Category Archives: Nonfiction

Review: Undecided by Genevieve Morgan

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Undecided by Genevieve Morgan

Undecided (2nd Edition)
Genevieve Morgan
Zest Books
Published October 6, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Undecided

For high school students all over the country, figuring out what to do after graduation is a major question. For many, the logical answer is continuing their education, whether in a training program, a community college, or a four-year university. But no matter what the path, the preparation can be overwhelming, and it’s hard to know where to start.

That’s where “Undecided” comes in! This comprehensive handbook outlines the different options available to teens after high school and provides suggestions on how to follow each path efficiently and successfully. It covers everything from SAT preparation and personal statements to trade school pros and cons and advice on how to prepare for life in the military.

Full of checklists, anecdotes, brainstorming activities, and journal exercises, UNDECIDED leaves no stone unturned and no option unconsidered. So settle in, keep an open mind, and find the future that really works for you!

My Review

I’m so impressed with this book. I want to go back through it and highlight so much stuff. I really wish I’d had a book like this as a high school student.

Though a large chunk of the book focuses on college– including how to figure out which schools are right for you, how to apply, and how to pay for it– there is a LOT more that’s covered here. There’s a lot of information on trade programs, joining the military, internships, and travel opportunities. I learned about programs I had no idea existed. I read about volunteer opportunities that sounded incredibly life-changing.

UNDECIDED is an incredible resource not only for students looking at going to college, but anyone who’s not sure college is right for them, but isn’t sure what all the other options even are.

I also love how practical the advice and information is. There are some personality tests aimed at helping you consider the type of personality you have and how your needs fit with different types of careers. The author gives some great information on how student debt works and things to consider before taking out a loan.

This is a must-have for any school library or guidance office or any family with kids reaching the high school level, especially if they’re not sure what they want to do. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Genevieve Morgan’s TedTalk on Undecided

I noticed in her author biography, that Genevieve Morgan gave a TedTalk on her book, Undecided. If you’re on the fence about whether the book would be helpful for you, check out the TedTalk and see what you think.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
The book contains profiles with information about a diverse group of Americans.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
The author cautions readers that certain careers, like the military, do random drug testing, so basically don’t join if you’re using recreational drugs.

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

Review: Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle by Robin Stevenson

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Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle
Robin Stevenson
Orca Book Publishers
Published March 24, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle

Like the original version, this new edition of Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle celebrates the LGBTQ+ community’s diversity and the incredible victories of the past 50 years–but it also has a larger focus on activism, the need to keep fighting for equality and freedom around the world and the important role that young people are playing.

The new edition has been updated and expanded to include many new Proud Moments and Queer Facts as well as a profile of LGBTQ+ refugees from Indonesia, a story about a Pride celebration in a refugee camp in Kenya and profiles of young activists, including teens from a Gender and Sexuality Alliance organizing Pride in Inuvik and a trans girl from Vancouver fighting for inclusion and support in schools. There is also a section on being an ally, a profile of a family with two gay dads (one of them trans) and much, much more!

Praise for the first edition, Pride: Celebrating Diversity & Community

“LGBTQ culture and rights are covered through the prism of Pride in this timely work…This attractive work will be welcomed by readers searching for guidance and hope.”–Kirkus Reviews

“Informative…Positively festive in its attitudes and outlook, this book more than lives up to the word celebrating in its subtitle.”–Booklist

“Upbeat and matter-of-fact…These stories, sad and happy, are where vulnerable preteen kids may see themselves.”–Quill & Quire

“An excellent and necessary addition for all collections.”–School Library Journal

My Review

I haven’t read any other books about the history of Pride, so I don’t have anything to compare this one to, but I really enjoyed reading the book. I love that it’s a book for kids, and I think it’s written in a really accessible, engaging way.

The opening of the book focuses on the history of Pride celebrations and protests, and I felt like it gave tribute to a lot of specific people who made big differences in the movement. The margins contain powerful and inspiring quotes. Sometimes a bar at the bottom of the page would show “Queer Facts” or important definitions.

One of the chapters that really sticks with me is the one about how Pride is celebrated around the world. Not only does the book teach about places where positive steps are being made for freedom and equality, but it also highlights places where Pride has been outlawed, or where identifying as LGBTQIA+ is dangerous or illegal.

I feel like I learned so much reading this book. It made me want to find the nearest Pride parade and join. It made me want to learn even more about the history of gay rights. Reading this book, I felt more connected to what’s happening right now not just in the US where I live but across the world. This is one of those books I want everyone to read. Not just those identifying as queer and allies, but everyone.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
The book focuses on some members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their contributions to Pride protests and celebrations.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
No explicit sexual content.

Spiritual Content
Some pages talk about LGBTQIA+ people of different faiths, mainly Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

Violent Content
References to police brutality or violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: Boy from Buchenwald by Robbie Waisman

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Boy From Buchenwald
Robbie Waisman
with Susan McClelland
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Published May 11, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Boy from Buchenwald

It was 1945 and Romek Wajsman had just been liberated from Buchenwald, a brutal concentration camp where more than 60,000 people were killed. He was starving, tortured, and had no idea where his family was-let alone if they were alive. Along with 472 other boys, including Elie Wiesel, these teens were dubbed “The Buchenwald Boys.” They were angry at the world for their abuse, and turned to violence: stealing, fighting, and struggling for power. Everything changed for Romek and the other boys when Albert Einstein and Rabbi Herschel Schacter brought them to a home for rehabilitation.

