Book Review: Belonging

Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home is a powerful memoir by Nora Krug that is captivating both verbally and visually.

Nora Krug grew up in Germany and discusses what it was like learning about WWII and their country's atrocities. When in school, nothing was sugarcoated and there was a sense of collective guilt. Her parents were born after World War II, but the more she learned, the more curious she became as to the involvement of her grandparents and other relatives.

When she moved to the United States, her interest only grew; she wasn't proud of being a German and would try to hide her accent because of the reactions of others when they found out where she was from. But as she began to long for home, she wanted to dig into the family stories.

Heimat is a German word introduced early and returned to often, which refers to a place where you have familiarity, where you feel connected, where you belong.

"Perhaps the only way to find the HEIMAT that I've lost is to look back; to move beyond the abstract shame and ask those questions that are really difficult to ask -- about my own hometown, about my father's and my mother's families. To make my way back to the towns where each of them is from. To return to my childhood, go back to the beginning, follow the bread crumbs, and hope they'll lead the way home." (page 54)

So begins Krug's return to Germany as she visits where her grandparents lived during the war, searching the archives, conducting interviews, and unearthing the truth. It's an engaging book that is an important read as we all weigh how events throughout history and our family's involvement in them shape us.

I was intrigued by how the graphic novel format would convey the information, and I was suitably impressed. I've been reading books on drawing techniques and artistic journaling, and this book was a feast for the eyes. Nora Krug is a skilled artist and I felt as if I was reading someone's personal accounts in their journal, illustrated with all the care you see in adept bullet journal aficionados (let that comparison not take away Nora Krug's skill -- she is talented, and I also follow some bujo artists, so the connection is meant to be a fine compliment). The use of photos, sketches, dried flowers, even images of medals and wood carvings, make this a rich tribute.

I experienced this in a digital form, and while it was a rich, beautiful work, I highly recommend, if possible, you read a physical copy. Some of the background images span two pages, so it's a richer experience if you can see it spread before you.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Scribner in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Girl Squads

As a mother of two young daughters, I want them to feel confident, capable, and powerful as they grow up. Strong female role models are important for them to look up to, both in their social circles and in the world around them. Not only is it positive for them to have individuals to admire, they also should witness strong female friendships.

Girl Squads: 20 Female Friendships That Changed History by Sam Maggs is a new book aimed at highlighting how women can band together and support each other in their joint accomplishments. Each chapter has a specific focus, with several "girl squads" highlighted within those categories. Each of the stories has an illustration to accompany it.

The author shares stories of friendships of female athletes, warriors, scientists, artists, and activists from around the world.

The accounts are thorough, supported by many factual details. I suspect the audience is geared towards upper high-school or college students. While the accounts can be empowering, my one hang-up is how "chatty" and casual the language is. It's as if it's a pep rally for sisterhood. While I can get behind the importance of encouraging each other, not all will be interested in the language; "and, like, ..." is typical, as well as descriptions of "dang," "bad-ass," and "kick-ass" throughout.

If you aren't looking for high-brow literature and think you or another in your life will embrace the conversational language, these stories will be perfect. Some will be familiar, like the female SCOTUS judges or the black women mathematicians at NASA highlighted in the book/movie Hidden Figures, bu there are numerous stories of women previously unknown to me.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quirk Books in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Sold on a Monday

I recall being shown the iconic black-and-white photo of young children behind a sign "4 children for sale," taken in the 40s. A journalist had captured it and the image captivated readers as it spread across the United States.

The image haunted author Kristina McMorris. As she imagined circumstances behind it, she created the novel Sold on a Monday.

We experience the story through two main characters, journalist Ellis Reed and newsroom secretary Lily Palmer. Themes of family, loyalty, and responsibility are addressed.

Overall, the story is solid and is a pleasant enough read. I admit, however, that I was never fully pulled in. To borrow a phrase supplied by an iconic Supreme Court decision for my own purposes, I can't always say what it takes for a story to become literature, one that envelops me and makes me forget that I'm reading, but I know it when I see it. This wasn't quite there, but I can see some book clubs enjoying a discussion on this.

