Multicultural Fiction
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kristin Cronn-Mills
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.27, 2014, under Bullying, Multicultural Fiction, Sam's Reviews
Review by Samrarian
Who would like this book? People interested in the transgender experience and music would appreciate this book. Its content makes it best for 8th grade and up.
The goods on this book: Gabe narrates his own story about transitioning to being the guy that he knows he is even though he was born as a girl and is known to all but his family and best friend as “Liz.” Gabe is counting the days to graduation from high school, when he feels that he can move and establish himself in his new identity. Meanwhile, his friendship with his hip grandfather-type neighbor nourishes his love of music and gains him a gig at spinning discs at the local radio station on Friday nights. Gabe calls his show “Beautiful Music for Ugly Children” and is able to be “Gabe” during this show, gaining a fan club called the Ugly Children Brigade that do his bidding. The narrative pushes toward an inevitable crisis climax that works because of the careful character development that has come before. Gabe’s story is significant to read, and Cronn-Mills includes a helpful explanation of vocabulary related to the transgender experience as an afterword.
The details: 271 pages; 2012 Review by Samrarian
Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Aug.16, 2014, under Battle of the Books 2014-2015, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? This book is important for anyone grades 6 and up to read because of its portrayal of the heart-wrenching experiences of an Afghan (Pukhtun) family.
The goods on this book: It’s July of 2001, and Fadi’s father has become so disillusioned with the Taliban that he decides to pay for his family to escape from Kabul, Afghanistan and settle in San Francisco, where Fadi’s father had earned a PhD when he was younger. The description of their escape is grueling, especially when their family suffers a tragedy. This tragedy dogs Fadi and his family as they attempt to begin a new life in California, and Fadi cannot stop from blaming himself. For an 11-year-old, it is a lot to handle. Then comes 9/11, and Fadi must deal with a new level of discrimination at school and more problems at home. Photography is what saves him, and there is also hope that photography might provide a way to resolve the family tragedy. Shooting Kabul is a worthwhile read both as a window into another culture that is vitally important for us to understand and as a riveting story of one boy’s struggle to make amends.
The details: 2010; 273 pages Review by Samrarian
This book is a 2014-2015 Battle of the Books selection.
Nation by Terry Pratchett
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jun.12, 2014, under Adventure, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, ORCA, Student Reviews, YRCA
Review by Nick Y.
Who would like this book? I recommend this book for children 12 years of age or older because of the mature content. If you like suspenseful adventure stories, then you would like this book.
The goods on this book: It was the day Mau would become a man, a true man of the Nation. Mau would finally get his tattoos and weapons, or will he not? The Nation was washed away by a tsunami which brought with it a large wooden ship named the Sweet Judy. The only people who survived the tsunami were Mau, the Nation boy, and Daphne, the girl from whatever wealthy empire she came from. These two children must now find a way to communicate with each other, understand each other and know each other. But how?
The details: 367 pages; 2010 Review by Nick Y.
No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.16, 2014, under Biography or Autobigraphy, Coretta Scott King, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Anyone interested in Harlem or the history of Blacks during the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
The goods on this book: This book is significant both for the historical events that it includes and for the format in which it is presented. The author meticulously researched the life of her great uncle, Lewis Michaux, through conducting interviews, digging into family archives, and combing through library records. Nelson focused on how Michaux, in 1939, responded to the racist comments of a white banker by starting a bookstore in Harlem with five books and $100. This bookstore, the National Memorial African Bookstore, became the center of intellectual life in Harlem for decades, frequented by leaders such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Instead of presenting these events in a nonfiction format, the author presents the story as a documentary, giving a series of first-hand narratives by Michaux and a broad range of other voices. This technique, along with the striking illustrations by R. Gregory Christie, paints a vivid picture of Michaux, his bookstore, and Harlem from the 1930s through the 1970s. It’s a fascinating presentation of historical events and biography in a fictional format.
The details: 188 pages; 2012
Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.16, 2014, under Biography or Autobigraphy, Multicultural Fiction, Non-fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? People who like the books of Walter Dean Myers or are interested in what it would have been like to grow up in Harlem in the 1940s and 50s.
