Women's History Month - Recommended Reads

In honor of Women's History Month, the Winter Park Library's Teen Book Guild read multiple novels that represent women of various time periods, cultures, and ages. The stories chosen below do not only educate about different historical events; rather, they also allow readers to grasp how individuals might have felt in those times, bringing a more personal connection to those historical circumstances for readers. The humor, seriousness, strength, adventures, and persistence of these women will not disappoint.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys was NOT a good book. It was a GREAT book! Not only did it have courageous characters and a fascinating, climax-building plot, it also told an untold, almost forgotten part of history that everyone should know! I truly feel that it is our duty to remember all the courageous people that were murdered and persecuted by the Soviet Union. There is no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month then by reading this novel, an incredible story of a young girl experiencing some of the worst circumstances, but still overcoming!

In The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Jo Kuan is a young Chinese girl in the late 1800s. Her and her adoptive father are one of the few Chinese citizens in Atlanta, as they live in a predominantly wealthy white neighborhood. To get by in life, she began working as a maid for one of the wealthiest men in town during the day, and after being mistreated by her employer, she decided to start a new column called Dear Miss Sweetie in her local newspaper to write about the serious issues that no one wants to talk about. Jo Kuan is a vibrant, courageous, and hardworking young woman who has a powerful message and story to share about women's leadership and perseverance through injustices and problems in our society, which is exactly what Women's History Month it’s all about.

 

Set in 1906, Jennifer Donnelly's A Northern Light tells the fictional story of Mattie Gokey, a young woman who aspires to become a writer. Even though those dreams seem impossible for Mattie to accomplish, she continues to use words as a way to learn, escape, and express herself. Additionally, Jennifer Donnelly’s novel weaves in the legitimate murder of Grace Brown, described through Mattie’s eyes. In reading Grace’s letters, Mattie discovers how to regain her voice and go after what she wants despite her fears. This book is a perfect read for Women’s History Month, providing the reader with a tale of history, mystery, and perseverance.

Julie Berry’s novel, The Passion of Dolssa, is a historical, religious,  and romance novel that takes place during Medieval Europe in the country of France. In 1241, Dolssa is a young and mature woman who is part of the upper class family that has a mysterious gift that was naturally given to her. Having a title as a non-believer, she flees from a friar condemned her mother to death by fire and wants Dolssa to face the same consequences. Botille, a marriage broker, has a difficult time keeping herself and her younger sisters safe in a small seaside town of Bajas. Botille runs into Dolssa as she is falling ill and hides her in a local shelter from the friar. Both Botille and Dolssa develop a close friendship when Botille brings Dolssa back to normal as Bajas is being attacked. The Passion of Dolssa is a wonderful read for Women's History Month as it shows that two young girls have each other and increases womanhood with friendship, love, and service.

Stacey Lee’s enchanting Under a Painted Sky centers on one of the lesser-known areas of American history--the stories of the Chinese immigrants in the 1800s and their descendants. In 1849 Missouri, Samantha Young suffers an unspeakable tragedy which turns into a crime that sends her racing for California with the help of a runaway slave named Annamae. While life on the Oregon Trail is rough, the two girls forge a powerful bond of friendship as they struggle to survive undetected and search for missing keys to their pasts-unfortunately, the law is closing in fast and they are running out of time and hiding places. This book is a gem in a minefield. A true tribute to Women's History Month, it is smart, adventurous, and a celebration of the strength of women.

Our take on Printz

 Written by Hope M., Lauren M., and Lisa W.

Each year, the American Library Association "honors the best best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit." Sometimes these books really resonate with teen readers (like Looking For Alaska) and other times they are head-scratchers that don't really appeal to your average teen. We take a look at this year's Printz winner and honor books and share our own thoughts on their merits.

2021 Winner
Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri depicts the life of the author and narrator throughout his childhood. In one book, Nayeri weaves together a tale of facts and feelings, struggles and strength, fiction and nonfiction, and so much wisdom. While reading, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me. Furthermore, his personal questions and thoughts caused me to reflect in ways I haven't before. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel. On a grading scale of A-F, Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) gets an A+ from me!

