Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler

Unbound is the remarkable story of Judith Scott, who overcomes her disabilities and institutionalization to become  an internationally recognized fabric artist. 

Entwined

Judy and Joyce are twins who live with their parents and three older brothers. They are always together, under the sun and moon, playing together in the neighbourhood. But when Joyce begins kindergarten, Judy, who has Down Syndrome, cannot come. She has learning disabilities and a weak heart. Although the doctors tell them that Judy is "slow", to Joyce she is "perfect just the way she is." 

The Colors of Gone

One day Joyce learns that her father has taken Judy away to a special school to live and where she will learn to talk. Joyce overhears her father tell her mother just how hard it was to leave Judy at the school. Although Judy's magazines, dolls and toys are placed in a box by her mother, Joyce takes them out every night and sleeps with them. Eventually, Joyce is able to visit her sister. When Joyce sees Judy's school, she is not happy: there are no books, crayons, or playground. Judy and Joyce hug and look at a magazine filled with pictures of bunnies.

Unbound

Time passes and Joyce brings her friends, her husband and then their children to meet Judy. Joyce still misses her sister and arranges for Judy to move from the institution in Ohio to her home in California. The staff at the institution tell Joyce that this move will be difficult because they believe Judy is deaf, something that surprises Joyce. Finally, the two sisters are together again, when Judy arrives unaccompanied on a flight.

A New Language

Judy and Joyce are much happier now. With Joyce working as a nurse during the day, Judy is enrolled in an art program for adults with disabilities at an art studio, Creative Growth Art Center. Although Joyce has never seen Judy do anything artsy, one day Judy begins working with natural materials: yarn, twine, twigs and wood. Soon Judy is in the studio everyday creating pieces out of many different materials. These creations are colourful and unique. One day after many years, Judy creates a piece that is small and black and she also gives Joyce all her magazines. The next day, Judy dies in Joyce's arms.

Discussion

Unbound is the story about the life of Judith Scott, whose disabilities hid her remarkable talent for decades, until her twin sister brought her home and enrolled her in an art studio. There Judith discovered her gift for communicating through fabric art.

Judith Scott lived at a time when people with Down Syndrome were often institutionalized. They received little education or intellectual stimulation and were often hidden away. In some cases, families were encouraged to send their children with disabilities away, in others, the lack of support for home care and education made living with their families almost impossible. In her Author Note at the back, Joyce Scott writes, "Wherever we live, we find many people who are bit 'different' in one way or another. These individuals, because of their differences, are often thought of as being less than those of us who consider ourselves 'normal'. They are often kept at a distance, not included in the everydayness of our lives....Because they are not valued, their unseen strenghts and gifts often go unrecognized, unexplored, and undiscovered." 

This is exactly what happened with Judith Scott. Institutionalized, her potential remained hidden until her sister, Joyce was able to bring her into her home, and to give her the opportunity to explore through art. Judith eventually discovered that she could express herself through the use of natural materials and so communicate with others.

Judith's twin sister, Joyce, found her sister's institutionalization emotionally distressing. In her eyes, Judy "...is perfect just the way she is. She knows things that no one else knows and sees the world in ways that I never will." Joyce was able to see past her sister's disabilities, knowing her as a loving person who responded in a different way to the world around her.

Judith's story is told through four short chapters from Joyce's perspective. At the back, a photograph of an older Judith is included along with information on the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland. There is also some information on Down Syndrome, a Timeline of Judith's life, and and Author Note and Illustrator Note. The illustrations for this picture book were created  with watercolor, colored pencils, and mixed media. Illustrator Melissa Sweet strove to interpret Judith's process and art using natural objects like wood, yarn, and thread.

Unbound is the inspiring story of Judith Scott, renowned fiber artist who discovered her ability to express herself through the use of natural materials, and to overcome her major life challenges.

Book Details:

Unbound: The Life and Art of Judith Scott by Joyce Scott with Brie Spangler
New York: Alfred A. Knopf      2021

Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Twelve-year-old Hazel Rothbury had plans for her life, but a letter from her aunt in New York City changed everything. Her papa died at sea two years ago, leaving Hazel and her family struggling and in debt. Her aunt invited Hazel to come to America and work with her in a garment factory. Hazel would board for free and send the money she earned home to help. So Hazel set out for Southampton with just over two pounds in her purse. 

