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An unrelentingly, intense depiction of the times and growth into manhood for famed boxer Jack Jackson unfolds for the reader in this graphic novel. Johnson, a heavyweight champion during the early 1900s, arose from boxing bouts where he worked on the docks to reach success before a huge setback. In time, opportunity comes again and Johnson re-establishes himself as a boxer in a path bore by standing up to battle bullies as his mother demanded of him as a child. Written and illustrated by talented comic book veteran Trevor Von Eeden, he pours in the timely violence of lynching, rape and racist attitudes which cloaked the era when the extraordinary Johnson succeeded and found that “he just plain loved to fight. It was fun.”

Reviewed by Lawrence T., South County Regional

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On March 30, 2005, an unusually high number of second place winners occurred in a multi-state Powerball lottery. Those winners had ironically picked the same six numbers which also appeared inside Chinese fortune cookies prior to the lottery drawing. Coincidence? Probably not, thought New York Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee. This thought led Lee on a journey across 48 states and several countries to uncover the origins of the fortune cookie and to understand the American love affair with Chinese food. In her book, Lee cleverly mingles historical facts about Chinese food and the people who make it as well as personal stories from her own life growing up as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Yet in the end, Lee discovers that most Chinese food in America, like the fortune cookie, is as American as apple pie.

Reviewed by Kim W., University City Regional

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Join Gary Smith, S.J., on a spiritual adventure of solidarity with the Sudanese refugees in northern Uganda. Six years in the bush with the Jesuit Refugee Service stretched this missionary’s heart. Fr. Smith's writing is clear and engaging, informative and full of love - of God and of the suffering people God called him to serve. In They Come Back Singing Smith offers honest reflections on the beauty, joy, and love of the Sudanese refugees despite their displacement, loss of family members, poverty, malnutrition and threatening environment. Readers will come away with a new awareness of the needs and challenges of brothers and sisters in Africa - and the abundance we Americans take for granted every day.

Reviewed by Frances L., Main Library

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What do you think of when you hear the word "ghetto"? In Ghettonation Cora Daniels explores the stereotypes and attributes of being ghetto. Daniels argues that ghetto is not a racial or even class issue, but rather a mindset that crosses all races, social classes and income brackets. She explores the history of the word ghetto, as well as the characteristics of this mindset. While this is a topic that is much discussed among friends, it is rarely explored in such an all-encompassing way. Daniels does an excellent job in taking on this hot topic; she is serious in her discussion, but also brings a lot of humor and wit to the table as well. An excellent and thought-provoking book.

Reviewed by Jessica B., University City Regional

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“If you really want to know about China, the real China, there are few better ways to find out than a long conversation with an ordinary long-distance truck driver, barreling across the Gobi Desert.” (p.235) Actually Rob Gifford has conversations with truck drivers and dozens of others as he makes his way along China’s Route 312 from Shanghai to Korgaz. His book examines the forces that shape contemporary China as a nation of paradox. While globalization has brought prosperity and opportunity, China struggles with corruption, poverty, and environmental degradation. To succeed China needs an innovative workforce, but encouraging innovation leaves the government vulnerable to unrest. Gifford brings his Western sensibilities and twenty years of experience in China to give us this look at an emerging world power.

Reviewed by Catie R., Morrison Regional

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