AUBURN — Following are some Auburn Public Library acquisitions for April.

Fiction

“A Drop of the Hard Stuff,” Lawrence Block. Matthew Scudder returns but this time he is out of the NYPD and on the path to sobriety. He meets up with a former childhood friend, Jack Ellery, who had followed a life of crime and dissolution. Not long afterward Jack is murdered and Scudder begins his own investigation.

“Caleb’s Crossing: a Novel,” Geraldine Brooks. Brooks has again taken a small fragment of history – the 1665 graduation from Harvard College of the first Native American – and created a tale of religion, adventure and love.

“Butterfly’s Child: a Novel,” Angela Davis-Gardner. This sequel to Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” begins with the suicide of Cio-Cio-san after Lt. Pinkerton, the father of her son, Benji, returns to Japan with his American wife. Benji accompanies Pinkerton and his wife to their home in Illinois, but he finds himself an outsider in both the community and his own family.

“The Moment,” Douglas Kennedy. Travel writer Thomas Nesbitt, from his home in Maine, looks back on the time 25 years ago in Berlin when he met his soul mate but became entangled in spy games involving the Stasi and the CIA.

Nonfiction

“Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef,” Gabrielle Hamilton. The memoir recounts the path that led the author to her profession, and how the act of cooking comforted and sustained her on that difficult journey.

“A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don’t!),” Mike Huckabee. Conservatives who long for civility in  political discourse will appreciate the former Arkansas governor’s genial approach.

“In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona and the Day that Changed Everything,” Michael Waltrip. The Intimidator’s fatal wreck on the last lap at Daytona is recalled by the driver who led the race – driving for the Earnhardt team – two cars ahead at the time.

“Townie: A Memoir,” Andre Dubus III. Dubus recounts how, after being abandoned by his wayward, acclaimed-writer father, he transcended the violence of his youth in a hardscrabble New England mill town to become an acclaimed writer himself.

“Tell to Win: Connect, Persuade and Triumph with the Hidden Power of Stories,” Peter Guber. Stories are a part of the human fabric, and here a successful movie executive shows how to deploy them to define products, engage clients and close deals.

Young adult

“Stravaganza: City of Secrets,” Mary Hoffman is another installment to the fantasy series, “Stravaganza.” While in Talia, Nick and his friend Luciano, struggle to cease plots made by the powerful de Chimici family to ruthlessly take over Talia. While this book is part of an existing series, it stands alone and is recommended to new readers. Readers will also enjoy “Stravaganza: City of Stars” and “Stravaganza: City of Flowers.”

“Badd,” Tim Tharp, narrated by Ceejay a teen who is struggling to understand what may have befallen her brother, Bobby, while he was fighting in Iraq. At one time Bobby was Ceejay’s mentor and source of identity. However, he is now a shell of who he once was and fills the empty void with drugs. Ceejay must learn how to cope with the loss of her connection with Bobby and find a way to reach him in his distance.

“A Long Walk to Water,” Linda Sue Park. It is a story intersecting the lives of two Sudanese children living during different times. One tells the tale of Nya who must walk a total of eight hours everyday to fetch water for her village, and the second is of a boy named Salva, who becomes one of Sudan’s, “lost boys.” Salva is  searching for his family, for safety and an end to his loneliness.

“Jumpstart the World,” Catherine Ryan Hyde is a novel that teaches teen girls about friendship and acceptance. The book narrates the experiences of Elle, a 16-year-old girl who is rejected by her mother and moves to a new apartment in Manhattan. There she befriends her neighbor, Frank, and his girlfriend. Elle develops a crush on Frank only to later discover that Frank is transgendered. This forces Elle to learn how to be more accepting others and herself.

“The Dark Deeps: The Hunchback Assignments 2,” Arthur Slade is the second in Slade’s steam-punk themed series. Octavia and Modo must uncover the secrets behind a narwhal designed to sink ships. Modo’s innocence leads to frequent teasing, and his affection for the sometimes reckless Octavia leaves the readers wary. Modo’s adventure leads him into the depths of the ocean and into conflict with the Clockwork Guild.

Children

“Get Out! 150 Easy Ways for Kids and Grown-ups to Get into Nature and Build a Greener Future,” Judy Mollan. The pocket-sized book is filled with ideas for helping a child get outside and enjoy nature while learning how to go green. From making bat boxes to recycling shoes, this book can be used by parents and teachers to instill a love of nature in children. Best for kids in grades one to six.

“The Trouble with Chickens,” Doreen Cronin. J.J. Tully is a retired search and rescue dog living on the farm. His retirement turns out to be not so peaceful after all. He is engaged by an annoying hen to find some missing chicks feared kidnapped. Best for kids in grades three to five.

“Great Wall of Lucy Wu,” Wendy Wan-Long Shang. With her sister going off to college, sixth-grader Lucy Wu is getting her own room. Or is she? When her father returns from China with her great-aunt, Lucy has a new roommate. Best for grades four to six.

“Have You Seen Duck?,” Janet A. Holmes. This picture book tells the story of a little boy and his favorite toy, Duck. They spend all their time together sharing meals, baths, stories and bedtime. When Duck goes missing, the little boy searches everywhere. Pre-school.

“A Nation’s Hope:The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis,” Matt De La Pena. This  illustrated picture book biography celebrates how sport can bring a nation together. On the eve of World War II, American boxer Joe Louis fought German boxer Max Schmeling. It was more than just a fight o the American people –it was an event that unified the country and bridged the racial divide – as all Americans black and white came together to root for and celebrate Joe Louis’ victory. For grades one to three.