Now in Southhampton, Hazel discovers that this is not enough to purchase a third-class ticket on the Titanic. She has to board the ship, but how? On the dock, Hazel meets the wealthy young daughter of a millionaire, Sylvia Thorngood. Sylvia is looking for her governess, Miss Gruber. Although Sylvia is eager to befriend Hazel, Miss Gruber recognizes that Hazel is not from the same social class as her charge, and strongly disapproves.

Hazel manages to sneak aboard Titanic by hiding in a trunk. On board she is helped by a young porter named Charlie Blight who takes her to the first-class deck to watch the ship's departure. While watching from Titanic's deck, Hazel overhears a couple, the Mollison's talking about trying to get money from someone on the ship and about cheating at cards. Hazel decides she will write about her experience on Titanic and questions Charlie after hearing that there is a fire in a coal bin in Boiler Room Six. As she wanders around the ship, Hazel meets Mrs.Ruth Ableman, a widow and former governess who encourages Hazel in her determination to become a journalist.

Eventually Charlie recognizes that Hazel is a stowaway but decides against reporting her when she promises to pay for her ticket once she sells her story to a newspaper. Charlie finds Hazel a small third-class cabin, making her appear to be a legitimate passenger.

Hazel begins to learn as much as she can about Titanic, quizzing some of the ship's crew and officers. Charlie reassures her that the ship is not in danger from the fire and explains what a double hull is. He tells Hazel if the Titanic is damaged on the sides, that might be a problem, foreshadowing what is to come.

She sees the Mollisons speaking with Miss Gruber and wonders if it is Sylvia's money they are after.  When Sylvia invites Hazel to dinner in the Cafe Parisien, she meets Clyve and Letha Mollison. Also in attendance is Mr. Emerson Waddington, who is studying ship design. He fields Hazel's thoughtful questions, much to the dislike of Mrs. Mollison who knows that Hazel is not a first class passenger. 

However, Hazel remains undaunted and even manages to question Captain Smith about Titanic's speed. Embarrassed by the commotion her questions have caused, Hazel abruptly leaves the café and encounters Mrs. Ableman who encourages Hazel to continue investigating and researching, and offers to teach her about icebergs.

As Titanic continues to journey across the Atlantic, Hazel uncovers more potential problems with the ship while becoming caught up in the intrigue that involves the Mollisons, Miss Gruber, Mrs. Ableman, and Sylvia. When Sylvia and Charlie are caught below deck after the ship strikes an iceberg, Hazel must decide whether she should save herself or find her new friends and help them.

Discussion

In Iceberg, historical fiction is combined with intrigue to create an engaging survival story involving the sinking of Titanic.

Twelve-year-old Hazel Rothbury stows away on Titanic and her curiosity is immediately piqued when she overhears about a fire aboard the new ship! Her intention to uncover the secrets of Titanic so she can use it to launch her journalism career ( a weak premise)  leads her to learn that the ship is not so unsinkable as claimed. Nielsen uses Hazel to inform readers about Titanic, how its design was flawed, and how a series of decisions all combine to lead to the sinking of the ship.

Set against the backdrop of the impending disaster, is the intrigue that develops between the Mollisons, Miss Gruber and Mrs. Ableman. Eventually Hazel solves this mystery and her integrity and resourcefulness is rewarded in the end.

Aiding in the telling of the story are the numerous historical images added to the novel such as a copy of Titanic's menu for first and third class passengers, newspaper articles of the launch of Titanic and a similar marine disaster, weather reports and the wireless messages between ships. Nielsen's story also touches on the class division that existed at that time, how this was a part of life on Titanic, even to the point of making some of the third class passengers initially reluctant to flee through first class to safety.

Nielsen has crafted a set of believable characters, the resourceful, intelligent and caring Hazel, kind Charlie Blight, sweet Sylvia Thorngood, and the honorable Ruth Ableman.

At the back of the novel, Nielsen includes an interesting Author's Note Titanic Fact vs. Fiction which sorts out where the author has deviated a bit from history. 

