Illustrator Joe Cepeda's distinct artwork, created with oil paints over acrylics and filled with smiling, caring faces, is the perfect accompaniment tIllustrator Joe Cepeda's distinct artwork, created with oil paints over acrylics and filled with smiling, caring faces, is the perfect accompaniment to this hopeful and inspiringstory about generosity. Inspired by the concept of the Golden Ladder of Giving, the Jewish approach to charity of which I'd never heard before, the story follows Moses, a young boy, who learns from watching others, that giving, even if it's only a little, can make a big difference. It takes him awhile to understand how all this works since his own family doesn't have all that much, but eventually Moses knows as the book closes that "little enough is more than enough to share" (unpaged). Although each of the eight rungs of the Ladder are presented through the story, the back matter explains them in detail, starting with giving but doing so reluctantly, and ending with actually creating a job for someone so that they can fend for themselves and be charitable to others. What a lovely concept! ...more
Most of us can remember reading Alexander's Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and relating to poor Alexander. In this book Bilal is having one of THOSE Most of us can remember reading Alexander's Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and relating to poor Alexander. In this book Bilal is having one of THOSE days. He's bothered by his noisy siblings, aggravated because his favorite cereal isn't available for breakfast, ticked at his father's teasing about his hair, and not thrilled that guests are expected for lunch. When his emotions cause an outburst, he needs help dealing with these feelings. What's particularly helpful about this book is the inclusion of five different strategies to help Bilal and the book's readers deal with emotions. Three grounding techniques and two faith-based strategies are suggested, and readers can spin the arrow at the back of the book to help Bilal find a way to self-regulate. There is no judgment about his feelings or his behavior, just calm acceptance and redirection. This book from the Islamic Foundation offers help to youngsters as they deal with turmoil and find a way to reset. Bilal's growing frustration is palpable, evident from the illustrations and the text. ...more
I'm not sure why some reviewers found the writing of this nonfiction title to be mediocre. I enjoyed the entire book thoroughly. While there were a feI'm not sure why some reviewers found the writing of this nonfiction title to be mediocre. I enjoyed the entire book thoroughly. While there were a few spots that could have been more tightly edited or connected more carefully to previous parts of the story, the overall product left me fascinated. As is the case for many readers, I had no idea that the origins of such a prestige university as Stanford had such a bizarre origin story. The Gilded Age [1885] during which Jane and Leland Stanford cofounded the university as a tribute to their son who died when he was 16 was certainly rife with wealth in the hands of a few and often could be considered ill-gotten gains. The personalities of the individuals who populate this book seem larger than life. And trying to figure out who might have killed Jane Stanford, who died after being poisoned with strychnine kept me reading as fast as I could. I had my suspicions from the beginning, but there were plenty of individuals whose behavior and motivation kept me guessing. And oh, my goodness! what a rat David Starr Jordan, Stanford's president, turned out to be. In my naiveness I suppose that I expected better behavior from university officials, but it seems that there were plenty of folks who didn't want the truth to come out or justice to be served, simply because they worried that the university's reputation would suffer and that it wouldn't receive the money it expected. As I took all this in, I wondered just how much things have changed from then to now. This was well worth the time I spent reading it since it unfolds just like a mystery or detective story. ...more
Oh, this historical fiction, set in rural Iowa during the summer and fall of 1941, is so good, so emotionally rich, and well written. Not only does itOh, this historical fiction, set in rural Iowa during the summer and fall of 1941, is so good, so emotionally rich, and well written. Not only does it cover a little-known part of WWII history--the existence of a Quaker hostel for Jewish refugees--but it also tackles hard, almost unanswerable questions with respect, honoring their complexity. The plot focuses on Peggy Mott, 12 and 13 during the six months of the story, a math whiz who is convinced that all problems can be solved. But as she eventually learns, that may be true when it comes to numbers and math problems, but not when it comes to life, death, love, and even some choices that seem forced on us. When Peggy learns that her literary, poetry-loving cousin, Delia, has leukemia, she tries to force her rational approach to life on finding a cure. Her frustrating journey also reveals much about herself to Peggy, who experiences emotions she never imagined she would, including a crush, and makes plenty of mistakes along the way. Humor is deftly blended into the narrative, with one passage in which Peggy tries to explain a poem to Delia through a mathematics lens being particularly absurd but also offering clues to her own worldview. The characters in this book are just as complicated as life itself. And while the setting may seem, on the surface, to be dated, the emotions and questions are particularly relevant in today's political climate when it often seems that there is little that is within our control. ...more
