A friendly and gentle reminder about the importance of voting, this picture book focuses on Leo, a youngster whose father has recently obtained U.S. cA friendly and gentle reminder about the importance of voting, this picture book focuses on Leo, a youngster whose father has recently obtained U.S. citizenship and is now pondering who his choice for President in the upcoming election will be. While his father does his due diligence in preparing to cast his ballot, Leo also will be able to participate in a mock election at school. But his cynical cousin prompts Leo to wonder whether one vote really matters all that much in the larger scheme of things. Through helpful volunteers and neighbors, Leo and his father learn about voter registration, the importance of voting, and precinct polling places, and at school, the class's election is decided by--you guessed it--one vote. Child-friendly illustrations, created with cut paper, oil pastels, acrylics, and digital techniques, add flavor and visual appeal to what could be a dull topic, but combined with the lively, conversational text, end up being engaging and downright inspiring. Back matter includes additional information about voting, including four recent examples when an election was decided by one vote. Having written and given a speech on this very topic [One Vote DOES Count] for a 4-H Speaking Contest back when I was a senior many decades ago, I can add several other instances when important issues were decided by one vote. Timely and inspiring, the fact that Leo's father is a new voter, recently granted citizenship after passing a test, just makes this book all the more relatable. Note the red, white, and blue lettering colors and stars on the cover too, hinting at the notion that voting is patriotic. ...more
As a child of the 'Sixties growing up during the times of JFK, RFK, MLK, LBJ, and Richard Nixon, I've been an outsider to many of the events describedAs a child of the 'Sixties growing up during the times of JFK, RFK, MLK, LBJ, and Richard Nixon, I've been an outsider to many of the events described in this engaging account of various historical moments from the points of view of two political insiders--Doris Kearns Goodwin and her late husband Richard Goodwin. Drawing from memory, notes, diaries, archival material, and interviews with relevant individuals, Goodwin weaves together history, biography, and memoir as she and Dick spend the last years of his life sifting through boxes of memorabilia from that decade. The narrative includes conversations between the two of them while they are reminiscing and sorting out their complicated feelings about JFK and LBJ, for whom Dick wrote speeches while Doris served as a White House Fellow and later wrote LBJ's biography. It's clear that the 1960s were a turbulent time, but they also were a period filled with possibility and promise with various civil rights legislation being passed by Congress, successful space travel, and youth feeling as though they could make a difference and be heard. Because so much of what was good about that time period was overshadowed by violence at home and abroad in Vietnam, it's easy to see how Dick could have become disheartened. But as this book shows, his was an unfinished love story with politics, and as it turned out, both Dick and Doris emerge from their labors with a renewed appreciation of those times as well as hope for the future. Readers trying to make sense of present-day politics will gain insight by reading this book, clearly a labor of love from a thoughtful historian who manages to simplify complex processes and unravel some of the mysteries behind complex individuals. Clearly, in their heyday, this was one heck of a power couple. I enjoyed every word, laughed at times, cried at times, and felt terribly nostalgic for that decade. ...more
With President George Washington expected to visit her hometown of Newport, Rhode Island, Bella, a young Jewish girl, wants to find a way to thank himWith President George Washington expected to visit her hometown of Newport, Rhode Island, Bella, a young Jewish girl, wants to find a way to thank him for supporting the religious freedom that allows them to worship as they please. Inspired by seeing her father writing a thank you letter, she rounds up helpers, including her sister, Abigail, to prepare welcome signs. But there are so many well-wishers in the crowd when he arrives that the youngsters' signs are overlooked. Not to be denied, they fashion hand-dipped candles to honor the man they consider to be "a guiding light" (unpaged). The illustrations show the painstaking, labor-intensive process. But when the children are ready to present the candles to Washington, again, they are denied access to the President. Bella has a brainstorm, heads to the harbor, gets help from a ship captain in lighting the candles, and surprises the President with those flickering candles and a serenade. Although the story is fiction, it is based on real events and individuals from 1790. There are even photos of the Touro Synagogue, where Bella's family would have worshipped, in 1790 and today. ...more
