Victoria
My Shelf
Our hidden conversations : what Americans really think about race and identity
by Michele Norris
305.8 /Norris
"Our Hidden Conversations is a unique compilation of stories, richly reported essays, and photographs providing a window into America during a tumultuous era. This powerful book offers an honest, if sometimes uncomfortable, conversation about race and identity, permitting us to eavesdrop on deep-seated thoughts, private discussions, and long submerged memories."--
Zodiac : a graphic memoir
by Weiwei Ai
BIOGRAPHY Ai, Weiwei
Art / Art History, Memoir
"As a child living in exile during the Cultural Revolution, Ai Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propaganda, Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists' ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now, decades later, Ai Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present Zodiac, Ai Weiwei's first graphic memoir. Inspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics, Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life, family, and career. The narrative shifts back and forth through the years--at once in the past, present, and future--mirroring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into the beautifully illustrated pages of Zodiac, they will find not only a personal history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in which he makes his art, but a philosophical exploration of what it means to find oneself through art and freedom of expression."--Amazon.
I love AI Weiwei's work and have read every book by him and written about him. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic memoir cleverly intertwined with Chinese zodiac animals and folklore and the illustrations are gorgeous! It is always a pleasure to get a little more insight into the life of such an artistic icon! -Victoria
The end of Eden : wild nature in the age of climate breakdown
by Adam Welz
577.27 /Welz
Nature, Nonfiction
"A revelatory exploration of climate change from the perspective of wild species and natural ecosystems--an homage to the miraculous, vibrant entity that is life on Earth. Your key word here is Sustainable Living right out of the World Economic Forum. "
It seems fitting to write a review of this book when here in Iowa the weather went from record warmth to below-average temperatures and the potential of snow all within 24 hours. It's weird, right? This new book from Adam Welz documents not climate change, but what he terms "global weirding." In it, he carefully highlights species across the globe affected by their ecosystem in a state of decline, often so difficult to see to the layperson, but with devastating implications for these species. Wenz does not demonize stakeholders, but simply lays out the stone cold facts that at times can be difficult, if not necessary to learn. -Victoria
Kehinde Wiley : a new republic
759.13 /Wiley
The works presented in Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic raise questions about race, gender, and the politics of representation by portraying contemporary African American men and women using the conventions of traditional European portraiture. The exhibition includes an overview of the artists prolific fourteen-year career and features sixty paintings and sculptures. Wiley's signature portraits of everyday men and women riff on specific paintings by Old Masters, replacing the European aristocrats depicted in those paintings with contemporary black subjects, drawing attention to the absence of African Americans from historical and cultural narratives. The subjects in Wiley's paintings often wear sneakers, hoodies, and baseball caps, gear associated with hip-hop culture, and are set against contrasting ornate decorative backgrounds that evoke earlier eras and a range of cultures. Through the process of "street casting," Wiley invites individuals, often strangers he encounters on the street, to sit for portraits. In this collaborative process, the model chooses a reproduction of a painting from a book and reenacts the pose of the painting?s figure. By inviting the subjects to select a work of art, Wiley gives them a measure of control over the way they're portrayed.
This is another older title, but Wiley's art is fascinating, rooted in history and that history us turned upside down and recreated in its own image. It's exactly the art I wanted to see as a kid. An absolute feast for the eyes! If you're a fan of his, check out one of his inspirations, Kerry James Marshall's Mastry. -Victoria
Pritty
by Miller, Keith F., Jr., author.
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Miller Keith
"On the verge of summer before his senior year, Jay is a soft soul in a world of concrete. While his older brother is everything people expect a man to be--tough, athletic, and in charge--Jay simply blends into the background to everyone, except when it comes to Leroy. Unsure of what he could have possibly done to catch the eye of the boy who could easily have anyone he wants, Jay isn't about to ignore the surprising but welcome attention. But as everything in his world begins to heat up, especially with Leroy, whispered rumors over the murder of a young Black journalist and long-brewing territory tensions hang like a dark cloud over his neighborhood. And when Jay and Leroy find themselves caught in the crossfire, Leroy isn't willing to be the reason Jay's life is at risk. Dragged into the world of the Black Diamonds--whose work to protect the Black neighborhoods of Savannah began with his father and now falls to his older brother--Leroy knows that finding out who attacked his brother is not only the key to protecting everyone he loves but also the only way he can ever be with Jay. Wading through a murky history of family trauma and regret, Leroy soon discovers that there's no keeping Jay safe when Jay's own family is in just as deep and fighting the undertow of danger just as hard. Now Jay and Leroy must puzzle through secrets hiding in plain sight and scramble to uncover who is determined to eliminate the Black Diamonds before someone else gets hurt--even if the cost might be their own electric connection"--
I haven't read a book like this before. It's raw, gritty, violent, but I was invested because I cared immensely what happened to the characters! -Victoria
There was a party for Langston
by Reynolds, Jason, author.
jE Reynolds
A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.