Serendipitously I was reading another book about the Hall-Mills double murder in the fall of 1922 while also reading this one, which focuses on F. ScoSerendipitously I was reading another book about the Hall-Mills double murder in the fall of 1922 while also reading this one, which focuses on F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, but also features that very same crime as Sarah Churchwell, the author, examines the influence of that murder on Fitzgerald and his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Her research takes Churchwell and her readers to some interesting places as she relies on letters, notes, published columns, and newspaper articles as well as her own reading of Gatsby to offer a different perspective on the novel. While she doesn't completely succeed in her endeavors since the murder, which remains unsolved, doesn't offer enough material to fully flesh out each chapter, her take on this event is fascinating, provocative, and intellectually titillating. The inclusion of passages from Gatsby and from Fitzgerald's calendar and letters opens up new ways of reading his work, and any fans of his writing--myself included--will be drawn into the book, which is fascinating in its portrayal of Fitzgerald and those around him as well as those particular times while also offering insight into his writing life. The book's title comes from one of my own favorite passages in The Great Gatsby. ...more
This one is a 3.5 for me. Weaving in her own family's history and economic ups and downs with a shocking murder in the Mississippi Delta in 1948, authThis one is a 3.5 for me. Weaving in her own family's history and economic ups and downs with a shocking murder in the Mississippi Delta in 1948, author Beverly Lowry relies on archival information and interviews to try to solve the crime. While Ruth Dickins, daughter of the wealthy white victim, is charged, convicted, and incarcerated for the murder despite her insistence that she saw an unfamiliar Black man in her mother's house, she serves only a handful of her sentence before being released. While the crime itself is shocking, given that the murder weapon was a pair of garden shears, what elevates this particular story is how the author delves into white and economic privilege, racial assumptions, and social status as well as the historical backdrop of the time period as the Jim Crow era was coming to an end. Law enforcement officials' initial willingness to believe Ruth's story of a Black culprit as well as the ways that her husband worked to persuade the state's governors to pardon are add to readers' understanding that justice isn't always particularly just. While I appreciated the book's structure and the parallels with her own family, there were parts of the book that seemed to be unnecessarily long, especially when there is no clear resolution about who killed Idella Thompson. ...more
This gossipy but respectful work of historical fiction sheds light on the career of famed opera singer, Maria Callas, and her relationship with AristoThis gossipy but respectful work of historical fiction sheds light on the career of famed opera singer, Maria Callas, and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Organized just like a play or opera with a prologue and acts, the book immerses readers into the diva's performances as well as bits of her formative years, including her desire for her mother's love and acceptance, something she seems to have felt that she never received. The rich details of her rehearsals, singing and acting, her clothing, her jewelry, and the famous individuals around her elevate this story over others written during the same time period. Enormously talented, Callas seems to have bad luck with men, giving her heart to someone who collected shiny things, as the author puts it, and singing her heart out for someone who never really was able to hear her or appreciate her on her own merits. In the end readers realize that even a glamorous woman with so much going for her can be just like the rest of us, vulnerable, longing for acceptance and applause, and never quite satisfied. Small but important scenes describing how Maria, who once weighed over 200 pounds, denies herself more than a morsel of sweets or most foods in order to maintain her slender figure are heartbreaking but also telling. ...more
Life is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a biLife is messy, and relationships are often not very easy. In her latest offering for adults, Renee Watson examines both through the lens of Lena, a big Black woman edging toward 40 in Portland, Oregon, where she's lived all of her life. When her plans to marry Malcolm are disrupted by his unexpected confession on the day of their wedding, Lena is sent reeling and feels uncertain about her next steps, especially since she has her beloved daughter, Aaliyah, to consider. As she tries to affirm Aaliyah and surround her with love, she also realizes that she, herself, has much work to do since she still struggles with body image issues and the prejudices and racism associated with her size and her skin color. She's deeply involved in a project to reclaim and celebrate the history and legacy of Black Portland and Oregon whose contributions have been ignored. Cleverly, Watson includes tidbits about these individuals in various sections sprinkled throughout the book, offering a small bit of breathing space from the rest of the narrative. There's so much to appreciate about this book--the writing, the honesty, the community, the friendships, the characters, all of whom are multifaceted, and the family dynamics described here. There are aspects of the story that will make readers uncomfortable, but those moments are also so raw and so authentic that removing them would detract from the book's power. As Watson reminds us, there is still prejudice about women who are considered too large, plus, heavy, or fat. I winced several times in self-recognition. I almost chose to skip this one so that I could read some other books, but I'm glad that I didn't. The reminder that we're all works in progress, no matter our ages or life situations is supportive and empowering...more
