The School That Escaped the Nazis: The True Story of the Schoolteacher Who Defied Hitler

Cadbury, Deborah. The School That Escaped the Nazis: The True Story of the Schoolteacher Who Defied Hitler. 2022. 464p. ISBN 9781541751194.

The School that Escaped the Nazis recounts the remarkable story of Anna Essinger, a German schoolteacher who recognized the imminent danger posed by the rise of Nazism in 1933. Foreseeing the devastating impact of Hitler's ideology on her students, Anna made the audacious decision to relocate her entire progressive school from Germany to England. This daring escape allowed her to safeguard her pupils from the impending horrors of the Nazi regime.

As the war intensified in Europe, Anna's school in Kent, England, provided refuge not only to her original students but also to orphaned children who had endured unimaginable suffering under Nazi persecution. Anna's unwavering commitment to offering love, security, and a brighter future for these traumatized children serves as a testament to her resilience and her unwavering belief in the power of compassion and human connection. 

This poignant historical account, drawing upon firsthand testimonies, letters, and diaries, offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust and serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of standing against hatred and violence.

From Here

Mufleh, Luna. From Here. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9780593354452.

Growing up gay can be challenging under most circumstances, but it is even more difficult as a Muslim woman. Luna Mufleh recounts her years as a child and teenager in Jordan, a conservative Muslim society, and she describes how she grappled with her sexuality, a concept that remained unspoken in her cultural context. Fear of rejection and potential violence forced her to conceal her true self, leading to a desperate yearning for escape. This desire culminated in her acceptance to a U.S. college and a subsequent application for political asylum, a decision that tragically severed ties with her family.

Finding herself alone and adrift as a refugee in America, Luma faced numerous hardships. However, with the support of newfound friends and the kindness of strangers, she gradually rebuilt her life, embracing her identity and forging a new sense of belonging. This journey of self-discovery ultimately led her to establish Fugees Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting refugee children in the United States. From Here is a poignant and inspiring memoir that explores the complexities of identity, the search for belonging, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Peace is a Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together

Stone, Tanya Lee. Peace is a Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together. 2022. 176p. ISBN 9780763676865.

Yuzuru Takeshita had recently returned to the United States from Japan after spending a few years living with his grandparents when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and catapulted the United States into the Second World War. Despite being an American citizen and in violation of the Constitution, Takeshita was interned with his family in camps with over 120,000 Japanese Americans.  For more than three years, the family lived in cramped conditions and endured privations and the loss of their freedom. While in the camp, Takeshita earned his high school diploma and vowed to prevent another gross violation of the Constitution.

In Japan, high school students worked on the war effort. While boys were training and joining the military, girls worked in industries and manufactured weapons. Many girls joined the highly secret balloon program, designed to deliver explosives to the United States in reprisals for American bombings of Japanese cities. These girls crafted over 10,000 balloons released on Japan's western coast. Over five days, the balloons would drift high in the skies with the wind currents toward North America. 

An imprecise weapon, the balloons landed randomly. Many exploded harmlessly, others failed and did not explode. However, a pastor, his young wife, and several kids from the youth church group were out on a picnic in Bly, Oregon. They found a balloon that had crashed and not exploded. Because of military secrecy, Americans did not know about these Japanese balloons and therefore were not wearied. The bomb exploded, killing six, the only deaths suffered on the American mainland during the Second World War.

Coincidentally, Takeshita was internet only a few miles away from Bly when the bomb went off, but they never knew about this incident. It wasn't until the 1980s that Takeshita, now a sociology professor, heard of the balloon bombs. He worked tirelessly to connect the Japanese women who crafted the balloons to the survivors of Bly, to bring an understanding and to foster healing between the two. His efforts resulted in Japanese women coming to Bly and meeting with the survivors. His efforts demonstrated that humans can connect and foster peace, even in the face of historical trauma.

You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory

Sepetys, Ruta. You: The Story: A Writer's Guide to Craft Through Memory. 2023. 224p. 9780593524381.

