The War Outside and Washington Black

Here are some comments about two very well-written, but very sad historical novels. The first, THE WAR OUTSIDE by Monica Hesse, is a young adult novel about life during WWII for two you teenage girls, Haruko and Margot. They are a Japanese American and a German American whose fathers are suspected of being “enemy aliens” and are therefore sent to the Crystal City internment camp, a topic addressed previously on this blog. Many of our students already read and discuss Otsuka’s When the Emperor was Divine for English classes, but Hesse’s story goes in a slightly different direction by probing the experiences of both German and Japanese detainees and their families, by exploring the prejudices and misunderstandings between those two groups, and by layering on the emotional drama of a friendship and attraction gone awry between these two young teens. As the question on the cover asks, “They can’t trust their country, can they trust each other?”

Hesse’s writing evokes numerous emotions, especially the loneliness, tension, boredom, and lack of control for the internees, and this is not a “feel good” book although it is very powerful. THE WAR OUTSIDE received starred reviews from Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. Given ongoing headlines about xenophobia and deportation, this is a timely and ultimately haunting read which will be on our shelves soon.   

 

WASHINGTON BLACK by Esi Edugyan is a historical novel written primarily for adults which deals with questions of slavery and race. The main character, George Washington Black (called “Wash”) was a slave in Barbados on a sugar plantation when (around 1830) his owner’s brother, “Titch” selected him as an assistant of sorts. Together, Wash and Titch experience numerous adventures associated with inventions (like hot air balloons) and inter-continental travel (to the Arctic and elsewhere). This book is a dark read, dealing as it does with the face of evil and brutality and cruelty involved with violence perpetuated against Blacks.

Esi Edugyan’s WASHINGTON BLACK was recently named to the short list for the Man Booker Prize (winner to be announced on October 16) and this title received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly.  Read an excerpt and see a reading guide here.

Forged in Crisis by Nancy Koehn

FORGED IN CRISIS by Nancy Koehn is subtitled "The Power of Courageous Leadership in Turbulent Times" and profiles polar explorer Ernest Shackleton; President Abraham Lincoln; legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson. 

Koehn, an historian and executive consultant at Harvard Business Schoo,l explains in her book and in the Big Think video below how each of these leaders found that sometimes “doing nothing is the most powerful, the most significant, the most influential thing a leader can do.”

I am excited to recommend this book to readers interested in history, in leadership, and in the events and movements associated with the individuals profiled. I remember studying Rachel Carson and the impact she had – today many students do not even know her name. I also liked Koehn’s emphasis on being mission-driven, focusing on the big picture, and resiliency in overcoming personal crises.
 
FORGED IN CRISIS received starred reviews from both Booklist and Kirkus.  NOTE: Nancy Koehn will be speaking at New Trier High School on Friday, Nov. 3rd at 7:00pm.  

Crossing Ebenezer Creek by Tonya Bolden

CROSSING EBENEZER CREEK by Tonya Bolden is an extremely powerful work of historical fiction.  It takes place in 1864 during the American Civil War and Sherman’s March to the sea. The union soldiers free the slaves at the Chaney plantation, including Mariah, her brother Zeke, and an older woman named Dulcina. They, in turn, are given a ride and protection of a sort from Caleb, a free black man working on foraging and supplying the Union Army.  This book has some gentle, quiet moments and plenty of horrific stories of cruelty from previous masters. What was most shocking, however, was the final section which is based on a little-known disaster at Ebenezer Creek.  Well-researched, I appreciated the author’s notes about sources and the origin of the laws involving 40 acres and a mule for newly freed slaves.

US History and American Studies classes or maybe our Integrated Global Studies School (IGSS) could be interested in tying this historical fiction to some current day concerns. One example that comes readily to mind is the controversy over statues commemorating Civil War soldiers and the recent speech by New Orleans’ mayor.  Another is the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis which artist Abdalla Al Omari has tried to personalize for world leaders. I am curious to hear students’ reactions and definitely love the idea of pairing CROSSING EBENEZER CREEK in literature circles with other stories of refugees – like Ruth Sepetys’ Salt to the Sea or perhaps McCormick’s Never Fall Down.  Tonya Bolden’s well-written and engrossing novel received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, School Library Journal and others.