GSLIS 739: Rad American Women A-Z: Author and Publisher Analysis

Schatz, K., & Klein, S. M. (2015). Rad American women A-Z. San Francisco: City Lights Books.

In this post, I will be looking at the author, Kate Schatz, as well as the publisher, City Lights Books, to see how their credentials influence the book’s creation, as well as how credible the book is as a factual nonfiction material.

Author: Kate Schatz

When looking at a nonfiction book, looking into the author of the piece is a good insight into how credible the material within will be. The author of the book, Kate Schatz, is a writer, activist, public speaker, and educator, as well as the co-founder of Solidarity Sundays, a nationwide network of feminist activist groups (Kate Schatz Bio). She has been an educator for over fifteen years, teaching Women’s Studies, Literature, and Creative Writing at UC Santa Cruz, San Jose State, Rhode Island College, and Brown University (Bio). She is the former Chair of the School of Literary Arts at Oakland School for the Arts, where she taught high schoolers fiction, poetry, and journalism (Bio). This background as an educator ensures that she is adept at and thorough in her research. In addition, her experience in working with all ages helped her writing present information in a way that is factual and can be easily understood by readers of all ages. Her background in political organizing, as the founder of Solidarity Sundays, a nationwide network of over 200 feminist activist groups who meet monthly to take coordinated non-violent political action, cements her reasons for creating this book, and provides a large network for her to tap into in order to provide resources for readers.

Publisher: City Lights Books, located in San Francisco, CA

When publishing the book, Schatz and Klein wanted to find a local indie publisher who would “would “respect the ideology and politics of the project,” because the book was different from many children’s titles (Gross, December 2015). Founded in 1955, City Lights Books is not afraid of materials that are progressive and boundary pushing; known as a defender of free speech, this legacy includes Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg, a book which put the then-new publishing company “at the center of an obscenity trial” (Gross, December 2015). As a company, City Lights prides itself on publishing “cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoirs, literary translations and books on vital social and political issues” (Publishing, n.d.). Their history makes them a perfect choice for the publishers of this book, as their credentials as proponents of freedom of speech and boundary pushing make them unafraid to try something new.

 

References

Publishing. (n.d.) Retrieved from: http://www.citylights.com/publishing/

About Kate + Miriam. (n.d.) Retrieved from: http://www.radgirlscan.com/about-the-rad-women-books/about-kate-miriam/

 

Gross, A. (December 18, 2015). City Lights Publisher Shines On. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from: https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/69012-city-lights-publishers-shines-on.html

GSLIS 767: Book Review: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings

Edited by Ellen Oh and Elise Chapman

Greenwillow Books

ISBN 9780062671158

Ages 14-18

328 Pages

In this short story anthology, fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia, transforming them into a wide range of genres, from fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge. At the end of each story, the author writes about the myth, folk tale, or legend that it was based on, and their own experiences or feelings about that story. Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the authors included in this collection are: Renee Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.

The first thing that attracted me to this anthology was the cover. It is gorgeously rendered and I had to take it off the shelf before it got lost in my ever-growing TBR list. Of the stories, I would have to say that Alyssa Wong’s Olivia’s Table was my favorite. Beautifully written, this haunting story is based on the Chinese Hungry Ghost festivals. I like the way that Wong tackles identity issues of being mixed race, and being part of a diaspora. Overall, this is a fantastic anthology. If you like fantasy, short stories, myths, legends, and folktales, this is the book for you.

GSLIS 767: Book Review: Sweet

By Emmy Laybourne

Feiwel & Friends

ISBN 9781250055194

Ages 14-18

304 Pages

Told from the perspectives of normal teen girl Laurel and celebrity Tom Forelli, the celebrity-filled Cruise to Lose is where new diet sweetener Solu will be released. Solu promises to drop five percent of a person’s body weight in just days, which could solve the world’s obesity problem. But as the week-long cruise goes on, the passengers start acting stranger and stranger – and suddenly this trip of a lifetime goes tragically, horrifyingly wrong.

