Powerful

Black is the Body:  Stories from My Grandmother's Time, My Mother's Time and Mine was many things.  At times humorous, at times eye-opening, at times horrific.  At ALL times it was powerful and important and a must-read. 

The Shame of a Nation

Hitler's American Model:  The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law was an eye-opening, but sadly, unsurprising book.  That's not a criticism of the book, it is a criticism of our country.  I used to be such a patriot.  I used to get upset with people who bough foreign cars.  I quoted Schurz constantly, "“My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”   I sang this song at karaoke and to myself as well.  And then I grew up.  After reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, I started to question everything.  And then the election of 2016 happened and everything changed.  And I am ashamed.  And I am sad. 

It was a very good year...

Maybe it was because I joined an great group on goodreads that seeks to read Newbery contenders, but man....2014 has been filled with incredible books.  The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond is one of them. This one did remind me a lot of Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It.  But there is such a need for books of quality and on subjects such as this, that I won't squabble about how similar they are.
Brenda Woods a new author for me and I look forward to reading her other books.

The Unstoppable Sharon G. Flake

I could not wait until I got my hands on an ARC of The Unstoppable Octobia May.  I heard about this book when I met Ms. Flake on February 27.  This was an incredible moment for me, as I have long loved Ms. Flake's work.  From Money Hungry to Pinned, and everything in between.
I looked everywhere for an eARC, I checked netgalley and edelweiss literally every day.
Then it came.
Ms. Flake sent it to me, a real, live ARC-ARC!
The bummer was I was heading right in to a preaching stint up at Bradford Wood Community Church, so I couldn't start a book, especially one that I was so looking forward to, until that was completed.  Preaching God's Holy Word is a daunting task.  I love it, but it is frightening.  I give all of my all to it.
Before I began Octobia, I must admit that I was concerned about how much I was looking forward to this book, because, as a pessimist, I was worried that I wouldn't LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  I thought, on no.  what if it doesn't blow me away?  What if it just doesn't pull at me, the way that Ms. Flake's other works have?  What would I say to Ms. Flake herself?  What would I write here?
Well.
There was no need for any of that worry.
And I should have realized that.  Just like Madeleine L'Engle, Robert B. Parker, Christopher Paul Curtis, Jacqueline Woodson, and Grace Lin, Sharon G. Flake can do no wrong.  Well, L'Engle and Parker are gone from us, but you know what I mean!
What a character this Octobia May is.  My friend, Emily is on the Amelia Bloomer Project Committee for ALA this year and I really believe that Octobia would be a perfect addition to this list.
What a wonderful, wonderful book.  It is deep where it needs to be, truly entertaining and moving.  There are many quotable lines here, so many passages that will stick with me.
good and bad live side by side on the piano or organ keyboard - Octobia wonders if this is true.  I think that it is.  This is a smart, smart girl.  All of the characters are incredibly well-drawn.
And well, unstoppable.  Just like Ms. Flake.

Wonderful Book

The Other Half of My Heart is one of the best books that I read so far in 2013.   Every character is rich and interesting.  I just wish that there was another book.  This is one of those deals where you wish it was a series!  Mini and Keira are twins, Mini is more light-skinned and resembles her Caucasian father, whereas Keira looks like her African American mother.  The book is told from Mini's perspective, and from her POV, the issue of their physical differences has never been an issue at all.  This summer, however, Their maternal grandma wants them to come for two weeks in one of the Carolinas (I can't remember which one) to compete in the Miss Black Pearl Pre Teen Program.  Sundee Frazier is a sensitive and amazing writer who addresses this very sensitive and important issue in a way that everyone can understand.  It is a wonderful portrayal of race, family, sisters, growing up, everything.  Loved, loved, loved this book.

More of the Whole Story

The Whole Story of a Half Girl is a the first novel for young readers by Veera Hiranandani. I didn't realize that until I came to the end of the book and read about the author. It was a total surprise to me, as this book seems to come from a seasoned writer. I've already ordered it for the library. With the one exception of a scene reminiscent to one in the awful AYTGIMM, I enjoyed every page.

This is the story of Sonia, a sixth grader going through some big transitions, in addition to the normal misery of middle school. Just before the end of fifth grade, Sonia's father loses his job and her parents tell her that she and her little sister will not be attending The Community School, the private school they have always gone to, come fall. The Community School is the kind of school where diversity is celebrated, each student learns at their own pace and in their own way, there are no grades and the students call their teachers by their first names. I'm not sure if there are really schools like this, but I think it would be cool if there were.

Sonia's father immigrated to the United States from India when he was a boy. Sonia's mother is Jewish. Up until now, Sonia has never really thought about being Indian, or Jewish, or anything but herself. When she is sent to public school, this seems to become a big deal. Some students ask her outright, "What are you?" I like when Sonia replies, "A girl."

Sonia's father is overcome with depression after the loss of his job. I don't know if Hiranandani has a loved one who experienced clinical depression, but she is spot-on in her description.

This book is original, with sympathetic and well developed characters.

Excellent book. My only problem with it was that it was too short, it was that good.