Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives by Kareem Rosser

Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! This is definitely a MUST READ! Many thanks to my reading neighbor, Carrie Ogorek, for so fully pushing this book into my hands. The life Kareem Rosser describes in "The Bottom" of West Philadelphia was so sad, fraught with death, violence, and trauma. With a mother and many brothers and sisters, many fathers - all absent, Kareem is a shy, shell shocked child who grows into a fearful teen--but his older brothers lead him to the Fairmount area on one of their explorations and it is there he falls in love with horses. The horses are the balm that Kareem needs to live, to heal, to grasp for something better out of the bottom. Fraught with problems every step of the way, he is able to grow in the Work to Ride program, white owner, Lezlie Hiner provides---he also learns how to play polo with his brothers and together they dream of a life away from the violence that is their neighborhood and life. I could not stop turning the pages, Kareem writes from the heart about his life of undiagnosed panic attacks, his daily fear for the members of his family and friends, and his "new" life as he strives for better against all the odds thrown up time and time again. This is a MUST READ for all! I donated immediately to the Work to Ride program because "they---Kareem as a fundraiser too-- want to build an indoor polo field and I also read that he has partnered with famous polo player, Nacho Figueras is bringing the 1st Philadelphia Polo Classic in September 2022, what an amazing event.

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The Unbreakable Child by Kim Michele Richardson

The Unbreakable Child by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, what a book; Kim and her sisters' go from a drug addicted mother to the St. Thomas / Saint Vincent Orphan Asylum in Kentucky where she endures a decade of beatings, torture, and spewed invective from nuns and priests. When her sister implores Kim to enter a lawsuit against this orphanage and those in power who abused 40 children. While I admired this courage from Kim, she also shortchanged herself by ignoring those who asked her to consider counseling. Maybe writing the books was her counseling but with her supportive husband and their enduring love I know Kim would find some solace. The way she shut down during the questioning by the lawyers during the deposition was enough evidence that she was not thinking correctly, counseling would have helped her---but Kim has decided to go this alone. A must read but tormenting, and life destroying for those 40 orphans, readers will be up ended with the evil that lived in those poor childrens' lives during the 1960s.

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They Called US Enemy by George Takei

They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

George Takei's graphic novel detailing his family's internment during WWII was gripping. What he was able to do was show a child's wonder and ability to adapt to new situations while also showing how their predicament affected their parents/Japanese who were living in California and went from next door neighbors to the enemy. This book can be read by both YA and adult audiences and should be read by all. George brings his humility and honesty to their lives in 2-3 camps, detailing his father's skills at helping others as a manager at the camps. In riveting B&W illustrations, Takei, Eisinger, Scott & Becker they shine a light on a particularly awful time in US history while also showing the loyalty of the Japanese, their courage and ingenuity, and their love for their country, America. Highly recommended!

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Real Friends by Shannon Hale

Real Friends by Shannon Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just loved Shannon Hale's graphic novel depicting her horrible years in middle school, being bullied by her brother and sister, having fairweather friends (bullies too) and feeling totally insecure. A must read!

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Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill

Hideous Love: The Story of the Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein by Stephanie Hemphill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this historical fiction novel in verse about Gothic novelist, Mary Wollstencraft Shelley famous for writing, Frankenstein for my July twitter chat (books with unique formats) with #yearofya on 7/25 at 8PM EST. Stephanie Hemphill's novel in verse was both enlightening and exciting- Mary flees her unhappy life with her love, already married Percy Shelley (famed Romantic) poet and leaves her family horrified she would do such a thing. Mary's resilience, wit and all encompassing knowledge kept her by Percy's side as they wrote, read and discussed all matters with other famous writers of the time. But she was also hemmed in by the norms of the time - her novel did not bear her name, and later she was excluded from being a part of the literary circle she came to love. I loved all the material Stephanie Hemphill included at the end - Author Acknowledgments talked about Mary, gothic novels & the enduring nature of Frankenstein. A synopsis of the characters (Mary's family & community)in Hideous Love, A Time Line of Books by Mary Shelley, Suggested Further Reading. I think I am going to try to read Wicked Girls also for this chat, love the Salem Witch Trials!!!

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Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings

Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to Jazz Jennings on Audible as she described her life's journey from a child to teen as transgender. Jazz's voice is authentic, real, honest, and a personality that is larger than life. She has a supportive family, is very involved in supporting transgender rights (accompanying her mother to Philadelphia to speak at conferences) and speaks and acts as a role model for other youth (and their families) like her. She has a very special voice that talks about the bullying and judgments made about her but she only asks for acceptance for herself and others. She is courageous, funny, smart and sensitive. I am going to check out her TV show and some of her YouTube videos. Highly recommended & a must read.

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