The ten titles presented offered here are varied in theme but are informative and inspiring and serve as sources for rich response in the classroom. ‘Shout Outs’ should go to each and every one of these books and I predict some  of these 2021 titles will be on top ten lists / award lists by year’s end.  (note: Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki has already been deemed an award-winning book (The Marilyn Baillie best picture book prize). A list of New York Times best illustrated picture books is provided at the end of this posting. 

 

BRIGHT STAR by Yuyi Morales

The art is astonishing. The story is of the migrant experience and the impact of  border barriers is important. The Mexican-American author/illustrator weaves the tale of a fawn making her way through a desert landscape that is both beautiful and dangerous. The frightened animal is urged onward by voices that help the fawn confront her fears and obstacles (“Child you are awake. Breathe in, then breathe out, hermosa creatura, you are alive.”). Eventually, the fawn is replaced by a young girl who stares out at the reader.   From the New York Times review (11/14/2021) “Bright Star does what very few picture books can do: “captivate the child while moving the adult who is reading to her.”  A Spanish version of the book has been published under the title Lucero. 

DEAR EARTH: From your friends in Room 5 by Erin Dealey; illus. Luisa Uribe

Sometimes, when I decided to buy a picture book, i recognize it to be ‘teacher friendly’, inspiring response and modelling writing procedures. The kids in Room 5 write letters to Earth asking what they can do to help save our planet and Earth writes back, each month, offering giving information, and about being caring citizens of the environment.  This book is a useful mentor text for letter writing and can serve inspire writers in classrooms a) to write letters and b) Earth Heroes who take care of the planet. 

I WISH YOU KNEW by Jackie Azua Kramer; illus. Magdalena Mora

There are things we keep inside, that others likely don’t know about us. Sometimes we like to keep these secrets. Sometimes we’d like to share our stories, our feelings but don’t feel comfortable revealing them until we know that we can trust others. In this picture book Estrella’s father and undocumented immigrant is forced to leave his family. behind. Estrella wishes others know how these circumstances affects her at home, at school. The author, with simple poetic text, has presented a story that many readers can connect to perhaps sharing their own “I wish you knew…” thoughts. 

SHOUT OUT

OUR LITTLE KITCHEN by Jillian Tamaki

Winner of the Marilyn Baillie best picture book of the year

When jurors meet to decide on an award-winning book, It’s rather tough choosing the best.  Our Little Kitchen, the story of a mother and son who volunteer in the local soup kitchen, is a gem of book Lively illustrations, recipe instructions,  varied font size enhance the narrative. Tamaki is an illustrator and comics artist and the vibrant graphic power of this picture book comes through in speech bubbles and word display (e..g.,  Peel! Splash!, Squish!, Splash! ) A joyful and inspiring story about food, about community and about giving. Yes, deserved of an award. 

SHOUT OUT

SEA LIONS  IN THE PARKING LOT: Animals on the move in a time of Pandemic by Lenora Todaro; illus. Annika Siems

A collection of twelve fascinating, real-life stories, to educate and inspire readers to help wildlife by fighting habitat loss.  We meet Sika deer ambling around a parkland romping on a subway in Japan; flamboyant flamingos roosting in the wetlands of India;  sea turtles hatching on an abandoned beach in Brazil, mountain gorillas iin Uganda, wild boars in Haifa, and sea lions sheltering in a parking lot in Argentina.  playful and stark one-page illustrations to introduce each story, and staggering double-page spreads to accompany each story add power to this picture book.  An introduction, epilogue and notes on habitates, biomes and wildlife behaviour help to make this a top-notch nonfiction, scientific picture book, helping young people to think about becoming a citizen scientist, helping to combat climate change.  What an artful, informative and entertaining book!  

THIS IS HOW I KNOW: Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh by Brittany Luby; illus Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

A child and her grandmother explore the natural wonders of each season (wildflowers, bees, blueberries, hibernating bears, forest mushrooms, deer, birds and peepers. This book is presented as a bilingual story-poem written in Anishinaabemowin and English. A lovely tribute to childhood memories and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. The illustrators vivid colour palette and use of black outline, portray landscapes and animals from fall, winter, spring, and summer. 

UNSPEAKABLE: The Tulsa Race Masacre by Carole Boston Weatherford; illus. Floyd Cooper

On May 31st June 1st, 1921 a mob of armed white attached the thriving African American Community of Greenwood Oklahoma, looting homes, and burning business to the ground. As many as 300 African Americans were killed and in this powerful picture book, recounts what was one of the worst incidents of racial  violence in US history. Weatherford has dedicated herself to documenting events from American history to inform readers of events and figures from African American struggles.  Floyd Cooper has written and illustrated his own books (e.g., Juneteenth for Mazie, Coming Home, Jump)  but has also provided evocative illustrations for  such titles  as The Blacker the Berry (Joyce Carol Thomas), Grandpa’s Face (Eloise Greenfield)  and Frederick Douglas: The Lion Who Wrote History (Walter Dean Myers). Unspeakable was hailed by the New York Times as one of the top ten illustrated books of 2021. It is sure to be recognized on future award lists (Caldecott?). Floyd Cooper died on July 16, 2021. 

A WALK IN THE WOODS by Hudson Talbott

When growing up, the author/illustrator Hudson Talbott found reading to be HARD. A ‘slow’ reader, he eventually came to read at his own pace ‘using familiar words as stepping stones to guide him into a story.’ This autobiographical story tells the tale of a young boy, drawn to drawing stories, who felt alone and lost in a world of words. His walk into the woods of words helped young Talbott to look for words that he know, jump over words he didn’t know, and overcome a fear of reading, a world where curiosity took over, a world where he could could tell a story with pictures, searn for new words and learn to ‘paint with words’. This is a book that honours struggling, reluctant readers and their literacy journeys.

SHOUT OUT

WHAT THE KITE SAW by Anne Laurel Carter; illus. Akin Duzakin

It is war time. Soldiers fill the town and taken away the father and brothers of a young boy. who is left to stay inside his home, while tanks invade the streets.  However, at curfew time, the boy is allowed to visit the neighbourhood park and ply with his friends. One day a breeze, inspires the boy to fly kites, and so he prepares a gold-coloured, star shaped kite to dance and rise above the streets. Soon, other coloured kites rise and float until shot down by gunfire. The boy has a story about everything the kite saw.as it flew over the land. The shadowy, monochromatic art creates a mood for the story. The author notes: “This story was inspired by Palestinian children. It could take placer anywhere children love to fly kites and are threatened by war.”  A powerful  story of contrasts, of bullet sounds, a flying kite, a flying boy! 

THE WORDY BOOK by Julie Paschkis

When writing my book WORD BY WORD, I investigated many picture books that celebrated vocabulary, word collecting, and word power. In this book, artist, Julie Paschkis fills each page with words that delight and words that can be savored for their ‘sound and shape as well as for its meaning. Staggering illustrations where words are hidden within images (e.g., hovering, reverie, majesty, preyed, softening). Throughout the pages, the author poses questions to ponder (‘Does brown have a sound?’; ‘What tells me more – an if or an or?’; ‘What lies beyond beyond?’) Words that inspire , recognition and knowledge, curiosity and delight, wonder and art. I’d be surprised if this book doesn’t win recognition / awards for best illustration. I love the art, I love the design, i love the end pages, I love The Wordy Book.

 

Each fall, the New York times publishes a list of TEN BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOKS, judged purely on the basis of artistic merit. Here are the winners listed in the NY Times book section, November 14, 2021 (i only own ONE of these titles)

(If they’d  ask Dr. Larry:  Sea Lions in the Parking Lot by Lenora Todaro; illus. Annika Siems , The Wordy Book by Julie Paschkis, Bright Star by Yuyi Morales, Wishes by Muo Thi Van or anything by Julie Flett! We All Play; On the Trapline)

 

I Am the Subway written and illustrated by Kim Hyo0-Eun

It Fell from the Sky written and illustrated by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

Keeping the City Going written and illustrated by Brian Floca

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess written and illustrated by Tom Gauld

The Night Walk written and illustrated by Marei Dorleans

The Other Side of the Forest by Nadine Robert; illus. Gerard DuBois

Time is a Flower written and illustrated by Julie Morstad

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford; illus. Floyd Cooper

Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge by Raul the Third, colors by Elaine Bay

While You’re Sleeping by Mick Jackson; illus.John Broadley

 

The twelve picture books listed below are all Canadian, several published in the last couple of years. Acceptance is the key theme of these books whether its about puffins, sneezing cows, a little red shed or kids who are nervous about fitting in to a new school, a new home. 

 

ATLANTIC PUFFIN: Little Brother of the North by Krisin Bieber Domm; illus. Jeffrey C. Domm

I purchased this book during a recent trip to Newfoundland at the end of August, in preparation for a trip to a puffin colony in the Bonavista Peninsula. This book is filled with information about this amazing bird and is a good example of fact-filled nonfiction picture books. (Alas, the puffins had already headed out to the Atlantic for the winter and I only saw a few flying overhead on the rock. (Puffins webbed feat aand beak turn orange in the spring; Puffins eat a lot of capelin, herring and sand lance; Puffins have a bathroom in their burrows which the young use in an area near the front of the tunnel).

THE COW SAID BOO by Lana Button; illus. Alice Carter (2021)

When Cow catches a cold, her familiar “Moo” sounded like a “Boooooo!” through her stuffy nose. When Cow gets entangled in a clothesline her animal friends mistake Cow for a ghost and run away from her. An amusing, rhythmic barnyard adventure.

GREETINGS LEROY by Itah Sadu; illus. Alix Delinois

When his family moves to North America, Roy sends an email to his friend, Leroy,  back in Jamaica, describing his new home and his nervous feelings about coming to a new school. A celebration of making new friends – and of Bob Marley. 