Although this is a murder mystery with plenty of details about the victim and its perpetrators as well as those who most likely planned the crime, it'Although this is a murder mystery with plenty of details about the victim and its perpetrators as well as those who most likely planned the crime, it's so much more than that. Readers will be curious as to who killed Vivian Gordon and left her body in a Bronx park in 1931, but they'll also want to know why she died and more about her. She seems to have associated with some rather untrustworthy types and been guilty herself of more than a few scams, but life for a woman alone in a large city such as New York wasn't easy back then, and the fact that she gave her heart to someone who betrayed her is not surprising. But Vivian also kept diaries and accounts of the money she loaned to others, evidence that would lead to the downfall of several influential politicians and Tammany Hall, the organization that seemed to rule New York City. The fact that she was poised to give evidence to an anti-corruption investigation into police corruption in the city added to the newsworthiness of her death. With engaging prose, details that take readers back in time to Prohibition, and descriptions of various political heavyweights, including FDR, governor and future President, Jimmy Walker, mayor of the city, and Samuel Seabury, who presided over the investigation into corruption by the city's elected officials, the author provides so many details about the city and the legal cases that readers will find it hard to believe they are living through 2024 when they emerge from the book. This is a true tale of power, betrayal, lost innocence, evil, and the impact one woman had on those with more power and influence than she ever dreamed of having. As the author writes in the Epilogue, "her spirit is woven into the history of her adopted city, one small forgotten thread in the glorious tapestry of New York City" (p. 303). Pieces of history such as hers should not be left in the margins, and this well-written and thoughtful book brings a measure of justice to her family and memory. ...more
Add this important picture book to a collection about Japanese incarceration camps along with other titles such as So Far from the Sea and Takei's graAdd this important picture book to a collection about Japanese incarceration camps along with other titles such as So Far from the Sea and Takei's graphic memoir for older readers, They Called Us Enemy, which is equally as good as this one. Intended for a younger audience, this book's focus is on young George's experiences in those camps--first at the Santa Anita racetracks, next at Camp Rohwer, Arkansas, and finally at Tule Lake, California. Because the perspective is that of a young child, it is all the more relatable for its intended audience. The narrative leans heavily on the roles his parents played in making camp life endurable and as pleasant as possible under the circumstances. His mother was always trying to spruce up their living spaces, making curtains, braiding rugs, and taking care of the children when they became ill while his father, who spoke English and Japanese fluently, took on a leadership role in the camp communities. Somehow, they found ways to laugh and look forward to being free once again. George even describes befriending a small black dog, Blackie, at one of the camps, and having to leave him behind when the family was finally released. Although Takei puts a positive spin on some of the events described here and the story ends on a hopeful note, he also is quick to point out how the family lost its freedom, its business, and its savings. The back matter is worth a read too since it elaborates on what happened to Japanese Americans during WWII and shares Takei's stirring words given during the 1981 hearings on the imprisonment of Japanese Americans. Created with watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, and digital media, the illustrations are soft in tone, effectively depicting life before the incarceration, the train trips to the camps, the camp settings themselves, and the many individuals who took similar journeys. During this time of polarization in our country and a tendency of some folks to demonize certain groups, Takei's story is exceptionally moving, a cautionary tale for today. ...more
While many adults think they'd be the best choice for President of this country, there are also youngsters who aren't old enough to run for public offWhile many adults think they'd be the best choice for President of this country, there are also youngsters who aren't old enough to run for public office but have plenty of great ideas for what they'd do if they were President. This picture book, illustrated digitally but also with inked fingerprints, presents one child's campaign platform containing some rather absurd ideas but also some that will resonate strongly with readers. For example, he imagines having abundant amounts of cookies heaped on tables and dogs, bicycles, and friends for anyone who wants them. He also expresses concern for the environment and would get rid of the plastics in the ocean with plastic-gobbling water. He even plans to welcome with open arms anyone who wants to come to his country. The text and platform are a bit naive, but they are also so open-hearted and hopeful that it's hard to resist his appeal, especially during election times in our own states and country when so many candidates promise so much and deliver so little. Maybe potential candidates for office should read this picture book for a reminder of what really matters to voters, even when they are very young and not quite ready to vote. ...more