Accomplished writer Ruta Sepetys shares her advice and tricks for successful writing. You: The Story is a valuable resource for aspiring writers, encouraging them to delve into their own memories and experiences to find authentic voices and compelling narratives. Sepetys, renowned for her historical fiction, masterfully weaves personal anecdotes into her writing advice, illustrating key concepts like plot development and character creation. Filled with insightful quotes, engaging prompts, and exercises, You: The Story inspires readers to explore their own stories.

Moreover, it is not just a technical guide; it's a deeply personal journey. Sepetys shares her own triumphs and setbacks, demonstrating that writing is a process of self-discovery and requires courage and perseverance. She emphasizes the importance of preserving memories and finding your unique voice. The book's accessible style and insightful reflections make it a valuable companion for writers at all levels, whether they are just starting out or seeking to refine their craft. You: The Story is a captivating read that encourages introspection and inspires action. It reminds readers that their life experiences are unique and have value. By exploring these experiences, they can unlock their own creative potential.

The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening

Shapiro, Ari. The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening. 2023. 256p. ISBN 9780063221345.

In The Best Strangers in the World, NPR host Ari Shapiro delivers a moving collection of essays that serve as both a personal memoir and a heartfelt ode to the power of journalism. Shapiro transports readers around the globe using captivating narratives, recounting poignant encounters that range from heartwarming to heartbreaking. He shares intimate experiences, such as accompanying President Obama on Air Force One and tracing the harrowing journeys of Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil war. 

Shapiro's insightful reflections on his career as a journalist offer a valuable perspective on the challenges and rewards of navigating an increasingly polarized world. The book underscores the crucial role of journalism in fostering understanding and promoting dialogue. By sharing his own experiences and observations, he invites the reader to engage more deeply with the world around them and to seek out meaningful connections with others, even those who may seem vastly different.

With a profound understanding of the divisive forces shaping our world, Shapiro emphasizes the importance of bridging divides and fostering empathy. He passionately advocates for active listening and finding common ground amidst our differences, reminding us of our shared humanity that transcends religion, nationality, and political affiliations. The Best Strangers in the World is a testament to Shapiro's unwavering commitment to "Considering All Things" and his dedication to sharing the stories that connect us all and serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of human connection and the transformative power of storytelling.

Aloha Wanderwell: The Border-Smashing, Record-Setting Life of the World's Youngest Explorer

Fink-Jensen, Christian and Randolph Eustace-Walden. Aloha Wanderwell: The Border-Smashing, Record-Setting Life of the World's Youngest Explorer. 2016. 425 p. ISBN 9780864928955.

In 1922, a rebellious 15-year-old French convent student, yearning for adventure, responded to an advertisement posted by an already famous explorer, for a traveling secretary. This audacious young woman soon became known to the world as Aloha Wanderwell. She possessed an uncanny confidence and a burning ambition. She wanted to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by car. 

Despite facing immense challenges, including scarce roads, a lack of gasoline stations, and a hostile world largely unfamiliar with automobiles, Wanderwell embarked on this audacious expedition. Equipped with a specially modified Model T Ford and working with a small crew, she traversed continents, encountering diverse cultures and personalities, from the Eiffel Tower to the Sphinx, from Mussolini to a Detroit ticker tape parade. By the age of 25, she had achieved international fame as a pilot, actress, peace advocate, and a pivotal figure in a captivating California murder mystery.

However, this extraordinary tale of global exploration harbors a significant secret. The celebrated Aloha Wanderwell was, in fact, Idris Hall, a Canadian woman who meticulously crafted a persona to fuel her adventurous spirit. Drawing upon a wealth of sources, including diaries, travel logs, films, photographs, and even declassified government documents, "Aloha Wanderwell" unveils the remarkable true story of this enigmatic explorer, revealing the astonishing life and daring exploits of one of the most audacious and captivating figures of the 1920s.