-Hope

2021 Honor Books

Apple (Skin To The Core) by Eric Gansworth is a memoir depicting the author's life growing up in the Onodaga Tribe in America. Written in verse, Gansworth uses his experiences (and a few Beatles references) to empower Native Americans and help them embrace their identities. Honestly this book was slightly confusing, especially at the beginning; I've read many books written in verse before, however the format of each line had me wondering whether I was reading the book itself or a strange (and long) prologue. Nevertheless, I do feel as if the book allowed me to fully comprehend the horrors that most Native Americans had to endure. If I were to grade Gansworth's work, I would give it a B.

- Lisa

In Dragon Hoops, Gene Luen Yang's newest graphic novel, we dive deep into Bishop O'Dowd High School's basketball team as they make their way through the 2014-15 season with hopes of finally winning the State Championships. Striking and thought-provoking, Dragon Hoops introduces readers to the members of the team and explores the principles and mannerisms that make a winning team that go far deeper than drills and practice--principles the apply to every area of life. An A on the grading scale of A-F, Yang's latest will have readers cheering the Dragons on throughout. 

-Lauren

Every Body Looking by Candace Iloh portrays the life of Ada, a young woman who struggles to find her identity and take control of her own destiny. The novel goes back and forth between her present and her past, illustrating the difficult circumstances Ada has experienced from her childhood up to her life at college.Many mature themes are presented in the story, and the author's unique writing style allowed me to empathize with the character's trials. Despite this, I didn't really enjoy it. For this reason, I would give this book a D.

-Hope

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee World War II is a subject that is approached frequently by authors, however Traci Chee finds an innovative and enlightening way to utilize that topic to introduce another part of history that is, sadly, not as well known. We Are Not Free is a passionate and heart-wrenching story about 14 Japanese-American teenagers whose lives are uprooted when they are placed in incarceration camps during World War II. I recommend this book, not because it was an enjoyable read, but because the abuse and racism that Japanese-Americans had to face should not be an obscure part of history. The only negative comment that I have for We Are Not Free is that 14 different points-of-view are a bit difficult to tolerate, seeing as every time the reader begins to sympathize with the character, the POV is switched to someone else’s. Ergo, I wasn’t able to connect to any of them. I would give this book an A-.

-Lisa

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Reviewed by Kana C.
Grade 11

Audrey Rose is not your typical 1800s woman. She was born into a life of wealth and privilege. But other than attending tea parties and other typical events that ladies do, Audrey studies the gruesome art of forensic medicine.

When a string of brutally murdered corpses continue to show up in her uncle’s lab, Audrey gets drawn into the investigation. As she follows the clues, they bring her closer to her sheltered world. Audrey Rose is the girl who loved Jack the Ripper.

This book was amazing, with so many twists that I never saw coming. Kerri Maniscalco really brought the story to life with her amazing and very descriptive writing. Once I got into the story I couldn’t put the book down. Stalking Jack the Ripper is not for the faint hearted, Kerri Maniscalco goes deep into her explanations of the dead bodies and the forensic medicine process.

If you like a girl determined to be pretty, smart, and fierce and a witty, sarcastic, caring British boy involved in one gruesome mystery, mixed with a little bit (ok maybe a lot) of secrets, then Stalking Jack the Ripper is perfect for you. Maybe you can figure out who Jack the Ripper is before Audrey can. This is the story of the girl who loved the Ripper.

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

Stacey Lee’s Under a Painted Sky is an enchanting tale of daring and adventure in the Old West. Heartwarming, engaging, and amusing, it follows a young Chinese- American as she struggles for freedom and equality, and is a true tribute to the strength of women.

Samantha Young lives with her father in 1849 Missouri. After a horrific tragedy leads to a shocking crime, she bands together with a runaway slave named Annamae and they set out on the Oregon Trail for California. As they each search for the missing ties to their pasts, they find unexpected allies in a band of cowboys. But with bounty hunters and the law closing in, how long will they be able to keep up their lies?

