Talking with Kids about Ferguson: Recommended Titles on Race & Equality

It's been a heck of a few weeks, has it not? In addition to Sprout starting kindergarten today (wha???), which has taken up most of my free brain space, there's the situation surrounding the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Events are continuing to unfold, but one thing is pretty clear to all involved - this was about far more than the death of one young man, tragic as that death may have been.

I have my opinions on this issue, and I'm betting many of you can guess where my sympathies lie. I'm not going to be debating the events in this space, however. It's a discussion that needs to happen, and I'm fully invested in that, but in other arenas. Instead, what I want to do today is share some resources for initiating a conversation about race and justice with the children in your life. That's where I feel change can begin - with talking openly about the history of our country, honestly looking at events that have transpired, and considering where we can go from here, as a nation and as individuals.

So, without further ado - my picks surrounding African Americans' struggle for civil rights, to help provide some context to discussing Ferguson in the classroom, library or at home:

1. Let's Talk about Race by Julius Lester - (Ages 4-8) Possibly my favorite book ever to discuss race and difference between people. Lester acknowledges that race is important, and an element in everyone's story, and explores why difference can divide, or bring us together. Critical for every classroom or library.

2. We March by Shane W. Evans (Ages 4-6) - a family participates in the March on Washington, showing the power of individuals joining together to make their voices heard. Great introductory piece for young children, with a nice afterword for further discussion.

3. Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden (Ages 3-6) - a young boy is denied a library card because he is black - but Ron doesn't let it go, and stages a protest for the right to access the books he loves. Based on the true story of astronaut Ron McNair, this is one of the first books about race we read with Sprout, and he still remembers it.

4. Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud (Ages 5-8) - a fictionalized account of true events surrounding the drive to register to vote, and the fallout that happened when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. This vivid title doesn't shy away from relating hard truths, but is beautifully done.

5. Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Ages 7-10) - At the core of the Civil Rights Movement is nonviolent protest, and the Pinkneys demonstrate that in action with their account of the 1960 protest at the Woolworth lunch counter. A tremendous example of the small acts of injustice that wore away at African Americans daily, and how they stood up to gain basic freedoms.

6. Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (Ages 8-12) - the firsthand account of a young black girl at the forefront of the movement to integrate public schools in 1960. The power of this first-person narrative draws readers in and provides plenty to think and talk about.

7. Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Russell Freedman (Ages 8-12) - a nonfiction piece that explores the entire history of this pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, giving context for the boycott and explaining how organized resistance brought about change. Illustrated with powerful photos, full of citations and additional reading suggestions.

8. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson (Ages 9 up) - a stunning portrait of black history in the United States, covering the entirety of the stuggle for equality and acceptance. This should be required reading for all Americans, in my opinion - much of the history Nelson provides is often glossed over in regular history classes. Simply the finest title out there.

9. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (Ages 9 up) - Set a little later than many of the other choices here, this novel brings to life the late 60's and the rise of the Black Panthers. By setting her story against that of three sisters reconnecting with their absentee mother, Williams-Garcia personalizes the events and helps readers see a different view of the much-maligned organization. (Even better on audio.)

10. Revolution by Deborah Wiles (Ages 10 up) - this novel, the second in Wiles's Sixties Trilogy, is densely populated with facts that underscore the fiction. Students of history will appreciate the many small threads that Wiles weaves into this story, set in Mississippi during Freedom Summer; the shifting perspective of white and black characters adds power to the narrative.

11. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Philip Hoose (Age 12 up) - Hoose's award-winning title recounts the true story of Claudette Colvin, a teenager whose refusal to move to the back of the bus preceded Rosa Parks's by several months. Colvin's actions were instrumental in the beginnings of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, but her story was mostly forgotten; Hoose corrects this wrong with a striking story of one girl at the epicenter of a vast political movement.

12. They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (Age 13 up) - I've often wondered how an organization based on hate could get its start, and this book pulls back the curtain. This is a difficult title, so best for older readers - Bartoletti is unflinching in her examination of the cruelty and bloodshed that spawned this group, and I think this is an important read to understand not only Jim Crow and segregation, but also the roots of the Civil Rights Movement.

13. When Thunder Comes by J. Patrick Lewis (Age 12 up) - the struggle for civil rights is of course not confined to the United States. Here, with a powerful collection of poetry, Lewis brings voice to the leaders of civil rights struggles the world over, including many who are familiar and some that will be entirely new. An intensely personal volume, and one that will linger in the heart and mind of the reader.

In addition, here are some more resources for discussing civil rights, protest, inequality and the events both past and current:

• Nine Kinds of Pie Blog - "Ferguson: Response and Resources" compiled by Philip Nel (this is the best list I've seen - if you have time for only one, start here)
• McCulloch LibGuides - Ferguson Resources
• School Library Journal, "Understanding Ferguson: Resources on Protest, Nonviolent Resistance, and Civil Rights"
• Teaching Tolerance, "Students Are Watching Ferguson"
• Lee & Low Blog, "Thoughts on Ferguson and Recommended Resources" by Jason Low
• Left Banks Books reading list - "#Ferguson: How We Got Here"
• #FergusonSyllabus on Storify, compiled by @neelofer
• Stacked Blog - "Ferguson, Race, Civil Rights, Social Activism and YA Fiction: A Round-Up of Reading" by Kelly Jensen
• Nerdy Book Club - "Top 10 Picture Books for Activists in Training" by Mathangi Subramanian

YA Review - Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

I'm finally getting around to writing reviews of some of those incredible books I read during the 48 Hour Book Challenge a few weeks ago! (It takes me a while, sometimes.) Part of the reason is that I needed to process what I read - my goal during this year's challenge was to maximize my reading time, so I pretty much read straight through, with only a few stopovers on social media and other participants' blogs. And so it was one big happy blur of diverse titles, all of which I needed to digest a bit before I sat down and put fingers to keyboard.

