November 2.0

The Fountains of Silence by Ruth Sepetys
Having loved her previous book, Salt to the Sea, I know that Ruth Sepetys can write beautiful and evocative historical fiction. She did not let me down in Fountains of Silence. This time, Sepetys explores the Spanish Civil War: the opposing factions, the relationship between the Franco dictatorship and America, the 'disappeared' babies, and the role of the Catholic Church. She wraps all this history up in a discovery of love, of culture, of differences, in commonalities between Daniel, the son of wealthy Texas oilman and a Spanish mother, and Ana, the daughter of murdered Republicans, who works as a hotel maid to support her family. Woven throughout the story is the idea of freedom of the press and what journalism can do to bring truths to light, how a powerful country who looks the other way, who caters to the wealthy class regardless of their policies, can destroy the lives of the everyday natives, how children, beyond anyone else, should and must be protected, as well as how the bonds of love can reach across continents and time zones. This is an epic tale that taught me so much, as well as entertained me.

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell is always a quirky, unique writer who explores all kinds of weird stuff in life (ie. Blink, Outliers, etc.) This time around he begins his book with the story of Sandra Bland, a woman pulled over by a policeman, who ultimately committed suicide in a Texas jail. You may have read about it in the news...but you have no idea of all the details, at least I sure didn't! Ditto back stories on Amanda Knox, Sylvia Plath, Bernie Madoff, Cuban spies. Gladwell looks at all the psychological, sociological, cultural, and historical reasons and statistics as to why we are so terrible at understanding strangers. It is kind of mind-blowing. My husband and I discussed this book endlessly, as we listened to it on a long road trip - highly recommend the audio version from libro.fm:)

Look Both Ways and Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

HOW am I just now discovering this incredibly talented YA writer??? Regardless of how long it took, I will now read everything written by him. This writer gives voice to kids of color; he has lived their lives, he inhabits their world, and he truly sees them. Long Way Down is Reynold's highly acclaimed book about gun violence. Fifteen year old Will leaves his apartment with a gun in his waistband, intent on revenge for his brother Sean's death. However, his elevator ride down stops on each floor, and a ghost enters, telling the story of the Gun, the Violence, the Rules. Do Not Miss This Book. My jaw was on the floor with the last two-word line. Wow just wow.

Reynold's latest book, Look Both Ways is a brilliant story of the lives urban kids lead after school, as the book is told in ten blocks, ten chapters. Their lives intertwine with each other, as well as their neighbors and it is a brilliant look into another world. If I was still teaching middle or high schoolers today, both these books would be on my Must Read list.

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
As I stood in awe at Blackwell's bookstore in Oxford, England (they're known to have three miles of bookshelves in their basement!), I of course began to chat with a bookseller there. Her neighbor is this author, Krian Millwood Hargrave, who has found great success in writing magical adventure stories for middle readers (I would say grades 4-10 would enjoy her books). This one is utterly delightful, with a cast of strong, smart, brave sisters who must find a way to rescue their brother, and defeat the enemy who has stolen so many boys, as well as brought years of winter to the harsh land of Russia. She has a beautiful voice, knows how to create tension without it being too scary, and develops each sister so that they are uniquely their own self. This would be a fantastic gift for either a boy or girl this holiday season.

Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises by Jodie Adams Kirshner
Admittedly, I enjoy a good, detailed non-fiction that teaches me something about the world. I was completely absorbed by Evicted about the housing crisis in Milwaukee. Broke sounded intriguing - a story of Detroit and it’s slow inexorable fall into bankruptcy, as well the impact on its neighborhood and its people. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. It is extremely detailed, to the point that my brain hurt from statistics. I was interested in the people the author chooses to follow to tell the story of Detroit, but needed more emotion in telling their stories. Ute I own that this is a personal taste of my own, wanting to be wrapped up in their lives. I think this is a very well researched and written book for people working in urban planning, policy, social work, government, etc. but perhaps not for me.