How difficult would it be to stand up to oppression, especially with deadly consequences? Would you be able to go against deeply ingrained beliefs? Patricia McCormick weaves a historical narrative a young minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out against the Nazi regime, but willingly participated in a plot to kill Hitler despite his Christian beliefs. Bonhoeffer lived a comfortable life as brother less brave, intelligent, or attractive than his other sibling in early 20th century Berlin. However, the horrors of WWI and the devastating impact of Treaty Versaille that led to the rise of Hitler dramatically changed this trajectory. Bonhoeffer grew to become an ordained minister who cared deeply about the suffering of others. As a result, Bonhoeffer ended up on the Gestapo hit list by refusing to follow Nazi edicts. When the overwhelming majority of clergymen across the globe refused to support him, Bonhoeffer went against the traditional tenets of the Lutheran faith in joining a group who planned on assassinating Hitler.
Bonhoeffer argued God would show forgiveness towards those who exercised necessary means to remove evil. Image located at https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/28594377-the-plot-to-kill-hitler
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How did Donald Trump pull off a huge upset in American politics? J.D Vance offers a sobering glimpse in his autobiographical account. "The Hillbillys" who resided from the Appalachia Mountains to the Rust Belt Midwest had ingrained values such a strong work ethic and fierce family loyalty. Christian values were espoused, but sporadically practiced. The children were expected to rise above blue collar work to a growing middle class. Unfortunately, globalization crippled these communities from manufacturing job losses, crippling schools, drug abuse, and family collapse. The residents who succeeded left and rarely returned. Those who remained felt despair and cynicism. As a result, they turned against social and government institutions they traditionally supported. Even though Vance rose above his circumstances, the emotional scars of his difficult upbringing remained.
Image located at www.goodreads.com/book/photo/27161156-hillbilly-elegy
When is it difficult to take sides? Tom, a man weary and scarred from war, meets and marries a sweet girl named Isabel. Isabel is willing to leave her city life to be with her husband in a far off coastal Australian region. Their wedded bliss turns into despair after 3 miscarriages. Their circumstances appear to change for the better when deceased father with a living baby is washed up on shore. Isabel views the baby as a gift from God and decides to raise Lucy as her own. However, Tom wrestles with this decision, knowing a grieving mother may well be in the mist. Yet, his love for Isabel is stronger.
In another part of the country, Hannah mourns the loss of her husband and child. Since their remains have never been found, she doesn't receive the closure she needs to move on with her life. In a twist of fate, Tom & Isabel's paths cross with Hannah. The bitter ramifications and family divisions of the couple's decision become painfully clear when the truth is eventually revealed. The trailer speaks for itself. |
AuthorI am Ms. April Geltch, CJUSD Librarian & advisor of the Yellowjacket Literate Book Club. YA Book Sites 50 Young Adult Book Blogs 100 Awesome Social Sites for Bookworms Ms. Geltch's 2009-12 Books of the Year: The Early Years Ms. Geltch's 2013 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2014 Top Ten Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2015 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2016 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's Favorite Books 2017 Ms. Geltch's Reading Possibilities 2018 Ms. Geltch's YA Literature Recreational Reading Guide Nearby Libraries
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