Religion – Page 39 – Cannonball Read 17

Two halves one whole

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The girl on the cover has a necklace with a Star of David and she also has one that represents her Muscogee Nation heritage. And inside the Emily Bowen Cohen graphic novel, the struggle of a young girl unfolds as she learns what it means to be a “Real Native” and a “Real Jewish” Girl. In the story Two Tribes (inspired by the life of Cohen), we follow Mia and see how her two tribes/cultures have similarities, even in their differences. This is a coming […]

Bình learns the game of life

Enlighten Me by Minh Lê

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Enlighten Me is a mindfulness/meditation graphic novel for the 10 and up crowd. There is a little bit of a social theme added with the racism the school bully directs towards the narrator, but the idea is how to deal with the emotions and a situation that triggers and not necessarily this particular situation. The entire book is mostly in “thought bubbles” as the narrator and his family are at a silent retreat, and therefore, unable to talk once there. But to allow the teachings of […]

Empowered by his faith

Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Biegelow

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I was not sure what to expect from Salat in Secret. I figured it would be more of a story about a boy who is picked on, teased, even harassed, when he prays, so he then hides doing it. Instead, we start out in Jamilah Thompkins-Biegelow’s story with the narrator, Mouhammad, hiding his praying. He is now seven, and old enough to have his own Salat rug for prayers. But he wonders how people might react to him, as he has seen how the community […]

Celebration of Ramadan

Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan by Fairda Zaman

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I know ages ago I read a story about a child who wanted to celebrate Ramadan by fasting like the rest of their family, but I honestly cannot remember the title. However, I do not think it matters as I also remember not liking it a lot, and I know why now. It was missing the vital piece of Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan has. That book dealt just with the fasting element, and Fairda Zaman covers so much more in Aliya’s Secret. They […]

Save the world and work the family food truck

Mabuhay! A Graphic Novel by Zachary Sterling

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

We know the surface story, but there are several fun twists and turns in Mabuhay! A Graphic Novel. What I mean is, we know sibling issues, how as kids our parents are always embarrassing us, that we are trying to make friends while dealing with bullies and trying to fit in. And one will not be able to do that when your parents own a food truck called The Beautiful Pig and you are in the smelly pig mascot costume. Or if your kid sister is just […]

Celebrating environmentally

Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani

July 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

In a recent box of books sent to me by a publisher, Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani was included. At first, it was a bit awkward. The pronunciation of some words did not come naturally to me, therefore, it took a minute or two to get into it. But once I did this story about conservation, while keeping true to the culture and holiday, was worth it. Not only do you learn about Indian culture, and the holiday Ganesha Chaturthi, you learn about how Prema and her […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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