As so many of us who are moving into our sixties and seventies have come to realize when looking in the mirror or facing surgeries or physical limitatAs so many of us who are moving into our sixties and seventies have come to realize when looking in the mirror or facing surgeries or physical limitations have come to realize, we're not eighteen anymore. That doesn't mean that there isn't any joy or changes left in our lives. While society, popular culture, and even modern medicine often seem to relegate older individuals to the sidelines or overmedicate them, that shouldn't be the case. Weaving science, years of experience, personal anecdotes, and literature in an engaging narrative, Louise Aronson makes a strong case for change within the medical profession and within ourselves and those around us. How strange it is that so few others have come to the same conclusions as Aronson has! Reading this book has made me want to rage, rage, rage against those who would relegate the aged and the elderly to the sidelines. A geriatrician, she raises important questions and examines her own initial and subsequent reactions to aging. This is one of those must-reads. ...more
Fans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set durFans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set during the 1930s and 1940s. The two protagonists, Del and Rae Lynn, haven't had easy lives, and readers may be shocked at the events that open their separate stories. While the slow burn of their relationship and the redemption they eventually find in each other is appealing, what sets this story apart from many others is how the author weaves in details about the turpentine camps and pine forests where their paths cross. Swallow Hill, which is one of those camps, is not the easiest or safest of places, and racism and sexism run rampant there. Amid the natural beauty of the setting, there is evil, anger, and violence, and kindness is often regarded as weakness. The descriptions are lush, sometimes raw, and the emotions and sentiments expressed are honest and just as appealing as the book's characters. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling back in time to learn more about longleaf pines and turpentine and considering what the land must have been like before so many of those pines were carelessly destroyed. ...more
I don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even thougI don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even though they are nothing like me, and prompts me to see the world as being a little brighter and humans as better than I have before. In his most recent title, he explores the power of friendship and artistic expression through the stories of four teens who spend a splendid summer together in a town by the sea. Their homes are not exactly sanctuaries as there is violence in some, death and dying in others, and carelessness in still others. But none of that matters when they're together. Their stories are told through the eyes of Ted, one of the boys, 25 years later, as he and Louisa, an 18-year-old artist, deal with loss and their connection to a recently deceased artist who has given her, a homeless girl, his most famous and most valuable painting. As usual with this particular writer, there are moments of immense pain and heartbreak, but there are also moments of joy and humor, and readers can't help but feel uplifted by his words and the time they have spent with these characters. ...more
As one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this bAs one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw its title and cover. While it didn't address some of my questions or expectations since I thought the author would follow the path of one particular load of trash or the contributions of one community from beginning to end, it did something even more important. In painstaking detail with statistics, interviews, and anecdotes, the book reveals the sordid truth behind trash and its fate. As it turns out, not surprisingly, most of the world's trash, including stuff that is deemed "recyclable," comes from the more affluent countries and ends up being shipped to poorer countries rather than in our cities' back yards. There is money to be made and saved from these efforts, even though how these discards are handled turns out to be more harmful to the environment than some of the fossil fuels being used to heat our buildings or power our cars. And despite what we've been told, plastics really aren't recyclable. They might be broken down into smaller bits, but they never really go away. Filled with humor, anger, and empathy for those who make a living sorting through or burning trash from foreign lands, this expose is a must-read for elected officials across the world and a wake-up call for the rest of us. With some historical background about consumerism, references to Vance Packard and Rachel Carson, the book left me feeling terribly guilty and responsible for my own careless lifestyle while wondering how to avoid plastic in the future, buy fewer items, and solve the problems identified in its pages. It completely answers the question of where all that trash goes. ...more
True crime stories and tales about journalism always thrill my little newshound heart, making this one [3.5 for me!] a good choice to keep me occupiedTrue crime stories and tales about journalism always thrill my little newshound heart, making this one [3.5 for me!] a good choice to keep me occupied. I knew a little bit about the 1922 murder at the heart of the book--the death of Reverend Edward Hall and Eleanor Mills, a member of his choir, both found posed in bizarre ways and with later evidence pointing to an affair. But this account, which provides various details, enough to satisfy my curiosity to know more, takes readers back in time and reels out a cast of possible suspects and motivation for the crime, which was never solved. Part of the story, of course, also focuses on the tabloid war that surrounded coverage of the case, with some newspapers even getting involved in trying to find witnesses for the trial(s). Part of the pleasures in reading this book is imagining solutions and pondering how it might have been handled in modern times as well as how the coverage of this case gave rise to the country's fascination with these sorts of events and coverage. I thoroughly enjoyed it although I wish the book had also contained a timeline and map. ...more
