I've learned to read books about race by only BIPOC authors. However, the last book I read about race by a BIPOC author had this one on their list of I've learned to read books about race by only BIPOC authors. However, the last book I read about race by a BIPOC author had this one on their list of further reading. I didn't know what it was about, but was disappointed it was written by a white man - until I started reading it, and I was floored. This book had me scared, worried, jubilant, relieved, reflective, depressed, sick... all the feels, as was intended. I took copious notes (here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-...), and it's still not enough. So many things were reiterated here as in the other books I've been reading on in order to be a better ally or advocate for BIPOC. I'm glad this book sold so many copies, and I'm angered that it took a white man to say what the black man HAD ALREADY BEEN SAYING in order to be heard by white readers....more
Really a 3.5. This took me three days, and I'm proud of myself for keeping up with the myriad characters. I loved the alternating narrators, but I wasReally a 3.5. This took me three days, and I'm proud of myself for keeping up with the myriad characters. I loved the alternating narrators, but I was also confused by them. I didn't really feel for any character except Coventina, and that's why I gave it a 3 instead of a 4....more
Quick read. Awesome artwork. I loved learning more about Tommie Smith’s background prior to the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. I didn’t know he was senQuick read. Awesome artwork. I loved learning more about Tommie Smith’s background prior to the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. I didn’t know he was sent home and could never run in the Olympics again after he raised his fist during the anthem. I was fuming at the hypocrisy of the whites who sent him death threats and or even simply called him juvenile. I saw the parallels of 2020 and how unjust things are even today. And I also saw the hope and the change and the desire to continue fighting for what’s right. I love that they added Colin Kaepernick at the end. I wish these books were written for older people I know who would “never not stand for the anthem.” Thank you for your work, Tommie Smith and John Carlos....more
Loved this quick read - perfect pairing with the movie "Selma" and the graphic novel set MARCH by John Lewis.Loved this quick read - perfect pairing with the movie "Selma" and the graphic novel set MARCH by John Lewis....more
I liked this - once I got past the second person point of view. I had started it before and abandoned it on page 62, but this time I kept going, thinkI liked this - once I got past the second person point of view. I had started it before and abandoned it on page 62, but this time I kept going, thinking it might be a good fit for our historical fiction book clubs. And I hope it gets approved as a choice! I like that the characters were pretty realistic (except for when Ari was in NYC and VOILA there was her sister), and that the issues were all approached and followed through in a realistic way (in my opinion). I also liked how Ari found her strength to speak up....more
I was hooked from the introduction. I love how he wrote, I wrote down a ton of quotes to reflect back on, I put one quote up in the classroom… Great fI was hooked from the introduction. I love how he wrote, I wrote down a ton of quotes to reflect back on, I put one quote up in the classroom… Great fast-paced read chock full of lessons for young and old....more
This was a “window” book for me for sure. I’m not a huge Beatles fan, so I didn’t get all the references, but the “liner notes” at the back gave me moThis was a “window” book for me for sure. I’m not a huge Beatles fan, so I didn’t get all the references, but the “liner notes” at the back gave me more help. I also didn’t always understand the point of some of the chapters/poems, and I think I’m not supposed to with the background I have. This book made me want to know more. I pulled a lot of mentor texts from it for my students....more
New York, 1960s. Sooo many vivid characters! I’m thankful to the parent that suggested this challenging (for me) book! I wanted to share every other pNew York, 1960s. Sooo many vivid characters! I’m thankful to the parent that suggested this challenging (for me) book! I wanted to share every other page with someone who could appreciate the way James McBride composed his sentences. I didn’t know what I was getting into, and I had no idea the plot would be so convoluted, and I still don’t know why Sportcoat (the Deacon) shot Deems in the first place, but I’m glad I read this. It brought me hours of entertainment!...more
The premise of this book was intriguing to me. The characters - so many - had lots of stories the author could have pursued, and the time frames (alonThe premise of this book was intriguing to me. The characters - so many - had lots of stories the author could have pursued, and the time frames (along with not knowing what point of view would be next) were confusing a bit for me. At some points I was shocked, some were touching, but I never really got too invested with one character over another. After I finished, I thought… So much is still unfinished; there’s so much history in everyone’s life that can only be explored so much. It kept me reading, I’ll say that for it. Until the end (which kind of just ended softly), I was going to say this was a favorite of mine....more
A book that makes you want to learn more is a book that works for me. The myriad voices in this one are what kept me reading straight through. The parA book that makes you want to learn more is a book that works for me. The myriad voices in this one are what kept me reading straight through. The parallels to what's still happening in our nation are stunning. Tell your story, and dig deeper for other stories. (Includes the "F" word once.) More from May 4, 1970 here: www.library.kent.edu/special-collecti.......more
This one-hour read (written in haiku - be sure to read the author’s notes at the end) was a shock to me in a sense. I’ve heard that the U.S. has “beenThis one-hour read (written in haiku - be sure to read the author’s notes at the end) was a shock to me in a sense. I’ve heard that the U.S. has “been through tough times before,” but I still find it difficult to accept that riots, race, and protests were as prevalent as they are today - decades ago, and decades before that… In this book I realized that some people were GLAD Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered. I hadn’t even thought about that. That perspective eluded me. This realization shows my ignorance. Oh, how much I have to learn. Quote to notice: “Why don’t they publish / all the names of the soldiers / killed every week? How // different it would / be to read a long list of / names in the paper // on Thursdays. It would / bring the war home in a way / numbers can’t…” I thought how this was so true of COVID. Bob said, “Yes, but they had some control over Vietnam.” Yes. Powerful book....more
This book - full of EVERYTHING - was a fast one for me. I had to make sure Scoob (William) and his G-Ma were going to be safe. This book touched on thThis book - full of EVERYTHING - was a fast one for me. I had to make sure Scoob (William) and his G-Ma were going to be safe. This book touched on the 60s in the south, inter-racial marriage, prejudices, older grandparents, fights with Dad, divorce, getting into trouble, love, trust, and more. (Were there too many? I'm not sure. The layers...)...more
I didn't know what I was getting into with this one... from the first chapter it held me in its grip. I want more of it. I want to know more of Kya's I didn't know what I was getting into with this one... from the first chapter it held me in its grip. I want more of it. I want to know more of Kya's story. Thank you to all the teachers who were reading this and sharing it with each other, so I knew it was a gem I needed to pick up. I ended up devouring it. Best quotes: "I wadn't aware that words could hold so much. I didn't know a sentence could be so full." "...she was worth more than fried chicken." "She breathed deep, knowing he would always come back..."...more
I loved this book. I am so in love with every character, and the author helped me care about them. I love how I could see both perspectives - the BlacI loved this book. I am so in love with every character, and the author helped me care about them. I love how I could see both perspectives - the Black Panthers’ and Roland Childs’s (Dr. Martin Luther King’s friend). Following Sam’s journey was such a wild ride of emotions....more
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