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.
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School News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Diplomacy wins for USN at Model UN

    High School students traveled to Murfreesboro last weekend for the Model UN conference last weekend, which provided opportunities for leadership and collaboration across grade levels. They had the highest number of resolutions per capita in the General Assembly, had the highest-ranking resolution presented to any committee, and earned awards for Outstanding Statesperson & Outstanding Resolution.
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  • Quiz Bowl Team takes 3rd at highly competitive tournament

    The governing body, National Academic Quiz Tournament, has invited USN eighth graders to the Middle School Quiz Bowl National Championships in Chicago in May.
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  • University School of Nashville students Eleanor Mixon '27 and Dylan Omary '27 voted first the first time on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Scarritt Bennett.

    Seniors take field trip to cast first ballot

    All 40 eligible University School of Nashville students in the Class of 2037 registered to vote ahead of the voter registration deadline, and Eleanor Mixon '27 and Dylan Omary '27 walked across the street from USN to the Scarritt Bennett Center to cast their first ballots on the final day of early voting.
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Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal

    Steve Smail & MTB Team Coaches
    With trail names like Megawatt, Electric Avenue, High Voltage and Livewire, the mountain bike team knew it was time to pedal out some extra watts for their NICA/TICL State Championships at Raccoon Mountain, and survive the technical trails above Chattanooga full of boulder gardens, rock drops and sandy rubble.
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  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance

    Steve Smail
    Winged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season.
     
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  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
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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

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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.