Category Archives: Nonfiction

Review: Pauli Murray by Rosita Stevens-Holsey and Terry Catasús Jennings

Biography, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , , , , ,
Pauli Murray by Rosita Stevens-Holsey and Terry Catasus Jennings

Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist
Rosita Stevens-Holsey and Terry Catasús Jennings
Yellow Jacket
Published February 8, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Pauli Murray: The Life of a Pioneering Feminist and Civil Rights Activist

Pauli Murray was a trailblazer who spent her life fighting for civil rights and women’s rights. Writer, lawyer, activist, priest, Pauli was a champion for justice. Her life is immortalized in this biography told in verse.

Pauli Murray was a thorn in the side of white America demanding justice and equal treatment for all. She was a queer civil rights and women’s rights activist before any movement advocated for either–the brilliant mind that, in 1944, conceptualized the arguments that would win Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; and in 1964, the arguments that won women equality in the workplace.

Throughout her life, she fought for the oppressed, not only through changing laws, but by using her powerful prose to influence those who could affect change. She lived by her convictions and challenged authority to demand fairness and justice regardless of the personal consequences. Without seeking acknowledgment, glory, or financial gain for what she did, Pauli Murray fought in the trenches for many of the rights we take for granted. Her goal was human rights and the dignity of life for all.

My Review

First, this is a biography told in verse, which I loved. It contains quotes from Murray herself as well as some samples of her poetry.

I hadn’t heard of Pauli Murray despite the fact that she did incredible things. This biography covers her early life, her journey through college where she faced discrimination not only due to her race but also her gender, and her later adult life.

This is the kind of story that can’t help but inspire readers. Wherever she went, Murray spoke up and challenged unfairness. I’m really disappointed that I didn’t learn anything about Pauli Murray in school. Her work made a huge impact on civil rights and women’s rights. I’ve ordered her autobiography, SONG IN A WEARY THROAT because I want to know more.

In the book, we learn that Pauli tried to convince her doctors to give her hormone treatments. The aunt who raised Pauli referred to Pauli as her “little boy-girl.” Today, Pauli would have had the language to identify as transgender.

The author describes Pauli as “A woman / who felt herself a man / trapped / in a woman’s body.” I’m not sure if that description is the author’s words or if it’s how Pauli Murray described herself. The idea is mentioned a couple of times.

Throughout the book, I couldn’t help but be impressed by how indomitable Pauli Murray was. Over and over, doors seemed to slam in her face, and she kept knocking anyway. Kept using the power of words to knock down barriers and change minds. I’m in awe of this incredible person.

I think this is a fantastic biography for young readers who want to know more about the Civil Rights Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement and its contributors, especially its unsung (at least in my public school education) heroes. Fans of LOVING VS. VIRGINIA by Patricia Hruby Powell need to add PAULI MURRAY to their shelves.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Pauli is Black and attracted to women.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to relationships with women.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: A Song for the Cosmos by Jan Lower and Gary Kelley

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , , , ,

A Song for the Cosmos
Jan Lower
Illustrated by Gary Kelley
Creative Editions
Published August 9, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Song for the Cosmos

Blues guitarist Blind Willie Johnson led a hardscrabble life, but in 1977, NASA’s Voyager spacecrafts were launched, each carrying a golden record to introduce planet Earth to the cosmos, and his song “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” became the defining anthem.

Weaving together elements of Johnson’s biography with an account of how a team of astrophysicists, writers, and artists created the golden record for the Voyager mission, Jan Lower and Gary Kelley craft a tale that is itself A SONG FOR THE COSMOS.

Gary Kelley’s compelling, graphic-style art shares the poignancy of Johnson’s life and music. Kelley is an award-winning illustrator. His books include NEXT YEAR, HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS, and VIRGINIA WAS A SPY published by Creative Editions.

My Review

I like the way this book tells these two stories– the story of the Voyager mission, and the biography of Blind Willie Johnson’s life– together. At first I wasn’t sure how well they’d fit together, but I think both the writing style, which I loved, and the artwork pull the stories together to create echoes from one to the other.

