Author Laurie Frankel often writes about families and relationships, making it clear that both are complicated and that no two are alike. In this lateAuthor Laurie Frankel often writes about families and relationships, making it clear that both are complicated and that no two are alike. In this latest book, her focus is adoption, and she attempts to challenge the usual narratives associated with adoption. The result is a refreshing book [3.5 for me] that will prompt plenty of discussion, agreement, and disagreement as readers ponder what it means to be a family. The protagonist, India Allwood, loves to act, and even though she can't sing, she has her sights on a career on Broadway after attending drama school. A pregnancy at 16 prompts her to have the baby and then choose its adoptive parent. Later, near the end of college, she becomes pregnant again and makes a similar choice. Flash forward a few years, and India is famous, the star of a wildly popular show, and the adoptive mother of twins. Her career is flourishing, but she lands in trouble for speaking negatively about how adoption is depicted in an upcoming film in which she stars. As her past meets her present, she must decide what really matters and perhaps mend a few hearts along the way. While I liked the premise behind this story, I was often troubled by India's emotional carelessness and pontificating. It's easy to make certain decisions when living a life of relative wealth and privilege, and in a world struggling with overpopulation, it could be argued that having a child or two only contributes to the problems. And then there are her precocious, too precious children. Sometimes their thoughts and words seemed too worldly and knowing to be believable. And the ending? Doing what she decides to do takes courage, but it also requires money and fame. These characters can afford to hope on a plane and fly cross country or up the Oregon Coast overnight, How many of us can? Still, despite the qualms expressed above, I enjoyed the time I spent with India and her "family family." I'm always pleased to find books that celebrate found or created families. ...more
With artwork featuring various youngsters who are obviously enamored with the literary life, this picture book is a love letter to reading and the booWith artwork featuring various youngsters who are obviously enamored with the literary life, this picture book is a love letter to reading and the books that mean so much to their readers. There are those favorite books that a child takes everywhere, almost as though they are fellow travelers on life's journeys, books that are meant to be shared with others, books that have been memorized, and even those that immerse someone so deeply that they don't hear entreaties to stop reading and come for supper. Some of the double-page spreads echo the interior illustrations of childhood favorites. Each line of text and every illustration celebrate the joys of reading, reminding readers that there is, indeed, a transaction and a relationship of sorts, between the text and the reader, as Louise Rosenblatt so wisely pointed out long ago. Clearly, Park and Raschka are readers and have the gift of recollection since their picture book is reminiscent of childhood experiences, perhaps some of their own. ...more
This one is a 3,5 for me. Readers of The Arabic Quilt will recognize Kanzi, this picture book's protagonist. As time has passed, she has come to feel This one is a 3,5 for me. Readers of The Arabic Quilt will recognize Kanzi, this picture book's protagonist. As time has passed, she has come to feel comfortable and accepted in her new classroom. But when she learns that many of the books featuring diverse characters have been banned from the school library by the school district, Her classmates and teacher rally around Kanzi as she spearheads a bake sale and protest against the removal of these books. Inspired by her grandmother's example from the 2011 Egyptian uprising, Kanzi speaks up during the protest, listing many of the positive aspects of books and the importance of representation and empathy. While the happy ending to this story might be rather unlikely, given the current divisive climate and the efforts of some individuals to silence voices and thwart intellectual freedom, Kanzi's story offers hope and some steps that youngsters and community members can take when this sort of thing happens. Readers won't want to miss the Author's Note, sharing her own experience with book banning, and a yummy recipe for baklava. Like the previous book, this one opens readers' hearts and minds, showing that one person can make a difference and some things are worth taking a stand for. The faces of the students, their teacher, and their librarian as well as Kanzi's grandmother, are filled with emotion, and it's nice to see that quilt from the other book displayed on the school's walls as well as to see the good guys win for once. Now, more than ever, we need diverse books and individuals to stand up for them. ...more