As is the case with many other readers, I find novels in verse quite appealing since they tend to be deceptively short because of how the lines are prAs is the case with many other readers, I find novels in verse quite appealing since they tend to be deceptively short because of how the lines are presented but they also pack an emotional wallop and often necessitate reading and pondering between the lines. In this one, the author reaches back in time to plumb his memories of his high school graduation in Spring 1999 while he's living in Prince George through Fall 2000 when he transfers from one college to another. The first person in his family to attend college, he deals with racism, homophobia, and economic issues during that period but also during his formative years. He copes with each of these with supportive friends and through his creative expression--poetry. There are actual handwritten copies of the poems he wrote during this period included in the book. Because of his small size and lack of athletic prowess, he's also dealt with bullying. Additionally, he starts feeling as though he's reading from someone else's script or expectations for him, which causes tension in his long-time relationship with Blu, his girlfriend. Part of the problem is that he starts questioning his sexuality and finds a connection in a chatroom. This is one of the most honest memoirs I've read, filled with references to popular music and emerging technology as well as Tony's growing awareness of the inequities around him and how his own dishonesty about his identity may protect him from the judgment of others, but it also mutes his voice. Add this to your to-read pile or move it to the top. ...more
I've read plenty of children's books about Ramadan and Eid, but this has to be the first one featuring a cat. Nylah, a friendly orange feline, doesn'tI've read plenty of children's books about Ramadan and Eid, but this has to be the first one featuring a cat. Nylah, a friendly orange feline, doesn't understand why her family and the neighbors she always visits don't seem to have time for her. They're all busy with various tasks, tidying things up and choosing clothing for a big event. At every stop, it seems that Nyla is just in the way. She only realizes what's happening near the very end of the book. The artwork, Photoshop, I think, contains several scenes that are filled with rich colors and endearing. And while a bit more explanation about Eid and Ramadan might have been helpful, what's striking here is how patient all the individuals are with Nyla, never mistreating her even while removing her from her inconvenient resting spots. There may be those who are offended by the notion of a cat being part of the celebration, but that added to the book's appeal, at least for me. ...more
Beginning in 1492 and concluding in 2003, this book follows four generations of a Sephardic Jewish family from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to Miami and baBeginning in 1492 and concluding in 2003, this book follows four generations of a Sephardic Jewish family from Spain to Turkey to Cuba to Miami and back to Spain again. In the first section, Benvenida, whose mother has taught her to read and write, and her family must flee their home during the Spanish Inquisition unless they renounce their faith. They journey by sea to Turkey, but there are losses along the way. Flash forward to 1923 when Reina, a budding feminist and skillful oud player, is banished to Cuba by her father for what he considers an act of rebellion. Flash forward again to 1961 as Reina's daughter, Alegra, at 12, volunteers to help eradicate illiteracy in the rural parts of the county, but her service is interrupted when her family is endangered due to her father's opposition to Fidel Castro. Flash even further forward as her daughter, Paloma, visits Spain with Alegra, Reina, and her father, in order to connect with parts of her family history. Culturally rich and filled with characters and situations who sometimes seem larger than life even while being quite relatable, this novel taught me quite a lot about the prejudices that have existed over the centuries and parts of Jewish history about which I was completely unaware. The impact of those who came before us and their experiences, culture, and resilience cannot be overstated. While at first I was disappointed to be left with gaps between the first generation and the second, in the end, I could understand the author's decision to focus on the ones that she did. The fact that parts of the book were inspired by her own family lends even more significance and poignancy to the stories. ...more
Featuring colorful digital illustrations and abundant food, this unique take on Ramadan allows readers to have a glimpse of how various families livinFeaturing colorful digital illustrations and abundant food, this unique take on Ramadan allows readers to have a glimpse of how various families living on one winding road celebrate iftar. Of course, as is the case with holidays, even familiar ones such as Halloween or Thanksgiving, not every family does something special for that month. The book explains Ramadan and provides 25 delicious dishes and recipes from different countries, including carrot salad, rose milkshake, lamb stir-fry, and lentil and chickpea soup. The recipes are gathered together as part of the back matter, lip-smacking, tastebud tingling dishes that will tempt even the pickiest eater. YUM! YUM! YUM!...more
I really needed to read this biography [4.5 for me!] of the legendary civil rights activist because it seems more and more that our nation is mired inI really needed to read this biography [4.5 for me!] of the legendary civil rights activist because it seems more and more that our nation is mired in hopelessness, despair, and profit, and I wanted to bask in the story of someone who remained dedicated to his cause and continued to cling to the nonviolent way. My expectations were satisfied in this thorough, engaging book, arguably THE book to read about John Lewis. Relying on interviews with Lewis and more than 275 interviews with those who knew him, this well written book covers his formative years as well as his leadership in SNCC and his travels with the Freedom Riders as well as his time as a representative from Georgia in Congress. Biographer David Greenberg includes various tidbits about his daily routines, his food preferences, his attire, and his art collection, all intended to humanize Lewis, as well as lines from some of his speeches. While no one is perfect, Lewis remains as an example of moral leadership and someone who would surely be appalled at what is happening in our country right now. I finished the book filled with respect and in awe of the man even though I still have questions about some parts of his life's journey, including his involvement with the LGBTQIA+ and religious communities, and perhaps more about his childhood and school days. That notion of his about getting into good trouble continues to resonate with me and many others. For those of us who love history and biographies, this was quite a page-turner. ...more
Handsome digital artwork filled with rich colors and large, expressive images accompanies a slice of little-known history in this picture book [3.5 foHandsome digital artwork filled with rich colors and large, expressive images accompanies a slice of little-known history in this picture book [3.5 for me!] . After the Civil War ended, many individuals wanted to locate their missing family members, some of whom had been sold to other owners and moved far away before the war and before the Emancipation Proclamation. In this moving, hopeful picture book Lettie misses her families a great deal. She saves every cent she can so that she can place an advertisement seeking out those that are lost to her right now. While she works at various jobs in order to earn money, she also reads aloud in church some of the lost ads, imagining that somewhere, somehow, her family members are hearing those ads and hoping that someone is looking for them. It's hard not to get discouraged, though, as the years pass. Still, one day, while reading the ads aloud, she is pleased, and she and Uncle Charlie, who is searching for his wife and children, feel encouraged. When she finally has the 50 cents needed for an ad of her own, a response in the form of another ad from a woman who knows their whereabouts. The ads in this story are ones that appeared in newspapers during that time. Although there are no statistics about how successful these ads were, still, this story is hopeful and fascinating. The illustrations contain large depictions of the pennies that were in circulation during that era as well as the ads and close-ups of the characters' faces, including the congregation that celebrated when Lettie and Uncle Charlie got that good news. One girl's determination to locate what was most precious to her--her family--is something to behold and admire. Lettie's journey also may prompt readers to reflect on what a disarray things were in, especially in the South, after the war, and how difficult it must have been to locate someone who was formerly enslaved. ...more
This terrific graphic memoir puts readers inside the head of a young man dealing with intrusive thoughts, starting when he is ten. It takes years for This terrific graphic memoir puts readers inside the head of a young man dealing with intrusive thoughts, starting when he is ten. It takes years for him to put a label on what he's experiencing--OCD--and to seek out counselling to help him cope with these challenges. Because this is based on the author's own life, it's quite honest and impactful. The memoir describes some of those intrusive thoughts, such as worrying about the message he wrote on a get-well card or being fearful of blurting out obscenities in chapel or even becoming convinced that his family will be harmed if he doesn't follow certain rituals. The use of a graphic format for Pan's story is the perfect choice since it allows him to depict the way those thoughts send him into a spiral. He uses leaves and puzzle pieces to great effect in his endeavor to immerse readers in his thoughts and feelings of isolation. While sometimes his choice of friends is misguided or out of proximity or desperation, that also is part of the secret he's trying to keep from others, including Gordo, who he avoids after a ritual-filled sleepover in which he spends much of the night, compulsively brushing his teeth. The book cover and title are perfect for its contents and this subject matter. Noticeably, Pan's attempts to make sense of what's happening to him allow him to challenge some of the common assumptions about OCD. Pair this one with Growing Pangs or Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks. Not only does it prompt empathy for this often-misunderstood condition, but it also offers reassurance and hope for those youngsters growing up with OCD. ...more
Although it isn't the land or the lands that are motherless in this engaging novel [3.5 for me!] set in England and in Lagos, Nigeria, the two daughteAlthough it isn't the land or the lands that are motherless in this engaging novel [3.5 for me!] set in England and in Lagos, Nigeria, the two daughters at its heart are certainly motherless, one due to an early death and the other due to her mother being emotionally unavailable and manipulative. Funke, called Kate when she moves to England after her mother's death, and Liv, her cousin, are characters about whom it's easy to care. As an unexpected betrayal changes the course of Funke's life once again, Liv, too, faces challenges, but each girl reacts differently to those challenges. The way everything wraps up is a bit too convenient, but that won't matter because readers will be rooting for a happy ending, relieved to see that Margot, Liv's mother, gets exactly what she deserves. As written in this story, she may be one of the worst villains to ever appear on the printed page. The story of the bond between two cousins plays out against the backdrop of racism, sexism, sizeism, colonialism, and identity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even with some of its predictable aspects. ...more
Set chiefly in 2008 in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and moving quickly forward to 2024, this novel [3.5 for me!] explores love, loss, grief, aSet chiefly in 2008 in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and moving quickly forward to 2024, this novel [3.5 for me!] explores love, loss, grief, and betrayal through the experiences of various characters who are sure to remind readers of individuals that they themselves know--or are. It could be argued that not a lot happens here, but the characters themselves and their growth and recognition of their roles in the larger world are what matters and what will keep readers engaged in the book's pages. Often, it seems that some of them are content to drift through life, letting things happen to them, while others seize their own agency and make changes. Unfortunately, although I found them interesting enough, it was hard for me to relate to any of them. Former high school football star Gary Geist, who thinks Kismet Poe can save him but who is enamored with bookseller, Hugo, and their parents, all play important roles in this particular story, which also addresses climate change and the human mistakes, including the widespread use of pesticides, that are destroying the planet and in this particular place, the soil, in which large crops of sugar beets are planted. This is a slow burn of a novel with secrets that are revealed late in the storytelling. It's entertaining, but I wish that some parts had been expanded upon and tied together better. Fans of this author will enjoy it well enough. ...more
Fans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip toFans of the previous graphic novel, Huda F Are You? will love this further glimpse into the lives of the Fahmy family as they embark on a road trip to Disney World. Huda and three of her sisters are thrilled to visit the theme park, but the trip there is less than ideal since they are crowded together in the back seat and stop along the way to eat the food their mother has prepared for them. Since the family is visibly Muslim with their garb, including hijabs, Huda feels that they stick out like sore thumbs everywhere they go, including the theme park where most of the visitors are dressed scantily and no one except her family is praying in public. There's so much to unpack in this humorous graphic novel, including her parents' purpose behind the road trip, Huda's new appreciation for her siblings, and her feelings about her identity as well as how she learns to stand up for herself. As was the case with its predecessor, this one was a delight from start to finish. It's a 3.5 for me. ...more
I wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who workI wish this book [4.5 for me!] had received more attention than it did since it's important, moving, and insightful. The author, a journalist who works for the New York Times, spent several months in and around Chinle, Arizona, following the high school basketball team and its coach, Raul Mendoza, as he tries to shape his players as basketballers but also as human beings with a bright future. Naturally, there are many challenges to these tasks--sometimes even the young men themselves and the long, wearisome road trips necessary to reach some of the teams they'll play. While basketball is the focus here--or the excuse to publish the book--this is so much more than a book about a basketball team. Author Michael Powell conducted many interviews with individuals living on the Navajo Nation, including families of the team, fans--and basketball is SERIOUS business in Chinle--educators, even a ranger. While Powell acknowledges the isolation, poverty, abuse, addiction, and suicide that are so often a part of the boys' lives, he also celebrates their tenacity, determination, and spiritedness that they possess. Several parts of the narrative are downright poetic as Powell soaks in the culture, the awe-inspiring beauty of the land, and the warmth of his welcome even as he ruminates on what he's observing and feeling. The connection to this place is strong even while many of its residents, especially the youth, dream of a different, not necessarily better, life. Fans of those Netflix docudramas about basketball and football should love this one with its insight into a place and its inhabitants. ...more
This clever story about the best parts of Hanukkah is told in a unique fashion as a young girl identifies her favorite things by counting from one to This clever story about the best parts of Hanukkah is told in a unique fashion as a young girl identifies her favorite things by counting from one to ten. Some of them are expected, but others might surprise readers and prompt them to think about what their favorite parts of the holiday might be. The fact that the text for each "things I love" ends with the word "because," which leads to the next best thing about Hanukkah adds to its uniqueness. The text and colorful illustrations are brimming with joy and enthusiasm as one family gathers together to celebrate and honor its traditions. ...more