The illustrations are striking, at times feeling a little but otherworldly or haunting as they show scenes from Johnson’s life or representations of other records included in the Voyager mission. By the end of the book, I was such a fan of the artwork and the idea of juxtaposing two stories together as one that I had to look up the other books by Gary Kelley. I really want to check out BACH AND THE BLUES: PABLO CASALS AND ROBERT JOHNSON, since it looks a bit similar.

In the back of the book, there’s a more detailed account of Johnson’s life as well as more information about the Voyager’s journeys. You can also find out where to listen to the sounds and music included on the record.

I think this would make a really great addition to a science or music curriculum. Readers who love biographies or music or space history definitely want to check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 12.

Representation
Offers biographical information about Black singer/songwriter Blind Willie Johnson. Briefly references that greetings in many other languages and music from a variety of cultures are included in the golden record, as it’s purpose was to represent the whole world.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Mentions that Johnson married.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of A SONG FOR THE COSMOS in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell

Biography, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, , , , , , , ,

Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Patricia Hruby Powell
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
Chronicle Books
Published December 1, 2013

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker

In exuberant verse and stirring pictures, Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson create an extraordinary portrait for young people of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Meticulously researched by both author and artist, Josephine’s powerful story of struggle and triumph is an inspiration and a spectacle, just like the legend herself.

My Review

I must have purchased this book when it was on sale a while ago and then forgotten that I had it until today when I was searching through a list of nonfiction e-books that I own. I’m sure I bought it because of having read and really enjoyed Patricia Hruby Powell’s book LOVING VS. VIRGINIA, which is about a couple involved in the civil rights case to legalize interracial marriage.

Since I’d read that book, I knew I loved Powell’s emotive storytelling, so I was really excited when I saw that she’d written another book, this one a biography.

When I started reading, I intended to kind of just skim the first few pages and get a feel for the book so I could put it in my blogging calendar… but I couldn’t stop reading. I fell headfirst into the incredible story of the bright, indomitable spirit of Josephine Baker and didn’t surface until the last page. She’s amazing. The stories of her performances, her daring, her ability to make audiences roar with laughter captivated me. And THEN.

Y’all.

World War II happens, and she becomes a spy for the Allies. She writes messages in invisible ink on her music sheets. I was blown away, but honestly, I shouldn’t have been, because that’s exactly the kind of courage and boldness that run throughout her entire story. What a truly amazing person.

At any rate, I loved this book. It’s a pretty quick read, but between the beautiful illustrations and the strong, spare storytelling, this is a book that demands to be read. I can’t even say how much I loved it. And now I only want to know more about Josephine Baker! I had no idea who she was before picking up this book, and I’m only sorry it took me until now to learn about her.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
This book tells the life story of Black dancer, actor, and performer, Josephine Baker. The story shows her feelings in response to segregation and racist/colorist behavior around her.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief mentions of her marriage.

Spiritual Content
Josephine adopted twelve children from various countries and brought them up with the spirituality of their cultures. She wanted to show that people of different races and religious values could grow up side by side and love one another like brothers.

Violent Content
Brief mentions of war.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield

Biography, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , ,

The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers
Jeremy Dronfield
Quill Tree Books
Published January 17, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers

In 1939, Gustav Kleinmann, a Jewish upholster from Vienna, and his sixteen-year-old son Fritz are arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Germany. Imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp, they miraculously survive the Nazis’ murderous brutality.

Then Gustav learns he is being sent to Auschwitz–and certain death.

For Fritz, letting his father go is unthinkable. Desperate to remain together, Fritz makes an incredible choice: he insists he must go too. To the Nazis, one death camp is the same as another, and so the boy is allowed to follow.

Throughout the six years of horror they witness and immeasurable suffering they endure as victims of the camps, one constant keeps them alive: their love and hope for the future.

Based on the secret diary that Gustav kept as well as meticulous archival research and interviews with members of the Kleinmann family, including Fritz’s younger brother Kurt, sent to the United States at age eleven to escape the war, THE BOY WHO FOLLOWED HIS FATHER INTO AUSCHWITZ is Gustav and Fritz’s story–an extraordinary account of courage, loyalty, survival, and love that is unforgettable.

My Review

One of the things that caught my attention with this book is the way it follows the separate journeys of two brothers, Kurt and Fritz. The narrative stays with one brother for a few chapters and then switches to the other. Somehow putting those stories side by side made the whole even more moving than I think it would have been to tell them individually.