I loved this book. The worldbuilding was as realistic and believable as the plot. I also found the story to be immersive and compelling, and even in parts challenging to society’s long-held beliefs about equality and race. Samantha was realistic--since she’s so young, she struggles through the usual teenage dramas albeit with unfortunate doses of danger and tragedy mingled in with them. Nevertheless, through it all she was strong and had the benefit of a supportive community, namely her friends. Said friends were also firmly developed, especially Annamae, who was as loyal as she was incredibly spirited. Although I would have liked to see/know more about the Old West, there was just enough information to keep the reader happy.

I would absolutely recommend this book. It is humorous, adventurous, and a very fun story. If anyone likes a historical western, this is definitely for them. A natural reading choice for Women’s History Month, Under a Painted Sky receives a 5 out of 5 star rating.

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

In Tashie Bhuiyan’s upcoming novel Counting Down with You (to be released in May 2021), a teenage girl battles anxiety and severe familial expectations. Although the story itself was interesting and the plot had potential, I found it to be incohesive and simply too long.

Karina Ahmed is a sixteen year old Bangladeshi-Muslim American who is gravely afraid of disappointing her parents. Although she is proud to be a Muslim and embraces it, she believes her family is too conservative. When her parents fly to Bangladesh for a month, she is afforded a bit of freedom. But when she is roped into tutoring Ace Clyde (a boy with a questionable reputation), she begins to wonder if she is crossing too many lines--especially when they start pretending to date. But as she counts down the days until her parents’ return, a new thought grows more powerful in her heart: What does she want? Dare she even fight for it?

The story was interesting--it provided a chance to peek into a world and culture not portrayed in mainstream media. Likewise the plot held just enough to interest, but unfortunately, that flicker was all there was to it. Bhuiyan is a great writer, but she had Karina’s thoughts flying in all directions.

Chunks of text could have been cut out, and it would still be cohesive--more so, even. However, the biggest issue was neither the story nor the plot but the characters, specifically Karina. I appreciated the diversity, but I found myself disliking her--she seemed very rigid and even mean at times, especially to people who only showed her kindness, like Ace. While I understand that her family was extremely burdensome and her anxiety amplified her problems, that does not excuse much of her behavior. She often complained, told people they did not understand, and then had to be forced to communicate her grievances in a way that inspired change. Another thing I did not appreciate was the way her anxiety was written; it was not painted in a very educational or hopeful light and was not true to reality in many ways.

While promising, Counting Down with You disappointed me. It simply lacked the character development and action it needed. I would rate this as a two out of five stars.

Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade 9

While Sarah Dass’s debut novel Where the Rhythm Takes You was not the best YA book I’ve read, it definitely was not the worst. It is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and if you’re looking for the similarities you can find many.

Taking place in Tobago, the novel began with Reyna, a seventeen-year-old girl trying to run her late mother’s hotel almost completely by herself. Then, like every other romance, her ex-boyfriend, Aiden, shows up with his bandmates and two women, one of which may or may not be his new girlfriend. Awkwardly, Reyna and Aiden decide to avoid each other, but since he’s staying at HER HOTEL…..well let’s just say that doesn’t happen. Aiden’s friends actually ask Reyna’s father for her to be their guide around Tobago. Her dad, who is completely ignorant of the romance once between Aiden and Reyna, agrees, wanting to give Reyna a fun vacation. By fate (or maybe just good luck), Aiden and Reyna are always thrown together, and Reyna finds herself falling in love again or maybe she just never stopped. Unselfishly, she is willing to sacrifice her dreams and happiness to live out her mom’s plans for her life. Worried about the hotel and her feelings with Aiden, Reyna feels the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Showing the experience of loss, love, and hope, this novel was definitely an interesting read. However, I found it hard to buy into the “never stopped loving you” fluff, especially since Aiden was hooking up with another girl during the time spent apart. Personally, I think if someone really loves somebody, they’re going to be loyal to that person, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion I guess. Overall, I thought the novel was a pretty generic YA romance, though it was unique that the setting was in the Caribbean. The writing was well done; therefore the cheesiness of the romance was forgivable. Ultimately, I think Sarah Dass is a good author and I look forward to reading more novels by her.