This is certainly not the first book for teens to cover the infamous "Talk" that many parents of Black boys (and sometimes girls) have with their offsThis is certainly not the first book for teens to cover the infamous "Talk" that many parents of Black boys (and sometimes girls) have with their offspring. But it's quite effective since it follows the author/cartoonist as a young boy hearing certain words from his mother to the moment he must decide how to approach the same topic with his own child. In between, readers have a front row seat as Darrin navigates life as a young Black male in LA and deals with the assumptions some of his teachers, neighbors, and law enforcement officers make about him because of the color of his skin. Although this is serious and important fodder--maybe even life-saving--the graphic novel also contains all sorts of humorous moments, often provided by Bell's outspoken mother and Bell himself. The Prologue with scenes of violence and a fierce dog, followed by the first chapter in which a young Bell doesn't understand the significance of the water gun his mother has purchased being green sets the tone for the rest of the book as readers realize that even the most innocuous toy can become life-threatening if someone in power deems it so or thinks it represents a threat. Watching Bell grow, mature, and become increasingly aware of social justice issues and the prejudices around him is eye-opening, appropriately disturbing, and ultimately hopeful as the narrative moves through his career as an editorial cartoonist while also touching on the pandemic and the BlackLivesMatter movement and the Donald Trump Presidency. Some of the images that help to tell this story will be seared in readers' brains amid hope that one day it won't be necessary for parents to have that "Talk" with their offspring. ...more
Although 970 pages is a lot for an autobiography [There are Presidents whose autobiographies or biographies are far shorter!], I actually enjoyed the Although 970 pages is a lot for an autobiography [There are Presidents whose autobiographies or biographies are far shorter!], I actually enjoyed the detail about singing, writing, acting, and directing that Barbra Streisand included in this book. What some might consider to be trivial or unnecessary distractions to the main event--the story of her life--only further served to amplify her particular journey and provided insight into her personality and motivation. It's clear that she's done it all and is enormously talented and that she epitomizes the notion of perfectionism. But it's just as clear that somehow she's managed to have a long-lasting career in different areas on her own merits and by doing things her way. There are parts of her story that really resonated with me as she describes how others reacted to her and how frustrating it can be to see men and women doing the same things and yet be treated differently. While there are parts of her story that could have used an editor's touch or asides that could have been omitted, to remove them might have taken away some of the charm and the voice of this fascinating woman whose voice and vision have spanned several decades. The word "icon" must surely have been coined with her in mind. I loved all the photos and brushes with other famous individuals that are included in the book, and her honesty as she explores her relationship with her mother and considers how having her father die when she was very young affected her throughout her adult life. The book only served to make me appreciate her even more. But oh, how heavy that volume is when resting on one of my arms!...more
This one is a 4.5 for me. Richly deserving of all the acclaim it received [The book garnered a 2023 Sibert Medal and a 2023 Orbis Pictus Honor], this This one is a 4.5 for me. Richly deserving of all the acclaim it received [The book garnered a 2023 Sibert Medal and a 2023 Orbis Pictus Honor], this nonfiction title presents many possibilities for instruction as well as opening readers' eyes to the differences in perception and perspective. Understanding how photographs may not tell the whole story or may even be part of propaganda, a slanted story or even revisionist efforts is more important nowadays than ever as all often readers and listeners tend to believe whatever they read or see online or hear from the mouths of the politicians they support without questioning those sources or why they are telling certain stories in certain ways. Through the eyes of three different photographers, one a cultural insider who was incarcerated in Manzanar during WWII along with members of his family, readers will revisit the consequences of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, President FDR's Executive Order 9066, what life was like in those Japanese internment camps, and how one photographer wanted to portray the camps realistically while another one chose to focus on how resilient the prisoners were. A close examination of the photos from all three individuals whose work is presented here easily demonstrates just how different photos of similar events or experiences can be. There are a handful of questions intended to prompt critical thinking posed alongside the narrative; for instance, questions about why government officials chose one image over another one, how to make prison more hospitable, or even how an infant could be considered a traitor. The