I've read several books focusing on the Civil War era and the trauma of war, most notably Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain, but I'd never heard of the I've read several books focusing on the Civil War era and the trauma of war, most notably Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain, but I'd never heard of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, where part of this story is set, or considered what might happen to those individuals, typically war widows, who were unable to surmount the trauma of war and loss. As the book opens, the narrator, twelve-year-old ConaLee and her fragile mother, Eliza, to be called Janet, are being left behind near he asylum by Papa. For reasons not made clear at the start, he's already divested himself of his other three children and aims to rid himself of Eliza and ConaLee as well with Eliza posing as a wealthy, upper-class woman and ConaLee her maid. Because the book begins in 1874, almost a decade after the Civil War ended, it is effective in showing the present condition of rural West Virginia, before moving backward in time to 1864 when a sharpshooter, perhaps Papa, perhaps someone else, is in the midst of the conflict. Truly terrible things happen to him as well as to Eliza even while a mysterious woman named Dearbhla tries to intercede when it's possible. To say much more would give away too much and spoil the pleasures of reading this well-researched historical novel, which moves around more than some readers will like. As for me, I learned quite a lot from reading it and being challenged by its structure as well as pondering the effects of racism and violence. While I might have included some transitions and made a few other changes, overall, this one kept me guessing and deeply engaged. It isn't for the light-hearted, however. ...more
This one is a 3.5 for me. This author's books always stick with readers because she creates characters that are believable, even if flawed, and then pThis one is a 3.5 for me. This author's books always stick with readers because she creates characters that are believable, even if flawed, and then puts them in circumstances that are entirely too real. In this case, eleven-year-old Hank Hooperman, who dearly loves his mother, must figure out how to take care of his little sister Boo after his mother disappears. When she still hasn't returned after a week, the cupboard is bare, and the youngsters are reduced to eating a Popsicle and saltine crackers for breakfast. Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Hank boards a bus to seek help from the woman listed as the emergency contact on his school field trip form. The woman, Lou Ann Adler, runs a childcare service in her home and immediately falls for the precocious Boo, but she isn't as happy with Hank due to his age and some personal issues from her past. Still, it's all very temporary, Hank figures, and he can stand anything until his mother comes back. As tension builds between Hank and Lou Ann, Hank finds some acceptance at school with other basketball players, a possible romance, and a kind-hearted neighbor with a dog named CPU. But he also knows that the stakes are high and time is running out. When the youngsters' mother's whereabouts are finally revealed and she pops back in their lives, Hank makes a decision that has unforeseen ramifications, and everything changes. Middle-grade readers will fall in love with Hank and keep their fingers crossed for a happy ending while knowing just hard that may be to find. They'll also relate to Hank's dilemma about doing what his mother tells him to do even when part of him knows that this will be a mistake. While parts of Hank's journey seemed rather unrealistic--the quick acceptance by several classmates at his new school--others provide insight into addiction, the foster care system and family dynamics. Fans of How to Steal a Dog will want to read this one. And just like with that book, the main character sticks with readers long after the book has been finished, leaving them wondering how everything turned out and hoping hard that things will work out and that the protagonists have a safe place to stay--a home of their own. ...more
Having been blown away by this author's previous memoir, Maid, which effectively depicts just how hard it is to be a single mother trying to make a beHaving been blown away by this author's previous memoir, Maid, which effectively depicts just how hard it is to be a single mother trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter, I was eager to read this one. I'm glad I read it because it opened my eyes to some issues, but ultimately, I felt let down and wanting more--or perhaps expecting a different story. I thought there's be much more about her education and academic experiences at the University of Montana. But I didn't find that to be the case. While her experiences in higher education are the backdrop of the story or a continuation of that first memoir since this one picks up where that one left off, it's hard to identify much of what that college experience meant to her or how it shaped her and her writing. She mentions studying and writing papers, but she also describes missing class frequently and not being prepared, which are caused by her tiredness from working, not having proper food, and being pregnant. While it's clear that the social services system and higher education aren't particularly supportive of those like the author, I found myself growing annoyed with her over some of her choices. I didn't like the fact that I was becoming more and more judgmental as I moved through the last part of the book, but that was my honest reaction. I