Anyone who's read one of this author's previous books will know that she is particularly skilled at immersing readers in her setting through vivid desAnyone who's read one of this author's previous books will know that she is particularly skilled at immersing readers in her setting through vivid description and the use of vocabulary that fits the time period. In this case, it's the summer of 1894 in the Northwest. Having lost her job at a mineral springs hotel in central Oregon, Sally O'Malley, an orphan whose life has contained few moments of joy, decides to head west. Her aim is to see the sea, something she's heard about but never seen. Along the way, she meets Major, who delivers goods to various stores, and is accompanied by her faithful dog, Sarge, and a donkey, Mabel. Seeing something in Sally, 13, that may remind her of herself, she offers a ride to Sally. Along the way, they pick up an unusual package--a standoffish, priggish boy named Lafayette--who needs to be taken to yet another relative after other of his kin washed their hands of him. Sally is as rough around the edges as Lafayette is refined, but slowly, a friendship builds, and just as slowly, Sally realizes that there are individuals who are trustworthy, kind, and those who won't break her heart or take advantage of her. She also starts to see that she, too, is worthy and resilient. An ideal choice for a classroom read aloud, this well-written historical fiction might be predictable in many respects, but Sally's journey [to her best self and to the sea] will speak to middle-grade readers, some of whom will see themselves in her tough as nails exterior that hides a tender interior that emerges by fits and starts. ...more
This middle grade novel set in 1850 Lancashire, England, kept me engaged during the entire time I was reading it. Although there are several passages This middle grade novel set in 1850 Lancashire, England, kept me engaged during the entire time I was reading it. Although there are several passages about fruits, vegetables, and gardening that some might find distracting, those elements only served to enhance my pleasure in reading this book. It covers territory not often written about in modern books for this age group, including its time and place, as well as featuring an imperfect protagonist in Scilla Brown, 11, who has spent most of her life in a workhouse, having been abandoned by her mother. After losing her older protector, Dora, who seems to have used her to distract others while she steals food, Scilla climbs into the Earl of Havermore's garden [You have to love these names!] to eat a peach. Of course, she's caught, mistaken for a boy, and then continues the pretense so that she has a temporary place to stay and something to eat. Although she's aware of the distinction between right and wrong, her poverty and life on the streets often prompt her to blame others or to be dishonest. But the trust of the head gardener, Mr. Layton, and the sense of purpose she feels when working with the plants, slowly change her. Her growth can be compared to that of the plants she tends, and she begins dreaming of a hopeful future. Still, there's Phin, an apprentice who befriends her and urges her to take risks. Despite her attraction to him, Scilla slowly starts wondering if her trust in him is misplaced. Every word in this story has been carefully chosen, fitting the time period as well as adding suspense and intensity to even the seemingly smallest moments. There are so many aspects of Scilla's story that bear considering and discussing, including her thoughts on nobility, which, in the end, has nothing to do with one's class or social status but more to do with one's character and behavior. Bravo to the author for this wonderful story, her first one. Its literary quality is high, and while its setting may be unfamiliar to young readers, its themes and ethical dilemmas will resonate with them....more
I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life I liked this historical fiction title even more than the author's previous one, The Secret Life of Sunflowers. Just as the other one follows the life paths of two different female characters, so does this one, making the plots quite similar. But that's perfectly okay since we can never have enough stories about strong females with dreams and the determination to succeed and thrive against all odds. Plus, the fact that one of the protagonists is Suzanne Valadon, a half-forgotten artist who grew up in the poor section of Paris in the 1870s, eventually hobnobbing with all the famous artists of her time, including Renoir, van Gogh, and Degas, and even musician Eric Satie. Self-taught, she was a trapeze performer, a wreathe-maker, and a model, becoming the first woman to be named to the Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts, all fascinating elements that tick all the buttons for what I look for in a book. Ellie, the other protagonist, is interesting in her own respect too since she's in mourning over the loss of her husband, Chris, and the life that they thought they'd have, when unexpected events change everything for her. The loss of her job is disappointing, but she pulls herself together and finds a way forward, finding inspiration in Valadon's life and example. There is plenty of detail about the art world and painting as well as interesting historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the narrative, making readers feel as though they have traveled back in time. It's a fast read, but it's also deeply involving. ...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
Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While Unfortunately, in the schools in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, where I taught, almost all of the students were on free or reduced lunch. While this was problematic and indicative of the economic struggles of their families, one positive byproduct of this situation was that no one seemed bothered or embarrassed by receiving free lunch. That's not the case for sixth grader Rex Ogle, who receives free lunch at his new school in Birmingham, Texas. While the meal may be free, it takes a heavy emotional toll on Rex, who must constantly remind the lunch lady that he's on the free lunch roll while also taking steps to ensure that his friends don't know about his status, something about which he's embarrassed. Rex is dealing with a heavy load since he also faces verbal, physical, and emotional abuse from his mother and her boyfriend whose economic statuses are less than stable, and he feels responsible for his little brother, Ford. This is one of the rare books that tackles hard topics such as poverty and abuse honestly and empathetically, at some points even offering grace to the narrator's mother when he realizes that she's also unhappy because of the life she's leading and the lack of a way out. There are moments of happiness and glimmers of hope amid some of the darker moments. This book should be required reading for educators and for this nation's policymakers so that they can associate the issue of poverty and homelessness with real individuals and understand the complexity of poverty. This memoir certainly offers much to consider and discuss. ...more
While parts of this book needed tighter editing and seemed quite unlikely, I still enjoyed reading about two strong women who defied the odds against While parts of this book needed tighter editing and seemed quite unlikely, I still enjoyed reading about two strong women who defied the odds against them. There are parallels between the two protagonists, auctioneer Emsley Wilson in modern times, and Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, sister-in-law of painter Vincent van Gogh in the late nineteenth century. Ensley is dealing with the betrayal of her long-time business partner and ex-lover as well as the death of her artist grandmother, Violet. While sorting through her grandmother's possessions, she finds a green diary, but it isn't Violet's. Instead, it tells about the life and struggles of Johanna, who endeavored to find a gallery or someone to display Vincent's paintings after he and his brother, Theo, her husband, died. Her portion of the story is fascinating although the telling of it leaves something to be desired. Still, it held my interest all the way through, and I kept hoping that I could move quickly away from Emsley's portion of the book and get back to Johanna's. ...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
The Reconstruction period after the Civil War is an interesting time, brimming with emotions and rife for storytelling. It's not an exaggeration to saThe Reconstruction period after the Civil War is an interesting time, brimming with emotions and rife for storytelling. It's not an exaggeration to say that this debut novel is one of the best accounts of life during that period that I've read and one of the most unusual. The Walkers--George and Isabelle--have a large homestead that has largely remained fallow. George impulsively hires two brothers, Prentiss and Landry, who are newly emancipated from a nearby plantation, to help him plant and tend a peanut crop. The brothers agree, hoping to save up enough money to make their further travels to the North easier. The reaction of some of the citizens of Old Ox, the nearby town, is less than pleasant. But tragedy occurs when the Walkers' son Caleb returns from war, reunites with his closeted lover, and Landry sees their tryst. While some readers may not appreciate the slow burn aspect of the story, its complex characters, whose actions often seem surprising or puzzling, are the stars here, fascinating examples of humanity at its best and at its worst. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this one a great deal, reflecting on the impact of certain choices and how lives can be changed at a moment's notice. Wonderfully descriptive language filled with insight and heart make each line a delight to read. I'm so pleased to have discovered this author and eager to read his next book. ...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
As is the case with many readers, I'm particularly fond of those sweeping intergenerational stories. This one [4.5 for me!] is an example of this typeAs is the case with many readers, I'm particularly fond of those sweeping intergenerational stories. This one [4.5 for me!] is an example of this type of storytelling at its best. Focused on four generations of Filipino American men, the novel describes generational trauma, wounds that persist through adulthood, and the costs of not listening to one another. The book opens in 1929 when sixteen-year-old Francisco Maghabol, full of hopes and dreams, arrives in California from the Philippines. It then shifts forward in time to late 2019 to early 2020 when his great-grandson Enzo first hears about a new virus and the possibility of moving his grandfather Emil into the family's home. While the narrative shifts back and forth between those characters, it also visits Emil's past and that of Chris, Enzo's father. Readers quickly begin caring about each of these four men and understanding the choices they made. While initially it might be tempting to judge them for their actions or inability to communicate, over the course of the book readers understand that they all did the best they could. Each one wanted the best for the next generation despite their differences and despite the fact that they didn't always know how to express their love for their families. For certain generations such as my own father's, love was shown through stability and providing the necessary needs, not necessarily through words or deep conversations. Like Enzo, my heart aches at those missed opportunities to genuinely know one another and understand the impact of the past on the present. Certainly, it isn't necessary to be Filipino American to connect with this well-written story, but as it's presented, it's filled with cultural richness, a history of the farm labor movement, and portions of Filipino and United States history. Some of this was completely unfamiliar to me, and I'm grateful to the author for telling these stories and opening my eyes even further to yet another injustice to others for which our country is responsible. This is a must-read. ...more
