Set in Maine in 1930 during the Great Depression and after WWI, this was one of the best middle-grade historical fiction titles I've read in a long tiSet in Maine in 1930 during the Great Depression and after WWI, this was one of the best middle-grade historical fiction titles I've read in a long time. The author captures the feelings and personality of the book's eleven-year-old protagonist, Hurricane McAdams Pierce, who is quiet but finds her voice after her older sister Bronte's tuberculosis forces her to move in with her maternal aunt who lives in a large city. She's heartbroken to leave the only home she's ever known and her beloved dog, Brody-Bear. Although Aunt Claire grew up by the ocean in the house where Hurricane and Bronte live, she's left all that far behind her after marrying into the wealthy Butterfield family. Just like Miss Witherspoon, the teacher who constantly belittled her and tried to get her to speak up more in class, Aunt Claire tries to change Hurricane. Hurricane finds it hard to rebel, but eventually, with quiet but stolid support from her aunt's gentle, tender-hearted chauffeur, Mr. Keats, she does--partly out of a need to survive but also to adopt a stray cat and welcome a boy who sells fish along the city streets. Readers will enjoy watching Hurricane change and come into her own, finally learning to advocate for herself, but they will also love seeing the changes in Aunt Claire. As it turns out, the two of them have far more in common that Hurricane ever dreamed. Every word in this story has been carefully considered, and the author even includes passages about bread lines, bank failures, and PTSD as well as recipes and books by Charles Dickens that Hurricane, herself a budding writer who jots her observations and feelings in her "Words of Encouragement Journal," falls in love with. This was one of those books with well-fleshed characters who slip into a reader's heart, making her sad to see the story end. ...more
Oh, how I wish our elected officials and those that support building a wall to keep people out of the country would read this book [4.5 for me!]! WellOh, how I wish our elected officials and those that support building a wall to keep people out of the country would read this book [4.5 for me!]! Well-researched and well-written, it follows the journeys of a handful of smugglers in Latin America. The author, an anthropologist, spent seven years getting to know some of the men and women who engage in this particular activity. Not surprisingly, this particular topic [human smuggling] is far more complex than many would have it. The possible solutions are just as complicated and multifaceted and would require worldwide changes since it's typically poverty, violence, environmental disasters, and fears that drive many to leave their homes. Yes, many are seeking a better life, for sure, but often, they're simply hoping to HAVE a life and not be killed, the victim of the violence in their hometowns. The smugglers or coyotes often have been in the same shoes as the individuals who are trying to cross the border into the United States or Mexico. Having failed to make it across the border or having succeeded but then sent back for one reason or another, they try to survive by helping--for a high price--others reach the Promised Land. But the smuggling business has many layers and much cost, even for the smugglers themselves, and no one in this book gets wealthy through this way of making a living. Many are living on the street, along train tracks, even in the jungle, and they come from all over, including Nicaragua and Honduras. The author delves deeply into some of the smugglers' formative years, their relationships, and the dangers they themselves face on a daily basis as well as moments of joy or times when drugs, alcohol and/or sex help them blot out some of the painful memories and reality. Because this is an ethnography, De Leon himself is present in many of the pages and exchanges with his subjects, sharing a laugh or a beer, mourning lost lives and futures, trying to understand, and feeling guilty over certain choices or missed opportunities. The individual stories and experiences are as real as things can get, and readers are likely to be fully invested in the fates of Chino, Flaco, Jesmyn, Kingston, Marina, Papo, and Santos, and feel curious about where they are now. Parts of this account are shocking, and it may be impossible to consider trains, knitting needles, knitting or iguanas the same after reading the book. It's necessary to sit quietly for a few moments after finishing this intense, immersive read, pondering one's own responsibility for the problems the author highlights. The only aspects that were missing for me were inclusive of some of those who truly profit off those migrants and the sometimes-confusing structure of the narrative. But those possible flaws are easy to ignore when faced with these examples of humans striving to survive against all odds. ...more
