Library Matters: January 2022

#IMWAYR January 31, 2022

Welcome readers! It's #IMWAYR time again, when bloggers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next.

Here we are with another week of reading to celebrate!

The Canada Reads shortlist contenders and their champions was announced last week. I had already read four of them and finished the fifth last week. Now I'm just hoping to reread one of them that I read quite a while ago.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

PICTURE BOOKS

Alice & Gert: An Ant and Grasshopper Story by Helaine Becker Aug 15, 2020 🍁

The original version of this tale portrays the grasshopper as lazy and worthless while the ant is esteemed as hardworking. That grasshopper met a sad end.
I prefer this version much more.
In this one, Ant works hard gathering seeds for winter while Grasshopper works hard to keep Ant entertained while she works. When the cold weather comes, Ant invites Grasshopper to stay with her. In return, Grasshopper keeps her entertained throughout the cold months.
Dena Seiferling's gorgeous illustrations paired with Helaine Becker's retelling show us that not only do we need more art in our lives, we need to value the work of artists who bring pleasure and meaning to us.

4 stars

Change Sings: a Children's Anthem by Amanda Gorman & Loren Long (Illustrator) September 21, 2021

This is a beautiful book about how we can come together and change the world. Loren Long's illustrations are absolutely glorious. I adored the message of this picture book.
Be prepared to practise reading this to yourself a few times before reading it out loud to a group. As much as I loved this, the format didn't really work for me.

4 stars

Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor & Nabi H. Ali (Illustrator) September 14, 2021

On her first day of school, Zubi hears all kinds of incidental remarks that cause her to doubt her own beauty.
These are the kinds of comments, probably inculcated over a longer period of time, that lead to internalized fat shaming and self hatred.
I love that Zubi’s reaction to all this, and her family’s response, help all of them, and all of us, think about beauty in a healthier ways.

5 stars

The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler (Illustrator) February 01, 2005

After reading this sequel to The Gruffalo, I went to reread the original. I love how this one revisits it in a new way. The Gruffalo's child heads off in search of the big bad mouse. Along the way she runs into the same animals who wanted to eat the original mouse. Readers will appreciate these interactions best if The Gruffalo is fresh in their mind. The poetry in this is brilliant.

POETRY

5 stars

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renée Watson & Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator) November 16, 2021

Just wow! This collection of illustrated poems provides a look into the history of black people before they were ripped from their homes, families, and friends in Africa and after they were enslaved in the Americas. It is absolutely essential reading for people of all ages.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

These days I'm mostly reading graphic novels for the Cybils awards. I will do a post to share my thoughts on all of them after we pick a winner. From the ones I've finished so far, that's promising to be a daunting task.

Here's what I read last week. If I previously reviewed the book, I've provided a link to it.

My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley (Cybil title)

NOVELS

5 stars

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad & Dion Graham (Narrator) July 20, 2021 🍁
Amir, a nine year old boy is the only survivor of a shipwreck. The boat was full of other refugees from Syria, Palestine, Ethiopia, Egypt and Lebanon. He escapes from the soldiers cleaning up the beach and is rescued and hidden by Vanna, a teenage girl who lives on the island. The story is told in two parts in alternating chapters. Before tells how Amir ended up on the boat and what happened on it. The after section describes their journey to get Amir to safety.
The book is brilliant. It's emotionally terrifying. A review I read used the work harrowing. I think that's a perfect word for it. In spite of all that, I felt hope.

And then that ending, the Now arrived.

I'm still struggling with what it all means. I think it's saying a lot about western culture and the difference between who we want to be, who we think we are, and who we really are.

CURRENTLY

Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence by Nicola I. Campbell
Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch by Rivka Galchen
Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney & Robyn Smith (Illustrator) (Cybil title)

UP NEXT

History Smashers, Plagues and Pandemics by Kate Messner
Solimar by Pam Muñoz Ryan

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 2/24

#MustReadNonFiction 1/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 7/100 one in progress

Canada Reads shortlist 5/5

Indigenous Authors 2/25 one in progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 33/250

#IMWAYR January 24th, 2022

Just a reminder that if you are participating in the #MustRead challenge, Leigh Anne Eck at A Day In the Life is hosting the last update for 2021 here. When you are ready, post your #MustReadIn2022 goals here. The links are open until the end of January.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

Ducks! by Deborah Underwood & T.L. McBeth (Illustrations) Feb 11, 2020

A young duck gets distracted by a butterfly. When it thinks to go back to it's flock, they have disappeared. As they go in search of them they find lots of clues, but NO DUCKS. I love T.L. McBeth's minimalist illustrations. The expression on the little duckling's face is delightful.

