The Color of Water

I saw The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother in a pile of books my mom was giving away.  My sister said she had read it as an assignment in high school or college, and after reading the back, I was intrigued and decided to read it.  It is a memoir written by James McBride about his mother.  He grew up knowing his mother was different--he and most of his community was black, but his mother was white.  Not until he was an adult did James learn about his mother's past--growing up in a Jewish family in southern Virginia.  This book tells her story...and his.

This was a really interesting read.  Ruth (James's mother) had a very diverse and fascinating life, and the book kept me reading.  There were some parts that were a little repetitive, and the end dragged on a little,  but otherwise, I really enjoyed reading it and learned a lot.  It exposed me to several different time periods in a couple different places in the US, and I was able to see the racial divide from the point of view of one who was in both worlds.  I was also inspired and touched by all this woman overcame and what amazing children she raised even with so much difficulty. I really enjoyed the book.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Serafina's Promise

I saw Serafina's Promise by Ann E. Burg on the shelf of new children's books at the library.  It caught my eye because it was described on the cover as "a novel in verse," and the back cover included a review written by Karen Hesse (whose novel Out of the Dust was written in verse and was one of my favorite books when I was a kid).  This book follows Serafina, a young girl living in Haiti. Her family doesn't have much money, but Serafina dreams of being able to attend school so she can one day become a doctor--just like the woman who once tried to save her baby brother's life.  But Serafina's life is not easy, especially when a huge earthquake hits the city right by her home.

This was a beautifully written book.  It was completely engaging, and Serafina was an inspiring and hope-filled character.  I loved how the book captured the Haitian people and culture.  I also just felt so connected to all of the characters, who were so well-developed.  I really loved reading the book, and I would definitely recommend this quick read to others.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Boy on the Wooden Box

I found this next book on the Provo City Library's children's book blog.  It is called The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the impossible became possible on Schindler's list.  This book is a memoir written by Leon Leyson, a child/teenager who survived the Holocaust.  He and his family lived a happy life in Poland until German soldiers took over and began to send Jews to ghettos and concentration camps.  It wasn't until Leon found himself and some of his family on a list of "necessary" workers--a list created by a Nazi named Oskar Schindler--that Leon realized he had a chance of surviving the war.

This was an amazing story.  Every Holocaust book I read just shocks me as I again realize the absolute horror the Jews had to go through during this terrible time.  Leon was an amazingly strong, brave kid to go through all that he did, and the book also helped me see the heroism of Oskar Schindler--one who did "the best of things in the worst of times."  This was a wonderful book, and I really loved the Afterword with words written by his wife and kids.  I'm so glad I read this book.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)