Critique

Very much in the tone of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird or John Grisham’s A Time To Kill, this exposé of the climate of the South in 1963 reveals the social and racial tension 100 years after slavery had been banned. The mentality of the African American community is still too often that of passive-aggressive servitude, and taking that final step to bridging the gap proves to be more of a mountain than it should be. The White community is often both cruel and two-faced when it comes to their African American townspeople, and it’s sad to see that people were treating each other this way even this long after slavery had been abolished.

Burg also relates the happenings of the townsfolk with that of the important historical moments during the summer of that year, which ushered in the Civil Rights movement in full force. This text is not for the faint of heart, but it’s a great tool in order to help us all remember how far things have come in America, and how far they still need to go for full racial equality and dissolving enmity between cultures. I recommend this to all readers 12+.

Critique

Woodson, as always, delivers a profound story in a short and beautiful way. She has this talent of keeping you interested in the story itself while showing you the light and dark sides of life that many people face on a regular basis. All of the characters seem real, and you come to love them throughout the narrative, especially D, who is often so mysterious in one moment and deeply candid in the next that you feel both intimidated and comforted by her presence simultaneously. 

Also, as always, Woodson integrates challenging subplots, like Neeka’s older brother, a young gay man who’s been wrongfully imprisoned, young Black men disappearing off the street and in jail for what seems like no reason, and the despair surrounding the death of Tupac. It wasn’t until after having read this book that I truly understood even a small portion of the gravity of Tupac’s life and what he represented to the African American community at large (a little personal thanks to Woodson for touching on that theme).

In many ways, Woodson seems to be a YA Lit representation of Toni Morrison or Alice Walker. It’s not surprising that she keeps winning awards for her texts. They’re the perfect balance of engaging and enlightening with a unique voice and excellent literary quality. I recommend this book to readers 12+.

Critique

This was a fun book to read, not just because of the simple but educational poetry, but also because the artwork is engaging. It must have taken Cooper a long time to paint them because of their photo-realistic quality. It’s also a great book for young African American children to read in order to see the differences in their culture and why some of their own kin may look completely different than they do. I especially liked the line where a girl claims to be “cranberry red” from her father’s Irish heritage. I recommend it to learning readers from ages 3 – 8. 

Critique

Not only is this collection poignant and educational for younger readers, but I believe that it is an absolutely essential read for the youth of America. Too quickly people forget about the past, and these poems are necessary in order that history doesn’t continue to repeat itself. There are so many phenomenal gems by well-known authors and poets throughout the 20th century, and every single one of them is still relevant to our culture today. The list of poets in this anthology is amazing, and it’s an important read for anyone in order to show us a mirror, reflecting the current state of ourselves in hopes that we will grow and expand our understanding of life and humanity.

Critique

In the truest definition of the word, Chains is poignant. So many history classes skirt over the fact that in the midst of fighting patriots, giving their lives to win the war and gain liberty and justice for all, there was a strong hypocrisy to the concept of freedom. America was a land of slaves, even as far north as Massachusetts and beyond. Yes, it is dark and difficult and a part of American history that Americans should all be ashamed of, but it’s important to bring the full context of American history in order that people don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. 

Anderson has bravely bridged that gap by creating a heart-breaking book that gives a true account to what the lives of a freedom-seeking slave would have been during that time period. Isabel accurately remarks on the double-sided thinking that involves fighting for freedom for only a certain portion of your citizens, and she endures a great many personal hardships, even being branded, which is exactly what gives the statement such weight to its readers. 

It’s certainly not the feel-good book of the year, and although it is entertaining, that’s not its primary function. Don’t be surprised if you need tissues. I recommend this to all readers 10+.

This is the first installment of what may be a blossoming series with the next installment being Forge (book 2).

Critique

Given the style and time period in which the novel is set, the writing captures a similar tone and plot flow as a Willa Cather or Mark Twain, and Elijah is easily as entertaining a character as Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn. Also, rather than relying on the classic plot styles of comedy or tragedy, with the typical beginning, middle, and end—the conflict heightening throughout the text and resolving near the conclusion—Curtis creates a series of loosely conjoined smaller stories with lesser, individual conflicts and resolutions. Similar to My Antonia, the plot seems more like a river than a mountain, winding slowly back and forth throughout the narrative. This is perfect for the style and subject matter given that it’s supposed to be a series of average stories in the life of a boy living in the historical township of Buxton during a time period rife with turmoil, especially for recently freed slaves.

Not only is this a great historical piece, with Curtis obviously doing his homework to represent the language, setting, characters and subplots accurately, but it’s a potent social commentary regarding racism in America. The stories are entertaining as well as well written and the language is beautiful. Curtis’s ability to pull the reader into the text, creating empathies for the characters, and through their eyes, all of the slaves throughout America is astounding. This piece has the capability to be life changing for kids and adults alike, and I recommend it to anyone 9+.

Critique

At first glance, Feathers is a short book about a girl growing up while the world changes around her. Peering deeper past the surface, however, it’s filled to the brim with so many beautiful and wonderful things. The language is enriched with a special take on the world through the eyes of a deaf boy, Frannie’s brother: “Water, he signed, water and air. It sounds the way air feels on your face on a windy day.” There’s a love within her family that is tangible, that cause the reader to empathize with the characters, and everyone, no matter how subtle the part, has several sides to them, the good and the bad, sorrow and laughter, like each truly feels like a real person one could know.

Also, there are many layers of conflict with plots and subplots throughout the text: Frannie’s mom’s fear about her pregnancies and miscarriages, Jesus boy’s struggle to fit in to an all Black community as a White child adopted by Black parents, the bully’s inner issues regarding belonging and family history, Frannie’s deaf brothers feelings of isolation from the rest of the world, Frannie’s best friend’s search for spiritual meaning and connection with an old religion to her current circumstances, and Frannie’s own journey toward depth, hope, and understanding the world around her. 

It’s a quick read, but something you may want to read two or three more times to grasp all of the nuances throughout the text fully. I recommend this to readers 9+.