The Book Woman's Daughter, written by Kim Michelle Richardson
The sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, which I read two years ago, this book is about a teenager whose parents are incarcerated because of the racism that forbid them from being married and her subsequent fight for independence and safety. Treated poorly because she's female and has blue skin, Honey Lovett is still determined to move forward in her own life while also serving those around her. It's a fictional story based on the very real problems of racism, misogyny, poverty, as well as the gifts of family, literacy, friendship, kindness, and integrity.
p. 193, "A man can't be both smart and hungry at the same time. Now's the time to be smart."
My belly growled, and I knew he was right. Mama used to say something similar when one of my handmade toys would break and I'd get frustrated, shake it or throw it onto the ground. She'd always said, Can't be angry and smart at the same time. Now, nothing wrong in having the anger, but the two rarely work together. Let's be smart, darling daughter. And then she'd calmly, and ever so slow, help me repair the busted toy.
The Boy from Baby House 10: From the Nightmare of a Russian Orphanage to a New Life in America, written by Alan Philps and John Lahutsky
Some things never become less appalling to read or hear about, like human beings who are ignored in cribs for years on end, considered worthless because they don't measure up to some arbitrary standard of what's acceptable, or profiting financially from the physical abuse of others. In the case of Lahutsky, the horrific neglect he experienced for many years of his childhood finally came to an end because a small group of people never stopped advocating for him.
The Kite Fighters, written by Linda Sue Park
An older brother who's really good at building kites. A younger brother who's really good at flying kites. A culture that requires the older be the one to compete in a New Year Festival kite fight. A young king who wants friendship and a part in the kite fighting competition. This fictional story about family, friendship, appreciating people's strengths, showing respect for the positions people hold, and having integrity in all you do is a school book I read to Tyler and he really enjoyed.
Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream, written by Joshua Davis
This true story is one of investing time in teaching others what we know, working hard to accomplish something when success is unlikely, and what it means to be an American. It's about race, poverty, immigration, and education. It's heart-breaking, inspiring, and thought-provoking.
Storm Runners: Wind, Storm Runners: The Surge, and Storm Runners: Eruption, written by Roland Smith and narrated by Ramon de Ocampo
This middle grade series about a boy and his dad who follow natural disasters, helping people prep beforehand and hiring themselves out for repairs after the fact, was perfect for listening to on a long road trip. I checked the first one out on Libby, just to see if we liked it, and Tyler asked as soon as it finished if I could check out the next one. And the next. With a hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcano, someone being struck by lightning, vehicle crashes, circus animals on the loose, and more, there's no shortage of adventure. While the storylines and characters do overlap, each book can also stand on its own.
This middle grade series about a boy and his dad who follow natural disasters, helping people prep beforehand and hiring themselves out for repairs after the fact, was perfect for listening to on a long road trip. I checked the first one out on Libby, just to see if we liked it, and Tyler asked as soon as it finished if I could check out the next one. And the next. With a hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcano, someone being struck by lightning, vehicle crashes, circus animals on the loose, and more, there's no shortage of adventure. While the storylines and characters do overlap, each book can also stand on its own.
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