Romek Wajsman, now Robbie Waisman, humanitarian and Canadian governor general award recipient, shares his remarkable story of transforming pain into resiliency and overcoming incredible loss to find incredible joy.

My Review

I feel like I’ve been sitting at my keyboard awhile struggling for the right words to review this book. It’s definitely one that left me speechless, in a good way. I’ve read NIGHT by Elie Wiesel, and a couple other accounts of surviving Nazi concentration camps, but it never gets easier to read about it. The horror and shock of it strikes me fresh every time, and it should.

I feel like this book does a really great job balancing the reality of what happened with an understanding of its audience as young readers. The authors give a frank account but seem to know when to zoom in or zoom out on the scene being described. There’s a gentleness to the way the story is told. Like it’s not only being told my someone who’s survived, but someone who understands and connects with other kids. I’m not doing a great job explaining this. I guess maybe what I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t surprise me at all that Waisman speaks to schools. It seems like he has a gift for it.

A lot of the story focuses on Romek’s recovery from imprisonment in Buchenwald. At first he has very few memories of his life before with his family, or of happiness. At the beginning of each (or most) chapters, he flashes back to a memory, sometimes difficult ones. As he has time to grieve and to heal, those flashbacks show his memories gradually returning. And the progression of them shows its own journey through trauma and anger and loss and until finally he’s able to remember happy moments from his childhood.

Conclusion

BOY FROM BUCHENWALD is an inspiring story about grief and healing. It’s about the way that we need each other. It’s about the worst ways in which we hurt one another and the best ways we help one another heal. I loved it, and I think it’d make a great addition to a classroom library or Holocaust study.

Content Notes for The Boy from Buchenwald

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Most major characters are Jewish and Holocaust survivors.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Two instances of mild profanity. One is a reference to a name for a ship carrying Jewish refugees that was turned away from other countries. Another refers to time spent in a concentration camp as being in hell.

Romance/Sexual Content
Reference to children being hidden by the women in the concentration camp brothels.

Spiritual Content
Some scenes describe Jewish services and celebrations. After being liberated from Buchenwald, some of the boys take refuge in faith while others can’t reconnect with faith at all.

Violent Content
Some brief descriptions of torture, starvation, and cruelty toward prisoners of the camps and Jews under Nazi occupation. The boys develop a reputation as angry and destructive.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: Girl Warriors by Rachel Sarah

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Girl Warriors: How 25 Young Activists are Saving the Earth
Rachel Sarah
Chicago Review Press
Published April 6, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Girl Warriors

GIRL WARRIORS: How 25 Young Activists Are Saving the Earth tells the stories of 25 climate leaders under age 25. They’ve led hundreds of thousands of people in climate strikes, founded non-profits, given TED talks, and sued their governments. These fearless girls and young women from all over the world are standing up to demand change when no one else is.

The girls are featured in individual articles that share information about what inspired them to take action as well as where they live, unique issues facing their homeland and details about organizations they started or participate in.

My Review

I learned so much from this book! Not only was I completely blown away by the stories of these incredible young leaders, I also learned a lot about nonprofit groups, small sustainable businesses, and other conservation opportunities, all founded by people under 25! It is seriously blowing my mind, still.

The book is broken down into short biographies about each person. Each biography highlights the things the girls have done to make a significant impact on climate change. The stories can’t help but inspire and motivate readers to join in the efforts, either by looking up some of the volunteer organizations to see if there’s already a local chapter, or to check out the businesses these girls operate. The book also does a great job raising awareness of some of the issues surrounding climate change– businesses that invest in fossil fuel industries or groups that help to protect their interests.

These are people who’ve affected real change in their communities and countries. It has made me want to take stock of my own life and commit to doing things that help raise awareness and press for changes that protect the environment and the future.

I think this book would make an excellent addition to a classroom library or a great gift for a young activist.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 up.

Representation
The girls represent many different cultures and races. One nonbinary activist is interviewed. Several activists identify as queer. At least one activist uses a wheelchair. Another has depression.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
One activist mentions facing bullying.

Drug Content
None.

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

Review: The Environment: Explore, Create and Investigate by Jonathon Litton

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The Environment: Explore, Create and Investigate
Paul Litton
Illustrated by Pau Morgan
QEB Publishing
Published September 22, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Environment

THE ENVIRONMENT is a simple first introduction to the environment—the air, soil, water, plants, and animals. How do we as humans slot into the natural world around us and how do our actions affect the environment? What on Earth can we do about it?

The book contains three different types of pages: Explore, Investigate, and Create. This structure provides a child-led and hands-on way for children to learn about the world around them. Create pages consist of fun crafts and activities to give children a chance to play and have fun while learning.