In her Acknowledgements, Nielsen writes, "Ultimately, any story about Titanic will be a survival story. It will speak of courage, heroism, honor, and trust. Perhaps what appeals most to us about Titanic is that life itself is a survival story. At some point, we much each face our icebergs. Some are more difficult than others, but the solution is always the same: Get on the lifeboat." In Iceberg, it is friends who help one another, Hazel looking for Sylvia and determined to find Charlie, Mrs. Ableman deciding that with most of her life behind her, she could do more good helping people to safety. 

It's always a difficult task to write a story about an historical event in which we know the outcome, but Nielsen has crafted a mostly believable story that both informs and engages young readers. 

Book Details:

Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen
New York: Scholastic Press    2023
339 pp.

They Are Here: How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystems by Roland Smith

In this short book, former zoo curator and research biologist, Roland Smith offers an informative and engaging look at invasive species and how they affect the natural world and human life on the planet.

Smith opens his book with the definition of an invasive species (one "not native to an ecosystem and causes harm") and and a non-native species (one that is not native to an ecosystem and does not cause harm"). From this definition, Smith mentions his first experience with an invasive species was as an eleven-year-old watching the film The Day of the Triffids. In this movie, Earth is invaded by plants called Triffids that arrive from outer space during a meteor shower, determined to eradicate humans. To that end, they hunt humans, who have gone blind after watching the meteor shower. Eventually the murderous Triffids are conquered but most of humanity is not blind. This movie led the author to develop a keen interest in animals. In They Are Here!, Smith presents approximately thirty invasive species, showing "the serious impact these animals and plants have on ecosystems." 

Non-native species can arrive in many ways, but there are specific criteria to becoming an invasive species. For example, a few criteria are the non-native species must grow faster than the native species, produce a lot of progeny, and disperse widely.

The species Smith focuses on include rats, several birds including the European starling and 

the European house sparrow. There is a chapter on the Burmese python which has infested Florida everglades, the Brown Tree Snake, the Black and White Tegu, the Nile Monitor, and the Green Iguana. Chapter Five, Catastrophe explores cats which are considered an invasive species to North America. 

In Chapter Six, Swarms, Smith mentions a helpful invasive species, the western honeybee which contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. However, other invasive species such as the Africanized honeybee, Murder hornets, spongy moth, fire ants, the Emerald Ash borer, Asian Citrus psyllid, Brown Marmorated Stink bugs have all created serious problems.

Other species Smith focuses on include feral pigs  and carp, both of which are becoming a serious problem in the United States and Canada. Plants can also be an invasive species including kudzu, Purple Loosestrife, and Giant Hogweed which is extremely toxic to humans.

Chapter Ten explores the infestation of Zebra mussels in the Great Lakes and the invasive species, African Giant Land snails.

Finally Smith considers whether human beings are an invasive species. While invasive species reduce biodiversity in an ecosystem, Smith encourages his young readers to develop their curiosity about the natural world around them and be willing to lend a hand.

Discussion

They Are Here is a fascinating and informative read about the different species that have invaded North America, wrecking havoc on native ecosystems. Some of us remember the demise of the Elm trees in North America in the 1960's as a result of the invasive sac fungi that was inadvertently introduced into the continent from Asia. The towering elm trees which graced many farms and towns, is mostly gone now.

Smith writes about each species, adding a touch of wry humour that makes the subject of invasive species both interesting and engaging. Each of the thirty or so species are described, and their effects on an ecosystem are explained so readers understand why each species is harmful. Efforts to try to eliminate or at least control the invasive species are discussed, with the author exploring the effectiveness of the various methods used. 

This is a book that certainly could have used either pencil drawings or photographs of some of the animals and plants investigated. Smith has included a Glossary of terms used in the text, a Suggested Reading List for those readers curious about animals and invasive species, and a list of scientific papers and articles for those who wish to go much deeper into the subject.  They Are Here is well-written and informative. Readers are very much encouraged to read The Day of the Triffids!

Book Details:

They Are Here: How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystems by Roland Smith
New York: Henry Hold and Company    2023
138 pp.

Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin

Twelve-year-old Ebo is in a Seahawk Inflatable Rubber dinghy that should only how six people but has fourteen passengers. He is traveling with his brother Kwame and two friends, Nuru and Razak, hoping to reach the shores of Italy and a better life. In the boat they are arguing- they've been at sea for three hours and it is cold and dark. Razak is struggling to navigate the boat. Ebo remembers how they came to be in this situation...