In any case, I got completely swept away by this book. Fritz’s father– oh my gosh. He seemed like such an incredible person. He kept hopeful in the face of some truly horrifying experiences. His relationship with Fritz was so cool, too. And Kurt, living in the US. I loved getting the window into his story, too.

Some wild things happened to those guys, too. I’ve read other stories about WWII before, so some things I was already a little bit familiar with, like Kristallnacht. (Familiarity did not lessen the heartbreak, though.) But other things, like what happened when the camp inspector demanded that no Jewish prisoners be in specialized positions in the camp, were things I’d never read about before.

The back of the book has a lot of additional resources for readers who want to know more. I loved reading through that timeline and looking at the other sources, too.

The only thing I’d say negatively about the book is that there are a few places where I feel like the author talks down to readers a little bit. It’s not often or overly much, so I think the great parts of the story far outweigh that issue, but I did notice it as I read.

On the whole, I think readers looking to learn more about what happened to Jewish families during World War II should check this one out. Readers who enjoyed THE BOY FROM BUCHENWALD by Robbie Waisman should add this one to their reading lists.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Representation
The story follows Kurt and Fritz, two Austrian Jewish boys.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to marriage.

Spiritual Content
Kurt sings in the choir at his synagogue. His family celebrates Shabbos together. References to other Jewish holy days.

Violent Content
Mentions of terrorism and vandalism. People destroy Jewish businesses and places of worship. Nazis send Fritz and his father to a concentration camp. Mentions of many dying of disease or being overworked or put to death. References to and brief descriptions of soldiers treating prisoners cruelly. References to a resistance movement within the camp and their quest to acquire guns.

Drug Content
Prisoners trade cigarettes for food and favors.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of THE BOY WHO FOLLOWED HIS FATHER INTO AUSCHWITZ in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD and Deepak Chopra

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Nonfiction, Parenting, , , , , , ,

Nonviolent Communication
Marshall B. Rosenberg PhD and Deepak Chopra
Puddledancer Press
Published September 1, 2015

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Nonviolent Communication

An enlightening look at how peaceful communication can create compassionate connections with family, friends, and other acquaintances, this international bestseller uses stories, examples, and sample dialogues to provide solutions to communication problems both at home and in the workplace. Guidance is provided on identifying and articulating feelings and needs, expressing anger fully, and exploring the power of empathy in order to speak honestly without creating hostility, break patterns of thinking that lead to anger and depression, and communicate compassionately. Included in the new edition is a chapter on conflict resolution and mediation.

My Review

Okay, so I mentioned before that more than one person has recommended this book to me. First, someone in a book club discussed it when the group read a different book on communication. Then a childhood friend brought it up. We had been talking about resolving conflict and trying to talk about difficult emotions. I tend to use a lot of what Dr. Rosenberg calls “evaluating and diagnosing language” when I talk. I think that’s what made my friend think of this book. Another friend recommended it kind of out of the blue just as a good book to read for communicating needs.

Anyway, it seemed like three recommendations from three unrelated places was plenty of reason to pick up NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION. So I did.

I listened to the audiobook first. Then, I ordered a hard copy so that I could see some of the content and exercises in print. Though I haven’t done the exercises myself yet, I would like to try them. I can see how they would be helpful for me.

One thing I liked about the book is when Dr. Rosenberg offered examples in which other people adopted nonviolent communication. He showed the impact on the conflict or situation they were in. He tells a fair number of examples of what not to do usually based on him guiding people who aren’t using nonviolent communication. Sometimes those got kind of old to me? They sometimes came across like, “Listen while I tell more stories about how silly people are and how smart I am.” Sometimes those stories were really helpful, though.

I like that this way of communicating really boils down to some simple ideas. Describe what happened. State how it made you feel and why the situation didn’t meet a need you have. Ask for a different behavior that would meet that need. Alternately, sometimes simply listening with empathy opens a path through a conflict. I liked the way he broke down how to do that as well.

