About Ginger Kid
In Ginger Kid, popular comedian Steve Hofstetter grapples with life after seventh grade . . . when his world fell apart. Formatted as a series of personal essays, Steve walks his readers through awkward early dating, family turbulence, and the revenge of the bullied nerds. This YA nonfiction is sure to be the beloved next volume for the first generation of Wimpy Kid fans who are all grown up and ready for a new misfit hero.
My Review
A fun, easy, read that’s deceitfully informative. Each essay delivers laughs and lessons together, from things Hofstetter learned about girls and relationships to his development as a comedian. I liked the gently self-deprecating, funny way the stories are related. The short sections are perfect for readers with short gaps of time for reading—perfect for me right now!
I liked that even though the stories often have a moral lesson to them, it felt very personal rather than instructive. The scenes about improv made me want to play the games he described or join a local improv group—they sounded like so much fun!
Ginger Kid is a great read not just for misfits but for anyone who has ever felt awkward in a crowd or wrestled with self-discovery. If you’re looking for a lighthearted read, add this one to your list for sure!
Recommended for Ages 12 up.
Cultural Elements
Steve is from a Jewish family. He describes (very positive) experiences he had as part of a youth group for Jewish kids.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Roughly a dozen instances of mild profanity.
Romance/Sexual Content Some descriptions of kissing girls. He alludes to more, describing one girlfriend as a “sexual person,” though he doesn’t specify further.
Spiritual Content See cultural elements.
Violent Content A bully threatens to hit Steve.
Drug Content
Some mentions of drinking alcohol.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
About History’s Mysteries
Why were the Easter Island heads erected? What really happened to the Maya? Who stole the Irish Crown Jewels? The first book in this exciting new series will cover history’s heavy-hitting, head-scratching mysteries, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Bermuda Triangle, the Oak Island Money Pit, Stonehenge, the Sphinx, the disappearance of entire civilizations, the dancing plague, the Voynich manuscript, and so many more. Chock-full of cool photos, fun facts, and spine-tingling mysteries.
My Review History’s Mysteries was a fun book to read. I liked the way each mystery had some photos or illustrations and background information to clue readers in on some of the historical context. Then it presented the mystery and prevailing theories about what might have happened. Though none of the mysteries in the book have been solved, having so many unusual and puzzling cases stacked next to each other raised a lot of curiosity about our world and the fact that there are still lots of things left to discover.
The mysteries span across time, exploring ancient to modern civilizations and cases of unsolved disappearance, like Amelia Earhart. Some cases I was familiar with, but others (like the dancing plague) were entirely new to me and made me want to know a lot more about them.
History’s Mysteries is a great overview or beginning foray into unsolved cases, and a fun way to stir a young reader’s imagination. I’d say late elementary-aged readers would enjoy this most, but middle elementary-aged readers can probably handle it just fine, too, and older readers will still enjoy the engaging way the information is presented.
Recommended for Ages 9 up.
Cultural Elements
Explores unsolved mysteries across the world and from various time periods.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content None.
Violent Content None.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Many states and experts have vastly different positions on the use of marijuana. Are the medicinal benefits strong enough to justify legalizing it for treatment of some serious health conditions? Is it safer than already legalized recreational substances like alcohol and tobacco?
In chapters populated with information on the drug’s history, scientific studies, and current laws governing use, this book presents a fairly balanced look at issues surrounding the potential legalization of marijuana. Strong arguments in favor of medicinal use are checked by the reality that currently, scientists in the United States do not enough true scientific data to support the various claims of its effectiveness in treating medical conditions. The text explores law enforcement issues arising in states whose laws conflict with those of the federal government. All in all, it’s an informative resource for someone looking to explore the history, use, and arguments for or against the legalization of marijuana.
My Review
I can be honest, right? We’re all friends here.