This author is new to me as is the whole genre or subgenre of Southern fiction. Even though I'm from the South, I didn't realize there was even such aThis author is new to me as is the whole genre or subgenre of Southern fiction. Even though I'm from the South, I didn't realize there was even such a thing although it makes sense that there would be. Although this is my first book by Donna Everhart, it won't be the last since it's clear that she's conducted research and immersed herself in the Civil War period, which happens to be one of my favorite periods about which to read. For those who might argue that a book set from 1861 to 1865 could not possibly be relevant today, I would firmly disagree. With all the turmoil and wars, declared and undeclared, as well as social unrest in the world today, there is much value to find in the stance of the book's protagonist, Joetta McBride, and her husband Ennis. The two of them are neutral regarding the conflict between the Union and the soon-to-be founded Confederacy. After all, they own no slaves and aren't interested in owning any as they farm their rural North Carolina acreage themselves. To Joetta, the war seems to be fought on behalf of wealthy plantation owners, and it seems that many of the soldiers are not from that particular class. But Joetta's father-in-law talks so often about the heroism of being a soldier and how it's work that is better than farming; his enthusiastic support of the Southern Cause prompts Joetta's son, Henry, 15, to enlist. Joetta insists that Ennis follow Henry and bring him home. But various events prevent Ennis from returning, and Joetta becomes increasingly isolated and threatened due to her views on the war. Because she allowed some Union soldiers to drink water from her well and befriends a young boy, she's seen as a traitor. The descriptions of how lonely Joetta feels even while watching her younger son, Robert, grow increasingly distant from her, and having to tend to everything on the farm almost single-handed are detailed, moving, and immersive. Readers will feel the hunger pangs and fears the characters experience and be filled with admiration at the courage of this woman who chose to stand up for what she considered right. I've read many books about the Civil War, but this is the first one in which the main character didn't support either the North or the South. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I was impressed with how carefully the author tells the story. Once again, I was reminded of the impact war has on the home front and how desperation and times such as those described in the book can lead to heartless actions. ...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
Blending inspiring fantasy with some harsh realism, this graphic novel, the start of what looks to be a promising series that could go in many differeBlending inspiring fantasy with some harsh realism, this graphic novel, the start of what looks to be a promising series that could go in many different directions, has plenty of appeal for middle-grade readers and those a bit older. The protagonist, Frankie, who is nonbinary, has a supportive mother but no friends. Having been betrayed by their former best friend, Dallas, Frankie is lonely and the butt of ridicule at school. But there's inner strength in this character as they protect a special dog from bullies, and then end up facing six challenging tests in order to save the world--or at least the town--from gremlins. Filled with heart, humor, and awesome dogs--several different breeds--this graphic novel is a delight from start to finish with colorful artwork that serves the story and its audience well. Canine lovers will be enchanted and wish that they, too, could be the Dog Knight. ...more
With its enticing cover and intriguing title, this YA book was one that caught my eye immediately and one that I knew I had to move to the top of my tWith its enticing cover and intriguing title, this YA book was one that caught my eye immediately and one that I knew I had to move to the top of my to-read pile. It's told from two points of view and times--Jane, living in San Jose in 1999 with her father and little brother, Paul, working in the family's convenience store and dreaming of escape, and Phuc, in Da Nang, Vietnam, and later, aboard a refugee boat, and captured by Thai pirates in 1975 and beyond. As the story begins, Jane, who is completely disconnected from her Vietnamese roots, is late picking up her brother from school, keenly aware of the beating and punishment she will receive from her father when she arrives home. The first chapter ends with her acknowledgement that "I know that my father, for all his faults--and he has many faults--loves me" (p. 7), which will leave readers stunned, especially when they read the next chapter in which Jane begins to tell her father's story to her brother. At this book's conclusion, readers may still be unable to like either of those characters--Jane or Phuc or comprehend completely the dynamic between the two of them, but they will have some inkling of what has made Phuc into the man he is and why he behaves as he does. It is Jane who ultimately starts putting together the pieces of her father's past based on overheard conversations and family stories told during occasional gatherings. There are several powerful passages in this gripping, well-written book, and readers can't help but ponder how war and displacement affect more than one generation and how the sins of the fathers are often visited on their offspring. Once read, this book is hard to forget. And oh, that panda, that poor panda! That was a scene that was very hard to read, an unnecessary but not unexpected tragedy....more