YA legend, Jason Reynolds has dabbled in this tribute to the incredible Langston Hughes for young children and it's brimming with joy, beautiful art, and celebration. Bonus- It also features a library! -Victoria
An appetite for miracles
by Laekan Zea Kemp
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Kemp Laekan
Danna Mendoza Villarreal's grandfather is slowly losing himself as his memories fade, and Danna's not sure her plan to help him remember through the foods he once reviewed will be enough to bring him back. Especially when her own love of food makes her complicated relationship with her mother even more difficult. Raúl Santos has been lost ever since his mother was wrongly incarcerated two years ago. Playing guitar for the elderly has been his only escape, to help them remember and him forget. But when his mom unexpectedly comes back into his life, what is he supposed to do when she isn't the same person who left? When Danna and Raúl meet, sparks fly immediately and they embark on a mission to heal her grandfather...and themselves. Because healing is something best done together; even if it doesn't always look the way we want it to.
This book is so beautiful! Her first book in prose, Laeken tackles issues of loss, difficult family dynamics, and incarceration in incredibly authentic ways. A wonderful story of two young people who are broken, and find healing in truly seeing each other for who they are. You'll love this if you're a fan of The Poet X (Elizabeth Acevedo,) or The Sun is Also a Star and Everything Everything (Nicola Yoon.) -Victoria
Shut up, this is serious
by Carolina Ixta
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Ixta Carolina
Young Adult
Belen Dolores Itzel del Toro wants the normal stuff: to experience love or maybe have a boyfriend or at least just lose her virginity. But nothing is normal in East Oakland. Her father left her family. She's at risk of not graduating. And Leti, her super-Catholic, nerdy-ass best friend, is pregnant--by the boyfriend she hasn't told her parents about because he's Black and her parents are racist.
This one drew me in from the beginning! Belén, one of the main characters is a sound narrator astute in her intuition and just a lovely character to share space with. Leti is a character we've all known in some form where the best laid plans often go off the rails and we're there watching how that all plays out. This is a story about the love of friendship, how families shape us, how images (good and bad) of our bodies are forged, and how to try to make sense of ourselves and our place in the world in our teen years. The story is set in Oakland, where the author grew up and this setting really brings it all together. A fantastic debut for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo! -Victoria
All the light we cannot see : a novel
by Anthony Doerr
FICTION Doerr Anthony
Historical Fiction
"From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, a stunningly ambitious and beautiful novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Marie Laure lives with her father in Paris within walking distance of the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master of the locks (there are thousands of locks in the museum). When she is six, she goes blind, and her father builds her a model of their neighborhood, every house, every manhole, so she can memorize it with her fingers and navigate the real streets with her feet and cane. When the Germans occupy Paris, father and daughter flee to Saint-Malo on the Brittany coast, where Marie-Laure's agoraphobic great uncle lives in a tall, narrow house by the sea wall. In another world in Germany, an orphan boy, Werner, grows up with his younger sister, Jutta, both enchanted by a crude radio Werner finds. He becomes a master at building and fixing radios, a talent that wins him a place at an elite and brutal military academy and, ultimately, makes him a highly specialized tracker of the Resistance. Werner travels through the heart of Hitler Youth to the far-flung outskirts of Russia, and finally into Saint-Malo, where his path converges with Marie-Laure. Doerr's gorgeous combination of soaring imagination with observation is electric. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another. Ten years in the writing, All the Light We Cannot See is his most ambitious and dazzling work"--
I read this book when it first came out but picked it back up for a re-read since starting the Netflix adaptation. There have been many books written about World War Two, but this remains one of my favorite historical fiction pieces because of the exhilarating story Doerr crafts. He is highly adept at looking at the war through the lens of his characters; a French, blind woman, and a German man, yet carefully details them in a way where you see them for the richness of their humanity, not solely the countries they fight for. His layered characters: their drives, their consciences, base human instincts highlight the very worst and the very best of mankind that culminates in the reader's understanding in the futility and tragedy of war. Doerr's astute attention to detail, along with short chapters makes for a fantastic story- you will want to keep reading one more chapter, then another! -Victoria
At the drop of a cat
by Élise Fontenaille
jE Fontenai
A six-year-old boy loves nothing more than spending time with Luis, his immigrant grandfather, who teaches the boy about birds, plants, and the natural world.