tensed up every time she discussed a male friend or sexual exploit, acknowledging that she, like many of us, has physical and emotional needs, but also wondering about why it wasn't okay to be comfortable alone. I expected more introspection and self-awareness from her, something that seemed lacking as the memoir moved to its conclusion. I grew tired of the whining, complaining, use of the victim card, and inability to see other options than those she chose. Attending school part-time and working would have been a slower but possibly steadier path. As it is, most would-be writers will wonder what the point of going to school for a degree in English or an MFA was. Just find the right writing mentor and some attention on TikTok, and you'd be launched. And as other reviewers have mentioned, friendship should be a two-way street. That doesn't seem to have been the case for her. Roxane Gay articulated many of my concerns about this book. I feel guilty for questioning Stephanie Land's choices, and unlike with Maid, I didn't necessarily root for her to make it. I wanted her to succeed but maybe through a different path. (And I will also feel compelled to point out that in some ways, especially when it comes to student financial aid, etc., those in the middle-class face challenges of their own since they likely don't quality for funding. ...more
Before reading this detailed, thoroughly researched book, I had a little more knowledge of the current and historical background of Palestine, thanks Before reading this detailed, thoroughly researched book, I had a little more knowledge of the current and historical background of Palestine, thanks to The Shepherd's Granddaughter by Anne Laurel Carter (a Notable Book for a Global Society selection) and a doctoral student from Palestine who was in a couple of my courses. But this book added so much to what I thought I knew about conditions there and the ongoing conflict over land there. Given the recent events in the Middle East and student protests, this book couldn't be more timely or eye-opening. The author does exactly what the title promises, exploring one life-changing day in the life of a Palestinian father whose young son is killed in a bus crash in 2012 on Jaba Road on the outskirts of Jerusalem. (I had to look this event up online in order to know when the tragedy occurred since I don't recall the year being mentioned in the book.) The accident and its aftermath as the father, Abed Salama, searches for his son. But his concerns are heightened by the fact that he is Palestinian and on the wrong side of the wall that separates parts of Jerusalem. The author effectively describes his frustration with the red tape that threatens to drown him and others in a similar situation and the ache of losing his son, but he also points the finger of guilt at those he holds culpable, not just the truck driver, the bus driver, the inadequate road, the lack of emergency services, the wall itself, and the inadequate school system that prompted parents to send their children to West Bank schools that were poorly supervised. While much of the book focuses on this one day when everything changed for one man, the narrative also covers wider territory, including the various efforts to divide the territory and placate both sides. At times, it attempts to do too much, resulting in a dizzying transition from one person to the next and various time frames. Still, this book is undeniably important, I daresay essential, reading and may change some minds about Palestine and Israel. ...more
This companion novel to Tommy Orange's first one, There There, is probably best read right after the first book while the characters are still fresh iThis companion novel to Tommy Orange's first one, There There, is probably best read right after the first book while the characters are still fresh in readers' minds. But it's also possible to understand what's happening without having read that one since this book covers what happens before the events in There There as well as after. For those in need of a refresher in Native American history or those who know little of that history, Orange begins with the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864, moves into the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the Alcatraz protests, all the way to a shooting at a powwow, following several generations of one family, starting with Jude Star. The aftermath of that shooting is shocking but perhaps also not unexpected as Orvil Red Feather survives only to battle other demons. Addiction, poverty, stolen children, erasure of identity, and genocide are all topics addressed throughout the novel in writing that almost stops readers in their tracks with its power, precision, and straight-to-the-jugular punches. There is so much heartbreak, so much love, and so much resilience and striving on the part of each generation that taking short breaks while digesting all this is recommended. If there is a flaw in the book, it's the way the story is organized. It's linear, and yet not linear, and there are moments in which readers like me longed for more about certain characters. I often felt so invested in a character only to watch the narrative move in another direction. Like others, I eagerly anticipate his next book to see what territory he will explore. And what in the world happened with Will the Dog?...more
