historical – One Chapter

Top 10 Spooky Mysteries: You Wouldn’t Want to Know About! by Fiona MacDonald

3 stars Children’s Nonfiction

I do like a good mystery, and spooky, yes that would make it extra special. This children’s nonfiction caught my attention at the library. This is a slim book consisting of only 32 pages. Those pages include 3 pages of introductions, two pages for the index and table of contents, and two pages for the glossary. In between all of that you have 10 pages of what the author believes are the Top 10 Worse Spooky Mysteries You Wouldn’t Want To Know About!

A mystery is a problem that hasn’t been solved yet inside this book each of the mysteries the author explains, they contain a “probable explanation printed upside down” on the pages of that mystery. As a reader, you’re supposed to try to solve the mystery before reading the upside “probable explanation.”

So let the countdown begin! Each of the two-page spread mysteries feature some vital statistics on the mystery: the name, place, date, the mystery, why you don’t want to know about it, and it’s “probable explanation.” The rest of the two pages are filled with information and illustrations. There are numerous paragraphs with separate titles describing the mysteries accompanying illustrations which are cartoon in nature. The illustrations take up about a third of the space on these pages.

From aliens to Curse of Tutankhamum to Mary Celeste to Dyatlov Pass incident, these mysteries cover ones that everyone should be familiar with and some that are not. I was surprised at the ones that made the list, and I welcomed reading something that I was not that familiar with.

After reading a short paragraph on the spooky mystery, I would read the vital statistics as that is how the book flowed for each of the mysteries. The supporting information followed as I read, and I was not a fan of how that additional information was presented on the pages. I tried different ways to read this information, but this information just felt disjointed, like some of the FYI Facts that someone had just plastered on the pages. I thought they did a great job with the various sizes and font types that were used on the pages, as they set the different sections of the information off from one another. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations that were used. They did a great job in creating the cartoon art for each of the mysteries but I’m not sure if humorous cartoon art was appropriate for this book. Again, this is just my own thoughts and preference. I give this book 3 stars as I was expecting to love this book but I didn’t.

One Crazy Summer: the Graphic Novel by Rita Williams- Garcia

4.5 stars Middle School Graphic Novel

This was so much better than the book. I enjoy graphic novels but I think the presence of the illustrations helped make this book more meaningful to me.

Three young sisters, yet only two of them get to be children while the oldest, eleven-year-old Delphine, must take the place of their mother Cecile. Vonetta, Fern, and Delphine were left behind with their Pa, when Cecile decided she needed a new life. Pa and Big Ma cared for the girls, but it was Cecile who took over being the mother to her younger sisters. It’s now been seven years, and the girls are about to be reunited with their mother. Mom has been living in California, being a voice with the Black Panther movement since her departure.

Delphine has high hopes for California. Sure, she will meet her mother again, but Delphine has never forgiven her, even after all these years. Having read about California, Delphine’s excited about all the different sights and sounds that await her in this new environment, experiences that she can’t wait to try.

So much emotion is wrapped up inside this book. Arriving, the girls have high expectations and see an endless list of possibilities before them. They start to see their true mother immediately and their expressions, thoughts and comments tell us their true feelings. Whether Cecile is trying to teach the girl’s independence or she’s a strict, unconcerned parent is a decision that needs to be made as you read the pages and capture the spirit in the illustrations.

There are a lot of eye-opening moments for the girls as they experience their mother’s world and the girls start to see the life of young children like themselves, in California, when they go to a Black Panther’s Community Center.

It was a womp, womp, womp moment as the girl’s get a dose of reality. Their mother has no plans to take them to any of the wonderful, fun-seeking places that Delphine has read about. No, the children must entertain themselves while mom works and later, when they’re sent to the community center, they’re introduced to the Black Panthers.

Character development and growth occur almost overnight as the girls are thrown into the mix. They soon find their strength and voice which caused me to laugh and smile as they finally got over their culture shock. They didn’t slink away or cower in a corner, their bond remained strong.

I thought this was a great book about the Black Panthers and it gave a great story which young readers could connect with. The illustrations were bright and colorful and added a great deal to the storyline. I highly recommend this graphic novel.

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

5 stars Historical Fiction

I listened to this book, and I really enjoyed the narration. With a full cast of individuals, I’m glad that I listened to this one. Sheriff Brody Dern carried his own scars and demons from the war and the townfolk, were no different. When Jimmy Quinn’s body is discovered floating in the river, it’s determined that he didn’t accidentally fall in. Jimmy did like his drink and all those that followed but what remains of Jimmy after the fish got ahold of him, points to a single shot that took Jimmy life. It’s rural Minnesota in the 1950’s, and everyone’s story matters.