5 stars

Hello, World! by Ethan Long March 3, 2020

My sons were fans of Richard Scary books. This is a lot like those, except with a whole lot more humour. (Children might not get all the puns, but their parents most likely will!) I imagined reading this with my 4 1/2 year old grandchildren. I’m pretty sure they will love it.
If I was still in the library I would probably get a couple of copies of this to support primary teachers who do community projects with their students.

NONFICTION

5 + stars

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford January 25, 2022

This biography is visually stunning. I adored it. The images, combined with the straight forward, easy to read text make it a model for what nonfiction texts for elementary and middle grade readers should aspire to be. I read it a couple of times and each time I was more impressed by it. "It takes young readers through Anning's many fossil finds and scientific breakthroughs. At the same time it doesn't stint about the hardships Mary and her family endured. It makes clear the challenges she faced because of her poverty, gender and class."

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Here's what I read last week. If I previously reviewed the book, I've provided a link to it.

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado June 22, 2021

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani June 22, 2021
My original review is here.

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte & Ann Xu (Illustrations) October 27, 2020

My original review is here.

NOVELS

5 stars

Washington Black by by Esi Edugyan & Dion Graham (Narrator) August 2, 2018 🍁

I listened to the audiobook and was mesmerized by the writing, the story, and Dion Graham’s narration.

Washington (Wash) Black was born into slavery on a plantation in Barbados. The brutality he grows up with is horrific. When he was just a boy, Christopher, (Titch) the plantation owner’s brother, takes him on as his assistant. He teaches him to read and introduces him to scientific thinking. It turns out that Washington is a gifted artist.
Wash is present when a cousin of the brothers kills himself. Knowing his brother will blame Wash, Titch and Wash flee the plantation. They travel to America and, fleeing a relentless slave catcher the brother has sent after them, end up in the Arctic where Titch abandons Wash, who is still a child.
There are more journeys in store for Washing Black. To start, he leaves the Arctic and ends up in Nova Scotia.
As he grows up alone, Wash becomes a young man searching to figure out who he is, who he can be, and how he fits in the world. It’s an almost impossible task. He finds some peace, but all the while he’s haunted by Titch’s abandonment and lives in fear of the slaver catching up to him. As a black man with a disfigured face, he’s easy to track down. Even when he connects up with another scientist and his daughter, he’s never really acknowledged as a human being with the right to be recognized for his own work.
The ending left me heartbroken.
There is so much in this novel to unpack. To start there’s the relationship between the captured octopus and Washington. Then in tandem with the author, take a hard look at who Abolitionists were and explore the contradictions between what they said and how they acted.

I wish I had read this with a book club.

PS - Esi Edugyan has won two Giller prizes (this is one of them) and her books have been nominated for for many more awards.

MEMOIR

5 stars

Life in the City of Dirty Water: A Memoir of Healing by Clayton Thomas-Muller (Author and Narrator) Sep 04, 2019 🍁

Learning how people come to be the people they are is always fascinating. I really appreciated Clayton Thomas-Muller's brutal honesty in this. His life was full of hard things - some are difficult to read about. He didn't always make the kinds of choices people might think are the right ones, but he's come out of it being a staunch environmental activist at the same time as working hard to become the best person he can be. The first part of the book deals with his early years and the second half focuses more on his activism. In many ways his story is the story of Indigenous rejuvenation, reclamation, and celebration.
Reading reviews about this book is interesting. Some readers complain it is too much about his activism. Others say it's too much autobiography. I think the intersection of these two make it just right.

CURRENTLY

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad & Dion Graham (Narrator)

My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley (Cybil title)

Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence by Nicola I. Campbell

UP NEXT

Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch by Rivka Galchen

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney & Robyn Smith (Illustrator) (Cybil title)

I have almost finished reading and rereading the finalists in the graphic novel categories in my role as a round 2 Cybils judge. I'm looking forward to finding time for other books.