Another thing that stood out to me is that when we’re faced with a situation where we aren’t able to listen with empathy, that’s a red flag. We need to respond by taking a step back, get some needs met for ourselves first. And then return to try again to listen with empathy. It’s not that I’ve never heard anything like that before, but maybe more that I felt like Dr. Rosenberg qualified that process in a more specific and clear way than I’d heard in other places.

I read some reviews about NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION before picking up the book. A few point out that the book contains a lot of anecdotal evidence and not research, which is true. There are a couple of stories in the book in which women who have been attacked use empathic listening to deescalate the situation they’re in. I thought those were both really powerful. But I also wish there had been some clarifying response after those stories talking about personal safety. Another thing I would have liked is some guidance about using nonviolent communication in situations of abuse or danger. I would have liked for him to clarify when to withdraw or get additional help.

On the whole, though, I’m really glad I read the book, and I’m eager to try to put its principles into practice in my life to see how it affects some of the relationships I have.

Content Notes for Nonviolent Communication

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Dr. Rosenberg himself is Jewish and speaks about encountering antisemitism.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
A man approaches a woman and demands that she undress. She uses nonviolent communication to deescalate the situation and he ends up stealing her purse instead of raping her.

Spiritual Content
A man asks Dr. Rosenberg’s grandmother for food, saying he is Jesus the Lord. Dr. Rosenberg shares a poem he wrote about his Jewish grandmother’s love for others. He writes that her caring for this man taught him about Jesus.

Violent Content
A man attacks a woman, shoving her to the ground and holding a knife to her throat. She uses nonviolent communication to deescalate the situation and is able to calm him down enough to get help.

Drug Content
None.

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


Review: More Awesome Asian Americans by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin

Biography, Book Review and Content, Middle Grade 8-12, Nonfiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

More Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Citizens who Energized America
Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Illustrated by Juan Calle
Immedium
Published December 20, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About More Awesome Asian Americans

The sequel to the popular Awesome Asian Americans! Learn about 20 more trailblazers who have enriched the USA across a spectrum of occupations and interests.

These profiles of talented individuals are dynamically illustrated in full color. These diverse men and women will inspire the next generation to pursue their passions and make a difference.

Immigrants continue to enrich America. Learn key chapters of U.S. history not covered in school, and the amazing deeds of these pioneers. Challenged by discrimination and bias, these stars pushed forward to impact society and motivated others to do likewise.

Kids and adults will enjoy discovering a rainbow of role models. Teachers and librarians will appreciate this useful, groundbreaking anthology. Artist Juan Calle’s 60 spectacular color illustrations invigorate these relevant and meaningful portraits.

My Review

I love the idea of this book. Some of the people featured were familiar faces and stories to me. For example, I grew up in a Star Trek family, so I was familiar with George Takei’s role in the show and some information about his life. Others were new to me. I particularly enjoyed reading about Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbot, who was an ethnobotanist who studied and categorized different types of seaweed. I also loved reading about Mira Nair, a filmmaker who made several movies that I’ve added to my watch list.

It seems like the people profiled in the book were all very well chosen. They represent diverse contributions, from athletes to scientists, humanitarians to politicians, artists to business leaders. The authors’ origins represent many different places in Asia, too.

The only thing I wished was done differently is the structure of the biographies themselves. I loved the content– they had a lot of great information in them. At times they were a little bit hard to follow, though. I think breaking them up into smaller chunks and using subheadings for things like early life, education, etc. would have helped me read more easily. A few biographies included facts about the industries the profiled person worked in or about things happening at that time historically. I think separating those things into a sidebar would have helped distinguish them from the biographical information.

On the whole, though, I think this is a great idea and the list of people represented are very well chosen. The illustrations are bright and engaging as well. If you liked THE PIRATE QUEENS by Leigh Lewis or GIRL WARRIORS by Rachel Sarah, you might want to check out this book for more great biographies.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 up.

Representation
The book presents the biographies of 20 Asian Americans from all different parts of Asia. It includes the biography of George Takei, who is gay. Also included is the biography of wheelchair racer Raymond Martin.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Mentions of marriages and divorces.

Spiritual Content
Some brief mentions of faith.

Violent Content
Mentions of war or invasion. Brief mentions of bombs killing or harming civilians.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of MORE AWESOME ASIAN AMERICANS in exchange for my honest review.