First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this stellar historical fiction about the lifelong friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt & Mary McCloud Bethune, both powerhouses striving together to change the world, people's racism, and the wrongs of history. Awesomely Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert, this is the Albright College Ladies January selection. This is a must read, I learned so much from these 2 strong women who bonded, collaborated, and tirelessly worked for civil rights. This is a must read!

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Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Horse by Geraldine Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read this for my Albright College zoom book club and the back and forth history of the characters & horses was intense and so enlightening! My heart broke a lot reading this book---especially for the character Jarret, a slave who lives with Lexington his whole life and Theo and Jess who live in the present and discover a shared passion in their jobs---horse bones & art history & a dog. This book encompassed the racism that was present in the past & still in the present---I did not like the horse racing either because of the toll it took on the horses from obsessed owners. I loved learning Lexington's history as a race horse & stud and the bond with Jarret was beautiful. Highly recommended!

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The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An amazing novel in verse about a young Asante boy in 1860 who does not understand the many things his parents and grandparents will not explain---you are too young to understand. How will Kofi get answers, deal with his evil cousin, goofy best friend and long for the girl, Ama? I was gutted as I read every page of this must read book---a journey about a boy, a village, history, and the truth.

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Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this book (thank you to my friend, Michelle Romash and Jean Norman) flawlessly narrated by Robin Miles. This is a must read but a difficult read. Isabel Wilkerson's research was thorough, she also used narratives in history, and the dates and data were so important too. Wilkerson discusses race and caste (in the United States, Germany and India) and it's effects throughout history. It is honest and very painful. Highly recommended.

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The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd

The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, I could not stop listening to the compelling story of Eliza Lucas, who as a 16 year old in 1739 in South Carolina, is called upon by her father (who seeks to run for office and fight in Antiqua, their old home) to run their 3 plantations as he continues to mortgage against them. I loved her personality, Like Eliza, I rebelled against the lot of women at that time; the way they were treated, talked to and told what what expected of them--be quiet and marry. Eliza may have been alone in her situation but she men (friends of her father and mother) who were able to guide her, help her and offer aid when needed. The horror of slavery was revisited time and time again in this amazing story based on Eliza Lucas' letters and research. Once Eliza hears about growing and producing Indigo as a means to save the plantations, she works single-mindedly and tirelessly to learn from slaves the secret to indigo dye making. A must read about a little known but famous young woman who against everything pursued a new avenue to help her family (and others) survive and succeed in South Carolina.

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The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the middle grade book twitter chat being held by #YearofYA on 10/9 at 8PM EST, come join us. I could not put this book down (CPC's writing is thought-provoking, powerful and true) but I wanted to turn away (the horror of what Cap'n Buck was & what he did to ALL people, but slaves mostly made my stomach turn) from the painful, fearful reality of 12 year old Charlie Bobo's once his father dies & Cap'n Buck enters. This book takes place in 1858 and features the South Carolina dialect which middle school kids (and some adults) might have problems with ---but I also think this is a perfect class novel, with a teacher's wonderful guidance, knowledge of history, and understanding of human nature enriching the middle school reader experience. There was so much stacked against Charlie (even his height) it didn't seem fair---but I loved that he was able to constantly recall what he was taught by his parents and that helped him as his fear and despondency threatened to take over. Little Charlie's ignorance, being raised on racism and bigotry, and the poverty he suffered really had me rooting for his courage and bravery. A must read for all; Curtis does a powerful job!

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Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia Butler, illustrations Damian Duffy and adapted byJohn Jennings

Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved reading this graphic novel as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge. Octavia Butler's story, Kindred, is adapted into a totally scary, sad, time travel from 1970 back to pre-Civil War south. Dana is a young black woman newly married to Kevin (he is white) when she thrown into the South where a small white boy, Rufus, is drowning. The story is a horror of the indignity of slavery that Dana must endure and try to save Rufus (who is totally indoctrinated into the way the slave world works) the only way she can get back to 1970 is when she is almost threatened with death...I ached as I turned the pages for all the slaves on this plantation--the horrors they endured and what Dana and Kevin suffer as a result of trying to help. The oppression was bleak and frightening but the graphic novel format will grab teens and while reading they will be learning important aspects of history, slavery, women, science fiction and race; highly recommended!!!

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The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bahni Turpin won the Audible Narrator of the Year Award 2016 for her heartfelt, authentic voice in this deeply disturbing historical fiction concerning the many atrocities of slavery, bondage, misery and murder as resilient Cora grows up on a Georgia plantation, then escapes through the Underground Railroad (which runs like an underground system of railroad cars) and flees from slave catchers through the Carolinas. Cora is not the only voice - there are many slaves, family members, and abolitionists Colson Whitehead peopled in this history of racism, violence, and tragedy. A must read and I highly recommend the narration by Ms Turpin!!!

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The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkowski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marie Rutkowski's worlds of Valoria and Herran are breathtaking, powerful, and full of a hateful history of conquering and enslaving the Herrani as slaves. Kestrel is the obstinate, defiant daughter of the most powerful general who pressures her to marry or enlist. When Kestrel purchases a slave (on a dare) she sets into motion a series of earth shattering events. Will Kestrel dare to become enamored of this slave? I could not put this book down- the characters, setting, and plot are all richly drawn and I am jumping right into the 2nd book, The Winner's Crime!!! Highly recommended, especially if you like love, dalliances, adventure, and drama- this is the book (series)for you!

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Copper Sun by Sharon Draper

Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You think you have read historical fiction about slavery but then you read this book and the viciousness of the slave owners, the violence perpetrated on these slaves on a daily basis is just so difficult to read. Amari is such an inspiring heroine, along with Polly and Tidbit and Hushpuppy; they brave a hellish journey to freedom. There is just so much I could write about what happens in this book, but I urge you to read it and feel the loss, pain, nightmares and tragedy that each one of these characters suffers. The brutality of the slavesis so crushing, it is so difficult to have hope, but Draper makes sure every character knows there is hope but that only a few use that hope. I now know whay this book received the Coretta Scott King Award and highly recommend every student who has American History read this book and learn about this dark time in our history. Draper also provides resources that include websites and books on slavery that helped her in her research and writing this book. I think reluctant readers would like this book as well.

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