I expected this one to be harder to get through and full of teenage angst. I was wrong. Although parts definitely made me angry, overall the various PI expected this one to be harder to get through and full of teenage angst. I was wrong. Although parts definitely made me angry, overall the various POVs worked for me and I enjoyed the story....more
I found this book to just be dark and depressing, it reads like a teenage boy's creative writing project full of unrealistic happenings and nightmaresI found this book to just be dark and depressing, it reads like a teenage boy's creative writing project full of unrealistic happenings and nightmares....more
I did not enjoy this book, but I can see why it's one that's often required as part of high school curriculum and why it's been challenged or banned. I did not enjoy this book, but I can see why it's one that's often required as part of high school curriculum and why it's been challenged or banned. It offers some interesting perspectives on humanity's quest for immortality and perfection, as well as the pursuit of happiness over science and truth....more
A hard, but important and thought-provoking read. I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but I'm glad I did.A hard, but important and thought-provoking read. I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but I'm glad I did....more
If you're a white person who thinks you aren't racist, please read this book to get a better understanding of what systemic racism is and how we are aIf you're a white person who thinks you aren't racist, please read this book to get a better understanding of what systemic racism is and how we are all complicit whether we want to be or not. It's an institutional thing at this point in our society. It's not a good vs bad person thing. I love her responses to the idea of "I don't see color" and "I judge people by their actions, not their skin."
While I don't buy everything DiAngelo says, everything is thought-provoking and worthy of examination. I have a lot more research, listening, and internal reflection to do. If I want to be an ally, and I definitely do, and if I want to help change our society for the better, and I definitely do, then my work will never be done, I'll always be a work-in-progress. That's okay. The important part is the willingness to work and not give up.
This book is a great starting place for White people who want to believe that All Lives Matter....more
This is another one of the books I picked up solely because it's on the list that a far-right radical representative in the TX legislature wants to baThis is another one of the books I picked up solely because it's on the list that a far-right radical representative in the TX legislature wants to ban from school and library shelves. I can see why it's controversial as it addresses lgbtqia+ issues in a completely straightforward manner. What I like about this book is that it doesn't tell the reader what to do or think or feel, rather it talks about different possibilities and then asks the reader to think about how they feel about certain issues. It states outright that not every person feels comfortable with their gender assigned at birth (but doesn't go into any detail or specifics about how they might try to change their bodies or cope with those feelings). It also discusses masturbation without attaching any value judgements and mentions that every family has their own ideas of if/when it's appropriate. Then, it encourages the reader to talk with an adult they trust about those issues. There's no mention of intercourse or reproduction, this book is strictly about bodies - what they look like physically and how they mature and how to take care of them. It's written in graphic novel format with illustrations that remind me of Todd Parr.
This book is very open-ended and would make a great book to begin discussing the "birds and the bees" with an 8 to 11 year old child. I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a resource to use to start a discussion on bodies and maturation with your kids. ...more
Absolutely fantastic illustrations and a hilarious story about a family getting ready for a visit from Grandma. There's a list (made from alphabet magAbsolutely fantastic illustrations and a hilarious story about a family getting ready for a visit from Grandma. There's a list (made from alphabet magnets) on the fridge of the chores that need to be accomplished before she comes and one dad is reading them out and assigning them to the other dad and the kids. When the cat hears that one of the chores is to "Bathe the Cat," he cannot let that stand and he mixes up the letters to create a completely ridiculous list of chores (e.g mop the fish and mow the floor). Hilarity ensues and the family desperately hurries to complete their list, but it keeps changing. Will the house be clean before Grandma arrives? Will the cat ever actually get a bath?
A fun group read aloud that would be great in story time....more
A quick read, but oh so powerful! The lasting impact of drugs, family, love, and art are on full display and I definitely recommend this memoir to anyA quick read, but oh so powerful! The lasting impact of drugs, family, love, and art are on full display and I definitely recommend this memoir to anyone who cares about those things....more
I read this book because it came up on a list of books recommended to supplement or replace some of the outdated "classics" required in modern high scI read this book because it came up on a list of books recommended to supplement or replace some of the outdated "classics" required in modern high schools (Catch-22 bore anyone else to tears??). I hesitated to review it because I didn't read every word on every page, but ultimately decided that I had read enough to give an honest opinion. The author is a fashion editor for Vogue and a member of the Ojibwe First Nation. The book is full of pictures and stories about BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ people reclaiming fashion by embracing their cultural traditions and styles. Many different designers are profiled (from hijabs to makeup to heels for men), as well as models and YouTube stars. Their own words are used to describe them and tell their own stories. It's really a unique and well done book. I understand why Ellen Oh recommended it to be added to high school reading lists....more
Sweet, straightforward book telling the story of Donovan's day and he prepares and then participates in the marriage of his Mom and his Mama. ExcellenSweet, straightforward book telling the story of Donovan's day and he prepares and then participates in the marriage of his Mom and his Mama. Excellent illustrations....more
