One of the most well-written books I’ve read in a while, Ms. Ward manages to portray multiple complex characters. She weaves in topics including the intermingling of past and present, grief, guilt-ridden choices based on compassion and love, family love and family neglect, addiction, inter-racial relationships, systemic trauma and the afterlife, and placed all that in the context of a coming-of-age story centered around a young boy. Just writing this list leaves me even more amazed.
From the cover of the republished 2010 book. Originally published in 1965. If you’ve been following me on social media this spring, you will know that I’ve been working very hard at developing my photography skills. Gordon Parks was a multitalented artist who was best known for his photography, and I’ve been drawn to take a closer look at his work. I am also fascinated by his use of photography as a means of activism for social and racial justice, hence the camera as his choice of weapon. This book is his first in a series of autobiographies. The first thing that struck me, within the span of reading the first page, is that he is a good writer. That first...
My son just turned 15 earlier this month. I signed him up for driver’s education classes and he started his first job. All these responsibilities also mean he soon will be out in the world acting in more adult roles and will be seen as such. A brown young man. Driving, walking, shopping and hanging out. I’m so proud of him and also terrified. Joy and celebration followed closely by the news of the senseless killing of Duante Wright and the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. I went silent on social media. Reading news articles was all I could absorb—no videos, no TV news and even avoiding the emotional reactions of people I follow online....
I have not done a book review in a while! It is time… This book is a children’s graphic novel. But stick with me. This one is worth reading as an adult even if you don’t have any kids at home and who are the right age. I am familiar with one of the authors, Jamieson, who has written some of my sons’ favorites: All’s Faire in Middle School and Roller Girl, both of which I have read so many times I can recite lines. My son requested this book months ago from the library, when he heard she had a new book coming out. The request list for this one is quite long. Due dates for books have been postponed in our county...
When we tell a story, we have to leave things out. That which didn’t make the cut can become it’s own story and that’s what I’ve got here. I’ve been posting recently about the “why” and “how” of EcoPetites and this is part of that theme. I’ve been telling the part of my journey to form EcoPetites in which a lecture by Rigoberta Menchú Tum led to (with lots of steps and decisions along the way) starting EcoPetites. You can refer to that blog post here. But the truth is more complex. I was primed for that moment with another catalyst. That story started one night when I was babysitting a dear friend’s son. Her little boy was asleep, house...