The goods on this book: Walter Dean Myers tells his personal story from his youngest days until he enters the service at the age of seventeen. His family situation was complex, and he was raised by relatives whom he called “Mom” and “Dad.” A bright and active boy, Walter struggled to find his way in Harlem. A gifted athlete and never shy about getting into fights, Walter had another side that he had to hide. He couldn’t let his reputation be ruined by being seen as a bookworm or a writer, so he pursued these passions in secret. His early experiences were also multiracial, so he faced severe disappointment when he encountered racism. His problems came to a head during his high school years, and these years were also when literature became his lifeline. His discussion of how specific books affected his thinking is captivating. The events of his life makes this book worth reading, and the style in which he writes makes this reading especially meaningful.
The details: 214 pages; 2002 Review by Samrarian
Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.17, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Student Reviews, War
Review by Ryan
Who would like this book? Kids in middle school would like it. It’s not long and it’s historical fiction.
Why? This book takes place in 1941 around the time of the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii. Tomi is Japanese, born in America. He lives with his mom, dad, sister, and grandpa. When the Pearl Harbor attack happens, Tomi doesn’t know what to think of it until his father and grandpa are arrested. So he has to take care of his family now, but he does have the help of all his friends and his baseball team: The Rats. Can he handle all the responsibility, or will he let his family starve?
The details: 246 pp. 1994 Review by Ryan D.
Three Days by Donna Jo Napoli
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jul.09, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Grief, Multicultural Fiction, Sam's Reviews, Thriller
Who would like this book? People grades 5 through 8 who like first-person narrative thrillers. If you liked Stolen Children from last year’s OBOB books, chances are good that you’ll like Three Days.
Why? Jackie, 11 years old, has been enjoying being in Italy with her father during his business trip. It’s her first experience in Italy and she doesn’t know the language, so she depends on her father for everything. As they drive back to their hotel after a delicious dinner in Rome, tragedy strikes. Her father collapses and dies after slowing the car to a safe stop by the road. Alone in the darkness of a country road in a strange country and stricken with grief, Jackie tries to stay logical about what to do. When two men stop to help her, she is relieved and climbs into their car. Will they get help for her dad and help her get home to her mother, or do they have another agenda? Through Jackie’s eyes, the reader finds out what happens to her as well as what she thinks and feels as it happens. Her narration about the characters and their complex emotions and intentions makes this book a riveting thriller.
The details: 151 pp. 2001 Review by Samrarian
The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jemenez
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.12, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Biography or Autobigraphy, Multicultural Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Mason B.
Who would like this book? OBOB 2011-2012 readers; It’s an historical fiction book about an illegal immigrant and his circuit in the United States.
Why? Panchito and his brother Roberto illegally cross the border to the United States in hope of a better life. But this collection of stories is much different from what they hoped to find; instead, they find misfortune for Panchito’s family. Either losing prized possessions, a best friend, or moving — but always saying it may get better. Will Panchito’s life as a worker, student, and kid get any better? Read The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child to find out.
The details: 134 pp. 1997 Review by Mason B.
Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.23, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Humorous, Multicultural Fiction, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? Girls who are interested in finding out about the history of your families past. Also if you are going to have a quinceanera
Why? Violeta Paz does not have a normal life. Period. Her family is a misfit of domino playing, cigar smoking Cubans. Her Abuela (grandma) has decided that Voileta is going to have a quinceanera. Unfortunately for Voileta, this is bad news, considering the fact she hasn’t worn a dress since the third grade. Will the party go on? This is a comical book that will have you laughing so hard you start crying. Follow her as she discovers romance and family boundaries that she has crossed. Will the party actualy happen?
The details: 277 pp. 2003 Review by Zoe
The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jimenez
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.15, 2011, under Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Biography or Autobigraphy, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Student Reviews
Who would like this book? People who are interested in discovering how a boy who has had so much sadness and depression in his life can still create happiness out of it.
Why? The Circuit is about a boy whose family illegally immigrates to California from Mexico in hopes of finding good paying jobs and a better life. What they find is not what they expected. This story describes their life from the view point of the boy Panchito. Follow him in this heart breaking story as he struggles through poverty, and loss. Will his hard life finally pay off?
The details: 166 pp. 1997 Review by Zoe B.