Hoops: A Graphic Novel

Tavares, Matt. Hoops: A Graphic Novel. 2023. 224p. ISBN 9781536201369. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Inspired by a true story, Hoops tells how, in 1975, Judi and her friends joined the first ever girls basketball team, the Lady Bears, at their school as seniors. The passage of Title IX obligated school districts to offer similar sports for boys and girls, so for the first time basketball was opened to all. Judi, who unlike her friend Stacy had always wanted to join the basketball team instead of being a cheerleader, participated in the first tryouts. Without a coach at first, 8 girls practiced despite obvious disparities, such as the lack of training time in their own gym, no uniforms, no busses, and no laundry service. 

As the team started to win, more and more fans started showing up to watch their home games. A sponsorship ensured the games would be broadcasted on the radio, and the enthusiasm built as the team headed into the finals tournament with an undefeated record. Despite being behind, the Lady Bears win the local and regional tournaments and head to Indianapolis for the state championship, which ends with Judi scoring the winning basket to deliver victory and a state title to the school's first ever girls basketball team.

During the season, the girls fought against inequity, requesting similar accommodations tot he boys. Eventually, the girls received a bus for transportation, which was used by their fans as they continued using their RV. The athletic director acknowledged he was wrong when he did not provide laundry services. And all of the team members of the Lady Bears became hometown heroes, blazing a path for girls to participate in organized sports.

Warmly illustrated with beautiful colors, this fast-spaced sports story demonstrates that dedication and persistence can in fact change hearts and an entire culture for the better. 

Hope by Terry Fox

Adhiya, Barbara. Hope by Terry Fox. 2024. 328p. ISBN 9781770416819.

For most Canadians, one of their best known fellow Canadian is Terry Fox, a young man who was struck with cancer in 1977 when he was 18, and who lost a leg in the process of attempting to save his life. Terry Fox lives in the imagination of the country as a symbol of resilience and courage. But who was Terry Fox, and what motivated him to raise funds for the fight against cancer by crossing the country from east to west and running a marathon every day with an artificial leg?

An athletic individual, Terry was light hearted and always saw the positive in people and events. A diagnosis of cancer did not change his outlook on life, and he refused to succumb to despair. After the shock of losing his leg, Terry relearned to walk. During these sessions, he started planning for a cross-country trip as a way to channel his energy and communicate with people why this was important. 

Starting in Newfoundland, Terry began his Marathon of Hope in relative obscurity, but as word spread out, and people became more aware, huge crowds lined the streets to see him go by. Millions of dollars were contributed for cancer research, and the news coverage reached every corner of the country. Through his unwavering determination to defeat cancer, Terry caught the hearts of Canadians, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Canadians to live.

Though his cancer eventually forced him to stop short his cross-country race, Terry's efforts continued to live on in multiples of events every year, including races across the country and around the world, to raise more funds for cancer research, and to honor the memory of a great Canadian!

Maybe an Artist

Montague, Liz. Maybe an Artist. 2022. 176p. ISBN 9780593307816. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Growing up, Liz always knew she was different from the rest of her family. Her two sisters were academically inclined, were amazing readers, and even better athletes. But for Liz, reading was hard, her parents' expectations were crushing, and school was not her thing. Liz loved to draw, but being an artist was not a possibility she could envision, because artists generally starve and don't make a career out of their art. 

But she was good at art, and could use the medium to effectively communicate with friends and family. Growing up African-American in a relatively white New Jersey was difficult, but not as much as it was for the Muslim students at her school following 9/11 and the wave of terrorism worries that swept the country. Through it all, Liz had to learn what she really wanted for herself. 

Exploring Liz's life from elementary school to college and beyond, Maybe an Artist is a process of discovery and exploration. Now a successful artist who has published in the New Yorker and elsewhere, Liz's story is inspiring and shows that with effort and dedication, one can reach their goal.

Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist

Caravantes, Peggy. Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist. Part of the Notable Americans series. 2003. 128p. ISBN 9781931798143. Available at B GAR on the library shelves.

