New Crayons: What's New On Our Shelves

Remember when you were a kid and getting new crayons was a big deal? Getting new books holds the same kind of magic for some of us big kids. Every week on Sunday, I post what's new in our box. I think crayons is a pretty cool metaphor for multicultural lit. Every week we receive a book is a good week.

So the work week was hectic and I was under the weather and once again a group of publishers and donors made my week. Great mix of titles. Today's bounty:

In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder, illustrator JaeMae Bereal. We received this courtesy of Lee & Low. I didn't know about Ms. Savage or Ms. Bereal, another woman of color artist. Looking forward to reading this title and learning more about the illustrator. Appreciate the introduction by the author, too. After skimming the book, I'm confident saying I think you'll enjoy it.

Later in life, Savage sadly destroyed much of her own work. As she was a very private person, author Schroeder warns that “little is known about her life.” He notes that “… some details and dialogue have been imagined to fill gaps in the historical record.” Read a review at Book Dragon.


Muchacho by Louanne Johnson. The lovely and generous Ari sent this to me. She says I need to keep more books for myself but we all know how few titles we find for male teens especially with male teens of color so this is going in the Prize Bucket. Will read it. In the meantime, I suggest you check out Ari's review at Reading in Color.

Eddie Corazon is definitely one of my new favorite guy characters of all time. He's such a great kid with a lot of heart (fyi: Corazon means heart in Spanish)! Eddie is a really smart, but angry kid. He hides his love of reading and hangs out with his cousins instead. His cousins are usually in jail, or doing stuff that will result in jail time. Then Boy Meets Girl. Eddie meets Lupe. Lupe blows his mind away. She's smart, independent, beautiful...

Shining Star: The Anna Wong Story by Paula Yoo. I first heard of this from Doret. I have so wanted to read this. Check out Doret's review at The Happy Nappy Bookseller.

I never thought about the first Asian movie star in Hollywood. Though Anna May story is eerily familiar to first African American movie stars. Being forced to take on stereotypical roles that portray her people in a negative light. Being hate by her people for taking on such roles. Having to work with a White actor made up in "yellow face" to look Asian.

What did you get this week in the mail, at the bookstore or the library? Happy reading.