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.
![How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr](http://www.jenniferhallock.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/1080x1080xhide-an-empire-essential-read.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AMGwQSmplf.jpg)
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.
![Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay](http://www.jenniferhallock.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/1080x1080xbone-talk-recommended-read.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rYA2FE0LFP.jpg)
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.
![Fil-Am-Friendship-Day-July-Fourth](http://www.jenniferhallock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/825x825xFil-Am-Friendship-Day.jpg.pagespeed.ic.zV_z1b92V_.jpg)