As is the case for many, I remain fascinated by true crime stories, serial killers, and charismatic individuals. Having been a young adult when the neAs is the case for many, I remain fascinated by true crime stories, serial killers, and charismatic individuals. Having been a young adult when the news about the mass suicides in Jonestown broke back in November 1978, I wanted to learn more now that I had more time on my hands to read whatever caught my fancy. This account of Jim Jones and his rise to power in the Peoples Temple, a congregation that moved from place to place, eventually settling in Guyana, where most of them died, is fascinating and truly deserves all the accolades it has received. It truly is the definitive book about the path that led Jones and his followers to Jonestown. While some readers might wish that more details about those last hours before Jones and his followers died would have been provided, this author spends much more time describing his subject's formative years and growing involvement in religion--but a religion as he envisioned it and one with socialist leanings. While many will argue that Jones was a con man through and through, even from the beginning, this book seems a bit more sympathetic, granting the possibility that his intentions were good at the start, and somehow, along the way, he veered off course. What is not debatable is how he ultimately took advantage of his followers, many of them poor and marginalized, and used his position and power to intimidate others, indulging in various excesses that seemed to run counter to his image and expressed beliefs. Based on plentiful research and interviews, this book peels back some of the layers that comprised Jim Jones, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, and to wonder how dreams can turn into nightmares and what they would have done if they'd been part of that Jonestown community. ...more
Set in Chillicothe, Ohio, in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, this moving novel is in some respects a tribute to the six women who became known as the ChiSet in Chillicothe, Ohio, in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, this moving novel is in some respects a tribute to the six women who became known as the Chillicothe Six since their bodies were found in the same river and their deaths remain unsolved. In many ways, it's a up close account of the effects of poverty and generational addiction as well as how society, including law enforcement agencies, dismisses certain individuals, especially addicts and sex workers, and often blames the victims for what happens to them. Moving back and forth in time, the story follows twin sisters Arcade (Arc) and Farren (Daffy) Doggs as they grow up in a dysfunctional household, the children of two addicts. After the death of their father, their mother begins turning tricks to pay for her habits and to make a living. Some of those tricks--or Johns--come to the house, resulting in the girls' exposure to all sorts of behavior not suited for children. Their aunt watches documentaries and dreams of someday traveling to exotic locales. The bright spot in the girls' lives is their grandmother, but she also suffers a cruel fate, and the girls are increasingly left to their own devices. Although there are moments of hope when it seems that they might have escaped their destiny, the lure of addiction also claims other victims. As young adults, they fall in with similar young women, all trying to make better lives for themselves but struggling with addiction and abuse. There's a secret about one of the characters in this story that isn't revealed until almost the end of the book. I had a strong inkling about what was happening, but I enjoyed the writing and character development so much that I didn't care that I had guessed the truth early on. In many ways, this book is eye-opening, heartbreaking, shocking, and important as it depicts with empathy individuals struggling to survive, if not succeed, against great odds. Because of the intense writing, important subject matter, and unique format--with 26 drawings--it's certain to be a conversation starter. Not for the fainthearted and definitely not a light read, the book captures the essence of two [or more] bright spirits who deserved better. The passages about the rescue kitten, Petticoat, and how a relapse caused the animal to be neglected and eventually feral are especially telling in demonstrating what addiction does. Despite its heavy subject matter, there are moments of joy and happiness here, but they are all too brief. The poems from Daffy that introduce the chapters are also particularly effective, prompting a second or a third read. ...more
This biography about a Black cartoonist who was ahead of her time is a 3.5 for me. Jackie Ormes seems to have expressed herself best through her drawiThis biography about a Black cartoonist who was ahead of her time is a 3.5 for me. Jackie Ormes seems to have expressed herself best through her drawings, imagining the world as she saw it, and creating caricatures of teachers and students during her high school days. She boldly sent an employment inquiry to the publisher of a Black newspaper in Pittsburg, a tactic that worked and resulted in her covering a boxing match and eventually leaving her small Pennsylvania town behind for Pittsburg and then later, Chicago. Eventually, she created several cartoon strips featuring Black characters dealing with racism and social justice, and used that platform to express her own concerns about these topics. Initially a self-taught