Dive into Chicago’s past with relevance to the racial issues still facing Chicago and other communities today with this nonfiction read. A Few Drops of Red, sets the stage of all of the different events that led up to the race riots; from immigrants from Europe and southern Blacks coming to Chicago, to the meat packing industry changing and booming. Hartfield introduces a variety of interesting figures like Ida B. Wells – Barnett, a trailblazing Black journalist and advocate or Gustavus Swift who became a giant in the meatpacking industry. The story is laid out well making it a gripping and tense read complete with pictures from the time period.
Archives: Book Reviews
The Bridge Home
Lovely. Amazingly, a solidly middle grade story about escaping child abuse by running away on the streets of a city in India. Join the friends Viji, Ruku, Muthi and Arul as they create family and provide for each other until tragedy strikes. Ms. Venkatraman is able to convey all this in a child’s voice and at a child’s level. One of the best books I have read in 2019.
The Poesy Ring a love story
Bob Graham is a wonderful whimsical picture book writer whose books are worthy of poring over: How to Heal a Broken Wing; A Bus Called Heaven; April and Esme, tooth fairies; and more! The Poesy Ring traces a gold ring from County Kerry in 1830 through its various travels until it ends up in a pawn shop in New York City on the Lower East side where it was purchased by some street musicians to make their commitment real. The book is dedicated to Bob Graham’s wife of 50 years. Too romantic; too good! Just right for Valentine’s Day.
Elvis is King!
Jonah Winter and Red Nose Studio have teamed up to create an incredible, fun book about Elvis’ childhood for kids! It relays, in short emotive prose, what if felt like to grow up dirt poor, hungry, and amazed by one’s first cheeseburger. The book deals frankly with the issue of Elvis’ appropriation of Black music in a way a kid can understand. The art is unbelievable: Red Nose Studio’s 3-D illustrations are handcrafted from wire, fabric, wood and found objects. The illustrations make the story and are endlessly fascinating and sweetly affecting. The book ends in 1956 when he’s just recorded The Heartbreak Hotel for RCA at the beginning of his blockbuster career.
Don’t miss this book — sure to be a Caldecott contender! It can introduce a whole new generation to Elvis and bring back memories for the kids’ grandparents (or great grandparents.) Come to our Elvis Presley Sing a Long on August 9th!
Blended by Sharon Draper
Sharon Draper, the acclaimed author of the beloved, Out of my Mind (2012), returns with an enjoyable book that manages to provide a girls’ eye view of racial issues, from police profiling to skin color dynamics. Isabella’s mom is white and her dad is black and her parents are divorced and she’s traded back and forth once a week at the mall. Isabella (her dad’s name for her) or Izzy (her mom’s name for her) needs to know who she is. Come join Isabella’s life as you oscillate between Mom weeks and Dad weeks and see what you think.
Another terrific and yes, even light-hearted, book that speaks directly to our lives, right now.
Most Checked-Out YA Books of 2018
YA Fiction
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
- The Hazel Wood: A Novel by Melissa Albert
- Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- Slider by Pete Hautman
- The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X. R. Pan
- Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
- Warcross by Marie Lu
YA Graphic Novels / Manga
- Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag
- Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Swing It, Sunny by Jennifer Holm
- One-Punch Man by ONE
- Venom by Mike Costa
- Tokyo Ghoul: Re by Sui Ishida
- The Creeps: A Deep Dark Fear Collection by Fran Krause
- Erased by Kei Sanbe
- Misfit City by Kirsten Smith
- Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson
Buried Lives, The Enslaved People of George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Deeply moving, this book intended for older children and teens will be an education for adults as well. Carla Killough McClafferty presents the stories of William Lee, Christopher Sheels, Caroline (Branham), Peter Hardiman, Ona Marie Judge, and Hercules, six of the best known slaves owned by our first president. The author also presents detailed information about the archaeological dig uncovering the location of the graves in the previously forgotten slave cemetery at Mount Vernon. Documented in the book is the history of George Washington’s contradictory positions on slavery and how his awakening conscience affected his business.
Buried Lives fills in the picture of George Washington to include the people who unwillingly made his place in history possible. Hamilton fans will be glad to know that he and Lafayette and John Laurens had a strong effect on the first president — and, through him, on some of his slaves .
Good to read before a trip to Mount Vernon or before reading another study of George Washington that leaves out his slaves. Forward by a decedent of Caroline (Branham).
Very Rich by Polly Horvath
A hilarious read about poverty and wealth, hunger and hamburgers from Polly Horvath. Rupert is very poor and always hungry; there is never enough food at home. A ridiculous accident happens on Christmas Day that introduces him to the ultra-wealthy Rivers family. The book is a series of bizarre adventures hungry Rupert goes on with various members of the Rivers family, from time travel to a simple restaurant. None of the Rivers understand how badly Rupert just needs to eat. In the end, it is his father who understands how important the next meal is. This one is not as fabulous as her classic, The Trolls, but it does supply some Horvath-esque humor when you need it.
Journey of the Pale Bear by Susan Fletcher
This is a fictional story that takes as its starting point the real polar bear that was given to King Henry III of England by King Haakon IV of Norway in 1252. Who might the bear’s Norwegian keeper have been? Why did he stay in England to care for the now royal bear?
By turns sweet and terrifying, this story of pirates, long sea voyages, and the hope for freedom and family, is about a bond between an ice bear and the boy who is rescued by her.
Love to Everyone by Hilary McKay
Hilary McKay has written a historical novel of WWI, with the endearing Clarry Penrose as main character. Clarry’s mother died in childbirth so she’s never known a mother’s love. But she loves her brother fiercely and loves her cousin Rupert in Cornwall whom she sees every summer. She’s determined to fend for herself and get an education, even though her father feels a life of dependence would be more respectable. Then war breaks out and Clarry is eventually called to unexpected and heartbreaking acts of heroism just to keep her family together. Startling, gorgeous, painful — one of 2018’s best books!
Perfect for fans of Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo, The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson.
(This book is simultaneously published in the UK under the title The Skylark’s War.)