Unequal plus Seen and Unseen

UNEQUAL by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau is subtitled “A Story of America” and it deals with racial injustice through the stories of over two dozen individuals. Dyson, a Georgetown University sociology professor and award-winning author, and Favreau, who has also written several commended books, have collaborated to produce a text which is geared to teens. Our students will recognize many of the people and actions which are profiled; examples include Ida B. Wells, Michelle Alexander (The New Jim Crow), and Malcolm X.  And, I have a student working on a project about John Carlos and Tommie Smith right now. Other names (Susan Moore, Catherine Flowers, Fannie Lou Hamer) may be less familiar, but several students have been researching discrimination in health care, environmental racism, and voting rights which are all issues addressed in this informative text. Each section begins with a short vignette and photo, followed by a more in-depth review of resistance to inequality. Sadly, Dyson and Favreau felt it necessary to begin by saying, “This is a book of truth. So we’ll start by telling you the stone-cold fact that there are many people who do not want you to read it. … Some will undoubtedly try to ban this book.” That does seem to be a pattern in the early online reader reviews even though UNEQUAL received starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. It contains an impressive list of other suggested readings and source notes and will soon be available for our student researchers and their teachers.

SEEN AND UNSEEN by Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster is a fascinating look at “Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice.” These two dynamic authors are respected intellectuals who have both taught at Temple University. In this text, they reflect upon the ways in which smartphones, video, and its quick dissemination on the internet have impacted our collective reactions to cases like those of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Christian Cooper (Central Park bird-watching incident). They truly stress the broader history of communications – the role of photography and television during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, for example. They also discuss John Filo’s famous photo of May Ann Vecchio kneeling in horror after National Guard violence at Kent State in May 1970.  We know this image, but don’t have ready references for similar violence occurring within that month at historically Black institutions of Jackson State and South Carolina State.  Similarly, they comment on contrasts between coverage and reactions to events in Selma, Little Rock, and more recently, Charlottesville. SEEN AND UNSEEN assumes a fairly broad knowledge of American History – which our students are just developing. However, the text contains copious endnotes and sources and could possibly function as a starting point for discussion, contrasting past and contemporary activities.

Message Not Found by Dante Medema

MESSAGE NOT FOUND by Dante Medema is a newer young adult novel which cleverly combines a mystery with themes of grief and friendship. Alaskan high school student Vanessa dies in a road accident one night; she is not where she is supposed to be and her best friend, Bailey, and boyfriend, Mason, feel guilt and remorse while struggling for closure. Bailey is a computer whiz and adapts a prototype app so that she can communicate with “V” who responds to texts based on old emails, messages and texts that Vanessa wrote – simultaneously spooky and fascinating, particularly because Medema deepens V’s voice and “character” as more inputs are added to the app. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the short chapters and text passages. The story’s subtitle could be a version of “ignorance is bliss” because Bailey discovers some shocking news about Vanessa and their friend group. The emotions associated with loss and heartache are raw and realistically conveyed. MESSAGE NOT FOUND will definitely appeal to fans of E. Lockhart (We Were Liars), Karen M. McManus (The Cousins and others), and Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Lies Like Wildfire).

Marrying the Ketchups by Jennifer Close

MARRYING THE KETCHUPS by Jennifer Close is a fun story about a restaurant family who live in the Chicago area. Frequent references to Oak Park and Lake Forest, plus the 2016 election add local connection and some amusement. Close begins the story in 2016 with the “unfamiliar experience of watching the Cubs in October” at Sullivan’s, founded decades ago by Bud and Rose. The majority of the action centers around their adult grandchildren: Gretchen, just moved back from NYC after quitting her band; Jane, mother to Lauren and Owen and struggling to find herself as she contemplates divorce; Teddy, feeling disrespected despite his restaurant experience and unhappy with his relationship with ex-lover Walter; and Riley, Teddy’s much younger half-sister who supplies some typical teenage angst. All in all, a pretty dysfunctional group and that makes for tension, but the best part is near the end when each manages to start fresh. Perhaps we will see a sequel soon? Full of realistic, relatable characters, MARRYING THE KETCHUPS received a starred review from Booklist.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus is the first title on the April 2022 LibraryReads list. Set primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, this debut novel examines the challenges faced by Elizabeth Zott, a young chemist hoping to pursue her own research and a PhD. However, she faces sexual assault plus ongoing discrimination, both obvious and subtle. Garmus’ writing prompted a range of emotions, including anger at Zott’s situation and disgust directed at several of her dishonest, plagiarizing colleagues. Elizabeth gradually learns to accept support from a lonely neighbor, her TV show’s producer, a rowing coach, and an ever-loyal dog named Six-Thirty. As the story continues and Zott’s circumstances change, there is plenty of humor and amusement due to Garmus’ clever satire. Elizabeth, raising a child born out of wedlock and anxious about paying bills, becomes the star of a cooking show, but remains true to her love of chemistry and belief in the strength of women. Her impromptu, encouraging talks to the audience are wonderful. LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY received a starred review from Kirkus.

Drawing on Courage by Ashish Goel

DRAWING ON COURAGE by Ashish Goel is part of a series produced in conjunction by Stanford d.school.  This title deals with “Risks Worth Taking and Stands Worth Making.” I was happily surprised to see a teacher reading this as preparation for work that we are doing on a new Innovation Hub at school. Goel, a designer, entrepreneur, and former teaching fellow, begins with the difference between epic and everyday courage and then explains the four potential “stops” of every courage journey: fear, values, action, and change. Goel offers suggested exercises (e.g., design a mantra or slogan) and says, “Courage is when you use your wisdom to know what matters to you and you use your bravery to act in spite of the risks.” Imagine how interesting it would be to work through this text with a small group of colleagues. DRAWING ON COURAGE is a relatively quick read, full of comic drawings, and helpful in terms of motivation, risk-taking, and re-framing. Related texts include Creative Acts for Curious People and Taking Charge of Change.