Difficult Topics in Books

LION OF THE SKY by Ritu Hemnani — Book Recommendation

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Title: LION OF THE SKY   Author: Ritu Hemnani   Publisher: New York: Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins, May 7, 2024   Genre: Middle Grade Fiction   Audience Age: 9 to 12   Themes/Topics: Partition of India and Pakistan, Indian Independence 1947, family, political conflict, religious intolerance It is an honor to share this amazing book with you today. Thank you, Ritu, for writing LION OF THE SKY. Opening Sentences:  My kite comes to lifein the endless blue,free and wildas itfightsandsnaps,bucks and whips. Hold on tight, Raj,says my grandfather, Nana.Soon the windwill change in your favor,just as long as youdon’t let go. Synopsis:  The words “soon the wind will change in your favor, just as long as you don’t let go” are words that Raj, the 12-year-old protagonist of LION OF THE SKY, holds on to through unimaginable heartbreak and inner growth. Raj is a boy filled with fears and uncertainty, who doesn’t understand the math that his father and brother deem all-important for succeeding in business. All he wants to do is cook and bake with his mother and younger sister, which his father finally forbids, as it is women’s work. Raj yearns just once to hear his father give him praise, and he hopes to do this by winning the annual Kite Festival. He and his Muslim friend, Iqbal, practice together as often as possible. Raj, a Hindu, and Iqbal, a Muslim, have built up their solid friendship despite their differences in religion, and have sneaked around the restrictions about never eating each other’s food. They both eagerly look forward to the Kite Festival, and to Independence – for with it will surely come all things good and right. But not everyone agrees that all is or will be good and right. As British rule ends, the British are throwing obstacles in the way of true freedom for the people of India. And there are those who oppose with violence, not the peaceful resistance taught by Gandhi. The most devastating blow is the final act of the British – to send someone in to India to draw boundaries that will make two separate countries, one with a Muslim majority, one with a Hindu and Sikh majority – the Partition of India that carved out Pakistan from part of India, separated families, pitted friends against each other, and caused many deaths and broken hearts. When the borders are drawn, Raj and his family find that their home in their beloved Sindh is now part of Pakistan, and they quickly discover that Hindus are no longer welcome there. They flee to Bombay, leaving behind dear Nana, Raj’s grandfather, who stays in Sindh to gather the bodies of Hindus who have been killed in the uproar, and give them a proper cremation so that their souls will be at peace. The family will never see him again. More family separation and tragedy lies before them as they try to find their way in an India where they should belong but do not, where Sindhi is not spoken, where nothing is the way it was before, where it seems impossible to hope. And yet – and yet, Raj remembers his grandfather’s words, “soon the wind will change in your favor, just as long as you don’t let go,” and moves forward into what lies ahead. My thoughts: Using the extended metaphor of kite-flying – something at which the protagonist, Raj, excels – and the medium of verse, Ritu Hemnani weaves her story of the days of Indian Independence and Partition. Ritu has a way of writing something that seems innocent on the surface, like a boy playing snakes and ladders with his grandpa, but then sums it up with a stanza that sears right to the heart, and you remember that this game is played against the backdrop of the fear the threat of Partition put into the hearts of the people who were trying to survive through this. And when one day Raj is winning the snakes and ladders game, he has a heart-wrenching realization: I realize it is not so muchthat I am winning,but that Nana is playingin a way that sayshe has already lost. Ritu was inspired by her own family’s story of having to leave Sindh after the Partition – her own great-grandfather stayed behind as Raj’s Nana did in LION OF THE SKY. I would urge you to listen to/watch Ritu’s TEDx talk in which she tells her family’s story. “An Inheritance Worth Sharing” – be prepared to be deeply moved and greatly inspired. Ritu’s book will touch your heart, sear your heart, and finally lift up your heart and make it soar. This is a moving, eye-opening book that I think should be on everyone’s reading list. Availability: Should be readily available after May 7, 2024 – book release day! Check your local independent bookstore, or find one online. Make sure your public library orders it, too! For Further Enrichment:  For kids: Did you know that the games Snakes and Ladders (known as Chutes and Ladders in the United States) and Carroms originated in India long, long ago? I was delighted when at one point Raj’s family are seen playing carroms (a game in which small wooden discs are shot into netted-cotton pockets in the corners of a square wooden board). That was one of the favorite games of my family – my dad was particularly good at it – and I cherish my grandparents’ carroms board. No matter who we are, there is always something that unites us, if we look for it. (Here’s a short video of how to play carroms. Their board is a lot fancier than the one I have!) Good article on Edutopia about teaching kids about the Partition is here.  *Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review. I was truly honored to do this review. Ritu Hemnani is a journalist, teacher, and storyteller, who hopes for every child to seethemselves in the pages of a book and know that their stories matter. She is …

