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Review: Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz: The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States

Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz: The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States by Warren Binford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Heartbreaking Book That Is A Call to Action

Heartrending. That is the word that would best describe my feelings as I read Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz: The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States compiled by Warren Binford for Project Amplify. This is a powerful account of the stories of immigrant children trapped in the horrible conditions of the “camps” at the borders and other areas of the country.

The beautiful compilation of illustrations by 17 Mexican and Mexican-American artists serves as a tapestry for conveying the hard truth of the suffering of these children. As a mother and a human being, my heart broke reading the testimony of these children. The stories are actual testimony of children who are being held by the U.S. government. The book is written in both English and Spanish.

This book is in the format of a children’s book, but don’t make any mistakes, it is for adults too. Children need to read and discuss this book so they don’t grow up and become perpetrators of this type of trauma on other human beings. Adults need to read it so they can wake up and take action. Don’t skip the portion at the end of the book titled “Give Children A Voice” which details the Flores lawsuit, as well as “Questions to Ask and Think About for younger readers and suggestions for how you and your family can help with the situation.

This book is a great candidate for a community read in addition to being read in K-12. Discussion needs to occur so that this issue doesn’t fade to the background and out of sight. Also, one of the bonuses of this book is that if you do purchase it, proceeds will go to support Project Amplify.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this book.


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Review: The ABCs of Black History

The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez and illustrated by Lauren Semmer is a colorful alphabet book that is packed with history from A to Z. It begins with the Black National Anthem and mentions movements like the Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights along with figures like Ruby Bridges, Jean -Michel Baquiat, Queen Nandi and Malcolm X. The artwork takes you on a visual journey from one letter to another. 

This amazing children's alphabet book has so many layers of goodness packed between its covers! I loved the way Black children are represented as well as the diverse set of historical figures that are mentioned that goes beyond the super famous few and challenges you to think about historical figures that don’t get mentioned as often. I got way more than what I expected in a children’s book about Black history. It starts with ABCs and Black History, but it also includes vocabulary, rhyming/poetry, and so many research and field trip opportunities. 

I will read this with my own little children and I would recommend this in the classroom. Even as an adult who thinks they know a decent amount about Black history, I learned quite a few new things. For elementary kids, you can explore the rhymes, the alphabet, the images and vocabulary along with the history. For older kids, you can push them into an inquiry stance and ask them which historical figures mentioned in the book they would like to learn more about. This is supported by the both the Explore Page in the beginning of the book and the Terms & Figures section in the back of the book that gives additional info on the history that is mentioned with each letter. Thanks to Workman Publishing Company for providing a digital arc. 

Would I Read It Again? Yes, absolutely!

Recommend: Yes! This is a perfect opportunity to use a picture book in a secondary classroom, whether English or Social Studies. 

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Review: Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World

Monarch Butterflies: Explore the Life Journey of One of the Winged Wonders of the World by Ann Hobbie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Monarch Butterflies was a multi-dimensional book that would be welcome in any elementary or home school classroom. It is also an excellent selection for parents to have in their home library to support their child's learning in school. From the beautiful art to all of the details on the development of the monarch butterfly, this book captures your attention while teaching you so much! It can be used to support science class as well as connecting students to the environment through perhaps a gardening program to reinforce what they have learned scientifically about the monarch butterfly. It doesn't just teach children about anatomy, it teaches them about how we do and can interact with monarch butterflies through culture and through nature. I received an arc of this book courtesy of NetGalley.

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Review: Say Her Name

Say Her Name by Zetta Elliott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It isn't often that I finish an entire poetry book in one sitting. But Say Her Name was so powerful and heartbreaking and uplifting that I had no choice, because it spoke to my spirit. Ms. Elliot's collection features pieces that I could hear/see myself in. That doesn't seem like a big deal, but for a black woman it absolutely is monumental. Pieces like " Panther", "For My People", "How to Resist" and "Self/Care" resonated with me as a Black Mother, Woman and Nerd. But every single poem in this book is worth your time and discussion. It explores race, gender, police brutality, protest, activism and the essence of what it feels like to be a Black woman/girl in America. I received an advanced reader copy so unfortunately I wasn't able to see the final art for the book. But I will be purchasing a copy of her final version.

Would I Read It Again? Yes, absolutely!

Recommend: Absolutely, yes! I believe this should be in every classroom library and brought into curriculums/lesson plans. The poetry is powerful and will invoke conversations that are powerful and needed. 

Cookbook Review: Keto Vegetarian Cookbook

 

Keto Vegetarian Cookbook: 110 Delicious, Low-Carb, Sugar-free Recipes for a Plant-Based Ketogenic Diet (Recipe-Only Edition) by Stephanie N. Collins

Rating: 4.5 Stars

What I liked most about this cookbook is that you don't have to be a vegetarian to use it. I am not one and I found many of the recipes enticing and have a list that I want to try out. I tried the Keto Blueberry Smoothie and the Spinach and Zucchini Lasagna and both were very tasty. I still want to try the Veggie Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and the Tomato Basil Soup. The recipe selection consists of simple, easy to make dishes that represent breakfast, lunch and dinner. As a non-vegetarian, I appreciate that most of the recipes are recognizable with simple twists that I am willing to try out. This makes it easier for me to incorporate them into my regular meal lineup whether I am doing keto or not. 

There are pictures for many of the recipes, something I value in a cookbook because I am visual and like to know what the end product is supposed to look like before I begin. Some of the ingredients like MCT Oil I was not familiar with so I was appreciative of her first chapter where she explains some of the common ingredients and goes through the different types of carbs and proteins. I do wish she had explained some of the sweeteners, I had to look a few up! I learned a lot, so if you are a newbie, start there before diving into the recipes.  

I voluntarily reviewed this cookbook after receiving a free copy.

YA Review: What I Leave Behind

What I Leave Behind by Alison McGhee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There was so much pain and emotion, yet so much power in this short little novel. Sixteen year old Will walks every night as he processes through the grief of losing his father to suicide. You immediately get the sense that this is a good kid who has been traumatized and is trying to find a way to deal with it in a positive manner. "Don't let the bastards get you down," are some of the words his father left him with before committing suicide. Something his father did not leave him with, his cornbread recipe, and it is a driving force for Will throughout the book.

This was such a unique approach to writing a novel. 100 chapters and 100 words in each chapter. The number 100 factors in both structurally and symbolically. You never feel shortchanged by the strict adherence to 100 words because McGhee uses them so masterfully. You feel like you are walking right along with Will as he helps others and leaves little Dollar Store gifts for them. The character is so observant of others feelings that you can see it was part of his deeper feelings of guilt regarding his father's suicide and his best friend Playa's rape.

I had all of the emotions by the end of this book. Great read for an adult. Great read for any teenager, but especially one who may shy away from long books.

Would I Read It Again? Yes. It took me like an hour to read it the first time. I don't know how you would categorize it, but it is shorter than a novella. 

Recommend: Yes. I recommend for both adults and teens. This is a good opportunity for teens who don't like to read longer texts. There are trigger warnings for suicide and rape. It starts off with an interesting hook.