While Kenta and the Big Wave is technically about the tsunami that devastated the east coast of Japan two years ago, the real heart of it is the concept of peaceful practices. Kenta and his family are spared when the…
Category: Violence/War & Peace/Refugees
CODA: A novel of Revolution against addiction and control
Coda (Running Press Kids) by Emma Trevayne $9.95 In her debut novel, Emma Trevayne has painted a punk and rock world in which addictive music controls a future society. The encoded music heals pain and sickness, and controls the…
Mishan’s Garden
It’s very early to review Mishan’s Garden, a lovely picture book being published by Wisdom Publications in October, but I suppose a good buzz can only help with pre-orders. (It was previously published in the nineties with a different title.) Mishan is…
When the Water Runs Out: A Review of Parched
This past month has gone into the record books as the rainiest June in my city’s history. Last year was one of the warmest on record, and in late October a rare East Coast hurricane devastated the New York metropolitan…
A Family in Wartime: A Review of Three Years and Eight Months
A month ago I highlighted the winners of the 2013 Skipping Stones Honor Awards, given to outstanding multicultural and nature books published in the previous year. Although published in 2013, Icy Smith and Jennifer Kindert’s Three Years and Eight Months…
Human Trafficking in Space: A Review of The Color of Rain
When people think of books for children and teens that address social justice issues, contemporary and historical fiction and nonfiction are the genres that come to mind. Rarely do we think of speculative fiction as inherently political, though dystopian novels…
A Silver Anniversary and the 2013 Skipping Stones Honor Awards
This year marks a big milestone for the non-profit multicultural children’s magazine Skipping Stones. Founded in 1988 by educator Arun Toke, Skipping Stones is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The magazine offers articles for children from the elementary level and up,…
Weaving Politics, Culture, and Story: A Review of The Vine Basket
Writers who take on political stories—stories that focus on conflicts within and between communities—face daunting challenges. How does a writer keep the focus on the story rather than the political issue? How does he or she present background information without…
Sentenced to Life at Seventeen—The Story of David Milgaard
Probably Sentenced to Life at Seventeen—The Story of David Milgaard by Cynthia J. Faryon will appeal to middle school readers, though it certainly can be used as high-interest/easy reading in high school classes. I myself enjoyed the parallel scenes…
Once and Future New Orleans
“I wasn’t certain of anything anymore, except that New Orleans was a faithless friend and I wanted to leave her.” Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys “Decisions, they shape our destiny.” Out of the Easy, by Ruta Sepetys “Some choices,…