Category Archives: Nonfiction

Review: White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War and Rewrote History by Ann Bausum

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White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War and Rewrote History by Ann Bausum

White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War and Rewrote History
Ann Bausum
Roaring Brook Press
Published August 12, 2025

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About White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War and Rewrote History

This powerful and unflinching examination of racism in America by award-winning historian Ann Bausum deconstructs the warped history of the Civil War for teen readers, perfect for fans of STAMPED, JUST MERCY, and ACCOUNTABLE.

Warning: This is not your average U.S. history book.

After the Civil War, the Confederates may have laid down their arms, but they were far from accepting defeat. By warping the narrative around what really happened during and after the Civil War, they created an alternate history now known as the Lost Cause. These lies still manifest today through criticism of Critical Race Theory, book banning, unequal funding for education, and more.

This book sets the record straight and explains the true history of the Civil War, and its complex and far-reaching aftermath. Written by historian and award-winning author Ann Bausum, White Lies is an impeccably researched chronicle filled with photos, robust back matter, additional resources, and more that fans of Howard Zinn’s A Young People’s History of the United States will enjoy.

My Review

I grew up (and still live) in Florida. I was educated in the public school system, and have vivid memories of history lessons that romanticized the Confederacy. The Confederate battle flag still flies in places in my hometown. I see it less often today than I did in earlier decades, though. If I stand outside and throw a rock, I’ll very likely hit someone who believes the Civil War was about states rights.

All that to say that I went into this book already a believer in Bausum’s premise. I figured I’d probably be familiar with a lot of the propaganda in the book and probably not surprised by much. While I’d heard some of the information before, there were still some shocking revelations.

I really appreciate that Bausam covers the shifting perceptions about the American Civil War from wartime to 2023. Following the thread of history helped me connect the dots between historical events in ways that I was unsuccessful at before. For example, the text covers the shift in how Confederate graves are maintained/honored at Arlington National Cemetery, especially under the direction of U.S. presidents.

The book also highlights various Confederate statues and monuments. Brief acts about the monument’s creation, its location, and current status appear on a page with an image showing the statue or monument. Learning about those was interesting, too.

This is a long book. I wish there were more photographs or other formatting to visually break up the text. However, Bausum’s arguments are carefully constructed. There’s no rushing to any conclusions here. The backmatter is pretty extensive and includes a long list of sources, research notes, an author’s note, a timeline, and an index.

Conclusion

Overall, this is an incredibly helpful resource. I realized after I finished reading this that another of Bausum’s books (The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion) is already on my reading list. I’ve added a few of her other titles about the Civil Rights movement to my reading list as well.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to marriage.

Spiritual Content
References to Chapel construction. Vague references to God in letters and quotes from historical figures.

Violent Content
References to warfare, human enslavement and trafficking. Brief descriptions of abuse of enslaved people. A few brief descriptions of murder. References to racism and hate crimes.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

MMGM Review: The Sky Was My Blanket by Uri Shulevitz

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The Sky Was My Blanket: A Young Man’s Journey Across Wartime Europe
Uri Shulevitz
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Published August 12, 2025

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About The Sky Was My Blanket

From celebrated Caldecott Award–winning illustrator Uri Shulevitz comes the gripping and revealing true story of a young Polish exile fighting to survive in war-torn Europe.

Born in the tumult of World War I, a young Jewish boy named Yehiel Szulewicz chafes at the borders of his hometown of Żyrardów, Poland, and at the rules set in place by his restrictive parents. Brimming with a desire for true adventure, he leaves home at fifteen-and-a-half years old to seek his future elsewhere. Little does Yehiel know, he’ll never see his parents again.

His journey takes him beyond Polish borders, to Austria, Croatia, France, and Spain. With no money and no ID papers, he often sleeps under the stars, with only the sky as his blanket. But even wayfaring Yehiel can’t outrun the evil spreading across Europe in the years leading up to World War II. As the fascists and Nazis rise to power, Yehiel soon finds himself a member of the Spanish Republican Army and then the Jewish Resistance in Vichy France, fighting for freedom, his friends, and his very life.

Inspired by the true story of Uri Shulevitz’s uncle and stunningly illustrated by the author, The Sky Was My Blanket is a unique and riveting account of one man’s courage and resilience amidst one of the darkest periods in global history.

