America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellently narrated by Cassandra Campbell; this 23 hour book kept me listening; loving and hating Patsy Jefferson's decisions in life due to her deathbed promise to her mother to watch over her father for life. In the end, I loved Patsy and wept for her life which was so difficult. But Patsy was strong, she was the light of her father's life, even while she was a prisoner in the ethics and government and world of Virginia in Thomas Jefferson's time in government. This thoroughly researched novel by Dray and Kamoie based on Jefferson's letters is eye opening, devastating, and provides a look into America in its democratic infancy and growing pains. An excellent book delving into history and the many men and women responsible for its growth! I will be sharing this book with all my reader friends!

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Killers of the Flower Moon: The Sage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, what a riveting audiobook, awesomely narrated by: Will Patton , Ann Marie Lee , Danny Campbell. Grann's nonfiction book deals with the mystery of many Osage Indian deaths during the 1920s and 1930s in Oklahoma. When oil is discovered under their land, the Osage become rich and the targets of unsavory men, business men and racism in law enforcement, in the white community, and politics. How people could do this to anyone, much less the Osage Indian is despicable. Grann thoroughly researches the Osage Indian history, culture, community and what the "reign of Terror" did to them. The honesty and diligence of Tom White, a former Texas Ranger who is appointed by J. Edgar Hoover to solve the 24 Osage murders marks the beginning of the FBI. A must read! My thanks to Pat Graham for recommending this book!

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All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not wait to read this stunner after I finished the tough read, Shame the Stars, by G.G. McCall. This historical read covers the horrendous repatriation of US citizens from the US. Estrella is a Mexican American teen is living in Texas during the Great Depression on her family farm but during a time when many whites want the Mexican Americans out- despite their citizenship-- the awfulness of their treatment as they are burned out of their home, the reader learns of how dark this time of history was in its treatment of Mexican Americans, how evil was the intent, treatment, and injustice to citizens and classes of people trying to make a living while living in their home, the United States. A must read for students to learn about a dark part of our history.

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#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and it received the American Indian Youth Literature Award. What an awesome book; the beauty, fierceness and so many other strong feelings are voiced by many indigenous women (unknown and famous) through art work, poetry, pictures and words. It is a timely book; not easily read but fiercely put together by strong women who will be heard and seen and proud of their heritage and angry and honest about what has happened throughout history.

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Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Nonfiction Book Award Winner as part of the 2016 Hub Challenge. I have read and loved all Sheinkin's nonfiction books and Most Dangerous does not disappoint!!! Sheinkin's thrilling narrative and thorough research brought the Vietnam War and it's atrocities alive. The government's role was riveting and heinous. Daniel Ellsberg was a dedicated government employee who was passionate in everything he did and Sheinkin's portrayal was moving and convincing. I could not stop turning the pages and it is Sheinkin's engrossing narrative that sucked me in and kept me glued to the final page! I recommend Teachers and students of American history read this- as well as adults and teens. Highly recommended!!!

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March Book One by John Robert Lewis

March: Book One by John Robert Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read March for 2 reasons; the Hub 2016 Challenge and Twitter Book Club for Feb (Social Justice) and March (graphic novels). This graphic novel touched me deeply, I loved the character of John Lewis, the way illustrations made you sick but also honored so many who fought/marched/demonstrated/served so ardently for civil rights then and now. It was so important to find out about the man who had so much to tell- his life in Washington, DC, his beginnings in Pike County Alabama as he loving raised chickens & practiced preaching to them and his pivotal role in the civil rights movement. A must read!

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