Born in Jamaica in 1887, Garvey was the eleventh children of a family that had middle class aspirations but always struggled to get by. Experiencing racism at an early age when a friend's parents forbade them to play with a Black boy, Garvey dedicated his life to fight for Black people everywhere. Pursuing his education, Garvey gained an appreciation for the plight of Black people around the world. Colonial powers in Africa were oppressing Black majorities. Attitudes in the United States considered African-Americans to be second class citizens. Garvey determined to promote Black nationalism and a return to Africa where Black people could be leaders and serve in independent countries.

Having seen the plight of Black people in Jamaica and Panama, Garvey articulated a consciousness of race that appealed to Blacks, but he found himself blocked by British colonial authorities from effecting any meaningful change. Garvey moved to the United States, where he hoped to pursue the struggle. There he founded UNIA, an organization designed to unite Blacks and promote Black leadership and ownership, as well as a return to the African continent.

Over the years, projects such as purchasing a shipping line, building infrastructure in Liberia, and promoting projects led by Blacks increased Garvey's status, but also brought along enemies. Differences in ideologies and in political aims caused a split in the UNIA, and Garvey found himself behind bars before being released and removed from the United States.

Garvey pursued the struggle from Jamaica and Britain, but was never able to reestablish prominence among Black leaders. Facing personal and professional difficulties, Garvey died in London in 1940, and his body was finally returned to Jamaica in 1964, where he was acclaimed as a hero.

American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky

Smith, Sherri L. amd Elizabeth Wein. American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky. 

The soaring of the first airplane triggered a race to the skies in the United States. Intrepid individuals took to the air in home-made planes, but as commercial engines became available, a whole infrastructure grew up around servicing and flying airplanes. African-Americans, who were discriminated against, wanted to fly just like their White counterparts, but were being prevented by segregated airfields and laws and customs that argued for the separation of people. African-Americans who wanted to fly were thus hampered in their abilities to do so, and had to ingeniously devise their owns way to get airborne.

During the First World War, several Black pilots flew airplanes, but they did it for France or for the United Kingdom. American pilots could only be White. Following the end of the war, a few of them came back but found their flying prospects limited. Others, like Cornelius Coffey, were enthusiasts who wanted very much to fly, but were blocked from doing so. Cornelius Coffey, a mechanic by trade, partnered with Johnny Robinson, and the two of them, instead of being deterred by all of the obstacles in their way, decided to create their own flying opportunities. They bought their own plane, secured rights to use a field, and eventually even started their own flying school. Black women were doubly hampered by these restrictions, but they fought just like their male counterparts and soon many of them were flying as well.

The struggle continued with exams that Black students could not sit for, permits that were not delivered, and Jim Crow attitudes especially in the South, but through it all Black pilots persevered. As the world hurled towards the Second World War, the need for more military pilot became apparent, and soon programs were expanded to Black students as well, providing them opportunities that had not previously existed., such as the Tuskegee program. These programs demonstrated that integration was possible and did not undermine the fighting spirit and cohesion of a unit. 

By the end of the Second World War, Harry Truman desegregated the military, and folks of all stripes could now learn to fly. Thanks to the struggles of those who came before them, today's pilots share the skies regardless of race or gender.

One of the authors of this book also wrote Code Name Verity, about two girls who fly airplanes during the Second World War and crash in France.

You're gonna die alone (& Other Excellent News)

Donalson, Devrie Brynn. You're gonna die alone (& Other Excellent News). 2023. 244p. ISBN 9798212186452.

One of TikTok's hottest star, Devrie Donalson delivers witty and entertaining views on many aspects of life while exploring her own biography, and comes to the conclusion that you will die alone, and that's okay! Society has conditioned us to want to have a partner, a soulmate, a lover that we can spend our days with. But your best friend, the person you should love the most, is the person you spend the most time with throughout your life, and that is you! You are always with you, working, playing, sleeping, and enjoying or regretting life. 