Don’t miss Uri Shulevitz’s acclaimed memoir, Chance: Escape from the Holocaust: Memories of a Refugee Childhood, which bestselling author Elizabeth Wein called “harrowing, engaging and utterly honest” (New York Times Book Review).

My Review

I really liked the way this book was written. Each part is broken into very short chapters, usually only a page or so of text, often accompanied by a drawing. This allows the story to focus on the critical moments of Yeheil’s journey. It feels exactly like the snippets you might get when you sit down to ask a relative to tell their life story.

It’s also the kind of information that you’d tell an interested child if you were relating your experiences, so it doesn’t delve too deeply into the horrors of war that Yeheil must have witnessed.

Many of the World War II stories that I’ve read following Jewish characters relate experiences in Concentration Camps, and those are critically important stories to tell. (Perhaps only more important now.) Still, this narrative reminds readers that those aren’t the only experiences of war survivors.

I haven’t read Uri Shulevitz’s memoir, Chance: Escape from the Holocaust: Memories of a Refugee Childhood but after reading his account inspired by his uncle’s life, it’s high on my reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to marriage.

Spiritual Content
Reference to Jewish faith and traditions.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Reference to ghettos and concentration camps.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: Knocking on Windows: A Memoir by Jeannine Atkins

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Knocking on Windows: A Memoir
Jeannine Atkins
Atheneum
Published August 5, 2025

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About Knocking on Windows: A Memoir

Acclaimed author Jeannine Atkins revisits her past in this brave and powerful memoir-in-verse about memory, healing, and finding her voice as a writer, perfect for fans of Amber Smith and Speak.

Night darkens the window to mirror.
I’m back in my old bedroom.

Six weeks after the start of her freshman year of college, Jeannine Atkins finds herself back in her childhood bedroom after an unimaginable trauma. Now home in Massachusetts, she’s struggling to reclaim her life and her voice. Seeking comfort in the words of women, she turns to the lives and stories of Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, and Emily Dickinson. Through raw and poignant letter-poems addressed to these literary giants, Jeannine finds that the process of writing and reflecting has become not only a means of survival but the catalyst for a burgeoning writing career.

Inspired and ready to move forward, she enrolls in her state university, where she feeds her growing passion for writing in fiction seminars. But she finds that she’s unable to escape the pervasive misogyny of her classmates and professors, who challenge her to assert her own voice against a backdrop of disbelief and minimalization. This time, though, Jeannine is not willing to go down without a fight.

A searingly honest memoir told through gorgeous verse, Knocking on Windows stands as a beacon of hope and a celebration of the enduring spirit of survivors of sexual assault—and of writers.

My Review

Since assault is one of the topics that I struggle to read about, I always approach books like this with caution. I love that it’s told in verse and that so much of the book focuses on finding and holding onto hope in the midst of hard times/trauma/processing hard feelings.

For example, Jeannine writes often about her admiration for and study of the work of Sylvia Plath. As she reads her work and learns about her life, she struggles to hold both her genius and her mistakes in her hand at the same time. That can be uncomfortable, but it’s SO real. It feels especially real to me right now.

In one poem, she talks about studying literature in college (in the 1970s) and how work by women tends to be trivialized. One of her peers talks about how he doesn’t want to read about bodies or boyfriends because it makes him uncomfortable.

At one point she shares a story about a girl and her mother and the difficulty of their relationship. One of her classmates minimized the experience, but others push back. “I see myself, [in the story]” one classmate tells the group. The professor agrees.

Which highlights, to me, the importance of writing about uncomfortable experiences and reading about them.

This is NOT to say you shouldn’t have boundaries and be safe. Please do that. There is a very real difference between discomfort and trauma. Discomfort can be okay (when you’re safe). Trauma isn’t okay.

Conclusion

Knocking on Windows is the first book by Jeannine Atkins that I’ve ever read. I checked my library to see if they had more of her work, but it looks like if I want to read more, I’ll have to buy it! I do want to read more.

