Historical Fiction Civil War Style

Lizzie is fourteen years old in 1863. The battle between the states is raging on and her home of Vicksburg is under siege. In order to protect themselves from cannons Lizzie's family takes refuge inside caves.

Living inside a cave with creepy crawly bugs and snakes and other creatures doesn't sit well with Lizzie. In fact she wants to run away and fight for the South. Later Lizzie finds out that war isn't what she thought it would be and she is faced with some harsh realities.

I enjoyed this book. At first I thought the story was going to go down the same predictable road that many YA HF novels go, but Ms. McClure threw a curve ball in there which I really liked.

I think students who like historical fiction will enjoy this novel.

I want it Wednesday

I had no idea there was a sequel to Push by Sapphire. I loved that book, it was amazing and this one is the story of Precious' child.

It hasn't gotten very good reviews on Amazon. I think it has a 2 star review rating; but I thought it might be worth mentioning. Lets face it books that have received glowing reviews I have disliked. So you be the judge!

Summary:

In The Kid bestselling author Sapphire tells the electrifying story of Abdul Jones, the son of Push's unforgettable heroine, Precious.

A story of body and spirit, rooted in the hungers of flesh and of the soul, The Kid brings us deep into the interior life of Abdul Jones. We meet him at age nine, on the day of his mother's funeral. Left alone to navigate a world in which love and hate sometimes hideously masquerade, forced to confront unspeakable violence, his history, and the dark corners of his own heart, Abdul claws his way toward adulthood and toward an identity he can stand behind.

In a generational story that moves with the speed of thought from a Mississippi dirt farm to Harlem in its heyday; from a troubled Catholic orphanage to downtown artist's lofts, The Kid tells of a twenty- first-century young man's fight to find a way toward the future. A testament to the ferocity of the human spirit and the deep nourishing power of love and of art, The Kid chronicles a young man about to take flight. In the intimate, terrifying, and deeply alive story of Abdul's journey, we are witness to an artist's birth by fire.

Historical Fiction Friday: Review

This one was a very emotional read for me. It is set right before World War II and took me back to a time when my grandmother was young and faced the same problems as Ruby.

Ruby's father died and her mother isn't able to work anymore at the meat packing plant because her fingers are so gnarled with arthritis. Ruby's sister is to young to work so its up to Ruby to drop out of school(something she doesn't want to do, but must) and goes to the same place her mother worked.

The meat packing plant isn't glamorous and it doesn't pay well either. Ruby's family has a lot of debt and she wants to help them. Her need for quick cash lands her in a dance all where she can make money dancing the night away with men she doesn't know.

The money is quick, but the men are quicker, and Ruby finds herself in a lot of trouble. She tries to make the right choices, but things don't always work out. To add to her problems, Ruby is falling in love with an unsavory young man named Paulie. He's an up and coming gangster and has his own set or problems. Ruby's mother is beyond mad, but she doesn't understand that her daughter is in love.

Will Ruby be able to do the right thing, or will the gangster life that was so prevalent in 1940s Chicago claim another victim?

As I said earlier this story drew me in. I could hear my grandmother's stories through Ruby. Just like Ruby my grandmother had to drop out of school because her father died. My grandmother had to earn money to keep her family in a crappy apartment with little heat and little food. The same was for Ruby. This was a very emotional read for me because it connected me with my grandmother a person I miss dearly.

Thanks to Beverly Stowe McClure

A shout out(long over due) goes to Ms. McClure for giving me a copy of her new book, Caves, Cannons and Crinolines. Expect a review soon!

Summary:
In May of 1863, fourteen-year-old Elizabeth (Lizzie) Stamford decides to enlist in the Confederate Army. Two incidents trigger her decision. First, for months General Ulysses S. Grant and his Federal troops have been shelling Vicksburg, Mississippi. To control Vicksburg is to control the Mississippi River. Now, Vicksburg is under siege, cut off from the rest of the world.

I want it Wednesday

For this Wednesday I found an interesting book that sounds like an intense adventure. Check it out!


Summary:
Aba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Amazing art, but lacks substance

This graphic novel is based on a classic Chinese play. Lady Pian Pian is a beautiful young woman staying with her overbearing mother as guests at a monk's temple. A young gentleman who wanders the countryside sees her and falls in love with at once. He wants to marry her, and she also falls in love with him. However, the young lady's mother does not like this young man. She has made a better match for her daughter. So its up to him to prove his love. But can he do it in time?

