Jillicious Reading: Memoirs

These talented authors use unique formats to tell their unforgettable life stories.  Don't miss these two outstanding additions to the memoir genre.  

Brown Girl Dreaming 
by Jacqueline Woodson

In this lyrical novel-in-verse, Newbery Honor/Coretta Scott King/Edwards Award winning author Woodson tells her story of growing up in the 1960s and 70s in two completely different places - Greenville, South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York.  

Most of Woodson's early years were spent with her mother's parents in South Carolina.  There, Jackie saw firsthand the prejudices and racial injustices that still dominated the South. But she also experienced a stable, loving home with her grandparents full of home cooking, starched dresses, and weekly visits to church.  When she moved to Brooklyn with her siblings and her single mother, she entered a different world.  The big city of New York was concrete and cold without gardens and nights on the front porch.  But, there Jackie also found more diversity, less prejudice, and dear new friends.

In addition to expressing her search for her place in two different worlds, Woodson's soulful poems also explore the struggles of growing up in a single parent home and living in the shadow of a brilliant older sister.  While her sister seemed to excel at everything, Jackie wrestled with learning to read.  In spite of this initial difficulty, she developed a love for words and stories.  When she received her first composition notebook, Jackie discovered that "words [were her] brilliance" and dreamed of one day becoming a writer.   
Brown Girl Dreaming is an eloquent memoir that beautifully explores a young girl's search for home and for her own unique voice.  Fans of Woodson's writing will love getting to know the observant, spunky young Jackie and learning what sparked her writing journey. Those new to her work will want to read everything else she's written.  And everyone will want to reflect on their own memories and tell their own story ... most likely in a crisp, new composition book! 

Watch this video to hear author Jacqueline Woodson talk about writing Brown Girl Dreaming: 

El Deafo
by Cece Bell

When Cece Bell was four years old, she contracted meningitis which resulted in a severe hearing loss.  This began a struggle with hearing aides, feelings of isolation, and a search for a friend who would treat her as an equal. In this creative graphic novel, Bell tells her touching, relatable story.  

As a kindergartner, Cece was able to attend a class with other deaf students.  But then her family moved and her new school didn't offer separate classes.  It's hard enough that she has to go to a new school and try to make new friends, but she also worries about her hearing aide. The Phonic Ear connects to a microphone worn by her teacher which makes hearing easier, but it is also bulky and makes Cece feel so different from the other students.  She soon discovers, however, that her teacher would forget about the microphone so Cece could hear her when she was talking in the teacher's lounge or even in the bathroom.  :)  These "special powers" and an After School Special led her to imagine an alter ego El Deafo who helps her through difficult days. Over the next few years with the help of her loving, supportive family, friends who appreciate her for who she is, and El Deafo who gives her courage, Cece begins to grow in confidence and acceptance of her disability.  

El Deafo is a true autobiographical achievement.  The graphic format is perfect;  the depiction of the characters as rabbits puts an immediate focus on ears (genius!), and the dialogue bubbles allow the reader to experience what Cece is hearing ("eh sounz lah yur unnah wawah!").  The book explores the struggles unique to one with hearing loss, but also explores universal experiences of wanting to fit in, searching for true friends, first crushes, and self-discovery.  All are handled with honesty and humor that make for an unforgettable memoir that soars right into your heart.  The book ends with a thoughtful author's note telling more about Cece Bell's later experiences and how she has now come to see her disability as a gift, noting that "Our differences are our superpowers."  El Deafo will make you want to grab your red cape and celebrate what makes you special!   

Watch this video of author Cece Bell talking about The Phonic Ear and El Deafo:

Fun fact:  Author/Illustrator Cece Bell is married to Tom Angleberger who created the amazing & hilarious Origami Yoda series and other terrific books (Crankee Doodle is another one of my favs which was illustrated by CeCe).  Holy smokes, Batman.  That is one power couple!  

Jillicious Healthy Bites: True Stories from the Holocaust

Stories from the Jewish Holocaust during WW II continue to captivate readers.  As difficult as it is to read about the depths of human evil reached during this time, it is also incredibly inspiring to read of those who held onto hope in horrific circumstances and ultimately survived to tell their story.  It is also so vitally important to read these narratives and remember how simply and subtly these dreadfully evil initiatives began.  

