Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

“I was fifteen when I decided to go to America and make a name for myself,” Allen Say

The Inker's Shadow by Allen Say

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When I learned that Drawing from Memory by Allen Say had a sequel called The Inker’s Shadow I went into “Find This Book” Mode. And interlibrary loan did not let me down. Now, this book is a lot like the first, but deals with his years in the states. It moves a bit faster, covers more ground and years and fills in the information that shows how he was shaped into the author and illustrator that he would become. It is not just a great […]

Let’s talk about [redacted], baby!

It's NOT the Stork! by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley

It's So Amazing! by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley

It's Perfectly Normal! by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley

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In my continued effort to be better acquainted with commonly banned and “controversial” children’s books, I dug into three sex ed books by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley. It’s Perfectly Normal is the book that is most commonly banned among the three, because it is the most comprehensive and progressive. But I was curious to see how each book differed, as they are aimed at specific age groups. It’s NOT the Stork is for ages 4 and up, It’s So Amazing is recommended for […]

When I was you and you were me

Operation: Cover-Up (Volume 1) by Tate Godwin

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Operation: Cover-Up (Volume 1) by Tate Godwin is both what I expected and not what I expected. I was expecting it to be over the top ridiculousness, and bordering on ( to be honest) the stupid. Instead it was funny. There were good moments and  then there were the not-so-good moments that did tip the scales into the “not my cup of tea.”   The story is familiar: two not so typical kids (the class clown and the brainiac) are starting school in the middle of […]

Climate change and one result

Wildfire by Breena Bard

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The graphic novel Wildfire by Breena Bard has a heavy push of environmentalism and that which causes them, and how to try and fix them. Which is, of course a fantastic subject, but at times it felt a smidgen pushy. However, overall it is well done and introduces the subject well. I had a few spots where I had wished something else had happened or was handled differently, but I enjoyed things. A modern tone with bubbly, colorful, minimal detailed illustrations to help counter the […]

Stories and ads tell the tale

Hot Comb by Ebony Flowers

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I am not sure I was the intended audience for Hot Comb by Ebony Flowers. However, I think everyone should read this graphic novel as it is not just about the hair of women of color but the story of women in the bigger picture. I feel anyone can find a piece of themselves inside these stories. There are triggers (including but not limited to drug use, abuse, bullying, racism within the community), but they are there to move the story along/to show the situation […]

There Is No Such Thing As Bad Hair

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, Rose Bousamra

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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. In a coming of age graphic novel reminiscent of The Prince and the Dressmaker, Supper Club, and As the Crow Flies, Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra deftly and beautifully tackle the injustice surrounding politicized appearances through the story of Marlene and her family. Marlene has spent her whole life hearing about good hair and bad hair…and her hair is, of course, bad. Meanwhile, everyone else around her, […]



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