I generally steer clear from horror; it gives me nightmares. Sweet, however, was a gift from a friend, so when trying to pick a book for this week, I decided to give it a shot. This book is definitely giving me nightmares, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. The book was an interesting take on diet culture, and the way that it effects the lives of men and women. The book’s villain was a bit of a caricature and a little over-the-top in terms of evilness and sheer malice. The multiple perspectives between Laurel and Tom worked well, and I enjoyed Laurel’s body positivity, which was sharply contrasted by her friend Viv, and even Tom’s views on body image. The book does get a bit gore-y, so would not be good for the squeamish. For those looking for a good thrill, this is definitely a great read.

GSLIS 739:Most dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the secret history of the Vietnam War: Reading and RA

For the teen looking to learn more about history, politics, or a good spy story, Steve Sheinkin’s Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the secret history of the Vietnam War is a sure bet. In an incredibly thoroughly researched, well-written narrative nonfiction novel, Sheinkin reveals the life of Daniel Ellsberg. In 1971, Ellsberg, a former Pentagon consultant, famously leaked the Pentagon Papers, a document thousands of pages long written by military insiders about the Vietnam War. He was quickly named an enemy of the state, a traitor to his country, and the most dangerous man in America.

Sheinkin writes in an approachable style, easily accessible for teens in grades 7 and up. Novelist and other reader advisories recommends this book for grades 7-12, as younger readers may have a difficult time following all of the political players. Novelist describes this book as a thought-provoking, compelling, and comprehensive narrative non-fiction. The book reads like a fiction novel, and does a good job juggling all of the different threads it follows in this political drama.

Readers who enjoyed this book would enjoy any of Sheinkin’s other nonfiction works, as well as Matt Doeden’s Whistle Blowers, Neal Bascomb’s Nazi Hunters, or Elizabeth Partridge’s Boots on the Ground.  All of these titles are narrative nonfiction novels that deal with spies and espionage, war, history or political drama.

Sources

Sheinkin, S. (2015).  Most dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the secret history of the Vietnam War. New York, NY:  Roaring Brook Press.

Most Dangerous:  Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War (n.d.). Retrieved from:  http://web.a.ebscohost.com.queens.ezproxy.cuny.edu/novp/detail?vid=4&sid=2f22d79d-6a89-41fa-9efa-970d0117f1a8%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9bm92cC1saXZl#U I=10 449010&db=neh

GSLIS 767: Book Review: Power in Numbers: The Rebel Women of Mathematics

By Talithia Williams, PhD

Race Point Publishers

ISBN: 978-1631064852

Ages 14-18

224 Pages

In this full-color, non-fiction book, Talitia Williams shines a light on the forgotten influence and achievements of women in mathematics. The book is divided into three sections: I – The Pioneers, II – From Code Breaking to Rocket Science and III – Modern Math Mavens. Each section details the careers and achievements of thirty women scientists and mathematicians, with brief mentions of several other female mathematic pioneers.

While putting together a display for my library, I saw this title on an online must-read list. I thought the title sounded cool, so I gave it a shot. I’m so glad I did. The book is not very thick, but has a bit of a heaviness to it, with glossy pages and full-color pictures. What’s great about this book is that you don’t have to read it in order, and each profile of the different women is not very long, but is still very informative and interesting. For those who want to learn more about a particular woman, there is an index for further reading in the back, organized by section and name.

This book makes a point to feature a diverse range of women. While many of the women featured in the more modern sections tend to be American, there is a range of races represented and Williams purposefully discusses the way that women such as Mary Winston Jackson (NASA’s first black female engineer) were effected by race and prejudice. It does get into some more complicated types of math, however these are approached in a way that does make them more accessible, and helps readers understand what these women do.

An inspiring, fantastic book, fans of math, science, and incredible women will enjoy this book.

 

GSLIS 767: Book Review: Queen of Attolia

By Megan Whalen Turner

Greenwillow Books

ISBN: 978-0062642974

Ages 14-18

416 Pages

  

In Megan Whalen Turner’s The Queen of Attolia, readers will find themselves back on the Little Peninsula first introduced in the Newbery Award winning book, The Thief.

When Eugenides is caught by Attolian guard, the Queen of Attolia executes her long-awaited revenge on the Thief – by cutting off his hand. In the aftermath, Gen is nearly destroyed by the loss, while the Queen of Eddis is enraged and declares war on Attolia. Meanwhile, Sounis begins his attack on both neighboring countries in an attempt to unite the territory against the outside threat of the Mede Empire. What follows is a complex story of politics, diplomacy, military strategies and intrigue.