But I definitely don't want to forget about these books, so on with the reviews. First up is a teen pick, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina. This one caught my attention when it won the Pura Belpre award last year, and kept my attention when it started being challenged for various reasons. (I kind of secretly love when a great book is challenged, because what is a more sure-fire way to guarantee that teenagers read something, than to tell them not to?). So of course I knew this was going to be a 48 Hour Book Challenge title for me, and I'm so glad I included it with my list.

The story begins when Piddy Sanchez finds out that "Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass," from some other girl she doesn't even know. Piddy doesn't know Yaqui either -- she's new at the school, hardly knows anyone -- and is equally mystified as to why this unknown stranger would want to beat her up. She's sure she doesn't want trouble, though, so she decides to avoid Yaqui at all costs. And for a while that works, as Piddy focuses on her job, school and the mystery of who her father is and why her mother never speaks of him. But then things with Yaqui start to heat up, in a serious fashion, and suddenly Piddy finds herself doing whatever she can to avoid confrontation and to find a little peace - even if that means acting out in ways she's never thought of before. What will Piddy do to cope, and can she stay out of Yaqui's way without hurting her other relationships?

OK, first of all, let's get out of the way the fact that this title has the word "ass" in it.

Yep, a swear.

If that's a stumbling block for you, well, just stop reading now.

Because if it is, I guarantee you won't want to read the honest, soul-baring novel that carries this name. Yaqui Delgado is a tough book at times, not because of language or situations but because of the real human pain that bleeds through on the pages. Piddy is a character that many kids can relate to, and her struggles are so familiar that I'd venture to guess few high schools don't have a host of Piddys walking their halls. So for me, tough as it might be, this is a book that needs to be shared because I believe it can save the lives of kids who are experiencing Piddy's problems right now.

At its core, Yaqui Delgado is a novel about bullying that stands apart from the pack, because it shows how bullying is a problem that can't be easily solved like the movie-of-the-week wants us to think. Medina doesn't shrink from demonstrating how the conflict with Yaqui, undeserved as it turns out to be, changes Piddy's life in ways large and small. That's the real tragedy, that adults in Piddy's life turn out not to recognize the issue or aren't able to help in any meaningful way. The scary thing is all the little cracks that the bullying creates in Piddy's life, causing her to make choices like pulling away from some people and drawing close to others, all in an attempt to make some sense of this relentless, controlling force. I was moved to tears at some points by Piddy's desperation, and haunted by the idea that this conflict is shaping Piddy's life in ways she will forever feel.

Medina is a powerhouse of an author, one who's not afraid to show the hard truth and pose the difficult questions. There's a complexity here that belies the simple characterization of this as a bullying book - which it is, but so much more also. Though Piddy and Yaqui are both female, both Latina, they are very different, and the conflict between them speaks to concepts of race and gender that run deep within our society. This isn't a simple story and it isn't one that wraps up tidily. But it is a truthful one, a provocative one, and a story that teens and adults need to read and share.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina, published by Candlewick
Age 12+
Source: Library
First lines: "'Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass.' / A kid named Vanesa tells me this in the morning before school. She springs out with no warning and blocks my way, her textbook held at her chest like a shield. She's tall like me and caramel. I've seen her in the lunchroom, I think. Or maybe just in the halls. It's hard to remember. / Then, just like that, Vanesa disappears into the swell of bodies all around."
Highly recommended

48 Hour Book Challenge - Finish Line!

Amazing but true - the 48 Hour Book Challenge is officially over for me! What an incredible two days this has been. I feel overwhelmed, slightly dizzy and thoroughly delighted that I was able to participate. I'm equally thrilled to read all the posts from other participants and see the sharing of diverse titles. Thanks go out especially to Pam of MotherReader, for not only hosting the Challenge again this year, but for weaving into it her commitment to diverse books.

So, because I know you're all wondering, here is my final stack:

Finish line reading time: 18 hours
Finish line amount read: 8 books

Today I finished:

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus: This award-winner turned out to be my least favorite - it didn't hit the depth I was looking for in such a compelling subject, and resolved a little too tidily in the end.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg: Rafe Goldberg is starting out at a new school and decides he wants a fresh start - as the kid who isn't openly gay - but Rafe's decision to be untrue to a critical part of himself ends up having unforeseen consequences for him and those he loves.

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods: Violet is one of the only kids of color in her town, and because her African American father has died, Violet doesn't look like she fits with her white mom and sister - but then Violet gets a chance to connect with her paternal grandmother and suddenly learns about a whole new part of herself.

My Name is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson: Luke and his two brothers are leaving their Eskimo village behind and going to the Sacred Heart School, where they meet others who have experienced the same kinds of loss and heartache, in this powerful tale of history and identity.

I had planned to sum this up by saying which was my favorite of the books I read this weekend, but I find it's almost impossible to do. Instead I can say that this was a blend of rich characters, heady storylines, intriguing plots and incredible voices, the kind of which can only come from many viewpoints of many types of people. #WeNeedDiverseBooks, it's true - to learn more about others, but ultimately about ourselves.

48 Hour Book Challenge - Ready, Set, Read!

Hey peeps! The big weekend has come - I'm stocked up on provisions (read: wine and ice cream) and ready to read my eyes out for MotherReader's 9th Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge. Haven't heard about the 48HBC? Check out the full details over at MotherReader's blog, and sign up to participate yourself!

The goal of this challenge is simple: read as much as you possibly can during this 48 hour period. This year, the challenge has a very special emphasis that is dear to my heart, as any regular reader of this blog knows: the focus for participants this year is diverse books. I am so thrilled to see this, not only because it means a whole host of dedicated readers will be diving into some wonderfully inclusive literature, but also because they'll be sharing it: via their blogs, social media, and all other channels possible. I cannot wait to hear what everyone's reading - and it's a great excuse for me to clear a space on my TBR list, with so many yummy diverse books calling my name!