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THE FIREFLY SUMMER by Morgan Matson (MG) — Summer Reading

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Your eyes are not deceiving you. This is an actual blog post. I know, I can hardly believe it, either. I read a book this week that I wanted to share with you, and here we are. (Note, which you’ve likely figured out by now: the image is not the cover image from the book. It’s an image from Pexels.com, taken by Jonathan Petersson, that makes me think of summer camp. To see the book cover, click on one of the links below.) Title: The Firefly Summer Author: Morgan Matson Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2023 What the book is about: Eleven-year-old Ryanna has never known much about her mom or her mom’s family. Her mom died when she was three, and her dad has nothing to do with her mom’s family. To Ryanna’s surprise and her dad’s consternation, an invitation arrives from Ryanna’s grandparents inviting her to spend part of the summer with them at their home, which turns out to be a former summer camp populated with aunts, uncles and cousins Ryanna never knew existed. While getting to know more about her mom, Ryanna also learns to negotiate life in the midst of a whole pack of kids (not always an easy task for an only child – take it from me, also an only); she delves into a mystery; and is galvanized into action along with the others when she learns that the old camp will soon be destroyed. She is determined not to let this happen. Through all this, she learns more about herself than she would have believed possible. Through Ryanna’s learnings about her mom, the reader gets a peek into what the life of a pre-teen in the 1990s was like, and the “artifacts” from her mom’s life will bring smiles of recognition from anyone who either grew up during that time, or was aware of what kids were into during that time. (I was particularly delighted to find mention of the Saddle Club books!) Why I liked this book: Beyond the main things – it’s well-written, it draws the reader into the life and experience of the main character and the rest of the family, the mystery is well done, and the entire book feels “real” – it touched a chord in me from my own pre-teen years. When I was growing up, I loved to read books about kids at summer camp, or slightly older kids who were camp counselors. Although I never went to camp myself, I lived the camp life vicariously through those characters. This book, while totally a book of now, evoked the same sense of joy in the outdoors, in the community of camp, in the many personalities encountered in camp, and the fun experiences that are iconic summer camp experiences. (Campfire and s’mores with fireflies dancing around, anyone?) If you’re looking for a book that will get you in the mood for summer, while also tackling some of the problems kids today are dealing with, pick up this book. Maybe have some s’mores while you read. Don’t just take my word for it. Take a look at the Kirkus review, linked here. The publisher’s website has a reading group guide – maybe this could be a family summer read. Here’s the author’s website. (This is her middle grade debut, although she has written YA novels, including a New York Times bestseller.) And in case you want some s’mores, here’s a recipe/method (with delectable photos) of how to make s’mores at home, without a firepit.

THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder, illustrated by Catia Chien — Book Recommendation

