Chains

Anderson, L.H. (2008). Chains. New York: Athenum.

Chains is a National Book Award finalist and winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction and rightfully so.  Narrated from the perspective of Isabel, named Sal by her master, the story tells of how she is passed from hand to hand due to her master's death and the sale of her body.  Even though she should have been set free, the will was ignored in a man's drive for riches.  Isabel and her young sister, Ruth, are sold to a Loyalist family, the Locktons and mistreated by "Madam." Madam maintains rigorous demands on her child slaves and ignores many of the necessities of being human in the place of housework and cooking.  When Ruth is sold, Isabel is inconsolable and the events result in her branding and a metaphorical infestation of bees.  Isabel tells her story through love and her "remembery" in a way that every reader can connect and sincerely empathize with her story.  Readers will not be able to put the book down as Isabel seeks her River Jordan.  (Grade 5 and up).

Countdown

Wiles, D. (2010). Countdown. New York: Scholastic Press.

Countdown is a fabulous book because of the inserted documentary photographs, newspaper clippings, and illustrations of the 1960s.  The illustrations bring the reader directly into the era and immerse readers into the turmoiled emotions of the characters who were constantly threatened by atomic bombs and simultaneously put enormous faith in their president, John F. Kennedy.  The book explains many of the details of the Cold War and the Bay of Pigs Invasion and while telling a story about a young girl trying to fit in with her family and friends, teaches readers about a fascinating bit of history. (Grade 5 and up).

Heart of a Samurai

Preus, M. (2010). Heart of a Samurai. New York: Amulet Books. 

This Newbery Honor Book, which is also a historical fiction book with an informative historical note following the epilogue, is spellbounding.  A story about a boy who leaves home one day in hopes of earning his keep and doesn’t return for fourteen years.  The last line of the book says it all: “Within him, Manjiro knew, beat a heart soured by sand, pounded by waves, burned by sun, and polished by rain and wind.  It would always be the simple heart of a fisherman, but perhaps it had also become the mighty heart of a samurai” (p.274).  The writing is beautiful, infused with illustrations that enhance the text.  Manjiro grows from a boy, knowing many kinds of people and learns from those he befriends that he can help the change in the world.  This is a story of how a boy, through adventure and ceaseless questioning, becomes a man. (Grades 5 and up). 

Our Only May Amelia

Holm, J.(1999). Our Only May Amelia. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books.

A Newbery Honor Book, this story is told from the perspective of a twelve year old girl, the author uses a writing style that transcends dialogue and absolves the need for quotation marks altogether.  This method brings the reader directly into the world of May Amelia and her life as the only daughter on the Nasel.  The story is about coming of age in a harsh pioneering world on the west coast in the late nineteenth century.  May Amelia learns about love and loss and acceptance and how to live life with or without it.  This wonderful story is a tear-jerker and is bound to touch readers of all ages making it a timeless classic meant to be read and reread again.  (Grades 5 and up).

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Philbrick, R. (2009). The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. New York: Blue Sky Press.

By weaving fiction in with historical fiction the story becomes more believable and emotionally tied to the reader.  Homer P. Figg is an endearing boy who believes himself a liar when really he is a practically a saint.  He is a lovable character who is attempting to understand the world during a time when the country is divided.  Homer meets some interesting characters who are entirely embedded in historical events such as the Underground Railroad, the Quakers, illegal enlistments of soldiers during the Civil War, marching on the lines, and the illegal activities of those selling magical elixirs. These underlying themes and Philbrick’s character development make for a great story. (Grades 3 and up).

Hitty: Her First Hundred Years

Field, R. (1929). Hitty: Her First Hundred Years. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Hitty begins her memoir after finding herself in a museum and having access to a quill with which she knows how to write.  Her story begins from creation by an Old Peddler who gives Hitty to a little girl named Phoebe Preble.  Phoebe cares for Hitty in only a way that an eighteenth century girl can including sewing her clothing and stitching the name Hitty into her skirt. Phoebe cares very well for Hitty and when Phoebe heads to sea with her father, captain of a whaling ship, so does Hitty.  Hitty learns the way of sailors and whaling when suddenly disaster strikes.  The ship catches on fire and Hitty is abandoned to the flames as she watches her family row away in a lifeboat.  From here, Hitty’s amazing adventures begin and she finds herself in precarious situations with difficult people and surrounded by languages and customs she does not recognize, but accepts nevertheless.  Hitty’s story is one that should be read by every little girl coming of age as she is repeatedly abandoned and found and cared for by many small children.  It is a story of wisdom and patience and well-worth the read. (Grade 5 and up).

Books to read...

Yolen, J. (2011). Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All. Philomel. (bibliographies by Andrew Borman)

This novel is a retelling of the classic Snow White. While it doesn't feature a princess, it does feature a girl, named Snow in Summer, who's mother has passed away suddenly, and a father who, despite grieving for years, is suddenly struck with love for a mysterious lady. This lady, eventually known as stepmother as she marries Summer's father, brings with her evil cauldrons and chemicals, and a mysterious mirror that answers questions. When Summer realizes that Stepmother is sucking the life from her father, and that she is next, she decides to run for her life, in turn finding a small cabin in the woods that houses some dwarves that would go on to save her life.

This books is a great retelling of Snow White that takes place in the early 1900's in West Virginia. Both boys and girls alike will love this story, and the mystery that unfolds before them. (6th grade & up)

Spinelli, J. (2004). Stargirl. Laurel Leaf. Stargirl is the new girl in class. Wearing weird cloths and acting strangely, the other kids aren't really sure

how to act around her, and they begin to create stranger and stranger theories about her life. Although initially popular due to her exciting and unique behaviors, Stargirl's aura begins to fade, as the others start to get annoyed by some of her actions, like cheering for both teams. As kids begin to transition from children to young adults, the issue of personal identity starts to become more and more apparent, and this book is great at dealing with the issue and helping other see that it is okay to be different.

Anderson, L.H.  - Speak, Fever 1793, Forge