a harrowing downward spiral.

“Good Dog. Stay,” Anna Quindlen. The Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in America, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author recounts the lessons she learned from a black lab who became a member of her family.

“Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food,” Jessica Seinfeld. Anyone charged with the care and feeding of a picky young eater will welcome clever ideas for getting fruit and vegetable nutrition into growing young bodies.

Fiction

“The Appeal,” John Grisham. Sued for dumping the toxic waste that’s causing cancer in a town’s inhabitants, Mississippi chemical company owner Carl Trudeau appeals his case to the state Supreme Court – and sets out to buy one of the justices.

“Betrayal,” John Lescroart. Assigned to cover for an attorney who has recently vanished, San Francisco defense lawyer Dismas Hardy inherits more than he bargained for in a case dealing with the government and its private contractors in Iraq.

“Blasphemy,” Douglas Preston. Hidden in an Arizona mountain is the world’s biggest supercollider, built by Nobel Laureate William North Hazilius to disclose the secrets of the Big Bang. But what he discovers when he turns it on may put the world at risk.

“Beverly Hills Dead,” Stuart Woods. In this sequel to “The Prince of Beverly Hills,” former cop Rick Barron is now head of productions for Centurion Pictures, but it’s the late 1940s, the Red Scare is on, and many of his associates are under suspicion.

Children

“Elijah of Buxton,” Christopher Paul Curtis. In this Newberry Honor Book, the first-born free child in a Canadian settlement of runaway slaves goes south on a dangerous mission, only to discover horrors of his own history he never could have guessed. For readers in grades four to six.

“The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” Brian Selznick. More a film-like story in words and pictures than a typical graphic novel, this sprawling tale about an orphan, a Parisian train station and clocks just won the 2008 Caldecott Award for best picture book. For kids ages 9 to 12.

“A Perfect Day,” written and illustrated by Remy Charlip. A multi-talented dancer, musician, artist and now author gives a quiet look at a father and child spending their day together. For kids in preschool through grade two.

“Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village,” Laura Amy Schlitz. The collection of monographs describing the lives of children in an English village in 1255 has just won the 2008 Newbury Award. For kids age 10 years and up.

“First the Egg,” Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Brightly painted dye-cut pages create for young children a game of learning about metamorphosis, growing and change. This is a 2008 Caldecott Honor Book for kids ages 5 and 6.

Teens

“Just Listen,” Sarah Dessen. Annabel Greene leads a charmed life until a vicious rumor alienates her from the things she thought she could count on. But then she meets a new friend who believes in the power of truth.and wants her to tell it.

“Wicked Lovely,” Melissa Marr. Aislinn can see faeries, so she knows what they are capable of and not to attract their attention. She also knows that when two faeries assume human form and begin encroaching upon her life, she’s in for trouble.

“Life As We Knew It,” Susan Beth Pfeffer. Miranda doesn’t believe it when she hears that a meteor is on a crash course with earth, but everything changes when the world witnesses a spectacular lunar impact that disrupts the moon’s orbit.

“River Secrets,” Shannon Hale. Razo is not a great soldier, but when he discovers he has special magic skills he never knew he possessed, he realizes they might help him get the soldiers he is responsible for home safely.