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Title: THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY Author: Derick Wilder Illustrator: Catia Chien Publisher: San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, October 2021 Genre: Picture book Audience Age: 3 to 8 years Themes/Topics: dogs, dying, love, pets, hope Opening Sentences:  Mewmew wakes me, rumbledrumming my tummy. I strrrrretch my oldbones. Synopsis: This lovely, moving, heartfelt story tells of a much-loved old dog’s last day, from the dog’s perspective. The author, Derick Wilder, uses created words and phrases to enhance the feeling that this truly is the dog telling his story. The dog’s foreverfriend, Little, “holds out a tastytreat, letting me know I’m a gooddog, oh yes I am.” When they go on a letsgoboy (a walk), he feels like an awwwpuppy again, but soon his oldbones tell him that he needs to pull back his pace. He slowly sniffs his way through the forest, saying goodbye to all the places, animals, smells, and sights that he has experienced with Little all his life. The reader can tell that he knows that the end of this wonderful life is near, but even so, there is hope that all will be well. The reader is not left desolate. The ending (which I will not give away) leaves you smiling through your tears. And yes, there will be tears. Make sure you have tissues handy, and if you’re planning to read the book to your own Little or Littles, you might want to read it alone first. But please do read it with your Littles. It is such an amazing depiction of a pet’s love for his Little, and a Little’s love for her pet, that it must be shared. And the hope at the end is something that needs to be experienced. Derick Wilder has written a winner. It will burrow its way into many hearts, bring back memories of awwwpuppies and mewmews of the past, inspire many joyful letsgoboys with goodboys and goodgirls, and leave wistful smiles on many faces. Catia Chien’s soft smudgedreams of illustrations are perfect for this book. I highly recommend it. For Further Enrichment:  About the author: Derick Wilder has been a technology consultant, has volunteered at wildlife sanctuaries, and is an educator and the founder of several programs to enhance kids’ lives. THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY is his debut picture book, with two more picture books on the horizon – both very different from his debut. He is obviously versatile! You can read more about him, his books, and his initiatives on his website. About the illustrator: Catia Chien has illustrated several picture books, comics and other pieces. Her work shows her versatility and her heart. A video on PBS News Hour’s “Brief But Spectacular” will take you into her world. You can see her work at her website. Activities: This would be an excellent book to introduce a conversation (or conversations) about death and dying. It also lends itself to conversations about caring for aging pets – and by extrapolation, aging loved ones. The publisher’s website lists other conversations that this book could facilitate. Availability: Keeping in mind the current supply chain issues in the world, this book should be fairly readily available, although you might have to be patient. It is worth the wait. Check with your local (or online) independent bookseller.

HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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Title: Hearts Unbroken Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith Publisher: Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2018 Genre: YA Fiction, #ownvoices Audience Age: 14 to 18 years Themes/Topics: Friendship, romance, Native American history and issues, racism Synopsis: Lou (short for Louise), is a high school junior in current-day Kansas. By the time the book ends, she is a senior. She and her family moved fairly recently from Texas. She’s a member of the Muskogee tribe. When the story opens, she is dating one of the most sought-after guys in her school, but when she realizes how deep his racist attitude toward Native people is, she dumps him. She becomes heavily involved in the school newspaper, wanting to make a difference in her corner of the world – and as a bonus, getting to work closely with Joey, a talented photographer of Lebanese heritage. One of the stories they cover, that blasts its way through the school and the community, is the controversial casting of the school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Instead of the expected casting of white students in major roles, three talented students of color are cast – including Lou’s brother, Hughie, as the Tin Man. A parent group pushes back against this, and the controversy soon gets out of control and frightening, as Lou’s family and the families of the other two, receive threatening notes, a teacher is suspended, and the library is “weeded” of “questionable” books. As the controversy escalates, Lou has to navigate the complications of friendship, romance, race, and family loyalty as she tries to be true to herself, and in trying to do so, risks losing some of the relationships that mean the most to her. This book was moving, real, gripping, eye opening and thought-provoking, while also being a heart-warming and affirming read. It touches on the many “micro-aggressions,” as Horn Book puts it, that Native American/First Nations kids face daily, showing how easily such things come up in conversation, in thoughtless actions, in ingrained habits as well as in overt racism. I highly recommend it. For Further Enrichment: You can find an excerpt, links to reviews and resources, and much more at Cynthia Leitich Smith’s website. Cynthia also wrote a series of blog posts about the book and writing it at her excellent Cynsations blog. The series begins with this post. There’s an interview with Cynthia on the School Library Journal podcast The Yarn. Availability: Readily available. Check your local or online independent bookstore.  