Jimmy wasn’t a likeable person; his wife was a different story. Jimmy was a feared man; he spoke his mind, and nothing was impossible with him. The evidence at the scene was sparce but Sheriff Brody had a job to do. As he tries to catch a killer, I was crossing my suspects off my list and the list was getting rather short. There were stories that took me on sideroads, that gave me the stories and insight that made up the townfolk. They all had stories but whose story would make someone commit murder. 5 stars

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

5 stars Fiction Historical

You go, girl! You talk about a strong female character! Martha Ballard knew how to a thing or two or twenty about the world and her position as a midwife allowed her to see both sides of the world in which she lived. She knew her position didn’t sit well with those who preferred the traditional doctor, but Martha was smart enough to know that she didn’t understand everything in the medical field, and she was willing to learn. Most of the area women trust Martha and when one of them gets raped, its Martha that they call upon.

Martha keeps track of her days inside a personal journal. This journal becomes both a powerful force and a hardship when Martha is summoned to court when the rape case goes to trial. Martha is such a strong and impressive individual while other female’s knees start to bend when they are around intimidating males. I liked how Martha’s husband was there for her and how Martha wasn’t overpowering in nature but was trying to stand her ground. The ending of the book was a surprise and a shocker. It was amazing and while I was laughing, I was thanking the author for such a great ending. I listened to the audio of this book and although it was long, it didn’t drag on. 5 stars

Radium Girls by Cy

4 stars Graphic Novel Nonfiction

This book really cruised along compared to its predecessor book. I really enjoyed Radium Girls by Kate Moore so when I saw this title at the library, I snagged it up. It’s an entertaining graphic novel which hits on the high notes of Kate Moore’s nonfiction story, but it leaves out many of the details that I feel are important to the story.

It’s a great start if you’re interested in knowing more about these amazing women and this important period of history and/or those readers who get squeamish reading disturbing text.

Radium Girls Cy touches on the events that bonded these women together and alternately changed their lives forever.

I wasn’t a fan of the color scheme of this book. As I read the story, the graphic colors created a softer, more soothing tone, than I thought the book’s content demanded.

Cy answered the color scheme question and a variety of other questions which were very interesting at the back of the book (which I highly suggest you read before or after reading this graphic novel). Cy’s uses a “limited color scheme” so she can push herself, “as far as I can.” You can see this, as she takes purple and radium green and she mixes those throughout the pages. The text glides you through the information and presents you with the basics and a few details of the full story. Told through text bubbles and illustrations, you don’t get blogged down with lots of words and endless narration. This is a great start to learning about the Radium Girls but don’t stop there if the story interests you, there is so much more information out there for you to know. 3.5 to 4 stars

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson

4.5 stars YA/ Middle School Historical Fiction

She was like no other. Sage’s eyes were open and she wanted a life that was different. Set in the 1970’s, life may have been simpler, but the issues were still the same: who am I and where am I going?

On Palmetto Street in Brooklyn, Sage knows that the fires are close-by. This is her neighborhood, these are her neighbors, and surrounding her are the businesses and houses that are supposed to protect them, yet she knows that fire will consume the wooden structures. A portion of her world could go up in smoke, just-like-that.

Sage spends a great deal of her time on the court; she would have it no other way. The basketball court is her second home. This court is just like home as she shoots from different spots on the ink and as she plays a pick-up game with the neighborhood kids. Sage realizes and so do the other kids, that Sage is the only girl on the court. The only girl who dreams of making it big, shooting hoops. Sage is first-pick when choosing teams and they know, that she’s one that will take it to the hoop and score for their team. It’s Sage’s female friends who question this choice, a doubt that throws a shadow on Sage.

It’s Freddy who gives her reassurance. He’s the light that Sage needs. A friendship that benefited them both, as they felt tossed around.

I enjoyed the way that Woodson used reflection to set the stage for this book. As Sage remembers the past, she reflects on that summer in the late 1970’s and we can see how it has impacted her life. It’s Woodson use of words, their spacing and the conversations that were spoken on the page that amazes me. Reading this book, you need to stop and appreciate the talent and skill an author has, as they ignite the reader without over-explaining the situation. 4.5 stars

The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel adapted by Salva Rubio

4.5 stars Graphic Novel Middle School/YA

Edita loved her books, an adoration that would lead her on quite a journey in her life. As a young child, Edita enjoyed reading and was a sponge, immersing herself into books, as she wanted to know everything. With her parent’s encouragement, Edita was on her way. Edita’s greatest fear was time. Edita feared was that she wouldn’t finish all the books that she wanted to read, in her lifetime. I can totally relate to how Edita felt. The adults in her life had other fears they were dealing with which were now starting to hit closer to home. The troops were beginning to march in. Whispered conversations were now the norm, schools started shutting down and stars were being stitched on clothing. Edith was lucky as she used her stories to help her get through the days. When the family is finally forced out of their home, Dita can’t decide which books she wants to take with her. With her ONE suitcase limit, this is a difficult decision. NONE!?!