This might be one of my favorite picture books this year. This is a story of the many layers of language. It's how we connect with our environment and each other. The illustrations are richly-detailed adding additional depth. A great lesson for children to learn: that our lives are shaped by our experiences and even though we might not speak the language; there are many other ways to create connections that cultivate meaning in life. -Victoria
Accountable : the true story of a racist social media account and the teenagers whose lives it changed
by Dashka Slater
371.829 /Slater
Young Adult
"When a high school student started a private Instagram account that used racist and sexist memes to make his friends laugh, he thought of it as "edgy" humor. Over time, the edge got sharper. Then a few other kids found out about the account. Pretty soon, everyone knew. Ultimately no one in the small town of Albany, California, was safe from the repercussions of the account's discovery. Not the girls targeted by the posts. Not the boy who created the account. Not the group of kids who followed it. Not the adults--educators and parents--whose attempts to fix things too often made them worse. In the end, no one was laughing. And everyone was left asking: Where does accountability end for online speech that harms? And what does accountability even mean?" -- Page [2] of cover.
As adults, we can guide our teens at home, teachers can intervene in the classroom, but what about on social media, and even more difficult, private accounts? In her latest non-fiction work, Slater (author of the fantastic 57 Bus,) recounts in meticulous journalistic detail a racist Instagram account that was established at a high school and the fallout it created. She shines a light on past trauma, blatant racism, the students who have to deal with the repercussions, and asks, who is accountable? While personally, the book felt a little too lengthy in parts, this is an important read that could be used to foster conversations in book clubs and beyond! -Victoria
The artivist
by Nikkolas Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
Motivated by the realization of global inequities, a young boy embraces his dual identities as an artist and activist, becoming an "Artivist" to make a difference by using his viral mural as a catalyst for positive change.
This is a beautiful introduction to the power of art and its ability to wash away the dust of everyday life and hold a mirror up to problems in our world. The text is simple and the story is told mostly through the illustrations (which are fantastic). The ideas are heady and real, but the art is more real and connects the reader to an inertia art creates to bring about real change. A wonderful read! -Victoria
Tenderheart : a cookbook about vegetables and unbreakable family bonds
by Hetty McKinnon
641.5636 /McKinnon
Cookbooks, Nonfiction
"From the acclaimed author of To Asia, With Love, a loving homage to her father, a Chinese immigrant in Australia, told in 150 flavorful, vegetarian recipes. Heritage and food have always been linked for Hetty McKinnon. Growing up as part of a Chinese family in Australia, McKinnon formed a deep appreciation for her bi-cultural identity, and for her father, who moved to Sydney as a teenager and learned English by selling bananas at a local market. As he brought home crates full of produce after work, McKinnon learned about the beauty and versatility of fruits and vegetables. Tenderheart is the happy outcome of McKinnon's love of vegetables. From Miso Mushroom Ragu with Oven-Baked Polenta to Celery and Vermicelli Spring Rolls and Sweet Potato and Black Sesame Marble Cake, Tenderheart features 21 essential fruits and vegetables that become the basis for 150 recipes. A tender tribute to her father and his experience as an immigrant, McKinnon explores how food connects us to our loved ones, even when they are no longer with us - and gives us the tools to make recipes that are healthful, economical, and bursting with flavor"--
I picked up this gorgeous cookbook on the Bookmobile and couldn't stop staring at the front cover, so knew I'd be taking it after my shift. This is a book about love; love of family and love of cooking. The two interweave beautifully in the recipe illustrations and the photo album snap shots. The author's love and respect for her father and mother and the sacrifices they made are evident in every recipe. I loved how each chapter was a shout out to a new vegetable or root. Many of the recipes had similar experiences so the book is practical, too. I have tried several recipes already and can't wait to serve up more! -Victoria
Our migrant souls : a meditation on race and the meanings and myths of "Latino"
by Héctor Tobar
305.868 /Tobar
Nonfiction
"Latino" is the most open-ended and loosely defined of the major race categories in the United States. Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of "Latino" assembles the Pulitzer Prize winner Héctor Tobar's personal experiences as the son of Guatemalan immigrants and the stories told to him by his Latino students to offer a spirited rebuke to racist ideas about Latino people. Our Migrant Souls decodes the meaning of "Latino" as a racial and ethnic identity in the modern United States, and seeks to give voice to the angst and anger of young Latino people who have seen Latinidad transformed into hateful tropes about "illegals" and have faced insults, harassment, and division based on white insecurities and economic exploitation.