This cleverly written revisionist version of Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is brilliant and a must-read, whether you've readThis cleverly written revisionist version of Mark Twain's classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is brilliant and a must-read, whether you've read the original book or not. In it, the author brings to life Jim, Huck's enslaved company on his raft journey on the Mississippi River. James is fully fleshed out here with a wife and daughter and under the threat of being sold elsewhere and being separated from his loved ones. He decides to run away until he can come up with a plan to keep his family together just as Huck runs off for reasons of his own. So much happens to James--and to Huck, who is present for part of Jim's journey but not all of it--along the way as they hide on an island and then float away, catching fish and eating berries to survive. Readers familiar with the Black dialect in the original book will find it here again, but turned on its head as the Black characters here are quite articulate, able to express themselves perfectly in the King's English but switching to dialect around whites. They only speak correctly around each other. Jim loves to read and has often secretly perused the volumes in Judge Thatcher's library. He also wants to write his story and the story of his people, and his simple request for a pencil leads to tragedy. While there are a few elements of the story that are humorous, those are overshadowed by the constant threats to his very survival Jim faces as he ends up running for his life due to various circumstances beyond his control. But always, always, always, he keeps his family in mind and his goal of somehow freeing them. At one point he ends up as part of a minstrel show with the bizarre necessity of pretending to be a white man wearing Black face, the absurdity of which does not escape him. The only aspect of the book that left me disappointed was the revelation of the true nature of his relationship with Huck, something that I won't remark on for fear of spoiling it for others. This is one of the books from 2024 that should be on everyone's reading list. It's gripping, intense, and filled with graphic scenes of violence that show just how poorly enslaved individuals were treated in the years right before the Civil War. ...more
What a delight this book was! Shakespeare fans, students and teachers like, will be fully engrossed from start to finish. Had it not been for some of What a delight this book was! Shakespeare fans, students and teachers like, will be fully engrossed from start to finish. Had it not been for some of the Bard's contemporaries--John Heminge, Henry Condell, Isaac and William Jaggard, Edward Blount, all either printers or publishers--who decided to collect his plays and publish them together as Ben Jonson had done with his poems and one play, it is more than likely that they would have been lost. That very thought will stop many readers right in their tracks since the stories are timeless, many of the characters unforgettable, and many of the lines so much a part of our language today. While it might be expected that a book such as this one would be solemn in tone, rather boring, this couldn't be further from the truth. Author Ann Bausum's affection and respect for Shakespeare come through, and it's clear that she has researched her topic thoroughly, but she manages to explain how the First Folio and other collections of Shakespeare's works came to be with wit and so many amusing anecdotes that readers will be widely entertained and probably guffaw at points, just like the audience at some of his plays might have. Farting Foli, indeed! There's interesting information about how certain now-common theatre terms such as "roles" derived; readers also learn just how tedious it was to set type before book pages were printed and how complicated bookmaking was. The artwork didn't enchant me although the overall book design and organization, including chapter titles did, which is why it's a 4.5 for me. Seventh and eighth graders reading Romeo and Juliet will find a new appreciation for Shakespeare and the fact that his writing still exists through this book. ...more
While this YA book covers several important topics, including the broken justice system, families dealing with incarcerated family members both while While this YA book covers several important topics, including the broken justice system, families dealing with incarcerated family members both while they are in prison and after they are released, the death penalty, and interracial relationships, among others, the writing could be stronger, some of the secondary characters developed more, and the conclusion stronger. Covering similar territory as Dear Martin, The Hate U Give, When You Look Like Us, and When They See Us, all of which are more literary, the book will have high teen appeal as it features a relatable protagonist in Tracy Beaumont and scenarios regarding the police with which some will be familiar. An aspiring journalist, Tracy has been writing weekly letters to the Innocence Project for seven years, the amount of time her father has been incarcerated and on Death Row for murder in Texas. While she waits for a response, she leads workshops familiarizing community members with their rights and how to behave when dealing with law enforcement. As her father runs out of time before executed, her track star brother, Jamal, is also accused of murder. Tracy's dogged determination and refusal to remain silent and let things take their course is admirable, and most readers will wish they had someone like her by their side. But some parts of the story are rather murky and improbable, and Angela, the victim, appears so briefly that it's hard to care about her fate, much less know much about her. Maybe that's okay since this isn't her story, but it detracts from the fullness of the narrative. Nevertheless, even with these possible flaws, the book raises important questions and will prompt deep conversations. ...more