This cleverly written revisionist version of Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is brilliant and a must-read, whether you've readThis cleverly written revisionist version of Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is brilliant and a must-read, whether you've read the original book or not. In it, the author brings to life Jim, Huck's enslaved company on his raft journey on the Mississippi River. James is fully fleshed out here with a wife and daughter and under the threat of being sold elsewhere and being separated from his loved ones. He decides to run away until he can come up with a plan to keep his family together just as Huck runs off for reasons of his own. So much happens to James--and to Huck, who is present for part of Jim's journey but not all of it--along the way as they hide on an island and then float away, catching fish and eating berries to survive. Readers familiar with the Black dialect in the original book will find it here again, but turned on its head as the Black characters here are quite articulate, able to express themselves perfectly in the King's English but switching to dialect around whites. They only speak correctly around each other. Jim loves to read and has often secretly perused the volumes in Judge Thatcher's library. He also wants to write his story and the story of his people, and his simple request for a pencil leads to tragedy. While there are a few elements of the story that are humorous, those are overshadowed by the constant threats to his very survival Jim faces as he ends up running for his life due to various circumstances beyond his control. But always, always, always, he keeps his family in mind and his goal of somehow freeing them. At one point he ends up as part of a minstrel show with the bizarre necessity of pretending to be a white man wearing Black face, the absurdity of which does not escape him. The only aspect of the book that left me disappointed was the revelation of the true nature of his relationship with Huck, something that I won't remark on for fear of spoiling it for others. This is one of the books from 2024 that should be on everyone's reading list. It's gripping, intense, and filled with graphic scenes of violence that show just how poorly enslaved individuals were treated in the years right before the Civil War. ...more
Quite different from My Lovely Wife but just as addictive, this book [3.5 for me, and such a guilty pleasure!] might prevent many families from going Quite different from My Lovely Wife but just as addictive, this book [3.5 for me, and such a guilty pleasure!] might prevent many families from going on nostalgic road trips. Narrated by Beth, the story follows the three Morgan siblings--Beth, Eddie, and Portia--as they and Beth and Eddie's spouses embark on a cross-country trip in order to fulfill the requirements of their grandfather's will and inherit a substantial amount of money. The trip will trace the same route they traveled with their grandfather when they were much younger, and it is intended to culminate in his ashes being sprinkled in the desert. Along the way, they'll revisit the same tourist attractions they explored on the original one. From the opening pages, readers know that this is no ordinary road trip and that the travelers have secrets, so many secrets, and that blood may not be thicker than water. To say much more would ruin all the surprises and twists that are embedded in the plot, but it's probably sufficient to note that the book will make it hard for readers to trust anyone. On the surface, the characters might seem normal to the average onlooker, but there is much more to each of them than meets the eye. This is oh, so dark, and oh, so satisfying, if you like this sort of suspense--and who doesn't? Yes, there are some plot points that are rather confusing or might be questioned, but readers will probably forgive those as they race to the book's conclusion. There are no heroes or heroines here except maybe the author for planning this road trip and inviting all of us along. ...more
It was hard for me to put this book down or see the story conclude so invested was I in the world created by its author. Fox spirits that can take on It was hard for me to put this book down or see the story conclude so invested was I in the world created by its author. Fox spirits that can take on human form and enchant them because of their own attractiveness populate this book in intriguing ways. Although most of the story focuses on one fox, Snow, who is determined to go to any lengths to avenge her fox cub daughter's death, there are two other fox spirits who play important parts in the story. As Snow follows various clues leading to the man responsible for this terrible loss, her path eventually intersects with Bao, a private investigator who has been hired to uncover the identity and reasons for the death of a woman who seems to have been lured into the cold without proper attire. The elegant storytelling and interesting plot as well as this glimpse into the myths that surround foxes in Chinese culture is almost as mesmerizing as the fox spirits who come to life on its pages. The fox characters are complex, just as quick to anger and violence as to love and comfort. Readers will be fascinated at how the author ties together all the various narrative pieces. Anyone in search of a read that is out of the ordinary will find it here. The book's cover is lovely too. ...more