This year, Hubs generously agreed to take Sprout out of town for a little daddy-son bonding time. So aside from a few routine chores, and a project that I need to get finished before Monday, I'm all books all the time. Squee!

First up is a book that's been on my TBR shelf for way to long, that I'm so excited to finally dive into: Nnedi Okorafor's Akata Witch. Have you read this one? Stay tuned for my report -- and if you're a participant this weekend, happy reading!!

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

Whew, lots going on around here at the moment! In addition to the Multicultural Kid Blogs Pinterest Scavenger Hunt we are participating in (are you pinning along?), I've recently been promoted to a librarian position at the regional library system where I work. That's a dream come true for me, frankly, and though it isn't a children's services position, I'll still be doing acquisitions for our children's department, so no shortage of new books any time soon. But while I've been adjusting to all of this, the blog has taken a back seat of sorts, and I do apologize for the lack of new content. Fear not, more is coming!

Of all the books I've recently read, though, one is so unique that I couldn't take it back to the library unblogged. In his debut novel for middle graders, Better Nate Than Ever, Tim Federle gives us a fast, funny and oh-so-relatable tale of a fish out of water who may just have finally found his true calling. Nate Foster hasn't always known he wanted to be on Broadway, but he has always felt he didn't quite fit in his hometown of Jankburg, Pennsylvania. With the help of best friend Libby, Nate's finally figuring out that he was born for the stage - and he may be getting his big break, when Libby helps him hatch a plot to sneak off to New York for a Broadway audition. It's for the stage version of Nate's favorite film -- E.T.: The Musical -- and Nate just feels in his bones that he's meant to play Elliott. So Nate screws up all his courage and takes the city by storm. But with every twist and turn, it seems it's not going to be an easy road to stardom. Should Nate give up and head for home, or keep on keeping on to make his big dreams a reality?

This one isn't going to strike a chord with every kid, but for those to whom it rings true, this one may just be a lifesaver. Federle's frank about Nate's struggles to figure out his place in the world; this is an especially good choice for young teens who are gay or questioning. There are lots of other weighty issues as well, including religion, happiness at home, sibling rivalry, bullying and the drama of not fitting in. But lest you think this is a heavy book, far from it. Parts of this warm and witty novel had me laughing out loud, and every single page had me rooting for Nate that he'd find his place in the world, now or later.

Federle's mined his own experiences for the story of Nate, and the truth of his writing shines through on every page. You can't help but smile at a kid who uses failed musicals as curse words, and who's almost single-minded about getting to eat at the Times Square Applebee's. There's the perfect pitch here between adulthood and childhood, between a kid who is dazzled by the white lights of Broadway and one who just wants to, once and for all, find the place he's meant to be. For all of us who've ever felt there was a version of life out there with kindred spirits, and who suffered through some years of being odd one out before finding it, Better Nate Than Ever says it all.

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle, published by Simon and Schuster
Ages 9-13+
Source: Library
Sample: "And now I'm staring out the window at a familiar world zooming past, colors bleeding from grey (Pittsburgh) to bright red and blue (a car accident) to brown (somewhere thirty minutes out of town). Libby shared a really good technique that is thus far working beautifully: Crumple up a bunch of Kleenex and put them on the seat next to yours, and nobody will sit next to you on long bus trips. Try it sometime, guys."
Recommended

Teen Review - The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano

For my teen literature class last semester, I compiled a list of historical fiction titles as my end-of-term project. It was a fun list to put together, and I was shocked at how many historicals I'd read in recent memory. But what struck me about the list was how many books about certain eras there are. Take World War II, for instance -- one of the most fascinating periods in world history, for lots of reasons, and as you might expect there are tons of books on the subject. But look for teen books on other eras and you might be hard pressed to find anything at all, much less anything worth reading.

The 60's are one of those eras that tend to be somewhat untapped when it comes to teen lit. I can't figure out why -- maybe it's not long past enough to be truly historical for some? Not really sure, but it seems to me that I've read some really extraordinary books set during this turbulent timeframe. And it's a natural match to the turmoil of adolescence, with all the uncertainty and the shades of black and white fading into gray in so many areas of life. Seems like gold to a novelist, I would think.

And that's certainly true of the debut novel by Sonia Manzano, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Manzano's name probably sounds familiar -- she's best known as the actress who plays Maria on Sesame Street. I'm not ashamed to admit that Sesame Street made a huge impact on me, as it did to so many of us babies of the 1970s. The second I read about Manzano's book, it went on my reading list, because, hello? It's Maria! And I'm so glad I jumped at it, because this affecting, emotional novel is truly a gem that deserves a spot on every reading list.

Evelyn Serrano used to be known as Rosa Maria, but when she turned 14 she decided a name change was in order. Besides, there are entirely two many Rosas and Marias in her Spanish Harlem neighborhood, and Evelyn doesn't want to blend in. She also doesn't want to be like her Mami, clinging to the ways things were in Puerto Rico, fashions and decorating and all of that. So she's breaking out on her own a bit, and things are going pretty well -- until her abuela turns up, Mami's mother from Puerto Rico. Abuela's not like any of the other grandmothers - she's sassy and brash and she knows things, political things, that Mami never wants to talk about. Evelyn's drawn to Abuela and her politics, and before long all three of the Serrano women are embroiled in activism, as the Young Lords, a protest group, make a stand in Evelyn's Spanish Harlem neighborhood.