Although this debut novel raises questions that aren't really answered, maybe that's the point. There is no hard and fast response to how to fill the Although this debut novel raises questions that aren't really answered, maybe that's the point. There is no hard and fast response to how to fill the hole or the void that so many of us experience, whether that be the characters in this novel or those of us reading the book. Some of us try to fill our emptiness with work, food, drugs, booze, relationships, wealth, even faith. But still there often seems to be an ache or a wish for more or something different, perhaps more meaningful than whatever is in our lives presently. Is it possible that there is more meaning in death than life? The book's twenty-seven-year-old protagonist, Cyrus Shams, is lost and searching for something. Born in Iran, he has completed a lackluster college career, dabbles in writing poetry, and dreams of writing a book about martyrs, perhaps even becoming one himself. When a friend tells him about an artist in New York City who is dying of cancer and doing so as part of a museum installation during which she chats with museum goers individually about death and dying, he travels there from Indiana with his best friend, Zee. What he learns when he meets her and then afterward shakes him to the core. Some readers will find the novel's jumps from one character to another and into different time periods and places annoying, but I liked those and found that they allowed for reflection and further character development as well as back story. A straightforward narrative wouldn't have done justice to the book's topic. The poetry, hallucinations, and snippets of reports about the investigation into the shooting of an Iranian passenger plane by the U.S. all add layers to the main story and give it depth and some historical context. As others have said, the writing is moving, funny, introspective, and intense. The multilayered characters and their stories will stay with readers for quite some time. As I finished the book and considered its merits, I reminded myself that life often is short, and it is important to savor all the sweetness, including strawberries and ice cream, that it has to offer, and try to extend that sweetness to others. Ultimately, maybe that's the point. ...more
Sometimes troubled times require shocking actions to awaken those around us. And sometimes those actions can change the lives of those who are close tSometimes troubled times require shocking actions to awaken those around us. And sometimes those actions can change the lives of those who are close to the activist. In the case of this YA novel, set in 1969 Czechoslovakia, it is seventeen-year-old Pavol Bartos who sets himself on fire in Prague because he sees only a bleak future for himself and others like him. His death prompts the others in his circle--his pregnant girlfriend Lida and his two friends, Stepan, who is gay, and Tomas, who finds the rules of everyday socialization confusing, to question their next steps and possible futures. While Pavel appears only briefly in the story, his influence is far-reaching, and readers learn more about his character, background, and ambitions through the eyes of his friends. The characters, even Lida's father, Ondrej, are particularly well drawn, complex, and relatable, and their paths forward aren't always smooth, easy or predictable. Moving back and forth in time so that it's clear what has led to some of these decisions, including the reprisals meted out to those who don't obey the harsh rules of the current regime as well as the rewards for walking the party line, the story is fast paced, deeply engaging, and informative. For anyone coming of age in 1969 in the United States, it will bring back some memories of that time period, but for those coming of age today, the story is particularly timely. Questions about repression of certain music and literature and whether it is more effective to try to fight the system from within in order to make a change or leave and start a new life are raised by this well-researched, nuanced, and important book. Teen readers will care deeply about the characters, perhaps relating to one of them, and wonder what they might have done in similar circumstances. ...more
It always saddens me when I learn that a language or culture is dying because hardly anyone speaks it or acknowledges it. This inspiring story of one It always saddens me when I learn that a language or culture is dying because hardly anyone speaks it or acknowledges it. This inspiring story of one man--Aaron Lansky--who arguably saved the Yiddish language for the next generation and beyond gives me hope that others will do something similar. It also left me filled with admiration for this man who began collecting books published in Yiddish in order to save them from being discarded, buried or destroyed. At first, he stashed them in his apartment and his parents' home, eventually renting an abandoned factory building, which he turned into the Yiddish Book Center in 1980, saving a culture and language when no one else seemed interested in doing so. The lively, sometimes humorous, text contains several anecdotes about his efforts and purposes for collecting these books, which became his life's mission, and the illustrations, created with acrylic and gouache and additional digital fabric textures, take readers back in time to this particular time period and even earlier while having an atmospheric appearance that is almost mystical. Add this picture book to a collection to how one person can make a difference in the world. Think of all the stories that would have been lost had it not been for this one individual....more