While the first book does a great job introducing many of the characters, places, and politics of the world, this second book brings them to life in a way that exceeds the wildest expectations. Written in the third person, the book allows readers into the minds of all the major players, creating nuanced and complex layers to the story, and allowing the characters to develop into fully-realized and fascinating people. Even with this insight into the character’s minds, Turner still manages to surprise the readers with plot twists and last-minute reveals that change everything.

Of all the plot points and character development, the development of the Queens of Eddis and Attolia and the relationship between them is my favorite part. Turner uses them to show the different ways that political leaders – particularly female leaders – can show strength, and does not allow a petty competition between these two strong, powerful women.

Perfect for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, political and military dramas, and intrigue, this book is a must-read.

GSLIS 739: Children of Blood and Bone: Social and Media Connections

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

 

In Children of Blood and Bone, Adeyemi creates a powerful metaphor for the insidious and destructive power of racism and the way that it divides a nation. Using the familiar fantasy novel formula of hero(ine) on a quest to overthrow evil, Adeyemi creates that evil from the fear that turns to the oppression of a people. Unwilling to shy away from the violence that results, Adeyemi shows the maji enslaved, tortured, and beaten down in ways which are familiar to students of American history – after all, this is how America has treated Black Americans.

Resources that you might find useful for understanding the context of this book:

https://blacklivesmatter.com/  – The resources page is particularly interesting to look at to see the ways that we can fight racism in our own lives

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14976/14976-h/14976-h.htm – Ida B. Well’s description of the New Orleans mobs will feel eerily similar to certain parts of Children of Blood and Bone – particularly the scenes about the killing of the maji.

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tomi-adeyemi-children-of-blood-bone – In this interview, Adeyemi talks about her motivation for writing Children of Blood and Bone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/fashion/afrofuturism-the-next-generation.html – Learn about Afrofuturism, “a social, political and cultural genre that projects black space voyagers, warriors and their heroic like into a fantasy landscape, one that has long been the province of their mostly white counterparts.”

http://review.gawker.com/the-law-of-remembrance-what-octavia-butler-taught-me-1685340561 – More on Afrofuturism, and influential author Octavia Butler

And of course,

https://www.theroot.com/sayhername-florida-police-viciously-beat-14-year-old-1829894526

all

http://feministing.com/2018/09/12/why-do-the-cops-keep-protecting-white-supremacists/

about

https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform/arrested-walking-while-trans-interview-monica-jones

racial profiling

https://www.facebook.com/charlotteuprising/posts/1894164940879925

and

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/police-shootings/?noredirect=on

police brutality

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/29/police-killings-black-men-us-and-what-happened-officers/469467002/

in America

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/04/the-brutality-of-police-culture-in-baltimore/391158/

GSLIS 767: Book Review: Furiously Happy

Book Review: Furiously Happy

By Jenny Lawson

Macmillan

ISBN: 978- 1250077028

Ages 14-18

353 Pages

“What I want you to know: Dying is easy. Comedy is hard. Clinical depression is no f*cking picnic.” – Jenny Lawson, Furiously Happy

In her second memoir, Jenny Lawson (aka the Bloggess) examines her experience with severe depression, anxiety, and other conditions using humor. The book is truly a true confessions book, with Lawson truly giving a no-holds-barred look at everything you ever wanted to know but were too afraid to ask that’s going on in her head.

The book doesn’t always seem to follow a linear timeline, telling stories of when she was a child, to an adult, all interspersed with Lawson’s wry and painfully honest discussion of mental illness. She manages to humanize depression and mental illness, and she does it by reaching out and making it extremely relatable, not shameful or embarrassing. Her refusal to be embarrassed is incredibly inspiring, and her overall message is something that I think we could all use. Although the book includes mild cursing, the book is a good fit for teens who enjoy memoirs, humor, or just some really weird stories about taxidermy (including the story behind the raccoon on the cover).

GSLIS 767: Book Reviews: When Dimple Met Rishi

When Dimple Met Rishi

By Sandhya Menon

Simon and Schuster

ISBN: 978-1481478694

Ages 14-18

400 Pages

Looking for a cute, quirky contemporary romance? Look no further. When Dimple Shah heads off to a summer coding program, the last thing on her mind is romance. Unfortunately for her, Rishi Patel, the son of her parents’ friends, is looking forward to meeting her – as his future wife, a match pre-arranged by their parents. The Shahs and the Patels didn’t mean to start their “suggested arrangement” so early, but with both of them attending the same summer program, they figure why not?