I appreciated the additional information at the close of the book, including the original photo and details on what happened to those children, a reading guide, and a conversation with the author.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Gospel in Color -- For Kids

When I was younger, I remember being at the home of someone in our church. There had been some adult Bible study. As it finished and we were all running around, one of the other kids took a toy from me. I felt wronged and went to my dad to seek out justice. When I pled my case, the woman he was speaking to bent down to me and said, "Why don't you pray to God that the boy would have a changed heart and give it back to you?" Even as a child, I had a genuine faith that I was nurturing. But that response made me feel so empty and frustrated. Here were adults, in such a position to intervene, and they were going to instead sit back and see if God would divinely act?! Couldn't God act THROUGH the adults who were present and use this as a teachable moment?! I didn't have the words then, but now I see more so how that didn't rest well with me. We don't need to passively sit back -- we can live out our faith, stand up for those who have been wronged, and demand justice.

I've been intentionally reading fiction and non-fiction by people of color the last few years, trying to immerse myself in their experiences and stories and learn from them. I have age-appropriate conversations with my daughters and try to fill their library with diverse picture books.

The Gospel in Color -- For Kids: A Theology of Racial Reconciliation for Kids by Curtis A. Woods and Jarvis J. Williams caught my eye in hopes of it being a good resource to share with my daughters. At times I worried it might fall back into the passive role -- willing for us to pray for changed hearts so racism is erased, for instance. However, the authors didn't mince words in the introduction and throughout as they talk about events with a biblical lens:

"People have killed other people for racist reasons, yet sometimes racism is far more subtle and sneaky -- so sneaky it seems almost invisible at first. Racism can be present in words and actions that seem polite, but are actually subtle ways of letting people know they're less valuable because they're different."

There is an adult version of this book, whose chapter contents mirror these so that adults and children could work through the books alongside each other. In the Introduction, there are suggestions for how to go through the book based on the age of the child (ages 6-9 need more support, while children ten and up could do it more independently).

The chapters are written with accessible language and defined terms, along with discussion questions to supplement the material. Talk of sin, the good news, and reconciliation is prevalent. In the last chapter, the authors provide five ways to live out the gospel "in color." They encourage reconciling with others, but they do admit that: "Forgiving someone doesn't mean we pretend we aren't hurt, and it doesn't mean we just ignore whatever they do. Forgiveness means we don't retaliate with hate, but commit to loving them instead. Even when we forgive someone, the process of reconciliation means they must still seek to make things right, undo damage they've done, and face the consequences of their actions."

I appreciated this book as an introduction to racial reconciliation for children.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Patrol, LLC in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: L. M. Montgomery

This summer I read a biography of Lucy Maud Montgomery; while I'd been a fan of her novels, I didn't know anything about her personal life. It was enlightening to see how much of her life made it into her works, sometimes as idealized events and redeemed outcomes from her actual life experience.

When I saw L. M. Montgomery by Isabel Sanchez Vegara in the Little People, Big Dreams series, I had to read it. I wondered how they would condense events into material accessible and engaging to younger readers.

It is beautifully done. The illustrations are engaging and accurately convey pivotal moments in Maud's life and there's a good balance between text and pictures on each page. The only published work of hers mentioned by name is Anne of Green Gables, but as that is her iconic work, it's appropriate for it to be the focus and for details of her inspiration to be mentioned.

One small quibble I had revolves around when the book mentions her accepting a job at the post office in order to submit stories without anyone else being aware. In truth, the post office was run out of her grandmother's home, where Maud was raised, so while Maud did help with the post office, this book makes it seem like she sought it out when in fact, she was stepping up to help out as her grandmother aged. A perk was being able to send out stories, but that wasn't the primary reason she helped out.

There are multiple titles in the Little People, Big Dreams series, and this is another winner.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Nature Craft

I have two creative daughters. When we're outside, they're always picking up feathers, pine cones, helicopter seeds, sticks, acorns, and special rocks. I try to keep most of their treasures outside in a special place for them, although some rocks get washed and end up in their inside collection. However, beyond that, I'm at a loss for what to do with them. Enter Nature Craft, a new title by Fiona Hayes.