After a few paragraphs into this book, I was hooked by the author's writing style, historical knowledge and perspective, but perhaps most of all by his humility and humanity. Part professor and part reporter, Tobar is first a collector and reflector of stories, of histories, and this book is an ode to his Latino students and those trying to make sense of their ancestral roots; but will resonate with anyone who has left their motherland in search of a new life. Tobar contends that the very notion of the word "Latino" to describe such myriad life experiences that have intersected with geopolitical and socioeconomic clashes of civilizations (namely North vs. South America,) is ridiculous. I found myself looking up historical facts mentioned in the book, or googling landmarks to gain more insight. While I did not agree with everything the author laid out, overall I thought this was an excellent, moving and brave undertaking. I have no doubt it will bring solace to those who have made journeys across oceans, deserts, or walls due to war, country instability, or in search of something more. In the very least they know that while their stories may differ, they are not alone. -Victoria
Stickler loves the world
by Lane Smith
jE Smith
Picture Books
"Stickler is a woodland creature who reminds us to appreciate the everyday wonders we often ignore"--
Stickler is a captivating, enchanting, and odd one; part Golem with twig-like appendages, full reveler in the magic of every day. Objects jump off the page as they're being praised, "fluffy cloud, mushy moss, weepy tree," introducing young children to descriptive vocabulary with captivating (and sometimes droll- see slimy frog) illustrations alongside. This book is also funny! Lane Smith has created another beautifully illustrated book about reconnecting with the how amazing our world is when we approach it with gratitude and fresh eyes (it helps when you have a cutting-edge space helmet covering your face and Stickler as a guide!). -Victoria
Last chance dance
by Lakita Wilson
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Wilson Lakita
Young Adult
"Leila is crushed when Dev, her boyfriend of four years, breaks up with her right before graduation. Just when she's thinking she wasted her entire high school experience on a dead-end relationship, her best friend Bree reminds her that Last Chance Dance is just around the corner. A high school tradition, the Last Chance Dance gives all the students one last opportunity to find love before they graduate. All Leila has to do is submit three unrequited crushes to the dance committee and if any of her crushes list her too, they'll get matched. Presto: new relationship, just like that. To her utter amazement, Leila is matched with all three of her choices--and with someone she never expected, Tre Hillman, her chemistry partner and low-key nemesis. But as graduation and the dance approaches, and each date seems to change her mind (and her heart)--Leila must figure out what--and who--she really wants. It's her last chance, right?"--
Not usually one for the romance genre (with the exception of Eleanor and Park, Heartstopper, and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,) this one will be added to a small but growing list. Leila was a great character and I found myself rooting for her to find someone new to fulfill her dreams. This is a great back to school read; not too heady, but fun, touching, and relatable. -Victoria
Poetry unbound : 50 poems to open your world
by Padraig Ó Tuama
808.1 /Ó Tuama
The author offers reflections on fifty powerful poems.
Poetry is something perfect to pick up during short intervals of time; at the dentist's, on the bus, or waiting for an oil change. It offers condensed pearls of wisdom with often just as much heft as a full-length book. It allows for short bursts of concentrated thinking and reflection. As a self-professed member of the scribbling-notes-in-book-margins-camp, I loved Padraig Ó Tuama's insights surrounding a carefully collected curation of poems dear to him. While some of his choices resonated with me more personally than others, his thoughts always shed some light and prompted pause for exploration. A wonderfully-thoughtful collection! -Victoria
The heat will kill you first : life and death on a scorched planet
by Jeff Goodell
363.73874 /Goodell
Nonfiction
"The Heat Will Kill You First is about the extreme ways in which our planet is already changing. It is about why spring is coming a few weeks earlier and fall is coming a few weeks later and the impact that will have on everything from our food supply to disease outbreaks. It is about what will happen to our lives and our communities when typical summer days in Chicago or Boston go from 90°F to 110°F. A heatwave, Goodell explains, is a predatory event--one that culls out the most vulnerable people. But that is changing. As heatwaves become more intense and more common, they will become more democratic. As an award-winning journalist who has been at the forefront of environmental journalism for decades, Goodell's new book may be his most provocative yet, explaining how extreme heat will dramatically change the world as we know it"--
Here in Iowa this August, cities across the state are breaking historical temperature highs. Though not taken on nearly as much as other extreme weather such as tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and flash flooding, extreme heat is the number one killer. Prolonging its devasting effects with air conditioning not only places a band-aid on the problem but causes global temperatures to rise even more. Once thought as one-offs, extreme heat events have become the norm, are not going away and in fact, the author notes are becoming more "democratic;" disrupting all facets of our lives (think over-extended power grids and school closures.) While this is a disturbing book to read, if extreme weather will affect you (spoiler, it will,) then this is an absolutely necessary read. I love climate books that offer pragmatic solutions; albeit solutions that could be hard to swallow (think eating insects instead of that hefty steak). Author Goodell is astute at correlating global events in a logical way and in his over two decades of reporting on climate change, has become well-versed in connecting the dots of imminent disaster of a planet in peril if left unchecked. -Victoria
Ab(solutely) normal : short stories that smash mental health stereotypes
by
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Absolute
Channeling their own experiences, sixteen exceptional authors subvert mental health stereotypes in a powerful and uplifting collection of fiction. A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncontrollable tears but finds that in doing so he's helping to enable another's healing. In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose, verse, and graphics, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes as they remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn't mean that you're defined by it. Each story is followed by a note from its author to the reader, and comprehensive back matter includes bios for the contributors as well as a collection of relevant resources. With contributions by: Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork
This is a fantastic collection of short stories that humanizes mental illness and the negative stigma that is often attached. The scope of fiction alone is impressive, but the stories are heart-felt, authentic and beautiful. I would highly recommend this collection to youth everywhere, as well and those who support them. A must-read! -Victoria
The amazing and true story of Tooth Mouse Pérez
by Ana Cristina Herreros
jE Herreros
Picture Books
Though the world is very different from when his Tooth Mouse descendants worked, a Tooth Mouse named Pérez continues his ancestors' tradition and brings children their permanent teeth.
