An Ordinary Man

by Paul Rasesabagina


The movie Hotel Rwanda is based on experience from Paul's life.  When civil war causes absolute chaos in Rwanda, Paul uses his position as a hotel manager in a luxury hotel to save over 1,000 from the genocide. Their ordeal is hallowing and he truly didn't know if they'd survive.  Using  his understanding of how people work, he is able to save lives several times by  meeting face to face with officials.  


The title invokes to be the idea that it only takes ordinary people to stand in the face of evil and make a true and lasting change.

Wesley the Owl

by Stacey O'Brien

I really enjoyed this biography about a biologist and the barn owl she adopts.  He lives with her for 19 years, a vital and important part of her life.  She does a great job of explaining Wesley's personality and also letting us know how her experiences with him stack up against what scientists know about barn owls.

It was a quick, satisfying read.

Girl in Translation

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

This fiction book chronicles a Chinese immigrant's growing up as she works in a sweat shop in Brooklyn while making outstanding grades at school.  It's an amazing read because it's easy to forget that things like this still happen in our country.

The author immigrated from Hong Kong when she was 5 and worked along side her family in a clothing factory.  She ended up attending a private high school and Harvard due to her good grades.  I'm sure the novel is based on things she really experienced.