Stealing Little Moon (YA Nonfiction)

     It is only recently that Americans and Canadians have learned the truth about a dark chapter in their national histories. Whites had stolen Indigenous people's lands, often making them walk hundreds of miles to the reservations they were forced into. In the late 19th century they came up with a new way to destroy Indigenous culture: they would kill the Indian to save the man. 

     Very young children were stolen their families and tribes and taken to Indian boarding schools. Upon arrival they were stripped of their identities. Their hair was cut, their names were changed to white ones, and they had to wear white people clothes. And speak only English. They were punished severely if they spoke their native languages or practiced the customs and religions they'd been nurtured in. Life in these schools was brutal and too often short. Due to malnutrition, poor or nonexistent medical care, overwork, and torture many ended up in unmarked graves. Many of those who survived suffered from their trauma for the rest of their lives. 

     Dan Sasuweh Jones, author of Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy Of The American Indian Boarding Schools, tells their stories from a unique perspective. Beginning with his grandmother who was stolen when she was only four, three generations of his family were educated at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School. Through their experiences and those of their peers Jones illuminates how the school changed and failed to change over the decades. 

     While documenting how they were mistreated, Jones pays tribute to their strength and courage. And it's an important 📖 for younger readers who still don't learn about them in school. 

On a purrrsonal note, Sunday I went on a road trip with Eugene. It gave me a chance to enjoy the vivid Maine foliage. And Eugene bought me two new Squishmallows.

A great big shout out goes out to Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Cramm This Book (YA Nonfiction)

     You gotta read a book that starts with "I was twelve years old when I decided I needed to change the world."

     It was the 2016 presidential election that provided preteen Olivia Seltzer with this epiphany. Before, although she'd watched the news with her parents she'd never felt that what she saw directly impacted her. Overnight she lost this sense of safety and security. 

     Talking to her peers she realized that very few of them read or watched traditional news, probably because it wasn't written with younger people in mind. She saw this as a very real problem. 

     "Every day, something happens in the world that impacts countless lives. And if we don't know about these things, we're doing a serious disservice to the people who most need our help."

     She began writing newsletters translating current events into generationally friendly language. Pretty soon she was reaching millions of people from over one hundred countries, many of whom were getting involved in issues that matter. And then she recognized another problem. Traditional media, writing for older people, presumes a historic background that younger people lack. And you can't understand today's events without grasping their history.

     So Seltzer, then seventeen, wrote Cramm This Book: So You Know WTF Is Going On In The World Today, a book I totally recommend for its target demographic and those beyond who don't want to be bored. Frankly I love the way Seltzer talks and I think you will too.

     Cramm This Book is divided is divided into four sections: The Isms and The Phobias  (irrational fears and biases taken to the extreme), The Wars (World War II and the conflicts it set the stage for), The Movements (from women's suffrage to Me Too and Black Lives Matter), and The Disasters (like those out of control hurricanes and wildlifes). Each chapter combines a deep dig into a major  issue with rich historical background. And although issues have their own chapters they aren't siloed due to Seltzer's grasp of intersectionality. 

     Seltzer hopes her book "forces you (readers) to reckon with not only the state of the world today, but also how and why it came to be this way. I hope it empowers you and inspires you to take the future into your own hands. 

     And, above all, I hope it gives you the insight you need to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself--and to dismantle or improve the systems that have allowed so many of our worst prejudices to continue to thrive and to impact the  forces that have caused such devastation to occur."

     Amen to that!!!

On a purrrsonal note, Olivia Seltzer would have approved of what I did Saturday. I'm a member of Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund. We raise money to help UMaine students with expenses they can't afford. We did a yard/crafts sale that raised funds as well as awareness. It was a gorgeous autumn day. We had lots of people. I got a chance to hang out with my good friend Catherine. I got some great bargains. And one vendor who gave BBMAF 50% of her profits gave me a beautiful pair of 🐢 earrings. When I got 🏡 it was warm enough to read outside near my 🌼 🌸 🌻 🌹. 

