It looks like an art book but it has little of substance to say about art; it reads like a rather young biography but it has little to tell—since there is little known—about Callot's personal life. Repeatedly referring to the great 17th century etcher as "Europe's first great reporter-artist"—and altogether strongest on his relation to historical events (which are developed in detail)—the text makes less of his qualities as a fantasist and almost nothing of the satirical and ironical nature of his commentary. Symptomatically, the derisive "Awarding the Honors of War" scene is omitted from the series of "Large Miseries"—and there are other omissions of a different nature that merely frustrate the reader (e.g. of the portrait of a former rival that was "the most revealing one that Callot ever made"; of a pupil's "intriguing view" of Callot's room, etc.). Lastly—but of prime importance to anyone concerned with Callot's stature as a printmaker—the reproductions are literally a matter of black against white (or rather ivory), and the better he gets, the poorer they become. That is to say that his tonal effects are lost, dark areas become black, the whole is coarsened (for two quite different, equally regrettable results, see "Card Players" and "The Little Trellis"). Enlargement—both noted and unnoted—tends to coarsen throughout, and altogether there is little here of the master who influenced Rembrandt. Although Miss Averill communicates her respect for Callot, neither the exposition nor the illustrations back her up.
Pub Date: Dec. 10, 1970
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Funk & Wagnalls
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1970
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Essential.
A guidebook for taking action against racism.
The clear title and bold, colorful illustrations will immediately draw attention to this book, designed to guide each reader on a personal journey to work to dismantle racism. In the author’s note, Jewell begins with explanations about word choice, including the use of the terms “folx,” because it is gender neutral, and “global majority,” noting that marginalized communities of color are actually the majority in the world. She also chooses to capitalize Black, Brown, and Indigenous as a way of centering these communities’ voices; "white" is not capitalized. Organized in four sections—identity, history, taking action, and working in solidarity—each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous section. Underlined words are defined in the glossary, but Jewell unpacks concepts around race in an accessible way, bringing attention to common misunderstandings. Activities are included at the end of each chapter; they are effective, prompting both self-reflection and action steps from readers. The activities are designed to not be written inside the actual book; instead Jewell invites readers to find a special notebook and favorite pen and use that throughout. Combining the disruption of common fallacies, spotlights on change makers, the author’s personal reflections, and a call to action, this powerful book has something for all young people no matter what stage they are at in terms of awareness or activism.
Essential. (author’s note, further reading, glossary, select bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-18)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7112-4521-1
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
PROFILES
An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy.
Through the author’s own childhood diary entries, a seventh grader details her inner life before and after 9/11.
Alyssa’s diary entries start in September 2000, in the first week of her seventh grade year. She’s 11 and dealing with typical preteen concerns—popularity and anxiety about grades—along with other things more particular to her own life. She’s shuffling between Queens and Manhattan to share time between her divorced parents and struggling with thick facial hair and classmates who make her feel like she’s “not a whole person” due to her mixed White and Puerto Rican heritage. Alyssa is endlessly earnest and awkward as she works up the courage to talk to her crush, Alejandro; gushes about her dreams of becoming a shoe designer; and tries to solve her burgeoning unibrow problem. The diaries also have a darker side, as a sense of impending doom builds as the entries approach 9/11, especially because Alyssa’s father works in finance in the World Trade Center. As a number of the diary entries are taken directly from the author’s originals, they effortlessly capture the loud, confusing feelings middle school brings out. The artwork, in its muted but effective periwinkle tones, lends a satisfying layer to the diary’s accessible and delightful format.
An authentic and moving time capsule of middle school angst, trauma, and joy. (author's note) (Graphic memoir. 8-13)Pub Date: Aug. 17, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-77427-9
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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