The story was Okay. It wasn't fast paced, it wasn't exciting, it at times felt dull and very ordinary. I also felt the story was a bit rushed. The art however is amazing, and its great eye candy. But candy alone isn't a meal and I'm afraid this graphic novel falls shot.

I want it Wednesday

This one sounds disturbing and interesting at the same time. when I found it I thought I had to have it. I love dystopia books.

Summary:
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

I want it Wednesday

From the authors of 13 Reasons why(a huge hit with my students) and The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things comes a new book co authored by both.

Summary: It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet.

Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM. Josh is her best friend.

They power up and log on and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future.

Everybody wonders what their destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

This one hits the shelves on November 21, 2011.

Summer Vacation BRB

I'm enjoying my first week of freedom. I'll get back to work starting on Tuesday. I'm being lazy.

Historical Fiction Friday

I'm a day late, but in my defense I was very excited about summer vacation, which started for me at 9 Am yesterday. So, I forgot to post. My bad. Sorry! :-)

This Friday I am spotlighting a book by Janet Fox. I meet her at the Historical Fiction Conference and she had her own YA panel which was very informative. I thought it was great. Here is her latest book, Forgiven.

Summary:

Kula Baker never expected to find herself on the streets of San Francisco, alone but for a letter of introduction. Though she has come to the city to save her father from a cruel fate, Kula soon finds herself swept up in a world of art and elegance - a world she hardly dared dream of back in Montana, where she was no more than the daughter of an outlaw. And then there is the handsome David Wong, whose smiling eyes and soft-spoken manner have an uncanny way of breaking through Kula's carefully crafted reserve. Yet when disaster strikes and the wreckage threatens all she holds dear, Kula realizes that only by unlocking her heart can she begin to carve a new future for herself.

I want it Wednesday

This one doesnt hit the shelves until September 27, 2011, but I thought it sounded cool. Plus the cover is an eye catcher!

Summary:

Mara Dyer doesn't believe life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

A special thank you

I wanted to do a shout out to Amber Kizer who was kind enough to send along her new novel Seven kinds of ordinary catastrophes. I love free stuff! Who doesn't?

Check it out.

Summary: Brainy and brassy Gert Garibaldi, high school sophomore, is still navigating the ups and downs of life in this sequel to One Butt Cheek at a Time (Delacorte, 2007). Punctuated with frank rants (some more crass than others), the narrative proves her to be a witty, intelligent, and insecure teen trying to figure out who she is (while getting it all on paper). Along the way she feels the pressure of SATs and SEX, though she's more ready for one than the other. Dumped by a boyfriend whose (lack of) kissing skills leaves Gert questioning her sexuality, she supports her closest friends, Clarice and Maggie, and, of course, the sometimes-neglectful-but-still-best-friend Adam, whose romance with Tim struggles under the weight of unsupportive parents and homophobic classmates. Gert gets hired (peddling doughnuts sounded easy) and tired (running around for the new soccer team, attempting to catch crush Lucas's eye). In the midst of a family crisis, she rises to the occasion, demonstrating growth and a responsible side. With her snarkiness and verve (but with more depth and less nonsense), Gert will appeal to older fans of Louise Rennison's Georgia Nicholson (HarperCollins). Sexual situations, creative swearing, and underage drinking are included. Reading the earlier title isn't necessary but new readers might be compelled to do so.

Historical Fiction Conference

It's been a busy weekend for me. I flew out on Friday and after a long, very long, flight made it to San Diego for the Historical Fiction Conference. There was a strong YA presence there! I was on a panel with some great authors talking about Adult Vs. Young Adult books and what the difference is. I also meet some great YA authors which includes ( Susanne Dunlap, Susan Coventry, C.C. Humphreys, Pamela Bauer Mueller, Dori Jones Yang, Irene Latham, Janet Fox and Jame Richards).

They were enthusiastic and you could tell they loved their readers. If you haven't checked out one of their books I strongly suggest you do. It was obvious from my conversations with them that they love teens and love their audience.

With summer approaching I hope that I will be able to get back into the grove of things.

Historical Fiction Friday: Review.

Iris is a young girl living during the 1920s. Her mother died when she was young and her father raised her on his own. She loves her father, though he isn't the easiest man to get along with.

Her father decides to send her off for the summer and become a domestic servant while he tries to set up his new shoe shop. She works for Dr. Nesbitt and his elderly mother (who isn't helpless and doesn't need a companion.)

There are some twists and turns, and while a decent book I found it to be really slooowwwwwwwww. I was waiting for something big to happen, and when something finally happened I sighed and read on. It was a struggle to get through this book because the pacing wasn't what I hoped.

