On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramYoutubeMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Diversity

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome

by Leave a Comment

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome by Clarabelle van Niekerk & Liezl Venter, MA CCC-SLP
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Children ages 5-7

When kids start school they will be encountering all sorts of different people and new situations.  Books like this one are great conversation starters for you and your child to talk through how you may best respect and appreciate a new friend who happens to be on the autism spectrum.

In this story, you’ll meet Sam who loves to put puzzles together and to play the cello but who also doesn’t like the feel of his new coat and sometimes can’t stop crying when he’s frustrated. After Sam and his dog leave home one night to walk to the fair alone, his family and teachers discover that Sam has Asperger Syndrome.  Once everyone understands what is going on they are able to start making things better for everybody.

At the end of the book there are 10 Helpful Tips from the author, who is a certified specialist in autism spectrum disorders, that offer practical advice in simple to understand language.

Find it in the catalog

Queenie

by Leave a Comment

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Format: Book, Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

Queenie is the debut novel of Candice Carty-Williams, and it tells the story of 25-year-old Queenie Jenkins, a Jamaican British woman living in London. When we meet Queenie, she is moving out of the apartment that she shares with her boyfriend Tom. The two have agreed to go on a “break” and revisit their relationship in three months. This “break” serves as a catalyst for a series of self-destructive decisions that ultimately leave Queenie plagued by panic attacks and unable to live independently.

Carty-Williams uses Queenie as an opportunity to discuss mental health and as an ode to friendship and strong women, and she does this within the confines of a character that is struggling to find her place as a Black female in a world that does not respect Black bodies. At times, Queenie’s story seems mundane. But, there is a turning point, when the reader starts to observe that many of Queenie’s problems stem from childhood trauma. Thru Queenie, Carty-Williams highlights the PTSD that many underprivileged children experience and the way that PTSD is often mistaken for “bad” behavior.

With a supporting cast of characters that add humor and ease the weight of the novel, Queenie is worth the read. And, Carty-Williams has established herself as an author to watch. That being said, prospective readers should be advised that the novel contains some mature content, and it is recommended for adults only. Find it in the catalog.

Fresh Ink

by Leave a Comment

Fresh Ink Edited by Lamar Giles
Publication Date: August 14, 2018
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Teens

Love, relationships, and the unknown abound in these sci-fi, fantasy, urban, and real-world short stories from well-known YA authors. In their own unique way, each author leaves the reader wondering where the story could go from here. With diverse characters, written by diverse authors, there is something here for everyone.

In “A Stranger at the Bochinchi,” Daniel Jose’ Older does what he does best, keeping you on the edge of your seat in this magical dystopia.

Walter Dean Meyers gets right to the point in an eerie way, showing us what a life wasted to violence looks like in “Tags.”

As I said, there is something here for everyone, even a graphic novel. You’ll fall instantly in love with the adorable friends in “Paladin/Samurai,” by Gene Luen Yang as the story opens during their role playing game.

In “Meet Cute,” by Malinda Lo you’re heart will melt over the budding new relationship that takes place at the Denver Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention.

I am a fan of short story collections from varying authors because it allows me to read outside of my comfort zone without committing to a full fledged book. In Fresh Ink, I found that I enjoyed stories from authors that I typically avoid, and I found comfort in reading some of my favorite and familiar authors. I hope that you will do the same with this attention grabbing collection of short stories.

Find it in the catalog