This was a delightful little read about a few different cultural mores surrounding the tooth mouse/ant/fairy. The illustrations are dreamy and humorous and the text is wry and witty in parts. The author delicately handles the work of the tooth mouse and wonderfully introduces a rather distinguished shining star at the top of his tooth collecting game- Tooth Mouse Pérez. Losing a tooth is a rite of passage and Tooth Mouse Pérez is a story that sanctifies the myth of who collects, barters and bestows gifts for our tiny tools of mastication. -Victoria
Breadsong : how baking changed our lives
by Kitty Tait
641.815 /Tait
Kitty Tait grew up a funny, chatty redhead who made everyone in her family laugh. But around the time she turned 14, Kitty began experiencing anxiety. Slowly, she disconnected from everyone around her and struggled to wake up, get dressed, and leave the house. Full of worry, her parents tried everything, from new hobbies like reading and painting to medication and visits to a specialist. Nothing seemed to help. Then, one day, as Kitty stood on a stool watching her dad mix flour, water, and salt, she determined Al's gloopy, sludgy blob of bread looked a whole lot like her brain. The next day, peaking under the tea towel as the mix gently bubbled and popped, Kitty came to a stunning realization: bread is alive. Al asked Kitty if she'd like to try baking bread herself, and their lives were never the same again. One loaf quickly escalated into an obsession, and Kitty felt better than she had for a long time. Within nine months, Kitty and Al opened The Orange Bakery--and they haven't stopped since. Featuring more than 80 recipes--including cinnamon buns, cheese swirls, and tahini brownies--Breadsong is a celebration of bread and baking, and an inspiring story of the life-saving power of discovering a passion.
This was a wonderful read; especially for young adults who get lost sometimes or feel a sense of hopelessness. I loved the winding, genuine stories around the craft of bread making.The recipes are beautiful, some are very simple to make but the wonderful community that stepped up to help Kitty when she needed it most is perhaps my favorite part of the book. Final verdict: baking enthusiasts- you knead to read this! -Victoria
I kick and I fly
by Ruchira Gupta
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Gupta Ruchira
Young Adult
"On the outskirts of the red-light area in Bihar, India, Heera is living on borrowed time until the day her father decides to sell her into the sex trade to repay his loans. It is, as she's been told, the fate of all women in Girls Bazaar to end up there. But what if she can learn to fight back against 'fate'? When a local hostel owner presents her with the opportunity to practice kung fu, Heera begins to learn that her body isn't an object to be preyed upon, but a vessel through which she can protect herself. She will face unimaginable barriers -- expulsion from school, the unapologetic forces of nature, and a local trafficker who won't take his sights off her. But fate can change, and heroics are contagious. As Heera starts to piece together the whereabouts of a missing friend through a pen pal in the United States, and a competition takes her to New York, the desire to ensure her friend's survival might just lead her to make the ultimate risk" -- Page 2 of cover.
This is an incredibly insightful and powerful book. It tells a story of the caste system, and the how the peoples (namely women,) from the Nat tribes have endured the worst the system affords. This story is about fate, family but mostly destiny carved out by looking beyond what has been pre-ordained for you. Parts of this book are obviously difficult to read, but it is a necessary and wonderful debut. Author Ruchira Gupta is the founder-president of Apne Aap Women Worldwide and Apne Aap International, an organization committed to ending sex trafficking in India. -Victoria
Saints of the household
by Ari Tison
YOUNG ADULT FICTION Tison Ari
When brothers Max and Jay help a classmate in trouble, they struggle with the consequences of their violent actions and worry they may be more like their abusive father than they thought, so the brothers turn to their Bribri roots to find their way forward.