Below are three 2013 releases, two nonfiction and one fiction based on a true story, that tell the hopeful, heroic stories that came from this time of persecution: 

Odette's Secrets
by Maryann MacDonald

Odette's Secrets tells the story of a young Jewish girl living in Paris during the Nazi occupation.  Her father joins the French army, her mother joins the Resistance, and Odette is sent to the French countryside for safety.   

Throughout the frightening time, young Odette is both terrified and confused.  She fears the soldiers, worries about her father, and runs from those who bully her for her yellow star.  She also wonders about her Polish roots, her Jewish faith, and later the Christian values of the foster family that cares for her while she seeks refuge in the country.  She gets used to silently observing, keeping secrets, and hiding in plain sight.  

I never thought of what these young people must have endured as they tried to make sense of the terrifying world around them as well as their own identity.  And what extremes their parents went to for their protection!  This moving novel also shows what the survivors faced when they triumphed over their persecutors, but then tried to return to their homes and to their former lives.

Author Maryann MacDonald was deeply moved by Odette's story and asked her family permission to share her experience in a book for children.  She ultimately chose to tell the story as a first person novel-in-verse instead of a factual biography to allow a more intimate view into the young poet-to-be's thoughts and feelings.  The result is a accessible, personal narrative that immediately pulls the reader into Paris in 1942 and provides another perspective from this time.
Odette's Secrets is a selection on the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet List.

 

The Boy on the Wooden Box 
by Leon Leyson

Leon Leyson was the youngest survivor on what became the world famous "Schindler's List." This memoir tells how Leyson's life went from a happy childhood to a terrible nightmare at the hand of the Nazis and their occupation of his Polish homeland.  Leon's family was forced to move to the Krakow ghetto, but through determination, luck, and ultimately the attention of the man named Oskar Schindler,  Leon, his parents and a few of his siblings' avoided placement in the horrific concentration camps. 

Constructed from Leyson's personal notes and speeches, The Boy on the Wooden Box tells of how he survived in Schindler's factory with almost nothing to eat but holding onto hope and believing in Oskar Schindler, who became his lifelong hero.  Leyson tale's is honest and reflective, but told without bitterness and hatred.  It is a powerful, moving memoir that celebrates the risks taken and the perseverance necessary to survive during this time of persecution.

 The Boy on the Wooden Box is a title on the 2014 Texas Lone Star Reading List.

The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi
by Neal Bascomb

After WWII ended, one of the highest ranking Nazi officers, Adolf Eichmann, vanished.  Believed to have eradicated over 700,000 Jews from Hungary and to have been responsible for millions of Jewish deaths, Eichmann was a prime war criminal to be brought to justice; but he had not been seen or heard of in years. Until a clue finally surfaces from a blind Argentinean man and his teenage daughter.  Then the manhunt begins. 

The Nazi Hunters tells the riveting true story of how the Eichmann case went from a desire to find the man to promising leads to dead ends to the forming of an elite team of Israeli spies to plan and execute an incredible capture.  This team - all of whom had been directly affected somehow by Eichmann's crimes - would have to secretly enter Argentina, capture Eichmann, and smuggle him out of the country and return him safely to Israel so he could be brought to justice on Israeli soil.   

Neal Bascomb has crafted a work of narrative nonfiction that expertly provides historical facts and reads like a spy novel.  I was on the edge of my seat reading this book!  It is truly fascinating.  The author does an outstanding job of introducing the young, powerful Eichmann, later showing what he has become during his years in hiding and his views of his actions, and finally showing what an impact the time with Eichmann has on his captors.  Bascomb also effectively weaves in the story of an Auschwitz survivor, Zeev Sapir. The reader meets him early in the book when he has an encounter with Eichmann; later Sapir has a chance to testify against Eichmann.  It's quite powerful to see one survivor get to face his tormenter and get to share his story with the world.  Photographs and documents are included throughout the book that add intrigue and authenticity to the captivating account. 

