Sunday, March 17, 2024

Illustrated Black History

Readers, I owe you a big time apology. I haven't posted an adequate amount of content in ages or any content in months. Blame it on the stroke and the amount of work it took to rebuild strength, stamina, balance, and fine motor skills to the point where I could actually return to graduate school less than 4 months after the event. Then when the semester started the work was exponentially harder and more time consuming. But during March Break I've caught up and even gotten a little bit ahead to the point I can add creating and posting content to my schedule. And I'm putting back the features I've been told you like the most: on a personal note and shout out. I know it will take a lot of time and work to rebuild my numbers. But it isn't just a blog; it's a mission—spreading awareness of diverse and inclusive books at a time when so many people are doing all they can to restrict access to them. If you agree with the importance of this mission I hope you will continue to read this blog and tell your friends about it.
George McCalman's Illustrated Black History: Honoring The Iconic and The Unseen (Black author, Black history) is the liveliest and most surprising volume I've ever seen in the historic who's who genre. It does include both the famous and the less well known. There's immense diversity surrounding historic times, gender and sexuality, lineages, fields of endeavor, and just about anything else you can think of. The portraits of the honorees are also quite diverse, created lovingly by the author in a wide range of art styles.
It's also the best volume I've seen in this genre. It doesn't become formulaic. And the subjects' accomplishments do not overshadow their humanity. Through the splendid pairing up of narrative and illustration they really come to life. I came up with a list of folx I plan to learn more about. I wouldn't be surprised if you found at least a few who intrigue you.
Although Illustrated Black History is categorized as adult it doesn't seem too hard a read for older high school students. I think a wonderful assignment would be to have each member of a class choose a particularly interesting character to research, perhaps doing the actual research in small groups, write a report, perhaps including a portrait, and have one class in which to share and critique. It's a great acquisition for high school and college libraries.
On a personal note, I've really enjoyed my not all work March Break. I've gone on a road trip with Eugene. I had lunch with a classmate who will be getting her Masters degree :) and returning to California :(. I made a Goodwill run. Best of all, Eugene had a chance to spend a precious afternoon with our kids. And of course I had some extra time for cat assisted reading.
A great big shout out goes out to Sam, the grad to be, my kids and their significant others, and precious Tobago cat.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In

Jasmine Mendez's Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is a sensitive and perceptive look at a topic too often overlooked in juvenile literature—chronic illnesses in childhood. It also touches on the further effects that parental attitudes can have.
Aniana sees herself as a dolphin. She lives to swim. She's a medal winning member of a swim team. She and her father have to keep this aspect of her life a secret. Her mother, whose brother drowned in childhood would never allow it.
Aniana begins to experience painful, debilitating symptoms. She tries to hide them. But when she can't get out of bed she's taken to a doctor who can't make a diagnosis. After a long, frustrating round of specialists it's determined that she has an auto-immune disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It can't be cured once and for all. She must learn to manage it.
Meanwhile her mother has learned about the secret. She feels betrayed by her daughter disobeying her and her husband enabling her to do so. She has forbidden swimming even though Aniana's doctor says it would be beneficial. Aniana fears that, in addition to coping with pain and limitations, she'll have to give up the activity that makes her feel most free, most alive.
Mendez herself lives with a chronic auto-immune disease, scleradoma. She remembers the difficult adjustments it forced her to make. She hopes that other people learning to manage a chronic illness or disability will seee themselves in its pages.

Aniana Del Mar Jumps In

   Jasmine Mendez's Aniana Del Mar Jumps In is a sensitive and perceptive look at a topic too often overlooked in juvenile literature—chronic illnesses in childhood.  It also touches on the further effects that parental attitudes can have.
   Aniana sees herself as a dolphin.  She lives to swim.  She's a medal winning member of a swim team.  She and her father have to keep this aspect of her life a secret.  Her mother, whose brother drowned in childhood would never allow it.
   Aniana begins to experience painful, debilitating symptoms.  She tries to hide them.  But when she can't get out of bed she's taken to a doctor who can't make a diagnosis.  After a long, frustrating round of specialists it's determined that she has an auto-immune disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis.  It can't be cured once and for all.  She must learn to manage it.
   Meanwhile her mother has learned about the secret.  She feels betrayed by her daughter disobeying her and her husband enabling her to do so. She has forbidden swimming even though Aniana's doctor says it would be beneficial.  Aniana fears that, in addition to coping with pain and limitations, she'll have to give up the activity that makes her feel most free, most alive.
   Mendez herself lives with a chronic auto-immune disease, scleradoma.  She remembers the difficult adjustments it forced her to make.  She hopes that other people learning to manage a chronic illness or disability will seee themselves in its pages.

