by Lindsay Patriquin
Book Reviewer, Walls of Books

 

Internment – Samira Ahmed

This is one of the greatest books I’ve come across in quite a while. If you’re looking for something to suck you in immediately—look no further! Set in a near future fiction-scape where America requires all Muslims to be registered, a young girl and her family are moved to an internment camp with others of her community in Los Angeles.

 

The story follows her struggle and empowerment through a terrifying, possibly real situation. Although it is classified as a young adult novel, its subject matter and powerful message make Internment an important read for all ages. It’s a quick read, engrossing, and sure to catch anyone’s interest. This heart-wrenching tale of bravery and solidarity is sure to spark hope in every reader and their community. I’m sure Samira Ahmed will be on great young adult book lists for years to come.

 

 

 

Beloved – Toni Morrison

 

 

Beloved is the first of Toni Morrison’s masterpieces I’ve read—I can’t believe it took me twenty-four years to get to it. It’s the beautiful story of Sethe, an escaped slave haunted by the ghost of her daughter. She is filled with bitter reminisces of her old life at “Sweet Home.” Written with pure poetry and song smooth as butter, Morrison describes how American slavery bound and enslaved even after removing the chains. It’s a story that will stay with you forever.

 

 

 

 

 

The Hidden World of the Fox – Adele Brand

This recently published non-fiction title delves deep into the history of the red fox and its resilience against forced displacement due to constant human development. Adele Brand, fox researcher and ecologist, tells the tale of the fox throughout its evolution in nature and our philosophies and cultures.

 

Instead of reading like an encyclopedia, this fascinating peek into our furry neighbor’s lives reads like a friend telling you a humorous story about something you wouldn’t believe she saw in her backyard the other day. I highly recommend The Hidden World of the Fox for anyone who enjoyed H Is for Hawk, non-fiction travel writing, or anyone who gets excited to see a fox in the wild. You can read more about her from A Walk with Wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

An avid reader, Lindsay Patriquin works at a small used bookstore called Walls of Books in Cornelius, NC.