This novel in verse is a 3.5 for me. This follow-up to her equally powerful Starfish lets readers know that Lisa Fipps is one to watch and an author wThis novel in verse is a 3.5 for me. This follow-up to her equally powerful Starfish lets readers know that Lisa Fipps is one to watch and an author whose stories and characters ring true. Eleven-year-old Joe Oak has never had it easy. His emotionally abusive mother is in and out of the picture because she prefers her freedom to the responsibilities of rearing a child. Those fall on Joe's grandmother, who does her best to surround him with love and security. However, after she loses her house, they are homeless for a while, living in her car and depending on SNAP to help with their food bills. But then the two worst possible things happen, leaving Joe to fend for himself. The descriptions of grinding poverty, desperate hunger, and embarrassment are powerful and moving. But Joe's story isn't completely bleak. He has friends, Kareem and Nick, who see him and offer helping hands without judgment. He also has a teacher, Mrs. Swan, who stashes food and clothing in baskets and a closet in the classroom. One of the most touching scenes occurs when Joe chooses toilet paper as his prize rather than any of the more alluring goodies. That scene speaks volumes for readers, and no doubt, for Mrs. Swan. Even Frank, the landlord, seems to have a heart of gold and an eye out for Joe. Propelled no doubt by his own precarious state, Joe even rescues a discarded mother dog and her two puppies. As the bills pile up, Joe's struggles increase even as a tornado whips through the trailer park where he's living. While some of the plot's aspects seem unlikely or a bit over the top, the majority of the book is compelling and heartrending. It's encouraging that so many individuals want to help Joe and that he truly is a hero, almost crushed by life's misfortunes and storms, as depicted on the cover, but never giving up. If Joe's story doesn't evoke empathy in its readers, then nothing will. Lisa Fipps, thank you for telling this story of survival through Joe's unforgettable voice. ...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
Although I might have organized this book differently, it describes parts of history that have been forgotten or ignored while highlighting the generoAlthough I might have organized this book differently, it describes parts of history that have been forgotten or ignored while highlighting the generosity of groups of people who might seem to have nothing in common. Who would have thought that the Choctaw, who had lost their own lands and watched as many died along the Trail of Tears, would be so moved by the plight of the Irish, who were starving and dying during the Potato Famine, which began in 1845, that they would collect money [$170], and then many generations later, the Irish would return the favor when COVID-19 devastated the Hopi and Navajo Nation? It's encouraging, inspiring, and humbling to consider that individuals who had so little and were struggling themselves were touched enough by the plight of others that they'd never seen to donate what little they had. The expressive artwork, rendered in acrylic paint, honors various cultures, including the Irish, Choctaw, Hopi, and Navajo, perhaps reminding young readers that we have much more in common than we might think and that kindness spreads. A helpful Timeline and informative back matter describing the historical events covered here, including the Trail of Tears, the Irish Potato Famine as well as information about the modern Choctaw Nation and Ireland and the kindred bond they still share is enlightening. Educators may want to share this picture book with their students as an example of kindness, spurred on by empathy, that reaches across several decades and a couple of centuries. Given some of the recent events in our nation, it would be enlightening for some of our elected officials to read this book. ...more
Striking acrylic gouache illustrations appropriately filled with golden wheat in this picture book [3.5 for me!] complement an important story that ofStriking acrylic gouache illustrations appropriately filled with golden wheat in this picture book [3.5 for me!] complement an important story that offers insight into why there continues to be bad blood between Ukraine and Russia. Since the events take place during 1932-1933 and are narrated by Zlata, a young Ukranian girl, the topic of this famine-genocide, long covered up by authorities, becomes accessible but also enraging. As Russian Communists infiltrate the area, they demand more and more taxes and food, forcing Zlata's family to hide as much as they can. Eventually, they take the farm animals and even Zlata's beautiful shirt with its intricate Ukranian embroidery, a gift for her eighth birthday. After they take her father, Zlata's family has almost nothing left. Still, her mother reminds her that they still have certain traditions to which to cling and draw comfort. Ironically, as it turns out, their family was betrayed by her best friend Yeva's father, but Yeva eventually tries to atone for his actions. The text makes it easy to understand how others might turn on their neighbors in order to survive and how continuing to find or make beautiful things like that shirt keep hope alive. This story of resilience, based on actual events, handles the Holodomor gently in a way that young readers can understand, and the back matter, including an Author's Note, adds more background and historical context, noting that 3.9 million Ukrainians died from hunger from 1931 to 1934. How amazing to regard embroidery as part of a way to resist oppression! The slender threads of hope and resilience that must have kept so many Ukrainians alive are present in how this story is told and the book's design, including colors and patterns on the endpapers. ...more