Geo Librarian

ABLAZE WITH COLOR: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Loveis Wise Harper, 2022 ISBN: 978-0-06-302189-1 Source: Blue Slip Media for review (Thanks!) Ages 6-10 All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book summary & book cover obtained through Goodreads.com & publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas. Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art. As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington...

30,000 STITCHES The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag written by Amanda Davis, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport WorthyKids, 2021 ISBN: 978-1-5460-1369-3 Ages 8 and up Source: purchased All opinions expressed are solely my own. REVIEW 30,000 Stitches  stunningly portrays the story of the large flag that was hung from one of the damaged buildings after the tragedy of 9/11 occurred.  Readers follow the flag after it is taken down to be retired but ends up traveling the country being repaired using other damaged flags.  The flag was taken to each of the 50 states where it was worked on by select individuals and honored at each location.  Many people participated in reconstructing the flag including families, firefighters, veterans, teachers, and students.  Stories of courage and strength were told at each of the 50 ceremonies that were held.  The flag made it's way back to New York where it currently resides at the National September 11 Memorial & ...

HOW I RESIST Activism and Hope for a New Generation Edited by Maureen Johnson Wednesday Books, 2018 ISBN: 978-1-250-16836-8 Source: public library Ages 14 and up All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK An all-star collection of essays about activism and hope, edited by bestselling YA author Maureen Johnson. Now, more than ever, young people are motivated to make a difference in a world they're bound to inherit. They're ready to stand up and be heard - but with much to shout about, where they do they begin? What can I do? How can I help? How I Resist is the response, and a way to start the conversation. To show readers that they are not helpless, and that anyone can be the change. A collection of essays, songs, illustrations, and interviews about activism and hope, How I Resist features an all-star group of contributors, including, John Paul Brammer, Libba Bray, Lauren Duca, Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his husband...

THE RED BICYCLE: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle written by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Simone Shin Kids Can Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77-138-023-2 Picture book nonfiction Source: eARC from NetGalley All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In this unique nonfiction picture book, the main character is a bicycle that starts its life like so many bicycles in North America, being owned and ridden by a young boy. The boy, Leo, treasures his bicycle so much he gives it a name -- Big Red. But eventually Leo outgrows Big Red, and this is where the bicycle's story takes a turn from the everyday, because Leo decides to donate it to an organization that ships bicycles to Africa. Big Red is sent to Burkina Faso, in West Africa, where it finds a home with Alisetta, who uses it to gain quicker access to her family's sorghum field and to the market. Then, over time, it finds its way to a young woman named Haridata, who has a new purpose for ...

THE WISDOM OF MERLIN 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life by T.A. Barron Philomel Books, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-399-17325-7 Ages 8 and up Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK A book of advice from Merlin, the greatest wizard of all time Based on an address he gave to students at the University of Oxford in 2013, T.A. Barron, author of the New York Times  bestselling Merlin Saga, channels the wizard Merlin and offers advice on how to live a meaningful life. Divided into sections, each revolving around a magical word, this book poetically explores the concepts of Gratitude, Courage, Knowledge, Belief, Wonder, Generosity, Hope, and Love. A gem of inspiration, this is the perfect graduation gift, sure to encourage readers of all ages to live life to the fullest. REVIEW This is a thought-provoking little book told in Merlin's voice.  Here we learn the power of gratitude, courage, knowledge, belief, wonder, ...

EMMANUEL'S DREAM The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls schwartz & wade books, 2015 ISBN: 978-0-449-81744-5 Picture Book Source: publisher for review All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story—which was turned into a film, Emmanuel's Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—is nothing short of remarkable.  Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.  Thompson's lyrical prose and Qualls's bold...

GOD DOESN'T WRITE WITH A PEN A True Story of Undaunted Faith and Mighty Miracles by Christi Lynn Pauline Cedar Fort, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4621-1173-2 Inspirational Nonfiction Review copy  provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, is war-torn and chaotic after the election of 1994. Joao Bernardo Vierra is elected president in spite of fierce opposition, magnifying the already tense political situation. As war ravages the country, pharmacy owner, Blema Fangamou and his wife, Fatoumatou, are separated from their children. For over twelve years, the couple is tested and tried with hardships, all the while wondering whether their children are alive. Through the Lord, Blema and Fatoumatou are strengthened, helping them to maintain love and hope. This true story of the Fangamou family’s journey through loss, recovery, and miracles helps us recognize the tender mercies given to ...

MAKE IT HAPPEN: A GUIDE TO HAPPINESS FOR LDS SINGLES by Kylee Shields Walnut Springs Press, 2012 ISBN: 9781599928708 Inspirational Nonfiction ABOUT THE BOOK Do you know what it means to be a kigatsuku person? Are you currently in a “hurricane” relationship or a “bridge” relationship? Do you know what it takes to be “righteous in the dark”? Have you struggled to find your place in the world as an LDS single? Do you feel like a misfit or a menace—like a circle trying to fit into a square?   If so, you’re not alone. It used to be an anomaly to be twenty-one and single in the LDS culture, but now there are entire stakes filled with single adults. In this book, author Kylee Shields explains how you can make the most of your single life, even if your current situation isn’t what you expected. Make It Happen is a collection of principles, blog entries, stories, and conversations had on couches, floors, kitchen tables, and at many single...