This author's earlier Friday Night Lights is a masterpiece, and this one, a deep dive into parts of the Pacific portion of the WWII conflict comes cloThis author's earlier Friday Night Lights is a masterpiece, and this one, a deep dive into parts of the Pacific portion of the WWII conflict comes close to that in its emotional intensity, detailed description of various battles and character development. But given that the book is entitled The Mosquito Bowl, readers surely should expect more details about that football game played between the 4th and the 29th regiments of the Marine Corps. As another reviewer astutely pointed out, while the details of that game seem lost to history, it seems a bit disingenuous and perhaps misleading to include the game in the book's title, and after all the build-up to the game, having introduced the main players and their various claims to gridiron fame, not give something of a play-by-play or more attention to the game itself. Nevertheless, despite this perceived (by me) flaw or omission, the rest of the book packs a powerful emotional punch. Readers feel as though they know these men, several of whom were talented football players with promising futures, and ache when they die. The author lists the death toll of those Mosquito Bowl players, one by one, fifteen out of sixty-five players killed on Okinawa in the last days of the conflict. Earlier in the book he describes the enormous human toll during the beachhead landing at Tarawa with a list of GSW [Gun shot wounds] to various body parts, all leading to death. And before that, before any of those men whose stories are featured here, arrive at their various posts, he tells the stories of their families, many of whom were immigrants, their formative years, their relationships, and the golden futures that seemed to be waiting for them had the war not interrupted their expected paths. Thoroughly researched, relying on primary sources and many interviews, the topic of war, the unreliable nature of some military leaders or those in power, the bravery and innocence of some of those men, and the heartbreak of those left bereaved by their deaths as well as the lives of those who somehow survived but were never quite the same, all of these related elements matter deeply to Buzz Bissinger. He argues that in some respects this war represented a loss of innocence when it came to sports, war, and the American Dream. Perhaps that is so, but I've always thought that loss of innocence resulted from the Vietnam War. Still, it's clear that the game of football and its players were a very different breed than can be found on the gridiron nowadays. And it's equally likely that readers won't soon forget Dave Schreiner and John McLaughry with their very different fates during their time in service to the country they loved. ...more
This picture book covering a topic rarely discussed in children's literature is a 3.5 for me. One of the benefits of reading is learning about topics This picture book covering a topic rarely discussed in children's literature is a 3.5 for me. One of the benefits of reading is learning about topics or aspects of certain topics that are unfamiliar, hidden or ignored for one reason or another. This picture book is an example of that, opening many eyes, including mine, to the role of Indian Muslims during WWI, something about which I knew very little. While history books, films, and documentaries often recount various battles and the number of casualties, there is little acknowledgement of the toll war takes on those on the home front, even generations removed from the individual who went to war. Undoubtedly drawing on the family stories told about her great-grandfather, who served during WWI, a young girl writes a letter to him in which she attempts to satisfy her curiosity about what life was like for him. The author effectively mimics the thoughts and questions of a girl, maybe about ten or eleven, as she wonders about how his family reacted when he left home, what comfort he took from drinking tea when he was cold, whether he shared his food with others, if he learned any other languages, how effective his home remedies were for his injuries, and ultimately, what comfort he took from the recitation of words of faith while he was dying. Although his great-granddaughter will receive no answers to her questions that increase in intensity over the course of the picture book, it's clear that this man and his ultimate sacrifice have not been forgotten. Nor should they. The pages featuring the great-granddaughter show her thoughtful posture as she pens her letter, and the artwork featuring her great-grandfather, a man she never got to meet, is