By Mrs. McHugh

HHS Librarian/Advisor of The Hawk

When you go to the library or a local bookstore, can you find books where you see a reflection of yourself? Are there books that feature characters who look and sound like you, who live where you do, whose experiences are similar to what you’ve gone through?

These books are often called “mirrors,” important to help people feel valued, understood and represented in their communities. Every library strives to include “mirrors” for diverse populations – based not just on race and ethnicity but also religion, sexual identity, learning differences, disabilities, economic factors, health issues and more. For people outside of these populations, these “mirrors” become “windows,” allowing a look into someone else’s world. While mirrors validate ourselves, windows help us build empathy and tolerance for others.

The HHS Library has a display of “window and mirror” books for Inclusive Schools Week, and has focused on adding more diverse perspectives in recent years to reflect national conversations about race, equal rights and tolerance. The publishing industry, though, still has a long way to go before it truly represents the makeup of our country. According to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, which tracks new books each year, half of all children’s books published still feature white characters. In 2018, animals, trucks and other inanimate objects were featured more often than four other ethnicities combined. Those figures focus on race, but experts say the issues are the same with books about LGBTQ and other perspectives. As depicted in the infographic, this results in large mirrors for some populations and a sliver of representation for others.

Organizations like We Need Diverse Books are working to change the publishing industry, as are young influencers using social media such as BookTok to post reviews. You can help by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new genres or topics, and then spreading the word about books you like. Stop by the library and check out the latest display, or explore some of the resources for diverse books in this article. When we find “mirrors” in books, we feel more connected and understood. With more “windows” into others’ lives, we can become more compassionate and accepting. And as Inclusive Schools Week reminds us, we are stronger when we celebrate our differences and come together as a community.

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By Michael Greene, ’22

Staff Cartoonist

By Norah Kelley, ’24

Staff Writer

Three brothers. Fenway Park. A sold-out show. 

It was a dream come true for me and a stadium filled with screaming fans who were excited to see the Jonas Brothers perform on October 1 as part of the Remember This Tour. Country singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini opened before Kevin, Joe and Nick took the stage.

The Remember This Tour went across the country, performing in 42 locations throughout the United States. It was a completely sold-out show, but since the venues for all 42 locations on the tour were outside, the Jonas Brothers tried to keep their fans safe from COVID-19. 

I was unable to watch the entire opening act, but from the last few songs that I heard, Kelsea Ballerini sounded great. She’s famous for Half of My Hometown, with Kenny Chesney, and I Quit Drinking.

Soon after Kelsea Ballerini was finished performing, the Jonas Brothers came on and started the show!  I’ve listened to all of their songs and was excited to be able to see them in concert, especially after the crazy year everyone went through. 

The Jonas Brothers performed new songs that came out recently, along with some of the songs they wrote when they first became a band in 2005. The show included Remember This (their newest song), What A Man Gotta Do, Burnin’ Up, and Year 3000. Jealous and Cake By The Ocean, songs from their solo careers, were performed as well.  Also, since they were in Boston, they played Sweet Caroline as a special treat just for the fans. 

For me, the show was amazing and I can’t wait to go back to another one. Seeing the Jonas Brothers live in concert was so fun, and I am so glad that I had the chance to go. Now, it’s time to wait for new music to be released. Fingers crossed!

By Michael Greene, ’22

Staff Cartoonist

By Cole Gannon, ’22

Contributor

The first in an occassional series about chess strategy, written by members of the HHS Chess Club

When facing a good chess player, there is one move that will protect your king from checkmate for at least the better half of a match, if done correctly. 

Your first move needs to be to move the pawn in front of your king one space forward. Then, move the bishop on your kingside in front of your king.

After that, move your kingside knight to the front of your line of pawns. Now, is when you can do something called castling. In one move you can move your king next to your rook and then flip your rook on to the other side of your king. 

This will protect your king from immediate checkmate and give you time to defend.