A great big shout out goes out to all who participated. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

     

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Better Than We Left It

     These days kids and teens are coming of age in a real life dystopia they can't wake up from. School has become a place where they could be mowed down by someone with a grudge and military grade weapons. For those who aren't white it could be a gateway to jail and a foreclosed future. Many of their families are just one disaster from homelessness. For many having the bare necessities is purely aspirational. Having a parent jailed could leave them trapped in the foster care system. And there's this climate change crisis.

     They're painfully aware of the precarious nature of life on Earth--certainly more aware than many, if not most adults. And they're trying desperately to turn things around only to be met with belittling disrespect from adults who believe they can't grasp and care about grown up issues--they must being used by adults with agendas.

     Is it any wonder that anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses are so on the rise in this demographic?

     With winter holidays on the way I have a perfect gift suggestion for any youth (including traditional college age) activists or potential youth activists in your life, especially those who are wondering how they can make a difference. Frederick and Porsche Joseph's Better Than We Found: Conversations to Help Save The  World. It analyzes sixteen of the world's dire crises. Unlike many supposedly similar books for adults it isn't an offering up of simple and superficial panaceas. The Josephs and their guest writers dig deep, blending cogent analysis with back story and truly stirring and engaging narratives. 

     And gifting the book could be only the beginning. You and you family (or youth group or Sunday school class etc.) Could pick an issue to discuss and do something about. And a copy of Better Than We Left It would be a most excellent gift for your local public or school library.

On a purrrsonal note, I had a truly peak experience yesterday. As a favor to a classmate, I led a lunch & learn: an interactive presentation on ageism. We had great attendance. People were deeply engaged and offering wonderful insights. We were learning together. And the lunch was delicious.

A great big shout out goes out to all who attended  and the UMaine diversity and inclusion people who hosted and publicized the event and provided the delicious food. They make me proud to be a UMaine Black Bear. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Flooded: Requiem For Johnston

     In case you haven't heard about the Johnstown Flood of 1889, it's another example of the greed of the wealthy extracting a terrible cost on the poor.

     In the middle of the 19th century an artificial lake was created on the side of a mountain towering over Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Eventually it was purchased by wealthy businessmen and an exclusive private retreat was built around it. Its waters were held back by an earthen dam badly in need of repairs...

     ...which were never made even though they had been told that if the dam gave way the unleashed waters would wipe out Johnstown...

     ...and May 31, 1889 that's what happened. A huge wall of water capable of uprooting trees and carrying houses and railroad cars swept down on the doomed town...

     ...and, of course, those whose greed and negligence were responsible for the tragedy were not held accountable. 

     Flooded: Requiem For Johnstown, narrated in free verse by an ensemble cast, is divided into three acts. In the first readers became intimately acquainted with the six young people who are featured in the narrative. In the second they see that horrific night through their eyes. In the third they experience the aftermath as told by both the living and the dead.

     I think this book should be widely read and discussed. It's a truly engaging and thought provoking narrative. And it shows that in the over a century between then and now the wealthy and powerful have not improved. Only today their greed and indifference to the plight of everyone else, especially marginalized communities, is creating the exponentially larger tragedy of climate change. And unless the rest of us find a way to stop it the whole precious world will become collateral damage. 

On a purrrsonal note, I have now read and reviewed 2,700 books on this blog in the 13 years I've been keeping it. I wonder how long it will take to get to 2,800.

A great big shout out goes out to the readers for whom I put in the work of keeping it up and the gifted and talented writers whose books 📚 I review. 

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Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned In School (YA Nonfiction)

     Ask an educator what students will learn in their years in school and you'll hear mentions of academics, life and work skills, character, civic participation, appreciation of literature, team work, and critical thinking. They probably won't mention the less desirable things kids are exposed to in their years of formal education. 

     But Tiffany Jewell reveals an inconvenient educational truth in Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned In School. As a Black, biracial child and teen she lived with an enormous elephant in the classroom--the racism that is built into so many American schools. 