HELLO, DARK by Wai Mai Wong; Illus Tamara Campeau

To help overcome his fear of the dark, a little boy, re-imagines bedtime darkness as a new friend by talking to it “I hear the creaks you make around the house.” / “The starry sky and moon shines brightly thanks to you.”  A book that will likely bring comfort to many youngsters, who too might be afraid of the dark.

THE HOMESICK CLUB by Libby Martinez illus. Rebecca Gibbon

Monica misses her home in Boliva. Hanna misses her home in Israel. The two become friends and form The Homesick Club to build connections from those who have come from far away (including their teacher). 

SHOUT OUT: A KID IS A KID IS A KID by Sara O’Leary; illus. Qin Leng (2021)

Being the new kid in school can be hard. The children in this school are bewildered by the questions that come their way (Are you a boy or a girl? Where do you come from? Why are you so small? Why was your sister born different?) and hope that their classmates will learn about the important and interesting things about themselves. Told with simple, text accompanied by lively playful illustrations this title is one of a favourite new acquisition. It will be the first picture book I will read to my grad class entitled Play, Language and Learning and I look forward to sharing it in classrooms to help students think about differences and acceptance. The dynamic duo who wrote A Family is a Family is a Family have given us another picture book gem. Love it!

LISTEN UP! TRAIN SONG by Victoria Allenby (2021)

A celebration of trains, with vivid photographs=, rhymes and sounds that sing of the railroad (Whooosh! Swooosh! / Rattle-Tattle, Rattle-tattle; Hisss! Fissss!)

THE LITTLE RED SHED by Adam and Jennifer Young; illus. Adam Young

Once white, the little red shed, her fellow sheds thought she being different and didn’t belong. Little Red Shed sets out on an ocean voyage and comes upon a whale, a new friend who helps her see how special she really is. A story from Newfoundland that celebrates differences.

MALAIKA’S SURPRISE by Nadia L. Hohn; illus. Irene Luxbacher (2021)

The creators of Malaika’s Winter Carnival reintroduce the charming Malaika Who enjoys playing carnival.  When she learns that her mother is expecting a baby, Malika is worried that she might be forgotten. A kind new school friend helps Malaika deal with her fears,

MY FRIEND by Elisa Amado; illus. Alfonso Ruano

A young girl moves from Mexico to Brooklyn and makes a new ‘best’ friend who she then invitees to dinner with her family. At dinner, the guest feels somewhat uncomfortable with exposure to new cultural experiences.  A story about fitting in and about being true to who you are. . 

ON THE LINE by Kari-Lynn Winters; illus. Scot Ritchie (2021)

The Moore family is best known for producing hockey heroes in their small town. But young Jackson feels like a potato on skates and feels that he doesn’t live up to the Moore reputation. But hockey heroes can be more than goal-scorers as Jackson finds out with a game plan to help his team who is at risk of losing the tournament with a shortage of equipment. A delightful story.

VIOLET SHRINK by Christine Baldacchino; illus. Carmen Mok

Many young readers will empathize and sympathize with Violet who is anxious about being in crowds with others. With a family reunion fast approaching Violet needs courage to join the party. 

 

The list of ten titles below provides quite a range of settings and plots – and characters, i.e., A member of Hitler youth, an Indigenous orphan, a mediaeval heroine, a ultra-shy tweenager, a Muslim boy who is a robot fanatic, a megamonstger, a fantasy (real?) friend. 

SHOUT OUT

UNDER THE IRON BRIDGE by Kathy Kacer

Kathy Kacer is a very special author who brings Holocaust history to today’s middle-age+ readers. She does her research. She is an expert storyteller. Kathy Kacer is a model author of historical fiction.  The setting of this book is Dusseldorf, Germany 1938. The story is centred on Paul who is under pressure to join the Hitler Youth which challenges his ethical beliefs and leads to some decisions that has an impact on those who are important to him including school friends, parents and Jews. Kacer presents the true story of the rebel group known as the Edelweiss Pirates  who were set out to undermine Nazi t power. Kacer has written over 20 books that focus on stories of the Holocaust ( The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, The Brave Princess and Me, The Brushmaker’s Daughter, Broken Strings (with Eric Walters). I’m so fond of this new book, not only because it emotionally took me into the history and cruelty of Nazi threats but it was a story of taking the courage to stand up and fight for what you believe in, a theme that resonates for today’s and tomorrow’s generation.  “I am a passionate advocate for stories about the Holocaust. I think the lesson we can learn – lessons about hatred and power, but also lessons about compassion, strength, and selflessness – are lessons for the ages?” (from Teaching Tough Topics, 2020, page 69)

THE BARREN GROUNDS: BOOK ONE of THE MISEWA SAGA by David A. Robertson

Publisher’s synopsis: Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle-grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home — until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Askí, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything — including them.

THE BEATRYCE PROPHECY by Kate DiCamillo; illus. Sophie Blackall

I only need to see Kate DiCamillo’s name on a book cover to know that I’m in for a good read. I’m so fond of her books (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Raymie Nightingale, The Tale of Desperaux, Flora and Ulysses) that I looked forward – and enjoyed reading this new novel, where a goat has to look out for herself and the wounded child in her care. Beatryce is a young girl hunted by the prophecy of a king that who feels threatened by being unseated by her. A cast of characters, (A timid monk, an orphan boy, a bearded stranger) a part of the tale of discovery, tragedy and love. “Love her is built on the deceptively simple belief that other beings in the world are fully our equals, sharing the same inherent worth, with as much right to life and joy, – with sorrow a certain outcome for us all.” (Naomi Novik, New York Times, review, Sept 19, 2021). I agree with the  Novik’s review when she says that Beatryce, ‘both the character and the book, are easy to love’. As is the author, Kate DiCamillo. 

BLACK BOY JOY (edited by Kwame Mbalia) (short stories)

A collection of 17 stories celebrating black boyhood, each written by an acclaimed Black male author. Stories include a nonbinary gender reveal, an intergalactic adventure, first love composing a song, a tribute to black boy joy told in graphic stylec and a jar filled with bubbles of joy to be spread around. 

50 WAYS TO SCORE A GOAL: And other football poems by Brian Bilston (poetry)

A collection of  60 funny, informative and whacky poems about those who are enamoured with football (i.e. SOCCER) and/or POETRY. I’m fond of this poet’s work and very pleased he’s published an appealing anthology for young readers. An array of rhyming and non-rhyming poetic forms. Some poem titles: Football is…;  Keepie-Uppies; A Ball Speaks Out; Every Day is Like a Cup Final Lucky Bobble Hat and 11 Football Haikus….

We’ve signed a legend.

He is half-human, half horse.

Plays centaur forward. 

HOME HOME by Lisa Allen-Agostini (ages 12+)

Fourteen year old Kayla suffers from clinical depression and anxiety disorder. After being hospitalized for a suicide attempt in Trinidad, her mother sends her daughter to Canada where she lives with her lesbian Aunt and her partner.  Life in Edmonton is very different for this black girl but a loving family, new friends and counselling give Kayla hope for a better future as well as a resistance to return Home Home to a life and culture she is accustomed to. This short novel (149 pages) is a powerful story that exposes Mental Health Issues through the eyes of an adolescent who suffers from anxiety attacks.

THE KALEDIOSCOPE by Brian Selznick

There’s no doubt that Brian Selznick is one of the most dazzling illustrators of children’s literature, renowned for his heavily visual books (The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruick, The Marvels).  His images interweave fantasy and reality worlds. Kaleidoscope is a collection of 24 short stories, each no more than 8 pages, each a memory, each a mystery, each a dream (correct me if I’m wrong but the word ‘dream’ appears in each (all) of the narratives. The book is divided into three sections, Morning, Afternoon, Evening but those divisions don’t particularly seem to add to the sequencing of narrative events.  I was a somewhat frustrated trying to relate the stories to one another and didn’t really settle in to what Selznick was attempting until I encountered the second section (Afternoon). A character named James, beloved by the narrator provides a link to the tales, but did James really exist? Is he a fantasy friend? Surprise magical events, many questions, left to be answered by the reader’s mind and imagination.  For me,  Kaleidoscope  stands on the shoulders of the brilliant The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg who presented staggering black and white images accompanied only by a title and one line of text. In this collection, each story is introduced by an enlarged kaleidscopic black and white design fragment (no colour needed) followed by a pictoral image related to the tale to be told (e.g. a key, a sliced apple, a tunnel gate, an angel.  Unlike, Van Allsburg, Selznick gives us stories to accompany his art and chapter titles which provide invitation enough to step into imagined worlds: A Trip to the Moon; The Spirit Machine; The Last Time it Happened; The Museum, The Lightning-Struck Tree; The Book of Dreams, The Mind of God.

Author’s Note

As I worked, certain themes and images kept reappearing: Gardens and butterflies, apples, angels, fires, trees, friendship, islands, keys, shipwrecks, grief and love. That’s why I decided to call this new version of the book Kaleidoscope, because each of these elements, like a bit of colored glass, turn and transform and rearrange themselves into something new. And like looking into a kaleidoscope, the view is alway changing and only you can see it.”

LILY’S PROMISE by Kathryn Erskine

Lily is a very shy, anxious 11 year=old who made a promise to her dying father to ‘Strive for Five’ to stand up and speak up five times because he said that each time, it would get easier. After being homeschooled Lily attends public school and the experience will test her courage – and promise. Newfound friends, curling-loving Hobart and recently-immigrated, Dunya,  give Lily support and hope as she is challenged to find a place to belong, even with the threats of the school bully. Kathryn Erskine not only provides a narrative of mental well-being, but deals with Islamophobia, the immigrant experience (Dunya’s father was a translator in Afghanistan), poverty, and social relationships of pre-adolescent students. The school election takes up the final portion of the story. A clever device the author introduces is that of the character of LIBRO who comments on the way the author tells the story. Libro’s metacognitive observations are interwoven between each of the novel’s narrative chapters.  Lily’s Promise good example of realistic fiction of the times as well as universal insights into the desire to be included and stand up for what you believe in. 