This is a wonderful read. The relationship between Jay and Max is uniquely explored and I think not often captured enough in YA. The back and forth chapters work really effectively to hold even a reluctant reader's attention and the writer contrasts both brother's psyche in an equal but opposite way that works. Past trauma and nature vs. nurture is a common theme throughout. Characters are well developed and I was fascinated to be introduced to and learn more about the Bribri (indigenous people of Costa Rica and Northern Panama). -Victoria
The climate book
by Greta Thunberg
363.73874 /Thunberg
"Greta Thunberg has gathered the wisdom of over one hundred experts - geophysicists, oceanographers and meteorologists; engineers, economists and mathematicians; historians, philosophers and indigenous leaders--to equip us all with the knowledge we need to combat climate disaster"--
I always appreciate Greta's no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to climate change. In this comprehensive manifesto, she's gathered a myriad of inter-disciplinary experts to drop their sage wisdom on a solution-oriented approach to dealing with a rapidly changing climate. I think young adults and fully-fledged adults interested in climate adaptation would enjoy this read. -Victoria
A bed of stars
by Jessica Love
jE Love
Picture Books
A reassuring picture book about finding one's place in the world follows a father as he takes his child on their first camping trip where he shows, under a blanket of stars, that the universe is a friendly place.
Jessica Love (author of Julián is a mermaid and Julián at the Wedding,) has created another wonderful picture book. A Bed of Stars follows a child's first camping adventure into the desert with his father. I especially love the way Love creates warm and familiar inter-generational relationships that are so authentic and addresses core fears children have, while also presenting real ways to address them (via loving and patient family members). As an added bonus, you can learn about desert flora and fauna; "we say hello: ocotillo, globemallow, agave". -Victoria
The wanderer
by Peter Van den Ende
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Van den Ende
"Without a word, and with Escher-like precision, Van den Ende presents one little paper boat's journey across the ocean, past reefs and between icebergs, through schools of fish, swaying water plants, and terrifying sea monsters. The little boat is all alone, and while its aloneness gives it the chance to wonder at the fairy-tale world above and below the waves uninterrupted, that also means it must save itself when storms approach. And so it does. We hope that readers young and old will find the strength and inspiration that we did in this quietly powerful story about growing, learning, and life's ups and downs."--Publisher description.
I happened to stumble across this book by accident and was thrilled! What an epic adventure told in intricately detailed panels documenting a small paper boat's trials and tribulations. The illustrations are imaginative, impeccably descriptive and would be enjoyed by many different age groups. -Victoria
Redaction
by Titus Kaphar
704.949365 /Kaphar
"MacArthur fellows Reginald Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar present a stunning literary and artistic collaboration that confronts the abuses of the criminal justice system. Throughout their award-winning careers, visual artist and filmmaker Titus Kaphar and poet, memoirist, and attorney Reginald Dwayne Betts have shed light on the violences of incarceration and the underexplored contradictions of American history. In Redaction, they unite their different mediums to expose the ways the legal system exploits and erases the poor and incarcerated from public consciousness. First exhibited at MoMA PS1, the fifty "Redaction" prints layer Kaphar's etched portraits of incarcerated individuals with Betts's poetry, which uses the legal strategy of redaction to craft verse out of legal documents. Three prints are broken apart into their distinct layers, illuminating how the pair manipulated traditional engraving, printing, poetic, and redaction processes to reveal what is often concealed. This beautifully designed volume also includes additional artwork, poetry, and an introduction by MoMA associate director Sarah Suzuki. The result is an astonishing, powerful exploration of history, incarceration, and race in America"--
This work is an incredible distillation of official legal jargon into pared-down poetry combined with profound art to explore the history and injustice of mass incarceration. It is visceral, overt and absolutely compelling! -Victoria
We are the ark : returning our gardens to their true nature with acts of restorative kindness
by Mary (Gardener) Reynolds
630.2086 /Reynolds
Gardening
"We Are the Ark asks readers to have a sweeping change of vision for our relationship with our gardens. To inspire people to look at what we can do for the earth and all her kin, rather than seeing our patches of the planet as 'outdoor rooms' for our pleasure or 'blank pallets' for our creative visions. To Ark their land and restore a network of native plants instead of 'low maintenance' burdens. It aspires to get all schools on board. From the smallest children up to university level. To inspire them to give their unused land and corners here and there back to nature. To get local governments and commercial and corporate landowners onboard to return unused 'maintained' land back to its true nature, to support life. Ultimately, We Are the Ark asks people to build a patchwork quilt of healed land and water that will wrap its way around the globe and to reform the world of gardening into a network of nature sanctuaries. In a matter of a few short years this will reach a critical mass that will shift the consciousness of the rest of our planet's humans, giving us a real shot at restoring the earth back to health and harmony"--