filled with muted colors, browns, greens, and expressive faces as well as scenes of shared pleasure and uncountable losses. The back matter provides statistics about the role of Muslims during that war as well as a glossary of unfamiliar terms and interesting asides about the need to accommodate for dietary and religious needs during the war and the various contents of Princess Mary Gift Boxes that were distributed to the soldiers fighting on the ground during what is known as the Great War. As with similar stories of loss, readers will finish this book solemnly, perhaps prompted to consider all those lives and dreams cut short while considering whether such sacrifices are worth it. Teachers using this picture book will want to provide some historical context for the times and the conflicts that led to WWI and the aftermath while discussing why so little is known about individuals such as this great-grandfather and others like him. ...more
Eagerly anticipated, this is a 4.5 for me. Imagine living for 100 generations of time and all that one would see and experience. Sounds glorious on fiEagerly anticipated, this is a 4.5 for me. Imagine living for 100 generations of time and all that one would see and experience. Sounds glorious on first thought, but on second thought, living would surely get tiresome, especially as mortal loved ones and friends passed on or moved away. And add to that the fact that one has been exiled to an island far from the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus and a place populated by animals and no humans. This is the fate of Circe, offspring of Helios, who seems to begin her existence as someone fearful, disregarded, disposable, and abused, but through her own efforts and interest in honing her abilities as a sorceress and abilities with various herbs and spells, finally comes into her own, emerging as the hero of her life, a life lived ultimately by her own rules. As with many other reviewers who described how this book brought them back to their own early love for mythology, I, too, felt transported to my middle grade days when I couldn't get enough of Greek and Roman mythology and the doings of those gods and goddesses and their entanglements with humans. I remember fearing Circe and frightened that she turned men into sows, never asking myself why. Author Madeline Miller forces readers to pay attention to Circe and to understand and care about her and her decisions as well as some of the other individuals who pass her way: Scylla, Medea, Daedalus, Odysseus. The gods and goddesses who were part of her family also make brief appearances, but it is Circe who keeps readers fascinated, enchanted, and troubled, by turns. Never has mythology been so vibrant, and rarely have a book's characters been painted so that they are vividly alive, flaws, mistakes, and triumphs, all. ...more
Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown couldn't be more different when it comes to backgrounds. Tom was born in New England, the privileged son Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown couldn't be more different when it comes to backgrounds. Tom was born in New England, the privileged son of a white owner of several grocery stores; Jesse was born to a Mississippi sharecropper in the segregated South. But both men loved to fly, overcame difficulties, and proved themselves worthy of the label "hero." This true story of their formative years and their time as pilots focuses on their roles in Fighter Squadron 32 and their efforts to save U.S. Marines trapped in the Chosin Reservoir in Korea during the Korean War. Jesse's love for his wife Daisy and their dreams of a bright future are described vividly here, partly relying on his letters to her. As I read the story of these two unlikely friends and thought back to the blurb on the book jacket, I was fully invested in their adventures and hoped against hope for a happy ending. Alas, that was not to be. But I still finished the book, filled with admiration for both men and pleased that even back in 1950 two men were able to look beyond color and see into each other's hearts and character. Ultimately, of course, it's impossible to read this book and not ask oneself how far one would go to save a friend as well as how it would feel to be helpless to do so. Beginning the book with that fatal crash and then going back in time before Tom and Jesse met and then following their individual paths was an effective technique in building interest in the story and making readers care about their separate fates. While there are some deviations from the main storyline to tell what was happening to others at the time, the author never fails to connect all of them back to the main point. Fans of war stories and heroism will find this one riveting with much human interest. ...more