MEGAMONSTER by David Walliams

David Walliams has a formula to his books.  That’s not a bad thing.  Preposterous, ludicrous, wild characters caught in preposterous, ludicrous wild adventures. The setting of THE CRUEL SCHOOL with cruel teachers provides a backdrop for hilarious and some would say thrilling events that include, a secret cave, a Monsterfication Machine, sharks, lava, an evil cat, a lady in a drawer, and a  giant, green stick Bogey Man and a Monster Gang (Dino Girl, Giant Jelly, Meteor Man, Glug Monster, Atomic Amoeba).  The plot: Larker is determined to  take on Megamonster save  Cruel School students from the wicked Doctor Doktur.  Fun fonts, lively, thrilling Tony Ross illustrations,  fast-paced dialogue and gross ingredients are part of the Walliams formula. This one wasn’t my favourite.. but I’m eager to read whatever comes next from the Walliams and associates. 

SHOUT OUT 

YUSUF AZEEM IS NOT A HERO by Saadia Faruqi

Yusuf, a young Muslim Boy lives in a small town in Texas and living in a small town in Texas is not always easy. As he begins Middle School, he is assaulted with hate messages in his locker. You suck says one note: Go home says another. Who would do this? Why? Yusuf and his family (his father runs a dollar store) just want to live peacefully amongst their neighbours but The Patriot Sons are determined to take back the town; to take back the country. How should the Muslim community revolt against those who want them to “Go Home” when America is their home? Yusuf’s involvement in the regional robotics competition lifts shows him to be a committed, collaborative student. Saadia Faruqi introduces a journal written by Yusuf’s uncle describing the fears and anxieties of Muslims following the 9/11 terrorist attack. Journal entries, which are spread throughout the novel, help Yusuf to learn about history and to understand that hatred has been and continues to be a part of society. This book is highly recommended to learn about the culture and identity of Muslims and the shadow and threat of Islamophobia. 

 

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NOTE: The following list  of recommended was prepared to accompany a webinar presntation on October 4, 2021 for the Association of Jewish Librarians – Canada. Panel included, Sydell Waxman , Larry Swartz, Kathy Kacer.

COMBATING ANTISEMITISM THROUGH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Monday October 4, 2021

AJL-CANADA /Website: http://www.ajl-canada.org/

 

Presenters

KATHY KACER / info@kathykacer.com

LARRY SWARTZ / larry.swartz@utoronto.ca / WEBSITE: Dr. Larry Recommends

SYDELL WAXMAN / sydellbw@gmail.com

 

STORIES Of ANTISEMITISM

 

Changing the Pattern by Sydell Waxman

The Incident at Massena by Saul S. Friedman

Jacob and the Mandolin Adventure by Anne Dublin

My Mannequins  by Sydell Waxman, illustrated by Patty Gallinger

Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon, illustrated by Mark Siegel

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, illustrated by P.J. Lynch

 

PICTURE BOOKS: Jewish Identity and Culture

 

The Chanukah Noel: A true story by Sharon Jennings; Illus. Gillian Newland

Chicken Soup, Chicken Soup by Pamela Mayer; illus. Deborah Melman

Chik Chak Shabbat by Mara Rockliff; illus. Kyrsten Brooker

Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco

Saving Lady Liberty by Claudia Friedell; illus. Stacy Innerst

 

ANTISEMITISM:  Middle Years Fiction (ages 11-14) 2021

 

Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh

The Good War by Todd Strasser

Linked by Gordon Korman

Wednesday Wars Gary D. Schmidt (2007)

What We’re Scared Of by Keren David

 

KATHY KACER: Recent Titles

 

The Brave Princess and Me, illus. Juliana Kolesova (picture book: Second Story Press)

Broken Strings (with Eric Walters) (Penguin Random House)

The Brushmaker’s Daughter (Second Story Press)

Louder than Words (Annick Press)

Under the Iron Bridge (Second Story Press)

 

OTHER

 The Poisonous Mushroom (Der Giftpitz) (1938) by Ernest Heimer; illus. Philipp Rupprecht (Nazi Propoganda)

Teaching Tough Topics: How do I use children’s literature to build a deeper understanding of social justice, equity, diversity by Larry Swartz (Pembroke Publishers)

 

 

I tried to catch up on the batch of grown-up books that have been staring at me over the year. Summer holidays and a vacation to Newfoundland provided me with a range of fiction, nonfiction, poetry (and one middle-years’ title) that carried me throughout August (and a bit into September)

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SHOUT OUT: Learned a wonderful word that was featured in Brian Bilston’s poetry collection Alexa, what is there to know about love?

TSUNDOKU

(noun, Japanese: the act of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one’s home without reading them.)

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August 1: HOLA PAPI by John Paul Brammer

John Paul Brammer has a very popular advice column “Hola Papi” where he gives advice to young queer (and some straight) people. Brammer questions his authority to help others. The 15 chapters in this book take us through the author’s journey as a biracial Mexican American, closeted youth in Oklahoma to many hookups and love affairs (many through the Grindr app). This autobiography provides the author with the opportunity to tell stories about his past and his becoming the person he wants to be. In answering questions that come his way in his capacity as a professional advice-giver to LGBTQ people (How do I let go of a rotten relationship? How do I become more confident in my identity? Brammer analyzes his own life and views of the world as he attempts to find answers to questions drawn from his own questions, aspirations, relationships. I think this book has a specific audience, i.e. those who would want to write a letter to an LGBTQ advice columnist. That’s not a bad thing. 

August 2: ALEXA, WHAT IS THERE TO KNOW ABOUT LOVE? Brian Bilson

In this slim collection of poetry (89 pages), Brian Bilston shares his views about love (And other things) in very very funny, and very very brilliant word play poems, each about a page in length. Whether one is a poetry lover or not, we tend to find pleasure when we ‘get’ what is being said and with each of these poems you quite gasp at the clever use of words and poetic form.Bilson, the author of You Took the Last Bus Home (loved it!) is a word magician. I was great that I got the joke in each of the 52 poems (or at least 50 of them!). Here’s a taste from a poem called ‘Lonely Hearts’

Woman, thrice widowed,
seeks man for love, sex, marriage
and possibly more.

Herb-loving woman
looking to find her Basil.
No thyme-wasters, please.

Haiku debutante,
with a fondness for rambling,
would like to meet a

August 4: BATH HAUS by P.J. Vernon

Oliver decides to cheat on his partner/’husband’.  The adventure in the Bath Haus ends up with being strangled and with bruise marks clearly evident Oliver ends up telling lies… and lies.. and lies to protect himself and to hold on to his picture-perfect partnership with Nathan, a surgeon.  I haven’t read a thriller in a long time, and as the plot unravelled and escalates with twists, sex capades and threats, i found myself immersed in gripping read, intriguing until the very end. 

 

SHOUT OUT

August 7: PUTTING IT TOGETHER: How Stephen Sondheim created Sunday in the Park With George by James Lapine (Nonfiction)

I am a fan of Stephen Sondheim’s work. Sunday in the Park with George is at the top of the list of my favourites of his. It’s certainly in the top five favourites of my theatre-going career. The cast album featuring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters would be desert island choice of music favourites.  I’ve been lucky enough to have seen a number of productions of this Pulitzer Prize winning play.  I weep / get goose bumps whenever I get to see a performance. Those goose-bumps reappeared as I read this staggering document of the making of this musical masterpiece, bringing George Seurat’s masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte to life. Told mostly through transcribed interviews with the cast and creative team and producers of the musical from it’s inception off-broadway to its broadway run of 604 performances, James Lapine, who wrote the book and directed the musical  details the agony and ecstasy  of putting it together, bit by bit. It’s hard not to quote Sondheim but the journey of this piece puts readers inside the experience of understanding that ‘Art Isn’t Easy’ . Definitions of dedication, sweat, perseverance, collaboration, revision, creativity, invention, reinvention, resilience and art-making are illuminated within this story of theatre-making. Standing ovation – and goosebumps – from me, Mr. Lapine. And of course to Mr. Sondheim. And  of course to George Seurat.  I so look forward to reading this book again, but in the meanwhile, I have the CD to keep me company. BONUS:  The script version of the play is presented in the final third of the book. 

August 8: POEMS BORN IN BERGEN-BELSEN by Menachem Rosenaft (Poetry)

Menachem Rosenaft, the son of two Holocaust survivors,  is a member of the World Jewish Congress and teachers about the law of genocide at Columbia and Cornell universities. Rosenaft was born in the Displaced Persons camp of Bergen-Belsen in Germany.  This collection of 82 poems, some very short, none more than 2 pages, portray the horrors of genocide, prejudice and hatred. Especially poignant are poems paying tribute to his five-and-a half-year old brother who was separated from their mother and murdered in a Birkenau gas chamber. This anthology deserves prominence in Holocaust literature through anger and through sensitivity, through powerful imagery , imagery and deep emotion,  often directed towards God. (excerpt: You who sits in heaven/ hide Your eyes/ as forever tortured soulds/ become immortal/ in the shadow of charred bones/ unpurged of their crucible/ still reeking of zykon-b...)

August 12: GODSPEED by Nickolas Butler

Every since reading Shotgun Lovesongs, I have been a fan of Nickolas Butler’s work and was pleased to dig into the author’s recent release. Butler stories seem to be about male bonding (straight male bonding) and about particular American landscapes. Godspeed is the Story of  Teddy, Bart and Cole who form a company called True Triangle Construction.  They are hired Gretchen, by a very beautiful, very enigmatic and very wealthy to complete an architectural masterpiece in the mountains of Jackson, Wyoming.  For reasons not made evident, the project must be completed in a matter of months. The trio is lured to meet the challenge because it promises a huge bonus that will change their reputations and their lives. Will they complete the project by designated deadline? And at what costs. The mystery behind the project, architectural details, the personal risk-taking for each of these men (one single, one divorced, one married) as well  (spoiler alert) violent and traumatic episodes  of Butler’s  narration makes this a compelling read. 

