Sharing an abundance of new books
In the Hassenfeld Library, we’re always adding books to the collection, and fall is an especially exciting time for new releases. Here are some we recommend for middle school readers, plus a new database to help you find books you’ll love.
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, by Kwame Mbalia
While staying at his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, Tristan wakes one night to find that Gum Baby, a mythical creature from the Anansi stories, has stolen the journal that belonged to his best friend. In the tussle that follows, Tristan accidentally punches a hole in the sky of Alke, a realm populated by African-American folk heroes like Brer Rabbit and John Henry, and must set off on a quest to find Anansi and ask him to repair the damage.
Caught! Nabbing History’s Most Wanted, by Georgia Bragg
As Robert Kennedy once said, “Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves.” This book uses that idea as a way to tell the fascinating and funny stories of 14 historical figures, inclusing Joan of Arc and Al Capone, who were all caught doing something against the laws of their time.
Allies, by Alan Gratz
On June 6, 1944 — better known as D-Day — six stories unfold across Europe as the Allied forces storm Omaha Beach on the coast of France. A young American soldier, a French-Algerian spy, a Canadian paratrooper, and others: all are allies in the fight against the German war machine.
More to the Story, by Hena Khan
A close-knit family with four sisters, a loving mother, and a father who must go away for a long time; a rebellious daughter with a talent for writing; another daughter who falls ill: this riff on Little Women follows the outlines of that beloved novel, but updates it for the 21st century with a modern Pakistani-American family.
We also subscribe to the NoveList Plus K-8 database (password available here), a great source for book suggestions. You can look up a book you’ve enjoyed and see similar titles, or browse lists on various topics and genres, both fiction and nonfiction. Try the “appeal mixer,” where you can mix up different characteristics, like “funny” and “likeable characters,” or “suspenseful” and “fast-paced.” There are also three different age ranges to search, from 0-8 to Teen. Once you find a good book, click the “Check the Library Catalog” link to see if we have it in our library.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Back Lawn transforms with turf field, track
Expect to see an active construction site as students, families, and faculty return to the Edgehill Campus. Progress continues on USN's most anticipated campus improvement of summer 2026.Read More -
Curricular travel opportunities return for the 2026-2027 school year
Read MoreUniversity School of Nashville is excited to announce the return of curricular travel opportunities. Student applications for the 2026-2026 school year will open Friday, August 21, 2026. Additional details, including, financial aid processes, and application timelines, will be shared with families soon.Please contact K-12 Director of Experiential Learning Kalee Barbis with any questions, kbarbis@usn.org. -
Back-to-school Popsicle Party cancelled
Mother Nature is not cooperating for our annual Popsicle Party. Depending on which weather app you use, actual and feels-like temperatures are 98 to 101 and higher. Under these conditions, we would limit student activities, so, in the interest of everyone's health and well-being, we are going to cancell our gathering at the River Campus. There is just not enough shade and certainly no air conditioning to bring relief to hundreds of USN families. Thank you for understanding. We look forward to seeing you in a few days for the start of our new school year.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.