Feather

Feather
Author: Remi Courgeon
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reviewer: Denise Z.

I was very impressed by this picture book by Remi Courgeon. It’s about a young girl who is the only female in her family. She has to defend herself from her brothers and balance her softer side with her rougher side. She is tired of her family calling her Feather and takes up boxing, while still playing the piano.

This book is probably better for slightly older kids to get the message and because of its length. This book had to be translated from French and the French style is definitely displayed in its storytelling and illustrations.

I love the simplistic messages of female strength, the dynamic of her being the only girl in her family and how she relates to her brothers, and how certain chores, hobbies, and characteristics aren’t gender specific.

This is a perfect book for any strong, young girl, a sister among brothers, and for sending the message that girls can do anything boys can do!

Some of my favorite quotes are “Feather’s killer left gave her confidence” and “Feather, to build herself up before each match, recited the names of women who had bravely made a place for themselves in the world: Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Nellie Bly, Anna Lee Fisher, Sally Ride…She always ended with Nina Simone, because she had played the piano, too.”

One Half from the East

One Half from the East
Author: Nadia Hashimi
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Sue

Summary: This Caudill 2019 book is about a 10 year old girl living in Kabul.  After Obayda’s father loses his leg in a bomb explosion they are forced to move back to his small village.  With 3 older sister who must abide by the Afgan customs for women, it is decided that Obayda will become Obayd, a bacha posh.  Life is very different as a young boy!  He dresses in shirts and pants, has no chores, can stay out until after dark, plays sports, gets more food to eat and has many more freedoms that girls and women are now allowed.  But he cannot stay a bacha posh forever. 

Review: While dealing with some tough topics, this is a very captivating book.  I found it hard to put down.  I would definitely recommend this book!

Kindred Spirit: A Biography of L.M. Montgomery, Creator of Anne of Green Gables

 

Kindred Spirit: A Biography of L.M. Montgomery Creator of Anne of Green Gables

Author: Catherine M. Andronik

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Denise Z. 

Summary: Kindred Spirit  is a biography on L.M. Montgomery, who is the author of the popular Anne of Green Gables series.

Review: I really enjoyed learning more about L.M. Montgomery from this excellent biography. I have read the Anne of Green Gables series when I was a child, and Montgomery’s style of writing and simplistic setting of Green Gables always had me longing for an adventurous life such as Anne Shirley’s. Catherine Andronik’s biography shows exactly how Montgomery formed Anne into a familiar character that a lot of girls can relate to and inspire to be. It becomes clear how Montgomery used her life experiences to make the series so many love. I especially enjoyed reading about Montgomery’s start as a writer and how some of the funny circumstances we think of that happened in Green Gables actually happened to her in real life. It was also interesting to see the similarities between the author and the character she created. Anyone who wants to learn more about the author of Anne of Green Gables and of how these stories came to be, this book is for you.