While it has romance novel stereotypes, it also has an originality that’s hard to pinpoint. This book was not a bad time-killer. I would not recommend this book to someone who does not like romance, but if you do, give it a try.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade  9

Between Shades of Gray was NOT a good book. It was a GREAT book! Not only did it have courageous characters and a fascinating, climax-building plot, it also told an untold, almost forgotten part of history that everyone should know!  

The story is about a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl named Lina and her family during Stalin’s “cleansing” of the Baltic region. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the Soviet soldiers stormed into Lina’s home and took her and her mother and brother captive. Her father was separated from her family and early on in the story Lina is determined to draw messages through her art, in hopes that her father will see and understand them. However, the harshness and toil the Soviets put her through forced Lina to grow up quickly. The Soviets treat Lina, and other Lithuanians, like animals.

FIVE out of FIVE! From the moment I picked the novel to the time I put it down, this book had an incredible storyline, and every page was a page-turner. Ruta Sepetys, the author, showed amazing talent, and the writing was well-done. The build of the plotline was outstanding. I also felt that the atrocities committed by the Soviet Union are not as known by the younger generation in today’s society. So by reading this book, you will not only read an excellent, well-written story, but you will also learn a part of history.

Between Shades of Gray was an amazing novel and I highly recommend it. I truly feel that it is our duty to remember all the courageous people that were murdered and persecuted by the Soviet Union. READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it!

Accidental by Alex Richards

Reviewed by Natalie M.
Grade 9

Have you ever made a mistake that you find difficult to forgive yourself for? Are you up to date on the gun violence issues in America? Have you experienced a period of time where your mental health just isn’t where it should be? These are all things Johanna Carlson must deal with in this heart-wrenching, and strong-willed novel Accidental by Alex Richards (coming soon to WPPL!). This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotions and make you really feel for the characters.

Johanna Carlson is a 16-year-old girl in Nevada who has lived with her grandparents ever since her mom died in a car accident when she was two. She enjoys hanging with her two best friends, Leah and Gabby, sewing clothing and listening to old music. Her life is very normal. It was, that is, until her father who she hasn’t seen in over 13 years and she doesn’t even really remember, suddenly makes contact with her. During only their second meeting, he drops a bombshell on her that she could have never prepared for. He reveals that her mother had in fact not been in a car accident, but she had been shot by two-year-old Johanna. Upon learning this information, Johanna’s life is turned upside down as she has to learn to live with herself after what she has done.

The plot of the book rotated between heavy, awkward, and intriguing for a majority of the time with some light humor and jokes sprinkled in. The heaviness is present in a lot of the book as Johanna deals with the fact that she killed her mother and that no one really knows how she feels. You have to read through her panic attacks, which the author describes amazingly, and Johanna having difficulty forgiving herself. It can be awkward when she is yelling at someone or at one point when she gets a little tipsy and starts talking to strangers about how she shot her mom. It gets intriguing when she starts talking to a new boy she has met at school and when she confronts her grandparents with questions about her mother, who they refuse to speak about. There are also light little jokes sprinkled throughout the novel, and nice moments where Johanna and her friends are just being regular high schoolers. Overall, I enjoyed the plot besides a few awkward encounters. I thought it was well written and that the side characters were very relatable.

Overall I give this book a four out five stars, and would definitely recommend it to a friend. I really enjoyed how relatable Johanna’s friends are, because they have difficulty being able to cheer her up and don’t always know what to say. It loses a point due to the fact that I found Johanna very annoying at some points. I understand that she was going through a lot, but she unfairly took her anger out on a lot of people who did not deserve it. However I still think this book is a great read, and also it brings awareness to the gun violence issues in America.

Everything Sad is Untrue (a True Story) by Daniel Nayeri

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story) is a novel describing the childhood of author and narrator Daniel (Khosrou) Nayeri. Usually, I don’t read many autobiographical books for fun, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. The narrative is powerful and raw, filled with wisdom and lessons for everyone.