SHOUT OUT: August 21

SHUGGIE BAIN by Douglas Stuart

The writing is staggering. The story is harrowing. For certain, the best book I’ve read this year, sure to be #1 on my favourites. I’ve. been ‘warned’ that this book is very sad, and there is no doubt that the details of Agnes Baines alcoholism is heart-wrenching and the struggles of working-class families in 1980’s Glasgow is startling. But young Shuggie Bain adores his mother and even when his mother’s life and his family is on the brink of collapse,  Shuggie clings to  a sense of pride that  bring a flash of hope to the darkness. Each of the 32 chapters reads like a short story, and if there was ever a discussion about making this book shorter, I can’t think of one chapter that would be considered for elimination.  Yes, a masterpiece. 

two excerpts from page 346

“… he looked like a half-shut penknife, a thing that could be sharp and useful, that was instead closed and waiting and rusting.” 

“When he went to the house, she was snoring in that thick ay he had come to despise. He knew her head was backwards off the edge of the bed, and that her larynx was struggling to cope under the clogged bile of last night’s drink>”

Winner of the 2020 Booker Prize

This was the 200th book I’ve read since Lockdown, March 2020.

August 30 A TRAVELLER AT THE GATES OF WISDOM by John Boyne

Boyne is a favourite author, and once again he entertains in this inventive narrative that spans the course of two thousand years. Characters that we meet in the opening chapter appear in alternate, but familiar, identities in each of the stories that move from A.D. 1 Palestine to  A.D. 2016, Palestine. Each chapter is about 8 pages in length, reads like a short story,  each filled with details of time and place and culture; craftsmanship, lust, and revenge. Around the world in 447 pages,  50 chapters,  Oh how clever you are, Mr. Boyne. 

September 2: UNDER THE IRON BRIDGE by Kathy Kacer

Kathy Kacer is a very special author who bringing Holocaust history to today’s middle-age+ readers. She does her research. She is an expert storyteller. Kathy Kacer is a model author of historical fiction.  The setting of this book is Dusseldorf< Germany 19=38. The story is centred on Paul who is under pressure to join the Hitler Youth which challenges his ethical beliefs and leads to some decisions that has an impact on those who are important to him including school friends, parents and Jews. Kacer presents the true story of the rebel group known as the Edelweiss Pirates  who were set out to undermine Nazi t power. Kacer has written over 20 books that focus on stories of the Holocaust ( The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, The Brave Princess and Me, The Brushmaker’s Daughter, Broken Strings (with Eric Walters). I’m so fond of this new book, not only because it emotionally took me into the history and cruelty of Nazi threats but it was a story of taking the courage to stand up and fight for what you believe in, a theme that resonates for today’s and tomorrow’s generation.  “I am a passionate advocate for stories about the Holocaust. I think the lesson we can learn – lessons about hatred and power, but also lessons about compassion, strength, and selflessness – are lessons for the ages?” (from Teaching Tough Topics, 2020, page 69)

September 5: THE GUNCLE by Steven Rowley

When their mother passes away, 6 year old Grant and 9 year old Maisie become the ward of gay uncle (Guncle) Patrick who 8s well-settled into being a retired television celebrity living a rather rich life in Palm Springs California. Patrick sets out to help his niece and nephew deal with their grief (and his own) and along the way provide. provide them with some cultural knowledge, gay and/or otherwise.  Patrick Dennis book Auntie Mame delighted me in my younger days as I yearned for an adventurous life that Auntie Mame offered her nephew. This book is somewhat comparable but I wasn’t enamoured with this book that seemed at times unbelievable’ and I didn’t have as much fun as the trio seemed to be having. At times when Rowley seems to reach for an emotional grasp, his narrative changes course (infatuation, a proposed comeback, family reconciliations,  partying). I wanted to like this book. I didn’t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is quite a mix of intentions with the eleven picture book titles listed below with such focus topics as wishes, a doll, the sea, the wind, skin colour, art, war and YOU!

 

Shout Out! BE YOU! Peter H. Reynolds

The perfect picture book  giving simple and poignant advice:  Be ready…Be curious…Be adventurous…Be Connected… Be Persistent…Be different…Be kind.. Be understanding…Be brave…etc. This book will be on the bestseller list for many years ahead, sitting alongside Dr. Seuss’s, Oh The Places You’ll Go! and Sandra Boynton’s Yay You! .  Dear Mr. Reynolds… Always be as terrific as you’ve always been. 

THE BOY AND THE SEA by Camille Andros; illus. Amy Bates

What are your memories of going to the sea? What are some special times you’ve spent with a grandparent? Did you ever find yourself thinking about the meaning of life? This is a beautiful beautiful picture book. A rather meditative, somewhat sophisticated journey through the stages of life. Andros tells  the life journey of a curious boy who lived by the sea and who imagined all that he might be come, as a teen, as a parent as a grandpa. It is the waves and whispers of the sea the boy listened to throughout his life to help answer questions about dreams, love and being. (“The boy liked to think, and often his thoughts turned into questions,. Some of his questions had answers.”) The simplicity of the text andAmy Bates’ blue and green watercolour palette, help to make this a contemplative artifact, that bears repeated visits. 

A CHANUKAH NOEL by Sharon Jennings; illus. Gillian Newland (2010)

In a small town in France, Charlotte, a young Jewish girl longs to celebrate Christmas and join in the spirit of the town as they prepare for the holidays.  Collette Levert and her family can’t afford to partake in the festivities and when Charlotte learns of this, she convinces her parents to prepare a Christmas meal for the Leverts.  Together the girls experience the joysof both Christmas and Chanukah and sharing, A beautiful story of kindness, acceptance and kindness. 

THE COLORS WE SHARE by Angelica Dass

The artist presents a gallery of photographs to shine a light on the skin we live in.  The background for each portrait is matched to the skin colour of the person’s nose using the colour palette called Pantone. The word Pantone followed by a series of numbers an letters below each picture is featured throughout. This picture book is representative of a world-wide Humane project to question the concept of race and show that skin colour is much more complex than assigned categories. (“Even though it seems like we’re talking about color, we’re really talking about how we see each other and what we believe about others based on the color of their skin. This beautifully graphic picture book is complex in its simplicity in helping readers think about Skin, Race and Differentiation 

THE DOLL by Nhung N Tran-Davies; illus. Ravy Puth

A refugee family (Boat People) travels across the world to find safety in a new home. They are greeted by strangers, and the young girl in the family is given a doll. Decades later, the little girl has grown up and welcomes a group of refugees to their newly adopted country. Remembering the kindness once given to her, the girl passes the doll, with rose-sweet lips, on to a little girl, knowing that it will bring comfort, knowing that it is an artifact of welcome and kindness. Based on the author’s experiences, Nhung’s doll is now on display at the Canadian Museum of Immigration, Pier 21, Halifax. A heartwarming story that illuminates the notion of ripples of kindness. 

GA’S THE TRAIN by Jodie Callaghan: translated by Joe Wilmot; illus. Georgia Leslie

When Ashley meet her great uncle by the old train tracks near their community, he tell her the story of the days in the past, when he and other children were taken on the train to a residential school, thus changing their lives forever. The book written in both Mi’gmaw and English was the winner of the Second Story Press Indigenous Writing Contest.

MY ART WORLD by Rita Winkler

Rita, a young woman living with Down syndrome takes readers into her world through vivid paintings and words. Rita enthusiastically lives each day fully, taking yoga and folk dancing classes, participating in drama and music programs and working at a university coffee. Rita’s joyous art and inspiring story certainly warms the heart and brings smiles to any reader.

WAR by Jose Jorge Letria; illus. Andre Letria

With spare text (“War takes on the brutal shape of all our fears.” / “War feeds on hate, ambition and spite.” and powerful monochromatic visual images, this picture book (for older readers), raises questions and invites discussion about the causes and impact of WAR. A quote from Deborah Ellis states “If children are old enough to be bombed they are old enough to read about it.”

WINDY DAYS by Deborah Kerbel; illus. Miki Sata

The author salutes the fun and energy of days where the wind blows and tree branches, tap, geese take flight leave dance, and turbines flow. Told in rhythmic couplets (“Gusting wind: Whoosh and whirl / Flags a-flutter, pinwheels curl.”) that highlight the sounds and sights of windy weather, with vibrant collage illustrations this is an engaging book to share with young children as they think about the outdoors and the wind… in any season.  Hats off to Windy Days!!(pun intended)

SHOUT OUT: UNSTOPPABLE: WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES 

by Helen Wolfe; illus. Karen Patakou

What a beautiful beautiful collection of biographies about women from around the world who share their stories about living with disabilities. The ten women in this book talk about challenges in the environment, employment, education, policies and social attitudes they’ve encountered that make it problematic to live a full life,  Moreover, each word-portraits shines a light on determination to tell others know about their physical and emotional world. Whether these women were born with their disabilities or were born able-bodied and suddenly becoming disabled, these are stories of using a wheelchair of living with cerebral palsy, or autism, losing sight and hearing, or limbs these lives are linked together by bravery, achievement and carrying-on determination. Bravo to Karen Patkaus’  full page illustrations of capturing the spirti and smiles of these beautiful women. Wow! to educator Helen Wolf for these remarkable portraits of women, who without a doubt are UNSTOPPABLE. 

WISHES by Mu’o’n Thi Van: illus. Victo Ngai

The story of a refugee family who is forced to leave their homeland and travel to an unknown place. Each wish, expressed from the point of view of an inanimate object serves as a testimony to resilience and hope. (The clock wished it was slower. The path wished it was shorter. The boat wished it was bigger. The sea wished it was calmer). In the end a young girl is hopeful when arriving she sees a new land, a new beginning, a new place called home awaiting her and her family.  Full-page art spreads and simple poetic text make this a powerful and poignant portrayal of the migrant experience. 

