When I first started reading, I thought I would end up writing a review of a decent but not outstanding book. Thankfully, this book surprised me. While I would not say that the book blew me away, I will say that Basum tackled this subject with care and detailed research introducing a complicated and highly fraught topic to a younger audience and guide them through to their own conclusions that the reader can draw after consuming the narrative.
I will default to my primary review of this book in the original publication language for the second read in the Spanish translation. As to the translation, I will say this. Not only did Mendez translate the narrative incredibly well, bu tthe narrative also feels so much more authentic in Spanish.
Reading this book in the current environment rings far heavier and more rue than we want. Coates holds no punches in this collection of essays addressing various issues and topics that arose during the two Obama terms. Coates looked at these years retrospectively when he published this book in 2017. Reading the book nearly 10 years later proves just how prescient, unfortunately, his reflections are.
My expectations did not match what I found in this book. Part of that is on me since I did not read the synopsis prior to reading the book to refresh my memory. Even if I had, however, I likely still would have ended up disappointed. I never really engaged with the narrative, finding the premise something that stretched the suspension of disbelief a little too far. In full transparency, I struggle to put into words my critiques of this novel only a
few days later having not cared to retain the information.
This is a heavy yet beautiful read. Graff’s narrative treads with care through difficult, traumatic topics creating a beautiful and real main character. Fallon has three secrets that she gradually reveals throughout the narrative. These terrible things happen to precious children like Fallon all too often. Graff showed the consequences of this trauma while also existing as a middle school girl in a delicate balance that I have not seen in many,
if any, other middle grade books. I highly recommend this.
This book earned my first five star of 2026. In this book, Hooker explores the intersection between the two titular topics through first, a discussion of the differences in the meaning of the words grief and grievance and subsequently through chronicling how the grief and grievance has played out. Hooker’s narrative cuts right to the heart of the issue, brilliantly laying out the reality behind so much history. I highly recommend this book.
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