The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor Graphic Novel Historical Fiction Tween Grades 6+ * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s 1885, and Mei lives in a logging camp with her father who runs the kitchen, while she makes the most delicious pies. She sees all of the inequalities between the white workers and the Chinese ones (and other people of color), though – in pay, room and board. She also sees it … Read more
The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw Adventure Historical Fiction Mystery Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) What would it be like to live in the time of Queen Tiy, mother to Amenhotep IV? Ranofer does just that. He is a young Egyptian boy, who longs to be a goldsmith like his father. Unfortunately, his father dies and leaves Ranofer in the grips of his half-brother, Gebu. Ranofer’s life becomes miserable until … Read more
Catherine’s War by Julia Billet illustrated by Claire Fauvel translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger Graphic Novel Historical Fiction WWII/Holocaust (for grades 5+, teens, and adults) In 1942, teenager Rachel Cohen finds herself at the Children’s Home boarding school in Sevres France, after her parents send her there for her safety. World War II is being fought throughout France and the Germans are invading. As a Jewish person, Rachel is in an even more dangerous position and … Read more
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Kit (Katherine) Tyler’s grandfather has died. So she packs her bags, and heads off to join her aunt and uncle. But when she gets there, the customs are too strict, her dresses are considered “frivolous,” and her uncle is less than welcoming. Also, a certain boy named William is courting her, but does her heart … Read more
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Skrypuch Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In this book, a story is told of a young girl who was taken into a concentration camp, away from her grandparents, by the Nazis. While in the camps with her sister, she is given many tasks to do. I personally really enjoy stuff about WWII and this book made it easier to understand at a younger … Read more
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Adult Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) A small town in Louisiana is focused on becoming light-skinned. Two girls escape from this town. However, after many years one girl ventures. This book was slow and there was no true climax. It feels as if you’re reading all exposition instead of actual story. Plus, the author doesn’t dig deep enough for the issues she tries … Read more
Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird Historical Fiction Tween/Grades 4-8 * * * Stars (Pretty good) 12-year-old Suzy Bowles wants to see the world, but she’s stuck on a farm in a small town in Michigan where no one ever seems to leave (or even wants to). When her uncle and his family come to live with them, she makes it her business to find out where he disappears to every morning before … Read more
Lovely War by Julie Berry Adventure Historical Fiction Romance Teen * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In a Manhattan hotel on the eve of World War II, Hephaestus catches his wife, Aphrodite, in a compromising position with his brother Ares. To clear herself of the crime of adultery, she weaves an intricate tale of mortal love during wartime that demonstrates the endurance of the human spirit. This book is intelligently and incredibly well written, … Read more
Sunny Makes a Splash Sunny #4 by Jennifer and Matthew Holm Graphic Novel Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 4+) * * * * Stars (Great!) Summer is here! And most of Sunny’s friends are off doing other things while Sunny is home babysitting her little brother. Until she lucks into a job at the pool working at the concession stand. She makes lots of new friends there among the life guards and gets to … Read more
The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig Adventure Historical Fiction Romance Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nix and her father are navigators – they can travel through space and time on their ship, The Temptation, if they have an accurate map which they’ve never used before. Captain Slate, Nix’s father, is desperate to find a way back to the time before his wife’s death – he’ll pay anything, do anything, for a … Read more