artist, Jackie took art classes late in life, and even though her fellow classmates intimidated her with their knowledge of art, she persisted, a great example for young readers with ambitions or those intent on making their mark in the world against all odds. The illustrations, created with Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Procreate, have that unique cartoon-like appearance that makes them and this story an homage to Jackie Ormes, who let her characters do the talking for her. Readers won't want to miss the back matter, which provides additional details about this artist who has only recently been given the recognition she deserves and the Author's Note, which describes how she copes with insecurity and doubt, drawing inspiration from the example of Jackie Ormes. This book is a good addition for any collection of biographies focused on artists. ...more
If they know anything about the Westward Expansion of the United States during its formative years, most readers will be familiar with the name and leIf they know anything about the Westward Expansion of the United States during its formative years, most readers will be familiar with the name and legend of Daniel Boone. But Boone's story, fascinating and important as it may be, like so much of history, ignores the importance of the women in his life. In this well-researched, immersive, and thoughtful account of his wife, Rebecca, and two daughters, Susanna and Jemima, the author seeks to remedy that omission. Through her narrative, readers find themselves in Rebecca's shoes, married at a young age to a man who often seems gone on one expedition or another, leaving her to fend for herself and to take care of their growing family. Those long months of loneliness and uncertainty are described vividly as are the daily tasks necessary to keep up a household. And as if often the fate of a woman alone, Rebecca was subject to rumors that she was unfaithful to her husband. Once a rumor starts, it tends to take on a life of its own, and such was the case for Rebecca, whose heart was constantly broken by the deaths of friends and family members, often at the hands of Indians defending their land from the intrusion of white settlers. As portrayed in this account, Rebecca is rendered as complicated with complex feelings about her marriage and all that movement. Her daughters also are portrayed as strong individuals, one caught in an abusive marriage, and the other constantly dodging rumors about her parentage. The author uses vocabulary and description fitting to the time period in which the book is set--starting in 1760 in North Carolina--and readers will feel as though they, too, are on the run from Indians set on revenge and heartbroken to leave behind all the trappings of civilization. The book's title--Traces--is perfect for its content since these women, like so many others of that time and beyond--were often disregarded, leaving behind only traces of their existence despite the important roles they played. Since explorers also leave behind traces or follow traces in trying to find new places to live, the title works well on several levels. This book, almost a quarter of a century in the making, is a solid choice for fans of historical fiction or those who want to know more about various periods of history, told through the lens of women. I'm grateful that my friend, Ed Sullivan, recommended it....more
Based on real-life events, this book is harrowing to read and must have been quite painful to write as the author returned to various painful experienBased on real-life events, this book is harrowing to read and must have been quite painful to write as the author returned to various painful experiences. An avid hiker, Vivian Tan enjoys exploring the world alone and on her own terms. Working in the film industry has afforded her many opportunities to do so. However, when she travels to Belfast for a ceremony and heads out on a hike, a chance encounter with a young Traveler boy, Johnny Sweeney, results in a violent assault. The rape scene is described in vivid, disturbing detail from both Vivian's perspective and that of Johnny, who has a very different impression of what happened. Somehow, she manages to escape, determined to report the crime and have justice served. Meanwhile, Johnny, a young teen, seeks refuge with various family members and friends. While some readers won't appreciate the details provided of Vivian's assault or the aftermath, including her medical treatment and interviews with police as well as her efforts to process and heal from this dark chapter in her life, they seem necessary in order to put readers in her shoes and help them understand the long-ranging effects of an assault plus the challenges of trying such a case through the legal system. Interestingly, the narrative moves back and forth from Vivian's story to Johnny's, affording readers a glimpse into the boy's formative years and growing violent behavior toward women, and offering a stark contrast between both lives. In a sense, this victim of circumstances becomes a predator, seeking out other victims for his own purposes. It's hard not to wonder what might have happened to Johnny under other circumstances and to ponder how this one incident, this one chance encounter, could change both lives so completely. Strangely, despite Johnny's behavior and thought processes, readers may feel some empathy for him due to how the story is told. This one isn't for everyone, but it certainly is an important story that needs to be read, especially by social workers and anyone in the justice system. ...more
