The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Craig and Amy are an unlikely couple – Amy is popular, outgoing, and a real class leader, while Craig has a few awkward nerdy friends who get together on Saturday nights to play D&D. But when Craig starts crushing on Amy, he finds a way for them to spend more time together – he … Read more
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nisha and her twin brother Amil (12 years old) become refugees when their country gains its independence from British rule in 1947 and is split into two nations – India and Pakistan. Because she and her family (father, grandmother, and brother) are considered Hindu (even though Nisha and Amil’s mother was Muslim) they must leave the home they have … Read more
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ada and her brother Jaimie are now permanent wards of their guardian, Susan, who took them in when they were evacuated from London. The first thing Susan does is arrange for Ada to have surgery to correct her clubfoot, which has long been a source of pain and shame for her. The recovery process is long … Read more
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ada (11) was born with a clubfoot and lives with her mam and little brother, Jamie, in London, where she is required to stay hidden from the world. When the war (WWII) breaks out, Ada takes the opportunity to evacuate herself and Jamie to the countryside, where they are put in the care of Susan … Read more
Marika by Andrea Cheng Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) I love how this book informs us of all the struggles and all the horrific things Jews had to go through during the Holocaust. This book tells of a young girl who writes in a journal of all her experiences as a Jew. The book reminds us that the world is a horrible place.
Leyla: The Black Tulip Girls of Many Lands series by Alev Lytle Craitier Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) I love how it portrays a young girl who tries to do right but instead puts herself in a place of slavery. As she goes through this, though, things start to get better. The suspense in this story was awesome! I love this book. I just wish the author made a … Read more
House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton Historical Fiction Mystery Supernatural Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about a family that moves into a house called Dies Drear. Thomas, the 13-year-old, discovers different secret passages hidden in the house. Strange, weird things start happening. Will they solve the mystery or will it end up as a mystery forever?
Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) The book was great, it held a ton of description making the reader feel like part of the story. You could tell the author put a lot of effort towards the book by the words used along with her figurative language. Why I gave it a four star rating was that the beginning was quite slow and boring … Read more
Meet Kit: An American Girl American Girl series by Valerie Tripp Historical Fiction Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok.) This book is about a nine-year-old girl named Kit Kittredge with a nose for news. Kit writes her own newspaper stories. She reports about what happens during the day while her father is at work. Her father later loses his job because of the Depression. Her mother gets a brainstorm that turns the house upside … Read more
Julius Caesar by Shakespeare Classic Drama/Play Historical Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) This classic play is a tale of betrayal, destiny, and fortune. It gives greater insight on the somewhat far off figure that Julius Caesar sometimes is to the modern reader. It also offers a different view of Caesar’s personality if you read Antony’s speech. A bit dull at times, yet a great story!