     "This book is my journey through the public-school system. It includes some of my memories and some research, some facts, and some information. This book is me trying to make sense of the time I spent in school, from my first days of preschool through my college graduation. 

     This book is my coming to terms with the fact that just about everything I learned about racism I learned in school."

     Interspersed with her narrative are childhood memories of other people of color. 

*Emmanuel and his friends had their backpacks publicly searched when a white student stole some candy.

*August tells how in his school Black kids late to class were sent to the office while equally late white kids were let into the classroom. 

*On Lorena's first day of high school she and her classmates were told that half of them wouldn't make it to graduation. 

     This eloquent and indicating book is perfect for YA readers who are making great developmental strides in their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Don't be surprised if they make discoveries about the racism in their own schools. 

On a purrrsonal note I had a really beautiful weekend even though I spent it doing frustrating internship homework. The weather was sunny and the temps hit 70s. I got to hang my clothes outside. And I took my work outside near my flowers 💐 which are still lovely. I had a rare and beautiful experience. Over the couse of Saturday I got to see a magenta flower unfurl from bud to blossom. 

A great big shout out to my beautiful flowers which have provided me with so much joy through the summer and early autumn. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Forever Is Now (YA fiction)

     Mariama J. Lockington started writing Forever Is Now in June 2020. It was when we'd learned that even asymptomatic people could be carriers of a deadly contagion but a vaccine was nowhere in sight. It was when a science denying president turned a global pandemic into a political football, framing effective precautions such as masking as threatening people's constitutional rights. It was when righteous anger at documented egregious police killing of unarmed Blacks led to massive protests.

     In other words it wasn't a good time to be Black and have generalized anxiety disorder and suffer panic attacks. Lockington tells readers: "My insomnia was at its worst, my disordered thinking at an all-time high...I, like so many of us, was not okay, and I wasn't sure if I would ever be. So, as I have  often done in times of turmoil, I turned to writing to make sense of everything, to find some peace, some hope--and out came Sadie's story."

     In one day at the beginning of her summer vacation Sadie has two traumatic experiences. Her girlfriend tells that she wants to go back to being just friends. Then at a normally peaceful lake they both witness police racism and brutality. A Black woman has just saved a white woman's dog from drowning. The white woman has called the police, accusing the black woman of attempting to steal her dog. Although it's the white woman who escalates the incident with physical violence, it's the Black woman who is tackled, handcuffed, and carted off to jail. 

"No doubt, this will be all over social media 

and the news by five o'clock. 

     Another incident. 

     Another one of us 

          hurt."

     Evan, Sadie's long time ride-or-die, is going to a protest. She intends to go with him. But when she tries to descend the nine steps between her front door she's paralyzed, unable to move. 

     Sadie has become unable to leave her house. She has to pass up on her dream summer internship. 

"Nothing about this summer is turning out 

     the way I expected:

No girlfriend. 

     No internship. 

No life."

     Sadie isn't even sure she will be able to return to school when fall rolls around. But she isn't giving up. And her journey will be truly engaging--especially for the many teens coping with anxiety. 

On a purrrsonal note, I'm really looking forward to tonight. All month UMaine has been raising awareness about domestic violence. Tonight's the March Against Domestic Violence. My Amber and her husband, Brian, will be participating. I'll have a chance to spend quality time with them for a cause that really matters to all of us. 

A great big shout out goes out to all who will be participating. 

Jules Hathaway 

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The Truth About White Lies (YA fiction)

     When we speak about white lies we usually mean minor untruths, often uttered for benign reasons: I don't mind (when you really do); you look great (when she/he/they really doesn't)...  In The Truth About White Lies Olivia A. Cole gives the phrase a whole new sinister meaning.

     "With her grandmother's heart and arms too weak to lift the soil, Shania had come to help bury the dog. 

     'I think under the sycamore is best," Gram said. 'Or maybe by the willow. What do you think?'"