A mixture of fiction, some more suitable for young adolescents. Interesting that three books have text to text connections with hate messages (e.g. anti-semitism).  (What We’re Scared Of; Linked: Most of the titles have something in common by presenting  race and cultural diversity (Chunky:Home Home; Finding June Kim; Once Upon an Eid: Stamped (nonfiction).  I admired each of the characters in each of the novels, because they helped to illuminate the challenges and stresses (and joys) of growing up and finding a place of belonging within family and home.  The nonfiction title Stamped, is a very important read! 

 

HOME HOME by Lisa Allen-Agostini (ages 12+)

Fourteen year old Kayla suffers from clinical depression and anxiety disorder. After being hospitalized for a suicide attempt in Trinidad, her mother sends her daughter to Canada where she lives with her lesbian Aunt and her partner. Life in Edmonton is very different for this black girl but a loving family, new friends and counselling give Kayla hope for a better future as well as a resistance to return Home Home to a life and culture she is accustomed to. This short novel (149 pages) is a powerful story that exposes Mental Health Issues through the eyes of an adolescent who suffers from anxiety attacks.

WHAT WE’RE SCARED OF by Karen David (ages 12+)

British author, Karen David has written centred on young teenagers dealing with Anti-Semitism. 14-year old twin sisters, very unalike in attitudes and outlooks on life,  are the protagonists of the novel. Tehy share a home life with an unspoken Jewish background that drives the story foreword, particularly when experiencing online trolling, physical anti-Semitic attacks and disturbing conspiracy theories.  One twin, Evie, eventually learns of their mother’s Jewish origin but initially refuses o make Judaism part of her life. The other sister, Lottie, makes friends iwth a Jewish friend at school and is motivated to learn about and embrace Jewish ways of life.  Towards the end of the book, David includes the real-life experiences of Mala Tribich, one of Britain’s best-known Holocaust survivors in the novel. Tribich’s story is told as a speech presented to a crowd at a Museum. What We’re Scared of is an extremely engaging read that can help Jewish teens feel proud about their Jewish identity. For non-Jewish readers, David writes “I’d like to create allies and have people think about anti-Semitism, and educate themselves about Israel and Judaism. There is so much ignorance. And there are also bigger questions about what fear does to us. Fear create prejudice and anxiety – and we don’t like to talk about it very much.”  Highly recommended. 

Shout out!   LINKED by Gordon Korman

Chapter one of this book opens with the startling news that a swastika has been painted on the walls of a small town middle school. Who would do such a hateful thing? How will the tolerance programs help students understand that “THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HATE.”  The chapters in Linked tell the story through the different viewpoints of a number of grade 7 students who are trying to figure out what is happening in their community when more and more swastikas appear. One character, Lincoln Rowley (Link)  is determined to help his classmates get to the truth of what is happening and to past crimes of white supremacy . Learning about his Jewish past and planning to have his bar mitzvah makes Link a sympathetic character. The title of the book not only refers to Link but to a dedicated project to create a paper chain of 6 million links to represent the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Korman writes that the book was inspired by the famous 1998 Paper Clips Project from Whitewell Middle School in Whitwell Tennessee. Will the culprit(s) get caught? What will their punishment? Will the community work together to complete what seems a mammoth task? Where will the school get supplies and find space to display the chain? Will Link learn enough to have a proper Bar Mitzvah? How will news spread beyond the community? How will the appearance of a popular vlogger help to solve the problem? How do we conquer hate? Will a mission to find dinosaur bones be successful? Mr. Korman tells an important story about heritage, defamation, and respect. Mr. Korman you write great books!. 

TOO BRIGHT TO SEE by Kyle Lukoff

In this slim (188 page) novel we meet Bug a young girl who lives with her mother in a small community. At the beginning of the book, we learn that  Bug’s Uncle Roderick has has passed away , and Bug deals with her grief by having fond memories and lessons of her uncle, once a drag queen.  Roderick cannot be easily forgotten, especially Bug encounters ghosts in her household that she is sure are trying to communicate with her. It is summertime and as Bug meets up with her good friend Moira who is interested in makeup and boys, which doesn’t intrigue Bug and so she begins to question her identity.  As it turns out Uncle Roderick is advising Bug to be true to thines elf and for Bug this means understanding that she should live her life as a boy. Stories about ghosts and ouija boards don’t particularly excite me but I was intrigued to learn how gender fluidity is presented in this novel. This important theme is merely hinted at as the story unfolds and the big understanding and reveal doesn’t emerge until the final section of the book. In the author’s note, Kyle Lukoff answers the question: ‘What’s it about?’ by writing”it’s a ghost story! It’s about a kid named Bug, her uncle – I mean, his uncle – uh, wait so their uncle – um.” Gender fluidity is addressed in this novel but this questioning quietly meanders throughout much of the book.  Lukoff says”: This book “is about a kids being haunted by the ghost of their dead uncle into figuring out something important”. Enough said. 

CHUNKY by Yehudi Mercado (graphic autobiography)

Based on the author’s experiences growing up, this graphic story takes us into the life of Hudi whose parents were concerned about him losing weight, pushing him into try out for different sports. The book is divided into chapters that outline Hudi’s unsuccessful attempts at Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming and Football. Hudi, the only Mexican and Jewish kid in the neighbourhood is cheered on by  an imaginary friend/ mascot named Chunky. Hudi’s true love is the world of comedy (he’s quite the wisecracking character) give him strength to carry on.  In the author’s notes, Mercado writes: “Being ‘chunky’ isn’t about being fat. Being Chunky is about feeling you don’t fit in” which is something that was a. burden to Yehudi when growing up until he found comfort in the world of high school theatre. Hooray for drama! Readers who are challenged with fitting in will root for Yehudi Mercado throughout this entertaining and inspiring graphic story. 

TREMENDOUS THINGS by Susin Nielsen

From page one of this novel, until the final words, I found myself always rooting for   Wilbur Nunez Knopf, a ninth grade student who lives in downtown Toronto with his two mothers. As Wilbur grows into adolescenthood, he longs to. have someone special of. his own and opportunity knocks with an exchange program of students from Paris. Wilbur is enamoured with Charlie, a feisty, artistic girlfriend who stays with his family and even though he has to scrape money for the school trip to France, Wilbur looks forward to new adventures and l’amour (perhaps).  a Wilbur is quite the funny dude who seems to carry on and enjoys life with the help of his gay friend Alex, his chihuahua, Templeton, his poetry-writing,  a job making submarine sandwiches, a talent for playing the triangle in the school band and especially  with his warm friendship with Sal, his elderly neighbour. Wilbur Knopf is a funny guy, Susin Nielsen is a funny writer. This is a funny – heartwarming – novel about taking charge and carrying on. I loved this book!

FINDING JUNIE KIM by Ellen Oh

Junie Kim, a Korean student in middle school, does not want to draw attention to herself, especially when racist graffiti appears in her school. When she is assigned an oral history project, Junie interviews her grandparents and learns about the history of her family and the brutality that citizens faced during the Korean war. Much of the book takes readers into the past as Junie listens to the harrowing survival stories her grandfather and grandmother recount. It is these stories of the past that help Junie to discover her history and inspires the young teenager to make a difference in the future. Junie and her friends become members of the Diversity Club  and together the team hopes to confront the school about racism. Ellen Oh’s book is inspired by her mother’s real-life experiences and provides a rich narrative about identity, and hope and the vital need to fight for what is right. An exceptional novel not only about Korean families but an inspiration for young people to learn as much about their own families from older relatives whilc they can. 

STAMPED (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Fendi, adapted by Sonja Cherry-Paul; illus. Rachelle Baker

Dr Ibram X =.Kendi founding director of the Boston Centre for Antiracist Research wrote the books Stamped from the Beginning: the Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America (2016). Bestselling author, Jason Reynolds adapted Kendi’s award-winning book  for Young Adult Readers (Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You (2020) and Sonja Cherry-Paul, cofounder of the Institute for Racial Equity in Literacy has written a new version – for kids – taking readers on a journey to find out where racist ideas came from and identify how they impact America today claiming that “Until we learn to talk about race, the poison of racism won’t go away.”  Cherry Paul talks tot he readers as she provides information about significant heroic figures in the history of racism. Some sample chapter titles framework for examining the issue: People Aren’t Property (ch. 3); War Over Slavery (ch. 8); Racism on Screen (ch. 11); Marchon Washington (ch. 15); Black Power (ch. 17); Black Lives Matter (ch. 24). The  ultimate goal is to help readers understand and identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their own lives. A special feature throughout are text boxes that begin with the words “Let’s Pause” and end with the words “Let’s Unpause” to help readers reflect on the information and anecodotes presented on these pages 

ONCE UPON AN EID by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed (editors)

This book is collection of stories of hope and joy by 15 Muslim voices. From the introduction: “This anthology you are holding opens up this experience to a wide variety of readers – those who celebrate, allowing you to snuggle into familiar and cozy, and those who don’t, allowing you to join in on the celebrating.” These stories shines a light on the customs of celebrating Eid, including the dishes, the gift-giving, the prayers, the parties and especially the family and friendships. A wonderful collection of Muslim identity, of cultural celebrations and of joy.

FYI

I WISH MY TEACHER KNEW by Kyle Schwartz

Third-grade teacher, Kyle Schwartz posed the following fill in the blank statement to her students

I wish my teacher knew_______

In safe, trusting environment student students were encouraged to send messages to their teachers opening up about their life circumstances, anxieties, fears, grief, challenges, hopes and dreams. When Kyle shared her experience online, teachers around the globe began sharing their own contributions to #IWishMyTeacherKnew.Students can partake into this exercise by writing letters to their teacher.  The activity encourages writers to be as open and honest with their teachers and they should know that letters will be kept confidential once teachers receive them or if presented online can be anonymous. Kyle Schwartz’s book I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids the author presents eight chapters that outlinesuch topics as Poverty, Grief and Loss, the Trauma-Informed Classroom, Self-Efficacy.   A Teacher’s Guide for the project is included.

