American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad that Haunted a Nation by Barb Rosenstock

American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad that Haunted a Nation by Barb Rosenstock Oh the drama in real life. Go back in time when communing with ghosts was a big deal. Think WInchestor Mystery House, Okay, I'm from the San Jose area. So these sisters gain fame or notariety of communing with ghosts. But are they really? Read their story and find out the real deal.

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh

Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh Is a picture book that gives us the backstory of Jose G. Posada. It explains the how and why he drew the scenes staring skeletons as political and social commentaries of life in Mexico. A good book to add to any school library.

James by Percival Everett

James is a smart story that represents Jim from Huckleberry Finn. Jim is a smart man who is running away from slavery. Huck teams up with Jim by chance and together travel meeting dangerous people and dangerous situations. Percival Everett knows how to write a story. This is a good one. The audio book also very good.

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglass Wiggins

This is a lovely classic children's story. Perhaps 70 pages or less. It's a tiny short story. The Birds' Christmas Carol is a lovely story about sharing with others and even though Carol's time on earth is short, she makes a big impact. A lovely read.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

This nonfiction book is chocked full of history. You see this true story from multiple perspectives as the background is build up in layers. Well researched, primary documentation takes us back to before the World Fair is barely thought of. Read on as the architects of design figure out how to build this huge event. As we learn about the growth of Chicago, we also learn about a sociopath serial killer who enjoys manipulating people and builds his own hotel of torture. A good long read and a good audiobook. Probably not for high school libraries but public and private libraries would be a good addition. Scary that someone could even be like that.

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C Morrow

 It's a good story to add to school library.  Told in the perspective of former slaves now free.  How they were part of a group of people to build a free town in the north.  A good read.

Gold Rush Girl by Avi

 It's an adventure story, infused with history and a strong female character.  It's fine for any children's library and well written.  I did feel it was a bit over the top, but it's fine.

Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley

 I love all things Jane Austen.  Read the books, loved the movies, loved the characters, especially Mr. Darcy.  This book is interesting.  I listened to the audio version of this.  The gentle voice and basic information easily lulled me to sleep.  

The Inspector & Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell

I found a new, well old murder mystery.  I love Mrs. Jefferies.  Enjoy a good read and a good listen too!

Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini

A good story with a lot of relationship.  Lots of family dynamics going on.  You have Mary Todd Lincoln who is the widow, witnessing the assassination of her husband, the president of the united states. The story switches back forth between different family members and also different time frames.  

It's a good story and a good audio book.  

 

Like a Bird The Art of the American Slave Song by Grady & Wood

I'm getting this book for my high school library.  I would also like to add to my digital collection.  The historic significance of this book helps teach all the importance of these songs and the human story connected to it.  Done in a beautiful fashion, this book is a welcome addition to any library.

Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi

This is a book we need now.  To help us as a whole understand how black people have been treated

over the years and why.  How different perspectives played out.  From presidents to everyday people 

responded to racism with actions that go beyond abuse.  This book was written a few months before what is going on right now in the United States.  It is timed perfectly to help us all understand the roots of  anger, hurt and frustration that are being expressed in today's world.  It is an important read.

I'm getting for my high school library!

Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say

Another beautiful book by Allen Say.  Add this on to your collection.  True story of a troubled artist, a boy who was  mute, deaf and autistic in the late 1800 early 1900s.  How do you communicate to a young boy like this?  Or do you?  Left alone, created his own friends by drawing characters and animals.  It's a good read.

The Woman’s Hour By Elaine Weiss

An excellent book telling the story how women had to fight for the right to vote in America.  Targets for rotten tomatoes , jail and racism, this story is well researched.  This is an important read as it parallels what is going in the US for the last four years.  Read and learn. 

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

It's important for us to know what happened in the past.  To learn from events, helps us see history come alive through primary resources and through well researched novels. Add this book in the cruel and terrible world of the slave trade.  It's a good read.

Before She Was Harriet by Ransome & Ransome

Lovely words that tell about Harriet Tubman and beautiful images to accompanied the words, make this a beautiful introduction to who Harriet Tubman was.  A married couple, created this book.  I'm going to add this book to my school library.

Dread Nation Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland

Justina Ireland does a good job telling a story.  Her characters, plot and flow of words works well.  I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.  The audio book reader does a great job bringing the characters to life.  Enjoy.

Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz

It's a good read and a good audio book.  The author has done some amazing research on various topics that fit this book.  It pays off.  Fine for any school library.  Yes I did mention the death of the uncle and the loss of his head.  But it all works.  It's a good read. 

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy

It's a good nonfiction book about history relating to Chicago.  Audio book also good.

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

It's a good read for middle school and upper elementary school.  For those who enjoy Little House on the Prairie series, add this to young people's reading pleasure.