Book Review: The Conductors by Nicole Glover

The Conductors by Nicole Glover
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a cool book! I love how Glover combines historical fiction, mystery, and magic and ties them all together with well-written characters and an interesting plot. The references to previous "cases" that protagonist Hetty and her husband Benjy had solved reminded me of similar references in Sherlock Holmes stories. And this book, for sure, had me thinking back to Ebony Elizabeth Thomas's The Dark Fantastic: Race and the Imagination from Harry Potter to the Hunger Games, in which Thomas raises the question of how Black people fit into the Potterdom world of magic. I think Glover has a glorious answer. The storyline was a bit slow to get going, but I encourage others to keep reading and get sucked in just like I did. I am so excited that a second book is coming soon!

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#2021 Book Challenge: So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Like having a conversation with a friend who gives it to you square. I enjoyed the Q&A format of the chapters with each chapter having a guiding question. For those who have read widely in the area of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), not much is new in this book, but Oluo has a way of making topics easily understandable with clear examples and frank language. There is some profanity, but this book would still be appropriate to use with teens.

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Book Review: Phase Six by Jim Shepard

 

Phase Six by Jim Shepard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An engrossing read, this novel is where realistic fiction and dystopian fiction collide. Heavily researched and well-written, it's accessible for teens and adults but not for anyone seeking a tidy, optimistic ending. I found the characters interesting and fairly well fleshed out, but many may find the topics covered to be "too soon" in light of the last 15 months...

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Book review catch up

Summertime, and the readin' is easy!  Check out my latest reads!

Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't get enough of Renee Watson, and this collaboration with Ellen Hagan was another great read! Best friends Jasmine and Chelsea provide an inspiring duo for readers as they kick off their women's rights writing club in response to gender discrimination at their school (along with racism and size-ism). An uplifting read with an engaging alternating narrators format, poetry and social media also play a role.

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Slay by Brittney Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Calling all gamers and social justice warriors - this book is for you! Kiera is a hard-working student by day and the creator and leader of the MMORPG Slay in her "off" hours. What can Kiera do when a young player of the game is murdered and critics decry her game - created as a safe space for Black people around the world - as racist? A realistic fiction novel that ties together topics of critical interest to many of today's YA readers.

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Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An exceptionally well-researched nonfiction, historical graphic novel that takes a hard look at a tragic incident. The use of primary sources and excellent end notes would make this an interesting choice for use in a high school history course.

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Showtime at the Apollo: The Epic Tale of Harlem’s Legendary Theater by Ted Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent nonfiction, historical graphic novel on a fun topic. Occasionally, the text was not in a clear order, but the book has a wealth of fascinating information about the Apollo Theater, and the illustrations are well done.

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