By SK

Have you ever heard of the Chicano Blowouts? Or the Federal Theater Project? What about Sister Corita's artwork, or the NAMES project? In Rad American History A-Z, Kate Schatz and Miriam Klein Stahl explore the American history that you might not have learned in school. Some stories are from America's founding, while others focus on recent events, but all celebrate the power of unified people, working together to change their world for the better.

I loved Rad Girls Can, so I was excited to learn that Rad American History A-Z had come out, and it completely lived up my high expectations! The striking illustrations and appealing formatting make it a fun, engaging read for younger readers, but I would highly recommend it to older readers as well--I had never heard of many of the featured people and events at all, and of those which I had, the book usually provided new facts or a fresh perspective. I really liked how instead of focusing on a particular person for each section, the book focuses on a broader subject (from #BlackLivesMatter to Hull House to Riot Grrrl), and then delves into the stories of a handful of related events, people, or topics, such as the Combahee River Collective and March for Our Lives. I also appreciated how the book highlights not just movements and events, but also things which have long been a part of democracy and resistance, such as libraries, quilts, and jazz. The writing is snappy, accessible, and informative, and the illustrations combine watercolor and cutouts with stunning results. An inspiring read celebrating the power of the people and the ever-present possibility of positive change, I would highly recommend Rad American History A-Z to readers ages eleven and up.

By Super Kitty

When Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston was seven, she and her family were forced by the American government to move from their comfortable home in Ocean Park, California, to Manzanar, a half-constructed camp in a mountainous desert region of California. They had committed no crime, but during World War II, a fear of Japanese spies swept the nation, and President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order permitting the relocation of any potential hazards to the country and/or winning the war. The Wakatsukis started off their three and a half years at the camp in half-finished shacks, and the food and conditions were appalling. But things improved, and eventually the camp grew to resemble an ordinary town, with movie theaters, churches, and schools. The camp became home, a place where Japanese heritage was not a curse.

Several years after it was founded, the camp was disbanded, following several court cases fought on the issue. Families which had been forced to move in were now being sent away, a sudden freedom which was no longer a blessing. People had built their lives only to be brought to the internment camps, their belongings hastily sold (or stolen) after they left. And now they were being thrust back into the outside world, with nowhere to start from, faced with widespread American anti-Japanese sentiment. For Jeanne, still a child, Manzanar was where her life truly began. For many, including her parents, it was the beginning of the end. No matter their age, the internees left the camp with scars that never fully healed, and memories, both good and bad, that haunted them for the rest of their lives. 

To be honest, I can’t believe that this part of history isn’t more widely known. Most people haven’t even heard of the Japanese internment camps, or if they have, they don’t truly understand what happened to the people—elders, children, families—who were brought there. Farewell to Manzanar is especially powerful because it’s not just modern-day historical fiction, but the true story of a family’s experience, drawn from the author’s own memories. It’s a great book to discuss, and is an excellent choice for book groups. Thought-provoking and sometimes heartbreaking, I would highly recommend Farewell to Manzanar for readers ages eleven and up.

​And if you’re interested in learning more about World War II, check out our review on Fly Girls! ​