Non-fiction book review - Viral BS

 

Viral BS by Dr. Seema Yasmin

To be completely accurate, this book explores more than just medical myths. Some entries are flawed medical studies. Others are misrepresented by the media, leading to the public misunderstanding an inconclusive result. That's probably the largest section: studies that researchers say warrant further study that are presented to the public as conclusive. Then there are the cases of irresponsible science that lead to cruel human experimentation and the bias that leads to people not getting the care or the information that they need. Many readers will find the facts presented in this book infuriating. It's a sign that, as far as medicine has come we still have a long way to go. That awareness alone makes this book well worth reading.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Book review - One of the Good Ones

 

Title: One of the Good Ones

Author: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

                      Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith

Rating:

 

a little disappointing

Summary (provided by publisher): When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.
One of the good ones.
Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could’ve ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.

My opinion: At first, I was really into this book. We're looking at the complexities of public grief and racism. Fame and modern protests. Families and the secrets they keep from one another. Classism. Social media. All timely topics well worth discussion and explored in a nuanced way in this plot. And I loved the use of the Green Book road trip as a method for these characters to better understand Kezi and their family history. I felt a bit betrayed by the second half of the novel, though. We never got the full exploration of that phrase "one of the good ones". I wanted to see the characters address how the media seems to value a "good kid" over another innocent.The pieces are all there but don't come together to the degree I was expecting. Even so, this is a book worth discussing in a group setting as it may prompt those conversations I expected from this narrative.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Root Magic

 

Title: Root Magic

Author: Eden Royce

Genre: fantasy

Similar books: Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty

                      The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

Rating:

 

some cool elements

Summary (provided by publisher): It’s 1963, and things are changing for Jezebel Turner. Her beloved grandmother has just passed away. The local police deputy won’t stop harassing her family. With school integration arriving in South Carolina, Jez and her twin brother, Jay, are about to begin the school year with a bunch of new kids. But the biggest change comes when Jez and Jay turn eleven— and their uncle, Doc, tells them he’s going to train them in rootwork.
Jez and Jay have always been fascinated by the African American folk magic that has been the legacy of their family for generations—especially the curious potions and powders Doc and Gran would make for the people on their island. But Jez soon finds out that her family’s true power goes far beyond small charms and elixirs…and not a moment too soon. Because when evil both natural and supernatural comes to show itself in town, it’s going to take every bit of the magic she has inside her to see her through.

My opinion: On the one hand, I'm a fan of fiction that explores underrepresented populations, especially their folklore and belief systems. We have some cook complexities, intermixing magic and social issues. With Black characters in the 60s, it should be no surprise that racism plays a major role in the plot. But Royce takes it a step further, exploring prejudices and social judgments within their own community. And the portrayal of rootwork goes beyond a few spells. There is the exploration of spirits and monsters and how root ties them back to their family history. It is power, both for good and for darkness. On the other hand, this book has an historical setting which can be a challenge for middle grade fiction. Additionally, the difference between monsters and evil doesn't get nearly enough exploration. In fact, the characters and their relationships are pretty surface level. The writing skews young, so the degree of depth is probably sufficient.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Picture books for everyone

 

Donut Worry by Christianne Jones

As a person who has struggled with anxiety, this book really spoke to me on multiple levels. Donut is worried about school. Her well meaning family and friends attempt to reassure her that there is nothing to worry about. But all of their reassurances only serve to make her feel worse. She sees them living a relatively carefree life and feels especially wrong. She starts to worry about why she can't stop worrying. Usually a kid's book about worry have a character showing the worrier why everything will be okay. So it was nice to see this book where Donut is validated. Cookie tells here to go ahead and worry. That what she's feeling is real and she is just going to have to find her own coping strategy for overwhelming worry. She tries a lot of standard methods in order to find the combination that works for her. The resolution is more about supporting the worrier rather than offering solutions. NO one can solve Donut's anxiety but Donut. While this book won't be relatable for everyone, the chronic worrier will find comfort in these pages.

 Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Non-fiction book review - We are the Supremes

 

We are the Supremes by Zoe Tucker

I'm one of those people who never really put much thought into the individual members of a band, into their history or foundation. I mean, I love the Supremes but I never really thought about how they came to be or even who they were as individuals. And let's be honest - we aren't going to come away from this book with an in depth understanding of that history. This is essentially a picture book, so it's more of a general overview with a focus on life skills. Determination and hard work, that sort of thing. Still, a good addition to a picture book biography collection. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Book review - Stranger on the Home Front

 

Title: Stranger on the Home Front

Author: Maya Chhabra

Genre: historical fiction

Similar books: Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon G Flake

                     Starting from Seneca Falls by Karen Schwabach

Rating: 

 

interesting but stiff

Summary (provided by publisher): It’s 1916, and Europe is at war. Yet Margaret Singh, living an entire ocean away in California, is unaffected. Then the United States enters the war against Germany. Suddenly the entire country is up in arms against those who seem “un-American” or speak against the country’s ally, Great Britain. When Margaret’s father is arrested for his ties to the Ghadar Party, a group of Indian immigrants seeking to win India’s independence from Great Britain, Margaret’s own allegiances are called into question. But she was born in America and America itself fought to be freed from British rule. So what does it even mean to be American? 

My opinion: I'm a big fan of books that tell often overlooked parts of history. Personally, I'd heard a little about the Ghadar Party, but only a little and nothing about the plight of Indian immigrants in the US. Anything about this ignored history is worth reading at least once if only so we can be informed, understand the darker parts of our country's past. But it's not an especially deep or entertaining read. The characters are underdeveloped and the plot is only explored on a very surface level. Consider this an introduction, not a truly complex story.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Bookmark

I bought a planner in an effort to make myself more organized and productive this year. It has a nice little pocket and an elastic to keep it closed. The one thing it's lacking - a marker for the current week. Now, I have plenty of basic bookmarks around but who wants to stick with something basic? Instead, I used a scrap of teal cardboard left over from the frame I made a couple of weeks ago to make this astronaut dinosaur.