Daniel is a refugee from Iran, attempting to share his story with his fellow students in Mrs. Miller’s class. Despite the fact that many call him a liar, he digs deep into his memories to communicate thoughts and feelings of his past not only with his classmates but also with the reader. Daniel describes tales about his ancestors, family, friends, and stepfather, and all the ways these people have influenced his life. Additionally, he imparts knowledge about Persian culture and the persecutions his family faced in traveling to a new country, as well as struggles that occurred before and after emigration. Ultimately, the author creates a tale of both fiction and nonfiction, recalling his memories as best he can.

I absolutely loved this story. Nayeri’s style of writing was so different from what I typically read as the book wasn’t really written in chronological order. Instead, the narrator jumped around from one memory of his life to another, making it more genuine and relatable to me because I believe that’s how we as human beings tend to think: more jumbled than organized. The author also introduced many thought-provoking circumstances and questions that caused me to muse in ways I haven’t before. For example, he asks, “And what if, like a rug, [memories] are flawed? Memories are just stories we tell ourselves, after all. What if we are telling ourselves lies?” (Nayeri 349). The whole book was full of perspectives like this. 

Furthermore, I loved the strength that his mother had. Daniel portrays her as tough, not because she is unbreakable but because she is unstoppable. Even though she was persecuted, she did not take on a victim mentality; rather, she persevered in faith because that was the right thing to do, regardless of any consequences that could occur. In my opinion, the author used humor, sadness, insight, and hope to construct a masterpiece.

Being a true story, I know it will offer people awareness about immigration, survival, and religious persecution. There are other deep topics introduced in the book, like physical abuse, that are hard to read, but they certainly add to the authenticity of the novel. I think this story has a lot of heart and wisdom that many will enjoy, so I highly recommend giving Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story) a shot. You won't regret it!

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

When most people think of basketball, an image of a basketball, a hoop, and a few star athletes come to mind and that is all. Perhaps some remember a game, and perhaps some remember a name or two. I used to fall into the first group, imagining a non-descript game, usually just a photograph from CNN, and that is all. However, Gene Luen Yang’s newest graphic novel, Dragon Hoops, has completely turned my thinking. Basketball, as it should turn out, is about less than sport and technique and more about teamwork, sacrifice, and commitment.

In the fall of 2014, Gene Yang was at an impasse. He had finished his latest graphic novel and felt the gap in his life. Searching for a new story, he found himself intrigued by all the talk going around his workplace (Bishop O’Dowd High School) about the upcoming basketball season. A hater of sports, he rejected the idea, but soon found himself standing outside Coach Lou Richie’s office, and later, following the team from one game to the next throughout the 2014-15 season as they aimed to finally win the California State Championships after decades of defeat.

Dragon Hoops is structured around the games and the players. Each chapter covers one of the games, a select star member of the team (Bishop O’Dowd Dragons) during that season, their head coach, and their former head coach, with a history of basketball in each non-game chapter. Although character development is minimal and focuses solely on the star players and two coaches, backstories are given along with court dynamics which help the reader understand relationships between the players and coaches. A winning team is not just the players but the attitudes they have towards the game and their teammates--they sacrificed for each other, and encouraged each other until they became one strong organism hurtling toward victory, some having to sacrifice valuable floor time so the others can shine. Something I found especially striking was the dedication they had to their sport--one even leaving his family in a different country to come play and build his skills. Each came with an open mind, and each tried his best to make the highest contribution he could make to his team, and that spirit is what makes basketball such a great sport so that, win or lose, the team would forever be marked by the dedication they put into their craft, taking those invaluable life skills into the rest of their lives.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone who is curious about basketball. Although I would have liked to see the perspectives of all the team members, there was enough characterization to keep me happy. It is a graphic novel, so it is mostly pictures and even though it is a thick book, it is a relatively quick read, with Yang’s writing style being easy to follow. All in all, I would give Dragon Hoops a four out of five-star rating.