 

Listed here are ten books, varied in genres and styles and if I had to give ratings, there would be a range of ratings from one star to five star. I was reminded of one of Daniel Pennac’s readers rights: ‘The right to not finish a book’. and with book piles surrounding me, I gave myself permission to not finish some of the titles featured in this posting. That’s OK. 

 

SERIOUS S*ITS by Brian Bilston (poetry)

I really really liked You Took the Last Bus Home by poet Brian Bilston and recently ordered a few of his other titles.  This slim volume of poems (no page numbers) absolutely mystified me. Sorry, Mr. B. Just didn’t get ‘4m. But I look forward to digging into your other books  (“Their twisting spawning branches of agenda/ Were mutating the final coined phrase.”)

SHOUT OUT: FIVE LITTLE INDIANS by Michelle Good

The story of five adult characters who have ‘survived’ abusive treatment in Residential schools. The novel is presented in alternating voices. Each character has a story to tell about finding a place of safety in seedy downtown Vancouver when released with no money or support, after years of detention.  The lives of these resilient characters are interwoven over the decades, with Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie each struggling to overcome the trauma they encountered at the mission.   It is a must-read novel that ignites compassion and some understanding of the courage and endurance of the tens of thousands of Indigenous children and their families who suffered through injustice.  A powerful read. A vital read. This book is the recent winner of the Writers Trust of Canada  and the 2021 Governor General’s Award winner for fiction. 

THE ANTHROPOCENE REVIEWED by John Green (essays)

 John Green, most noted as an author of YA novels (The Fault in Our Stars; Turtles All the Way Down) presents a series of 40+ essays, expanded from his podcast that digs into the meaning of life in the Anthropocene, the current geological age. .  I read each of these pieces chronologically but you can choose from a carousel of title topics that include: Halley’s Comet; Diet Dr Pepper; Canada Geese; Teddy Bears, Air Conditioning; Piggly Wiggly; The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest; and the Hot Dogs of Beajarins Beztu Pylsur.  Green takes a microscope to human behaviour and love of  the world. Impressive is the vast quotations Green has collected weaves into the essays.  (This list of  statements from authors, poets, artists, inventors) would make for in interesting publication). Lots of food for thought, lots of introspection and much to contemplate about ‘What it’s All About, Alfie. Each four-six page essay ends with a review of the topic (in his past, Green was a book reviewer for Booklist). I give this rich collection four and half stars. 

UNSTOPPABLE by Joshua M. Greene (biography)

Greene tells the remarkable story of Siggi B Wilzig’s astonishing journey from Auschwitz Survivor and  penniless immigrant to a a wall street legend.  Unschooled, Siggi used his wits pretending to have trade skills to help the Nazis run the concentration camps. This tenacity moved Siggi from selling neckties from the trunk of his car to becoming the CEO of a publicly traded oil company and a bank. Three vows were the engine of Siggi’s life: Never to go hungry again; to support the Jewish people, and to speak out against injustice. What a fascinating story of a man who defied all odds. What a fascinating man who lived with Resilience (capital R). 

MISS BENSON’S BEETLE by Rachel Joyce

Ever since reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, I have been a Rachel Joyce fan, seeking out any new titles that come my way. It is the 1950’s and Margery Benson, is fed-up with her teaching job and is sets out to a South Sea island determined to find a beetle that may or may not exist. Enid Pretty signs on as her assistant.  Opposites do attract, but not easily and not quickly. Travel adventures, mountain-climbing expeditions provide entertaining narrative filtered with a murder story, a theft, lost luggage, a soldier with PTSD, a snoopy British lady, cans and cans of Spam- and an encyclopedic knowledge of beetles.  This is a heartwarming story of a growing female of friendship and discovery of self. I loved this book (my favourite since reading about Mr. Fry). And it’s very funny. 

HEAVEN by Mieko Kawakami translated from the Japanese by Sam Bett and David Boyd

I think most contemporary realistic fiction that I’ve read for middle years readers present bully issues. (e,g,, Wonder, Egghead, Young Man with a Camera, Wolf Hollow)  I was intrigued to read this well-received 175-page novel by Japanese author Mikeo Kawakami because it was told from the point of view of a 14 year old protagonist. This is probably the toughest, painful books about the adolescent bully experience.  Bullied because of his lazy eye (the tormentors call him “Eyes”), the teenager suffers in silence accepting any torment and violence that comes his way. A friendship with a classmate who is also the victim of bullying provides some respite.  Warning: The abusive incidents are gut-wrenching.  Questions of why bullies behave the way they do and why victims remain silent linger in the head but the author provides psychological and esoteric explanations that ignite further contemplation about the rights and wrongs of human behaviours.  (I shall re-read Chapter 6). 

FOX TOOTH HEART by John McManus (short stories)

I tend to read short story collections chronologically and after the first 3, I gave up and ended up discarding his book with settings and characters on the dark side. Described on the back cover as ‘literary ecstasy’, ‘radiant prose’ ‘a flash flood’, ‘a shadow world’, ‘rage on the page’ there were other books I wanted to spend my time with. Perhaps, I will return to read a few more someday and perhaps feel the ecstasy, the flood, the rage.  

LAMPEDUSA by Steven Price

I was hoping to enjoy this Canadian novel, set in Sicily about a senior citizen who feels that he has nothing to leave to the world and so embarks on writing a novel but after 1//3 of the way through I found it to be rather tedious. Even though a good friend recommended it, I kept staring at my wanna-read piles and decided to abandon this Giller nominated book cause these days I needed more punch than this book was giving me.  That’s OK.

SHOUT OUT: HOW MUCH DOES A SCHOOL COST?: School Economies and school values  by Barbara J. Smith (professional reading)

I can’t imagine any school leader/ administrator or those aspiring to step into administrator’s role, not reading, learning or growing from this book. Master educator, Barbara J. Smith provides readers with bold ideas for imagining and teaching with a forward-thinking light. Concrete examples, research citations, speculations, stories guide educators to 1. Define greatness 2. Clarify parameters and conditions for best practices 3. Examine the nature of school budgets 4. Dream of a new ideal school 5. Contrasting ideal with traditional schools. This book is an invitation – and a challenge – to educators to reflect, prioritize, negotiate and put their cards on the table to create programming, staffing, professional development – and budgeting that works towards an innovative, GREATER education for schools, today and tomorrow. The book is divided into 20 short chapters, each ending with a component the component “Grappling with iIdeas” where Smith poses questions of concern that demand attention. It’s time to get into groups and discuss!!!

THIS TOWN SLEEPS by Dennis E. Staples

Marion is a mid-twenties gay  man, living in the a small town of at the outside of an Ojibwe reservation in northern Minnesota, who has a relationship with a farmer classmate Shannon, a closeted white man.  That narrative, along with the earlier mysterious killing of Kayden, a high school basketball star held enough interest but in this debut novel, the author complicates the storytelling  by shifting narratives from Marion to several other townspeople (i.e., Native Women) and these overabundant new revelations emerge – and confuse. Attention is given to Ojibwe culture and spirituality and  200 pages, this debut novel, with its back and forth perspectives, changing time periods, ghost story and realism was just a bit ‘too much’ to make this a satisfying reading experience for me.  

 

Have had quite an enjoyable time reading  novels for Middle Year Readers and am pleased to recommend three  of the eleven titles as ‘Shout Outs’!  Each of the characters in these novels help to define the word ‘resilience’.  I’m sure if these characters could assemble together in a club, they would feel comfortable sharing their school and family stories – and find comfort and hope with one another. 

 

SHOUT OUT: THE CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander

 Kwame Alexander is the Newbery medal winner for his novel The Crossover, the story of two twin brothers, with remarkable basketball talents, inspired by their father who was a basketball hero. The novel, delivered in free verse format was terrific and I approached this new adaptation with some scepticism. Would the power of free-verse transform successfully as a graphic adaptation? Yes! Yes! Yes! The verbal text now has the value of using different font sizes and use of bold text. The strong narrative, the energetic visuals, the and the brilliant wordsmithing of Kwame Alexander make this an A+ adaptation, another terrific read about sports, family, brotherhood and aspiring to be the best you can. Highly recommended books in the series: Booked, Rebound and Playbook

GOODBYE, MR. TERUPT by Rob Buyea

Ever since meeting this terrific fictional teacher in the first novel, Because of Mr. Terupt, I have enjoyed reading about the special relationships amongst a. group of school friends and the special bond they have with Mr. Terupt, a caring teacher. The format of this book remains the same as we go through a school year, and month by month each student reflects on the events of their lives. The multi-voiced approach, is very appealing, different perspectives about the same events in short passages. In this fourth book in the series, Mr. Terupt is moving his family to a new location which means he is leaving his school and his beloved group of seven. Some intriguing adventures await these friends: The Babysitter’s Gang who take care of baby Hope Terupt, a science investigation into the life of cows (and the birth of calves), wrestling matches, combatting breast cancer, a fundraising event (Polar Plunge),  dealing with diabetes, a. wedding, a family re-united, and yes, boy/girl off-again-on-gain infatuations. It was quite moving for these middle-school students (and the readers) to say good-bye to Mr. Terupt.

MY LIFE IN THE FISH TANK by Barbara Dee

Zinnia’s brother., Gabriel  is diagnosed as Bipolar and her parents insist that the news be kept private. As Zinnia is bothered by the stress Gabriel’s story has on her family, and staying with the ‘stay silent’ rule, the 12 year-old must keep her feelings hidden from friends and family.  Helping  her science teacher with a crayfish project a partaking (somewhat reluctantly )in Lunch Group sessions with other troubled tweenager, supported by a caring guidance counsellor, Zinnia finds an outlet to deal with her emotions.  This is a moving story about how Mental Health can effect a family and how a young gains self-worth and grows in understanding how relationships are tricky and how they matter.  Highly recommended. 

