#FDL: Nonfiction Highlights for Black History Month
From the Civil War, to the 1960s Civils Rights Movement, to Black Lives Matter—these books from our nonfiction collection are essential reads for Black History Month.
Gateway to Freedom: The Hidden History of the Underground Railroad by Eric Foner
– Feminist, Activism, Social Justice in the 1960s
In Vanguard, acclaimed historian Martha S. Jones offers a new history of African American women’s political lives in America. She recounts how they defied both racism and sexism to fight for the ballot, and how they wielded political power to secure the equality and dignity of all persons. From the earliest days of the republic to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and beyond, Jones excavates the lives and work of black women—Maria Stewart, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Fannie Lou Hamer, and more—who were the vanguard of women’s rights, calling on America to realize its best ideals.
-George Floyd Murder, Racial disparity, Ferguson, societal change
For many, the story of the weeks of protests in the summer of 2020 began with the horrific nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds when Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on camera, and it ended with the sweeping federal, state, and intrapersonal changes that followed. It is a simple story, wherein white America finally witnessed enough brutality to move their collective consciousness. The only problem is that it isn’t true. George Floyd was not the first Black man to be killed by police—he wasn’t even the first to inspire nation-wide protests—yet his death came at a time when America was already at a tipping point.
In Say Their Names, five seasoned journalists probe this critical shift. With a piercing examination of how inequality has been propagated throughout history, from Black imprisonment and the Convict Leasing program to long-standing predatory medical practices to over-policing, the authors highlight the disparities that have long characterized the dangers of being Black in America. They examine the many moderate attempts to counteract these inequalities, from the modern Civil Rights movement to Ferguson, and how the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others pushed compliance with an unjust system to its breaking point. Finally, they outline the momentous changes that have resulted from this movement, while at the same time proposing necessary next steps to move forward.
-Emancipation, Slavery around the world, social justice, racial caste system
Ranging across the Americas, Europe and Africa, Manjapra unearths disturbing truths about the Age of Emancipations, 1780-1880. In Britain, reparations were given to wealthy slaveowners, not the enslaved, a vast debt that was only paid off in 2015, and the crucial role of Black abolitionists and rebellions in bringing an end to slavery has been overlooked. In Jamaica, Black people were liberated only to enter into an apprenticeship period harsher than slavery itself. In the American South, the formerly enslaved were ‘freed’ into a system of white supremacy and racial terror. Across Africa, emancipation served as an alibi for colonization. None of these emancipations involved atonement by the enslavers and their governments for wrongs committed, or reparative justice for the formerly enslaved-an omission that grassroots Black organizers and activists are rightly seeking to address today.
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: A Girl Called Samson
A Girl Called Samson
By: Amy Harmon
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Historical Fiction
Suggested Age: Adult, Teen
What is the book about? Based on a true story, this novel tells the story of Deborah Samson, a young woman born in 1760 whose family was torn apart by poverty and her father’s abandonment. Through her years of indentured servitude, she gains a new family, the Thomases. As the years roll by, the American Revolution draws each of the Thomas’ many sons into the fight. Deborah is left behind, feeling unfulfilled in her domestic life, while the war continues. Deborah, eventually leaves town to enlist in the Continental Army, disguised as a man. What follows is not only a depiction of what lengths Deborah would need to go to in order to hide her gender, but also how she’d need to come to terms with the brutally of 18th century warfare in early America. With the backdrop of war, is it possible for her to maintain the charade? Will she ever see her beloved Thomas brothers again? Will she be discovered? And is it possible that she’ll find love?