Sixth-graders April and Zee, who live right across the hall in the same apartment building, have been best friends all of their lives. Both love musicSixth-graders April and Zee, who live right across the hall in the same apartment building, have been best friends all of their lives. Both love music, and Zee, a talented violinist, is now attending a special school where he can hone his craft. April, who aspires to be a drummer, has only had lessons in fits and starts and never dedicated herself to learning how to play well. As April moves through the new school without her constant companion, she notices signs that something isn't right with Zee. But he persuades her to say nothing to his father. She keeps his secret but feels guilty after a tragedy occurs. The changes in her life--with Zee gone and her mother involved with Robin, her new love interest, April feels unsettled and unwilling to give Robin a chance--or anyone else, for that matter. Still, when she notices signs that something is terribly wrong with Asa, one of her classmates, and has her suspicions confirms, she is determined to take action this time. This novel in verse is engaging, and readers will care deeply about its characters while hoping that they can make their way to the other side of the grief process. April herself is an interesting character, but I wondered what her deal was about not having taken drumming seriously previously. I would have liked for that part of the story to be developed more since she seemed all in once she found the right teacher. But wasn't he there all along?...more
Although this debut novel raises questions that aren't really answered, maybe that's the point. There is no hard and fast response to how to fill the Although this debut novel raises questions that aren't really answered, maybe that's the point. There is no hard and fast response to how to fill the hole or the void that so many of us experience, whether that be the characters in this novel or those of us reading the book. Some of us try to fill our emptiness with work, food, drugs, booze, relationships, wealth, even faith. But still there often seems to be an ache or a wish for more or something different, perhaps more meaningful than whatever is in our lives presently. Is it possible that there is more meaning in death than life? The book's twenty-seven-year-old protagonist, Cyrus Shams, is lost and searching for something. Born in Iran, he has completed a lackluster college career, dabbles in writing poetry, and dreams of writing a book about martyrs, perhaps even becoming one himself. When a friend tells him about an artist in New York City who is dying of cancer and doing so as part of a museum installation during which she chats with museum goers individually about death and dying, he travels there from Indiana with his best friend, Zee. What he learns when he meets her and then afterward shakes him to the core. Some readers will find the novel's jumps from one character to another and into different time periods and places annoying, but I liked those and found that they allowed for reflection and further character development as well as back story. A straightforward narrative wouldn't have done justice to the book's topic. The poetry, hallucinations, and snippets of reports about the investigation into the shooting of an Iranian passenger plane by the U.S. all add layers to the main story and give it depth and some historical context. As others have said, the writing is moving, funny, introspective, and intense. The multilayered characters and their stories will stay with readers for quite some time. As I finished the book and considered its merits, I reminded myself that life often is short, and it is important to savor all the sweetness, including strawberries and ice cream, that it has to offer, and try to extend that sweetness to others. Ultimately, maybe that's the point. ...more
When the war comes to her family's back door, Liesl Wolf and her family must flee East Prussia. Although no one wants to admit it, the German Army is When the war comes to her family's back door, Liesl Wolf and her family must flee East Prussia. Although no one wants to admit it, the German Army is losing badly, and the Russians are overrunning the territory. Fearing reprisals, they load up a cart with whatever belongings will fit and set off. Loss becomes Liesl's constant companion. Her father was reported missing in actions before the journey, her grandmother and grandfather only travel part of the way before stopping, and then Liesl, her brother Max, and little sister Mia are separated from their mother while trying to cross a frozen waterway. From there, the youngsters are on their own, fending for themselves, sometimes being aided by individuals with kind hearts or those who are trying to profit from others' misfortunes. They are even befriended by some Russian soldiers, prompting Liesl to be surprised that all Russians aren't bad or cruel and that some Germans are just as cruel as she's been led to believe about Russians. When the family is about to be separated even more, Liesl heads to the woods where the children must fend for themselves. Filled with humor, heart, and danger, this middle-grade novel effectively describes what life was like for children like the Wolf family, who lived almost like hungry wolves in the wild, scavenging for food, comfort, and shelter, and almost, almost but not quite, forgetting their human nature. The author captures the innocence of children who are forced to deal with adult problems and grow up far more quickly than they should have to, victims of war that are often overlooked and whose stories have not been told. The story is compelling, and its characters won't be easy to forget. ...more