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 2/24

#MustReadNonFiction 1/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 5/100 one in progress

Canada Reads Longlist 5/23 one in progress

Indigenous Authors 2/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 26/250

Fossil Hunter How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this fascinating biography. It will be released January 25, 2022, by Clarion Books.

Mary Anning was born into poverty. The family couldn't afford school fees for their children so their father took Mary, and Joseph, her older brother, with him when he went in search of fossils. They sold their finds to augment the meager earnings he made as a carpenter. The children became expert fossil finders.

After their father died, the children roamed the coast in search of buried treasure. Joseph found the skull of a huge fossil. Mary searched for a year before a storm exposed the body of the creature. Her mother hired men to remove the rock from the cliff and bring it to their basement. Mary, now twelve years old, painstakingly chipped away at the rock to reveal the bones hidden in it. It was the first complete ichthyosaurus skeleton ever found. Mary had discovered a way to support her family and follow her passion.

This book takes young readers through Anning's many fossil finds and scientific breakthroughs. At the same time it doesn't stint about the hardships Mary and her family endured. It makes it clear the challenges she faced because of her poverty, gender and class.

Not only is the cover artwork drop dead gorgeous, the whole book is visually stunning.

Gorgeous paintings showing prehistoric creatures in their natural habitat grace the pages. It abounds with nonfiction text features. Captioned photographs and paintings are found on almost every other page. There are labeled drawings and diagrams, and coloured maps. Each Chapter begins with a quote. The back matter includes a note by the author, acknowledgements, and a timeline that puts Anning's life and scientific findings in the context of larger global events. It also includes an illustrated glossary, a list of places where you can find Mary Anning's fossils today, source quotes, a bibliography, and an index.

Cheryl Blackford, the author, was born in England. She developed a passion for rocks at an early age and eventually became a geologist. She has been fossil hunting at Lyme Regis, and has studied Anning artifacts and archival materials.

I can't remember the first time I heard about Mary Anning. Her name was mentioned in some historical novel I read a long time ago. At that time I couldn't find out much about her. Today there are numerous books about this remarkable woman. This one, written for elementary/middle grade readers, is a wonderful addition to them.

I would pair this book up with the picture book, Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers & Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Illustrator). It will provide readers with background knowledge and get them excited to learn more about this amazing woman.

This is a must purchase. If I was still in the library I would buy two copies of it.

#IMWAYR January 17, 2022

Here in Canada the Canada Reads longlist was announced. Canada Reads is hosted by CBC (our national broadcaster.) While it's an adult challenge, many high school classes also participate. The theme this year is books that “inspire readers to reflect on community.” I immediately went to my library and put all the books (except the three I've already read) on hold. I will read from the longlist until the shortlist is announced on January 26. Then I try to read those before the debate in March.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

When Langston Dances by Kaija Langley & Keith Mallett (Illustrator) September 07, 2021

The art in this just gobsmacked me. It's drop dead gorgeous. Langston is such an adorable boy you will want to scoop him off the pages and hug him.
But wait, there is so much more to adore about this book. It's in the beauty of the bodies, the relationship between mother and child, the joy in the child's face, the challenging of gender norms.
The first time his mother takes him to see a ballet, Langston falls in love with dance. He practices in front of his mirror. On the way to his first class he shows off his moves to everyone he meets. The end of the book moves us into the future where we see Langston as a young man dancing on a stage.

My City Speaks by Darren Lebeuf & Ashley Barron (Illustrations) June 30, 2021 🍁

This book is so beautiful I had to read it twice.
We follow a young girl and her father as they travel through their city on the way to a violin recital. The illustrations provide us with a rich backdrop that highlights the sensory experiences of the young girl, who is blind.
Ashley Barron's artwork was rendered in cut-paper collage, watercolour, acrylic and pencil crayon, with some digital assembly.

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford & Floyd Cooper (Illustrations) February 02, 2021

This is an essential book. That it's beautifully written and illustrated underscores the unspeakable horror of the event. In 1921 a white mob attacked and destroyed the thriving black community of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This picture book is an important introduction to this episode in history and a lead into doing more research.
I checked this out of my library to read again to compare it to one of the graphic novels I have been reading. If you haven't read this one, you must.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

These days I'm mostly reading graphic novels for the Cybils awards. I will do a post to share my thoughts on all of them after we pick a winner. From the ones I've finished, that's promising to be a daunting task.