So here’s the thing. I’m not a fan of recreational drug use. At all. Before reading this book, I had very little information (or even interest, really) in the debate about whether marijuana should be legalized and, if so, for what purpose and with what restrictions. In the last year or so my family, like many of us, has become more politically active. For us this means researching issues and contacting our representatives about important topics. Reading this book has been part of an endeavor to better understand the issues surrounding the potential legalization of marijuana. I think getting more information is a good idea, and I want to find resources I can pass along with confidence.
Legalizing Marijuana raised a lot of interesting points and questions. There were some arguments I’d heard before and some new ones. I liked having specific facts and statistics—though in some cases I would have liked to have even more data.
For instance, one of the most compelling points the book explores relates to the argument about legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. Right now it’s very difficult for scientists to conduct studies testing the effectiveness of different types of marijuana to treat various types of illnesses because it’s a Schedule I drug. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that it helps vastly and more effectively than other drugs with a wide range of problems. But we don’t have great scientific proof because of how difficult it is to get approval for the studies. I felt like that was an interesting point that added weight to both sides of the argument for and against marijuana for medicinal use. It certainly gives supporters some areas in which political outreach may be helpful, too.
One area where I wished the book included more statistics was in a chapter about recreational use. The argument is that marijuana is safer than tobacco or alcohol in terms of its health risks. It would have made for a more compelling argument to give some specific numbers on alcohol-related car crashes versus marijuana-related car crashes for instance. Give some numbers that show some actual comparisons rather than the vague trust-me-it-is-so type of statement here.
I’m not sure this book changed how I feel about the legalization of marijuana—other than pointing out how lucrative it is for states in terms of tax revenue, which made me suspect we’ll see a greater push toward legalization for financial reasons than we have seen in the past—but I feel better equipped in terms of information on the topic. I’m glad I read it.
Recommended for Ages 14 up.
Cultural Elements
This is more about the topic than people, so there aren’t really cultural elements highlighted in the book.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content A blog reader noted the book also contains a photo of a shirtless guy and a young woman, representing the 1960s.
Spiritual Content Brief reference to a high THC form of marijuana used by some groups who believed it would help them commune with spirits.
Violent Content None.
Drug Content
Lots of information about what kinds of ways marijuana is used. Not specific how-to type stuff—more like exploring the goals or outcomes of people who use it.
As pointed out by a blog reader, there’s also a photo from the “Reefer Madness” movie.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
About 21 Days to Happiness Feeling busy, stressed or disappointed has become the “new normal”. The truth is it doesn’t have to be that way, and the solutions are simple.
Instead of hoping for happiness, what if happiness is something you DO, something you CHOOSE every day? The good news: it is.
Psychologist and happiness expert Ingrid Kelada provides a step-by-step guide to help you increase your personal happiness and feel more motivated. You can learn how with simple 10-minute strategies. Each day of the 21 day journey focuses on one key area of your life, including:
• Time: how to break the cycle of chaos and manage your time effectively.
• Body Language: exploring the surprising links between body language and happiness.
• Relationships: how to make the most of the number one predictor of happiness.
• Work: how to use your strengths and talents so you are engaged and motivated.
Happiness is a choice. A daily decision to choose happy can be easy, fun and rewarding. With this book, in just a few minutes per day, you can practice one new happiness habit and jot down your notes in the journal section.
My Review I decided to read this book after working with the author—who is genuinely enthusiastic and upbeat and fun—to help her prepare for her book launch. As I skimmed some of the pages and chapters to help put together some promotional information, I found myself captivated by the simple, practical steps and supporting research. I couldn’t help wanting to read more.
Generally I think of myself as a pretty happy person, so I probably wouldn’t have thought to pick this book up off of a shelf. Reading it validated some of the practices I already use that bring me joy and keep me energized and focused. It also gave me new strategies for areas of my life where I’ve been looking for better strategies.
For instance, last fall, my daughter’s school day began at 8am. While this made for early mornings (I’m not a morning person!), it also gave me a long morning for work. Once I adjusted to that routine, I was able to get a lot done. This year, though, she’s at a new school, and doesn’t begin her day until 9:30am.