Now, that was crazy talk! Dita leaves with her family, carry no books inside her suitcase. The family is shuffled and pushed around like cattle, following all the other individuals who are forced out also. They’re lost, scared, and nervous. What is happening? The illustrations do a terrific job showing the feelings and bleakness of this time period as the individuals try to grasp exactly what is happening in their lives. Now is not the time to be modest or arrogant, Edith’s family knows they need to do what is expected of them to survive. When they finally stop drifting around, the camp they find themselves in, is trying to organize itself. They’re utilizing the talents of each of the prisoners, to benefit themselves. Dita’s special talent of reading is one that I didn’t think she realizes how special it was. With her ability to read different languages, Dita is able to assist many other prisoners and she becomes the secret librarian. Dita takes this job seriously but there were other important roles that she had. Fourteen-year-old Dita, taking risks that some adults were afraid of taking, and putting herself out there for the benefit of others: that’s one strong teen forced to live in a concentration camp.

This is based on the true story of Dita Kraus, an Auschwitz prisoner in WWII. A graphic novel adaptation is from Antonio Iturbe, The Librarian of Auschwitz. I found that this graphic novel touched on the important topics of Dita’s life and that the story moved quite quickly. Given that this book covers only 120 pages and Iturbe novel covers over 400 pages, Rubio did a great job showing the highlights of Dita’s life and how important she was. Having read both books (I loved Antonio’s novel!), and knowing that this is a graphic novel adaption, a lot of the details of the original book had to be left out. The author did include in his Epilogue some great information that I feel is important to this book and should be read. 4.5 stars

The Dam by David Arnold

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

The illustrations are just specular! Knowing that this story is based on a true event makes this story much more heartfelt and emotional. As the father and daughter walk into the valley together, there is this calmness in the story as he talks about how the dam will change life in the valley. No longer will there be joyous parties and dancing, the wildlife and animals will cease to come here, for this land will be forever changed. They come to a tall, brick structure and go inside. The daughter is instructed to play her violin one last time inside this structure while her daddy sings along. I can’t describe how wonderful the illustrations are as these two fill the room with their music.

The duo continues playing their music in all the buildings in this deserted community, filling “the houses with music,” until

“The birds heard.

The beast heard.

The earth heard.

The trees heard.

The ghosts heard.

The day was darkening.

Out of the valley they walked.”

Water slowly covers the land, until, “This was covered over. This was drowned. The lake is beautiful.” The father and daughter return to the land, the land they had last visited and played their duet. It is new, yet it’s the same.

The music is still there and it will continue and so will the memories. Life changes but it’s still the same. Fantastic story!! Check out this beautiful picture book! Definitely a 5-star read for me!

Yonder by Ali Standish

5 stars Historical Fiction Middle School

Jack was a hero. Jack jumped into the racing floodwaters and rescued the two girls from downing while the rest of the congregation stared as the raging waters carried the girls away. If you ask Jack though, he’ll tell you a different story as Jack doesn’t want the attention and the glory. Jack just wants to be Jack. Jack is street smart which is working out for him but the truancy officer thinks Jack needs to be book smart too so he hunts Jack down and tries to make him attend school. Jack doesn’t learn much from the books in school but he does learn about the individuals inside the building.

Danny is the book’s narrator and he attends school with Jack. Like Jack, Danny also delivers the newspapers around town while Danny’s mother keeps the newspaper running. Danny’s mother has an important job and I liked that she was honest with her son as this helps Danny. It’s June of 1943, the war is raging and segregation is occurring. Danny’s father has enlisted while Jack’s father has returned home from the war, bringing home with him parts of the war which overshadow his life. Two teen boys: they’re the same, yet they’re different.

I liked the relationship of Danny and Jack. They could be themselves and they enjoyed being around each other. They liked to have fun together and they were able to talk freely without worrying about what they were saying. When Lou showed up, they tried to include her. Danny had led a sheltered life but when his eyes were opened, we got to see his world through his eyes now.

There seems to be some mysteries popping up in the book when Jack disappears and Danny takes it upon himself to find him. Lou has a different mystery that she wants to solve. I feel that Jack’s disappearance is based on Jack’s solving his own mystery and perhaps, Jack will never find him. Will anyone solve their mystery? I liked how Danny started to take an interest in the war besides just collecting his scrap metal for school. Jack feels comfortable around Danny and talks to him about some personal issues. I loved hearing the excitement in Jack’s voice as he talked about and wondered about Jack’s disappearance.

This is such a fantastic book. A book about war, bullying, friendship, family, and love.

I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916 (I Survived Graphic Novels) by Lauren Tarshis

I was excited to see this series in graphic novel form. The story does move along quickly and being told through the eyes of Chet, a young boy who lives with his Uncle Jerry, I think young teens will be able to relate to Chet and his adventure. I thought the illustrations reflected the book’s time period without being overly done and they reminded me of some old comic books that I have seen. This story was easy to follow, contained a handful of characters, and the words on each page were kept at a minimum. I enjoyed this story and thought the illustrations went along with the story nicely. I’m glad that this series is being created into graphic novel format and I’m looking forward to reading more of them in the future.