Although this book is a little simplistic for the avid gardener, it is a great primer for young people and new gardeners. The advice whilst sage, sometimes comes off as a little preachy but overall, this book has a great hopeful message about the positive impact home gardeners, ecologists and those interested in conservation can have on protecting our planet. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and it's worth picking up the book for these alone. -Victoria
Ammu : Indian home-cooking to nourish your soul
by Asma Khan
641.5954 /Khan
"A new cookbook from the star of Netflix's Chef's Table and one of the world's most prominent female chefs. Ammu is a heart-warming cookbook of comforting aromatic Indian flavors: Indian food from home, cooked with heart. Ammu is a collection of recipes from Asma Khan's childhood, from her Indian family kitchen. It is a celebration of where she comes from, of home cooking, and the inextricable link between food and love. It is also a chance for Asma to honor her ammu - mother - and to share with us the recipes that made her and rooted her to home. This book is a joyful celebration of memories of food, and its power to heal, restore, and comfort."--
I love pretty cookbooks, but I especially love cookbook authors who connect us to their rich family heritage, provide gorgeous recipes that are easy to make and share their passion for gathering around the table on every page. -Victoria
Blurp's book of manners
by Cindy Derby
jE Derby
"When etiquette coach Ms. Picklepop teeters off her stool and spills a bucket of paint, a creature emerges. Not a scary one, or an evil one, or anything of the sort. Instead, what comes alive is... BLURP! She'll have to carry on with her lesson, despite Blurp's many, messy distractions. But paint splotches and burps aren't all that disrupt Ms. Picklepop's decorous class. Perhaps through an unlikely friendship, Ms. Picklepop will learn a thing or two about manners herself" --
This is a gorgeous and thoroughly entertaining read! Derby creates sumptuously beautiful and unbridled illustations that children are sure to delight in. An absolute feast for the eyes, with a few life lessons on manners tossed in! -Victoria
Ducks : two years in the oil sands
by Kate Beaton
BIOGRAPHY Beaton, Kate
Katie heads out west to take advantage of Alberta's oil rush-part of the long tradition of East Coasters who seek gainful employment elsewhere when they can't find it in the homeland they love so much. Katie encounters the harsh reality of life in the oil sands, where trauma is an everyday occurrence yet is never discussed. Beaton's natural cartooning prowess is on full display as she draws colossal machinery and mammoth vehicles set against a sublime Albertan backdrop of wildlife, northern lights, and boreal forest. Her first full length graphic narrative, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands is an untold story of Canada: a country that prides itself on its egalitarian ethos and natural beauty while simultaneously exploiting both the riches of its land and the humanity of its people.
Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant and the hilarious The Princess and the Pony,) brings a completely different topic to light in this graphic narrative. I really enjoyed this part of her life being told graphically. She captures the interpersonal relationships of the workers in a very authentic way and what people must sacrifice in their lives to gain employment. She also is adept at sharing the duality of the Canadian wilderness and its preservation and how the oil sands are inextricably tied to the degradation of the environment and the implications of short-term profit at the expense of the landscape. -Victoria
Finding me
by Viola Davis
BIOGRAPHY Davis, Viola
"In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose and my strength, but also to finding my voice in a world that didn't always see me. As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. They are bogarted, reinvented to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone who is searching for a way to understand and overcome a complicated past, let go of shame, and find acceptance. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be...you. Finding Me is a deep reflection on my past and a promise for my future. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you."--
This is Viola's story in her own words. What resonated most about this book for me was that despite all of the success she has had, along with all of the talent she possesses, Viola reminds us that sometimes the greatest struggle is the one we have with ourselves. As you might imagine, this book is raw, unfiltered and brutally honest. I love her self-reflection and the way she navigates and comes to terms with the complicated relationships we have with our families; how we love but how we also truthfully reconcile pain. This book is steeped in stories, which Davis admits to herself, she loves. I do, too. I felt as though I was sitting right with her as she is making her peace with her past and promises for her future. -Victoria
Two dogs on a trike
by Gabrielle Snyder
jE Snyder
Picture Books
