Book Review: The Four Winds / Kristin Hannah

In the author's note at the end of the book, Kristin Hannah writes, 

"As we know, there are lessons to be learned from history. Hope to be derived from hardships faced by others. 

We've gone through bad times before and survived, even thrived. History has shown us strength and durability of the human spirit. In the end, it is our idealism and our courage and our commitment to one another - what we have in common - that will save us."

In The Four Winds you will meet Elsa Wolcott - a young woman who is cast out of her birth family after conceiving a child. You will find a new family which hestitantly then wholeheartedly embraces her. You will experience plenty, then you will taste want when the soil in their Texas farm is blown away in the Dust Bowl. You will find sickness and health but mostly determination. You will find the courage to make hard decisions. You will find love, all types of love. And ultimately you will find hope. 

In her author's note, which Hannah wrote after she had finished this novel but in the beginning of this COVID pandemic, she draws the parralleles to the hardship that people endure in various points in history - the lessons that we can take from our forefathers and foremothers, which we can draw upon in current circumstances to move forward in our uncertain world. 

And that is the beauty of historical fiction. Reading about history in nonfiction books provides us the nuts and bolts of times gone by. However, my mom always told me that to understand someone you must walk a mile in their shoes. Historical fiction offers us that opportunity - a way to walk in the shoes of someone who has come before, to "experience" their hardship, and to learn from their experience.

The Four Winds can be found in Libby through the Nashua Public Library (or connect your South SORA account to your Nashua Public Library Libby account and get some one-stop shopping for digital ebooks and audio books!)

Book review: Barely Missing Everything by Matt Mendez

 

Sometimes you pick up a book because an author you respect is quoted on the front or back cover. That's the case for me and Barely Missing Everything by Matt Mendez. Jason Reynolds, the 2020-21 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, is quoted on the front cover as saying "Sure to bring a quake to the literary landscape". He was right - this novel is powerful not only in the emotions that it stirs up but also in the perspective that it provides.

Best friends Juan and JD, and Juan's mom, Fabi, alternate narrating this story about life in a poor neighborhood in the southern U.S. border city of El Paso, Texas. Juan is a local high school hoops star, JD is an aspiring filmmaker and both Mexican-American young men want out of El Paso after high school. But no matter how hard they try, there are obstacles - some in their control, some not. Juan's mom, Fabi, is a struggling single mom who is wrestling with her past and uncertain about her future. 

This story is told from the perspective of young Hispanic people which is a perspective not often found in YA novels.  The three points of view give the story a great deal of depth and gives voice to the prejudices and discrimination against brown people. This is a book that will stir up emotions.