Readers who enjoy verse memoirs or reading about writers or writing will find lots to love in this one. I love the way she connects the work of other writers with her experiences and thinks about those writers as living breathing people, too. This book gave me lots to think about. I will probably read it more than once, when all is said and done.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief description of rape and reporting it to the police. References to the assault and how others respond to Jeannine’s experience. She also describes Sylvia Plath’s experience when someone attacks her.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
See above.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

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This Book is Gay
Juno Dawson
Hot Key Books
Published September 4, 2014

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About This Book is Gay

Lesbian. Bisexual. Queer. Transgender. Straight. Curious. This book is for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. This book is for anyone who’s ever dared to wonder. This book is for YOU.

There’s a long-running joke that, after “coming out,” a lesbian, gay guy, bisexual, or trans person should receive a membership card and instruction manual. THIS IS THAT INSTRUCTION MANUAL. You’re welcome.

Inside you’ll find the answers to all the questions you ever wanted to ask: from sex to politics, hooking up to stereotypes, coming out and more. This candid, funny, and uncensored exploration of sexuality and what it’s like to grow up LGBT also includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations.

You will be entertained. You will be informed. But most importantly, you will know that however you identify (or don’t) and whomever you love, you are exceptional. You matter. And so does this book.

My Review

The conversational style of this book and the inclusion of testimonies from people with a spectrum of identities and genders make This Book is Gay a valuable resource for people beginning to pursue romantic and/or sexual relationships.

With books like this, I often find myself hoping there was a little more attention to asexual people or the ace spectrum. There are some mentions, but a lot of the book focuses on romantic relationships, with a fair amount of pages spent talking about sex. I would have liked to see a little more acknowledgment of ace identity and some exploration about how to find or craft the kinds of relationships that one would find satisfying.

Each section of the book features real stories by people reflecting on their relationships and experiences as LGBTQIA+ people. Some stories talk about coming out and what that was like for them. Others offer relationship advice or views on a particular issue. These stories reinforce the idea that relationships and identity are governed by individuals. How you identify is up to you. What kinds of relationships you pursue is up to you. Being gay doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Dawson writes in an upbeat, celebratory way that invites readers to have confidence in who they are and go forth into the world to find people who appreciate and respect them as well. The backmatter has a super fun section listing and defining gay icons that is a lot of fun to read, too.

This Book is Gay was One of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2023

This Book is Gay was one of the top ten most challenged books of 2023. Among the reasons I saw cited for the challenges and book bans were that it contains testimonies of LGBTQIA+ people, information about sex education, and sexually explicit content.

The book does have some information on sex between partners with a focus on safety. Obviously, it also contains information about partnerships between LGBTQIA+ people.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Some swearing is used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
One chapter offers tips for engaging in sexual intimacy. Dawson includes information such as how to have safe sex and the risks of sexually transmitted infections.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to homophobia or transphobia, for example, in a family member’s response to someone coming out.

Drug Content
Brief, candid discussion about going to clubs or bars to meet people and use drugs or alcohol. Dawson acknowledges that this is something some adults prefer to do and offers tips on how to stay safe.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.

Review: Malcolm Lives! by Ibram X. Kendi

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Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers
Ibram X. Kendi
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Published May 13, 2025

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About Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers

In collaboration with the Malcolm X Estate, this powerful biography for young readers is a modern classic in the making, written by #1 New York Times-bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi.

Published 100 years after his birth, Malcolm Lives! is a ground-breaking narrative biography of one of the most influential Americans of all time.

Dr. Kendi expertly crafts a propulsive telling of Malcolm X’s life—from birth to death. He provides context for both Malcolm’s choices—and those around him—not just painting an intimate picture of a famous figure, but of the social and political landscape of America during the civil rights movement. Ultimately, Malcolm’s true legacy is a journey toward anti-racism. Just like history, Malcolm lives.

With short, evocative chapters, exclusive archival documents, photographs from the Malcolm X Collection at the NYPL Schomburg Center, and extensive backmatter, this is a thoughtful and accessible, must-read for all Americans.

My Review

I feel like my history textbooks never gave the appropriate amount of space to Malcolm X, his life, and his work. I suspect that some of that has to do with the fact that his message was a lot more challenging, especially for white Americans. At times, he was very clear that he had nothing to say to white America. For much of his life, he saw his mission, his calling as being to Black America.

This book doesn’t only relate Malcolm X’s life story from beginning to end. It also offers some context for the choices he made. At certain points, Dr. Kendi asks readers directly to consider the facts of history. He asks reader to think beyond what happened in one moment of Malcolm X’s life, but to look at the pattern of history before his life and since.