Wow! This futuristic novel was quite different from the average read. Sixteen-year-old Benji, a trans boy has fled the fundamentalist Christian cult wWow! This futuristic novel was quite different from the average read. Sixteen-year-old Benji, a trans boy has fled the fundamentalist Christian cult where he was raised. Their leaders have decided to hasten the end of time through a virus that decays the human body from within. Hmm! In some respects that sounds a lot like COVID-19 and its early days. There's no way the cult will leave Benji alone since he is their Seraph and presumed secret weapon. But Benji is determined not to return to the fold. He is befriended by a group of teens living in the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center (ALC), led by Nick, who is on the autism spectrum and a fierce fighter. Nick knows the truth about Benji's nascent monster that he's keeping at bay, but he's also hiding something as well. He agrees to keep silent if Benji can harness his power for good. The plot itself is fascinating, original, and I could certainly see something like this playing its way out in the future as our nation and world become increasingly divided. The scenes in which the ALC trade the ears of their victims in the cult for food and supplies were rather grisly but quite telling about the conditions of this brave new world in which they're living. There is quite a lot of violence and gore, and readers will probably need to put the book aside for a few moments after some of the passages. What is especially noteworthy about this debut novel is how the queer characters aren't victims but are determined to stand up for themselves and save whatever parts of the world are worth saving. They are decidedly NOT victims. And while the world building is strong and some of the characters well developed, I never had the sense that I knew or understood any of the members of the Vanguard or the Angels. A bit more background and detail about them would have enhanced my appreciation of the story. There are parts of the story that I just didn't understand, but that didn't hinder my rapt reading of it and my reflection about the monsters that often lie beneath even the best intentions. ...more
The city of Drakopolis is hardly the safest or more secure place to grow up or to dream of a bright future. It's hard to tell which group of kins--criThe city of Drakopolis is hardly the safest or more secure place to grow up or to dream of a bright future. It's hard to tell which group of kins--criminal gangs--to trust or rely on for security. Even those in power seem untrustworthy. In this first book in a planned series, Abel, the protagonist, loves dragons, but his future seems dismal after he performed poorly on his dragon rider's exam. Still, he and others like him attend school to learn more about dragons. Against all expectations and likelihood, Abel's fortunes change when he bonds with Karak, a Sunrise Reaper dragon. Abel learns to ride Karak and finds himself in the middle of a fierce conflict between different factions and between his sister Lina and his brother Silas. But which one is right? And which one can he trust? Abel gains confidence as the story unfolds, but he remains just as confused about loyalty and honor at the end of the story as he was at the start. For readers in search of high-paced action, battle scenes with mighty dragons, and an unlikely hero, this book offers a good reading experience. It will be interesting to see what happens next since Abel has become increasingly uncomfortable with how those dragons owned by the kins and others are treated and longs to set them all free. The plot is predictable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. As a tactile person, I loved having the endpapers designed to feel like dragon skin might feel. ...more
Like many other readers and students of history, I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard about it. As another reviewer noted, Kekla Magoon's Like many other readers and students of history, I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard about it. As another reviewer noted, Kekla Magoon's earlier books, The Rock and the River and Fire in the Streets, had only served as an appetizer on the topic of the Black Panther Party as did Rita Williams-Garcia's One Crazy Summer in which three sisters visit their mother in Oakland and have their racial consciousness after they learn about their mother's involvement with the Black Panthers. I'm old enough to remember all the hysteria associated with the Panthers, the way they looked, and the way the media portrayed them. I can also remember reading about raids on their offices and residences. In this thoroughly-researched book for teens, readers will be able to learn about the reasons behind the formation of the Black Panther Party and its leaders as well as how they worked for change. Providing breakfast for children, food for the community, and health care were priorities as they recognized the need to feed the body as well as the mind and soul. It's clear from the text, the references, and Source Notes that this book was a labor of love for Magoon and that she admires much of what the Panthers did and stood for. While I would have loved more detail about some of the leaders, I could see how this group offered hope and promise to Black men, women, and children, and how their existence heralded changes that still need to be made