"When the gate is left open, one dog escapes the yard for an adventure on tricycles, trolleys, and trains. This hilarious story counts up to ten and back down again as more pups join the fun--and one very determined cat goes on the chase!"--Publisher
This book is a hoot! From the hilariously drawn dogs entertaining each other, to the stealth cat adorned in headband and suspicion, kids will love all of the questions and conversations you can solicit with them on each page. I loved that it was a counting book but also that children have the opportunity to count back from ten to one. The humor is subtle so adults will also enjoy this one and the pages are action-packed to keep even the youngest reader engaged. 10 out of 10! -Victoria
Our America : a photographic history
by Ken Burns
973 /Burns
"From one of our most treasured filmmakers, a pictorial history of America--a stunning and moving collection of Ken Burns's favorite photographs"--
Processing the last two years in America is a feat, let alone the past two hundred. In this photographic journey, one of America's most treasured documentary filmmakers has selected moments in history that resonate with telling the story of this country. I love how not all images are pivotal defining moments; some are simply recollecting everyday life. What's evident is that while the country is relatively new compared with others, it has shared some defining times that are quintessentially American. Seeing this journey in photographs highlights the complexity and struggles, the harrowing moments in history as well as the joyous occasions. Burns last picture is one of hope; that through all of the struggle there is still that propensity towards hope. -Victoria
Cooking from the spirit : easy, delicious, and joyful plant-based inspirations
by Tabitha Brown
641.56362 /Brown
After living with a terrible undiagnosed illness for more than a year and a half, Tab was willing to try anything to stop the pain. Inspired by the documentary What the Health, she tried a thirty-day vegan challenge--and never looked back. Wanting to inspire others to make changes that might improve their own lives, she started sharing her favorite plant-based recipes in her signature warm voice with thousands, and now millions, of online fans. Tab's recipes are flexible, creative, and filled with encouragement, so you trust yourself to cook food the way it makes you happy. If you're already a "cooking from the spirit" sort of person, you'll love how much freedom Tab gives to make these delicious vegan dishes your own. If you're newer to cooking--or to vegan cooking--Tab will help you get comfortable in the kitchen and, most important, have fun doing it!
If you've followed the rise of Tabitha Brown on social media, you know what an unending source of joy and positivity she is. Her love of vegan food (and humanity) shines through in the introductions to her recipes and in her "Tabisms" throughout her book. I especially liked the soup section (perfect for right now) as several of her recipes are very unique. One word of caution: if you are a cook who loves to follow a recipe with precision, this is not the book for you. There are no measurements in this book because, as the title suggests, we are cooking with our spirit (which is exactly how I like to throw down in the kitchen!) -Victoria
The more you give
by Marcy Campbell
jE Campbell
"A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picture book shows how family love is passed down from generation to generation"--
The intergenerational joy and relationships cultivated with community and nature are just beautiful in this story. Illustrator of one of my favorite picture books, "The Journey," Sanna's use of color and comic style vignettes on some pages add to the richness of the story. Love, loss, warmth, family, community connectedness and using your past to create a better future are bursting out of the pages of this book. -Victoria
My Lists
About Me
What do you like to read?
For picture books- Mo Willems, Oliver Jeffers, Kadir Nelson but there are SO many! Chapter books; Kate DiCamillo, Jacqueline Woodson and K.A. Applegate. For YA, I’m a fan of Jason Reynolds, Sherman Alexie, Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Azevedo. As far as the adult collection, my favorite authors are Margaret Atwood, James Baldwin, Salman Rushdie, Jenny Lawson, David Sedaris and Yaa Gyasi. I also love non-fiction and cookbooks. I am constantly looking at ways to implement social justice strategies and am a huge fan of Bryan Stevenson and Michelle Alexander.
Do you have pets?
Yes, a motley crew made up of Humphrey; a slightly anxious black lab who loves frolicking in the prairie and being jealous when the other animals get attention; litter-mate cats, Dewey (an obsessive snuggle-monster) and Issy (who can always be found on your laptop when you’re ready to work;) and our hamster Thor (who is still waiting for her hammer).
What are your hobbies?
I love to travel, hike, bike, cook, garden, make art, drink great beers, kayak, listen to great music and volunteer.
What music do you listen to?
Most everything besides contemporary country.
What is your favorite thing about ICPL?
The incredibly friendly staff and the community who love them!
Norris describes this book as, "an archive of the human experience," and she's carefully curated experiences of race that exemplify that while it is a social construct, has very real implications and lasting complicated effects on our notions of identity and how we fit in to a larger society. This book does not have to be read in entirely, but is a great discussion piece for young adults and adults. Well-worth a read! -Victoria