Thinking About the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice — with reflections on Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

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Yesterday, November 11, 2018, was the 100th anniversary of the signing of the treaty that ended the 1914-1918 war, usually called World War I, known then as “the war to end all wars.” We all know now that although that name was filled with hope, that hope was quickly dashed. In ceremonies in many countries, those who fought in that war, and those who didn’t return, were remembered yesterday. There is also another group who made an enormous sacrifice during those bleak days, and who continue to sacrifice much every time soldiers are called to battle anywhere around the world – those who are left at home to carry on “normal” life. It was true then, it is true now. And it is also true that often the sacrifices and courage and fears of those on the home front are not recognized, or are taken for granted. There has been a great deal written about the battles of the First World War, about the soldiers on both sides, about the conditions, about all that happened on those muddy battlefields “over there.” There are official accounts, there are novels, there are small personal memoirs and diaries. Not as much has been written about the home front, either officially or in fiction. One particular book in Canadian literature stands out, and has been called by some the best account we have of home life in Canada during that war. Once the modern reader gets past the decidedly different style of a book written in 1921 – 97 years ago – the story takes hold of the emotions and the intellect, and takes us into the heart of what daily life was like in that difficult time. Rilla of Ingleside, by L.M. Montgomery, is the last of the beloved Anne series that begins with an eleven-year-old Anne in Anne of Green Gables and continues through Anne’s growing up years, into her maturity. In Rilla of Ingleside, Anne is verging on middle age, and most of her large family have grown up. The reader’s focus is turned to Rilla, the youngest of Anne and Gilbert’s children, who is fifteen at the beginning of the book. She is, as her mother laments, not ambitious at all. She’s only interested in enjoying life. Storm clouds on the horizon indicate that is about to change. The author herself wrote later In my latest story, “Rilla of Ingleside,” I have tried, as far as in me lies, to depict the fine and splendid way in which the girls of Canada reacted to the Great War—their bravery, patience and self-sacrifice. The book is theirs in a sense in which none of my other books have been: for my other books were written for anyone who might like to read them: but “Rilla” was written for the girls of the great young land I love, whose destiny it will be their duty and privilege to shape and share. –L.M. Montgomery, from “How I Became a Writer,” 1921 Into the joy of a shoreside dance, a young man comes with the announcement that England has declared war on Germany. Some of the young men present are eager to prove themselves, seeing the possibility of fighting overseas as “a jolly adventure.” Others know, deep in their hearts, that there is nothing jolly about war. One of the advantages to writing a novel about a period of history, even just a few years later, is that one can view the entire experience in its entirety, and one’s characters can seem more prescient than was likely in real life back then. Even realizing this, it is moving and heartbreaking when Anne’s son, Walter, speaks of the fulfillment of a vision he had in his childhood, of the Piper piping and all the youth following spellbound… Young and heedless Mary Vance speaks for many as she says, “What does it matter if there’s going to be a war over there in Europe? I’m sure it doesn’t concern us.” Walter looked at her and had one of his odd visitations of prophecy. “Before this war is over,” he said—or something said through his lips—”every man and woman and child in Canada will feel it—you, Mary, will feel it—feel it to your heart’s core. You will weep tears of blood over it. The Piper has come—and he will pipe until every corner of the world has heard his awful and irresistible music. It will be years before the dance of death is over—years, Mary. And in those years millions of hearts will break.” Walter was right. And Rilla felt it as she lived through those years, and as she changed through those years: as she started a Junior Red Cross group in their village; as she took care of her ‘war baby,’ whose mother had died and whose father was at the battlefront; as she learned to follow every scrap of news avidly; and as she learned to check the published lists of those missing or killed. What Rilla went through in fiction mirrored what countless families in Canada and elsewhere went through as they watched from afar, helpless to do anything but their best, and to hope it would all end soon, that peace would again come – though it would be a peace in which the world would no longer be the same. We owe L.M. Montgomery our gratitude for giving us this glimpse into the world of those left at home. We can show that gratitude by being understanding and caring toward those who are dealing with the same griefs and heartaches and hopes in our time. And we can hope for peace. Someday. True and lasting and overarching peace. ~ ~ ~ To set Rilla’s story in the timeline of history, the event that set off the escalation of the conflict, the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, took place on June 28, 1914. Britain declared war on August 4, 1914, and all colonies and dominions in the British Empire – including …