today. Magoon offers quite a bit of Black history leading up to the Black Panthers' origin as well as makes a case that the Panthers' very existence had long-reaching effects, even influencing the Black Lives Matter movement and other recent social justice movements. I'm not sure that this influence has been as pervasive as she seems to think, but it's worth a thought or two. For teen readers especially, though, the book reminds them that social transformation happens because of youth, something that has played out recently, and that they can work for change now rather than waiting until they are much older. Another noteworthy aspect of this history is how Magoon painstakingly makes sure she includes the women who were involved in the Panthers, a glaring omission in many other civil rights stories. Even the sidebars offer interesting asides that some readers will want to follow up on. Overall, I finished the book impressed with the research, the writing, the Panthers' mission, and those lost opportunities for change. Reading the book will certainly make a cynic out of even the most fervent believers in this nation's fairness or its justice, legal, and law enforcement system. I could go on and on about incarceration rates and the prison industrial complex, all touched on here, but I urge everyone who cares about our country and its wounds to read this book and then decide for themselves what the Panthers brought to this nation and why their stories have been omitted from history curriculum and the civil rights narrative. And yes, as another reviewer noted, apparently, teachers aren't supposed to mention any of this to their students. Thank you, Kekla Magoon, for this important contribution to the history of our nation. ...more
As is probably the case for most citizens of the United States, I don't know a lot about Mexican history or the Mexican Revolution. This book, set in As is probably the case for most citizens of the United States, I don't know a lot about Mexican history or the Mexican Revolution. This book, set in 1913, makes me want to learn more. Twelve-year-old Petra Luna must flee her village of Esperanzas with her grandmother, sister Amelia, and baby brother Lusito after the death of her mother and conscription of her father by the Federales who burn down their home while searching for anyone who might be hiding there. Petra has promised herself that someday she will go to school and learn and read and write, but that dream seems very far off at times. She has also promised her father that she will take care of the family, and they head into the desert in search of a better life. But crossing the desert in order to reach freedom and the United States is not without perils. The travelers struggle to find food, water, and safety, and it's hard to known whom they can trust. When Petra is befriended by Marietta, the leader of part of the Revolutionaries, she ponders joining the military forces herself and fighting for her country. But scenes of violence and a brush with death make her have second thoughts about that. Still, even when she reaches the border between the U.S. and Mexico, Petra isn't able to cross because suddenly there's a head tax on anyone wishing to cross. While this story, based on the author's great-grandmother's own experiences, this story contains many details that may give readers pause as they imagine the difficult choices Petra has to make during almost every part of the book, and while she reaches her destination, things will certainly not be all that easy in the future. Still, she has hope and determination, and anyone who can survive what she has and still keep going will surely find a way forward and to make those small dreams--huge ones to Petra--come true. ...more
Easy to follow and inspiring, this entry to the WHO HQ library features French heroine, Joan of Arc, as she seeks to follow her visions and assist theEasy to follow and inspiring, this entry to the WHO HQ library features French heroine, Joan of Arc, as she seeks to follow her visions and assist the future king of France in beating back the English and possibly ending the Hundred Years' War. Because her story is told in a graphic format, readers are able to get a very real sense of Joan's character and the places she visited as well as her naysayers. This account makes it clear just how many individuals, especially those in power, doubted her and the truth of her visions, and what prompted the charges of heresy that would lead to her death. Perhaps her story is oversimplified here, but I had never realized that part of the issue was her decision to dress in male attire. Most notably, the book even points out the complexity of Joan's mission and her intent that others who didn't believe as she and her church did should be killed. The narrative is occasionally interrupted by explanations about various concepts or events. Middle graders and those in late elementary school will find this version of history and a historical figure fascinating, making it a good choice for a social studies or history classroom library. ...more