Here's what I read last week. If I previously reviewed the book, I've provided a link to it.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier & Val Wise (Illustrations) August 10, 2021

Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby September 07, 2021 🍁

Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre by Alverne Ball, Stacey Robinson (Illustrations) et al May 04, 2021

In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months, and Years after the 9/11 Attacks by Don Brown August 10, 2021

NOVELS

5 stars

False Value by Ben Aaronovitch & Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Narrator) February 20, 2020

I adored the references to Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage, and his thinking machines and how it ended up being connected to the development of artificial intelligence. Peter Grant is right on his game in this one - dealing with upcoming fatherhood, a nefarious tech company, and all kinds of subterfuge in his new role as undercover operative.

5 stars

The Strangers by Katherena Vermette & Michaela Washburn (Narrator) September 07, 2021 🍁

This was a hard book to read. It is a story about the pain and rage felt by indigenous women. It's about unconditional love - or the lack of it.
It's the story of four generations of women. We see how the actions of one generation reverberate, directly or indirectly, through the following ones. In spite of the terrible things that happened to her, I ended up so angry with Margaret, the grandmother. My heart ached most for the recent generation of women. The foster care system leaves much to be desired.
What I liked most about the end of this book is that it leaves us with a glimmer of hope for their futures.

CURRENTLY

Washington Black by by Esi Edugyan (audiobook) 🍁

Chunky by Yehudi Mercado

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford (review coming next week)

UP NEXT

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad will be my next audiobook.

Since I'm a round 2 Cybils judge, I am busy reading and rereading the finalists in the graphic novel categories. Hopefully I will find time for other books.

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction 2/24

#MustReadNonFiction 1/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 5/100

Canada Reads Finalists /5 one in progress

Indigenous Authors 1/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 18/250

#IMWAYR January 10, 2022

Our kitchen flooring was installed this week. I am quite smitten with this green marmoleum. It looks truly gorgeous when the sun shines on it.

We took our Christmas tree down on Saturday and the house seems bereft without it and the rest of the decorations. (Although, I am not unhappy about not having to constantly clean up spruce needles.) We are keeping the outside lights on for a while longer.

In spite of deconstructing Christmas, catching up on housework that I've let slide, and working on my second Olivia Dunrea quilt, it's been a relaxing week.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK

Living With Viola by Rosanna Fung 🍁

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood & Steffi Walthall (Illustrator)

Reading Goals for 2022

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

When Sadness Is At Your Door by by Eva Eland October 1, 2018

In beautifully soft images readers are invited to look at sadness from a new perspective. Rather than trying to avoid it, or hide it, we are invited to get to know it. Ask it's name, ask where it comes from and what it needs, spend some time with it, do things together.
Every school library should have this book. People of all ages should read it.

5 stars

Gemma and the Giant Girl by Sara O'Leary & Marie Lafrance (Illustrations) October 5, 2021 🍁

After I reviewed this book last fall, one of my book club members suggested we do a book club to talk about it. I reread it twice last week and am still as in love and confounded by it as I was then. If anything, I have more questions. I am very excited that Sara O'Leary is joining us. Here is my original review.

4 stars

Merry Christmas, Anne by Kallie Georg & Geneviève Godbout (Illustrations) October 05, 2021 🍁

I'm pretty sure it was Aaron Cleavely @Wriggling Bookworms who introduced me to this book. Among the many different (and wonderful) books Kallie George writes, are adaptations of the Anne of Green Gables stories. She captures the essence of the original novels in picture and chapter book format. This is a lovely look at how Christmas was celebrated in the past (even before I was born.) Geneviève Godbout's illustrations, rendered in pastels and coloured pencils, are gorgeous.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Here's what I read last week. If I previously reviewed the book, I've provided a link to it.

My Body in Pieces by Marie-Noelle Hébert & Shelley Tanaka (Translator) April 1, 2021

My original review is here.

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor June 15, 2021

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag June 01, 2021

Salt Magic by Hope Larson & Rebecca Mock October 12, 2021

MEMOIR

5 stars

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood & Steffi Walthall (Illustrator) January 4, 2022

This memoir in verse is the perfect read as we near Martin Luther King's birthday, January 15th. It tells the story of how MLK day was made into law. One of the things I like most about it is how it inspires us all to become foot soldiers for change.
If I was still working in the library I might order two copies.
You can read my full review here.