I love getting to sleep in a bit later, but I’ve been frustrated by the short mornings and have been really struggling to find a schedule where I can get as much done as I used to. Day 15 on taking a break in 21 Days to Happiness suggests some work and break routines for better productivity in the morning and afternoon that I’m super excited to try. I think they’ll work really well for the kinds of tasks I do.
Even if you’re not struggling with being unhappy or unsatisfied, I think this is a great book to read. All of us have bad habits or struggles that new strategies and ideas can help us improve. I especially loved the resources sections at the end of each chapter where you can find links to videos with more information on a topic or apps for things like guided meditation. The author’s website also includes a quick happiness quiz, which you can fill out and see where you’re happiest and which areas need some attention.
Ingrid Kelada’s book makes it so easy to succeed. It’s jam-packed with practical tips and supporting research all explained in a conversational tone that makes you feel like she’s right there with you. This is one book I’ll be keeping on hand and referring back to in the future.
Recommended for Ages 13 up.
Cultural Elements
None.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
There’s one instance of profanity that’s got an asterisk blocking part of the word. It’s a quote from a client, and is crude to make a point.
Romance/Sexual Content A couple of places refer to sex very briefly. In one, the author hints that bedtime isn’t the best time for such a stimulating activity. In another, she refers to words from a palliative care nurse who explains that most people facing the end of life don’t talk about things like sex or bungee jumping.
Spiritual Content More than one chapter talks about incorporating meditation as part of a daily routine. Quotes in the book feature authors like Mother Therese and Buddha.
Violent Content None.
Drug Content
The author openly talks about drinking a glass of wine or champagne as a treat or part of a date or relaxing time.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
They Can’t Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America’s Racial Justice Movement Wesley Lowery
Little, Brown & Co.
Published November 15, 2016
About They Can’t Kill Us All
Conducting hundreds of interviews during the course of over one year reporting on the ground, Washington Post writer Wesley Lowery traveled from Ferguson, Missouri, to Cleveland, Ohio; Charleston, South Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland; and then back to Ferguson to uncover life inside the most heavily policed, if otherwise neglected, corners of America today.
In an effort to grasp the magnitude of the repose to Michael Brown’s death and understand the scale of the problem police violence represents, Lowery speaks to Brown’s family and the families of other victims other victims’ families as well as local activists. By posing the question, “What does the loss of any one life mean to the rest of the nation?” Lowery examines the cumulative effect of decades of racially biased policing in segregated neighborhoods with failing schools, crumbling infrastructure and too few jobs.
Studded with moments of joy, and tragedy, They Can’t Kill Us All offers a historically informed look at the standoff between the police and those they are sworn to protect, showing that civil unrest is just one tool of resistance in the broader struggle for justice. As Lowery brings vividly to life, the protests against police killings are also about the black community’s long history on the receiving end of perceived and actual acts of injustice and discrimination. They Can’t Kill Us All grapples with a persistent if also largely unexamined aspect of the otherwise transformative presidency of Barack Obama: the failure to deliver tangible security and opportunity to those Americans most in need of both.
They Can’t Kill Us All is a galvanizing book that offers more than just behind-the-scenes coverage of the story of citizen resistance to police brutality. It will also explain where the movement came from, where it is headed and where it still has to go.
My Review
I decided to read this book after seeing the author interviewed on a late night TV show and listening to him talk briefly about the statistics of deaths in which an on-duty police officer kills someone. He spoke eloquently about how difficult it was to gather information, the lack of oversight from the government and the barriers to real accountability in these kinds of cases.
As a white, small-town woman, I often feel undereducated about racial issues in America. As a teenager, I witnessed one instance of pretty horrific anti-Semitism which involved neo-Nazi slurs and a kid exposing himself to me and my friend. But do I really understand racism in America as it exists today? No, not at all, I don’t think. So I wanted some hardcore data, and the description of this book intrigued me, so I read it.