Devrie provides vignettes of her life, examining such aspects as what she would want for her funeral service when she dies; how she grew up in a religious household but eventually realized that the Christians that claim to worship God are not ready to be accepting and welcoming, despite the teachings of Jesus; and how her college house was haunted with a ghost in the attic. All of these vignettes serve to explore existential truths that apply to everyone, regardless of gender, age, religion, and identity. In the end, Devrie reveals the universal truth that the only thing that we can count in life is change.

Fans of humorous writing and of self help will appreciate this short book, and might learn a thing or two about their own lives.

Mandela and the General

Carlin, John. Mandela and the General. 2018. 112p. ISBN 9780874868203. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

General Constand Viljoen joined the South African army as a soldier in the 1960s, fighting against Communists and Black activists. As a member of the ruling white Afrikaan minority, Viljoen cheered when Nelson Mandela, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC), was arrested for sabotage and sentenced to life in prison. Viljoen raised through the ranks, becoming Commander in Chief of South Adfrica's armed forces. At the same time, hoever, the political regime known as apartheid, which represented White rule and which had been instaured following the Second World War, had begun to crumble under international pressure and internal activism.

As the world changed in 1990, with the Soviet Union's collapse, the reunification of Germany, and the rollback of the Iron Curtain, South Africa was not immune. The apartheid regime released Mandela after 27 years in captivity. Mandela took the reins of the ANC and negotiated with the South African president to put an end of the apartheid regime. Free elections were called in 1994. 

With the electoral campaign heating up and the most likely election of a Black government for the first time, General Viljoen was approached by radical members of nationalist militias, who offered their services to protect White power. Ready to lead a coup against a new government, Viljoen meets Mandela for the first time, and the two of them talk of their lives. Viljoen realizes that a coup attempt will lead to bloodshed and generational destruction, and though the White minority possess most of the weapons, they do not have the numbers needed to successfully win and occupy the country. Mandela, for this part, knows that a coup will lead to vengeance requests from his people, which would destroy their society. 

The two of them begin to negotiate a transition in secret, where no coup will take place, and where the rights of the White minority will be protected by the new government. Against all odds, in 1994 a peaceful transition of power takes place, and the predicted violence does not occur. General Viljoen refuses to lead the conspirators, and Mandela becomes the first Black president of South Africa. Bitter enemies became friends and gave their society a chance to thrive.

The illustrations of this graphic novel are crisp and the coloring reflect the tones of South Africa. Fans of history will learn how a coup almost took place against Mandela's ANC government, and how the Nobel Peace winner was able to diffuse the situation by turning an enemy into a friend.

The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds Along the Camino de Santiago

Penner, Lyndon. The Way of the Gardener: Lost in the Weeds Along the Camino de Santiago. 2021. 224p. ISBN 9780889777835.

One of the most famous walking trek in the world is the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James. Though made up of many different roads that all lead to the Cathedral of Santiago, the most famous path is the French Way, which starts in St. Jean, on the French side of the Pyrennes, and then cross into Spain on a 800 kilometer walk. Pilgrims from all over the world accomplish this walk for various reasons: as a test of faith, as a spiritual journey, or as a feat of endurance and strength. 

Penner, who is well known for his gardening chronicles on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, walked the entire length of the Camino with a friend, observing people and nature along the way. Focused on the plants he encountered, Penner describes the northern part of Spain in term of its ecology and the impact human activity had on plants such as olive groves and chestnut trees. Along the way, Penner encounters difficulties but meets wonderful people, eats good food, and enjoys nature. 

Those looking for a challenge or those who enjoy hiking will appreciate this of the beaten path memoir and will long to follow in Penner's footsteps and discover for themselves this amazing path.

Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Age, in Five Extraordinary Hacks

Shapiro, Scott J. Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Age, in Five Extraordinary Hacks. 2023. 432p. ISBN 9780374601171.

