FDL Reads: Reviews - Fondulac District Library

FDL Reads: The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane - Penguin Books Australia The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Reviewed by: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suggested Age: Recommended for Grades 9 – 12

What is this book about? This book takes place during the era of the American Civil War. The main character, Henry Fleming, or the “youth” as he is often called, is a teenage boy who leaves home and enlists in the Union Army because he wants to experience what he imagines to be the glory of war. The story begins with the fictional 304th New York Infantry Regiment waiting to engage in battle. When battle finally begins, the Confederates are repelled. Henry survives the scuffle only for his regiment to be attacked again. This time his fear gets the best of him and he flees, shamefully deserting his regiment. Henry runs off into a nearby forest and encounters a group of wounded soldiers. He bumps into a tattered soldier who has been shot twice and who proudly declares that his regiment did not flee from the fighting. The tattered soldier asks Henry where he has been hurt, and knowing that he is not hurt, Henry scurries away feeling embarrassed and ashamed by the soldier’s question. After encountering the wounded soldiers, Henry wishes that he too could earn a Red Badge of Courage, or a wound obtained bravely in battle. Moving on from the wounded soldiers, Henry finds his regiment. In the final battle, he experiences a rush of new found courage and proudly carries the Union flag after the color sergeant falls. As described by Crane, the “sickness of battle” transformed the “youth” from a boy into a man.

My Review: Stephen Crane was born after the Civil War, yet The Red Badge of Courage reads as if it was written by someone who was there. Crane obtained his facts about the war by spending time with Civil War Veterans and by reading articles published about the war in Century Magazine. Many Civil War scholars are impressed with Crane’s work, especially with his detailed descriptions of the battlefields, the military maneuvers, and the artillery and infantry engagements. Some historians even believe that the battle described in the book is based on the real Battle of Chancellorsville.

I chose to read The Red Badge of Courage because I recently took a vacation to visit Civil War museums and battlefields. I visited the Chancellorsville Visitor Center and that is where I saw a first edition copy of The Red Badge of Courage published in 1895. Placards highlighted the plot and setting of the book and encouraged visitors to read it, especially for a genuine Civil War experience. After taking tours and exploring museums and battlefields, The Red Badge of Courage brought to life all that I had seen and heard. I highly recommend reading it.

Three Words that Describe this Book: historical, traumatic, riveting

Give This a Try if You Like: Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen; Jack Hinson’s One-Man War by Tom C. McKenney; Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-11-04T11:04:55-05:00November 4th, 2023|

FDL Reads: Sunflower Sisters

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

What is This Book About?: Told from the perspective of three women during the U.S. Civil War and based heavily on fact and historical documents, Sunflower Sisters details the roles of women during the war from nurses to spies to slaves. Georgianna “Georgy” Woolsey takes a very active role in the war by training and serving as a field nurse in Maryland, the Capital in Washington and the Gettysburg battlefield. Georgy, her mother, and sisters all aid the Union war efforts in various ways as abolitionists. In contract, Anne-May Watson is a southern slave owner originally from New Orleans, but an inheritor of a tabaco plantation in Maryland. Through a cruel, abusive overseer, Anne-May mistreats those working on her farm and does all she can to keep the institution of slavery alive and well in the south. Jemma, a young slave girl, and her family are Anne-May’s property and their efforts to escape slavery and serve to end the institution comprise the third perspective of the story. Told chronologically through each of these women’s stories, a gripping, vivid tale of the Civil War years is revealed.

My Review: I loved this book! Kelly’s writing style of relating the events through the eyes of three different women from very diverse backgrounds gives a strong sense of accuracy to her accounts and draws the reader into the story that she tells. While some events related are not pleasant, Kelly’s strong characters and how they handle the events kept me engrossed in story. It is realistic because many of the characters and events portrayed actually existed as is revealed in the author’s note at the end of the novel. I have always enjoyed both fiction and non-fiction about the civil war, so highly recommend this book to the lovers of historical fiction!

Three Words that Describe this Book: Gripping, Powerful, Realistic

Give This A Try if You Like… Martha Kelly’s previous titles Lost Roses or Lilac Girls or if you just enjoy books about the tumultuous Civil War years in the United States.

Rating: 5/5

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FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-10-25T14:45:05-05:00October 25th, 2023|

FDL Reads: The Spider and the Fly

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

Reviewed by Julie Nutt, Communications Specialist

Genre: Poetry, horror

Suggested age: Ages 8 and up

What is this book about? “ ‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ said the Spider to the Fly.” Probably one of most-well known opening lines in the history of poetry, “The Spider and the Fly,” is a cautionary tale written by poet Mary Howitt in 1829. The Spider lures the unsuspecting Fly into his home with charming compliments and offers of the finer things in life. But Spider’s promises are actually part of his fiendish plan to trap and eat the Fly! Fly is suspicious throughout, but can she avoid the spider’s fiendish ulterior motives?

