May 2021 - Page 10 of 15 - Anastasia Suen

The Story of Bodri
by Hédi Fried (Author), Stina Wirsén (Illustrator) and Linda Schenck (Translator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Hédi spends her days playing with her dog Bodri in the park, but her quiet world starts to crumble the day she hears Adolf Hitler on the radio. Germany’s leader hates her and her family, just because they are Jewish. And Hitler doesn’t even know them–it doesn’t make any sense. Soon Nazi Germany invades Hédi’s country, and her life changes forever.

Snippet: Bodri was my best friend. His coat was soft and brown.

My little sister thought Bodri belonged to her. Mother said he belonged to all of us.

But Bodri and I knew that most of all, he was mine.

A Day for Rememberin’: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day
by Leah Henderson (Author) and Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Inspired by true events and told through the eyes of a young boy, this is the story about what is regarded as the first Memorial Day on May 1, 1865. Eli dresses up in his best clothes, Mama gathers the mayflowers, Papa straightens his hat, and together they join the crowds filling the streets of Charleston, South Carolina, with bouquets, crosses, and wreaths. Abolitionists, missionaries, teachers, military officers, and a sea of faces Black, Brown, and White, they march as one and sing for all those who gave their lives fighting for freedom during the Civil War. Includes archival photos in the back matter, as well as an author’s note, bibliography, timeline, and index.

Snippet: After the last word is sung, quiet comes. Our feet shushing across the sandy soil. We circle the fresh dirt mounds, with sweet-smelling petals of rose, lilac, and jasmine swirling to the ground.

Thousands of hands sprinkle thousands of spring blossoms. The graves become a bed of petals and tears.