This book is adorable and extremely funny. Dimple and Rishi’s first disastrous meeting had me in stitches, and following them through their crazy summer was a joy. Dimple is a strong, funny, bright young woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to speak her mind. Rishi is just a total dork, who is so dedicated to his family and those he loves. Both Rishi and Dimple are Indian-American, which influences a lot of who they are as characters. The book provides a few simple introductions into some Indian-American culture, but does not delve very deeply into it. Perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, this is one book you do not want to miss.

 

Five Media Challenge: Memoirs

by Deanna Schiffman, Jen Gage, and Andrea Willard

One subsection of YA nonfiction that is popular among teens is memoirs. A memoir, which is different from an autobiography, covers a specific period of time or experience within a person’s life, as told by the person themselves (Jensen, 2015).

 

Burcaw, S. (2014). Laughing at my nightmare. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Burcaw writes candidly and with great humor about living with spinal muscular atrophy and his desperate wish to be seen as normal in his memoir. While touching on everyday issues that are relatable to teens, the real strength of this is the eye-opening perspective on what it is like to have and live with a life-threatening disease (Jensen, K. 2015).  Witty, intelligent, and never saccharine, Burcaw’s positive attitude is inspiring without being cliché. 2015 Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction.

Engle, M. (2016). Enchanted air two cultures, two wings: A memoir. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Margarita Engle travels between two worlds and two cultures. Growing up in Los Angeles, CA in the school year and Cuba in the summer during the 1950s and 1960s, she witnesses the changing relationship between the United States and her beloved Cuba during the Cuban revolution. Written in verse, this memoir explores the confusion of war and longing for Cuba as she is unable to return and visit the home she loves. Awarded the Pura Belpre Award.

StoryCorps. (n.d.). StoryCorps. Retrieved from https://storycorps.org/

StoryCorps is a project that collects interviews of “regular” people across the United States (StoryCorps, n.d.).  Resulting interviews, which are posted online, do not fit neatly into any one category.  Rather, they are memoirs because participants tell “a story from a life,” providing glimpses into an array of key or transformative experiences (Moon, 2013).  Audio recordings are brief but insightful, and may be paired with traditional print resources (Moon, 2013).

Krosoczka, J. J. (2018). Hey, kiddo. New York, NY: Graphix.

Krosoczka reflects upon his early life with his grandparents and learning about his mother’s heroin addiction in this graphic memoir.  Family relationships are central, placing it in O’Connor’s (2011) category of “Life with Others”.  However, art also plays an important role in Krosoczka’s story.  Thus, illustrations, which utilize tone and integrate saved drawings and letters, add power that might not exist in another format (Dar, 2018).

McCourt, F. (1996). Angela’s Ashes: A memoir. New York, NY: Scribner.

The result of an unplanned pregnancy, Frank McCourt was the firstborn of an alcoholic father and a depressed mother. He and his siblings were frequently neglected, sick, and without food. Offering a glimpse into the life of a dysfunctional Irish-Catholic family in pre-World War II New York and Limerick, Ireland, McCourt’s recounting of survival and growing up in poverty is bleak, but never depressing. It is lyrical, filled with dry, Irish wit and finding the humor in his circumstances.

 

Resources Used

Cart, M. (2013). Cart’s top 200 adult books for young adults: Two decades in review. Chicago: ALA editions.

Dar, M. (2018, October 9). Drawn from life: Graphic memoirs for teens. School Library Journal. Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=drawn-from-life-graphic-memoirs-for-teens

Jensen, K. (2015, January 8). Get genrefied: YA memoirs. Stacked. Retrieved from http://stackedbooks.org/2015/01/get-genrefied-ya-memoirs.html  

Moon, B. M. (2013, October). Memory lane. School Library Journal, 59(10), p. 38

O’Connor, M. (2011). Life stories: A guide to reading interests in memoirs, autobiographies, and diaries. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC.

Thang, P. (2018, February 16). What is a memoir? Book Riot. Retrieved from https://bookriot.com/2018/02/16/what-is-a-memoir/