In 1961 after Fidel Castro's control of Cuba seems secure and boys as young as 12 are forced into military service, Cumba Fernandez leaves his belovedIn 1961 after Fidel Castro's control of Cuba seems secure and boys as young as 12 are forced into military service, Cumba Fernandez leaves his beloved Santa Clara home for Miami. There, the 12-year-old boy lives with a cousin and waits for the rest of his family to join him. His struggles are described in detail as well as the aching loneliness and homesickness he experiences. Because he isn't sure what's happening back home, Cumba feels even more concerned. When he has to move to stay with another family, he is upset about having to start all over again in a new school and making new friends, but the Reynolds family turns out to be just the type of folks he needs in his life. In some respect, he even begins to forget about Cuba. Because this particular story is based on the actual experiences of the author's father, it takes on even more significance. Before Cumba begins his journey to the United States, she captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of Cuba during that period, and readers can feel the fear that Cumba's family and others who disagreed with Castro's policies must have felt, with neighbors informing on each other and no disagreement with the party line tolerated. It's easy to root for Cumba and hope that his story has a happy ending even while readers will surely be aware that there's no guarantee about that. Big-hearted Cumba's determination to help others even when he can't help himself or his family is demonstrated constantly in the book, and the author's inclusion of scenes in which he joyfully masters the value of certain coins while purchasing a Coke and hamburger adds realism to the story. Throughout this book, though, readers are painfully aware of what Cumba gains by leaving Cuba (by necessity) but also what he loses. ...more
This next entry in the popular graphic novel series about historical moments is a 3.5 for me. Featuring the usual cast of onlookers--Nathan Hale, E. PThis next entry in the popular graphic novel series about historical moments is a 3.5 for me. Featuring the usual cast of onlookers--Nathan Hale, E. Pluribus Hangman, Bill Richmond, and the Provost--the book offers an insider's view on the Korean War. This is complicated territory as there are government betrayals, confusion, mistrust, and downright foolishness, and events occur that will have lasting effects. The battles and shock caused by the Soviet-backed North Koreans' attempts to extend their territory, moving into the south of the country after the Allies divided it into two parts. Marguerite (Maggie) Higgins reports on all the skirmishes for the New York Herald Tribune, filing reports wherever she has access to a phone or can type. More than once she risked her life to tell the story of what was happening even while being trapped in the area as violence threatened or dealing with misogynistic military leaders who wouldn't let her do her job. She stuck to her guns, got help from friendly military sources, and eventually was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her stories of combat, the first woman to do so. She told the truth about what she saw, which sometimes painted the United States in a negative light. Honestly, despite my love for history, I have always felt a bit confused about the whole Korean separation thing and the Korean War. This book shone a light on elements that had befuddled me and on important individuals during that conflict. I hope Nathan Hale never stops creating these helpful books. Readers will want to be careful when reading the pages, though, since sometimes the panels spread across two pages while most of the time, they just move down one page. ...more
The follow-up to Fireborne is every bit as satisfying and complex as its predecessor, and the ending is sure to tantalize readers with its surprises, The follow-up to Fireborne is every bit as satisfying and complex as its predecessor, and the ending is sure to tantalize readers with its surprises, making them desperate for the third title in this fantasy series. Things are bit of a mess in Callipolis, and at times it's hard to distinguish the villains from the heroes, especially since some characters change sides. Now that the Revolution seems concluded, everything should be calm. But that isn't the case. There are grave inequalities among the citizens, and Lee finds himself torn about his own role in what is clearly another Revolution. Even as he stews over killing Julia in a duel, Lee becomes increasingly aware of the divide between groups of citizens, based on their metal test performance, which then dooms them to a life as an iron (common laborer) all the way to a gold (the more privileged class). Ironically, the Golds are given more generous food rations even though they didn't work for them, there is no free speech or expression allowed or even a way to bring concerns to the authorities or those in power. Annie and Lee have drifted apart now that she's been named Firstrider, responsible for leading her troops and dragons in the ongoing battle