In Progress List
"They Called Themselves the KKK" brings life to the tumultuous events during post-Civil War Reconstruction. First-hand accounts from freed slaves, former slave owners, Confederate generals, and other individuals paint a disturbingly human picture of the Southern culture that gave birth to the KKK and the white supremacy movement. Bartoletti allows listeners the chance to better understand Southerners' fears without condoning their actions or prejudices. Whatever visual experiences might be lost in the audio production are made up for by Dion Graham's spectacular narration. He gives every individual a distinct voice and accent while making often difficult-to-read dialects easy to understand. Photographs (also narrated by Graham), a Civil Rights time-line and source notes are available on a supplemental CD. -Colleen Beaupre
Levi, family and friends are overjoyed at the safe return of Boaz, Levi's older brother, from military service in the Middle East. But Levi soon realizes that his brother has been deeply changed by his wartime service. The more Levi probes, the further Boaz retreats, until Levi follows his brother who has headed off for an unknown mission. This story is told with humor and understanding, but without judgement. Kathie Weinberg
A short sweet book of poetry about mud puddles and melting snow men and observing and enjoying nature. A fun way to share poetry with anyone, not just boys.
Facing a move from the Saskatchewan wilds to Toronto, the narrator - the only third-grader in her small school - recounts the things she knows and, at the suggestion of her teacher, decides to draw them and take their pictures with them when she goes. Nostalgic without being sad, this is a wonderful recreation of a vanished world as well as a suggestion for facing change. Matt James off-beat pen and acrylic illustrations can be realistic (delineating each individual trailer) or abstract (a frog with an impossibly acrobatic tongue) and support this beautifully written text perfectly. Kathy Isaacs
On the cusp of her 14th birthday in Suburban Australia Plum Coyle despairs of her “hideous” body, her unconventional family and her mundane life. Plum’s palpable insecurity makes her fair game for manipulation by a neurotic neighbor and the mean girls in her school all of whom promise her a new persona. The alternating points of view highlight tragic misunderstandings and Plum's poignantly flawed perception of the people in her life. Insightful characterization of Plum and a compelling story. Jackie Gropman
Fun first chapter books are few and far between--and this one fills the bill quite nicely. The cover asks, "Can a wolf and three pigs ever be friends?" The cheeky text and slap-stick illustrations answer with a resounding 'yes.' That's not to say there isn't some huffing and puffing along the way, not to metion a little gulping and slurping...but Wilfong and the three Pygg brothers prove that inter-species harmony is not only feasible but funny as well. Kristi Jemtegaard
An invitingly sized presentation of the work of Luis Serrano who brings books from his own collection to children in remote Colombian villages. To tell his story Winter uses simple narrative and vibrant illustrations whose clear shapes and tropical colors would show well to a small group as well. Once again, she has found a way to introduce a far-away culture to young readers through familiar details. The wordless double-page spread of the children in pig masks listening to a (never identified) story of three pigs is memorable. For the younger end of this age group. Kathy Isaacs
Trash takes place in the future, in an unnamed country - maybe the Philippines, maybe Brazil- that doesn't matter, what matters is the resiliency, persistence and perseverance of its main character and his buddies. While sorting through trash, something Raphael has done on a daily all his life, he finds a black bag with mysterious contents. He decides to keep it and tells his two friends about it. When the police shows up offering large rewards for the bag the adventure begins. Raphael, Gardo and Rat must rely on their wits to outwit the bad guys. Andy Mulligan has written a page turner which will be enjoyed by good and reluctant readers alike. Maria E. Gentle (Publication date of October 15, 2010--for October meeting)
With this brief biography, Freedman continues his string of engaging, focused histories of significant people or events in American history. The emphasis is on the period from Lafayette's arrival in America one year after the Declaration of Independence to Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown. Insights into the Marquis Lafayette's character and his motivation to join a revolutionary cause across an ocean emerge from descriptions of his childhood prior to his grand adventure, later, his problems with the Committee of Public Safety (which saved him from the following Reign of Terror), and finally, his dotage that included the triumphal tour of America one year before Jefferson's death. Wonderful black and white and color illustrations are included along with a very useful time line, source notes, bibliography, and index. María Gentle
A young girl is kidnapped from her home in Africa, sold into slavery in Tennessee and escapes to freedom in a black settlement in Ohio. An impressive first novel from a young writer that delves into the souls of characters who long for education and the freedom to control their own bodies and minds. The author includes a Fact vs. Fiction section at the end to clarify certain historical parts of the book. Anne Pettit
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