The appeal of this graphic novel series is undeniable, mostly because of the humor, the presence of two talking characters that look just like a sliceThe appeal of this graphic novel series is undeniable, mostly because of the humor, the presence of two talking characters that look just like a slice of pizza and a taco, but also because of how relatable the plots are. In this one, Pizza and Taco, who aren't exactly the sporty type, must sign up for some sort of sport at the insistence of their mothers. When they decide that baseball, football, and soccer won't do, they both agree that wrestling might be just the ticket. Before heading to try-outs, they spend quite a lot of time brainstorming their wrestling names and moves, all of which is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and then find it hard to do pushups or the moves demonstrated by the wrestling coach. The panels showing them trying to show off their moves and barely able to complete two pushups during try-outs are quite funny as are the wrestling names of famous folks--Romaine Reigns and Hulk Hoagie, among them. I can't imagine anyone being in a bad mood after reading this book, especially after seeing what the two friends decide to do after they realize that wrestling isn't going to work for them either. ...more
Deftly interspersing fairy tales, even a queer ballet, an immigration story, and realistic fiction about a young boy's concerns about coming out to hiDeftly interspersing fairy tales, even a queer ballet, an immigration story, and realistic fiction about a young boy's concerns about coming out to his parents, this graphic novel is simply empowering, beautiful in language, tone, and artwork, and important for its uniqueness. Tien has supportive friends in Claire and Julian, and he even confided in the school librarian when searching unsuccessfully for a word in Vietnamese for being gay, but he hasn't been able to share this part of himself with his parents, Hien and Vinh, who are much more comfortable speaking Vietnamese than English. Partly his hesitancy stems from a fear about how they'll react, how to express himself so that they will understand, but also, from an awareness of how preoccupied both of them are with other matters. Still feeling guilty for leaving home, Hien misses her mother, who is sick, and still in Vietnam while Vinh is almost always working. Each time Tien comes close to talking about being gay, something prevents him from doing so. A teacher notices his behavior and arranges for a talk with a priest and Tien's mother. The parallels between the traditional stories and the ballet and Tien's own life are interesting, and the bond formed between parent and child through reading these stories is a powerful one. By the end of this graphic novel, readers have hope for a fairy tale ending for Tien and others like him. Like other readers, these one captivated me from start to finish, and I'd be hard pressed to choose whether I loved the modern aspects, the historical ones or the fairy tales best. I eagerly anticipate more from this talented creator....more
Seventh-grader Efren Nava's life is completely disrupted after his mother is unexpectedly deported to Mexico. Suddenly, much of the responsibility forSeventh-grader Efren Nava's life is completely disrupted after his mother is unexpectedly deported to Mexico. Suddenly, much of the responsibility for his two siblings, Max and Mia, falls on him since his father must work two jobs in order to find a way to bring Ama back. This middle-grade book cuts right to the heart of the problems and politics surrounding immigration, deportation, and ICE. With ups and downs, hopeful moments and disappointments, it describes in heartbreaking detail just how hard it is to navigate a world that is suddenly turned upside down and how it isn't easy to know whom to trust. Efren's once predictable life becomes a rollercoaster, and he begins to struggle with school, something he never had problems with before. He's tired, preoccupied, and confused but finds allies in some unlikely places. When he himself goes on a rescue mission to bring money to Alma in Tijuana, he also comes to appreciate just how good his family has it back home even though they live in a tiny apartment and don't have a lot of material things. All he wants is his mother's arms around him and the comfort and safety she provides. Intense, immersive, and timely, Efren's story just might open some hearts and minds to the border crisis and immigration as well as some of the flaws in the system. Most notably, though, is the concept of seeds of hope that is planted within the novel, that others might try to get rid of a group of individuals, to bury them, but failing to realize that they are seeds and will grow and