stories of all three photographers are interesting in their own right, but Miyake's bravery and foresight in smuggling a camera lens into the camp in order to have a visual record of what should never have happened but did will probably capture readers' attention more than the other two. Archival photos and materials as well as striking artwork created for this book add to its emotional impact. Since this portion of history is rarely covered or covered only superficially in many history texts, reading it will open the eyes and hearts of many youngsters, especially when paired with They Called Us Enemy, George Takei's graphic memoir of his family's experience during this period of history. The back matter is too tense for most young readers, but with guidance from adults, they can certainly navigate it and reflect on it, especially as they return to the quote on page 14: "Words can lie or clarify." Reading about the connections the author and illustrator had to this particular story is also worthwhile, providing additional insight into these events. ...more
Full of pride for his land and its produce, a New York farmer decides to send a gift to the President of the United States back in 1835. Starting withFull of pride for his land and its produce, a New York farmer decides to send a gift to the President of the United States back in 1835. Starting with milk from his cows and following all the steps needed to produce cheese, he and his workers craft a hunk of cheese weighing 1,400 pounds, four feet in diameter, and two feet thick. The cheese makes it way from upstate New York on board a ship to various ports until it reaches Washington, DC, and the White House where it comes to rest in the entrance hall. The President enjoyed bites of cheese while also sharing them with friends. But that's a lot of cheese to consume, and when hot temperatures cause the cheese to smell, the President invites anyone who wants to taste it to visit. But even after all the cheese had been eaten, its smell lingered. The artwork that accompanies this strange bit of history is cartoonlike, which is appropriate given the subject matter and humorous tone used in the text. Young readers will enjoy trying to picture just how large that cheese was as well as being amused by the puns and the notion of such a smelly food permeating the President's residence. Back matter includes "More to the Story," that tells more about Meacham and his gift, and also a section entitled "Cheesy Facts." Cleverly written and sure to amuse history buffs, this slice--or perhaps chunk is a better word--of history serves as a reminder that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Oddly, though, the author never refers to the name of the President who was the recipient of this cheesy gift--Andrew Jackson. This one would make a fun read aloud. ...more
Readers in search of hope, inspiration, and an example of selflessness will find it in this account [4.5 for me] of Dr. Paul Farmer, an infectious disReaders in search of hope, inspiration, and an example of selflessness will find it in this account [4.5 for me] of Dr. Paul Farmer, an infectious disease expert and anthropologist, who spent much of his life working in Haiti. While many hospitals and physicians seem more interested in the bottom line and money than delivering quality patient care to the poor, that wasn't the case for him. A recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant, Farmer spent much of his time shuttling between Boston and Haiti, where he oversaw a clinic providing care to those who most needed it but could least afford it financially. It's hard to read this expansive tale of his dedication to bringing tools and modern medicine, practices most of us take for granted, to communities that have often been overlooked. As author Tracy Kidder accompanies him on his rounds, hiking for hours up steep terrain and traveling across treacherous roads while avoiding possible violence, readers will fall in love with this self-sacrificing man who wanted to deliver to the people of Haiti medical practices that will change their lives and keep them healthy. Trying to keep up with this man--I'd call him a saint because of his compassion--with all his activities and various tasks is exhausting. But it's hard to argue with his methods since they work or his compassion because every life matters--or should matter. Most of all, reading this book offers readers an example to which they might aspire or, if not, the reminder that one person, one dedicated person willing to work his network and push against conventional wisdom or the way things have always been done can make a difference. The eyes and hearts of cynical readers will be opened through his example, and the awareness that while it might not be possible to move a mountain in one push, it is possible to move parts of that mountain. And yes, as the Haitian proverb would have it, while life is filled with problems [or mountains], those problems can be solved with enough determination, and then after tackling that problem, it is necessary to move on to the next one. As others have noted, the word "idealistic" comes to mind when thinking about how Farmer conducts his life and his business, and I came away from this book filled with admiration for him and his work and somewhat ashamed that I haven't done enough on my own part as well as having some of my assumptions about this part of the world challenged. ...more
