Reading the Fourth

As we approach the day that commemorates American independence from British imperialism, it is worth remembering that the Patriots became the Redcoats over 100 years later. A year ago, I posted a list of nonfiction recommendations from my high school courses on American imperialism. One of those books is a must-read for everyone, especially Americans, and especially right now: How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr.

Find out more about this book and other nonfiction recommendations from the Hallock classroom here.

It’s taken me a year to put something together on fiction, and the brief has shifted a bit in the process. I dig deep into why I loved this “children’s book” (grade 6 and up) and why it should be read by all ages. If you want to understand the Philippine-American War through a coming-of-age story mixed with a Things Fall Apart-theme, you have to try Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay.

Read more about why I love this book so much here.

And if you want to know more about the misuse of the Fourth of July in the Philippine context, read the post below. Thanks, and have a great weekend.

Happy Fourth of July, Republic Day, Philippine-American Friendship Day, and Hallock wedding anniversary! (Yes, Mr. H and I married on American Independence Day because we enjoy irony.) Find out more.