sprout, coming to life again. The exact quote is "Nos quisieron enterrer, pero no sabian que eramos semillas" or "They tried to bury us...but they didn't know we were seeds" (p. 30). Surely, Efren's story will plant seeds of hope or awareness among its readers, who will finish the book wishing that there were a more positive outcome for Efren and others like him. This would be a great book to share before discussing challenging topics such as immigration. (A side note: Although I loved the description, plot, topic, characters, I wish that the proofreader had been more thorough. There were several places where quotation marks were misplaced, and when Efren and his father head to the border in his truck, the vehicle is first referred to as a truck and later as they return, as a car. I suppose that might be okay since both are vehicles, but the distinction was distracting to me.)...more
Imagine attending a concert in which the performer sat quietly at the piano or behind a guitar or other instrument and did nothing. That's exactly whaImagine attending a concert in which the performer sat quietly at the piano or behind a guitar or other instrument and did nothing. That's exactly what happened when pianist David Tudor remained silently at his piano for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, introducing composer John Cage's latest composition, which consisted of no notes, just blank sheet music with Cage's signature at the bottom. How would you have reacted? Would you have felt enlightened or be annoyed that you spent good money only to hear no notes played on the piano as expected? What would you hear in that silence that really isn't completely silent? The concept was--and still is--quite bold and daring, allowing the audience and whatever makes sounds around them to become the performance piece itself. With energy, verve, and flair, the text captures those unique moments and repeats the word "nothing" to drive home the point that nothing does have sounds. It also manages to capture the unique creative spirit that was John Cage, including some background information about his formative years and creative process. The artwork, created with watercolor, pencil, and ink, pays tribute to Cage's genius and originality in humorous fashion. One double-page spread consists solely of whispery pastels and the single word "nothing" scrawled in cursive across both pages, effectively providing a space for readers to think before turning the pages. Young readers are undoubtedly going to be interested in arguing how to define music and whether silence is music, and some may even go so far as to consider whether the same concept could be applied to art. A lengthy "About John Cage" feature in the back matter as well as photos and a bibliography offer more information for those who are intrigued by this topic and Cage himself. This is a great addition for a collection of books about musicians or original thinkers. ...more
Although this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] seems a little longer than it needs to be, it explores in honest, relatable fashion how damaging microaAlthough this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me!] seems a little longer than it needs to be, it explores in honest, relatable fashion how damaging microagressions are. As the author notes in the back matter, this term might not have been prevalent in 1987 Topeka, Kansas where the story is set, but that doesn't mean that these harmful words and deeds didn't occur. The protagonist, Annie Inoue, a seventh grader, dreams of acting and following her own dreams, not those of her parents, in particular, her mother. From being passed over for the role of Annie in summer theater before school starts to having her name Anglicized by others to watching her mother be patronized and dismissed by other adults, Annie slowly awakens to the prejudices around her and the truth behind the myth of living the American Dream. Annie's awareness unfolds slowly, which is appropriate considering her age, since she makes excuses for the behavior of others, including her best friend Jessica, while readers will clearly see her friend's flaws and recognize that she's using Annie almost from the beginning. Her dedication to acting and to basketball and the support of her teammates contributes to readers' understanding of her character as well as contrasting with some of the behavior of those she considered to be friends. It's impressive how she constantly picks herself up when she falls or when others push her down or block her way, and her dreams seem possible as she acknowledges that some folks will be ready to help someone achieve dreams while others will stand in their way and hold them down. As she determines which type of person she wants to be, readers may ask themselves the same sort of questions while also revisiting some of their own actions. I hope anyone who reads this well-written, often introspective book or who knows or IS an Annie will continue to dream. ...more
