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
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things.
A 1989 summer trip to Europe changes Caldecott Medal winner Santat’s life in this graphic memoir.
Young Dan hasn’t experienced much beyond the small Southern California town he grew up in. He stays out of trouble, helps his parents, and tries to go unnoticed in middle school. That plan gets thwarted when he is made to recite poetry at a school assembly and is humiliated by his peers. When eighth grade is over and his parents send him on a three-week study abroad program, Dan isn’t excited at first. He’s traveling with girls from school whom he has awkward relationships with, his camera breaks, and he feels completely out of place. But with the help of some new friends, a crush, and an encouraging teacher, Dan begins to appreciate and enjoy the journey. Through experiences like his first taste of Fanta, first time hearing French rap, and first time getting lost on his own in a foreign country in the middle of the night, he finally begins to feel comfortable just being himself and embracing the unexpected. This entertaining graphic memoir is a relatable story of self-discovery. Flashbacks to awkward memories are presented in tones of blue that contrast with the full-color artwork through which Santat creates the perfect balance of humor and poignancy. The author’s note and photos offer readers more fun glimpses into his pivotal adventure.
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things. (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85104-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
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