Hello happy readers! Thank you for joining me for my third newsletter (You can catch up on the first one or the second one (as well as a mini issue) if you missed them).
I have continued to enjoy the personal notes and messages I’ve been getting from some of you — thank you so much to everyone who reached out. It makes me truly happy to hear from you and I hope you’ve read something enjoyable lately.
Book Giveaway Winners
I’m excited to get to give away some books! I chose two winners this time.
If you are a winner, I will be contacting you via email with more information about picking out the book you would like me to send you. Congratulations and happy reading!
[Note: Books marked with an asterisk * below indicate that I have a copy to give away]
Round three, here we go:
Recommendations for Young Readers
Board Books
Dream Big by Joyce Wan (Baby-3)
What Others Are Saying: In this dreamy oversized board book, little ones will find the courage and strength to achieve anything they want -- all by dreaming big! With inspiring illustrations of female trailblazers and icons of history and simple, hopeful text.
My take: I love the fun illustrations and the simple text of this book. The first time I read it I was proud that I could pick out who most all of the women were and then I eventually realized that their names are included in tiny print on each page, which I think makes it inspiring in a general sense, as well as subtly teaching about specific women. I also appreciate the range of women included from the very well known (e.g. Jane Goodall) to the “should be better known” (e.g. Zaha Hadidand). An overall lovely book that I do not mind reading over and over again.
Picture Book (fiction)
Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis (ages 4-7)
A 2017 Caldecott Honor Book
What Others Are Saying: A droll story of the natural world, with gorgeous art and a playful invented language. With exquisitely detailed illustrations and tragicomic flair, Carson Ellis invites readers to imagine the dramatic possibilities to be found in even the humblest backyard. Su!
My take: This is such a beautiful, fun book! At first I felt a bit weird reading the made-up language but then it turns into such fun to read with your child(ren) and figure out what’s going on in the story by paying close attention to the detailed, gorgeous illustrations. I feel like it’s such a great lesson in putting yourself (as an adult reader) into your young child(ren)’s shoes where they live their lives every day not always knowing what words mean, or not being able to read the words on pages and having to piece things together by looking at pictures and/or the larger context. And the more times you read the book, the more you notice some of the wonderful details included in the art. It’s also just a playful, enjoyable book that peacefully traces the changing of the seasons. Lovely all around and a book I recommend buying.
Picture Book (Non-fiction/Biography)
*Girls With Guts: The Road to Breaking Barriers and Bashing Records by Debbie Gonzales, Illus. By Rebecca Gibbon (ages 5-9)
What Others Are Saying: A celebration of the strength, endurance, and athleticism of women and girls throughout the ages, Girls With Guts! keeps score with examples of women athletes from the late 1800s up through the 1970s, sharing how women refused to take no for an answer, and how finally, they pushed for a law to protect their right to play, compete, and be athletes.
Opening Line: “Look at you…springing…kicking…dribbling…and pitching it down the pike. Girl, you are amazing!”
My take: A fun, informative book that covers some of the history of female athletes. The book describes the days when girls were discouraged from participating in sports, then introduces (mostly American) women who challenged society's narrow expectations regarding girls' athletics. The book also provides an excellent, accessible introduction to political aspects, such as women marching for equal rights, congresswomen working for new laws and the eventual passing of Title IX. It’s brightly illustrated with a buoyant and encouraging tone. A great read for any young athletes in your life.
Early Chapter Books (Fiction)
Mia Mayhem is a Superhero! by Kara West, Illus. By Leeza Hernandez (ages 5-9)
There are currently ten books out in this series; an eleventh book will be released in June 2021
What Others Are Saying: Mia Macarooney is a regular eight-year-old girl who finds out that she’s A SUPERHERO! Now, it’s up to Mia to balance her regular everyday life and maintain her secret identity as she learns how to be the world’s newest superhero!
Opening Line: “Okay, I know this doesn’t look good. It definitely seems like a tornado just blew through my house. I spilled a whole bag of flour, broke a window, rand through the screen door, was licked by a bunch of dogs, and even got my shoe stuck in a tree. But I have an excuse. Really, I do.”
My take: A fun, exciting and goofy series that is great for emerging/transitioning readers. The language is easy-to-read and there are illustrations on almost every page. Mia’s life is full of chaos and mayhem and then she finds out she’s actually a superhero! One of the best things about this series is the diversity of characters. Mia is brown-skinned, and other kids at the superhero training school are portrayed with a variety of skin tones, hair, and abilities (e.g. there is a superhero girl who sports two steel prosthetic legs). The books are full of exciting adventures that will keep young readers engaged. A fun series to read with your child(ren) or that they can feel proud to read by themselves.
Recommendations for Middle Readers
Early Chapter Books (Non-Fiction)
Consent (For Kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of YOU (ages 6-10)
From the Publisher: With clear explanations, fun illustrations, and expertly-presented information, Consent (for Kids!) is an empowering introduction to consent, bodily autonomy, and how to respect yourself and others. Whether you're looking for a consent primer to share with a friend or searching for a way to talk to your child about what it means to be in control of their own body and respect others', look no further!
Opening Line: “Consent is like being ruler of your own country...population: YOU.”
My take: I really wish I could put this in the hands of every elementary-aged child. The book is by the co-creator of the viral viral “Tea Consent” video (which, if you’re not familiar with it, you should definitely watch immediately! (Note: the video is intended for adults, not children)). The book is a smart, playful, age-appropriate guide to consent and bodily autonomy. It is brightly illustrated throughout. The book engagingly discusses boundaries, respect, and what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe; and much more. It’s a great teaching tool and conversation starter — a resource I truly think every parent/caregiver/educator should check out.