As more and more humans make their homes in urban settings, it's important to understand how and why this phenomenon occurs and rewind to the early daAs more and more humans make their homes in urban settings, it's important to understand how and why this phenomenon occurs and rewind to the early days of humans and the very first cities. This book provides a brief overview about how cities often were originally built near waterways because of access, but how that is no longer necessary today due to different forms of transportation being developed. Readers will also learn about extremely large cities with millions of residents as well as how cities are organized and city services provided to residents. These services include clean drinkable water, wastewater treatment, energy, and a transportation network. As I read these sections of the book, I couldn't help but think about poor or short-sighted urban planning can result in problems in all of these areas as well as how this growth in cities has had negative effects on the environment. On the plus side, of course, cities provide many opportunities for cultural events. In addition to the thorough coverage of what makes a city a city, the text includes various bolded terms whose definition can be found in the Glossary in the back matter. There was even a term I'd never heard of--vernacular architecture. The publisher has provided additional teaching resources to accompany the book online, making it a solid choice for an introductory unit on building and urbanization despite its overly optimistic tone. It should be clear to young readers that the more individuals who congregate in certain areas, the more possible problems to solve there may be. ...more
After arriving in Paris, building a nest, and watching over the eggs she lays, Mama Pigeon tries to teach her three babies to fly. All goes well for tAfter arriving in Paris, building a nest, and watching over the eggs she lays, Mama Pigeon tries to teach her three babies to fly. All goes well for the first two, but Petite is unable to take the first step out of the nest. Even though she insists that she cannot and will not fly and refuses to budge, Mama can only let her get away with that procrastination so long. Eventually she conquers her fears, even though she's terribly afraid, and although that first flight doesn't go smoothly, especially when she glimpses her nest far below and panics. But with help from her siblings, Petite flies, oh, how she flies. Her CANNOTS and WILL NOTS turn into CANS. She can draw from this very first success over her fears to conquer future ones, just like young readers of this picture book. Although this sort of story has been told before, it offers encouragement to those who are frozen by their own fears and unaware of their own strength and resilience and just how much they can accomplish if they try. The softly-colored illustrations focus primarily on the birds and that nest even though the setting is Paris. ...more
Flaps on every double-page spread in this short board book give readers an idea about how plants communicate with each other. Not only can they sometiFlaps on every double-page spread in this short board book give readers an idea about how plants communicate with each other. Not only can they sometimes warn other plants of approaching danger and provide sustenance for plants in need, but they also can provide some comfort. This entire book reminds older readers of how much scientists have learned about plants in recent years. For those who wondered why plants being moved from one place to another might droop or lose leaves or flowers, the explanations can be found in these pages. Once they have been transplanted, they may still communicate some fears and concerns, but eventually they are busily settling in soaking up the necessary nutrients that will help them thrive. According to the text, if a plant is sick, the other plants will provide the help it needs, and when plants are happy, they emit strong fragrances. Much of this information, delivered in a chatty, accessible manner, will be new to young readers as it was to me as well. The colorful illustrations complement the text well, and taken together, this book is sure to change readers' minds about the plants around them and the lives they lead. The book might be a helpful title to include in an elementary science classroom, especially one with plants the students are tending. ...more
The strength of this unique biography/cooking memoir [2.5 for me] is its organization. Each chapter's title consists of some version of its title so "The strength of this unique biography/cooking memoir [2.5 for me] is its organization. Each chapter's title consists of some version of its title so "This Is Not a _________" for each one, heralding a different perspective on cooking, living life, and even perfectionism. Chef Flynn McGarry offers some insight into his formative years and creative process and his great, great passion for cooking, and many of these tidbits will interest foodies or future entrepreneurs. But it's hard to wonder how a nineteen-year-old could open his own restaurant in New York City and make a success of it without plenty of financial support. It's also hard for those of us who live in places where the most exciting restaurant is some version of Olive Garden or Red Lobster to imagine ever eating the exotic fare he describes being on his menu and his guests' plates. Many readers will finish the book still curious as to how he manage to afford all the tools of the trade as a teen and how he has pulled off his success. Yes, it's clear that he brings passion and hard work to all his endeavors, great reminders for teen readers, and it's encouraging that he is fully aware of the importance of bringing one's own vision to a project, but what happens if that just isn't viable? The artwork had more appeal for me than the text, unfortunately, because there were abundant details about certain topics and few on others, resulting in a rather uneven narrative. Sadly, even the recipes in the back held little appeal for me. Perhaps I'm just a Philistine when it comes to these matters. ...more