The graphic novel format works well in telling this story of courage in protesting racial injustice in the United States. Because the book begins withThe graphic novel format works well in telling this story of courage in protesting racial injustice in the United States. Because the book begins with the 200-meter race and allows readers a peek into the emotions and thoughts of track star Tommie Smith before moving back in time to his early years in rural Texas and then back to the race, readers will be immediately hooked on the story and wonder about its outcome. The short scenes in which Smith prepares physically and emotionally for the race interrupt the rest of his story in which he describes the influence of his mother and father and their work ethic, his family's move to Stratford, California, his attending school with whites for the first time, and the adults, particularly teachers and a track coach, who saw his potential and nurtured his athletic talent. Clearly, Smith wasn't solely interested in athletic pursuits, and his academic performance was just as important to him. It's fascinating to note his growth and maturing into a reflective college student, inspired by the activism of others around him and troubled by the treatment of Blacks in his country. When he wins that race--arguably, the most important race of his life--and stands on that podium, he's standing up and raising a fist in protest of those injustices. I'm old enough to remember watching the 1968 Olympics, this race, and the medal ceremony in which Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the gold and bronze medalists, respectively, raised their fists in protest. I didn't understand their actions then, but I certainly do now, and reading about how others, including the U.S. Olympic Committee, reacted, and the cost of his silent protest is heartbreaking, but the outcome should not be unexpected, given the climate of the times. Smith and Carlos were suspended, Smith lost his job, and was the target of much vilification. Decades would pass before the two would receive the recognition they deserved and their good names were reclaimed. For those who were shocked when quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee on the gridiron and others joined him in protest, this account is a timely reminder that his actions weren't the first, that others came before him, and that much work still needs to be done. Lewis's reflection that "We had to be seen because we were not being heard" (p. 178) are stirring in their simplicity and intensity, and the artwork that accompanies this story captures his athleticism and grace, both on and off the track. The book's cover crackles with electricity and pulses with symbolism as Smith is pictured on that stand on the right-hand side of the cover while various individuals are shown hard at work, doing backbreaking physical labor, holding onto hope that things will surely improve, at the bottom of the page. This is a must-have for history and social studies classroom libraries and belongs in any collection dedicated to social change or various forms of protest. While there are moments of introspection and reflection captured in the account of these events, readers may be curious to know even more about Smith's feelings after certain events....more
This picture book biography, a 3.5 for me, pays tribute to the persistence, determination, and ability to rise past all sorts of odds and slights to bThis picture book biography, a 3.5 for me, pays tribute to the persistence, determination, and ability to rise past all sorts of odds and slights to become appointed a Supreme Court justice. This is the story of Ketanji Brown Jackson's formative years, her academic preparation, and the work she undertook before being considered for the appointment as the Supreme Court's first Black female justice. Author Carole Boston Weatherford is clearly aware of the significance of this appointment as almost every word she chooses for the biography is laudatory. Even the use of the verb "rise" offers multiple interpretations. She introduces the text on almost every page with the reminder that "Ketanji rose" or "She rose," bringing to mind the lines of Maya Angelou's inspiring classic poem, "Still I Rise," while describing her supportive family, her academic prowess and abilities at debate, but also detailing moments that threatened to undermine her spirit such as not being given a part in the school play because of her skin color, debate judges mocking her African name, and a school counselor who doubted she could be admitted to Harvard. The "All Rise" in the title is reminiscent of the direction given to onlookers when the judge arrives in the courtroom, but it can also be interpreted as a song of praise. It's clear that she has always been goal-oriented and resilient, a great role model for those who might follow in her footsteps. The text and vividly-rendered illustrations, created with Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom Cintiq tablet, pay tribute to this groundbreaking woman's indominable spirit. This would make a good addition to a biography collection or one dedicated to individuals who have persisted and risen against the odds. ...more