Hayes takes found items from nature and alters them to create whimsical new creations -- nests, flowers, owls, bunnies, coral reefs, and more. There are a couple masks, but most of the projects are meant for display. The cover doesn't accurately convey the contents, as I feel the most winsome projects didn't make the cut on the front.

The snail project, using clay, sticks, and seashells, is darling, and the tortoise was another favorite of mine. The birds and koala just make me want to squeal from their cuteness! The trees and snowflake would make charming Christmas ornaments. And the uses for helicopter seeds are brilliant, as we have no shortage of those in our yard and neighborhood.

These projects seem accessible to my girls, currently 4 and 8, although depending on glue needs, I might need to intervene if a glue gun is necessary (I burn my fingers enough with that as it is so I won't expect my daughters to manipulate that on their own). I have a digital copy of this book, but I want to add a physical copy to our home library -- it's the sort of book that invites page flipping and I want to facilitate ways for my girls to sprawl with a copy and be inspired. Some of the projects have natural items that we won't happen upon (sheep fleece, for instance, although as a knitter that aspires to be a spinner, I do have roving on hand), but substitutions could easily be made.

I know I will be referencing this book throughout the year to make use of my daughters' found treasures. And these creations are so charming that you better believe I'll be crafting right alongside them!

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Planet Grief

There have been moments of great loss in my family; my brother committed suicide at 19, and we lost our first daughter when she was born premature and only lived six days in the NICU. Those deaths shook me -- for months, even years, they were only a thought away at every moment, and my emotions were close to the surface. I was fragile, but I was fortunate enough to have people around me that supported me through those losses and gave me space and time to process them.

Planet Grief by Monique Polak is a thoughtful treatment on grief. This children's chapter book is structured with alternating chapters from the perspective of the two main characters, one female, one male, with both teenagers processing losses in their family. They are brought to a weekend grief retreat and respond hesitantly at first.

Christopher lost his dad two years ago, Abby lost her mother two months previous. As they learn the stories of their peers and submit to the exercises of the grief facilitator, they begin to heal.

The lessons I learned through grieving come through time and again in Planet Grief. Lamenting over the hurtful things people say, learning who sticks by you and who keeps you at arm's length, understanding that grief looks different for everyone, processing thoughts of shame or guilt when the death was unexpected, and on and on. It is clear the author drew on the experiences and research of grief.

I appreciated the true, accurate portrayals contained in this book. At times the execution kept me from fully engaging (characters seem more like types than individuals), but I could see myself purchasing this title for a younger loved one beginning their own journey after a loss close to them.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Imperfect Courage

Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared by Jessica Honegger reads as an encouraging pep talk from a good friend.

Much like my inner circle of friends is there to offer support or correction as I go through the varying rhythms of life, I imagine Honegger as my cheerleader. She is in your corner but she isn't willing to let you stay comfortable and safe, removed from the world. She calls you to find your passion and invest in it.

This beautifully written book is an easy read but also pushes the reader to be courageous because of what there is to be gained if you step out in faith, however imperfectly situated you feel you are.

While I didn't recognize her name, I am aware of the company Jessica Honegger started: Noonday Collection. This book is the story of how the desire to adopt from Rwanda transformed her and her entire family, leading to the start of this thriving fair-trade, direct-sales business.

The journey was not without its hiccups, and Honegger is transparent, willing to reveal the time they were inventory-heavy and their lack of communication led to uncertainty and distrust with their ambassadors and artisans alike. How her own self doubts, imposter syndrome, and her Itty Bitty Baloney Sauce Committee have been hurdles to overcome.

The book isn't simply a how-to for starting your business. I would suggest that is secondary. While the Noonday Collection allowed Honegger to have this platform, the book is an easy-to-read account that encourages others to make bold changes to create rich, meaningful lives. The chapter titles are phenomenal and the contents do not disappoint; there's Own Your Worth, Embrace Vulnerability, Discover the Sisterhood Effect, Widen Your Circle, and more. I found thought-provoking passages to highlight in each chapter.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Benefits of Being an Octopus

The Benefits of Being an Octopus is a riveting Young Adult novel. In the acknowledgements Ann Braden reveals this book was inspired by the need for students in poverty to view themselves in literature. Braden also dedicates the book to her single mother, and those two details inform how she was able to craft such a heartfelt, genuine book.