On Amazon this book has four and five star reviews. Maybe it's just me. Either way another historical fiction book crossed off the list for the challenge.

I want it Wednesday

I'm a huge Louisa May Alcott fan, so when I came across this book I stopped and paused. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm kinda on the fence. I have a feeling I know how it's going to end.

Summary:
Emily is sick and tired of being a middle sister. So when she gets an assignment to describe what she'd change about a classic novel, Emily pounces on Little Women. After all, if she can't change things in her own family, maybe she can bring a little justice to the March sisters. (Kill off Beth? Have cute Laurie wind up with Amy instead of Jo? What was Louisa May Alcott thinking?!) But when Emily gets mysteriously transported into the 1860s world of the book, she discovers that righting fictional wrongs won't be easy. And after being immersed in a time and place so different from her own, it may be Emily-not the four March sisters-who undergoes the most surprising change of all. Lauren Baratz-Logsted's winning confection will appeal to fans of Little Women as well as anyone who enjoys a modern twist on an old favorite.

Historical Fiction Friday

Lily of the Nile is about Selene, the daughter of the infamous Cleopatra.

When her mother dies, Selene is taken to Rome along with her brothers. She doesn't want to leave her homeland, and she is upset her mother killed herself, but she doesn't have a choice. Once in Rome she finds life difficult to adjust to, but not as difficult as her stubborn twin brother. Despite everything that takes place, Selene is faithful to her faith as she tries to carve out a life for herself in a strange land.

I don't know much about Egyptian history, but I love reading these books. I found this one interesting, the characters well written and I enjoyed the little bit of magic that was thrown into the story. Selene is a young girl, teenager through the entire book. There is a sequel in the works, and I am looking forward to that.

Teens who are more advance will enjoy this historical fiction novel. It is marketed for adults, but I think teens who regularly read adult books, and want to get away from the endless fluff of teen historical fiction novels will enjoy this one.

I want it Wednesday

I saw this in a bookstore. Its just to weird to ignore. It's about a young American girl who decides to go overseas and be part of a harem. It's based on a true story.

Summary:
At the age of 19, Lauren was trying to get a fledgling acting career off the ground while working as a stripper and call girl. When the opportunity arises for several girls to travel to the island of Borneo to be a part of the harem of the Sultan of Brunei’s youngest brother, Prince Jefri, for a few weeks, Lauren jumps at the opportunity. Telling her family she’s headed overseas for an acting job, she travels to Brunei for what she thinks will be a diverting and exciting two weeks. Once she arrives at the expansive estate, Lauren finds her only duty is to attend lavish parties each night and hope that she will be the one chosen to steal away from the party with the prince. Two weeks turns into a year, and Lauren finds herself increasingly involved in the vicious competition for the prince’s attention. While the surprising and exotic subject matter is sure to pique interest, Lauren’s graceful, introspective prose lifts her unusual memoir far above the level of mere titillation.

I want it Wednesday

Wildcat Fireflies is the sequel to Ms. Kizer's first book Meridian. This one won't be out till the summer though. It is going to hit the bookstores July 12, 2011.

Summary:
Meridian Sozu is a Fenestra—the half-human, half-angel link between the living and the dead. She has the dark responsibility of helping souls transition safely into the afterlife. If people die without the help of a Fenestra, their souls are left vulnerable to be stolen by the Aternocti, a dark band of forces who disrupt the balance of good and evil in the world and cause chaos.
Having recently lost her beloved Auntie—the woman who showed her what it meant to be a Fenestra—Meridian has hit the road with Tens, her love and sworn protector, in hopes of finding another Fenestra. Their search leads them to Indiana, where Juliet, a responsible and loving teenager, works tirelessly in the nursing home where she and several other foster kids are housed. Surrounded by death, Juliet struggles to make a loving home for the younger kids, and to protect them from the violent whims of their foster mother. But she is struggling against forces she can't understand . . . and even as she feels a pull toward the dying, their sickness seems to infect her, weighing her down. . . .

Free Comic Book Day!

What? Free? Yep, you read correctly that magical word free.

The first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day. Click on the link before to find a store in your area that is participating. As a librarian, a reader of comics, and yes one who is currently working on her own, I think its a great idea to branch out and read something a little different. Ever tried a comic? Think there is nothing for you? Don't be so quick to judge. Not every book out there deals with superheros in tights.


Check out Free Comic Book Day!

Historical Fiction Friday

How about a little steampunk? The title of this book is neat.

Summary:
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch….

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.