Sunday, November 5, 2023

     We know that the branches of Christianity differ widely on just about anything under the sun.  Those of us who have spent any time studying Judaism know that it has quite distinct branches.  So why do we expect Islam to be monolithic?  Muslims differ over many controversial issues including the acceptability of music.  That's the message Maleeha Siddiqui delivers to young readers in Bahakah Beats.
     As she enters 7th grade Nimra is attending public school for the first time.  A lot is confusing.  The work is more demanding.  And being in the same school as her best friend Jenna is not all she hoped for.  Jenna seems to be ditching her for a popular athlete crowd.
     What catches Jenna's attention is that a popular eighth grade Islamic boy band asks Nimra to be their 4th member.  Nimra is sure her parents would never go for the idea.  But if she joins just long enough to win Jenna back they'd never have to know.  She isn't counting on really bonding with her bandmates.  With an upcoming public performance she has to decide who she's going to let down.
     Siddiqui deftly delivers insights into a fascinating world religion through this engaging and relatable narrative of a girl doing her best to make it through 7h grade. 
Jules Hathaway

Sunday, October 29, 2023

     When my kids were young they were friends with three sisters who lived with their grandmother.  Their mother had lost custody because of substance abuse. Placement with a relative is usually superior to other types.  But it isn't without its own complexities.  That's the message for readers Andrea Beatriz Arango delivers in Something Like Home.
     As we meet Laura she's moving in with an aunt she's never met--a strict aunt she feels has expectations she can never meet.  She's convinced that it's her fault.  After all, she's the one who called 911 when she found her parents unconscious. She's determined to make her stay with her aunt as temporary as possible.  In her mind it's all a misunderstanding.  When she can somehow fix it her family will be together again.
    Unfortunately her parents aren't being compliant.  In fact at one point they run away from the rehab they have to complete to have any chance of regaining custody.  So Laura is thwarted at every turn.
     But there is a ray of sunshine. Surprisingly Laura's aunt allows her to adopt a neglected dog.  She's training him to be a therapy dog with the help of a special new friend.
     Children will really be captivated by this tone perfect, highly engaging book--especially the all too many in similar situations for whom it might kindle hope or at least offer assurance that they're not the only ones.
Jules Hathaway

Monday, October 23, 2023

     Well it's getting close to one of my favorite nights of the year.  Fall leaf colors--crimsons, golds, oranges--are peaking.  Darkness is falling earlier while daylight delays longer.  There's a nip in the air.  Spectral decorations have started to appear.  And the countdown is on.
     You may be planning to wrangle costumed youngsters through your neighborhood or a decked out mall, chaperone a children's party, attend a more adult affair, or do a number of things, hopefully ones that won't draw the attention of the police.  It isn't about what you do, how you dress, or whom you're with.  Catching the true spirit of Halloween involves the perception that for one night the veil between the material and spirit worlds vanishes.
     If you're planning on staying in and curling up with a spooky book you may find your options limited.  On one hand you have the dreadfully formulaic.  On the other hand you have the terribly unsubtle blood and gore fests.  Luckily there are a few notable exceptions.  One of them is HorrorScope Volume 3, edited by H. Everend.  It's an anthology of short stories and poems organized around the signs of the zodiac.  Each writer creates a vivid and tangible world that will draw you in and hold you in its spell.  It's the literary equivalent of a box of exquisite wrapped candies, each different and divine.
     It's hot off the press so it may not have hit a library or bookstore near you.  If not demand that they acquire it... 
     ...you wouldn't want to miss out.
Jules Hathaway  

Saturday, October 21, 2023

     Two teens in heartbreaking, scary situations come together to pursue a mutual challenge in Elaine Vickers' Half Moon Summer.  
     Drew was born in Half Moon Bay.  He's the son of a talented carpenter who expects to start working in his father's shop next summer when he turns 13.  This summer there's something off with his father who is exhibiting inexplicable clumsiness.  The something turns out to be Lou Gehrig's disease.
     Mia and her mother and brother have just arrived to stay at her grandmother's house.  Housing insecure all her life, they were drawing close to living in their first house, one her father was building.  Then her other grandmother becomes gravely ill, her father has to go help her, and Half Moon Bay is the only option for the rest of the family.  Now they are in danger of losing not only the house, but the chance of being together as a family.
     Basically novice runners, they sign on for the Half Moon Bay Half Marathon.  There's not a lot of time.  Training will be grueling.  But it's a challenge they're determined to overcome.
     The plot is highly engaging.  The characters are nuanced, complex, and believable.  The setting is captivating.  This fine book is perfect for perceptive juvenile and YA readers--especially for those facing potentially life altering challenges of their own and their friends.