    Her grandmother has just told Shania we all are liars when she slumps over. An ambulance 🚑 takes her away. She never comes back. The thing she was going to tell Shania she takes to the grave.

     Months later Shania and her mother have moved from the small town she grew up in to Shh rapidly gentrifying city. She's entering Bard Academy, a snobby, exclusive private school. (Shania BTW is white). She's quite surprised when Catherine, the ultra popular (the whole school snaps "like piranhas" the words she invents) sister of the Bard golden boy, Prescott. She's even more surprised when Prescott takes a romantic interest in her.

     Shania has a part time job in Pauli's, a doughnut 🍩 shop, one of the last older stores that haven't been taken over by trendy establishments. A regular customer hopes it won't succumb. 

     "Somebody said something about some kinda designer donuts 🍩 today. Green-tea doughnuts 🍩 and bourbon this and that. Paulie's keeps it simple, and there ain't nothing wrong with that."

     Gentrification isn't the only alarming trend in the business district. Someone has been killng cats and escalates to the unsheltered population. Shania doesn't want to believe that Prescott is the killer. 

    And she may have some racist skeletons in her own family closet. Including dear old Gram.

    The Truth About White Lies is based on Cole's own "wake-up moment". A tenth grade teacher had heard her say something about reverse racism and explained why that was an imssibility. The authenticity she brings to the novel makes it well worth reading.

On a purrrsonal note, sorry about it being over a week since my last post. The week, including October "Break", was mostly spent on my laptop searching for the student conduct directors of American 4 years and universities to send my survey (for my internship research) to. I did find 447. My next possibly insurmountable hurdle is finding someone on campus with the ability and time to help me use Qualtrix to translate my written survey into an online survey and send it out.

A great big shout out goes out to the conduct directors who will hopefully respond to the surveys instead of deleting them. That is if I ever get them sent out. If by some miracle I pass this internship, which I need to to graduate 🎓 in May, I will get my first tattoo. A 🐈 😻 🐈‍⬛️ 😺 🐱 😸 of course. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Never Enough

     One day when I called the mother of one of Amber's classmates to arrange a play date. She gasped in horror. "You let Amber play? I'd expect that of the ignorant moms. But you have a college education. You should know better."

     The girls were in first grade. 

     That was in the '90s. As Jennifer Breheny Wallace tells us in Never Enough, things today are a lot worse. The pressures kids face to outperform the peers from when they're barely out of diapers have devastating consequences. "Recent national surveys of young people have shown alarming increases in the prevalence of certain mental health challenges--in 2019, one in three high school students and half of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, an overall increase of 40 percent from 2009."

     Good grades aren't enough. They have to beat out all their peers. Sports aren't enough. They have to make travel teams. Hobbies and personalities have to be curated to capture a spot in an elite university. 

     This kind of pressure coming from parents is particularly toxic because the home is where kids and teens need to feel unconditionally loved and supported. When this love feels transactional--contingent on meeting high standards--they can feel that they don't matter. 

     Try to imagine for a moment how you would feel if your love from your significant other was contingent on you always meeting high standards? 

     Wallace says that adults need to put an end to toxic achievement pressures. She provides a lot of good ideas. Never Enough is an important read for parents, teachers, and anyone else who loves and works with young people. 

On a purrrsonal note, I'm in my program to earn a degree that will qualify me to work with college undergraduates in student services. One of the best things I do is show them how much they matter. But I never anticipated how they would reciprocate until I had a stroke last fall. They were really scared. And when I returned to campus they surrounded me with love and support. Because they matter immensely to me I matter immensely to them. 

A great big shout out goes out to my precious undergrads.