Zoey is a 7th grader with three younger siblings. Her single mother has moved them into her boyfriend's trailer. There's never enough money and her mother is stretched to near breaking, so Zoey is expected to assist with childcare. As I have witnessed in real life, children faced with such issues mature quickly because they have to. The realities of their life are raw; there is a constant fear of overdrawn accounts and past due bills, with a reliance on public transportation or your own two feet because having a working car of your own is a luxury.

Zooey repeatedly watched a show about octopuses and found herself drawn to their abilities, and references are naturally worked in throughout the book:

"If I were an octopus, things would be so much easier. I'd have one arm to wipe Aurora's nose. Two more for holding both kids' hands when I pick them up from the Head Start bus stop to keep Bryce from wandering into the street after some rock he's spotted. One to hold Hector and his diaper bag on the afternoons when my mom works at the Pizza Pit. One to adjust my shirt because it doesn't really fit and it can get too revealing if I'm not paying attention, and I don't want to be 'that girl.' One so I could do my homework at least some of the time if I wanted. One to pick up the Cheerios that are always on the floor. And the last one to swipe a can of Easy cheese from the Cumberland Farms convenience store. Because little snowmen out of Easy Cheese are the most magical thing little kids have ever seen. And Easy Cheese letters on a saline is totally different than having to eat regular saltines."

We witness the value of teachers and the pivotal role they can play to notice what's going on, in spite of a student's hopes of fading into the background and being invisible; they can come alongside struggling students and challenge and support them. Zoey has one particular teacher who won't let her fall between the cracks, instead urging her to "suck it up" -- to see her circumstances for what they are but not to wallow in them. Instead, look at your life honestly but make changes. Zoey is stretched by this teacher and her participation in debate club, and her decisions have pivotal impacts on her mother and two close friends.

This book made me ache and be anxious because the text feels genuine. Without revealing spoilers, there isn't a magical, unrealistic happy ending, but there is improvement and hope for the future. As I also read Educated, this was a complementary pairing to that memoir about poverty and education. The fact that they worked so well together further reinforces how well written The Benefits of Being an Octopus is.

Research has demonstrated that reading a book creates empathy; the mental connections are as if the reader has lived through the experiences themselves. With that knowledge in hand, this book would be a valuable tool in classrooms and could create a lasting impact on students to see each other as they truly are and to bring awareness to the varied experiences they have when they enter the doors of a school.

(I was provided a digital advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Eternal Current

In the introduction of The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, Aaron Niequist sets up an analogy he will return to repeatedly throughout the book, that of God's kingdom being a River with the intent towards "healing and restoration of all things," and that we are all invited to jump in and swim.

If I'm honest, while I appreciated the analogy at the start, I wish Niequist didn't return to that language in every chapter; it seems heavy handed to over-emphasize the analogy (we might be "lost in the religious weeds" or "trapped in one small pond," maybe we are "fully submerged," perhaps we notice "God's River of blessing and healing flows constantly").

That critique aside, Niequist has a compelling story about his journey of faith. He grew up unable to question, believing that those outside his small faith practice were getting it wrong and weren't truly Christians. While serving at a church, disillusionment and frustration led him to examine his faith more deeply. Eventually he is able to explore what it would look like to form "a practice-based, discipleship-focused, neo-liturgical, ecumenical, Eucharistic gathering." He is encouraged to form the Practice on Sunday nights at the church where he leads worship so that he can delve deeper into relationship with others exploring their faith.

I appreciated his thoughtfulness as he explained the core framework of every gathering of the Practice and expounded on the importance of community and participation. It struck a chord with me as I recalled when I served on a hiring committee at a former church; as I learned more of the nuts and bolts of a typical staff week, particularly what took place outside of Sunday mornings, I understood the intentionality and realized that was what led to the effective, vulnerable Sunday gatherings.

From Niequist's stories, the Practice must have been a powerful, meaningful experience. The shared prayers, questions, and modeled exercises detailed in the book offer practical support for others seeking to grow similarly.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)