This one is a 2.5 for me. Fans of the previous titles in this transportation and work series will probably like this one just as much as the other titThis one is a 2.5 for me. Fans of the previous titles in this transportation and work series will probably like this one just as much as the other titles. Inside the book readers will be introduced to five different types of trains that serve different purposes. While one does transport passengers, the others carry other sorts of materials, including cars or water. One page for each of the trains folds out so that readers can see the trains in all their glory. The workers are a diverse cast of characters, including one woman, which might challenge youngsters' assumptions about who can work on trains. The illustrations are clean and clear but rather flat, not particularly striking to my eyes, and oddly, there's a man perched on a train on the cover, clearly not the safest place to be and maybe not a good example for impressionable youngsters. Still, despite my criticisms, those who love trains or things that move will gravitate to this title. ...more
Combining the high interest most children have in dinosaurs with the concept of counting, this colorful board book is a 2.5 for me. Youngsters will beCombining the high interest most children have in dinosaurs with the concept of counting, this colorful board book is a 2.5 for me. Youngsters will be attracted to its bus shape and how the five dinosaur heads--well, six, including the bus driver, Velociraptor, poke out of the bus windows or top. It would have to be a very large bus in order for these particular passengers to ride. As the bus moves along, one by one, the dinosaurs depart, and youngsters can count down along with them from five to four to three to two to one. They'll be curious to learn what their destination is and what the dinosaurs have in mind when they arrive. The book offers a nifty introduction to five different types of dinosaurs too. Its intended audience will surely rank if much higher than I have....more
A delight from start to finish, this picture book is a visual and textual treat that fans of the 1942 Caldecott-winning book, Make Way for Ducklings, A delight from start to finish, this picture book is a visual and textual treat that fans of the 1942 Caldecott-winning book, Make Way for Ducklings, will simply have to read. Blending lines about its author/illustrator Robert McCloskey, with information about Nancy Schon, the sculptor who created the tribute to Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings featured in that book and whose work [dedicated in 1987] rests today in the Boston Public Garden, this title explores both creators' formative years, artistic growth and inspiration, and even describes how they met. Although both were artists, they weren't necessarily overnight successes as both struggled for different reasons. The author goes to great pains to describe the steps Schon took in crafting her tribute to those ducklings that charmed the world. Using Procreate for the artwork, the illustrator takes great care to follow McCloskey's lead in the visuals. Readers will be forgiven if they think that she's almost channeled the original artwork and artist on these pages, which consist of a sepia tint in the background. Even some of the lines on the last page of the narrative are reminiscent of McCloskey's work while acknowledging the hard-to-explain perfection of a masterwork: "Out of an egg comes a duckling. On the blank page, a line is put down, right and true, and a drawing comes to life. Clay is shaped, and molded, and cast in bronze" (unpaged). Kudos to the book designer because everything about this book is celebratory and admiring, even down to the book jacket whose colors and imagery, even its text, is reminiscent of the original book. An Author's Note provides additional information about those bronze ducklings as well as a photograph of McCloskey, Schon, and the ducklings. A Timeline and Selected Bibliography round out this special book. Many books are read and forgotten as soon as the last page has been reached, but others, like Make Way for Ducklings, have staying power. This book goes a long way toward explaining why that was the case and adds further details to what readers might know about the original book and those ducklings. This one is a must for anyone who loves children's literature or art....more