Nineteen months earlier, Ebo's brother Kwame left suddenly, without telling him, to try for Europe. After checking throughout the village and running to the bus depot, Ebo realizes Kwame has left. After putting his Uncle Patrick who has been "caring" for him to bed, Ebo sets out after Kwame, boarding the bus to Agadez, Niger. In Agadez, a woman remembers Kwame after she sees Ebo's photograph, but she has no other information. 

Every day Ebo tries to find work but is turned away. Ebo befriends an older man named Penn after he finds a package of anti-septic wipes. He used the wipes to trade for food. A lucky break happens when Ebo is asked to sing at a wedding and he finds Kwame.

It takes Ebo and Kwame twenty-one weeks to save for passage across the desert on a truck that is filled with many others. Their water bottles are taken from them and they are allowed one mouthful of water when the truck stops. The traffickers show no mercy, not even stopping when a man falls off the truck.

Ebo, Kwame, Nuru, Razak and the others are abandoned in the desert when Libyan men stop their truck, fill it with contraband cigarettes and take off. The group spend days walking, suffering from thirst and the burning sun. They find a jeep with dead men, but it has sealed water bottles and eventually they do cross the desert. Ebo and his brother work to pay for rides from town to town until they reach Tripoli, on the Mediterranean Sea. On the ride into Tripoli, Ebo and the others are smuggled past a check point. By this time Ebo is very ill and Kwame must get illegal medication to save him. While Ebo recovers, Kwame works so they can pay for passage to Europe.

Razak and Nuru visit every day with news about the boats. They argue about what to do and whether they can trust the men with the boats. After the storm drain they are living in is checked by soldiers, Ebo, Kwame and Razak make the fateful decision to book a boat to Europe. The trip to Italy will bring both heartbreak and happiness.

Discussion

Illegal is a graphic novel that effectively portrays the plight of the thousands of men, women and children fleeing war, persecution, and economic hardship in Africa and the Middle East. With few resources available to them, many must work hard and place their trust in people who traffick in human beings. The result is often death or the loss of those they love.

In Illegal, Ebo and Kwame's journey begins in their village in Niger, to Agadez. the fifth largest city in Niger, situated in the middle of the Sahara Desert. To get to the Mediterranean Sea, Ebo and Kwame have to travel through the Sahara, a dangerous journey due to the extreme heat and cold, but also made more so because they must rely on human traffickers to make the journey. Their destination is Tripoli, the capital of Libya and from there they will cross the Mediterranean Sea to land in Italy.

Colfer tells Ebo's story in two parts. The story opens with Ebo, Kwame, and their friends in a rubber dinghy in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The situation is dire as it is evident the boat is overcrowded, the motor is failing, and they are lost. This causes Ebo to remember how he came to be in this situation. From this point on the story alternates between the events that occurred in Northern Africa as they journeyed from Agadez to Tripoli and the current terrifying situation in the boat on the Mediterranean.

Unlike many refugees, Ebo and Kwame and their friends are not fleeing persecution or war, but are economic migrants. Their parents are both dead and there is no one to look after them except an elderly uncle who spends the money they earn on drink. Although Ebo attended school, there are very few options for a young person in his situation. 

Illegal perhaps best captures the desperation Ebo and Kwame experience, willing to risk traversing the Sahara Desert with traffickers who cram refugees onto trucks and who don't care about the safety of their passengers and even extort them for water. They are again at the mercy of traffickers who take their money but provide boats that are overcrowded and not seaworthy. 

The novel also captures the trauma that refugees like Ebo experience, after seeing people die in the desert and drown in the sea. Ebo also experiences the trauma of almost dying himself during the crossing and of witnessing his own beloved brother drown. 

Illegal does end on a hopeful note with Ebo reuniting with his long-lost sister. The novel's back matter offers a map of Ebo's Journey, a Creator's Note written by the authors and illustrator, and another refugee's experience, titled Journey: Helen's Story. 

Illegal offers young readers the opportunity to experience the humanity of refugees, their hopes and struggles. Written in 2017, Illegal was inspired by the 2015 crisis which saw mass immigration from Africa and the Middle East into Western Europe. As the creators of the graphic novel note, all these migrants and refugees are human beings.

Book Details:

Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky     2018
122 pp.