Run is the first book in the second autobiographical trilogy about John Lewis' life during the civil rights movement. In this book, he finds himself at odds with the direction the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is heading. He finds himself moving away from the SNCC and looking toward politics. This graphic novel covers an area of American history that is often skipped in history class. Even with the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, the fight for civil rights continued. Those who enjoyed his other graphic novels, will love this one as well.
0 Comments
Carl Smith chronicles the Great Chicago Fire and its aftermath. The fire began on October 8, 1871. Conditions were horrific for a big fire with it being very dry and a warm wind. Chicago firefighters were already exhausted from a fire the previous Saturday night that took out four city blocks. Smith goes into detail as to how people escaped the flames and how it was able to spread so quickly. He then goes into the politics of the aftermath, including how the fire impacted the mayoral election and the opening of the 1893 Colombian Exposition. I found this book fascinating especially with the fire raging. Smith used many primary sources from the Chicago History Museum, including links in his footnotes. For those of you who have lived in or around Chicago and have an idea of how Chicago politics work (or doesn't work), you will not be surprised at the politics that were involved after the fire was out. Those who have an interest in Chicago history should read this book. This graphic novel tells the story of George Takei's childhood during World War II when he and his family were taken to internment camps because of his Japanese heritage. It describes the tough and unbelievable decisions his parents were forced to make such as her mother having to renounce her citizenship - one that she was born with. Takei describes a dark part of American history. When I was in school, history books never mentioned how the US Government treated Japanese Americans along the West Coast. I'm glad that more books are being published about this and that sites of these camps, such as Tule Lake where the Takeis were taken, are now national monuments. I strongly recommend this graphic novel to teens and adults. This book takes a look at the history of the Los Angeles Central Library focusing on April 28, 1986, when a fire broke out destroying thousands of books and other materials. Orlean reports on the investigation of the fire and how suspicions led to Harry Peak.
This is more than a story about a fire. Orlean takes a look at the history of the public library in Los Angeles as well as the operations in the public library. Orleans' writing makes this an interesting book. She weaved in history, current operations, and the story of the fire throughout the book. Much research, including interviews, was done for this book and it shows. Those who love libraries should include this title in their "To Read" list. In 1933, William E. Dodd, a professor at the University of Chicago, was named ambassador to Germany. He takes his wife, son, and daughter to Germany. He accepted the position in hopes that it would give him time to write a series of books about the history of the Old South - a dream of his. Little did he know the the political unrest that would befall on Germany. This was a fascinating book. Larson's writing makes it read like a novel including drama with Dodd's daughter, Martha, and her relationships with Nazi officers and a Russian spy; suspense, as Germany's political climate turns dangerous with the attacks on Jews and the approaching war. I recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about history, especially World War II. These three graphic novels comprise the biography of civil rights leader, Representative John Lewis. Drawn by Nate Powell, these stunning black and white illustrations describe John Lewis and his involvement with the civil rights movement and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Intermixed with the narration of the 1960s struggle are flash forwards to January 20, 2009 when President Obama was inaugurated as the first African American president.
All students should read at least the first book if not the entire trilogy. They are powerful books describing a dark period in our history. This book gets my top rating! |
AuthorMr. Andrusyk is a school librarian at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois. Past Book RecommendationsClick here to view a listing of Mr. Andrusyk's list of favorite authors, series, fiction, and nonfiction. Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|