Some of the story follows Malcolm X’s life as a member of the Nation of Islam. I think the book explains the goals of the organization and their values really well. It also discusses where the leaders fell short of the values they preached. Dr. Kendi offers some thoughtful critique and, again, some historical context that will help readers place these events in the larger arc of history. He also emphasizes some of the reasons it’s important to know this history.

Conclusion

Earlier this year, I read a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Jonathan Eig. It’s interesting thinking about the lives of these two men, who lived through many of the same moments in history. They had very different experiences and different ideas about what the best path forward for Black Americans would be. I think reading both books or at least learning about both leaders is something that we should all be doing. Malcolm Lives! does a great job educating readers about Malcolm X’s life and his work in America.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to marriage and dating relationships.

Spiritual Content
The book explains the establishment and history of the Nation of Islam and its teachings. Some brief explanations delve into the difference between the teaching of the Nation of Islam and the Islamic faith.

Violent Content
References to racist violence, lynching deaths, destruction of property, attempted murder, murder, and police brutality. Some reference to self-defense. These things are not described in any detail and are mentioned in the context of history. For example, the narrative discusses how someone set fire to Malcolm X’s house when he was a young child, and how it happened again while he was an adult, and that triggered those childhood memories. The author also draws a parallel between the police response to both crimes.

Drug Content
References to smoking cigarettes and using drugs. Nothing shown graphically. This also shows how seriously Malcolm X took his faith, because he stopped smoking or using drugs when he joined the Nation of Islam and later converted to Islam.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Athlete is Agender edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby

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Athlete is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports
Edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
Little, Brown & Company
Published May 13, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Athlete is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ People in Sports

Athlete is agender. Athlete can mean anyone. “Part memoir, part manifesto” (Booklist) this book revels in the achievements of strong, passionate, and determined LGBTQ+ athletes across every age, level, and field of sports.

Find your strength  Adam Rippon’s unbelievable journey from figure-skating Olympic alternate to the first openly gay Olympic medalist in his sport; CeCé Telfer’s career as a trans track star and her unwavering commitment to run for the future freedom of trans athletes; em dickson’s relationship to eir gender identity and how sailing, a sport that doesn’t categorize athletes by gender, helped em embrace eir power and identity, and many other invaluable true stories. Featuring testimonies by world-class athletes and award-winning children’s book authors, as well as profiles on culture-defining figures like Megan Rapinoe and Billie Jean King, Athlete Is Agender is a lifesaving book not to be missed.

This book is
·         LGBTQIA+ kids, teens, tweens, and adults.
·         Athletes and sports fans.
·         Readers looking to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community.
·         Parents of gay kids and other LGBTQIA+ youth.
·         Educators looking for advice about the LGBTQIA+ community.

TITLE IX UPDATE

Laws are constantly being debated, repealed, and fought for. On January 9th, 2025, a federal court in Kentucky argued that transgender and nonbinary students should not be covered by Title IX protections, rolling back the 2021 order from then-Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Right now, schools are currently required to follow the old version of Title IX, which does not include a section on transgender athletes. It’s up to us to keep pushing to get those protections back for transgender students. For transgender athletes reading this, the most powerful thing you can do is to be true to yourself, stay informed, and be sure to vote in every election you are eligible for. 

My Review

In this anthology, athletes share personal stories about the positive impact that sports have had on their lives. The stories are moving and easy to connect with, even for people who aren’t familiar with the athlete’s sport.

I particularly love the range of sports represented in the book. This includes sports like horse riding, archery, hockey, swimming, baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and more. Sports fans will recognize some of the essay authors.

The whole point of the book is to show that participation in sports can have a life-changing, positive impact. The book reminds us everyone, regardless of identity or orientation deserves access to these activities.

In one essay, the author’s frustration is crystal clear. That tone might challenge some readers, but listening past that discomfort is important. It’s worth remembering that the current exclusions cause harm and affect real people.

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge about sports participation, I recommend this book and Gender Inequality in Sports: From Title IX to World Titles by Kirstin Cronn-Mills.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to two athletes who date and later marry.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to bullying. Reference to someone whose partner outs them without consent.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.