YA – Challenges for Democracy (Series NF)

Challenges for Democracy. ReferencePoint Press, 2023. $33.05 each or $165.25 Set of 5. Grades 7-12.

Loonin, Meryl. Clash of Powers: The President Versus Congress. 978-1-678-20302-3.
Hulick, Kathryn. Media Literacy: Information and Disinformation. 978-1-678-20304-7.
Castillo, Kristina C. Political Parties: A Division and Distrust. 978-1-678-20306-1.
Allen, John. The Supreme Court: Activism Versus Restraint. 978-1-678-20308-5.
Kallen, Stuart A. Voting: Rights and Suppression. 978-1-678-20310-8.

This reviewer had the opportunity to read Clash of Powers: The President Versus Congress and The Supreme Court: Activism Versus Restraint. Each title has an introduction and five chapters followed by source notes, for further research, and an index. Clash of Powers begins with background and discussion on the events of January 6, 2021. Chapters that follow discuss separate but overlapping powers; legislating in polarized times; waging war; appointments, removals, and impeachments; and restoring balance between the branches. While some historical times are discussed (The Hard Lessons of the Vietnam War), the primary focus of the text is on the most recent several presidents and controversies during and after their terms. The Supreme Court presents information on recently appointed justices, historical cases during the Civil Rights Era, abortion laws, and voting rights and shows how the Court strives to have balance and maintain integrity. While recommended for grades 7-12, some basic background or vocabulary would be helpful for readers to comprehend the complexity of each title’s topic.

THOUGHTS: This series is a recommended purchase for secondary libraries, especially high schools. It will be most utilized when students study (or have an interest in) government and its branches and structures.

300s Social Sciences

MG – Black Americans of Distinction (Series NF)

Black Americans of Distinction. Reference Point Press, 2023. $32.95 ea. $164.75 Set of 5. 64 p. Grades 6-8.

Allen, John. Important Black Americans in Sports. 978-1-6782-0290-3.
Castilo, Kristina. Important Black Americans in Business and Commerce. ​​978-1-6782-0284-2.
Currie, Stephen. Important Black Americans in Civil Rights and Politics. 978-1-6782-0286-6.
Kallen, Stuart.  Important Black Americans in Arts and Culture. 978-1-6782-0282-8.
Nardo, Don. Important Black Americans in Science and Invention. 978-1-6782-0288-0.

Judging from the sequence of chapters in two of the books, the authors present information in chronological order with in-depth explanation of the history and distinguished professionals attached to these fields. Interesting textboxes highlight special events or pertinent people. This series is an updated, worthy series focusing on well-known and lesser-known Black Americans. Includes Other Sources and index.

THOUGHTS: I read the Business and Commerce and Sports titles and found valuable information suitable for the middle-grade researcher.

YA – Walls

Elliott, Laura, and Megan Behm. Walls. Algonquin, 2021. 978-1-643-75024-8. $19.95. 352 p. Grades 7-12.

It is 1960, and Drew MacMahon and his family have recently relocated to West Germany. Drew’s mother is thrilled, since her family emigrated to the United States in 1934, and she is eager to reconnect with the great aunt, sister, and nephew that still live behind the “Iron Curtain” on the East Berlin side of the city. Drew has more reserved feelings about his family’s move; he is nervous about starting a new school and meeting his estranged extended East German family. Although he finds his cousin and aunts difficult to understand at first, he develops a tremendous amount of empathy for them and the harshness of life under Communist rule. Over the course of one tumultuous year, Drew tries to navigate his complicated new family members, the tensions of living so close to the border between East and West Germany, and problems of his new schoolmates.  At the end of the story, he and his cousin must make a terrifying decision that will change all their lives forever.

THOUGHTS: The family dynamics between Drew, his parents, his sisters, and his East German family are realistic and poignant in this book. Watching Drew’s character and sense of right and wrong, good and evil, and efforts to understand the motivations of his friends at school and the people on both sides of the Cold War was fascinating. The detailed photographs and captions at the beginning of each chapter help the reader gain much-needed context and a greater understanding of the cultural and political climate in the early 1960’s for this important historical novel.

Historical Fiction          Erin Faulkner, Cumberland Valley SD