against New Pythos. Slowly, Annie also is beginning to question the actions of her leaders and taking steps that might land her in trouble and cause others to question her loyalty. She even helps Griff, a servant who has been used cruelly by his masters, learn to read. The world-building here is interesting, the dragons and their actions and personalities fascinating, and the characters complex, behaving as they do in sometimes unexpected ways. Because the story is narrated by turns by Annie, Lee, and Griff, readers are treated to very different perspectives and insights, and allowed an insider's view of the tough decisions each of them faces as well as how they decide on which side to fight as well as what causes or beliefs are worth fighting for. Choosing sides has never been so hard for each of them. As much as I enjoyed this fantasy story, I questioned putting so much power and responsibility on teens. Annie, after all, is sixteen when this book begins, seventeen when it ends. ...more
I'd strongly recommend reading War Girls before this follow-up or else risk playing catch-up for most of this futuristic novel, set in 2181. Nineteen-I'd strongly recommend reading War Girls before this follow-up or else risk playing catch-up for most of this futuristic novel, set in 2181. Nineteen-year-old Ify Diallo is poised for a successful medical career in the Space Colonies where she helps other refugees chart their own future. But when several refugee children in the hospital fall into comas, Ify must return to her Nigerian homeland to find the cure or the cause. Her trip causes many traumatic memories to revive, and she is gutted with what she remembers. Her path crosses that of Uzo, a young synth, whose job involves assisting an aid worker, Xifeng, in recovering images and details from the violence in Nigeria years earlier. This futuristic world boasts individuals whose memories have been completely erased as well as a governmental cover-up of the violence that occurred during the war. Instead, natural disasters have been blamed for any destruction that is still visible. Thus, painful memories and trauma no longer bother Nigerian citizens since no one remembers what happened, and yet, that also means no remembering the individuals who lost their lives during the conflict. The world in which the story takes place is one totally reliant on technology, which makes life easier and more efficient, but it also opens up the likelihood of government spying and recording of someone's every move. I did enjoy the book eventually, but the fact that the passages featuring Uzo were written in present tense with other distracting features made those sections in particular hard to slog through. The introduction of Peter, the refugee boy being adopted by Ify's friends only added to the confusion for me since he appeared sporadically, and it was hard to get a handle on his character. The book raises important questions that are well worth exploring, but I wish they'd been easier to unravel.
**spoiler alert** It's hard to believe that almost 20 years have passed since the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 200**spoiler alert** It's hard to believe that almost 20 years have passed since the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001, but the anniversary of that shocking event is close, making this book particularly timely. The story is told from two different perspectives: Brandon Chavez whose father manages a kitchen on top of the North Tower on that infamous day, and Reshmina, who lives in a village in Afghanistan 18 years later. The lives of the two intersect when Brandon, now serving in the military, is wounded during a raid and Reshmina saves his life. There's no love lost toward the Americans, but Reshmina hides the man and then follows her brother as he heads off to inform the Taliban about his presence. The stories of Brandon and Reshmina have many similarities in that both have endure hardships and risk their lives in different ways. The descriptions of Brandon's flight from the North Tower on an elevator and then down several flights of stairs alongside Richard Lowery, a man with whom he's had a chance encounter prior to the terrorist attack, are riveting, and readers will wonder if he will survive. The conclusion of this book is honest as Brandon offers help to Reshmina, but he also sees that the American presence has done irreparable damage to Afghanistan. The final scene leaves readers with many questions about reparations and how to heal the wounds this nation has inflicted on others as well as what it means to have revenge. The subject matter and topics aren't easy, but they are surely worth exploring. Reshmina's statement to her father that she's found another path through the rubble of their village hints at her finding another way to deal with the strain between the two countries. This book could serve as an excellent supplement for a course in modern American history as well as a conversation starter on American involvement in other parts of the world. It's important to put oneself in Reshmina's shoes and consider possible actions. ...more