A historic boxing match becomes a proxy for world politics as legendary African-American boxer Joe Louis takes on his most memorable opponent, German Max Schmeling.
Louis’ parents migrated from Alabama to Detroit, Michigan, in the 1920s hoping for opportunity. Despite his stepfather’s objections, Joe was drawn to the boxing ring, and it wasn’t long before he was a contender. His exploits made him a hero, particularly to the African-American community, but boxing authorities seemed reluctant to see a black champion. Meanwhile, Max Schmeling was moving up the ranks in Europe, eventually coming to the United States and securing the world heavyweight championship—and winning the admiration of Adolf Hitler, whose Nazi Party was rising to power in Germany. The first fight between the black man and the white man ended in defeat for the American, and by the time their rematch occurred in 1938, the “battle [became] much more than a contest between two prizefighters.…Had you asked almost any American, you’d have heard that Joe Louis was taking on the führer himself.” Florio and Shapiro bring considerable skill to their lively telling of this multilayered slice of history. They provide solid context for readers while keeping the focus on the match and its aftermath, giving an honest account of the racism and anti-Semitism intertwined throughout and realistically portraying the complexities of both men. Contemporaneous pictures enhance the narrative.
Compelling history well told. (source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-14)Pub Date: May 21, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-250-15574-0
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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BOOK REVIEW
Why should grown-ups get all the historical, scientific, athletic, cinematic, and artistic glory?
Choosing exemplars from both past and present, Mitchell includes but goes well beyond Alexander the Great, Anne Frank, and like usual suspects to introduce a host of lesser-known luminaries. These include Shapur II, who was formally crowned king of Persia before he was born, Indian dancer/professional architect Sheila Sri Prakash, transgender spokesperson Jazz Jennings, inventor Param Jaggi, and an international host of other teen or preteen activists and prodigies. The individual portraits range from one paragraph to several pages in length, and they are interspersed with group tributes to, for instance, the Nazi-resisting “Swingkinder,” the striking New York City newsboys, and the marchers of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Mitchell even offers would-be villains a role model in Elagabalus, “boy emperor of Rome,” though she notes that he, at least, came to an awful end: “Then, then! They dumped his remains in the Tiber River, to be nommed by fish for all eternity.” The entries are arranged in no evident order, and though the backmatter includes multiple booklists, a personality quiz, a glossary, and even a quick Braille primer (with Braille jokes to decode), there is no index. Still, for readers whose fires need lighting, there’s motivational kindling on nearly every page.
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats. (finished illustrations not seen) (Collective biography. 10-13)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-14-751813-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Puffin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
Categories: CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
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Shannon just wants to get through eighth grade in one piece—while feeling like her own worst enemy.
In this third entry in popular author for young people Hale’s graphic memoir series, the young, sensitive overachiever is crushed by expectations: to be cool but loyal to her tightknit and dramatic friend group, a top student but not a nerd, attractive to boys but true to her ideals. As events in Shannon’s life begin to overwhelm her, she works toward finding a way to love and understand herself, follow her passions for theater and writing, and ignore her cruel inner voice. Capturing the visceral embarrassments of middle school in 1987 Salt Lake City, Shannon’s emotions are vivid and often excruciating. In particular, the social norms of a church-oriented family are clearly addressed, and religion is shown as being both a comfort and a struggle for Shannon. While the text is sometimes in danger of spelling things out a little too neatly and obviously, the emotional honesty and sincerity drawn from Hale’s own life win out. Pham’s artwork is vibrant and appealing, with stylistic changes for Shannon’s imaginings and the leeching out of color and use of creative panel structures as her anxiety and depression worsen.
A likable journey that is sensitive to the triumphs and agonies of being a 13-year-old girl. (author's note, gallery) (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Aug. 31, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-31755-1
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: June 11, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
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