My Review: I thought this book was excellent. The audiobook version that I listened to was outstanding. The voice actress was very engaging and was able to convey appropriate emotions for the various scenes throughout the book. I was moved to tears more than once. I’ve heard of women who enlisted disguised as men during the Civil War, but not during the Revolution! This made Deborah’s story much more intriguing…made even more so by being true. She really was a soldier in the Continental Army and was the only woman to be granted an army pension by Congress for service during the American Revolution.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Captivating, Engrossing, Inspiring
Give This a Try if You Like… Masquerade: The Life and Times of Deborah Sampson, Continental Soldier by Alfred F. Young, Revolutionary by Alex Myers, Liar Temptress Soldier Spy by Karen Abbott
Rating: 5/5
FDL Reads: The Collector
The Collector by Daniel Silva
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, library volunteer
Genre: Thriller
Suggested Age: Adult, high school
What is the book about?: In 1990, thirteen masterpieces were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Among the still missing paintings is The Concert by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. When retired spy Gabriel Allon is asked investigate a murder, it seems that The Concert – arguably one of the world’s most valuable paintings – is somehow involved. Gabriel must use his superior sleuthing and espionage skills to help recover The Concert. Soon Gabriel finds himself drawn into a dangerous plot with repercussions that could affect the entire world – far beyond the theft of an invaluable painting.
My Review: I loved this book! It was truly a thriller, with edge-of-the-seat excitement in the form of espionage and chase scenes. The characters were realistic, multi-dimensional people portrayed with integrity, ruthlessness, sadness, joy, and determination, among many other qualities. The global settings – across numerous countries – add to the book’s interest. I especially enjoyed listening to this exciting tale as an audio book! Whether you read this book or listen to it – check it out. You will enjoy it!
Three Words That Describe This Book: Exciting art spy
Give This a Try if You Like… Books by John le Carre or other spy thrillers
Rating: 5/5
Youth Services Highlight: The Takeout
The Takeout by Tracy Badua
Reviewed By: Julie Fonseca, Youth Services Assistant
Genre: Adventure Fantasy (graphic novel)
Suggested Age: Kids (8-12)
Read this if you like: books by Lily Lamotte (Measuring Up), or Tae Keller (Jennifer Chan is Not Alone)
Filipino-American, Mila spends the summer working in her Dad’s food truck in an upscale California beach-front community. When the famous Fad Foodie Brothers come to town with a too-familiar menu, Mila goes undercover to save her family’s business. Unravelling their plot takes place as Mila struggles to find her place amongst her friends and family. As Mila says, “All our stories are different, even if we come from the same place or go to the same schools or share the same ancestors. So why, all this time, have I been struggling to strip away the parts that make me special?.” A fun story with a good message.
#FDL: Contemporary Romance Authors
In the mood for romance? Try one of these authors who set their novels during modern times. These are character-driven stories that typically focus on the emotional growth of the protagonist who finds a new and exciting relationship, not without its challenges.
-Post by Susie Rivera, Adult Services Specialist
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: Katie the Catsitter
Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Superhero fantasy (graphic novel)
Suggested Age: Kids (7-12)
What is This Book About: Katie desperately wants to join her friends at camp this summer, instead of being left behind to read glittery postcards about it. When her mom considers sending her if she can raise the money to attend, Katie immediately starts on fundraising efforts. Unfortunately, all of her attempts end in funny failures so things are looking bleak until Katie’s mysterious upstairs neighbor hires her to pet sit. Katie thinks she might be a bit out of her league when she discovers that Madeline has 217 cats, and once their owner leaves they go berserk. Katie grows suspicious at the cats’ antics as well as Madeline’s behavior. Why is it that Madeline is always out when super villain Mousetress commits her crimes?
My Review: If you ever wanted to believe that your troublesome pets are actually angels, this is a perfect book. I could read biographies of all 217 rambunctious cats and be entertained for ages. I love that they all get names, personalities, and are able to help out Madeline – I mean, Mousetress – with her heroic efforts. This alternate New York City sets up a really interesting society with Yelp-approved super-heroics. Katie and her friends are easy to relate to also. Despite the fantastic nature of Katie the Catsitter, they have normal problems such as struggles with potentially growing apart and wondering if they’re still as important to each other as they used to be. All in all, this is an energetic superhero story with 218 delightful sidekicks.
Three Words that Describe this Book: upbeat, superheroes, friendship
Give This A Try if You Like… The Click series by Kayla Miller, Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol, the Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey, the PAWS series by Nathan Fairbairn, Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, and Sparks! by Ian Boothby
Rating: 5/5