Sometimes troubled times require shocking actions to awaken those around us. And sometimes those actions can change the lives of those who are close tSometimes troubled times require shocking actions to awaken those around us. And sometimes those actions can change the lives of those who are close to the activist. In the case of this YA novel, set in 1969 Czechoslovakia, it is seventeen-year-old Pavol Bartos who sets himself on fire in Prague because he sees only a bleak future for himself and others like him. His death prompts the others in his circle--his pregnant girlfriend Lida and his two friends, Stepan, who is gay, and Tomas, who finds the rules of everyday socialization confusing, to question their next steps and possible futures. While Pavel appears only briefly in the story, his influence is far-reaching, and readers learn more about his character, background, and ambitions through the eyes of his friends. The characters, even Lida's father, Ondrej, are particularly well drawn, complex, and relatable, and their paths forward aren't always smooth, easy or predictable. Moving back and forth in time so that it's clear what has led to some of these decisions, including the reprisals meted out to those who don't obey the harsh rules of the current regime as well as the rewards for walking the party line, the story is fast paced, deeply engaging, and informative. For anyone coming of age in 1969 in the United States, it will bring back some memories of that time period, but for those coming of age today, the story is particularly timely. Questions about repression of certain music and literature and whether it is more effective to try to fight the system from within in order to make a change or leave and start a new life are raised by this well-researched, nuanced, and important book. Teen readers will care deeply about the characters, perhaps relating to one of them, and wonder what they might have done in similar circumstances. ...more
Deftly interspersing fairy tales, even a queer ballet, an immigration story, and realistic fiction about a young boy's concerns about coming out to hiDeftly interspersing fairy tales, even a queer ballet, an immigration story, and realistic fiction about a young boy's concerns about coming out to his parents, this graphic novel is simply empowering, beautiful in language, tone, and artwork, and important for its uniqueness. Tien has supportive friends in Claire and Julian, and he even confided in the school librarian when searching unsuccessfully for a word in Vietnamese for being gay, but he hasn't been able to share this part of himself with his parents, Hien and Vinh, who are much more comfortable speaking Vietnamese than English. Partly his hesitancy stems from a fear about how they'll react, how to express himself so that they will understand, but also, from an awareness of how preoccupied both of them are with other matters. Still feeling guilty for leaving home, Hien misses her mother, who is sick, and still in Vietnam while Vinh is almost always working. Each time Tien comes close to talking about being gay, something prevents him from doing so. A teacher notices his behavior and arranges for a talk with a priest and Tien's mother. The parallels between the traditional stories and the ballet and Tien's own life are interesting, and the bond formed between parent and child through reading these stories is a powerful one. By the end of this graphic novel, readers have hope for a fairy tale ending for Tien and others like him. Like other readers, these one captivated me from start to finish, and I'd be hard pressed to choose whether I loved the modern aspects, the historical ones or the fairy tales best. I eagerly anticipate more from this talented creator....more
Seventh-grader Efren Nava's life is completely disrupted after his mother is unexpectedly deported to Mexico. Suddenly, much of the responsibility forSeventh-grader Efren Nava's life is completely disrupted after his mother is unexpectedly deported to Mexico. Suddenly, much of the responsibility for his two siblings, Max and Mia, falls on him since his father must work two jobs in order to find a way to bring Ama back. This middle-grade book cuts right to the heart of the problems and politics surrounding immigration, deportation, and ICE. With ups and downs, hopeful moments and disappointments, it describes in heartbreaking detail just how hard it is to navigate a world that is suddenly turned upside down and how it isn't easy to know whom to trust. Efren's once predictable life becomes a rollercoaster, and he begins to struggle with school, something he never had problems with before. He's tired, preoccupied, and confused but finds allies in some unlikely places. When he himself goes on a rescue mission to bring money to Alma in Tijuana, he also comes to appreciate just how good his family has it back home even though they live in a tiny apartment and don't have a lot of material things. All he wants is his mother's arms around him and the comfort and safety she provides. Intense, immersive, and timely, Efren's story just might open some hearts and minds to the border crisis and immigration as well as some of the flaws in the system. Most notably, though, is the concept of seeds of hope that is planted within the novel, that others might try to get rid of a group of individuals, to bury them, but failing to realize that they are seeds and will grow and sprout, coming to life again. The exact quote is "Nos quisieron enterrer, pero no sabian que eramos semillas" or "They tried to bury us...but they didn't know we were seeds" (p. 30). Surely, Efren's story will plant seeds of hope or awareness among its readers, who will finish the book wishing that there were a more positive outcome for Efren and others like him. This would be a great book to share before discussing challenging topics such as immigration. (A side note: Although I loved the description, plot, topic, characters, I wish that the proofreader had been more thorough. There were several places where quotation marks were misplaced, and when Efren and his father head to the border in his truck, the vehicle is first referred to as a truck and later as they return, as a car. I suppose that might be okay since both are vehicles, but the distinction was distracting to me.)...more
