Black Women Who Dared by Naomi M. Moyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kudos to Second Story Press for coming up with kind of book that lists down some of the notable Black women and groups that made a mark as feminists and fighting bigotry, slavery, as well as improving the society. Ten of these remarkable Black women and groups are The Coloured Women's Club in Montreal, Quebec; Nashville-born musician Jackie Shane; Sylvia Estes Stark; The Hour-a-Day- Study Club that was formed by 15-Black mothers in Windsor, Ontario; the first Black woman who established a business in Vancouver; Jamaica-born Sherona Hall; the Black Cross Nurses in 1920; Mary Miles Bibbs; Chloe Cooley; and the group Blockorama.

This marvelous and colorful 10-page collection is both written and illustrated by Naomi M. Moyer. The book may appeal more to middle graders who are aged 10 to 12, and young adults because of its serious content and that it could also set as an inspiration to them. It would be great if there is any plan for the second volume of this book because I believe that kids should be inspired more by the story of other noteworthy feminist personalities.

All About Anne by The Anne Frank House

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The last entry in The Diary of Anne Frank is on August 1, 1944; and there's a short afterword where there's a list of what happened to the occupants of the Secret Annex. Anne Frank House released the All About Anne is a collection of the precise details before, during and after the Nazi's domination.

This 79-page book begins with a photo of Anne with her friends on her tenth birthday in 1939 when they were still in Germany. It is divided into 6 chapters with prologue and epilogue and it is full of pictures and a lot of trivia about Hitler, Nazi Germany, and the Holocaust. All About Anne is not only about Anne, but it also narrated what happened to her relatives, such as her uncles, grandmother, and cousins.

Reading the horrendous things happened to millions of people in World War II and the discrimination against the Jews inflicted on them is absolutely unfathomable, heartless and vile. Hateful propaganda such as that they are the misery of Germany is quite shocking and unacceptable; only those who are extremely despicable and lunatic can do and think such things. I've read several memoirs of Holocaust survivors before and it still appalls me everytime I read the dreadful things occurred then.

If you've read the Diary of Anne Frank before and fond of reading memoirs and accounts of Nazi's horrible governance, All About Anne is a great addition to your reading list because it would fulfill your desire for information.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect 5 stars for the The Tattooist of Auschwitz! This book follows the true story of Slovakians Lale and Gita who experienced spending several years in the Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust period. Lale was a linguist; a Jew; prisoner 34902; and was a Tetovierer (tattooist in German) in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Birkenau, Poland.

I'm always fascinated on this darkest period of the history, hence I read books that contains the said theme whenever I have the chance. Reading another memoir of one of the survivors made me envisioned what happened to the prisoners of Nazi Germany. However, Lale and Gita were very lucky to survived and after the liberation, they had a better life when they migrated to the land down under.

If you are like me who are into reading memoir and anything about the Holocaust, you should try to read The Tattooist of Auschwitz because I'm certain that you will also like it.

A Prophet Without Honor: A Novel of Alternative History

AUTHOR: Joseph Wurtenbaugh
PUBLISHER: N/A
PUBLICATION DATE: October 10, 2017
PAGES: 604
SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS:
‘A Prophet Without Honor’ is that rare novel that provides a rich, entertaining and fully immersive reading experience, along with a resonant, thought-provoking subtext. Written in epistolary style and populated with interesting, fully-realized characters, the multi-general narrative is a seamless blend of authentic fact and sound speculation. The plot focuses on the one great, unrealized opportunity of the Twentieth Century.
In the first months of 1936, Adolf Hitler risked everything by ordering his untrained military to reoccupy the Rhineland. It was a bluff. The Germans would have been forced to retreat if the French or British had offered the slightest opposition. But the bluff succeeded. History changed decisively. Hitler quieted the opposition at home, and marched the world relentlessly on, to the edge of destruction and beyond.
The story examines that lost chance in detail. The result is a compelling story full of intrigue, danger, romance, and action, culminating in the reckoning that Hitler might have faced, had events taken a different course. It is a celebration of ordinary integrity and the enduring power of simple good will - even in times when honesty is the most dangerous virtue of all and the effects of good will seem lost in obscurity.

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MY RATING: The story of A Prophet Without Honor by Jospeh Wurtenbaugh almost fooled me that the Haydenreich family and their story is real. There are a lot of long correspondences between the family of Haydenreich to other people, and there were several letters of Dwight Eisenhower also especially to Karl's widow; thus, I nearly believe their existence. The first part of the book is one of the best portion of this book and also my favorite because the exchange of letters between Karl's father, Heinrich, and of her Jewish stepmom, Rosamunde, is immensely romantic. Aside from that, the life of Karl Haydenreich growing up, and the story of how his German grandfather and a fanatic of Hitler had almost corrupt his young mind, should not be missed . I had read several memoirs of the Holocaust survivors in the past; and this historical fiction from the account of German who's a Jewish sympathizer, is a fresh take because it shows a different perspective during the Nazi Germany. If you are just like me who love historical fiction, notably the WWII, I highly recommend this novel of Wurtenbaugh because I'm certain that you will have a pleasant time reading this.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Cimarron Girl by Mike Blanc

SYNOPSIS from Goodreads:

The story is a fictional recollection of young Abigail’s experiences on the family’s Oklahoma prairie farm. Located in Cimarron, the heart of the Dust Bowl, Abby’s first-person account chronicles key episodes each year as the depth of the drought unfolds. As she grows, personal perspectives are woven from actual events. Readers experience the challenges, sacrifices, and dreams of farmers, whose story of loss was echoed by the millions. The Brubakers struggle to hold their family farm, face harsh realities, and hope for a new start in California. A journey across the southwest over legendary Route 66 carries adventure, a chance meeting, and peels back several layers of the Great Migration.

Cimarron Girl, The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker, reflects Dust Bowl history, but moreover, it’s a story about family. When challenges are faced, virtues are to be lived. Courage, fortitude, and kindness are underlying themes at the soft heart of Cimarron Girl.

Net profits from Cimarron Girl, The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker, will support the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis. Oak Clinic’s singular mission is to treat and empower individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis, regardless of their ability to pay.

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MY RATING: ★★★★ I admit that before reading this, I don't know anything about the history of the great depression in the 1930's onward in America. This novel is a good read because it recounts the story of the infamous drought, dust storms and depression. Even though the story is a little bit short, the intensity of those catastrophes through the eyes of a little girl could still be felt by the readers. Probably because young readers is the target audience of this book, the story is quite short. That's the only complaint I have on this. But overall, children will love this book because of the illustrations and the plot of the story.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon: