One of my favorite things to do as a kid was read. During the summer, I would ride my orange banana seat bike to Franklin Library where I’d load up on books, filling my backpack AND the little white, plastic bike basket that was popular among little girls in the 1980s. I made this trip about three times every week. It’s been an absolute delight to have some extra time this summer to read for both learning and pleasure. Here’s what I read in July.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson follows the stories of Black Americans who made the Great Migration, escaping the Jim Crow South in hopes of a better life up North. The violence and conditions these people fled were horrific and shocking. Their disappointment in the “Benevolent North” was equally heartbreaking: while there wasn’t a constant threat of physical violence, the humiliations of discrimination and segregation were still, unfortunately, a fact of life.
The Roughest Riders by Jerome Tuccille tells the story of the Buffalo Soldiers in the Spanish American War. Spoiler Alert: Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders didn’t take San Juan Hill in Cuba all by themselves. The Buffalo Soldiers went first, fighting fiercely and clearing the way. And this was after having experienced conditions on the boat from Florida to Cuba that were wayyyyy too similar to what Africans endured during the Middle Passage.
Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest chronicles story of a high school senior named Effie, and her college search as someone who uses a wheelchair. There are lots of strong messages about performative diversity/equity/inclusion/belonging (DEIB) by individuals and institutions and the importance of seeking out environments that are ready for diversity.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai recounts the author’s experience growing up in Pakistan and the rise of the Taliban and affiliated groups in the region. Malala famously defied the Taliban by continuing to attend school and speaking out in favor of education for girls and women.
Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge spins a tale of a Black free-born woman around the time of the American Civil War. The story centers around the relationship between Libertie and her mother, and the title character’s journey towards emotional/vocational freedom and independence.
The Faeries of Octobay by Katherine Sturges is a sweet, gorgeous story about loving the environment and each other. The watercolor illustrations are absolutely stunning.