While I can see this book's value since it covers territory about which most youngsters--not to mention older readers--won't know very much [the SpaniWhile I can see this book's value since it covers territory about which most youngsters--not to mention older readers--won't know very much [the Spanish Civil War], it left me wanting more. I appreciated how the story is told from the point of view of two siblings, one seven and one nine, living in Spain when Franco came into power in 1936, and anyone who opposed him was in danger, the narrative seems rather detached and didn't have the emotional impact that might be expected. There are passages about being hungry, having to be secretive, and worrying about their father who has fled the country that were interesting but not developed enough for me. And even when the family joins their father in Venezuela, the description is minimal and lacks detail and emotional depth. I wish there had been more explication and exploration of emotions. Perhaps the artwork, created with charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil, some full-page artwork, some double-page spreads, and some spot art, adds much-needed emotional resonance. The idea of being different-on the "wrong" side politically in this case is an important consideration, especially in today's charged political climate, and might have been developed further. I'm not sure how many fourth, fifth, or sixth graders will be enticed by this one....more
I'm embarrassed to admit that I never heard of Abraham Cahan before reading this book [3.5 for me]. That's rather sad since I have a degree in journalI'm embarrassed to admit that I never heard of Abraham Cahan before reading this book [3.5 for me]. That's rather sad since I have a degree in journalism and love words as well as stories of social justice and those who fight for those who don't have life easy. This lively, respectful biography traces Cahan's move from Lithuania where he attracted the notice of authorities for his anti-government stance to New York City. He learned how to speak and write in English, and seeing the need for a publication in Yiddish, he and others founded Forverts/Forward, a Yiddish newspaper that helped immigrants make their way in this new country, offering tips about clothing, pastimes, ways to stay healthy. The newspaper even published stories by Yiddish writers and supported the rights of workers. The book's title, designating him as "amazing" is quite apt since Cahan devoted his life to causes that mattered. The colorful gouache illustrations, including those on the endpapers, capture life in the Lower East Side of New York City as the 1800s moved into the next century. Add this one to a collection about voice or how one person can make a difference. The importance of having a free or low-cost publication in one's own language cannot be overstated....more
Having read a book for younger readers and the Netflix documentary about the Clotilda and Africatown, I wanted to learn more. A little bit of researchHaving read a book for younger readers and the Netflix documentary about the Clotilda and Africatown, I wanted to learn more. A little bit of research led me to this well-written and well-researched book. The author painstakingly and with empathy takes readers back in time right before the Civil War when Timothy Meaher, a wealthy Alabama ship captain, makes a bet that he can smuggle into the country enslaved individuals from Africa. Despite the nation's prohibition against the Atlantic slave trade, he wins the bet after hiring William Foster to helm the ship, the Clotilda, and arranges for it to be sunk in order to hide the evidence of its voyage and purpose. He describes the horrors of being kidnapped, held captive, and sold by the rulers of Benin as well as the long, lonely voyage across the sea to Mobile and surrounding points. Drawing heavily on ethnographer Zora Neale Hurston's interviews with Cudjo Lewis, one of the 110 enslaved individuals from Yoruba, he discusses the five years of enslavement these men, women, and children endured, and then, how desperately they sought a way home after the war ended and they were emancipated. But freedom didn't necessarily turn out to be a blessing since they no longer had homes or jobs and lacked the means to return to their homeland. When Meaher rebuffed efforts to persuade him to donate some land to these formerly enslaved individuals, they worked together at various tasks in order to buy land outright, land whose dwellings came together to be known as Africatown with its own justice system, society, and leaders. The author follows the growth and then the demise of the area, citing social issues, drugs, poverty, and the incursion of industries that present environmental dangers to the area and its citizens, risks that seem to be ignored by those in power. When the author becomes determined to find the Clotilda, an important part of history and an artifact proving that this actually happened, it becomes the centerpiece of an ambitious project to revitalize Africatown, possibly healing wounds and making a space where the stories of those who arrived on the Clotilda can be heard. Amazingly, the Clotilda is "the only ship ever found that brought enslaved Africans to America" (p. 221), making its find particularly important. How the small band of individuals who founded Africatown and their descendants survived on their own terms with parts of their language and culture intact is noteworthy. The text held my interest all the way through, and it was clear just how much all of this meant to the author, himself an environmental journalist. ...more
