Poetic Hill by Karen Lyon

The mother-daughter writing team of Beverly and Alyssa Samuel helps kids navigate a new school year in “Make New Friends.”

zens no matter how valiant their service.

Featuring countless first-hand accounts and backed up with extensive research, “Divisions” exposes a seldom-seen side of military history, where soldiers were faced with the paradox of serving in a “Jim Crow army” that embraced the twin goals of fighting for democracy while at the same time protecting white supremacy. In his relentless focus on the injustices perpetrated on men (and some women) merely trying to do their patriotic duty, he sends a powerful message that continues to resonate.

Thomas A. Guglielmo is associate professor and chair of the Department of American Studies at George Washington University and author of “White on Arrival: Italians, Race, Color, and Power in Chicago, 1890-1940,” which won the Frederick Jackson Turner Award of the Organization of American Historians.

A World of Friends

Starting a new school year is very exciting. But it can also be a little scary. Happily, Ava remembers what her parents taught her: “Everyone is different. Don’t be shy, have no fear. Make new friends this school year.”

In “Make New Friends,” mother-daughter co-authors Beverly Samuel and Alyssa Samuel convey lessons in diversity, inclusion and equity through the story of a little girl trying to find her place in her new classroom, where she encounters a variety of students. They have different hair styles, come from different countries and even bring different food to eat for lunch.

Ava’s curiosity about her classmates presents her with many opportunities to learn. One little boy explains to her the meaning of his yarmulke, and a girl in a wheelchair who speaks Spanish teaches her some new words.

She keeps in mind not only her parents’ advice but the words on the poster she saw in her classroom on her first day of school ‒ “Treat others as you want to be treated: The Golden Rule” ‒ and before long, Ava finds herself with a whole new circle of friends. “My new friends taught me more about myself,” she concludes. “I learned so much that was new to me. We have so many things in common. Friends are fun. Do you agree?”

“Make New Friends” is a warm and winning introduction to the classroom for preschool and elementary-level children. Beverly and Alyssa Samuel say that the book was inspired by their family’s life experiences in school, work and the community, and they hope that readers will appreciate the lessons it has to offer. Find them on Instagram @makenewfriendsbook. u

THE POETIC HILL

by Karen Lyon

Chris Haley has published two previous books of poetry ‒ “Obsessions” and “Until the Right One Comes Along” ‒ and has just issued a new illustrated collection. In “Fists and Rainbows,” from which the poem below is taken, Haley presents his work in two sections: “With One Fist in the Air” and “Holla!” In the first, he addresses sociopolitical themes, calling out hypocrisy and white privilege, raging at bigotry and racism and prodding the painful realities of slavery. He also exhibits flashes of wry humor, as in “The Man at the Deli,” where he relates an incident when a customer calls out his preferred cheese: “White American!” “There followed a rush of silent stares,” he writes, “Because in this country, / It sounded surprising to state that need.”

“Holla!” takes a more personal tone, focusing on joyously defiant gay sensuality, on love and lust, on disappointment and heartbreak and on missed opportunities. “The love of my life, / I let him go,” he writes. “But until you’re through, / How do you really know?” Whatever his subject matter, Haley’s voice is strong and vibrant, conveying an intensity that draws you into his poems and compels you to listen to him. As he notes in his introduction, “As painful as it has sometimes been, I have never felt more alive than when I was aflame.” Find more at www.chrishaleyspeaks.com.

Jesus Had a Name for You “Government, stay out of my business; Tell others what to do!” Does that declaration ring odd to you? Tell others what they shouldn’t do. Don’t get married to the same sex. Decide which women’s rights we should respect. Keep our second amendment. Keep our freedom from another’s independence. Build a mile high fence!

Rail against others who kneel for equality, When it was the founders’ violence Which burned King George in effigy, and The destruction of bags of New England tea, Which sparked this land of liberty!

How you shamelessly claim This pious disdain! I know you hate education and CRT, But the ignorance of your actions, The deafness to your words – Jesus Christ! – Literally stuns me!