Book Reviews

PIONEER LIBRARY SYSTEM - ADULT BOOK REVIEW

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea

Author: Meena Harris · Illustrator: Ana Ramírez González Reviewer: Adara Bates, Children's Library Associate, Southwest Oklahoma City Public Library

This month I read a fantastic children's picture book titled Kamala and Maya's Big Idea by Meena Harris.

This story follows VP Kamala Harris and her sister Maya as children living in an apartment complex with their family. The apartment complex has a big courtyard that is very bare. One day, Kamala and Maya get a big idea: they want to ask the landlord to put a playground in the courtyard! The girls knew it would be utilized by all the children living at the complex, and it would liven up the area.

With concerns of money and time, the landlord gives an initial no. After the girls work hard and show him that both children and adults in the complex would like to see the courtyard transformed, he agrees to let the girls work with their neighbors to build the playground. Everyone helps out, from neighbors to other children, the whole complex pitches in with gathering materials and construction of the playground. In the end, a beautiful playground area is built along with a garden!

This book shows us that your ideas may be significant, but never give up on them! With a bit of help from others, you can accomplish anything.

This book is available as a physical copy at our locations and for digital download on the Libby app. This book is excellent for children in Pre-K to 3rd grade.

For more information on this book and other great books, library events, and more please visit www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org or download our PLS Connect App.

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates

Author: Wes Moore Reviewer: AJ Soliven, Public Services Assistant, Moore Public Library

The Other Wes Moore tells the story of two men from Baltimore with the same name but different fates. The experiences of both men are told from early childhood into adulthood. One fate led to becoming a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. At the same time, the other ended up serving a life sentence in prison for murder.

Both men appeared on the Baltimore Sun with decorated Wes's achievement of becoming a Rhodes Scholar and a series of articles revolving around a group of four men involved in an armed robbery with one man of the same name as Wes Moore. In what seems like a coincidence, Wes was eager to find out what happened with the now-convicted Wes

Moore. This led to a series of letters, and he eventually visits Wes in prison.

Told in alternating narratives, readers will see how both the Wes's grew up in marginalized communities in the city. Both have aspirations of becoming successful and wanting better lives for themselves and their families.

This book makes one think about the decisions made in life. Readers will see how each Wes deals with peer pressure and second chances after mishaps during their adolescent and teenage years. Both have life-changing experiences that eventually lead them to their destinies into adulthood.

Check your local library for physical and digital copies of this book!

For more information on this book and other great books, library events, and more please visit www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org or download our PLS Connect App.