This one is a 4.5 for me. Reading it left me just as inspired and in awe of the human capacity healing as Caren Stelson's Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb SurThis one is a 4.5 for me. Reading it left me just as inspired and in awe of the human capacity healing as Caren Stelson's Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story, another book about WWII published in 2016. This narrative nonfiction title tells the story of Yuzuru John Takeshita, who was born and reared in San Mateo, California, but whose parents sent him back to Japan for school so that he could retain his Japanese language and heritage. Takeshita had returned to the United States the year before Pearl Harbor. The family was incarcerated at Tule Lake where he graduated from high school, still believing in the Constitution but disappointed in the country's leadership. He went on to a successful career in academia, but through a series of events, he learned about the balloon bombs sent to the continental United States during WWII as part of the Japanese military's effort to bring the war home to U.S. citizens and do as much damage as possible. As it turned out, these balloons, 9,000 of which were launched as part of the war effort, required layers of washi (special paper) that were fashioned by Japanese school girls. It was one of these balloon bombs that exploded in Bly, Oregon, killing six individuals, five of them children. Takeshita reached out to both sides--some of the girls, now adults--who had helped make those balloons, and now felt guilty for their part in the tragedy--and the survivors' families and brought them together. As the book's author notes, war is complex, and "Wrongs will continue to happen. Tragedies will occur. Be kind. Right wrongs when you are able. Reach out to those who suffer. Build community. Foster forgiveness. Make neighbors of those who you do not yet know" (p. 135). This impactful story reminds readers that peace can be a chain reaction, just as war or violence can, and that small acts of kindness can make all the difference in the world, offering a path to healing. With archival photographs and detailed descriptions of life in the Japanese internment camps as well as the factories where the balloon bombs were produced, this book is a must-read for students of history and those in search of heroes or ways to make a difference. Some readers may be annoyed by the occasional asides or commentary offered by Stone, but they added another layer to this well-researched story for me. ...more
4.5 While I'm sure many of us are rather tired of even hearing or seeing the name "Donald Trump" in headlines or on social media, the fact of the matt4.5 While I'm sure many of us are rather tired of even hearing or seeing the name "Donald Trump" in headlines or on social media, the fact of the matter is that the man is influential and has been part of popular culture for quite some time. Rather than stick our heads in the sand and pretend that all this will go away, it seems wiser to learn as much as possible about his formative years, his business endeavors, and his flirtation with the idea of running for President. Relying on interviews with hundreds of sources, including the former President himself, journalist Maggie Haberman offers her bird's eye view of his rise and fall, describing in detail the 2016 campaign that resulted in his election as well as the 2020 reelection campaign that resulted in a new President. Along the way, she connects the dots between how Trump behaved as a businessman, a celebrity, and a President, revealing some of his strengths and ambitions but also identifying his weaknesses. From the descriptions and anecdotes offered here, readers come away with a feeling of disorientation and depression that so much of his time in office was spent on petty matters and pointing fingers of blame at those around him. Although the events of January 6, 2020 have been covered thoroughly in other accounts, this book makes it clear that things were already in quite a disarray long before those moments. For those who want to understand how the nation reached this point, this book offers several clues, but readers will still reach its final pages without fully understanding the man, begging the question as to whether anyone really can know him or whether he even knows himself. This is a detailed, masterful account of an individual with much power and charisma, and the book's title fits its contents perfectly. Had there not been a bit of repetition in some of its pages as well as some of the events having already been discussed through the media in detail, this would have been a 5 for me. I'm glad I read it, but I finished it with the thought of how it's possible to fool some of the people all of the time as Trump seems to have done throughout his lifetime and deeply concerned about what may happen next....more