SHOUT OUT: STARFISH by Lisa Fipps

I finished this book yesterday afternoon and it is staying with me. I’m still thinking about the courageous attempts the main character Ellie , a fat gir, to gain self-worth while being taunted by the words, ‘whale’ . I’ve read many novels about bullying but the cruelty of  mean girls, a brother and especially Ellie’s mother is heartbreaking. As I read this novel, I wondered how fat people would react to the plight of this 12 year old girl. I wondered how thinner people would emotionally connect to Ellie.  Ellie tries to live by ‘Fat Girl Rules’ but family and society’s fat-obsessed values almost defeat her. Almost. Meetings with a therapist , a new friendship with neighbour and swimming like a starfish in her backyard pool help to ease things for the character.  But oh those mean comments by mean girls and oh that mean mother, oblivious to her daughter’s feelings, parading around messages of diets and bariatric surgery.  make this an emotional read.  Starfish is a powerful read for tweenagers who are made to feel unworthy and struggle to gain confidence and move forward. BONUS: the book is told in free verse style which helps to make each page or spread add punch to the narrative. “They think i’m unhappy because I’m fat. / The truth is I’m unhappy because they bully me about being fat.”

SHOUT OUT: FLYING OVER WATER by Shannon Hitchcock & N.H. Senzai

Noura’s Syrian family is granted asylum inTampa Florida. When she and her twin brother enter grade 7 they encounter prejudice and adversity which spreads throughout the community. Jordyn and her family  becomes a dear friends to Noura and her family. The two friends are joined by each of their fears. Because her best friend drowned while fleeing Syria, Noura is terribly afraid to enter the water. Jordyn, an expert swimmer is smothered by anxiety attacks. The story takes place in the wake of 2017 Muslim ban in the U.S. A school project about citizenship, the challenge of finding a safe space to say daily prayers, and ‘go back to where you came from’ prejudice against refugees are significant events that help readers contemplate political, religious and differences. References to real-life situations of intolerance are filtered throughout the book. Told in alternating voices, Flying Over Water is a very fine book about the refugee/ immigrant experience. 

BEING PETE by Noelle Jack

The setting is Montreal, 1950’s. 12 year old Natalie has a dream of meeting cowboy hero Tex, and when a contest is advertised, Natalie excitedly enters, but alas tells some a few lies about her family and her best friend’s uncle. One untruth leads to another and Natalie and Rhoda set on an adventure to help Uncle Billy, who struggles with PTSD. The web of lies/untruths that Natalie gets herself into is an important moral issue that readers can learn from In her heart, Natalie felt that her fibs were justified, especially when she learns that the contest was only open to boys and she pretends to be ‘Pete’.  Exploring gender identity is another important issue filtered through this engaging novel. Highly recommended. 

MAYBE MAYBE MARISOL RAINEY by Erin Entrada Kelly:Chapter Book /ages 8-10

Newbery Award winning author Erin Entrada Kelly has introduced a new cat-loving character that will appeal to young chapter book readers, particularly if they identify with a character who is sensitive and fearful. Marisol is afraid of the dark, scary dogs, bossy classmates. When her family moves to a new home, she seems to be fond  with the backyard tree (which she named Peppina, after an old movie character Poor Little Peppina starring Mary Pickford) and even though it is a perfect climbing tree, Marisol is too afraid to climb it. Someday she will.. maybe! Last page announces: “Be on the lookout for more adventures with Marisol’ who is sure to appear in a new series by Kelly.  Hooray!

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE of AIDAN S (as told to his brother) by David Levithan

This is a winner of a read. David Levithan is a great storyteller. In the opening chapters to this novel, we learn about the disappearance of 12 year-old Aidan and how his vanishing frightens and burdens his family, community and the police. But suddenly, Aidan reappears. Where did he go? Why? Aidan tells his brother, Lucas about travelling through a dresser into the attic to a fantasy community called Aveinieu where the sky is green and leaves are blue and unicorns and strange animals abound.  Is this true? Is this possible? What’s brilliant about this mystery story is how readers (and the characters) must suspend disbelief to accept what, in normal worlds, would seem impossible.  Is escaping to a fantasy world only the stuff of fiction? How can we convince others that the unbelievable is to be believed? The novel is told in 45 fairly short chapters and is a very intriguing clever addition to Levithan’s list of terrific books. (Every Day; Someday; Will Grayson; Will Grayson; Wide Awake.)

ANCESTOR APPROVED: Intertribal stories for kids by Cynthia Leitich  Smith (ed.) (short stories)

16 short stories and 2 poems written by  new and veteran Indigenous authors. Each contemporary story is set at the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor Michigan. Each story is as much about the people as high school gym setting that fills with colourful  and song and dance and beadwork and fry bread. Reading the interconnecting stories in this collection help readers to grasp the strength of community and pride of Native people. 

Raised with powwows, or not.

We are all connected.

Coming together.

