A refreshingly down-to-earth exploration of trauma and healing.
A look at people—and animals—who parlayed obstacles into growth.
Incorporating candid anecdotes of his own traumas, Reynolds explains that everyone has physical or emotional scars, but these painful experiences can be catalysts of positive change for oneself and others. Importantly, he acknowledges myriad sources of emotional trauma, including mental illness, racism, and both experiencing and witnessing abuse. Profiles of 60 diverse contemporary and historical figures from around the world illustrate his point. Subjects include enslaved American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who sustained a head injury that left her with chronic pain and seizures; nonbinary singer Demi Lovato, who struggled with drug addiction; Ugandan activist Hanifa Nakiryowa, whose face was disfigured in an acid attack; and Winter, a dolphin whose prosthetic tail inspired humans with disabilities. The author encourages readers to reframe their own scars as sources of strength, emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support during this difficult process. He avoids comparing struggles or triumphs, reassuring readers that their experiences matter and that no step toward healing is too small. Sidebars define terms and further discuss such concepts as recognizing injustice and supporting others. Though the focus is uneven (30 subjects receive individual chapters, while single-paragraph snapshots introduce the remaining 30), the wealth of experiences represented and the author’s conversational, compassionate tone will reassure readers coping with their own challenges that they are not alone.
A refreshingly down-to-earth exploration of trauma and healing. (resources, films and books, discussion questions) (Nonfiction. 9-14)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-58270-847-8
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Beyond Words/Aladdin
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats.
Why should grown-ups get all the historical, scientific, athletic, cinematic, and artistic glory?
Choosing exemplars from both past and present, Mitchell includes but goes well beyond Alexander the Great, Anne Frank, and like usual suspects to introduce a host of lesser-known luminaries. These include Shapur II, who was formally crowned king of Persia before he was born, Indian dancer/professional architect Sheila Sri Prakash, transgender spokesperson Jazz Jennings, inventor Param Jaggi, and an international host of other teen or preteen activists and prodigies. The individual portraits range from one paragraph to several pages in length, and they are interspersed with group tributes to, for instance, the Nazi-resisting “Swingkinder,” the striking New York City newsboys, and the marchers of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Mitchell even offers would-be villains a role model in Elagabalus, “boy emperor of Rome,” though she notes that he, at least, came to an awful end: “Then, then! They dumped his remains in the Tiber River, to be nommed by fish for all eternity.” The entries are arranged in no evident order, and though the backmatter includes multiple booklists, a personality quiz, a glossary, and even a quick Braille primer (with Braille jokes to decode), there is no index. Still, for readers whose fires need lighting, there’s motivational kindling on nearly every page.
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats. (finished illustrations not seen) (Collective biography. 10-13)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-14-751813-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Puffin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself.
Middle school drama hits hard in this coming-of-age graphic memoir.
Natural competitor Misty has faced off against the boys for years, always coming out on top, but now they’re moving on without her into the land of full-contact football. Never one to back away from a challenge, Misty resolves to join the team and convinces her best friend, Bree, to join her. While Misty pours herself into practicing, obviously uninterested Bree—who was motivated more by getting to be around boys than doing sports—drifts toward popular queen bee Ava, creating an uneasy dynamic. Feeling estranged from Bree, Misty, who typically doesn’t think much about her appearance, tries to navigate seventh grade—even experimenting with a more traditionally feminine gender expression—while also mastering her newfound talent for tackling and facing hostility from some boys on the team. Readers with uncommon interests will relate to the theme of being the odd one out. Social exclusion and cutting remarks can be traumatic, so it’s therapeutic to see Misty begin to embrace her differences instead of trying to fit in with frenemies who don’t value her. The illustrations are alive with color and rich emotional details, pairing perfectly with the heartfelt storytelling. The husband-and-wife duo’s combined efforts will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Main characters present as White; some background characters read as Black.
A sincere, genuine, and uplifting book that affirms the importance of being true to yourself. (Graphic memoir. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-06-306469-0
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
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