Huma Abedin's book is the quintessential American success story. The daughter of Indian and Pakistani parents who loved books and social justice, thisHuma Abedin's book is the quintessential American success story. The daughter of Indian and Pakistani parents who loved books and social justice, this well-educated and well-traveled woman grew up with their examples of service and political involvement and devoted her adult life, starting in 1996 as an intern for First Lady Hillary Clinton, and eventually becoming her right-hand woman as Clinton [referred to here as HRC]] ran for the Presidency twice, served as Secretary of State, and traveled the globe on behalf of President Barack Obama and the Unites States. Because of her proximity to individuals in power, Huma had a front-row seat to the aftermath of the Twin Towers destruction and the Benghazi Attack in 2012. She shares the highs and lows of her professional career as well as her personal life, offering readers insight into the political process as well as scheduling events and trips for Clinton while also providing glimpses into how some individuals reacted to her because she is Muslim. And yes, of course, she relates the giddy first days of her marriage to up-and-coming New York Congressman Anthony Weiner, and his fall from grace after his well-reported sexting scandals as well as how she dealt with that. Readers who are expecting gossipy, sordid accounts of that or HRC's own personal heartbreak over the betrayal of her husband, Bill, the former President, won't find it in these pages as Abedin handles all these disappointing and embarrassing moments with grace and candor. It's clear that she had reasons for staying in the marriage as well as reasons for finally leaving it, and it's also clear that she is an extraordinarily talented woman whose parents' influence remains with her even now. Reading about her early years spent with her family in Michigan and later in Saudi Arabia as well as her own time in Washington, DC, and New York City enables readers to acknowledge the cosmopolitan upbringing she has had and to understand the meaning of the book's title. Filled with deep respect and love for HRC and the sad awareness of how that last Presidential campaign in 2018 unraveled, denying Hillary the Presidency once again, the book will surely make readers curious to know more about Huma and the next chapter in her life as well as opening the eyes of some to Clinton's merits as an elected official and what might have been but now will never be. For those readers who wanted the book to focus more on Huma and less on Hillary, I would argue that their lives are so intertwined as to make that impossible. ...more
Although a lot of strange happenings occur in Washington, DC, readers may not realize that the White House, home of the nation's Presidents and First Although a lot of strange happenings occur in Washington, DC, readers may not realize that the White House, home of the nation's Presidents and First Family, is haunted. Given that so many different individuals have lived in the place, that really shouldn't be all that surprising. But when the Skeleton Drummers are invited to play music for a party there, they are in for quite a fright as ghosts come out of the woodwork and mingle with all the living guests. The fact that the musicians themselves are dead just adds to the scary and spooky nature of the story, which is told in rhyming lines. Sometimes it's rather fun to be a little bit scared or to imagine all those things that go bump in the night. Created with pencil, ink, and digital coloring, the illustrations for each page are filled with eerie spirits and oddities, including my favorite, a huge cat that almost dwarfs President Abraham Lincoln, who is scratching its chin. The pale forms of the ghosts contrast vividly with the rest of the characters, and readers will be left wondering just what ghosts they might encounter if they spent the night in the White House, especially close to Halloween. Since the author actually played for the Obamas during one Halloween festival in the White House, the author has relied on his own experiences as inspiration for this tantalizing tale. The Author's Note is actually my favorite part of this book as it relates some of the reported ghost sightings and hauntings associated with this place. SPOOKY! This title might be a good choice for sharing right before Halloween....more
Like so many other readers, I was familiar with the name of Marjorie Merriweather Post and knew that she oversaw the building of Mar-a-Largo in FloridLike so many other readers, I was familiar with the name of Marjorie Merriweather Post and knew that she oversaw the building of Mar-a-Largo in Florida as well as that her money and last name came from a cereal empire. But other than that, I knew very little. This immersive piece of historical fiction changed all that, allowing me to follow Marjorie as her family left Texas for Battle Creek, Michigan during the final decade of the nineteenth century, seeking a cure for her ailing father C.W. Post. Although he hoped to find it under the care of Dr. Kellogg and the sanitarium he ran there, that wasn't the case. Eventually, he regained his health through the healthy food and Christian Scientist practices of his landlady. Once he was back on his feet, he began experimenting with cereals, the beginning of the Post fortune and a change in the way American families began their mornings. Post was devoted to his daughter, encouraging her to be involved in the business, pasting labels on boxes, and soaking up all the educational opportunities that came her way. Hers was an extraordinary life, filled with riches, beauty, access to the rich, powerful, and influential, and while she certainly was worth millions and spent her money on jewelry, homes, and artwork, she also realized that her wealth had little meaning if she didn't use it to make the world a better place, prompting her to fund hospitals and various charity efforts. And she was smart and savvy enough to predict that there might be a market for frozen