CURRENTLY

Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist by Kate Raworth

I'm working my way through this slowly because it's a lot to take in. My copy has to be returned to the library soon so I've put another hold on it.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier & Val Wise (Illustrations) (a Cybils title)

False Value by Ben Aaronovitch

I listen to this as I'm falling asleep since it's a reread for me and I'm not tempted to stay awake to find out what happens.

The Strangers by Katherena Vermette

I'm almost done this audiobook.

The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim (The Cybils graphic novels have forced me to put this book aside for now)

UP NEXT

What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad will be my next audiobook.

Since I'm a round 2 Cybils judge, I am busy reading and rereading the finalists in the graphic novel categories. Hopefully I will find time for other books.

READING GOALS

#MustReadFiction /24 one in progress

#MustReadNonFiction 1/18 one in progress

Canadian Authors 2/100

Indigenous Authors 0/25 one in progress

Goodreads Reading Challenge: 9/250

Living With Viola by Rosanna Fung

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this graphic memoir. It was released November 30, 2021, by Annick Press.

This is a profound look at how personal anxiety is exacerbated by external situations. It's an important, albeit not comfortable, read. It's heart-wrenchingly brilliant.

Olivia is the child of Chinese Immigrants. At her first day of middle school we meet Viola, her demonic alter ego, who fills Olivia's head with self loathing and fear. Gradually Olivia becomes part of a group of friends, but even when things are going well, Viola never lets go of her grip on Olivia. When friend drama sets in, Viola completely overwhelms her.

Olivia's feelings of inadequacy are connected to gatherings with other Chinese Immigrant families. Rosanna Fung shows us a group of high powered adults who have high expectations for their children. The expectation is that their children will become doctors, lawyers, or engineers - the kind of career that would end in a three figure salary, just like their parents. Olivia and her family don't fit in. The family fakes their life so that they don't lose face. Her father works two jobs to make ends meet. Olivia is a gifted artist who dreams of a career connected to being able to draw.

Thankfully, Olivia's family are mostly loving and accepting. Her artwork is posted on display around their home. When her parents realize what is happening, they arrange for her to see a therapist. She learns coping strategies so that while Viola will always be there, Olivia learns how to keep her under control. Eventually she returns to school and reconnects with her friends.

This book is intense. As a testimony to its emotional authenticity, I had to take a break from reading it because it triggered so much anxiety in me. (I might have a wee Viola of my own.) It brought to mind former students of mine. Perhaps their anxiety was not so debilitating as Olivia's, but I still worried about them then, and worry about them now. Thankfully this book has a positive, hopeful ending.

In this video Rosanna Fung talks about how the book is based on her own life experiences.

Living With Viola is already on Canadian lists for one of the best graphic novels of 2021. It garnered a starred review from Kirkus and SLJ. I predict more accolades will come it's way and am certain it will be a contender for a Cybil award next year.

I agree with SLJ, it is indeed an essential purchase.

Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood & Steffi Walthall (Illustrator)

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this memoir in verse. It was released January 4, 2022, by Clarion Books.

Kathlyn J. Kirkwood was 17 when she participated in the march for the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. The following day, April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, who had led the march, was assassinated. Rioting, chaos, and military oppression ensued. She wondered if maybe Dr King was right when he said,

"A riot is the language of the unheard”

In this memoir Kirkwood personalizes the movement to honour Dr King with a federal holiday. She outlines the ongoing struggle to bring forth the King Bill into law. It took 15 years. Her life continued on with university, marriage, work, and children. She honours the many people who worked hard to make it happen, especially Stevie Wonder and the role he played.

I did not know that his Happy Birthday song was about Dr King.

I got shivers reading about the passage of the bill through congress, the senate, and being signed into law by President Reagan in 1986.

I appreciated the integration of posters, photographs, maps, petitions, tickets and other memorabilia that connects to what was happening at the time.

I especially like what Kathlyn has to say about the role of foot soldiers - ordinary people who work for a cause without recognition.

Even before this quote, I was already inspired by her idea of foot soldiers. It makes me think about what I can do as a foot soldier in the movement to stop climate change and bring in a new green deal.

This memoir in verse is the perfect read as we near Martin Luther King's birthday, January 15th.

If I was still working in my school library, I'd purchase two copies.