The Sun Does Shine, by Anthony Ray Hinton

     The long title of this book is The Sun Does Shine: An Innocent Man, A Wrongful Conviction, And The Long Path To Justice. This non-fiction book tells the story of Author Ray Hinton, a Black man wrongly accused of murder in Alabama some 30 years ago. Throughout the course of his story we see how racism and the United States "justice" system is able to work together to put people behind bars - even send them to death row - regardless of the facts presented (and not presented), and the holes in a criminal case.

    Hinton's story is difficult to read. How can we, as readers, understand the reality of being in prison, as days turn into weeks turn into months turn into years. I don't think we can fully comprehend what that would be like. Add to that struggle the knowledge of being innocent, as it was finally proven that Hinton was, after more than half his lifetime spent on death row. Death Row prisoners are in prison knowing that at some point the judicial system will put them to death. Hinton's "crime" was being a Black man in Alabama when a murder occurred, and the police needed to find someone to blame. 

    The book starts off slowly, full of moments when Hinton talks about being innocent and putting his faith in God, but for a while these confessions fall a little short because, as a reader, we of course know that many people who have done something wrong will claim to be innocent. Anyone facing death would likely claim not to have done it, whatever "it" was, right? So it takes some time, as details of the case unfold, for us as readers to start to fully believe Hinton. Once he convinces us, we are locked into this story, and it is a long, difficult read.

    Mush like Steve Sheinkin's Port Chicago 50, The Sun Does Shine is a true story that spotlights the holes in our nation's justice system, and how far we still have to go to see all people as equal and worthy, no matter the color of their skin. 5 paws.

Shatter Me, by Tahere Mafi

     Shatter Me is the first book in the Shatter Me series by author Mafi. This begins a dark, dystopian series where main character Juliette is locked in some sort of solitary confinement prison for reasons we, as readers, don't yet know. A lot of her thoughts are crossed out in the book, where we can still read them but to show she is battling to block out unwanted, negative thoughts in her mind and only focus on helpful thoughts. This gives her an even more unsettled "appearance". When a new person is thrown into her cell with her - a young man, no less - she is certain this person has been put into her cell to hurt her. Turns out she is wrong...

    This book and the series get great reviews across the board, so if dark, dystopian stories really excite you, give this a try! My human passed this along to an 8th grade reluctant reader not long ago and she claimed this as "the best book I have EVER read!". Myself, I didn't love this book...it was far too angsty, even for an old, angsty pug like me. But I can see how it would appeal to many middle school-aged readers, and even into high school. Check out a few other reviews, or better yet, give it a few dozen pages and see if it grabs your attention. It likely will, and if it doesn't, know you are still in good reading company with your favorite reading pug! 3 paws.

The Dreamer, by Pam Munoz Ryan

     If you don't know author Pam Munoz Ryan yet, for such wonderful stories as Esperanza Rising and Becoming Naomi Leon, please put either of these books on your reading list! She tells a great story, better than most, and The Dreamer does not disappoint. Be forewarned that The Dreamer is a rhythmic, slower-paced story, not a swashbuckling adventure tale. But if you take the time to allow Ryan to captivate you with the the pace of this tale, you will be rewarded with a tale of nature, strength, and the love of words.

    The Dreamer is the story of young Neftali, growing up in Chile with his two siblings, stepmom, and father, who is as close to a bully as any character I've read. Neftali loves nature, he is adventurous and curious, and finds joy in almost everything. He has a fantastic imagination and is destined to become a famous writer or poet someday. In fact, Neftali does grow up - to be famous poet Pablo Neruda. Ryan tells the tale of one of the world's most-read poets, and interweaves Naruda's poetry throughout the story. Through the story of his childhood, Ryan shows how he blends his curious nature and love for words with the strength he finds to follow his dreams, in spite of his father's strong wishes to the contrary.

    This books is in a category all by itself as far as it's pace and depth. The closest author I can think of who is anything like Ryan might be Margarita Engle, whose books also capture the beauty and complexity of words like few others. Treat yourself to The Dreamer, in a nice quiet space where you can really sink into what Ryan is offering. You won't be disappointed! 4 paws!

Doomed: Sacco, Vanzetti & the End of the American Dream, by John Florio and Ouisie Shapiro

     In the 1920s, the United States was gripped by fear - a fear of people who might not love America and everything it did and stood for. This was not the first time our country has experienced these fears, nor was it the last. In the book Doomed, authors Florio and Shapiro tell the story of two Italian immigrants who were living in the U.S., Sacco with his wife and daughter, Vanzetti on his own, in the early 1900s when a robbery occurred that resulted in two men being shot and killed. In a race to find someone - anyone - responsible for this crime, Sacco and Vanzetti were charged, although neither was at the scene of the crime at the time it occurred. They were charged because they were Italian immigrants, and because their political views did not match those of many White Americans. Sacco and Vanzetti were anarchists, which meant in some part that they were against the war that the U.S. was involved in (World War 1). Because they chose to leave the country for Mexico for a period of time, rather than be drafted to fight in a war they did not believe in, they were charged with murder, tried and convicted. Sentenced to death.

    Their story was circulated around the world, and many people spoke out in their defense and in favor of a fair re-trial. But in the spirit of the times in the U.S., there was not room for reason or justice. The system wanted someone to pay for the crimes, and these two men just happened to be who was chosen.

    This book tells an important story in our country's history, but isn't written as well as a book by, say, author Steve Sheinkin (my favorite non-fiction writer to date). Yet it's a story worth knowing. If you enjoy history, especially United States history, World War 1 or the early 1900s in the U.S., this book may appeal to you. I have studied U.S. history a lot, and knew of these two men, although this book helped me better understand their complete story better. But as a stand alone, I'm not sure it will appeal to most of you. So, read it if 1900s U.S. history is an interest to you. If it isn't, I don't think this book will hold your interest for long. 3 paws.