I've read several Jodi Picoult books and have enjoyed some of them more than others. Several readers seem to like her plot twists, but when that comesI've read several Jodi Picoult books and have enjoyed some of them more than others. Several readers seem to like her plot twists, but when that comes to be expected from an author, it ends up being boring [at least for me}. Still, she is a skilled storyteller, one who often tackles hard topics, revealing their complexity, and creating unforgettable characters, many of them strong women. In this, her latest offering [4.5 for me] Picoult explores yet another controversial topic--Who wrote the plays and poems that are now attributed to William Shakespeare? While many scholars will passionately defend the Bard's reputation and dispute any notion that he wasn't the sole writer, Picoult relies on her own research and that of other scholars to make open-minded readers question this attribution. Instead, she introduces readers to Emiia Bassano, a ward of English aristocrats, highly educated, but a pawn in the games played by men and her family. Although she becomes the mistress of the Lord Chamberlain at a tender age, which is bad enough, later, her life takes a turn for the worse, and she ends up selling some of her writing to Shakespeare. Along the way, she brushes elbows with various Elizabethan literary denizens, including Kit Marlowe and Samuel Johnson. She also falls in love with a man that she can never have. Picoult weaves in several lines from Shakepeare plays through the conversations Emilia has with others and her own thoughts. There's a second narrative strand too, this one focusing on a would-be playwright, Melina Green, who has found it impossible to get her plays produced, partly because of the subject matter but also because she's a woman and not taken seriously. She writes a play about Emilia, who was her ancestor, and persuades her best friend, Andre, to pretend to be its author. All sorts of complications ensue. Being familiar with the works attributed to Shakespeare will add to the delights of reading this one, and I liked both stories although the Emilia one fascinated me the most because of its incredible descriptions, detail, and the possibilities it raises about forgotten or overlooked voices, many of them women, and how a reputation can be built from almost nothing. Readers expecting Picoult's usual fare may not enjoy this one, but I embraced it fully, wishing to know more about Emilia and feeling unsure about the perhaps undeserved accolades surrounding Shakespeare. ...more
This inspiring biography about a chef who loves food but also understands how much comfort a warm meal can bring covers Jose Andres' formative years aThis inspiring biography about a chef who loves food but also understands how much comfort a warm meal can bring covers Jose Andres' formative years and his establishment of the World Central Kitchen. The idea of providing food during natural disasters such as flooding, fire or hurricanes or during wartime seems almost too overwhelming to consider, but somehow this man and his team make it happen--300 million meals served so far. The respectful, admiring text is complemented by the energetic artwork. Readers can almost taste those nourishing dishes served up to those in need. The clever book title and the book cover with various individuals handing plates down the line add to the book's attractiveness while its message of generosity reminds readers that small gestures, even those the size of a plate, can make all the difference in the world and let those who may be homeless or struggling due to natural or manmade disasters know that they matter and that someone cares about them. This picture book fits well in a collection featuring individuals who made/make a difference in the world around them. The inclusion of numbers for some dishes and ingredients as well as other statistics would make this well-written book even better....more
The significance of hair in certain cultures cannot be understated, and this picture book follows one indigenous girl as she grows her hair longer, thThe significance of hair in certain cultures cannot be understated, and this picture book follows one indigenous girl as she grows her hair longer, then cuts it after the death of a valued family member, only to begin growing it again. As she considers her hair and moves through the various ordinary events of her days, she also recollects some of the stories her relatives have related about hair's significance and how indigenous students had their hair cut very short to reduce their presumed "wildness." The illustrations, created with Procreate after being sketched with a pencil, are handsome and filled with images of hair, long and short; even the endpapers feature hefty, healthy braids swirling across the pages. The story is strong enough on its own to be included in a collection of books about culture, hair, or self-acceptance, but the artwork and the helpful Author's Note discussing boarding schools and why so many Native Americans kept their hair short elevate it further. There's much to consider when reading this book, which may help some readers understand others who are different from them or how and why hair could be powerful but also serve as a point of self-identification for certain readers who will be pleased to see a picture book that speaks to them and mirrors their own experiences in an easy-to-understand way....more
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