Mary Howitt wrote this story as a cautionary tale to her own children, “about those who use sweet words to hide their not-so-sweet intentions” (from the book jacket). This New York Times Bestselling adaptation of the story has been hailed by critics and illustrators alike.

My review: Sadly, to this day, the message is all to relevant. Author William Bennett said of the story, “Unfortunately, as long as there’s dishonesty in the world, there will be people ready to lay traps for us…” It is a harsh lesson in stranger-danger for children, but also a warning to adults to beware of the danger of false promises. Mary Howitt’s prose perfectly depicts the Spider’s dark intentions, as well as the Fly’s naivete.

Illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi takes the poem to a whole new level of macabre with his ghostly pencil and gouache illustrations that are reminiscent of silent movies and 19^th century fairy tales. (I personally find old fairy tales, well…pretty creepy.) DiTerlizzi takes no liberties with the text, but adds subtle clues in his illustrations as to what will ultimately happen to the Fly.

A quick, deliciously dreadful read for parents and kids…or just parents! Warning: read it with the lights on!

Three words that describe this book: creepy, captivating, cautionary

Give this a try if you like: books by Alvin Schwarz, Edward Gorey, and Shel Silverstein

Rating: 5/5

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*available in print and Hoopla ebook

Susie Rivera2023-10-19T17:43:12-05:00October 19th, 2023|

FDL Reads: The House on Tradd Street

The House on Tradd Street by Karen White

Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, library volunteer

Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: Real estate agent Melanie Middleton had only met eccentric Nevin Vanderhorst, owner of an historic Charleston, South Carolina home, one time before he unexpectedly died, leaving his entire estate to her. The only problem? Despite specializing in selling historic old houses, Melanie despises them. She prefers new houses with less history – and fewer ghosts, because Melanie can see and hear and smell and sense the ghosts. Mr. Vanderhorst’s will stipulates that Melanie must live in the house for one year before she can sell it, and she must use inherited money from Mr. Vanderhorst’s estate to renovate the house to its former glory. With the help of her trusted friend Sophie (who knows lots about Charleston’s historic houses) and famed journalist Jack who offers to help with the renovations, Melanie reluctantly undertakes the huge task of renovating. But from the very beginning, it seems the house and its ghostly inhabitants have different ideas about Melanie living there and about the fate of the house. Let the spooky happenings begin!

My Review: I was looking for a spooky read as Halloween approaches, and The House on Tradd Street did not disappoint! There are ghostly presences, doors that mysteriously lock and unlock apparently without human intervention, displaced items that pop up where they aren’t supposed to be, life-threatening “accidents,” and much more. Tied in with the supernatural happenings is the mystery of what really happened to Mr. Vanderhhorst’s mother, who disappeared when he was a small child. I love the many layers of this book: who or what is creating the havoc at the house, what happened to the mother, and Melanie’s own estrangement from her parents. The characters are likeable, vulnerable and cranky at the same time, and the house is a character in itself! Author Karen White deftly ties the layers together and then, little by little, unknots them. These layers create suspense and make for an edge-of-your-seat, page-turning read!

Three Words That Describe This Book: ghosts, peril, romance

Give This a Try if You Like…Ghosts or the Ghost Whisperer television series; ghostly reads such as Darynda Jones’ series

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

Susie Rivera2023-10-05T18:43:42-05:00October 5th, 2023|

FDL Reads: Why Humans Build Up

Why Humans Build Up: The Rise of Towers, Temples, and Skyscrapers by Gregor Craigie

Reviewed by: Chelsea Bunton, Youth Services Assistant

Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction

Suggested Age: Children (ages 8-12)

What is the book about? Author Gregor Craigie has been fascinated with tall buildings since childhood. He has decided to explore the world and history of building “up” in this eye-catching nonfiction book while also analyzing the apparently inherent need of humans to build in this way. Each chapter focuses on a reason for constructing vertically colossal structures – from security and utility to spirituality and beautification. Real world photographs are paired with bright, pop-art like illustrations and graphs by Kathleen Fu, adding to the quick glance appeal of a nonfiction children’s work. Like many works of informational children’s text, organizational aspects are utilized for readability. As each chapter is broken down into motivations for this type of construction, we see further break down of the information as focus is centered on particular structures: their basic facts, followed by anecdotal text and pictures. Craigie looks to answer his own questions about this deep-rooted need to build higher in humans, meanwhile addressing other possible questions like environmental impact and long term effects of towering construction in our world.