Like circles.

~~~(excerpt from the poem ‘Circles’ by Carole. Lindstrom 

THE GOOD WAR by Todd Strasser

Middle School. Extra curricular club: eSports. Video Game playing (The Good War): Two teams: The Axis and the Allies.  When new computers arrive at the school, a group of grade 7. students are. eager to participate in the after-school club. What starts off as a friendly competition, turns into a shocking (and scary) battle when one team takes the activity too far by imitating Nazi soldiers.  The game offers the opportunity for this group of students to learn some history and truths about World War II and the Holocaust.  The book offers the readers the opportunity to think about empathy and friendship loyalties, empathy and hate speech.. There is much fiction that deals with bullying and mean kids. But this is a strong  book for young adolescents deals with being caught in the web of white supremacy and online safety and now prejudices. An engaging story. A powerful story. .   

THE FABULOUS ZED WATSON by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester

Zed Watson becomes enthralled with the mystery of an unpublished novel called The Monster’s Castle. They and his flora-loving friend, Gabe embark on a road trip with Gabe’s sister who is heading back to college in Arizona. The journey is filled with adventures that includes a broken down car, opera, a dance competition, a stuffed jackalope, a strange library and many stops for ice cream. Lead by a batch of cryptic clues, Zed and Gabe’s wild adventures leads them to some intriguing discoveries. Special to this book is the ‘fabulous’ nonbinary Zed Watson and a cast of original characters that includes queer, trans. and other nonbinary characters. Many kids will enjoy and laugh at the madcap adventures of two ‘nerdy’ characters created by a dynamic writing duo.

 

SHOUT OUT: Bookflap.ca

Four talented and popular Canadian female authors Vicki Grant, Teresa Toten, Marthe Jocelyn and Kathy Kacer, have produced website BookFlap which ‘taps into the wisdom of writers, illustrators, publishers, editors, readers and educators by offering interviews, mini master classes, art demonstrations, podcasts, articles etc.Insights into telling and selling your stories is another feature shared by the authors. Thanks for including my article i about choosing Canadian children’s literature title to explore Holocaust History your first “Read Good Stuff” posting. 

Bravo to Bookflap. Bravo this mighty group of four!

This listing includes ten titles about identity and culture for Young Adolescent Readers. Several books happen to connect with others on the list, particularly with a focus on race, on the refugee theme and/or stories are centred on coming out gay.  

HOW IT ALL BLEW UP By Arvin Ahmadi

Opening: First, Let me get one thing straight: I”m not a terrorist. I’m gay. On the day of his high school graduation, 18 year old Amir Azadi has taken off for Rome. Amir is tormented by the fact that he can’t come out to his Muslim family and after receiving a blackmail threat by some students, Amir takes action and when he arrives at the airport and spontaneously books a flight to Italy. He is swept up into the world of some out, very good looking, older men and develops friendships and enjoys the lifestyle of Italian sites, food and parties. His family is desperate to learn about son’s safety but he is worried that he won’t be understand. The story unfolds with different episodes of his days (and nights) in Rome and is interwoven with conversations in an airport interrogation room. For many young people it is hard to tell the truth and the whole truth. Many will identify and cheer on Amir’s self-discovery.  The author writes that the story was inspired by events that he experienced one summer spent in Rome. But the encounters that Amir experiences seemed rather lucky (the stuff of fiction) and I’m not sure that all such escape adventures for a teenager trying to find himself would be as fortunate or joyful as this young man’s. Still, it is great to have those adventures to help you through life’s journeys and identity quest. I absolutely rooted for Amir.  And I longed to visit Italy. 

COME ON IN:15 stories about immigration and finding home by Adi Alsaid (ed.) Short stories

15 stories written by diverse YA authors and describe journeys and settlements from such places as Ecuador, Fiji, Mexica, Argentina, an India.  Like any short story collection, some worked better than others but each effectively descries a journey of families taken from home to find a new place called home. They are stories of leaving things behind, crossing borders, and finding a place of belonging and acceptance. Ultimately, each story answers the question “But where are you really from?”

THE NEW QUEER CONSCIENCE by Adam Eli

Adam Eli is Jewish and queer.  Eli grew up with Talmud teachings: All Jewish people are responsible  for one another” and dreams of living in a world knowing that “Queer people anywhere are responsible for queer people everywhere.” After all, wouldn’t you want someone to fight for you. Ali is the founder of Voices 4 a non-violent direct-action activist group committed for advancing global LGBTAIAA+ liberation. In this slim volume, Adam Eli recounts his own experiences of coming out and argues,  for some changes that need to be made to ignite the responsibilities of gay people everywhere. The book is framed around ten recommendations (e.g. ‘We approach all gay people with the principles of identification and kindness”; ‘Recognize that the playing field is not equal’. 

This slim book is one of a series of 8 books published under the Pocket Change Collective “born out of a need for space. Space to think. Space to connect. Space to be yourself.”  The  activism titles  in the series ask big questions and offer solutions for teenager to reflect upon and learn from. These little books are a call for social justice and possibilities. Some topics include:  equality for those who are deaf (Continuum by Chella Man); the Global movement to eliminate single-use plastics (Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hanna Testa), the climate crisis (Imaginary Borders by Xiuhtexcat Martinez) reimagining the gender binary (Beyond the Gender Binary by  Alok Vaid-Menon).

SAY HER NAME by Zetta Elliott (Poetry)

At the top of the book cover, there is a highlighted subtitle: ‘Poems to Empower’.  These are powerful poems by a powerful Black poet, celebrating and empowering Black women.  Elliott finds inspiration from world events, often brutal, and from Black poet mentors.  A feature of this book is the inclusion of  Notes and these are worth reading to discover how Black youth, historical figures and poems have spurred Elliott on to write these powerful poems about equal justice and a call to Black Lives Matter. The art  illustrations by Loveis Wise that appear throughout may, at first glance, seem to decorate the words, but these images add poetry of their own to the collection. 

Say Her Name (excerpt)

Say her name and solemnly vow

Never to forget, not allow

Our sisters’ lives to be erased;

Their presence cannot be replaced.

This senseless slaughter must stop now. 

THE HILL WE CLIMB by Amanda Gorman (poem)

This slim volume is the in-print version of Amanda Gorman’s poem presented on January 20, 2021, the day of President Biden’s inauguration. Activist and poet, Gorman, age 22, was the youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at an inauguration and in the preface to this publication, Oprah Winfrey writes, ‘they don’t come very often, these moments of incandescence where the welter of pain and suffering gives way to hope. Maybe even joy.”

Excerpt (page 29)

When day comes, we step out of the shade

Aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

If only we’re brave enough to see it,

IF only we’re brave enough to be it. 

THE TALK: Conversations about Race, Love and Truth by Wade Hudson & Cheryl Willis Hudson (editors).

This is a collection of 17 short pieces by 30 diverse and award-winning authors and illustrators that offer frank discussions, advice, and pleas to young people about identity, about racism and about self-esteem and about finding and using their voices. Selections are told in letter format (Not A China Doll by Grace Lin;  poetry (Tough Tuesday by Niki Grimes, lists (Ten by Tracey Baptiste) short stories (The Bike by Wade Hudson,and essay format (Why Are There Racist People by Duncan Tonatiuth, each author believing that they can give inspiration, hope and each knowing  that TALK is the way to begin.  Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson are the coeditors of the anthology We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices

HERE THE WHOLE TIME by Vitor Martins

The opening line: “I am fat”. From page one of this novel, readers want to put their arms around Felipe, a large 18 year old  gay Brazilian boy, who seems to be filled the insecurities (he goes to therapy). The plot begins quickly, when Felipe learns that his mother agreed to let Caio (the very handsome, sexy neighbour) stay with them while his parents are away. Felipe has had a crush on Caio for a long time. How will he talk to hCaio? What will he say? How can he handle his infatuation? How can he handle his insecurities? Caio is in the household (and eventually shares Felipe’s bedroom) over 15 days and in 15 chapters a strong friendship, a  growing trust and yes – a mutual ‘love’ unfolds.  Both boys need admire each other and both boys need each other. The character of Felipe can be a hero for many adolescents who are always looking into the mirror and seek a place of belonging and acceptance. A candid and funny gay story .  The book is translated from the Brazilian Portuguese. 

GONE TO THE WOODS: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

Gary Paulsen has always been a favourite author of mine. Every since reading Hatchet, The Winter Room, The IslandI always looked forward to buying any new Paulsen title in hardback. in 1993, I read his biography Eastern Sun, Winter Moon and was wowed by the description of harrowing events in the author’s life. I had the honour of meeting him at a Language Arts conference years ago. Me in my navy blazer; Mr. Paulsen in his denim. What do you say to an author you so admire. As I passed on a copy of his autobiography to sign, I said: “Mr. Paulsen, you are a hero.” He signed: “For Larry – Also a hero – Gary Paulsen.

I was excited to receive his new book, a memoir, describing his life growing up. Again I was wowed! What this guy has been through seems to be the stuff of fiction, but he lived through these daunting events. The world that he lived through – being abandoned by his mother, fishing on a Minnesota lake, feeding chickens, hiding away in a ship, witnessing a brutal shark attack, escaping drunken parents, battling. mosquitoes, and geese and rats, and bullies, working in a bowling alley, sweeping floors in a bar, hiding alone in a basement eating peanut butter sandwiches, going to vocational school to learn about television repair, joining the army. Paulsen’s world is so far removed from my own urban life. He is at one with nature.  He is a survivor. 

The most heartwarming section of this memoir (written in the 3rd person where he describes the life of ‘the boy’ was his entrance into the world of the library, when a kind librarian handed him his first book, his first library card. As a struggling young adolescent reader he came to devour books. And then the librarian handed him a notebook and where he too could great word pictures and stories for others to read.
The rest – over 200 books – is history.

Mr Paulsen, you are a hero.

Excerpt (page 300)

(He) realized that he could know ore, maybe be more from reading.

Amazing.

He wanted more as if he was… what? Thirsty. Like his brain was thirsty and wanted more things to know the way he wanted water if he was dry. And not just that he wanted more, but he had to have it, like water. That’s what came from books, the knowing of new things and then wanting more. 

REFUGEE BOY by Benjamin Zephania

Allem, a young adolescent boy from Africa finds himself without any family in London, England. His father is Ethipian and his mother Eritrean and their countries are at warm. Through assistance with the Refugee council e comes to settle comfortably in a caring foster home but is challenged by a system that is not easily giving him asylum. Readers will absolutely cheer on this smart, determined teenager. This novel, originally published in 2001, resonates with refugees today who seeking a place of safety and freedom. In the introduction to this publication, the author writes that he was meeting refugees every day and each one of them had a unique and usually terrifying story to tell. Refugee Boy borrows from many stories that Zephania heard and it is one story that remarkable serves as a case study for the refugee experience which includes, education, bullying, friendships, racism, government policy, protest, trauma and hope.

 

SHOUT OUT! SHOUT OUT!

EVERYTHING SAD IS UNTRUE (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri

  “Like Scherezade in a hostile classroom, author Daniel Nayeri weaves a tale of Khosru (Daniel) trying to save his own life: To stake his claim to truth. And it is (a true story)” (jacket blurh)

WOW! What a great great book! This title – winner of the Printz award 2021 for best YA fiction -,  claims to be simultaneously be fiction (sad but untrue)  and nonfiction (a true story). It recounts Daniel Nayeri’s life experiences as an Iranian youth, who immigrated to Oklahoma with his mother and sister. Nayeri is the young student telling stories in a middle school classroom to those who listen with curiosity and disbelief (and disinterest).  The stories told rise from early years in the author’s life back in Iran and his family’s escape as refugees, recent years experiences in a U.S. community  and decades ago in his ancestor’s lives and long ago centuries in Iranian lore. 

If I counted, I’m sure there 1001+ stories within the pages of Everything is Sad But Untrue:  blood slopping from the throat of a bull; a giant rug 150 feet long, woven with gold and silk and gems; a fatwa put on his Mother’s head for switching over to Christianity; eating egg sandwiches in the bathroom of the local library; an abusive stepdad who beats up Nayeri’s mother (they got married 3 times); Twinkies; a school bully who flicks the ears of poor little kids until they scream in pain; preparing goody bags for American soldiers; church barbecues; paper clip missiles; falling in love (in your mind) with an Armenian princess; a stolen baseball cap; standing at the back of a cafeteria line; a sister’s pinky dealing by a thin string of skin; bathrooms without ‘chairs; pants poop; nailing shingles on a roof; a refugee camp outside Rome; a father’s baptism; a gold Cadillac; getting stitches ina hospital in Dubai; Alexander the Great; Persian markets; the history of the Shiites and Sunis; the tragedy of saying good-bey to a beloved stuffed toy named Sheep Sheep; telling story upon story upon story. 

Interesting enough, after reading about 30 pages, I found myself grabbing a pencil to make note of some astonishing sentences. Some might turn down pages, some might get use sticky notes  but I found myself pausing and pondering on many many statements. 

“A patchwork memory is the shame of a refugee.” (p. 49)

“I won’t lie t you. The deck marked ‘life’ is stacked full of bum cards.” (p. 108)

RUMI: “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” (p. 124)

“Would you rather be a god who listens or a god who speaks?” (p. 216)

“Every story is nestled somewhere within another story.” (p. 258)

Reading some online comments, it seems that there is some ‘concern’ about who this audience for the book. It’s YA+. For many years, Nayeri worked to find the best way to tell his story and as an intended YA read, he’s spot on. Maybe not an easy ‘sell’. Maybe, not a stick-with-it read for teenagers expecting plot or linear style. (There are no designated chapters in this bouncing back and forth storytelling). I think every Iranian teenager needs to read this book. I think every non-Iranian teacher would learn from this book. They will discover an authentic narrative about the refugee experience, about bullying, about heritage and culture, history and about memory.

Of course, every book we read, prepares us to read others. Along the way in our reading journey we are met with surprises. I’m thinking of APEIROGON by Column McCann which I found to be astonishing in its blend of fiction and nonfiction. It’s a worthy comparison to Nayeri’s book since they both are expert storytellers of life experiences and they both explode in factual information. I recently read HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhatar, describing the author’s life as a Muslim in America. which claims to be a novel but is another title that is a hybrid of style. Each of these books have profound narrative voices. I would say that Nayeri’s narrative voice is the most unique I’ve read since meeting Salinger’s Holden Caulfield.  I love books like this where you really seem to get in the minds of the characters as they share their views of the world. 

Nayeri is always aware of the reader peeking over his shoulder and slithering into his mind:

“I’m not going to introduce\e myself. You will know me by my voice. In your mind, we are sitting together… In here, you host me. I am your guest and you probably think of me like you think of yourself – human.” (p. 11)

I will be re-reading this book someday.