A little too long/involved for a group of preschoolers, this is a good story about Jacob and the reactions of his parents, his teacher, and his classmA little too long/involved for a group of preschoolers, this is a good story about Jacob and the reactions of his parents, his teacher, and his classmates when he wants to wear a dress and be the princess during dress-up time. I loved the illustrations and I especially liked how it showed both the reticence and the support from Jacob's parents and teacher, as well as Jacob's own anxiety. A great one-on-one read aloud to explain gender nonconformity to preschool age kids....more
Morris likes the tangerine dress in the dress-up box at school. He likes the swish, swish sound it makes and the crinkle crinkle when he sits down. HeMorris likes the tangerine dress in the dress-up box at school. He likes the swish, swish sound it makes and the crinkle crinkle when he sits down. He likes the click clack of the shoes from the dress-up box, too. The message is a good one, people should be able to wear what makes them comfortable and stereotypical gender roles are stupid, but the story itself is boring. The illustrations, however, are fantastic....more
I read this one because it was on a list that people want to ban from schools and libraries. It's nothing special, just a typical fairy tale only the I read this one because it was on a list that people want to ban from schools and libraries. It's nothing special, just a typical fairy tale only the protagonists are gay....more
I'm anti-censorship so I picked this book up because it's on the list of books people want to ban from schools and libraries. Simple rhyming text tellI'm anti-censorship so I picked this book up because it's on the list of books people want to ban from schools and libraries. Simple rhyming text tells a fairy tale of a prince and a knight in shining armor (literally). While I appreciate the effort to be inclusive, that's really all this book has to offer. The story itself is insta-love and full of stereotypes, the only original thing is that the prince falls in love with a guy and his parents support that. So, it has its place, but I wasn't wowed. ...more
This is another book I picked up because some right wing representative from TX put it on his list of books to remove from school and library shelves.This is another book I picked up because some right wing representative from TX put it on his list of books to remove from school and library shelves. It's an absolutely gorgeous book that basically runs through the alphabet (A is for America ... J is for Journey ... O is for Oath ... V is for Voices ... Z is for Zeal etc.) with simple poems (some flow better than others) describing that trait. There's a sidebar on each page with facts and information about how an immigrant made some contribution to American life or culture.
Of all the ones I've read so far from his list - this is the one that I least understand being on the list. It's just factual, not controversial. It's not the best group read aloud because there's not a real story line, but it's definitely worth reading, especially as a one-on-one read, and discussing how America (specifically the US) is made up of people from everywhere and what a beautiful tapestry that weaves (even with our problems, which are not glossed over, but not harped on, either).
I picked this book up solely because it's on the list of a radical right-wing Republican TX representative who wants to ban books from school and librI picked this book up solely because it's on the list of a radical right-wing Republican TX representative who wants to ban books from school and library shelves. I believe strongly in the freedom to read and that all children need to see both themselves, and people totally unlike them, reflected in the books they read. Reading fiction has been proven to increase empathy!
This novel-in-verse was a very quick read. I appreciated the glimpse of both ancient and modern Mexican/Puerto Rican/Indigenous cultures surrounding women and their connection to each other, to life, and to the moon. There's also a very respectful treatment of gender identity issues. Entertaining and enlightening, I recommend it....more
A quick read made up entirely of emails. Too much unnecessary profanity, too little plot, too many professions of undying love, and too many referenceA quick read made up entirely of emails. Too much unnecessary profanity, too little plot, too many professions of undying love, and too many references to sex make this a 2 star read for me.
This is another book that I picked up only because a radical right wing TX representative put it on a list of books he wants to pull from school and library shelves. I believe strongly in the freedom to read hate censorship so I'm reading as many of these books as possible....more
This is one of the books I read simply because it was on the list that a radical right-wing TX representative wants to pull from school and library shThis is one of the books I read simply because it was on the list that a radical right-wing TX representative wants to pull from school and library shelves.
Short, clear, and straightforward - this is a basic introduction to the issue of privilege, specifically White Privilege. It's broad overview to get the discussion started, but definitely needs follow-up and critical thinking and discussion to really be useful. But, it's got great information and some resources listed in the back to continue the learning.
This is one of the books I read simply because it was on the list that a radical right-wing TX representative wants to pull from school and library shThis is one of the books I read simply because it was on the list that a radical right-wing TX representative wants to pull from school and library shelves.
Short, clear, and straightforward - a good basic introduction to the issue, but definitely requires discussion to make it useful. A nice broad overview to get the discussion started....more
This is another of the books I picked up at the library just because it's on the list that a radical right-wing representative in Texas wants to pull This is another of the books I picked up at the library just because it's on the list that a radical right-wing representative in Texas wants to pull from school and library shelves. It's a very basic, very broad overview of what allyship looks like. It's written on a middle grade level, but unfortunately reads too much like a textbook to really capture a kid's interest. The subject matter is also more complicated than can be easily explained in 32 pages.
Still, I find this book to be a good starting point to explain allyship and racial justice. There's lot of other resources out there to move on to after finishing this book. I recommend both this book, and continuing on to more in-depth resources afterward.
My favorite quote: (p. 31) "There comes a time when the fight for justice must go beyond talk. People who believe in freedom cannot rest. They must organize, communicate, and walk the talk, not just talk the talk. It means taking action to stop the injustices that are happening, because we want the world to be a better place for everyone."...more
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