Safe Passage by G. Neri and David Brame

G. Neri, the acclaimed author of the graphic novel Yummy has crafted another unputdown-able graphic novel in black and white.   Set in  Chicago,  Safe Passage tells the story of 15 year-old Darius who recently lost his mother to gun violence.

Darius and his younger half-sister Cissy are being raised by Darius’ step- father who is struggling with unemployment and the threat of eviction after the loss of his wife.  Their stepfather is determined to keep his kids on a “safe path” through school, despite the ever-present threat of gang violence in the neighborhood.

At school Darius just wants to get through the day, but his friend Booger has flashy dreams about grabbing the chance to make a cool half-million.   Cissy however is not going to let Darius out of her sight.  And so the adventure begins.

Readers who have asked for another one just like Yummy will find that Safe Passage is at least twice as long,   but readers  who hunger for more and have the stamina to read 200 pages will not be disappointed.  In keeping things realer than real, and in bringing the hard truths of Chicago gangland to the page, Neri’s storytelling skills are on display. Highly recommended for all readers craving realistic, urban  stories.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Neri, G. and David Brame.  Safe Passage.  New York: Lee and Low, 2024.  Print.

Programming Spotlight: Playwriting

 

The talented and charismatic Marisol Rosa-Shapiro and Hassiem Muhammad recently returned to Passages Academy’s Belmont site to reprise their mini-residency centered on playwriting and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun in collaboration with Mrs. Ernyey, Belmont’s English Language Arts teacher.  The  artists taught students from Abbott and St. John’s groups about the elements of playwriting and engaged students in creative writing activities that culminated in student-written dialogues performed in our school library today.  Students worked earnestly and had so much fun when it came time to perform!--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger

Visual stories?  Yes, please!  However this book starts with a written four page preface and an opening chapter on the history of the United Daughters of the Confederacy,  and thus is unlikely to draw in the average Passages student reader.   But that’s a shame because some will want to get to Aberg-Riger’s last chapter, “We The People” which begins with a quote from June Jordan, devotes four pages to the Young Lords, and then makes connections to other marginalized groups who came together to speak up for their needs in the face of discrimination, and ends with a quote from Iris Morales.  

Educators and confident readers may wish to dip into America Redux’s jumble of 21 chapters to whet students’ curiosity on the history of colt guns and their rise to prominence in the US, the AIDS crisis, and America’s involvement with eugenics and forced sterilization.  

Full color collage and a handwritten style font will appeal to some visual learners who find a way in,  although that style may be a barrier for some readers with dyslexia.

Educators and book group facilitators can download a publisher-supplied educator's guide by shea wesley martin here.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

All You Need Is Kill by Ryosuke Takeuchi

It’s all hands on deck when an alien civilization invades Earth. But with little training new recruits are like lambs to the slaughter. That is until Keiji dies and finds himself being reborn on the eve before his first battle. As Keiji tries to end the war he realizes there may be others like him. Will ending the war end the cycle? Are others in the loop Keiji’s  allies or his enemies?  Manga fans are sure to enjoy this action packed single volume read.--Claudio Leon

Takeuchi, Ryoske. All You Need Is Kill. San Francisco: VIZ Media, 2014. Print

Everyday Gratitude: Inspiration for Living Life as a Gift edited by Saoirse McClory, Kristi Nelson, and Margaret Wakeley

Often library patrons ask for a book of “inspiration” or “positivity” or “philosophy ” or “life.”   For them Everyday Gratitude may be the perfect choice.    Appealingly small and colorful, each page contains a short quote intended to inspire gratitude and attributed to its source.  Sources range from contemporary figures like the Dalai Lama, Angela Davis, and Julia Alvarez, to older sages like Zora Neale Hurston, Khalil Gibran, and ancients like Confucius and Lao Tzu.  

In addition to each quote the reader will find a question or two offering more reflection for readers to ponder. 

Unfortunately the irregularity of size and shape of the lettering for the quotes may be a hindrance to some students with reading challenges.  Nevertheless the small size and brevity of the text on each page makes it worthwhile for inclusion in collections,  and note the sewn-in ribbon book mark.  Backmatter includes acknowledgements and source credits.  

