High School. My husband and I contribute to Children Up, an organization that assists Ugandan students with their education. I knew about the politicaHigh School. My husband and I contribute to Children Up, an organization that assists Ugandan students with their education. I knew about the political unrest in Northern Uganda, but had no idea the degree of brutality. Children were made to kill their parents, teens became slave soldiers and watched their families slaughtered. If they escaped and made it back to their villages they were often met with fear or resentment. This is the story of a 14 year-old boy named Kenny who is kidnapped by the Lords Resistance Army and turned into a soldier after all but his older brother are killed. It is also the story of 11 year-old Samuel who is rescued by a rehabilitation agency and must learn how to trust again. Based on a true story....more
Grades 11+. While partying in deep in the woods with high school friends, Ashley discovers her boyfriend hooking up with his ex-girlfriend. Ashley punGrades 11+. While partying in deep in the woods with high school friends, Ashley discovers her boyfriend hooking up with his ex-girlfriend. Ashley punches him in the face and runs off in a blind rage. In her post-party stupor she awakes to find she has seriously injured her foot and is hopelessly lost. But if anyone can survive the woods-- it's Ashley. Years with her father in the woods and summers with a survivalist have taught her what she needs to do. This is NOT a book for the squeamish, but hard-core adventure survival readers will enjoy....more
Studying history, I wrongly thought I understood the history of Israel and Palestine. The facts I memorized about British control after WWI, the ZioniStudying history, I wrongly thought I understood the history of Israel and Palestine. The facts I memorized about British control after WWI, the Zionist movement, the 6 Day war, etc. leave out the experiences of "regular" people who lived the history. Certainly one can understand the need for a Jewish homeland after the atrocities of WWII. One can also understand the injustice of being violently forced from your home to become refugees without a country. In some ways the fear and pain of both groups are similar.
In this book, Bashir (Muslim Palestinian) and Dalia (Jewish Israeli) both called the same house with the lemon tree home. Forget what you think you know about Israel and Palestine. The issues are complex and deeply rooted. I came away with more questions than answers. Grateful for freedom of religion in the United States-- but am also aware that my own circumstances are at the expense of those who came before me. The sins of our fathers are not ours, but how can they be acknowledged? Do I have an obligation to others for what I now have? Do I have a right to claim compensation for wrongs committed generations before mine? More questions......more
Rosa la Bayamesa was a freed slave who dedicated her life to healing ill and wounded people during multiple revolutions in Cuba from 1868 - 1902. She Rosa la Bayamesa was a freed slave who dedicated her life to healing ill and wounded people during multiple revolutions in Cuba from 1868 - 1902. She used "green healing," the knowledge of natural remedies. Her lack of loyalty to Spain led to a bounty on her head, but she still treated many wounded Spanish. A short and accessible look at Cuba's history.
Short historical trivia of seemingly insignificant events and how they had big implications for events. Heavily Euro-centric. Provides some fun "rabbiShort historical trivia of seemingly insignificant events and how they had big implications for events. Heavily Euro-centric. Provides some fun "rabbit holes" for students looking for research paper ideas....more
High School+. Rosel was born in the United States to German parents. When she was 6 years old, they returned to Germany to care for her dying grandfatHigh School+. Rosel was born in the United States to German parents. When she was 6 years old, they returned to Germany to care for her dying grandfather. After his death, they had tickets to return home but were denied passage because Germany was preparing for what would become WWII. Though their family dissented Hitler's views, there wasn't a lot "regular" citizens could actively do without endangering their own family. Rosel's neighbors were taken away. Her father was drafted into the Army. Bombs were dropped on Dresden. After the war, her family attempts to return to the United States, but no Germans are admitted unless they are Jewish refugees or American citizens. Now a teenager, Rosel decides to cross the Atlantic on her own. During her voyage she recounts the horrors of her time in Germany....more
Clementine Wamariya was 6 years old when her grandmother told her to run for her life. She and her older sister endured violence, hunger, illness and Clementine Wamariya was 6 years old when her grandmother told her to run for her life. She and her older sister endured violence, hunger, illness and unimaginable hardships resulting from the war and genocide in Rwanda and Burundi. Now an adult, she tries to reconcile the past and present. The pain of remembering both the good and the bad and making room for her future....more
This is on my schools summer reading list for seniors and on a local Battle of the Books list. It’s a short book. That is a blessing. I thought it migThis is on my schools summer reading list for seniors and on a local Battle of the Books list. It’s a short book. That is a blessing. I thought it might be a book of parables. Instead it drips with symbolism and that a great truth will be revealed to help you find your “Personal Legend.” Maybe I’m too hardened and cynical to enjoy this poorly written non fairy tale. ...more