Middle Grade Books (Fiction)
*From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks*
What Others Are Saying: A captivating story full of heart, as one courageous girl questions assumptions, searches for the truth, and does what she believes is right—even in the face of great opposition.
Opening Line: “The day I turned twelve, I was certain it’d be my favorite birthday yet, but then I got the letter.”
My Take: This is a beautiful middle-grade book, well-written and well-plotted. Zoe Washington has a lot going on in her life: she’s recently fallen out with her best friend and neighbor Trevor, she loves to bake and is trying to convince her parents to let her try out for a kids baking show, and she receives a birthday letter from her father who she has never met, as he’s been imprisoned her whole life. When Zoe starts investigating her father’s conviction, she learns a lot about inequality in the criminal justice system in the US. What could have been a heavy-handed or preachy story line is handled admirably and this book would be a great one to start some difficult conversations with middle schoolers whose eyes, like Zoe’s, might be opened to the systemic racism inherent in this country.
Middle Grade (Non-Fiction/Biography)
Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science by Jeannine Atkins
Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math by Jeannine Atkins
What Others Are Saying:
Finding Wonders: Told in vibrant, evocative poems, this stunning novel celebrates the joy of discovery and finding wonder in the world around us.
Grasping Wonders: Learn about seven groundbreaking women in math and science in this gorgeously written biographical novel-in-verse.
My take: I ADORE this author! Finding Wonders is the first book of hers I read. Finding Wonders — a novel in verse — focused on Maria Merian (an artist and scientist), Mary Anning (a paleontologist) and Marie Mitchell (an astronomer), none of whom I was familiar with before reading the book. I was blown away — the writing is beautiful, and Atkins vividly imagines the lives of three girls in very different time periods as they grow up to become groundbreaking scientists. I’ve recommended the book countless times and highly recommend picking it up first.
Unsurprisingly, I was thrilled when I learned that Atkins was coming out with a second book, structured in the same way. Grasping Mysteries focuses on seven women: Caroline Herschel (the first woman to discover a comet and to earn a salary for scientific research). Florence Nightingale (a trailblazing nurse and one of the founders of the field of medical statistics). Hertha Marks Ayrton (the first female electrical engineer). Marie Tharp (she created the first map of the entire ocean floor). Katherine Johnson (a mathematician for NASA). Edna Lee Paisano (the first Native American to work full time for the Census Bureau). And Vera Rubin (an astronomer who found the first strong evidence for dark matter). Like Finding Wonders, Grasping Mysteries is told in vibrant, evocative poems, celebrates these seven fascinating women who used math to explore the mysteries of the universe and grew up to do innovative work that changed the world.
I strongly recommend picking up these two fantastic books. Everyone — boys and girls, alike — should learn about these amazing, trailblazing women!
Recommendations for Older Readers
Young Adult Books (Fiction)
*Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know by Samira Ahmed
What Others Are Saying: A romantic, sweeping adventure through the streets of Paris told in alternating narratives that bridge centuries, continents, and the lives of two young Muslim women fighting to write their own stories and escape the pressure of familial burdens and cultural expectations in worlds too long defined by men.
Opening Line: “I live between spaces. The borders between nations, the invisible hyphen between words, the wide chasm between “one of us” and me alone.”
My take: A very fun read, especially if you’re a fan of Alexandre Dumas, Eugene Delacroix and/or Lord Byron. The book bounces back and forth between present-day, 17-year-old Khayyan Maquet, living in France for the summer, and Leila, a haseki living 200 years earlier in the Ottoman Empire. Khayya, a budding art historian, immerses herself in a search for a rumored lost painting, unraveling a centuries-old mystery which may connect Leila, Dumas, Delacroix’s and Byron. Did Alexandre Dumas receive a painting from painter Eugene Delacroix? And what does it have to do with the Byron poem, "The Giaour", a poem that Delacroix created a painting based off of? And who was the woman with raven tresses? What is her story? Leila and Khayyam’s lives intertwine as Khayyam tries to recover one woman’s long-forgotten story, which has been erased from history.
Fiction
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
From the Publisher: Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. What if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better? Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
Opening Line: "Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?"
My Take: I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one of those books that I felt like I was reading at the exact right time in my life. I will admit some of the questions and outcomes may feel a bit trope-y or predictable, but I didn’t even care — I was entirely engrossed by this story that manages to be both thoughtful and whimsical. If you’re looking for a fun, interesting read I highly recommend you pick this one up.
Non-Fiction
The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices by Casper ter Kuile
From the Publisher: The Power of Ritual reminds us that what we already do every day matters—and has the potential to become a powerful experience of reflection, sanctuary, and meaning.
Opening Line: “We live in an era of fragmentation.”
My Take: I picked this up because ter Kuile was a guest interview on another newsletter I read and I became fascinated by his work. I read it fairly slowly; I have the feeling that it’s a book I’m going to keep thinking about for a long time. I really appreciated how ter Kuile recasts many of our everyday activities as sacred and meaningful. I think you could get a lot from this book whether you consider yourself religious or secular. ter Kuile argues that we are living in a time when older models of community and support are no longer working for us, and he suggests new ways to live intentionally, to nurture connection and find belonging and meaning. I’ve already begun to practice some of his suggestions (for example, taking a 24-hour “tech sabbath” each week) and this book has inspired a lot of reflection on my life.
Everything Else I’ve read since the last newsletter…
Feel free to ask me about any of these titles if you’re interested in hearing what I think!
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Jo
The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer
Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian
We Are the Ashes, We Are the Fire by Joy McCullough
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
Six Angry Girls by Adrienne Kisner
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Thanks for reading! I hope you found a title or two in here that has piqued your interest.
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Happy reading!