Haken Sodrstrom, a young Swedish immigrant who idolizes his older brother, Linus, is somehow separated from his sibling when they disembark at a port Haken Sodrstrom, a young Swedish immigrant who idolizes his older brother, Linus, is somehow separated from his sibling when they disembark at a port on the way to New York City. All Haken wants to do is to find the man so they can resume their journey. Since he knows nothing of the country and very little of the language, Haken is completely lost. Over the course of the book, as he makes his way across wide swaths of the country, from San Francisco to various deserts and even to Alaska, Haken meets the best and the worst of Americans during the nineteenth century--a gold-obsessed family man, a woman who keeps him trapped for her own pleasure and purposes, a scientist searching for the origin of life and the missing link, a Native American healer, pioneers heading westward, always westward (led by a man whose trustworthiness is questionable), a deputy who tries to right the wrong done to Haken by a greedy sheriff, and various animals. Much of the book--and the journey--describe periods of time when Haken is alone and finds ways to occupy himself. Reading about all the good luck and misfortune that befall him is emotionally exhausting, and readers will probably keep hoping for some sort of a happy ending or clear resolution as he keeps searching for his brother for years. While this is clearly Haken's story, it's also the story of those men, women, and children who traveled westward in hopes of finding wealth and a better life only to have those dreams go unrealized for various reasons. For many, the dreams turned into nightmares, which, arguably, was the case for Haken and his brother as well. There isn't a line in this book that will fail to speak to those who appreciate strong writing, and the opening pages are sure to hook even the most casual of readers. This book will stay with readers long after they reach the last page as they might ask themselves, "Why? Why did all this happen? And what does it all mean?"...more
This picture book is a 3.5 for me, and its luminous scenes of cityscapes with large buildings and crowded streets will hold readers' attention as willThis picture book is a 3.5 for me, and its luminous scenes of cityscapes with large buildings and crowded streets will hold readers' attention as will the way the story is told. Readers aren't given a reason for why Allen, a young boy whose nickname is A-Train, races through the city streets after school dismisses for the afternoon. Just like clockwork, he bolts from the school and heads for what must surely be an important destination or appointment. The suspense builds as others watch him and admire his speed. The text includes several action verbs ["bolted," "flew," "fluttered," for instance, and repetitive language ["Got somewhere to be, Got somewhere to be," (unpaged)] that provide interest and tension until the mystery is solved, and readers realize just what--or whom--it is that he has been hustling through those streets to meet. Such a tender story describing an intergenerational bond deserves a wide audience and to be shared with youngsters in a class read aloud! Readers are left to their own devices to imagine why this particular person and this mission are so important to A-Train. ...more
This memoir--4.5 for me--will take its well-deserved place of respect alongside other stories of immigration while surely evoking empathy for the authThis memoir--4.5 for me--will take its well-deserved place of respect alongside other stories of immigration while surely evoking empathy for the author, a poet who has mined his memories about his several weeks' long journey from El Salvador to the United States back in 1999. The fact that Javier was only nine when he traveled by bus, boat, truck, and on foot through his homeland and into Guatemala and Mexico makes the story quite unique and emotionally compelling. The boy's parents have been living in California for some time, and the trip is presented as something of an adventure before he embarks on it. But as excited as Javier is to be reunited with his parents, he misses his grandmother, grandfather, and aunt and the existence he has in the small town with which he is familiar. As much as his grandfather tries to insure that someone will look out for the youngster along the way, he travels with strangers, a coyote hired to bring him to the border between the United States and Mexico. There are dangers at every turn, and it is difficult for Javier to know who is trustworthy. The innocence of a child who has never slept away from home or in a room on the second floor of a building and who is shy about bathing and going to the bathroom around others adds to the story's verisimilitude. The narrative is filled with descriptive details of almost every moment of this perilous journey so much so that readers are at risk for being and emotionally overwhelmed by it all and infuriated at the ways certain individuals take advantage of those trying to reach the United States. The pace doesn't let up either as more than once it seems that Javier and his road-weary companions, Chino, Patricia, and Carla, are within reach of their destination only to be thwarted once again. So effective is this author at immersing readers in his experience that they can feel the blistering heat of the desert during the day and its chilliness at night as well as feel a sudden urge to gulp as much water as possible to slake their thirst and head to the shower to sluice the sweat and dirt from their bodies. Such a journey would be challenging and frightening for anyone, let alone someone so young. Readers won't be able to forget Javier or the book's very last lines any time soon. ...more