If you are intrigued, like playing chess, or just like competition then join the Chess Club. Anyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. Meetings are Thursdays before school in room 225 at 7:15.

Questions? Ask Dylan Rice, Cole Gannon or Mrs. McCusker.

By Michael Greene, ’22

Staff Cartoonist

By Mrs. McHugh

Zombie plagues have been the rage in TV, movies and books for years. But setting a Zombie plague during the American Civil War? Now that’s something new.

Justina Ireland turns historical fiction on its head with her two-book series Dread Nation. Titled Rise Up and Deathless Divide, the books explore the racial, social and economic impacts of the ‘War Between the States’ and give new meaning to the term Reconstruction, the period of rebuilding and reunifying society after the war’s end. While no book involving zombies can be historically accurate, the stories build on the real people, events and issues of the time to highlight the brutality of slavery and the inequality that remained as the country moved forward – and westward. As the author explains in her notes, she wrote the books to give voice to characters often left out of history.

The books focus on Jane and Katherine, two Black teens taken from their homes after the dead begin to rise during the Battle of Gettysburg. Like other children of their race, they are deemed inferior – and therefore expendable – and sent to boarding schools that train them to protect rich whites from the undead. (These boarding schools resembled the facilities that Native Americans were sent to in the 1800s, when the U.S. government stole their land and forced their assimilation) The girls excel in their training, but before they can be assigned to protect society ladies, they uncover a sinister plot to build a “utopia” to replace the Eastern cities falling to the zombie plague. This new community is founded on the principles of Jim Crow, the discriminatory laws that rose to continue the oppression of Blacks after slavery was abolished. This means Blacks have no rights and are assigned the most dangerous jobs and the worst living conditions.

Tough-hearted and quick to temper, Jane resolves not just to survive, but to find an escape. Light-skinned and able to pass as White, Katherine plays along with the cruel society in order to help Jane’s plan to secure their freedom. There are tense battles, sorrowful deaths, cruel betrayals, heart-wrenching romances and epic friendships. And that’s just in book one. In the second book, the main characters venture west. Alive but forever changed, one seeks safety and peace while the other pursues vengeance.

The books are a unique way to explore the issues of American history including slavery and Reconstruction, the government’s treatment of Native Americans, the cultural clashes that came with waves of immigration, expansion of the western frontier, and the search for the “American dream.” But if you aren’t really interested in the history, the books aren’t slowed down by it. The series provides enough action and adventure for any reader.

By Kylie Campbell, ’22

Staff Writer

After the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, the world came to a stop. That included the filming of many fan-favorite TV shows. As people’s lives around the world changed dramatically, families spent more time indoors. People watched a lot more television, increasing their anticipation for new episodes of their favorite shows. Finally last summer, with social distancing and daily testing, many television shows and movies resumed filming. New seasons of popular shows came back this year including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “This Is Us.” These two shows, like many others, surprised fans by incorporating Covid-19 storylines. Fans had differing views on whether or not they liked this approach.

As a long-time supporter of “Grey’s Anatomy,” I was disappointed to see the virus incorporated into the show. I usually watch TV as an outlet from the real world. Especially since Covid-19 has increased stress and anxiety, I would have preferred a show that didn’t remind me of our world’s current situation. Although “Grey’s Anatomy” is a medical show and wanted to try to depict the lives of health care workers, I was disappointed to see the depressing cycle of death caused by Covid-19 to be portrayed in my favorite show. 

I also have been a strong supporter of the show “This is Us” throughout the last couple years but I have shied away from the very realistic season they have created for 2021. I feel as though incorporating the virus takes away from the intense storylines about the Pearson family which have built up over the past seasons . Although I believe real-world issues are an important aspect to be addressed, I feel as though they now have taken away from the original plot of the show. 

Even though I disliked Covid-19 being brought into these shows, some people found it reassuring to find their favorite fictional characters coping with the virus as well. And some good came from it. In “Grey’s Anatomy,” beloved characters who had left earlier in the show were able to come back due to Covid-19’s existence.