food. Thus, this cereal heiress's suggestions about acquisitions resulted in her company becoming known a the sprawling and ubiquitous General Foods. It seems as though she lived several lives, depending on her age and relationships, and she often brushed shoulders with Presidents and their wives while hosting various events in Washington, DC, New York, Palm Beach, and even Moscow. Unfortunately, her life was marred by four failed marriages, some ending civilly and others with acrimonious divorces. It's fascinating to watch as she falls head over heels in love, filled with hope and excitement as many other brides have done, only to note telltale signs that something is wrong with the relationship and that she's giving up important parts of herself in order to keep harmony in the home. Readers will relate to some of those experiences while also feeling somewhat envious of the financial abundance she enjoyed. The author effectively brings Marjorie with all her flaws and abilities to life in this well-written book while providing glimpses into the times and places in which she lived. Reading it is like being offered a few slices of a delicious, decadent chocolate cake but not allowed to have the whole cake since the author has carefully selected the anecdotes and experiences she includes. Having read this reimagined account of her life, I want to learn more and perhaps even visit her estate in Washington, DC....more
It's safe to say that no one, absolutely no one, writes like Julie Otsuka. Although all three of her books [When the Emperor Was Divine, The Buddha inIt's safe to say that no one, absolutely no one, writes like Julie Otsuka. Although all three of her books [When the Emperor Was Divine, The Buddha in the Attic, and The Swimmers] touch on similar themes in many respects, they also branch out in very different directions, leaving readers to make what they will of what they have just experienced. This author masterfully uses carefully-chosen words, simple sentences, and repetitive lines to plumb the emotional depths and experiences of the Japanese women who traveled to San Francisco in search of new lives. Dubbed "picture brides" because they and their husbands-to-be exchanged photographs that often were deceptive as to what the future would hold. Their stories begin on board the ship that was sailing to the West Coast and then continue throughout seven different sections as they learn to deal with their lot, figure out how to get along with whites, work harder than they ever imagined, often in fields alongside their husbands, and then watch as their stable lives crumble around them when they are labeled as traitors and sent to internment camps, effectively disappearing from the thoughts and concerns of their former neighbors. Although the author includes the names of various women in each section of the book, she chooses not to follow one or two of the women, instead, relying on generalizations at certain points and specifications at others. This decision might be off putting to some readers since it runs the risk of keeping readers emotionally removed from the story since there isn't one person on whom to focus. But for me, it had the opposite effect, making me realize just how widespread this ill treatment was. Even for those brides whose marriages seemed to promise happy endings, there was no such thing. The compression of so many individual experiences somehow works very well here....more
This delightful account of the way we were--we being anyone who lived through this era but also the country as a whole--is a 3.5 for me. Stringing togThis delightful account of the way we were--we being anyone who lived through this era but also the country as a whole--is a 3.5 for me. Stringing together 12 essays, some shorter than others, the author reaches back in time and summons his own unique memories of what the 'Nineties were all about. Along the way he sprinkles political commentary, insights about technology, and references to popular culture, including songs, books, movies, television, trends. While much of the book prompted guffaws from me as well as moments of sheepish recognition, there are also plenty of sections that caused me to pause for a reflection and questioning as well as passages that informed me. Probably each decade has its own uniqueness, flavor, and hallmark, and it's impossible to recognize significant innovations or movements at that time, making this retrospective all the more valuable. So much of what Klosterman describes here is long gone, vanished without much mourning, and if nothing else, this book reminds readers what they've lost and what they've gained and just how much impact on today's world, this decade has had. The striking cover with its visible phone innards will make plenty of readers squirm in self-recognition. My family never had such a phone, but I've lived long enough to have experienced the phone attached to the kitchen wall, allowing for no private conversations, and a party line in which several families shared phone access even though each of them had a phone of their own. Ah, how times change! The only additions I craved for this book would be more exploration of the fashion of the 'Nineties and Chuck Klosterman's playlist used during the writing process. This blast from the past will surely have readers considering what historians and social commentators will have to say about the 'Twenties. ...more