Set in Dry Valley, Kentucky, this book is a 3.5 for me. It's filled with all sorts of horror, both supernatural and realistic as is often the case in Set in Dry Valley, Kentucky, this book is a 3.5 for me. It's filled with all sorts of horror, both supernatural and realistic as is often the case in small towns. Although there are moments when the transition from one scene to the next is confusing, it's a good debut from a talented author who is able to lavish attention to the rural setting and find beauty in some of the most unlikely places. The protagonist, Laurel Early, has dropped out of college after finding herself unable to attend class or care about her formal education. After returning home to work on the family tobacco farm, her future is rather up in the air, but she knows that the animal bones she harvests and turns into saleable products offers her some creative outlet and a financial cushion. But after several horrifying encounters with bones that have come to life in the form of her mother, who died when Laurel was a baby, and a devil, Laurel realizes that she is in for the fight of her life as evil threatens to take over the land. There is plenty of intrigue in this book's pages, quite a lot of blood, gore, and abuse, and some passages are hard to read due to their intensity. But ultimately, the book ends on a hopeful, if somewhat unlikely note, and readers will wonder what comes next for these characters and how their lives and goals will be sorted out. As often happens in small towns, it seems as though the next generation wants to leave the place behind as soon as they possibly can, and some readers may want to ponder the difference between those who choose to stay and those who choose to go as well as how hard it is to be true to oneself in such places. Most of all, though, this is a cautionary tale about daring to wake the bones: Resist the urge to do so, and if someone else has done so, leave as soon as possible. ...more
Ah, how much fun it was to read this one with its painfully relatable protagonist! Twenty-five-year-old Maddie Wright is utterly charming in her innocAh, how much fun it was to read this one with its painfully relatable protagonist! Twenty-five-year-old Maddie Wright is utterly charming in her innocence. Maddie [frequently called Maame by her mother] has come to the conclusion that life is passing her by. She isn't appreciated at her job, her mother is often absent for up to a year in Ghana, and the caretaking of her father, who has Parkinson's, has fallen on her shoulders. Plus, there's not even a whiff of romance in her world. And yes, she's still a virgin. When her mother returns, Maddie decides to move out of the house, remake herself, and seize every opportunity to try new experiences. As might be expected, things do not go as planned, she's fired from one job and hired at another, and she becomes easy prey for a couple of losers on the dating scene. As she tries to figure out exactly whom she is, what she wants, and how to stand up for herself, tragedy strikes, and she feels guilty for not being at home. Maddie's relationship with her mother is fraught with all sorts of drama and stress, and she's quite aware of being the only Black woman or Black person in many of the settings in which she finds herself. If all this sounds beyond serious, it is, but somehow, much of these topics are explored with such humor and deftness that the points can be swallowed easily. For those of us who are still clueless about life and dating, Maddie's constant use of Google for answers, even about dating or what to do after being fired may remind us of ourselves and our own struggles to find clarity--or at the very least advice we can live with. Although some bits of the plot are rather predictable, it's the writing that stands out, introducing readers to a strong new authorial voice....more
Although it took me some time to fall into the rhythm of this author's particular writing style, once I did I was completely swept away by how fully dAlthough it took me some time to fall into the rhythm of this author's particular writing style, once I did I was completely swept away by how fully developed her characters were. Like other readers, I came to care about Cow Tom, the first Black Creek Indian chief, his wife Amy, and his granddaughter Rose. They and several of the other inhabitants of this well-written historical fiction are painted with delicate strokes, complex, imperfect, yet also admirable. Based on actual individuals, the book opens in 1822 in Alabama as the federal government is intent on rounding up the Creeks and Seminoles and transporting them west and concludes as Indian Territory becomes the state of Oklahoma. Although he was born enslaved and then sold to a Creek Indian Chief, Cow Tom uses his gifts with languages to serve as a translator for a general and to save money in order to buy his freedom. Readers are provided with rich episodes from his life as he searches for his mother, leads his family to various places where they make their homes, and becomes quite respected by those around him. His is the voice of reason that makes it possible for the many Black Creeks in the area to be treated fairly, and his strength is also found in his granddaughter. The author has gone to great pains to describe many of the injustices endured by indigenous peoples during this time period, but her slant focuses on those Black Creeks, and readers will be horrified at what happened to them at the hands of Whites. Mostly, though, even with all the informative history and background with plenty of revelations that will surprise readers, this is a story of identity and of family, of striving to have more and to claim one's place in the world and to be treated with respect. Many of the scenes are heartbreaking and painful to read, but there is also much love, striving, and hope in its pages. I hated to see the story of this family come to an end, and I felt dismayed that much of its historical content and context were unfamiliar to me. Reading this book alongside Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a revelation. ...more