The rise of the Internet facilitated communications and the exchange of information, but it also exposed vulnerabilities in a system not designed with security in mind. Hackers became infamous as they exploited weaknesses and accessed sensitive information. From the leak of Paris Hilton's sex tape to Edward Snowden's exfiltration of millions of NSA documents, and from the graduate student who built the first virus to Russian hackers attempting to influence the 2016 American election, cyber incidents and hackers routinely make the news.

But how is cybersecurity organized? What does it mean when your computer has a virus? How are denial of service attacks executed? Fancy Bear Goes Phishing provides clear explanations to these and more questions as Shapiro reviews five specific incidents that have taken place since the early 1980s, and what lessons we can draw from these to better protect ourselves. Ultimately, Shapiro argues, the current structure of the Internet remains oriented more towards the free flowing of information than the protection of this information, though humans remain the greatest vulnerability. 

Readers interested in computers, in programming, or in exploring what happened behind the scene of some of the world's most famous hacks will thoroughly enjoy Shapiro's incisive and crisp writing style.

Big Men Fear Me

Bourrie, Mark. Big Men Fear Me. 2022. 320p. ISBN 9781771964937.

George McCullagh was born in 1905 in Canada to a working class family. As a youth, he began delivering the daily newspaper, and he eventually sought to become a reporter, but was instead offered the job of booking subscriptions for the newspaper. Dropping out of school at 16, McCullagh was so successful at selling subscriptions that he was promoted to work at the Toronto headquarters of the newspaper, where he became assistant editor. He also specialized in mining that was taking place in Northern Ontario, which eventually led him to work at the Toronto Stock Exchange as a mining and oil specialist. There he invested wisely and built a fortune on purchasing and trading mineral rights.

In his early thirties, he returned to his first love when he purchased two Toronto newspapers, the Globe and the Mail and Empire in 1936, before merging them in a new entity called The Globe and Mail. A major donor to the Liberal Party of Ontario, McCullagh got involved in provincial and federal politics, with some expecting him to eventually become Canada's prime minister. Unfortunately, McCullagh suffered from mental illness and physical ailments, and his demons were never far behind. At age 46, following a third heart attack in a few years, McCullagh committed suicide, ending a tumultuous life.

Spearhead

Makos, Adam. Spearhead. 2022. 352p. ISBN 9780593303450.

Following the Allied landing during D-Day on June 6, 1944, a massive amount of equipment rolled off floating harbors. Among these were the American-made Sherman tanks, large vehicles feared by the German forces. But by September, the Germans were fielding their own large tank, the Panther, with an even bigger tank, the Tiger, slowly appearing on the battlefield. 

Clarence Smoyer is part of E company in the 3rd Armored Division, and is riding in a Sherman tank as the Americans are pushing towards Germany. On the opposite side, Gustav Schaefer rides in a German tank, with the mission of destroying as many American tanks as possible to prevent them from reaching Germany. Through bloody and violent actions causing the deaths of many, armies fight each other as the Germans slowly retreat, pushed on both sides by the Allies and the Soviets. Clarence and Gustav's lives intersect in an urban battle. In the 2000s, both tank crew members are reunited, seeking answers as to what happened on that fateful day in 1944, an event that kept haunting them.

Fans of the Second World War will appreciate this inside look in the lives of crewmen aboard some of the deadliest machines of the war, and will feel every bullet and explosion as the war reaches its climax in Germany.

The Summer of 1876: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Legends in the Season That Defined the American West

Wimmer, Chris. The Summer of 1876: Outlaws, Lawmen, and Legends in the Season That Defined the American West. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9781250280893,

The year 1876 was significant in American history for many reasons. It was the centennial of the founding of the United States, and the country was stretching itself to the Pacific Coast. Baseball's National League was holding its inaugural season. Gunslingers and bandits were ruling the west, with Jesse James and his gang terrorizing people, robbing banks, and murdering those in their way. The U.S. Army was also on the war path, looking to suppress Native-American resistance following the discovery of gold in territories assigned as reservations.