Manzano may be on her first outing as a novelist here, but her talents for characterization are clearly well-honed. Evelyn is a believable and interesting narrator, one modern readers will identify with as she struggles to find her footing in a world of upheaval and uncertainty. The issues Evelyn faces -- issues of family, politics, love, and identity -- are universal, which makes their placement amidst this historical setting all the more powerful. Personally I didn't know much at all about the Young Lords, and I found Manzano's account not only stirring but informative. Much like Rita Williams-Garcia's stellar novel One Crazy Summer, and its depiction of the Black Panthers, Manzano's novel gives us a side of the conflict in Spanish Harlem that most of us may not fully understand. All this while keeping the action moving, an impressive feat for a debut novelist.

More than just a book about politics, though, Revolution is ultimately a book about a young girl, and the transformation she undergoes not only with how she sees herself but how she understands her friends and family. The relationship between Evelyn and her mother is a thorny one (much like that between Mami and Abuela), and Manzano shows us the whole thing, unstintingly. These are real people, which makes them all the more complex and interesting - and ultimately, believable.

I can't wait to read more from Manzano, and I'm thrilled that her recent Pura Belpre honor for this title will take her book to that much wider an audience.

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzano, published by Scholastic
Ages 12 up
Source: Library
Sample: "At the kitchen table sat a woman whose eyebrows were drawn on with a black makeup pencil. On her eyelids was a thick spread of eye shadow the same blue as my snow cone. The woman's lips were as pink as the inside of a seashell. And, oh, her hair -- it was as orange as Bozo's, puffed up and piled on top of her head like a wad of cotton candy. Mami was serving this strange lady a cup of coffee. / Mami spoke in a very tired way. 'Mija, this is your abuela.'"
Recommended

Teen Review - Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

Last month at ALA I ran into a former colleague from my bookselling days. It was great to catch up with her, and hear all about what her amazing children are up to. She's now working as a sales rep for Scholastic, so of course I asked what new books on their list I should be sure not to miss. And without missing a beat, Chris whipped a copy of Eliot Schrefer's Endangered off the display shelf behind her and proceeded to tell me it was the best thing she'd read in ages.

Well, that's high praise coming from a former bookstore owner and children's book expert. I wasn't about to waste time debating her recommendation, so I hightailed it to the library holds list. And I'm pleased to say that Chris was 100% right - this is a stunningly written book and perhaps the most evocative, compelling novel I have read in quite some time.

And that cover - in a word, breathtaking.

The plot of Endangered is really unique by current teen fiction trends, and I think that's a big selling point. Sure, we all love our fantasy, but what about a great adventure novel? Survival is what drives the story of Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli, a narrator whose voice is completely unforgettable. Sophie is "home" in Congo, visiting her mother who runs a sanctuary for bonobos there. Sophie and her mother have a complex relationship, made even more fraught by the fact that when Sophie and her father moved back to Miami, her mother stayed behind with the bonobos. For Sophie, who spent a large chunk of her childhood in Congo, the trip is emotional to begin with - but then when she rescues a young bonobo from a trader, Sophie finds herself involved on a much deeper level.

And then war breaks out.

It is Congo, after all, and so not terribly unexpected that there should be political upheaval. But this is like nothing Sophie's ever dealt with - her mother is away, and Sophie's alone with the staff at the sanctuary when rebels come and take it over. Forced to flee with her young bonobo, Otto, Sophie first seeks refuge in the bonobo enclosure, a large parcel of land where the rehabilitated apes roam free. But it isn't long before even the enclosure isn't safe for Sophie and Otto, or the rest of the bonobos, and the fight to survive becomes a conflict of all new proportions.

It's not often that a book has me on the edge of my seat but Endangered absolutely did. There's no guarantee that Sophie will make it out alive, much less that her primate friends will, but as a reader I was pulling for all of them. The odds are more than insurmountable -- disease, dehydration, starvation, and exposure are all very real threats, equal to those faced at the hands of rebels with guns, not to mention the dangers of predators. Just when you think all is lost, Schrefer turns up the intensity a little more, and suddenly new elements of the story come into play. This is an author who's not pulling any punches, which makes the reading experience that much more intense.

Schrefer's made his way onto my list of must-read authors, and I can't wait to go back and explore his other titles as well. Give this to teens who crave adventure, but read it yourself as well. Trust me when I say that this stacks up against any adult title - it's sharply written, with compelling characters (human and bonobo), and enough thrills to keep you turning pages like a crazy person. And the emotion -- and relationships -- are as raw as the jungle itself.

Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, published by Scholastic
Ages 13+
Source: Library
First Words: "Concrete can rot. It turns green and black before crumbling away. Maybe only people from Congo know that."
Highly recommended

Nonfiction Review - They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

This past semester I was fortunate to take a class on teen literature. We read some amazing stuff over the course of the 16 weeks in the class, and my professor really made every attempt to introduce us to a diverse cross-section of books for teens. One unfortunate side effect, however, was that my already formidable TBR list grew by leaps and bounds (sadly, my available reading time did not grow with it, so who knows when I'll get to all these wonderful books, but that's another problem).

One of the titles we read that really blew me away was Susan Campbell Bartoletti's nonfiction selection  Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. Not only was the subject matter fascinating -- the effect of Nazism on tweens and teens who became part of the movement -- but Bartoletti's writing is top-notch. While never sensationalizing events, she has the ability to pull you into the story and absolutely compel you to keep reading, to find out how life turned out for the young men and women Bartoletti focuses on. The book was recognized with a number of awards, including a Newbery Honor and a Sibert Honor, and for good reason, because it's simply incredible.

Reading Hitler Youth left me wanting more from this talented author, so I turned to her more recent book They Called Themselves the KKK, published in 2010. This is another fascinating historical account, this time centering on the formation of the Ku Klux Klan in the period of post-Civil War Reconstruction. I knew little to nothing about the KKK's history, so I went into this one entirely fresh, and was amazed at the depth of historical detail Bartoletti was able to uncover.

Her story takes up right after the Civil War concludes, when the Southern states were still reeling from their devastation and defeat at the hands of the Union soldiers. Tennessee was particularly hard hit, and the residents of Pulaski, TN worried about their future in a country that intended to see the South punished for their rebellion. Six Pulaski men took up meeting in the evenings to reminsce about "the good old days" before war ravaged their region; it was at one of these meetings that the Ku Klux Klan was formed, as a club for men who shared the six friends' ethos.

To say the Klan took off like wildfire is an understatement. Bartoletti traces the rapid spread of the KKK through the South and also the tactics that caused its membership to swell, even if many of the new recruits joined against their will. To oppose the Klan was to risk reprisal, and few young men were willing to risk it. And very soon the Klan began to take steps to protect its members and other white Southerners from what it felt were overly punitive and biased laws and mandates.

Of course, we all know of the violence and bloodshed that was left in the wake of the KKK, but it is here that Bartoletti's book becomes most moving. She traces first-hand accounts from former slaves and others who stood up to the Klan and were severely punished for their trouble. Stories like that of disabled preacher Elias Hill, whose sermons caused the Klan to target him for inciting black-on-white violence, provide an essentially personal element to this period of history. Throughout the book, reproductions of photographs, illustrations and historical documents add depth and bring out the poignant moments of human suffering described in Bartoletti's text. Much of it is horrifying, and yet critical to understand events that followed, most notably the Civil Rights Movement.

With excellent resources like this well-researched and riveting book, history truly comes alive for students, in a way no dry textbook can do. It's easy to condemn the actions that were carried out by the KKK -- far harder to analyze what events brought the Klan to power and how its effects lingered for years afterward, even to this day. I so admire the balance, sensitivity and accuracy Bartoletti employs in this account, which should be required reading for every student of American history.

They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, published by Houghton Mifflin
Ages 13+
Source: Library
Sample: "Despite the Klan's terror tactics, freedmen turned out to vote in extraordinary numbers. In Spartanburgh County, South Carolina, for instance, freedmen swam rivers, waded streams, and walked miles to reach the polls. 'A man can kill me,' explained Henry Lipscomb, 'but he can't scare me.'"
Recommended

Bonus: Susan Campbell Bartoletti's visit to a KKK rally as background research

Best of 2012 - and a Sneak Peek at 2013!

Well kiddies, it's time to say goodbye to the year 2012, if you can believe it. I can't quite, mostly because I don't really know what I spent the past 12 months doing -- oh yeah, that's right, it was pretty much nose-in-book, fingers-on-keyboard this year (and not just for the blog, dear ones).

So I thought it would be fun to have a little look at the books especially enjoyed in 2012. Not all of these are 2012 published titles, but all are ones we read and loved this past year. The lists are in no particular order, since I can't begin to rank some of these titles that finely. To keep it interesting, I asked Hubs and Sprout to include their favorites here too -- it's not all about my opinion, you see. And let's jump in!

Top 5 Books to Read at Bedtime (Mommy's version):
1. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
2. A House in the Woods by Inga Moore
3. Nightsong by Ari Berk
4. Lala Salama by Patricia Maclachlan
5. What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins

Top 5 Books to Read at Bedtime: (Daddy's version):
1. Goldlilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
2. Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems
3. Shopping with Dad by Matt Harvey
4. Circle Dogs by Kevin Henkes
5. The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray

Top 5 Books to Hear at Bedtime (Sprout's version):
1. Tiny Little Fly by Michael Rosen
2. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
3. Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta
4. Black Dog by Levi Pinfold
5. Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

Top 5 Books About Vehicles:
1. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Tom Lichtenheld
2. Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long
3. Machines Go to Work in the City by William Low
4. A Bus Called Heaven by Bob Graham
5. I'm Fast by Kate McMullan

Top 5 Books with Rhythm:
1. Drum City by Thea Guidone
2. Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalis (review coming soon!)
3. Sing-Along Song by Joann Early Macken
4. Penny and Her Song by Kevin Henkes
5. Listen to My Trumpet by Mo Willems

Top 5 Books about Friends:
1. Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman
2. City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems
3. Bear in Love by Daniel Pinkwater
4. Duck, Duck, Goose by Tad Hills
5. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

Top 5 Delicious Reads:
1. Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore
2. Minette's Feast by Susanna Reich
3. Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie by Robbin Gourley
4. Rah, Rah, Radishes! by April Pulley Sayre
4. Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park

Top 5 Books to Make You Laugh:
1. It's a Tiger by David LaRochelle
2. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
3. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
4. Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan
5. Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham

and, here are my personal lists --

Top 5 Middle Grade Reads:
1. Wonder by RJ Palacio
2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
3. How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen
4. Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
5. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Top 5 Teen Reads:
1. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
2. How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
4. Grave Mercy by Robin L. Lafevers
5. The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt

Top Books I Never Blogged About (But Which are Totally Fantastic Anyway):
1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
2. The Diviners by Libba Bray
3. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
4. See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
5. The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann
6. The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats
7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
8. Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katharine Boo
9. October Mourning by Leslea Newman
10. Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Top 5 Books My Husband Loved:
1. Silverfin by Charlie Higson
2. The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
3. Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (he has awesome taste - I loved this one too)

Now, no fair blaming us if your TBR lists just grew by a mile, OK?

And onto the sneak peek of 2013. This is going to be a big year for me personally, professionally, and bloggily (maybe the biggest I've had since 2010 when I became a mom and started graduate school, in that order). I don't really want to talk about the first two areas of my life, but I will give you a little look-see at what's happening here on the Bookshelf:

~ The Children's Bookshelf: Coming Soon -- I am one of the new cohosts of this weekly kidlit link-up, and I'm SO EXCITED! Come here every Monday to see a host of fantastic links from all over the blogosphere, all related to children's books. It's going to be really terrific!