This slim volume may offer classes and bookclubs much material for rich discussion and debate around these seemingly simple, profound quotes. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

As her final high school project Pippa Fits decides to solve the cold case of Andie Bell’s murder.  But unknowingly Pippa embarks on a trail of secrets that reveal not just the identity of Andie's killer,  but the person who Andie really was. With all the twists and turns of a good who-done-it,  A Good Girl's Guide to Murder keeps its readers guessing who the killer is as it reveals Andie’s double life. Those who read When or One of Us is Lying should feel right at home here. --Claudio Leon

Click here to see a trailer for the book along with some discussion questions designed for book clubs at Underlined.

Jackson, Holly. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. New York: Random House, 2019. Print.

Strange Fruit Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History by Joel Christian Gill

This beautiful sequel to Strange Fruit Volume I will be welcomed by readers eager to glimpse more historical heroes presented in author Joel Christian Gill’s wonderful graphic style.  Using a palette of rich earth tones, Gill introduces the reader to African Americans born in the 19th century,  both familiar and unknown.  Each comic feels complete but also whets our appetite for further learning.  We can only hope Gil gives us Volume  III.

Librarians may wish to use any of the eight chapters as a jumping off point for inquiry.  Social studies teachers may wish to use some  chapters to supplement instructional texts.  

ELA teachers may engage students in the study of expository narrative structures in graphic shorts,   or examine the epistle that provides the text for the opening chapter.  This particular use of a primary source for content would make for a perfect introduction or companion to a rich conversation about reparations to African Americans specifically, and to the idea of  reparations in general.  Art teachers may wish to utilize Strange Fruit in collaboration to examine sequential art and its power to bring biography and history to life.  

Highly recommended.  Educators will want to pay attention to the visual symbolism Gil employs to represent hateful speech.   Back matter includes extra kernels of knowledge for each biography, a bibliography, an author-illustrator bio, and brief acknowledgements.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Gill, Joel Christian.  Strange Fruit Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History.  Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 2018.  Print.

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life Story of Minamoto Yoshitsune By Pamela S. Turner

This story of the life of Minamoto Yoshitsune is one many fiction writers might aspire to create. At a young age Yoshitsune witnessed the murder of his father and brothers, survived exile, and rose to become one of the most powerful Japanese military strategists. 

Later he was betrayed by his own family, bringing an end to his meteoric rise and his life. Although a biography,  the book reads like an action novel following Yoshitsune through his life and the many battles he fought.   And throughout the book readers will also find tips on strategic thinking that can be applied not only on the battlefield but in everyday life. 

Students who like The Art of War and action books are never disappointed by this action- packed biography!--Claudio Leon

Turner, Pamela. Samurai Rising. Watertown: Charlesbridge, 2016. Print

Programming Spotlight: The New Victory Theater and Phare Circus

“Hey!  Hup!  Hup!  Hup!”  were the directions one of the students gave the rest of our group of teachers, students, and staff when taking the reins from Hassiem Muhammad and Marisol Rosa-Shapiro, two visiting teaching artists.  It was during a Phare Circus pre-theater workshop that the two visitors facilitated last week  in Belmont’s little library.  

There by tackling basic juggling challenges our group developed a deeper appreciation for the teamwork and precision required to successfully juggle plates,  balls,  and rice-filled balloons.  With the aim of preparing us to learn from and enjoy the New Victory’s presentation of the Phare Circus performance at Stage 42,  our two talented workshop leaders engaged everyone in hands-on circus activities and developed the participants’ schema around rice and Cambodia.  

The following day Physical Education teacher Mr. Bent and myself led a school trip bringing the same groups to the theater where we all oohed and aahed over the performers’  dazzling circus feats.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Programming Spotlight: Field trip to the Jay-Z exhibit at BPL

photo credits: Jamila Abdulrashid

During September & October 2023, students from Bronx Hope took a trip to visit the Jay-Z Exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library. On display were various artifacts from the career of the legendary rapper including magazine covers & Grammy Awards. In addition, for a limited time only, any New Yorker with membership to the Brooklyn Public Library can obtain any of the limited-edition Jay-Z library cards.  Click here to see them all.--Jamila Abdulrashid