This is a must-read for anyone interested in WWII, Jewish and Holocaust history, narrative nonfiction, and/or page-turning tales of spying and intrigue.          

The Nazi Hunters is a title on the 2014 TAYSHAS Reading List. 

Jillicious Pairing: Bomb & Shadow on the Mountain

I suggest pairing ...



Bomb 
by Steve Sheinkin

In January, I blogged about Bomb, an outstanding nonfiction book detailing all that happened around the world during the mad race to be the first nation to build an atomic bomb.  Click here to read my full post about this fascinating book.

And, be sure to keep your eye on author Steve Sheinkin, the rock star of YA nonfiction!  His well-researched, quality informational books are always highly readable and engaging.


with ...


Shadow on the Mountain 
by Margie Preus

Shadow on the Mountain tells the story of Espen, a fourteen-year-old Norwegian boy living through WWII.  When Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and many of his friends join the Norwegian Resistance Movement, an underground espionage and sabotage effort of Nazi operations.  Some of Espen's friends fell under the spell of the Germans and their desire to dominate the world.  But Espen, and others like him, stayed loyal to their country and risked their lives to gain and deliver intelligence. 

The novel is fast-paced, exciting, and informative. It gives the reader an authentic look at the Resistance as well as at the Norwegian people and their patriotism.  I lived in Norway for a few years when I was in middle school, so I particularly enjoyed revisiting this setting. Espen's story is based on the real-life adventures of Erling Storrusten; notes, photographs, maps, and other informative artifacts are included.     

Why this pairing works ... 

These two pair nicely as Bomb details some of the Resistance spies and covert missions tied to the atomic bomb; Shadow of the Mountain gives a broader, insider picture of what happened throughout Norway during the years of German occupation.  The Norwegian efforts during the war are not well known to many readers, and these two selections help bring a fresh, informative perspective. 

Jillicious Healthy Bites: Guinness World Records!

In every school library I have ever worked, the Guinness World Records books have been one of - if not THE! - most popular books in the library.  These colorful collections of record breaking achievements have delighted readers for decades. 

According to their website, "Guinness World Records aims to inspire ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things." The books strive to entertain, inform, and celebrate the world’s best.  And that is exactly what they do!  Who can resist facts about the fastest, the largest, the smallest, the tallest, and the absolute wackiest??  

So, why am I writing about these books?  Because kids love them and every library servicing kids should have them!  These books, like other factual and almanac style books, are enjoyed by a wide range of readers, including both the reluctant and the advanced.  They are meant to be "dipped into", not read cover to cover (although that 's fine too!).  This inviting format is not intimidating and allows students to read the facts and sections of which they have the most interest.... and then to share them with everyone around them!  :)

The Guinness World Records books in my library have become a joke between my library assistants and myself.  They drive my hardworking ladies crazy, because the books are constantly falling apart and in need of repair due to their high circulation.  But I say, it's worth it!  

So, librarians: I encourage you to purchase copies of the latest GWR edition for your library every year.  Even if they disappear, fall apart, and/or need constant repair.  If you have a Scholastic Book Fair, use your points to acquire multiple copies of the latest version.  Or, pick up a few extra copies at Costco each year as a personal donation to the library.  :)  The enjoyment they provide your readers is worth the investment. 

And, teachers & parents:  Please don't discount these selections as not qualifying as "real reading."  Any reading is "real reading," and a kid's choices should be respected and allowed.  Of course, they are times for novel studies, reading requirements, and literary analysis.  But, like adult readers, students want to have some fun along their reading journey.  So bring on the Guinness World Records!  The comics!  The graphic novels! .. and the fluffy, dishy "beach reads!"  If it helps build a lifelong reading habit, it is worth it.  :)    

Bomb: The Race to Build - and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

by Steve Sheinkin

Summary:  "In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: when placed next to radioactive material, a uranium atom split in two." This launched a worldwide race to be the first nation to create the world's first atomic bomb.  Scientists, spies, dictators, revolutionaries, and military leaders all played a part in the race for military world domination.  