~ More Nonfiction Reviews: that was my goal in 2012 and it just didn't happen. In 2013, I hope to dive into the true stuff in a bigger way. Stay tuned.

~ More Middle Grade/Teen Reviews: I really fell down on this in 2012, but not for lack of reading some amazing books. This next year I want to balance out all the terrific picture books we read with Sprout with all the other goodies that make their way home in my library bag.

~ A New Look: Working now on some design changes that I hope to have in place very very soon. And of course, you'll be the first to know.

Personally, we want to thank you for reading along with us in 2012. If you've shared our little blog with others, we thank you for that as well -- and here's to 2013, a year of books, books, and even more fabulous books!!

Teen Review - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Authenticity is pretty darn important in lots of arenas, but when it comes to books about a particular culture or population, it's crucial. Sure, it's possible to write about a culture you have no experience with, but let's be honest - you're probably going to miss some details, leave out key points and generally make a botch of things. If you haven't been raised in that culture, you're definitely going to have to do your homework to make sure that things ring true. It's kind of like learning to speak a language: while you can learn a little bit from books and CDs, pretty soon you're going to have to converse with some actual speakers of that dialect, and that's where you're going to find out what you should really be saying.

So I'm always a little suspect when I come across a book where the author doesn't have any kind of connection to the culture. There are some fine examples out there of authors and illustrators who have captured a world about which they have very little direct knowledge. But the best books, the books that move you to your core and transport you to a specific time or place, those books are written by people who have been there, people who KNOW.

You can't fake that, my friends.

This semester I'm taking a YA lit class (*waves to classmates*) and so far we've read some really incredible titles, about which I'll be blogging in the weeks to come. This week one of the selections was a book that's long been on my radar but which I haven't read until now - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Alexie's kind of a legend in the Pacific Northwest, for his portraits of life as a Native American growing up in this part of the country. He won the National Book Award for this novel, his first foray into writing for teens, which has incidentally appeared on a whole slew of "Best Of" lists. If you're the kind of person who is put off by critical acclaim, though, don't be tempted to cast Alexie aside - this novel is well worth your time.

Diary is a semi-autobiographical tale about Arnold 'Junior' Spirit, a teenager growing up in the middle of nowhere on the Spokane Indian Reservation, aka 'The Rez'. Like Alexie himself, Junior hasn't had the easiest time growing up: plagued by a host of medical problems since birth, he's also been tormented by nearly every other rez kid, and even some of the adults. He's got his best friend Rowdy, though, who sticks up for him no matter what. Until Junior reaches a turning point in his life, deciding that he needs to "go somewhere where people have hope" - he's going to leave school on the rez and enroll at Reardan, the all-white school nearly 30 miles away.

It won't be easy, Junior knows, even though he is stubborn enough to forge ahead no matter what. Just getting to school will be a challenge, not to mention trying to find his way as the only Indian in a sea of white faces. But Junior isn't counting on the personal toll he'll pay, when the people he's known his entire life turn their backs on him, including Rowdy, branding him a traitor for leaving the rez. And that's just the beginning of what's staring Junior down, as he tries to find his way and do what only he can do for himself.

So, wow. This is a novel that sneaks up on you, peppered as it is with cartoons (Junior's artistic POV is captured by illustrator Ellen Forney), gross-out moments and deep-down hilarious anecdotes. Junior's forthright, brutally so. He holds just about nothing back, and his honesty about life on the rez is as funny as it is unvarnished. Be prepared to run the gamut of emotions as you read - rarely will you cringe with embarrassment, laugh yourself silly and then be on the verge of tears within a few pages, but that's exactly what will happen here. Just as you're lulled into thinking this is another book about a teenage boy struggling to find friends, though, Alexie pulls out the big guns, reminding us that being a Native American in our society is to be among those counted out and pushed aside. Even as Junior makes light of his circumstances, readers can see his pain, often not too far under the surface, but he never invites our pity, only our understanding.

Alexie's voice here is wholly unique and entirely authentic - he lived this life, and he's given readers a unique window into what his own adolescence might have been like, polishing our vision of Junior's world to a fine sheen. This is the kind of reading experience that's intense and powerful, a take-no-prisoners trip through adolescence with a narrator whose voice is wise, profane, self-deprecating and reckless, entirely unlike any other. Hard truths are fair game for Alexie, who takes them head-on: everything from the drunken Indian to the white folks who wish they were Natives. And even as we recognize pieces of ourselves in the characters who populate Junior's story, we're forced to consider how all of us play a role in the kind of world Junior grows up in.

The epigraph of Diary is a quote by Yeats: "There is another world, but it is in this one." Alexie gives us this world, for those who will look unflinchingly.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, published by Little Brown
Ages 14+
Source: personal collection
Sample: "And it's not like my mother and father were born into wealth. It's not like they gambled away their family fortunes. My parents came from poor people who came from poor people who came from poor people, all the way back to the very first poor people. / Adam and Eve covered their privates with fig leaves; the first Indians covered their privates with their tiny hands."
Recommended

Bonus: Conversation with Sherman Alexie from public television

Summer Reading

Woohoo! School's out for me for the summer, and I'm taking the next few months off from academic pursuits. Quite honestly, I couldn't be happier about it. Though I enjoy my coursework, it's not easy to juggle so many things (as in school, work, toddler) that need my full attention. I'm ready for a break, some time to hang out with my husband and kiddo, and of course time to read, read, read.

Summer and reading have always gone hand-in-hand for me, as I suspect they do for many bookish children. Of course back in the olden days when I was young (cough, cough -- the 80s -- cough, cough) there weren't as many demands from other types of media. Sure, there were video games, but not to the extent there are now, and there certainly weren't smart phones, texting, and streaming video. So the low-tech form of entertainment often won out, and naturally that was a book. It's still my favorite way to escape a bit, especially on a nice afternoon. I mean, really, what's more appealing when you're sitting under a tree -- checking Facebook or diving into a great novel? Yeah, I thought so.