When I first saw this book's title, I initially hesitated about reading it since I expected something about lifelong friendships formed during elementWhen I first saw this book's title, I initially hesitated about reading it since I expected something about lifelong friendships formed during elementary school and continuing on throughout adulthood. Or if not that, friendships formed at work or with individuals who had everything in common with the author. While there are bits and pieces of that in this book, it's certainly no light and frothy beach read describing bar crawls, wedding and baby showers, and warm times with friends. Yes, there are celebrations and plenty of self-effacing humor in this book by the author of Group, but it's more a confessional or a memoir about her struggle to make and keep female friends. In its contents, the author traces her feelings of inadequacy stemming from feeling as though she couldn't measure up to her younger sister and her desperate efforts to fit and find a B.F.F. in elementary and middle school. And when she does find someone who could possibly be that friend she's seeking, somehow things often go wrong as various emotions, including fear, envy, and inadequacy assail her and sabotage that friendship. Sometimes she even leaves or "ghosts" friends for romantic relationships or simply because she doesn't know how to express her feelings and still keep that friend. This book is a deep dive into the author's emotions, her journey to acceptance and her willingness to use therapy and 12-Step Programs to find help, heal, and make different choices. It's also a tribute to one special friend, Meredith, who was much older than Christie, and who shared her own struggles, advice, and friendship with her even when the going became particularly painful and it was clear that time was running out for Meredith. Relationships of any kind are complicated and require work, and this memoir will surely prompt many readers to examine their own relationships with women friends--if they still have any--and their own history with them, including behaviors intended to attract and repel those would-be friends. This book is one that some readers might want to read alongside their friends while doing the hard work of being honest with themselves and each other. It offers much for readers to consider long after they have finished it. Would that we all could be so honest with ourselves and so open in our written confessionals as this author....more
Although the plot might be rather familiar--estranged family members come together as the matriarch is dying, learn truths about each other, reconnectAlthough the plot might be rather familiar--estranged family members come together as the matriarch is dying, learn truths about each other, reconnect, and forgive each other--much of the writing in this YA novel is exquisite and the characters are well drawn. Avery Anderson, a queer biracial teen, unexpectedly finds that her grandmother's town of Bardell, Georgia, is more home to her than Washington, DC, where she's from. Although the town is small and Mama Letty's house is cluttered, she eventually forges a bond with the elderly woman. Over the course of the novel, readers learn that her family's temporary move to the South to support her grandmother during her dying days probably came at the right time since Avery has outgrown her two best friends, Kelsi and Hikari, and the things that once mattered no longer have the same importance. As she works at softening Mama Letty and hears her recollections of her brief time with Ray, her husband, Avery's eyes are opened to the complexity of humans and the abuse, pain, and trauma at the center of her own family, none of which she knew anything about until this move. Avery also falls hard for Simone Cole, her new neighbor, and finds kinship with her and Simone's other best friend, Jade Oliver, the daughter of a wealthy business owner. But when some of the secrets Mama Letty spills cause Avery to see Jade's family in a different light and the budding relationship between Simone and Avery prompt reactions from family members, Avery's world is shattered. The descriptions of the land and special places where the three girls go and where Mama Letty and Avery travel are powerful and will have readers turning up the air conditioning due to their accurate depiction of humidity and sultry days and nights. While some parts of the story are all-too-predictable, the white characters are one-dimensional with her father making brief appearances and providing comic relief, for the most part, the acceptance of the girls' relationship and their finding a place where they can be themselves outside of town perhaps more hopeful than would be realistic, the suspense around the death of Avery's mother rather anticlimactic, this book still struck my heart because of how much I came to care about Avery, her mother, and Mama Letty to make up for lost time when there isn't much time left and wounds are so terribly deep. Surely, this book will prompt some teen readers to mend the relationships they have with family members or cherish the ones that they already have and to consider what might have been and how very different Mama Letty's life and the lives of her descendants might have been had tragedy not been at the center. It also encourages reflection concerning the monuments that towns erect to certain individuals rather than others who might be far more deserving....more