Myths and legends communicate key values and beliefs within a society, though the stories may share many similarities across time and culture.
In this brief compendium, Nardo examines common themes across mythologies pulled from around the globe. The famous mythologist Joseph Campbell and contemporary expert E.J. Michael Witzel claim that myths the world over share common themes, values, and tropes because of a shared heritage of storytelling that dates back to the earliest humans. These tales often involve powerful and wise creator deities as well as heroic humans, and each communicates something of the values and traditions of each culture to the listener or reader. This title serves as a cursory primer of several major mythical traditions from around the world. Through each retelling and subsequent background exposition, readers discover particulars about the cultures from which each myth sprang but also their many similarities. Classical historian Nardo begins with the Greco-Roman and Norse mythological traditions that Western readers are most likely already familiar with before expanding to Hindu, Chinese, Aztec, and Igbo mythical traditions. Though a great primer for reluctant readers and those looking for a brief overview and laudable for its inclusion of non-Western traditions, readers hoping for a deeper dive will need to look elsewhere. Ample illustrations add interest and support the text.
An amuse-bouche of world mythology that may leave readers craving more. (source notes, further reading, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-6782-0082-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press
Review Posted Online: June 11, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT RELIGION | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A history of U.S. voting rights and the unrelenting barrage of challenges to them, with a chapter that updates the original 2020 edition.
Despite an occasional bobble (no, all the states did not send representatives to the Constitutional Convention, and the Shelby County vs. Holder decision, devastating as it was, was not responsible for “overturning” the Voting Rights Act), college professor Jenkins delivers a broadly comprehensive overview that takes readers from “No taxation without representation!” to the events of Jan. 6, 2021 and beyond, with updates covering the failure of the Arizona recount and the recent flurry of legislation designed to further depress our already chronically low levels of voter participation. The additions lend currency to the story, but apathetic readers are more likely to catch a spark from other histories, such as Susan Goldman Rubin’s Give Us the Vote! (2020). The graphic format does little to animate this account, as aside from some redrawn historical news photos, the drably duotone art runs to clumsily rendered portraits of figures in static poses stiffly restating talking points, uttering (in)famous quotes (“Why do we want all these people from shithole countries?”)—or in a running conceit, imitating game show announcers: “Congratulations! John Adams, you’ve won the presidency!” The color scheme also minimizes differences in skin color, and visual elements frequently look crammed in among the fulsome blocks of lecture-y narrative.
Broad, deep, and on a significant topic but more utilitarian than inspirational. (voting information, source notes) (Graphic nonfiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4197-3999-6
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
Categories: TEENS & YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION | SOCIAL TOPICS | TEENS & YOUNG ADULT HISTORY
Did you like this book?
It’s not only men who can make millions and have an impact on society.
Sichol, who previously profiled the men behind Disney, Nike, Google, and Lego, now turns her attention to women with big ideas. Here, she introduces 15 female founders of successful companies, organizing her presentation into five different fields: food, health and beauty, science and technology, education, and clothing and fashion. From Kathleen King, the original baker of Tate’s Cookies, to Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity, her subjects are as varied as their paths to success. But, in an introduction, the author points out that certain commonalities connect these stories. She offers glimpses of childhood interests and abilities, gives examples of early adult experiences, and stresses turning points. Most of these entrepreneurs are still with their successful organizations; some have turned over major responsibility for day-to-day management, and a few have sold to larger companies and moved on. The organizations are wide-ranging, too: businesses selling products or offering personal services and nonprofits for feeding the hungry and encouraging girls to learn coding. Interspersed with the biographies are short segments, sometimes related biographies, sometimes other relevant information. These add substance but detract from the flow of the chronological narrative. The author concludes by encouraging her readers to act on their own ideas because passion and hard work can pay off.
Inspiring stories of successful 21st-century women. (source notes) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Feb. 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-64160-674-5
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2021
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2022 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