Thoughts:  This nonfiction book is truly fascinating.  Admittedly, I didn't know very much about the development of the bomb; I was completely intrigued by this account of all that took place in multiple nations around the world.  I was particularly interested in the Norwegian resistance.  The narrative was extremely engaging - both interesting and sobering.  Nonfiction has come a long way in recent years, and this book is a prime example of how readable and appealing it can be.  The book was a 2012 National Book Award Young People's Literature Finalist and will likely - and deservedly - earn many additional honors. 

 

Read Bomb, if you ... 

• are interested in WWII
• enjoy exciting stories involving spies and intrigue
• have an interest in science 
• like true stories from history

Visit author Steve Sheinkin's website to learn more about his writing and his newest book, Lincoln's Grave Robbers.

Jillicious Healthy Bites: Biography

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different

by Karen Blumenthal

This is an excellent biography of the fascinating Steve Jobs.  Author Karen Blumenthal skillfully shows the complexities of Jobs' personality, including his incredible creativity and drive as well as his explosive behavior.  I found the book to be absolutely captivating, from Jobs' early life, the beginning days of Apple, his later troubles with the company, and then his triumphant return.  The story behind the various Apple models, iPod, iPhone, advertising campaigns, and even the distinctive Apple packaging are so interesting.  I devoured this book, and that's not something I often say about biographies!  

Read Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different if you: 

• enjoy biographies
• don't enjoy biographies!
• are a passionate Apple fan or own any Apple product
• are interested in strong personalities and those who "think different"
• like (true!) stories about second chances

Visit Karen Blumenthal's blog to learn more about her, this biography, and nonfiction writing. 

Jillicious Healthy Bites: Nonfiction

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous
by Georgia Bragg, Illustrated by Kevin O'Malley

Summary: Informational book detailing the gruesome deaths of 19 well-known historical figures 

Thoughts: This book is fascinating!  I learned so much about the deaths (and lives!) of these historical figures.  The book is written in a fun, snarky tone that is highly entertaining.  I was completely enthralled by these grossly great tales and think you will be too!   

Read How They Croaked if you ....

• are interested in history.
• like the gross and gory.
• enjoy illustrated novels. 
• are looking for something interesting and different.  

Jillicious Healthy Bites: Nonfiction

Looking for some factual reading?  Try one of these:

Elephant Talk:

The Surprising Science of Elephant Communication

by Ann Downer

Elephant Talk explores the fascinating ways these intelligent animals socialize and communicate.  Here are just a few interesting facts I learned: 

• African savanna elephants have the largest brains of all land animals.  
• Elephants live together in families of females that have a hierachial social structure and work together to care for the young; groups of males live together in bachelor societies. 
• Elephants have a vocal range of 10 octaves (3 more than a piano!) and can produce at least 70 distinct calls. 
• An elphant trunk is thought to have 150,000 muscles; we have about 850 muscles in our whole body! 
• Elephants also communicate through infrasound, sound that is too low in frequency to be heard by the human ear. 

The book contains much more about the ways these animals communicate including body language and vibrations.  Information is also provided about the people who study and work with elephants and the threats that are facing these mammals.  An interesting author's note describes ways to get involved and help save the world's elephants.  This is a very interesting nonfiction read, particularly for animal lovers. 

 

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.:

The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

They Called Themselves the K.K.K. is an in-depth, honest look at the origins of the Ku Klux Klan. Frankly, this is not a book I was excited to pick up; it is difficult to read about people doing terrible, unthinkable things to others.  But, I am really glad I read the book and learned more.

Author Susan Bartoletti is a very skilled writer.  She effectively presents the facts from several viewpoints and includes personal testimonies, interviews, journal entries, newspaper articles, illustrations, and photographs.  What I found most interesting were the details of what life was like for the Southerners right after the Civil War.  I realized I had never given much thought to the devastation of the war and the difficulty of rebuilding or starting new lives after the brutal battles.  Also, it was intriguing (and frightening) to see how quickly a "club" of six men turned into an evil organization intent to impose psychological and physical terror on former slaves. 

This is an important book to read and to remind us of the power of evil.  Although difficult to digest at times, we must be informed of history and learn from the mistakes of those who came before us.