Everyone's favorite second grade teacher, Ms. Maple, has her hands full with her students. Still, she always manages to come up with interesting activEveryone's favorite second grade teacher, Ms. Maple, has her hands full with her students. Still, she always manages to come up with interesting activities and supportive comments for each of them, even when they might be stretching the truth. The author captures perfectly how youngsters this age behave during a class discussion or a visit from an author when she describes a visit from a published author. Ms. Maple wants the students to write their own stories, which they decide will be pet-themed, and Bea's description of her cat defies explanation since she keeps changing its name and relating strange habits that don't seem feline-like. Buddy is skeptical about her stories and also worried about whether to reveal one of the rather disgusting habits of his cat, Sunshine. Black and white sketches accompany this relatable story that is ideal for first or second graders. Full of heart and humor, this title is the third one in the series. ...more
I'm embarrassed to admit that I never heard of Abraham Cahan before reading this book [3.5 for me]. That's rather sad since I have a degree in journalI'm embarrassed to admit that I never heard of Abraham Cahan before reading this book [3.5 for me]. That's rather sad since I have a degree in journalism and love words as well as stories of social justice and those who fight for those who don't have life easy. This lively, respectful biography traces Cahan's move from Lithuania where he attracted the notice of authorities for his anti-government stance to New York City. He learned how to speak and write in English, and seeing the need for a publication in Yiddish, he and others founded Forverts/Forward, a Yiddish newspaper that helped immigrants make their way in this new country, offering tips about clothing, pastimes, ways to stay healthy. The newspaper even published stories by Yiddish writers and supported the rights of workers. The book's title, designating him as "amazing" is quite apt since Cahan devoted his life to causes that mattered. The colorful gouache illustrations, including those on the endpapers, capture life in the Lower East Side of New York City as the 1800s moved into the next century. Add this one to a collection about voice or how one person can make a difference. The importance of having a free or low-cost publication in one's own language cannot be overstated....more
Set in Brooklyn in the early 1980s, this novel in verse features two likeable characters in JJ Pankowski, who loves punk, especially the Clash, and PiSet in Brooklyn in the early 1980s, this novel in verse features two likeable characters in JJ Pankowski, who loves punk, especially the Clash, and Pierre (Pie) Velez, a budding artist and tagger who wants to follow in the footsteps of Jean-Michel Basquiat. JJ has just moved back to Brooklyn to stay with his grandmother after his father, who immigrated from Poland, lost his job at JFK Airport. He tries to fly beneath the radar since school isn't his thing; in fact, he's so silent that his teachers report him as being absent. Pie, whose mother is from Puerto Rico, is smart, ambitious, and keenly aware of the different ways whites and those with black or brown skin are treated. He sees injustice all around him, at school, in the streets, and in his own country. Both middle-graders regard music and art respectively as ways to escape their harsh realities and express themselves. In JJ's case, his family is struggling economically, and his father is a racist. In Pie's case, his beloved mother is mentally ill, vacillating from periods of lucidity and times when she becomes quite confused and wanders the street. For some reason, Pie befriends JJ, who is being bullied in the cafeteria, and the two of them teach each other about their passions--art and music. An incident with police officers causes a rift between the boys since Pie is treated quite differently than JJ is, causing Pie to question their friendship since JJ doesn't speak up for him. Although the ending is a bit rushed and there weren't many examples of JJ's pervasive developmental disorder that would put him on the autism spectrum today, this book offers a great starting point for conversations about racism, class differences, and self-expression. Some readers will be disappointed that it doesn't have a particularly happy ending, but the authors' choice about how to conclude the story seems realistic to me. I loved the cultural references, including a nod to Robert Cormier's classic The Chocolate War, which JJ has read and considers as he contemplates whether and how he might dare to disturb the universe, along with others who are like-minded....more
I've read several Jodi Picoult books and have enjoyed some of them more than others. Several readers seem to like her plot twists, but when that comesI've read several Jodi Picoult books and have enjoyed some of them more than others. Several readers seem to like her plot twists, but when that comes to be expected from an author, it ends up being boring [at least for me}. Still, she is a skilled storyteller, one who often tackles hard topics, revealing their complexity, and creating unforgettable characters, many of them strong women. In this, her latest offering [4.5 for me] Picoult explores yet another controversial topic--Who wrote the plays and poems that are now attributed to William Shakespeare? While many scholars will passionately defend the Bard's reputation and dispute any notion that he wasn't the sole writer, Picoult relies on her own research and that of other scholars to make open-minded readers question this attribution. Instead, she introduces readers to Emiia Bassano, a