My Review

One of the things I really liked about THE ENVIRONMENT is the broad reach of the information it offers and pairs with experiments and activities. While it covers the basics– how important the environment is, how it’s our home as well as home to plants and animals around us– but also pushes beyond that to talk about things less often discussed, like pollution from the fashion industry.

The only thing that I felt was lacking was more definitions/explanations within the text. For example, there’s a project that’s meant to attract “minibeasts,” and I’m not sure what the term minibeasts means. Later on, there’s a section about the Greenhouse Effect which talks about how it’s just like a greenhouse but doesn’t explain what a greenhouse is.

I think this book would be a great companion to an elementary grade environmental science unit or a really cool book to use as a frame for summer projects, since there are a lot of activities and experiments to support the information in the chapters.

Readers interested in learning about caring for the earth or who enjoy interactive activities will enjoy this book.

If you have slightly older readers looking for information on how humans can cause harm to the environment, I also recommend Trashing the Planet by Stuart A. Kallen.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 6 to 12.

Representation
Illustrations show a diverse group of children interacting with experiments, projects, and the environment.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
One section includes information about an indigenous group in New Zealand who believe rivers and mountains are our relatives.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

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

16 Amazing Books to Read for Women’s History Month

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March is Women’s History Month, and in honor of the rich history we have of amazing women, I wanted to share a list of books about female heroes you may or may not know about already. I usually focus on fiction here, but lately I’ve found myself drawn to many of these stories myself, and I wanted to share them. In my glorious plans, I had hoped to share this list early in the month, but it just did NOT work out that way for me.

You can also find this complete list on Bookshop, where you can browse and purchase books while helping to support indie bookstores.

Note: This post contains affiliate links which don’t cost anything for you to use, but help support this blog. All opinions my own.

16 Amazing Books to Read for Women’s History Month

Hannah Senesh: Her Life and Diary, the First Complete Edition by Hannah Senesh

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: I first learned about Hannah Senesh through a biography about her called So Young to Die. Her life story is amazing, and her poetry really moving. As a young woman, she volunteered on a mission to rescue fellow Jews from the Nazis during World War II.

Available June 15, 2021

Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law that Changed the Future of Girls in America by Karen Blumenthal

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Title IX is the law that made it illegal for discrimination based on gender in education programs that receive Federal assistance. Learn how it came to be and the fight to get the law passed so girls could have access to sports and other programs.

Published July 1, 2005

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Vol 1: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilla and Francesca Cavallo

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Read stories of 100 amazing women from around the world accompanied by illustrations from 60 female artists.

Published December 1, 2016

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonia Sotomayor

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The story of the first Latina and third woman appointed to the Supreme Court in her own words.

Published September 17, 2019

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Tells the story of one of rock-and-roll’s most compelling female icons. Packed with photos and stories from friends and band mates. A must-read for music enthusiasts.

Published October 1, 2010

#notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: An eclectic combination of poetry, essays, interviews, and art that express what it’s like to be a Native American woman.

Published September 12, 2017

Hidden Figures (Young Readers’ Edition) by Margot Lee Shetterly

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Tells the story of four African-American women who played essential roles in the NASA space program.

Published November 29, 2016

A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II by Elizabeth Wein

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: In World War II, the Soviet Union became the first nation to allow women to fly combat missions. These are the stories of those fighters. Also, it’s written by the author of CODE NAME VERITY.

Published January 22, 2019

Radium Girls (Young Reader’s Edition): The Scary But True Story of the Poison that Made People Glow in the Dark by Kate Moore

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: How women workers fought for change in regulations and nuclear research and saved lives.

Published July 1, 2020

Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O’Brien

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: “The untold story of five women who fought to compete against men in high-stakes national air races in the 1920s and 30s — and won.” (from Goodreads.)

Published August 7, 2018

The Story of My Life by Hellen Keller

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The inspiring story of the first 22 years of Hellen Keller’s life in her own words.

First Published in 1902

Because I Was a Girl: True Stories for Girls of All Ages edited by Melissa de la Cruz

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: True stories about challenges, obstacles, and opportunities these women faced due to their gender.

Published October 3, 2017

This is Your Time by Ruby Bridges

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Written as a letter from the iconic Civil Rights activist to today’s young readers as inspiration and a call to action.

Published November 10, 2020

Vote!: Women’s Fight for Access to the Ballot Box by Coral Celeste Frazer

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Learn about the 70 year fight for women’s suffrage and how the success of those leaders led to today’s #MeToo, #YesAllWomen, and Black Lives Matter movements.

Published August 6, 2019

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Malala believes all girls have a right to an education. She refused to be silenced, even after she’d been shot in the head by the Taliban. Here, she tells her inspiring, unforgettable story.

Published October 8, 2013

Irena’s Children (Young Readers’ Edition): A True Story of Courage by Tilar J. Mazzeo

Amazon | Barnes & Noble  | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: During World War II, Irena Sendler worked with an underground network to rescue 2,500 Jewish children from Nazi occupied Poland. I couldn’t put this book down.

Published September 27, 2016