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Books to Help Kids Understand Dementia

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Many, perhaps most, of us know someone who deals with dementia. My first encounter with dementia was when I was in my early teen years, although that word was not commonly used then. We’d go over to visit my paternal grandparents, and Grandma would say, “Father is confused today.” We accepted this confusion as part of the package of Grandpa’s aging, although I never liked the fact that Grandma would say that with Grandpa there in the room. Later, my dad dealt with increasing dementia, especially after breaking his hip at age 95 and experiencing the surgery, medication, and going into a nursing home that followed. It was heartbreaking to watch the deterioration of his memory – particularly the day he said, with tears in his eyes, “I forgot I had a home.” (As the effects of the surgery and medication wore off, shreds of memory returned, and that provoked those plaintive words.) I am grateful that through all that, he always recognized me and called me by name. His face would light up as I entered his room at the nursing home, and he’d say with joy, “Beth!” The look of joy and love on his face still buoy me up, nearly eight years after his death. Dementia is a difficult topic for adults to talk about, even now, and it’s even more difficult to know how to explain it to children. I recently read a picture book, The Remember Balloons, that does a wonderful job of giving an image that children can grasp, and that can open the discussion when a grandparent or other beloved person is struggling with the progress of Alzheimer Disease or some other dementia. For older children, who are reading middle grade novels, one of my favorite books, Cynthia Lord’s Half a Chance, does the same. I’d like to share briefly about both books, and would urge you to read them. Title: The Remember Balloons Author: Jessie Alveros Illustrator: Dana Wulfekotte Publisher: New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 years Themes/Topics: Dementia, remembering, families, love for grandparent Opening Sentences: I have lots and lots of balloons, way more than my little brother. “This one’s my favorite,” I tell him, pointing to the balloon filled with my last birthday party. Synopsis: James envisions balloons each filled with a memory. He has lots and lots, but his parents have more. Grandpa has the most of all, and James loves to hear the stories of each one. But one day, one of Grandpa’s balloons floats away, then more and more of them fly off, and Grandpa doesn’t seem to notice. James is distressed – particularly when the special silver balloon that holds the best memory shared by Grandpa and James disappears. James needs to find a way to deal with his distress and his sorrow, while somehow comforting Grandpa. For Further Enrichment: See a trailer for The Remember Balloons produced by Mooresville Public Library. Read and watch a video interview with the author about her inspiration and process for this book at the Epic Eighteen website. Find Jessie Oliveros’ website here. Find Dana Wulfekotte’s website here. Here’s a good article at Today’s Parent about talking to kids about dementia. Title: Half a Chance Author: Cynthia Lord Publisher: Scholastic, 2014. Genre: Middle Grade fiction Audience Age: 9 to 12 years Themes/Topics: Photography, parental absence, nature, loons, dementia Opening Sentences: “Lucy, we’re going to love this place!” Dad called to me from the porch of the faded, red-shingled cottage with white trim. … … “I’ll buy you a new bike when I get back, Lucy.” … … Dad always promises me things before he leaves and then forgets by the time he’s home again. Synopsis: Lucy and her family move to an old cottage on a lake in New Hampshire just before Dad, a photographer, leaves on yet another business trip. When Lucy learns about a photography contest, and finds out that her dad is judging it, she decides to enter. Through her photography that summer, she meets and gets to know the kid next door, Nate. He introduces her to the joys of the lake, and particularly the loons. She finds amazing subjects for her photographs, but her photographs of Nate’s grandma show what the family has been trying to deny – Grandma is slipping away from them into dementia. The family, and Lucy, have to find a way to deal with this, while Lucy continues to try to connect with her dad. This book moved me, inspired me, taught me, and delighted me. I have reread it more than once. I highly recommend it. For Further Enrichment: Cynthia Lord’s website is here. There are discussion questions for the book on Scholastic’s website. My friend, Patricia Tilton, wrote an excellent review for Half a Chance in 2014. Find resources and book suggestions for talking to kids about dementia from the National Institute on Aging here.   Do you have any book suggestions to add, or thoughts to contribute? I’d love to know about them.

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