Because I fell behind a bit on my reading selections when school was in session, I'm catching up in a big way now. Here's a peek at some of the novels (YA and Middle Grade) on my summer TBR pile:

Grave Mercy, Robin LaFevers. From the author's website: "Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others." LOVE her middle grade novels, cannot WAIT for this one!

The Summer I Learned to Fly, Dana Reinhardt. From the author's website: "It's the summer before eighth grade and Drew's days seem like business as usual, until one night after closing time, when she meets a strange boy in the alley named Emmett Crane. Who he is, why he's there, where the cut on his cheek came from, and his bottomless knowledge of rats are all mysteries Drew will untangle as they are drawn closer together, and Drew enters into the first true friendship, and adventure, of her life." Somehow I've never read a Dana Reinhardt novel, even though the blogosphere is alight with praise for her books. An oversight that must be rectified post-haste.

Wonder, R.J. Palacio. From the author's website: "August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?" So many starred reviews for this novel, it's unbelievable. And that cover. . .

Liar & Spy, Rebecca Stead. From the author's website: "When seventh grader Georges (the S is silent) moves into a Brooklyn apartment building, he meets Safer, a twelve-year-old coffee-drinking loner and self-appointed spy. Georges becomes Safer's first spy recruit. His assignment? Tracking the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the apartment upstairs. But as Safer becomes more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: how far is too far to go for your only friend?" Although I'm not a fan of Wrinkle in Time (I know, I know), I absolutely loved Stead's Newbery winner When You Reach Me. Hoping this one is even half as great.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths, Sara Pennypacker. From the author's website: "Two twelve-year-old girls living at a cottage colony on Cape Cod must hide the fact that their foster mother has died. Find out if they can keep the secret and survive on their own." This looks to be a good deal different from Pennypacker's fantastic Clementine series - but the with the way this author can weave a story, you know you're in good hands.

Black Heart, Holly Black. From the author's website: "Cassel Sharpe knows he's been used as an assassin, but he's trying to put all that behind him. . . . But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what's right and what's wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what's a con and what's truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet-this time on love." Last book in the series, which I have so far completely loved. (Still getting used to the new covers, though - and not entirely sold, I have to say.)

And of course this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the literary goodness I hope to get to before the summer's out. . . oh, and did I mention all the books I'll be reading in advance of my YA Lit class in the fall?? Better get out the lounge chair right now!

YA Review - Ashes by Kathryn Lasky

Some time periods in history are so widely written about that it hardly seems as if we need more books about it. World War II is arguably one of these. It's not that it isn't worth reading titles set during this timeframe, it's just that with so many quality options already on the shelves, are there still other viewpoints we haven't examined?

In Ashes, Kathryn Lasky manages to give us a different perspective - that of Gaby Schramm, an upper class German girl who gets an inside look at the formation of Hitler's Third Reich. Gaby's parents are close enough to the social elite that they know many powerful people in Germany's upper echelon. Professor Schramm is a colleague of Albert Einstein, and the two families vacation together during summers in Caputh. The Schramms watch with growing horror as Einstein and other prominent scientists are singled out for their "Jewish physics", as friends are banned from social events due to their ethnicity, and as those who make the wrong comment in a public setting suddenly disappear.

Gaby herself despises Hitler and all his government stands for; and yet, she finds herself going along with the required "Heil Hitler" salute when it becomes part of her school day. Though she refuses to join the Hitler Youth, it is not until one of the Reich's new policies touches close to home that Gaby finds the courage to really define her opposition, and to turn with her parents toward another life.

I picked Ashes up looking for something like The Book Thief; while I found Zusak's book more compelling, Ashes is still a strongly written title with a unique take on the events of Nazi Germany. As the heat gradually turns up around the Schramm family, Lasky shows us how the political events combine with Gaby's own internal struggles to give her an increasing awareness of the world at large. Forced to confront the effect that politics has on her own household, Gaby grows up very quickly - maybe too quickly, as she often has insights that seem beyond her own years. And yet, in times such as these, doesn't maturity come all too suddenly?

Though some libraries shelve this in the children's section, there are themes here that seem more suited to teens, particularly a plotline revolving around Gaby's sister Ulla and her boyfriend Karl. The overall message, too, is one that will speak to young adults in a more immediate way -- that of reconciling the world you've grown up with alongside that you've come to know, which in Gaby's case is one that conflicts in nearly every aspect with her pampered childhood. Lasky ties in connections to actual historical figures, weaving them into her cast of characters so seamlessly that the events of Nazi Germany come alive as we read.

Ashes is, above all, a subtle and unforgettable piece of historical fiction, and a worthy contribution to the canon of World War II literature.

Ashes by Kathryn Lasky, published by Viking
Ages 12 up
Source: Library
Sample: "I thought of that swirl of sugar on the kitchen floor from years before. How could Hitler cause so many problems? I put down the binoculars. The scrap of moon had slipped away, making the dark even darker and the stars even brighter. They scorched the blackness with their fire. Ninety-two elements to bake a universe and one madman to blow it up?"
Recommended

YA Review - How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Teen fiction is not what it used to be. There's a lot been said in recent months about the darkness of it, about how vampires and werewolves and paranormal romance are going to be the undoing of modern youth (which I highly doubt - if anything, it's getting them reading, right?). But what I think is most significant is that authors who write for teens are willing to explore new topics and themes. Yes, some of these lead to dark places, but others just examine the messy business that is real life, which so rarely comes wrapped up with a cutesy little bow. (Maureen Johnson says it better here than I possibly could.)