My Review: I don’t typically gravitate towards nonfiction. This is especially true of informational-based text like this (If I DO read nonfiction, I usually stick to biographies). So why did I pick this book up? Just look at the cover! I was immediately drawn to the bright colors and almost comic book-like illustrations. Reading this book was a fun journey. I enjoy information that leads me to look into things for myself. As I read, I found myself Googling more facts on mentioned buildings, as well as questions that came up. I don’t think that is indicative of bad writing, in fact I believe that is exactly what nonfiction SHOULD do: cause the reader to hunger for learning and go on their own research journey. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the simple readability factor. This could almost be considered a “coffee table” book. It’s one of those that you can grab, flip to a random page, read for a bit, and then put it back down for later. I enjoy snippets of details rather than long, drawn-out prose and analyzation. That is exactly how this book is organized, which kept my interest and didn’t bog me down with “too much” all at once.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Appealing, Construction, Visual

Give This a Try if You Like…How it’s Made, What is…/Where is… series, books about construction/buildings

Rating: 3.5/5

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FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-09-28T14:30:44-05:00September 28th, 2023|

FDL Reads: Black Birds in the Sky

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert

Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist

Genre: American History (early 20^th Century)

Suggested Age: Teen, Adult

What is the book about? It has only been in recent years that knowledge of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre has become more well-known. For decades, even the people of Tulsa didn’t acknowledge or often speak about it. What started as an attempt to lynch a young man accused of sexual assault, turned into a race riot that left churches, homes, and businesses burned to the ground, as well as hundreds dead. This book not only details the timeline of events that took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 1^st, 1921, it first lays the foundation with an explanation of culturally significant events and practices that contributed to the mob violence and destruction that devastated a thriving African American community.

My Review: I listened to the audiobook version of this book and found it to be incredibly enlightening. This is a cautionary tale about mob mentality and the darker side of human nature, especially when it comes to race relations. I found it extremely beneficial to have the background information laid out before the author went into the description of the exact events of this tragedy. Learning about events that may be disturbing or hard to accept give us a clearer picture of our predecessors and the society they lived in. This is critically important to understanding how our society today has developed into what we see around us and can help keep up from repeating past mistakes.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Illuminating, Educational, Revelatory

Give This a Try if You Like…Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston, The 1619 Project: A New origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Four Hundred Souls edited by Ibram X. Kendi

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

Susie Rivera2023-09-22T10:02:31-05:00September 21st, 2023|

FDL Reads: Everything’s Fine

Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess

Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Adult Services Assistant

Genre: Contemporary

Suggested Age: Adults

What is This Book About? Jess studied math in college and eventually joined Goldman Sachs as a data-analyst, determined to survive the oppressive, cut-throat working conditions of financial investment. She runs into Josh, a fellow alumnus and a headache of arrogance from what she recalls. The two have different backgrounds and completely different political outlooks. As they continue to work together in their fast-paced rat race, Jess and Josh slowly come together in a passionate love affair, proving that opposites sometimes attract. The question is, can they overcome their differences? Should they even try? This book is a love story, but it is also a coming-of-age story, a story about racism in America, and a story about divisiveness in politics.

My Review: Once I started reading this book, I devoured it up. It is extremely raw and real and it doesn’t hold back any punches. Originally marketed as a romance novel, this book is so much more. I find the prose reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk or Aimee Bender. It is direct, unforgiving, and provocative. Cecilia Rabess truly captivated my attention, offering insight into life as an African-American woman working in a business traditionally dominated by Caucasian men. We also get an interesting perspective on interracial relationships and relationships that involve people with opposing political viewpoints. There are some generational points of interest as well, as the protagonist describes her relationship with her father. This book is a complex story, to say the least, but definitely one worth reading.

Three Words that Describe this Book: romance, race, politics

Give This A Try if You Like… Yellowface, Black Buck, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-09-14T18:56:26-05:00September 14th, 2023|

FDL Reads: The Cardboard Kingdom

The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell

Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager

Genre: Realistic fiction/fantasy (graphic novel)

Suggested Age: Kids (7-12)

What is This Book About? What kid doesn’t play make believe? These neighbors take their adventures to a whole new level! Every kid on the block works hard to make their own, unique character and creates a costume to join in the fun. Jack embraces his wicked side as the Evil Sorceress, kid finds her voice as the Banshee, Seth protects his mom as the Gargoyle, and many more! Each chapter, more and more kids join in, challenged by bullies, big brothers, and dragons alike.

