Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Black Dove, White Raven
by Elizabeth Wein
Disney Book Group
March 2015

A well-crafted historical fiction that looks at a time and place seldom noticed:  1930s Ethiopia on the brink of war with Italy.

What's different about this book 
With amazing characterization and plot development, built around the lives of two American aviatrices, one Caucasian and the other African American, author Elizabeth Wein transfixes the reader with the culture and milieu of noble Ethiopia.  Because the reader comes to care about the characters who love Ethiopia, the country itself becomes a primary focus -- and of primary appreciation.  I've seldom read a work of historical fiction that drew me into the setting the way this book did.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book has so many reasons for me to share it with library patrons:  global and African history, international intrigue and politics, strong women protagonists, struggles for civil rights and human dignity, historic spiritual values and treasure, and two completely convincing teens who must fight to come of age, all while supported by non-traditional family and friends whom the reader comes to love.  Great depth.  Important stories.  Vital understanding.

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Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Nightbird
by Alice Hoffman
Wendy Lamb Books
March 2015

Accurately described as for middle grade readers, this story of Twig and how her family heals and coalesces makes for a solid story of finding oneself.

What's different about this book 
The story is set in realistic New England town, but there's a touch of magic in the mix.  Agnes Early was a witch from that town, and somehow she and her true love got separated -- and Twig's family was cursed.  Somehow through all the story telling, the author manages to weave Twig's story and life into an intriguing tapestry.  The latter part of the book sometimes feels put together hodge-podge style, as if certain elements needed to resolve the story weren't thought of until well into the writing.  But the final effect is a satisfying, if not too-perfect, ending for all.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This will be a good book for my middle-grade readers.  There's magic that will appeal to some, aviary science to hook others, and a mystery to solve for everyone.  A family that comes together makes it a happy read as well.

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The Matheny Manifesto

The Matheny Manifesto : A young manager's old-school views on success in sports and life
by Mike Matheny, Jerry B. Jenkins
Crown Archetype
February 2015

Manifesto is a book for baseball aficionados, for business and leadership students, for parenting and coaching learners, and for those who just love a good story.  It's all the more cogent for me as a fairly recent resident of St. Louis.

What's different about this book 
I loved the personal stories that Matheny shared about his life and his career and his baseball experiences.  But I especially loved the clear thread of God's providence in Matheny's story.  This is less a book about Matheny and more about how God interjects himself in the lives of available individuals to establish a clear path of impact and grace.  I'm very grateful that personal anecdotes continued through the book -- there was no portion where the narrative turned didactic.  Instead the personal experiences were concretely tied to the happenings, many of which have made national news and videos.  It's great to hear the "behind the scenes" events.

I also want to acknowledge Jenkins' contribution to the writing process:  He managed to take an enthralling story, surely told conversationally, and make it into as well-written a book as possible.  The writing is acceptable, and the reader still hear's Matheny's voice.  Good job.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 
We are adding multiple copies of this book to all our collections: for adults, for young adults, for baseball fans, for administrative professionals, for Christians.  This book has wide appeal for all kinds of readers, and I love that Matheny's personal Christian witness -loud, clear, and strong without overpowering- will present a strong testimony into the lives of all those kinds of readers.  Great stuff.

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An intriguing but not-pleasant read

Remaking the John: The Invention and Reinvention of the Toilet
by Francesca Davis Dipiazza
21st Century Books
August 2014

What a great and intriguing examination of the history of the ---  (substitute here any of the common and also amazing names this invention goes by).  For something we see every day, the toilet is a complex story of need, invention, re-invention, and implementation.

What's different about this book 
Dipiazza does an excellent job explaining something that we don't think about:  We just depend on it.  So much of this information seriously causes the reader to think about how life used to look, how it reached the level of technology we have today -- and how primitive our current actualization of a toilet still is.  The concluding discussion of where the 21st century needs to go in developing the toilet in an eco-friendly way is also interesting.

Just don't try to read it (as I did) during your lunch time.  The narration is very real.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This book is now in my young adult library collections, and the cover display has received some reader interest.  I think it will catch some reluctant readers who might be immune to some of the slicker fiction covers.

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