It’s really well-written. Each story moved me. And mostly, that’s what this book is. A long list of the stories of those whose lives ended in a police shooting and those who became voices raised for justice and change as a result of those deaths.
I liked that the author took such care to try to be unbiased in his approach to each subject. He doesn’t gloss over some of the grittier details of the people he profiles. He also gives a lot of context for what’s happened in many police forces which has created distance between officers and those they’re charged with protecting and serving. I hadn’t thought about many of the things he addresses, and felt like he tries at all times to be fair, even to the point of criticizing his own past reporting and pointing out errors he made in judgment or execution of a story.
Overall, the book made me want to know more. It did have some statistics and hard data, but didn’t really focus on those things. In some ways, They Can’t Kill Us All left me with more questions than I had to begin with. I want to know more about the data collected on police shootings—one of the most shocking statistics the book mentions is that one in three of those killed in police shootings are mentally ill. This seems like a staggering number and made me wonder if there’s not something we can do differently to handle these situations.
I recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in gaining a better sense of context for the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests in cities like Baltimore, Cleveland and Ferguson. I’m on the lookout for a book that provides additional context and more specific information on what police departments are doing to address some of these issues as well as changes made as a result of organizations mentioned in They Can’t Kill Us All since the book was written.
Recommended for Ages 14 up.
Cultural Elements
Explores racial issues in modern America and tells the stories of several young black Americans killed by police gunfire as well as the tales of many activists who began organizations to promote awareness and change during and in the aftermath of the Ferguson protests. Some organizers are members of the LGBT community.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used briefly.
Romance/Sexual Content Brief story about a woman who met her wife as a result of her activism following the events in Ferguson.
Spiritual Content The book describes a devout Christian woman whose faith motivates her to leadership in the movement.
Violent Content The author observes police brutality toward peaceful protestors in Ferguson as they use force and tear gas to disperse crowds. He describes his own arrest at one point, and the arrest of other protestors. The author also describes several shooting deaths.
Drug Content
Some brief reference to individuals who had drug charges on their records. No description of drug use.
Humans produce an incredible (or incredibly gross) amount of trash each year. Garbage ends up in landfills, rivers, oceans, and even in space. Controlling this waste to keep it from polluting air and water supplies is a monumental task. Scientists continue to learn more about the impact of waste and chemicals on the environment. Exciting new inventions create opportunities for cleanup to proceed quickly, allowing humans to undo some of the damage done to the environment. But as the mess took a global effort to make, it will take a massive effort to clean up, and understanding how garbage is managed is an important step in that process.
This book made me think much more deeply about the problems we face in terms of disposing waste. It describes some of the complications many landfills wrestle with on a daily basis and what will happen if toxins from these sites leach into our water supply.
There’s been a lot of focus within the current government about rolling back regulations to allow for more unhindered growth of businesses and industries. Without really going into that debate, I’ll say this book raised some important examples from history on why we developed many of those regulations to begin with. One of the things which surprised me was how often the EPA intervenes not just for wildlife protection but for protection for human lives from toxins which have had terrible impact on our health.
My favorite part of the book, though, was learning about some of the amazing solutions being developed to combat the garbage problem. From cities using methane produced by landfills as trash decomposes for an energy source to a trash filtration system which aims to use the oceans’ naturally occurring currents to remove garbage from the water. We may have made a big mess, but we have some amazing people with some incredible ideas working hard to help reduce and hopefully eliminate these problems. It doesn’t mean we can afford to sit back and let them handle things. It’s still so important to get educated—and this book is an excellent starting point. But it’s comforting to know there are solutions, and we can make a difference.
Recommended for Ages 10 up.
Cultural Elements
The book focuses a lot on the way trash is dealt with in America but contains sections dedicated to inventors from other countries who’ve had really cool ideas for ways to better manage garbage.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content None.
Violent Content None.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
