MLC Reads: July 10, 2015

Check out the books Mississippi Library Commission staff have been reading the past few weeks:

 

Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky

written by Sandra Dallas

four stars 

Sandra Dallas tackles the relocation of Japanese and Japanese-Americans to internment camps during World War II in this wonderful Magnolia Award nominee for 6th to 8th graders. A tight knit family is torn apart at the beginning of the war: the father is sent to a special prison camp for interrogation; the rest of the family ends up in Colorado. (If you've never been to the eastern half of New Mexico or Colorado, note that it can be incredibly dusty and windy--huge gloom factors until you become accustomed to it.) The family's struggles to adapt and yet remain true to themselves and their heritage is completely engrossing. We loved the examination of what it means to be an American, as important a topic now as it was nearly 75 years ago.

 The Bedlam Detective

written by Stephen Gallagher

four stars

We really enjoyed this mystery! While Sebastian Becker is trying to figure out what monsters are responsible for the deaths of two young girls, the entire community battles the monsters within themselves. It turned out to be a quick read, but only because we had such a hard time putting it down.

Calling the Doves/El canto de las palomas

written by Juan Felipe Herreras

illustrated by Elly Simmons

four stars

Juan Felipe Herrera was named Poet Laureate of the United States June 10, 2015. We decided to check out his bilingual picture book about his childhood to get a feel for the man himself. In Calling the Doves/El canto de las palomas, you experience a slice of the everyday life of the migrant worker. Young Juan loves his family and their life together very much, and the words he uses to describe them are truly beautiful. Accessible to English and Spanish readers, this book has inspired us to seek out Herrera's poetry.

We've got several winners lined up to read and review for you next week:

 

• Delta Dogs photography by Maude Schuyler Clay, written by Brad Watson and Beth Ann Fennelly
•  The Red Tent written by Anita Diamant
• Cheese Belongs to You written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon
• The Divine  written by Boaz Lavie and illustrated by Asaf Hanuka and Tomer Hanuka
• Darkness Visible by Rachel A. Marks

Until next week, happy reading!