Take Sara Zarr, for instance. Zarr writes realistic contemporary fiction for teens - in other words, no time traveling detectives here. And what she writes are novels that peel back the layers, one by one, that construct the experience of teens in this reality, right now. These are kids who face difficult problems, many of which are brought on by forces outside their control, just like kids always have, but who do so in a culture that is often frantic and always changing. You know what I mean.

In How to Save a Life, Zarr brings us a whole slew of issues in the form of Jill, her mother Robin, and Mandy, a pregnant teenager whose baby Robin hopes to adopt. Jill's bitter, and angry, not about the baby so much as she is about the sudden death of her father in a car accident almost a year ago. She's dealt with her grief by building walls around herself, pushing away anyone and everyone who cares, and not letting anyone new inside her circle. And here comes Mandy, bursting with life and new possibilities, but with secrets and pain of her own. Mandy knows Jill doesn't like her, but she's so grateful to be in a safe place, a real home, not the cobbled-together life she's lived with her mother's rotating boyfriends. OK, so maybe Mandy has misrepresented herself a teeny bit, but it's for a good reason, right?

And then the carefully constructed facade that each character has made for herself begins to crumble. Mandy's never had someone care for her like Robin does, and she's not sure she's ready to give that up -- or her baby, for that matter. Jill thinks she knows the role everyone in her life has to play, and it's all structured. But then an unexpected encounter in the parking lot leads to a new friend that Jill just can't shake, and a growing realization that the emotions she's kept bottled up won't stay there forever. Both girls struggle to find their footing on this shaky new territory, and to reexamine what they thought they knew about themselves at the most elemental core of their being.

Zarr's writing is balanced and fluid, her gaze unflinching as she peers into the most secret corners of her characters' lives. No one is wholly good or entirely bad, and for that I applaud her -- if you're looking for stereotypes, you won't find any here. Most interesting of all, she turns adoption inside out, giving voice to the experience from all angles. As a birth mother, Mandy wrestles with the idea that her daughter will one day feel abandoned, or think that Mandy didn't love her. As a prospective adoptive parent, Robin wonders if what she's doing is enough, or if she owes a greater debt. And as a soon-to-be older sibling, Jill fluctuates from feeling betrayed to mourning the fact that her sister will never know the father that Jill so adored.

Those who say they don't read "kids books" are really missing out when it comes to authors like Sara Zarr. Honestly, I'd put How to Save a Life up against anything from an "adult" author and it would hold its own. Strong characters, skilled writing and a story that sticks with the reader long after the last page is turned. In my book, that's quality fiction, no matter where it's shelved.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr, published by Little, Brown
Ages: 12 up
Source: Library
Sample:
Mandy -- "My mother says that when another girl steps up to you, just smile and let her have the last word. My mother says it's usually jealousy or her wanting something you have. But I can't think of one thing I have that Jill, who has everything, could want. And I can't smile when we're talking about a tragedy."
Recommended

Audio Review - Strings Attached by Judy Blundell

Atmosphere -- as a character in one of her books might say, Judy Blundell's got it in spades. Her books are like a step back in time, literally. You are so transported to the place and time she's writing about that it will likely be a shock for you to look up from the book and realize you're not in a smoky 1940's nightclub. If you want to be totally swept away from your life for a bit, Judy Blundell can do that for you.

I've listened to both of Blundell's books on CD now, and both are simply amazing. What I Saw and How I Lied won the National Book Award, and it's easy to see why -- though I didn't review that one because honestly? I wasn't sure I could say much other than "read it, read it, read it now". It's that good.

And Strings Attached is a very, very close second. It's 1950, the war years are over, and Kit Corrigan has left her hometown of Providence, Rhode Island with no looking back. Kit's going to make it on Broadway, though when we meet her, she's dancing in the chorus of "That Girl from Scranton" and not making much of anything doing it. But then she runs into her ex-boyfriend Billy's father, who makes her an extraordinary offer. Nate Benedict is connected, and he's willing to use those connections to help Kit open some doors. Almost before she knows it, Kit's installed in a swank new apartment and working as one of the "Lido Dolls" at the most famous nightclub in New York. But the glamorous life comes at a price, as Kit quickly discovers -- and suddenly Kit's realizing that behind the velvet curtains is a world she's not sure she's ready for.

Oh, but this is good, historical fiction at its very best. In fact, I'm hesitant to even use the term "historical" because it might scare some readers away. And even though Kit's life and her struggles are very much couched in the issues and mores of the day, these are familiar themes even today. Kit's the kind of person who jumps in first and thinks it out later, and as a result she soon finds herself down a road she never intended to follow. Blundell is unsparing in her depiction of Kit, and of the other characters -- though you may at times want to scream at them, they are always true to their own motives and their own perceptions of the world as they know it. This is what makes for great fiction, and for the kind of story that lingers in readers' minds well after the story's end.

I loved having the audio version of this -- Emma Galvin's voice captures Kit's youth as well as a bit of world-weariness that comes from having lived life absent of softness. The other characters are shaded just as well -- Billy's edgy distrustfulness, Nate's smooth veneer, Delia's commanding righteousness. We are bound up with these characters for the entire course of the narrative, and soon we, like Kit, can hardly tell what's real and what's just what we want to believe.

Blundell's definitely not for the younger set (though not graphic, these are novels with teens in adult situations) but she's got a whip-crack sense of timing and the environment couldn't be richer. Be forewarned though -- once you crack the spine, you're not likely to put it down until you turn the last page.

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell (audio narrated by Emma Galvin), published by Scholastic
Ages 12 and up
Source: Library
Sample quote: "Nate hung up with a soft click. No chance for me to say no. It was like he knew whatever I'd say would be a waste of his time. He knew I wouldn't turn this down. He knew I'd be crazy to say no. I didn't like him knowing all that. I didn't like how staying here suddenly made me available to him whenever he felt like calling. I hadn't counted on that."
Highly recommended