September 2020 – Page 2

Plot:

Lou has never liked big crowds, or people touching her, or loud noises. She may not have a life like most other kids, but she knows she’s safe with her mom. In between shows where she has to sing in front of crowds, she and her mom sleep in their truck. They’re staying in a town that Lou likes, and hopefully they will be there for a while. But when an accident happens and Child Protective Services gets involved, Lou has to move to a brand new place, with a family she doesn’t know. Starting at a new school is never fun, and Lou just wants to fly under the radar. But a persistent friend, a school counselor, and a loving aunt and uncle help her realize that maybe things will be alright after all.

What I loved most:

In so many books about neurodivergence, the differently-abled character is a sibling/friend/side character. That’s not the case in Tune It Out – Lou gets to be the heroine of her own story. At the beginning of the book, she’s never heard the term “sensory processing disorder”. By the end, she’s working on coping skills and management strategies, and boldly tells her mom about SPD and what it means. It’s SO important for children to see themselves reflected in the literature that they read – and not just as a side character. Three cheers for differently-abled protagonists!

Read this book if you like:

Contemporary fiction, complicated families, neurodivergent protagonists, music, theater, accepting who you are

Book details:

Author: Jamie Sumner
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date of Publication: Sept 1, 2020
Age Recommendation: 5th – 8th graders
Look up Tune It Out on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!

Plot:

After the newspaper she worked at folded, Emily Guendelsberger started working in one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers. As a journalist, she was interested in not only experiencing this kind of work first-hand, but also talking to the people who worked in this type of low-wage job. This journey took her from the isolated warehouse aisles of Amazon, to a call center working on behalf of AT&T, to the ultimate low-wage job: McDonalds. On the Clock is an insightful look at the service industry, the way that major corporations treat their employees, and the future of low-wage work in the time of artificial intelligence and increasing automation.

What I loved most:

In this book, Guendelsberger acknowledged that she might have a different experience of these kinds of jobs than most people who work them long-term. She frequently reminded herself while working at Amazon that this was a temporary gig for her. She takes care to include the perspectives of her coworkers, for whom these jobs are a longer term lifestyle. It’s so easy to live in a bubble, never considering the perspectives of people with experiences different than ours. This book is important reading for all people, but seems extra important for those who live in relative luxury. A real person has to go find that loofah you ordered from Amazon and get it ready to be shipped to you. A real person is on the other side of the phone when you’re mad about having to pay your bill. A real person just prepared that Big Mac for you. On the Clock reminds us to treat all people with the dignity they deserve.

Read this book if you like:

Low-key economics, considerations of the job market, memoirs

Book details:

Author: Emily Guendelsberger
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date of Publication: July 16, 2019
Age Recommendation: Adult
Look up On the Clock on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!