Over the summer of 1876, these events combined to provide the average American with the view that the west was not yet settled, that law and order was lacking. Heroes and villains were forged that summer. Jesse James was hunted down for a bank robbery gone wrong in Minnesota. Colonel Custer chased Plains Native-Americans for miles, before being ambushed and killed with his men in what became known as Custer's Last Stand. The last Native-American victory against the U.S. Army made names like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull known throughout the United States. A legendary gambler and shooter, James Butler Hickok, also known as Wild Bill, was killed during a poker game. Lawman Wyatt Earp had recently moved to Kansas and served as a marshal's deputy, despite his own run-ins with the law. Calamity Jane was already known as a sharpshooter as she cruised the prairies.

These histories became the founding part of the myth of the west and its lawless cowboys, a myth that continues to this day in western movies and in literature. But in 1876, these events were very much shaping the young nation. Fans of history will appreciate how all of these themes work together into a seamless story.

The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing

Nagibon, Herb. The Hollow Tree: Fighting Addiction with Traditional Native Healing.  2006. 118p. ISBN 9780773531321.

A member of Canada's First Nations, Herb Nagibon was forcefully removed from his family in the 1950s and sent to school where his heritage and language could be stamped out of him. The goal of the Canadian government by offering residential schools was to remove the "savage" from Native Americans and "civilize" them into Canadian society. Unfortunately, all this policy did was cause harm and destroy the social fabric of communities that were already marginalized.

Herb grew up dependent on alcohol. Always drinking, Herb moved from job to job, and from relationship to relationship. He lost an arm during a train accident for which he has no recollection. He had a couple of kids, but often found himself homeless. Despite his struggle with alcohol, Herb secured employment with the Canadian government. Eventually, his boss gave him one more chance: sober up, or lose your job. 

Introduced to ancient healing techniques by the Cree elder Eddie Bellerose, Herb began to learn how to unravel years of damage to himself and to his mental health. He struggled through his addiction with the power of spiritual teachings of the First Nations, and the love that his people still had for him. Drawn from the four sacred directions, Herb reconnected with his own people's cultural and social practices, and in the process found the sobriety he had been missing. 

Looking back, Herb realizes that his feelings of inferiority for being a member of the First Nations and his resentment at Canadians for taking his people's lands and rights away from them only served to undermine his own life and that of his community. Rediscovering cultural practices such as the sweat lodge and the smoking of the pipe reconnected him to his cultural heritage, and allowed him to escape the bonds of addiction. Herb now shares his experience so that others can see healing is possible, if one is true to oneself.

The Dean of Shandong: Confessions of a Minor Bureaucrat at a Chinese University

Bell, Daniel. The Dean of Shandong: Confessions of a Minor Bureaucrat at a Chinese University. 2023. 208p. ISBN 9780691247120.

A renowned Canadian scholar of Confucian studies, Dr. Daniel Bell was nominated in 2016 to serve as the Dean of the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University in China, effective January 1, 2017. As a fluent speaker of Mandarin and lover of the Chinese culture, Bell found it an honor to be the first foreigner appointed to serve in a politically sensitive position in a Chinese university. 

In his position as Dean, Bell had to navigate the bureaucracy of a university, coupled with the restrictions imposed by the Communist Party. Publications in Chinese journals had to be run through the censors before being approved. Publications in foreign journals did not. Despite decades of learning the language and the culture, Bell still found himself committing faux pas that led to misunderstandings.

His appointment catalyzed views from the West that he might be too pro-Beijing, and his interviews and opportunities to speak to Western reporters decreased as the years went by. Though he himself had not changed, his perceived connection to the Communist Party line was enough to reduce his engagement with the political and journalistic world of the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Despite all these restrictions, however, Bell provides a unique view on current Chinese academics. He describes a society changing rapidly, but that still clings to traditional modes such as hair dying for leaders, to avoid the optic of getting old. He explains how leadership is more collective, and compares and contrasts the relative strengths of the Chinese system versus Western democracies.

Fans of China will appreciate Bell's deep dive behind the headlines to explore what life in Communist China is really like and how Chinese citizens perceive the Western powers.