My Review: I fell in love with this book from the first chapter. Every kid has their own chapter for us to get introduced and uses their imagination to come up with fun characters and stories. Their adventures are tons of fun and are only dampened by the onset of the school year. While there are a lot of laughs, there are plenty of serious topics covered as well. Self-confidence and expressing yourself emerge in multiple stories, but there’s also questions of identity, divorce, and absent parents.

Three Words that Describe this Book: kids being kids

Give This A Try if You Like… The Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse, The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley

Rating: 5/5

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FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-08-31T16:20:28-05:00August 31st, 2023|

FDL Reads: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride By: Roshani Chokshi

Reviewed by: Susie Rivera Adult Services Specialist

Genre: Gothic, Magic Realism

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about? The narrator, otherwise only known as the Bridegroom, is a professor of mythology and lover of fairy tales. One evening he meets a beautiful heiress named Indigo and becomes enamored with her. The couple are married very quickly and Indigo makes the narrator promise not to ask her about her past. But, when a family emergency happens, the newlyweds must travel back to Indigo’s family estate where all her dark secrets eventually come to the surface.

My Review: This book is a classic noir or gothic tale. There is a enigmatic main character, a ominous mansion, and mysterious secrets ready to surface. It takes place in modern times, although historical throwbacks almost make it seem Victorian in some aspects. We get flashbacks from the past that eventually shed light on the events leading up to the end of the novel. The plot twist at the end is surprising but many will see it coming. The clues are there the whole time. Despite being labeled as a fantasy, I would place this in the realm of Magic Realism. The house is personified so much that the reader isn’t sure if it’s really a conscious entity with its own desires. The main characters, Indigo and Azure believe they can slip into a Fae realm and participate in rituals that will grant them “magic.” Overall, the writing is beautiful and the story kept me wondering just how dark Indigo’s past really was.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Mysterious, Gothic, Lyrical

Give This a Try if You Like…The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V.E Schwab, Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, Mexican Gothic Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Rating: 4/5

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FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-08-23T14:30:51-05:00August 23rd, 2023|

FDL Reads: Anne of West Philly

Anne of West Philly by Ivy Weir and Myisha Haynes (Illustrator)

Reviewed by: Deb Alig, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel

Suggested Age: Middle school (11-14)

What is the book about? Anne of West Philly, by Ivy Weir, is a graphic novel retelling of L. M. Montgomery’s classic children’s novel Anne of Green Gables. If you’re familiar with Montgomery’s plot, you will find similarities in Weir’s adaptation. The characters’ names in the retelling are like the names in the original story, but the characters’ ethnicities are different. The characters in Anne of West Philly are mostly Black and Hispanic instead of White like in Anne of Green Gables. The setting is different too. Montgomery’s story takes place on Prince Edward Island in Canada during the late nineteenth century, and Weir’s retelling takes place in the city of West Philadelphia in Pennsylvania during modern time. Just like Montgomery’s Anne, Weir’s Anne is curious, energetic, competitive, imaginative, sensitive, and smart. But she also has a tendency to get into trouble which makes Marilla, her foster mom, question whether she and her brother Matthew should keep her. In both stories, Anne is good friends with Diana Barry, and she dislikes a popular boy named Gilbert Blythe who competes with her academically. In Montgomery’s telling, Anne eventually develops a crush on Gilbert, but in Weir’s adaptation, Anne develops a crush on a female character. In West Philly, Weir’s Anne attends a school with a STEM program and a robotics club which is very different than the one room school house on Prince Edward Island that Montgomery’s Anne attends. In both stories, the Cuthberts grow quite fond of Anne and choose to keep her as their own.

My Review: I am a fan of the original Anne of Green Gables, so naturally I enjoyed Weir and Hayne’s graphic retelling. The illustrations are detailed, colorful, and bright, and they clearly capture the action that is taking place. The retelling is cleverly based on the original story with the main differences being the setting and the race of the characters. Children who are Black or Hispanic and who live in a modern day city may identify more with the characters in Anne of West Philly than with the characters in Anne of Green Gables. But regardless, the authors of both books, through their stories, encourage young readers to have good values, respectful behavior, kind attitudes, accepting mindsets, and loving hearts.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Surprising, Clever, and Entertaining

Give This a Try if You Like…The Secret Garden on 81t Street, also a graphic novel by Ivy Weir or Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden. The original Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery has been made into musicals, plays, animation, films, and live action TV programs.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

FDL Reads

Susie Rivera2023-08-17T14:38:23-05:00August 16th, 2023|