Jules Hathaway 

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Briarcliffe Prep

        Flirting and getting a taste of romance are very important experiences for teens--sometimes awkward or embarrassing, but often forming cherished memories. However,  not all relationships they enter into are benign. More than we'd like to think become psychologically, physically, and sexually abusive. Victims often doubt the harm--especially if partners appear remorseful and promise never again. They may be embarrassed. Friends and family members take sides. And now that their peers have Smartphones and no hesitation about filming and posting a private nightmare can evolve into trial by social media. Too few YA novels shine a light on teen dating violence and abusive relationships. Brianna Peppins' Briarcliff Prep is a brilliant exception. 

     Avi is a first year student at Briarcliff Prep an all girl Historically Black Boarding School. It and its brother school, Preston Academy, are family traditions. In fact between the two schools she has three older siblings on campus. She's counting on her beloved fourth year sister, Belle, to help her adjust.

    There's a lot to adjust to. She's sharing a room with someone who isn't family. There's unexpected competition for the spot on the school paper she has her heart set on. A very annoying rival is making it too personal. She is very much not ready for Algebra II. And there never seems to be enough time to do everything she has to, something I can really relate to.

     But she's hit it off really well with her roommate. The two have become part of a tight best friends group. A cute boy offers to help her with math. He may have more than friends potential. 

     Belle seems to be joined at the hip with Logan, a super popular Preston athlete. They're one of their schools' golden couples. But after overhearing a heated argument and seeing evidence of abuse Avi becomes concerned and tries to extricate her from what she can see is a dangerous relationship. 

     Belle has no desire to be saved and tells Avi to stay out of her business. As their relationship crumbles Avi is faced with a terrible decision: should she step back to save their sisterhood, risking Belle's safety, or she persist, knowing the price she might have to pay?

     Peppins tackles a challenging topic within the context of relatable characters in a dynamic setting that will engage teen readers. I sure hope this perceptive and talented writer is hard at work on her second book!

On a purrrsonal note, I won't be posting as frequently for awhile. My current internship has turned out to be a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. I'm falling behind and there never seems to be enough time for everything. 

A great big shout out goes out to Peppins for her gorgeous and truly engaging debut novel. 

Jules Hathaway 

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Growing Up In Public

     When I was a child social media was not even envisioned. Pictures were taken with cameras and shared in person or by mail. Recipients were usually relatives. A total humiliation was having a parent show a cool friend or love interest a bare bottom baby picture. We may have thought we didn't have enough privacy, but we had nothing to complain about compared to today's kids. In Growing Up in Public Devorah Heitner, PhD, clues parents in on the virtual world they inhabit. 

     Heitner knows that parents have major concerns about their offspring having access to social media. They might post something embarrassing that would blow the child's or family's carefully curated image. They could  post something that gets them canceled, in trouble with their school or law enforcement, and, further down the road, denied admission to a good college or a job they have their ❤️ set on. And what about those adult predators who pretend to be peers in able to use and harm them.

     Heitner doesn't pretend these worst case scenarios never happen. They do, although to a much lesser extent than parents are led to believe. She gets why many parents try to make sure incidents never happen by instilling fear of consequences and clamping down on access.

     But she doesn't recommend those tactics. As they grow up kids are learning who they are and what they stand for. Rather than focusing on keeping them out of trouble she thinks parents would do best to help kids develop character, become their authentic selves, and really understand concepts such as boundaries and consent. 

     And she also candidly discusses the many ways in which the parent(s) can be the problem such as oversharing on a parenting blog. 

     I'd recommend Growing Up in Public to parents and professionals who have concerns about children and teens and social media. It's comprehensive and well organized. And it makes a nice balance between theory and narrative. 

On a purrrsonal note, last weekend was awesome. Friday Eugene took me to the fireworks in Old Town. They were spectacular!!! Saturday was UMaine's Friends and Family weekend. It was well attended and enjoyed by human and canine guests and their student hosts. I volunteered mostly greeting people and answering questions, petting dogs, and helping my chums, Kevin and Gwen, with the student wellness table. Volunteers were treated to lunch and snacks. And I was given a food truck voucher which I spent on ice cream 🍦.

A great big shout out goes out to all participants in Saturday's event and, of course, my one and only Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

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