ward of English aristocrats, highly educated, but a pawn in the games played by men and her family. Although she becomes the mistress of the Lord Chamberlain at a tender age, which is bad enough, later, her life takes a turn for the worse, and she ends up selling some of her writing to Shakespeare. Along the way, she brushes elbows with various Elizabethan literary denizens, including Kit Marlowe and Samuel Johnson. She also falls in love with a man that she can never have. Picoult weaves in several lines from Shakepeare plays through the conversations Emilia has with others and her own thoughts. There's a second narrative strand too, this one focusing on a would-be playwright, Melina Green, who has found it impossible to get her plays produced, partly because of the subject matter but also because she's a woman and not taken seriously. She writes a play about Emilia, who was her ancestor, and persuades her best friend, Andre, to pretend to be its author. All sorts of complications ensue. Being familiar with the works attributed to Shakespeare will add to the delights of reading this one, and I liked both stories although the Emilia one fascinated me the most because of its incredible descriptions, detail, and the possibilities it raises about forgotten or overlooked voices, many of them women, and how a reputation can be built from almost nothing. Readers expecting Picoult's usual fare may not enjoy this one, but I embraced it fully, wishing to know more about Emilia and feeling unsure about the perhaps undeserved accolades surrounding Shakespeare. ...more
This unique memoir--3.5, maybe even 3.75 for me!--allows the author to channel the voice of her beloved grandmother, Bobby Bell, after her death at 90This unique memoir--3.5, maybe even 3.75 for me!--allows the author to channel the voice of her beloved grandmother, Bobby Bell, after her death at 90. This woman must surely have been a force of nature and led a fascinating life. The two-grandmother and granddaughter--were particularly close, and Bobby shared many of her family history and some secrets with the girl. They had special lunches, went to plays, and exchanged phone calls or left voicemails. Often, the older woman doled out advice and admonitions, but always with so much love. Readers are treated to stories about the author's mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who immigrated to the United States from Russia. The text includes actual voicemails and exchanges, and even imagines what Bobby would be thinking and feeling from the grave. Opinionated, probably ahead of her time, this woman had a great sense of humor and a unique ability to tell stories, something her granddaughter seems to have inherited. By the time the book ends, readers will miss Bobby and wish that they, too, had been able to share a meal or an afternoon with this remarkable woman. Somehow, against the odds, the author has captured her personality and way of speaking and behaving remarkably well, through fiction and nonfiction. There will be many Jewish readers who will recognize their own grandmother in Bobby while others of us will find ourselves plumbing our memories, scrapbooks, and photo albums to recollect life with our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, if they were still in our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous, honest, heartfelt tribute. ...more
I'm so glad that I read this autobiography. Not only did parts of it make me laugh while others made me reflect on my own life, but it also prompted mI'm so glad that I read this autobiography. Not only did parts of it make me laugh while others made me reflect on my own life, but it also prompted me to consider how hard it must be to become a star and world famous at a fairly early age, only to be typecase, and unable to branch out into other roles. This was the fate of the author, Henry Winkler, who rose to fame through his role as the Fonz on the television series, Happy Days. Nominated for a prime-time Emmy for his acting, it would be 43 years before he would win one in that particular category. In between, Winkler did a lot of living, loving, and searching. Having endured an emotionally abusive childhood and emotionally distant parents and struggling with academic work due to undiagnosed dyslexia, he grew up trying to belong and fit in wherever he went. Even on stage or in front of the camera, he had doubts. Eventually, through talk therapy, hard work, and honest reflection as well as time, Winkler learned to love and accept himself as he is and to push aside those negative tapes telling him that he wasn't good enough and couldn't measure up and replace them with positive ones. His journey to self-love and self-acceptance is one with which many readers can relate. He shares just enough details about his various projects to hold readers' interest even while being brutally honest, self-effacing, and cheerful. His is a story of persistence, of breaking free from the mold in which others place us, and of continuing to work. Rarely, if ever, have I read an autobiography from an actor or star that describes so vividly the urgent need to act, to perform, to assume a role. Those of us who enjoyed him on Happy Days will be delighted to discover his depths through this book. Anyone who needs a pick-me-up or a reason to smile and forge forward against the odds will find inspiration here. ...more