Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge tells of how different Indigenous People work with nature and preserve the knowledge of water, fire, food, healing and sky. This knowledge braids together the ideas that "Everything is connected. The world is a gift. The sacred is a vital part of knowing. We are always learning." Through the chapters these traditional ideas are explored and combined with contemporary scientific knowledge to apply these ideas of sustainability to a modern world.

Designed for middle grade readers, but a wonderful book for anyone wondering how to reconnect with nature. I absolutely loved the idea of Etuapmumk or "two-eyed seeing," using the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing combined with the scientific worldview. Each section includes stories from the author's Piikani heritage, history and knowledge of how several different Indigenous people use and protect the resource as well as profiles of contemporary keepers of knowledge for that resource. I loved the examples and pictures of how Indigenous people have worked with nature throughout history and today as well as how to keep the knowledge going.

This Book is Gay is written as an accessible welcome and how to manual for young adults or anyone wondering, questioning or just curious about the LGBTQ+ community. The book begins with a primer on gender and sexuality along with the differences. Everything is rooted in the fact that these feelings are normal and anything you are feeling or identifying with is ok. Other good points in the book are breaking down stereotypes, fears about the community, coming out and just how do two men or two women go about having sex.
This Book is Gay is a good primer for those just figuring out that they are part of the community, parents of kids who have come out or for anyone curious about what is happening with all those letters. Written in an approachable, contemporary style with down to earth language about how things are done, This Book is Gay does get to the point about many things in the LGBTQ+ community that is not taught in school. It does focus on gay men and women for the most part with some good parts about transgender people. There was a lot of talk of safe sex, but with a large focus on AIDS. Pregnancy prevention was not mentioned, nor was STI prevention for two women. Serious tones were taken for safety and mental health with a bevy of resources available at the end of the book.

Susan Bugbee had no idea what life had in store for her when she married Frank Borman. However, she did know that their love would carry them through. Susan dutifully followed Frank all over the world as he graduated from West Point and chose to be a fighter pilot and then a test pilot which led him to a career with NASA. When Frank entered the Air Force, Susan read The Army Wife and followed the orders in the book as Frank followed orders for a mission. She didn't bother Frank with household details or concerns about herself or the kids and always had a nice outward appearance and a smile on her face. When Frank went to space in the Gemini 7 mission and later in Apollo 8, Susan's anxiety, depression and addiction began to take over as she had watched so many other military and astronaut wives bury their husbands. However, Frank and Susan's love only grew throughout their time together and when Susan needed help, Frank was there for her. Susan received the treatment she needed and went on to help other wives who have been through the same traumas.


Far Side of the Moon is not only a story of the amazing astronaut Frank Borman, but of the outstanding woman who supported him through everything- Susan Borman. The focus is on their relationship and how Susan dealt with the hectic, uncertain and suspenseful nature of being married to a fighter pilot and astronaut. Susan's early life was punctuated by the death of her father, which her mother blamed her for. Left with a mother who was clearly narcissistic, Susan tried to make the best of things, but knew that something was missing from her life. Frank helped to fill in some of what Susan was missing, but in trying to fulfill the duties of a military wife, Susan slowly lost herself. Susan's story outlines the trials of a military wife and the disconnect of what she is feeling inside with what she had to present to the outside world. Susan stated that as military wives "they didn't get to experience the need to touch glory in some way. They just had to sit quietly and stoically and hope to God they never saw the black car pull up in their driveway." Seeing so many of her friend's husbands die doing the same thing that Frank was doing was a contributing part to Susan's depression, addiction and anxiety. While Susan was dealing with all these feelings and raising a family, Frank's mission-based mindset led him to command Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. Gemini 7 was a record setting flight travelling more than 5.1 million miles and completed 206 orbits during 14 days in space. Apollo 8 made 10 orbits of the moon in 24 hours and broadcasted from space. While Frank's accomplishments will go down in history, he owed a lot to his wife and couldn't see the effect of his career until he was finished.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is the autobiography of amazing human being, Harriet Jacobs. Harriet wrote her memoir under the name Linda Brent and changed the names of the people who owned her as well as helped her due to fear. Harriet's upbringing and education leads to very well written account of her harrowing time as a slave. She has even written a preface saying that her accounts may be difficult to believe, but they are very true.
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Harriet had an unusual experience as a slave. Her younger years were spent with what she called a "kind mistress." Harriet spent most of her time sewing, playing, and learning. However, when that mistress died, Harriet was given to another family member. The master of Harriet's new house, Dr. Flint, becomes obsessed with Harriet and begins to manipulate, degrade and possess her fully. Harriet uses her cunning and intelligence to outsmart him as well as extreme perseverance and strength. Harriet escapes to her grandmother's house and hides in a small garret above a shed for seven years before she escapes to the North. The entire time, Dr. Flint does not give up on finding Harriet. I was constantly amazed by Harriet's fortitude, especially when in her garret and constantly staying ahead of Dr. Flint's manipulations and lies. Even when Harriet was in New York, she refused to be seen as anyone's property and did not want to be bought by another in order to be granted freedom. Harriet made excruciating choices for her survival including leaving her children and pushing her body to its limits. Harriet wrote her story in order to inform and inspire women of the North to the situation of women in the South. Her story is still engaging, inspiring and educational for people today.

Glow Your Houseplant Garden is a beginner's guide on how to get your houseplant to not just survive, but thrive in your home. Even if you are a more experienced houseplant owner who hasn't quite figured everything out yet, this book might set you in the right direction. I really enjoyed that this guide wants houseplant owners to set their intention with their plants as another member of the household who needs care as the living being that they are. There are separate sections to guide you through everything you need to know such as: lighting, heat, humidity, soil, water, houseplant placement, pots and seasonality. There is a list of good starter houseplants as well. I do wish there were separate and specific care guides for the plants mentioned. There are definitely some good tips that I can put into action to help my houseplants live their best life.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.