A Brief History of Montmaray The Montmaray Journals, book #1 by Michelle Cooper Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sophie is one of the last of the FitzOsbornes – a little known family of royals living in a dilapidated castle on the tiny island of Montmaray somewhere off the coast of Spain. She begins chronicling her life on the island after receiving a journal for her 16th birthday. It’s 1936, Hitler and his … Read more
The FitzOsbornes in Exile Sequel to A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) In Sophia FitzOsborne’s last journal entry in A Brief History of Montmaray, she described the traumatic exodus she and her family made as the Germans bombed their island kingdom of Montmaray. Forced to take refuge in Great Britain with their Aunt Charlotte, the FitzOsbornes are having some difficulty adjusting to High Society. Also, … Read more
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken Adventure Classics Historical Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Bonnie’s cousin Sylvia comes to live with her when Sylvia’s elderly aunt Jane feels she can no longer care for her properly. Bonnie’s own parents are leaving on a sea voyage – in an attempt to improve her mother’s health – and the girls are to be left in the care of a distant … Read more
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Rosalind is English, but she has been raised in India her whole life. Years ago, her brother Edward was sent back to England to receive his schooling, but he became ill and passed away. Their parents – especially their mother – have never truly gotten over his death. As a result, Rosalind’s mother has kept her close … Read more
Anne of Green Gables Anne of Green Gables #1 by LM Montgomery Classic Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) A girl named Anne is sent to live with a brother and sister in the place of a boy. The siblings almost send the girl back, but her charm stops them. Anne makes some great friends and gets several prestigious honors in school, as she does very well at school. The brother … Read more
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Eleven-year-old Calpurnia Tate has the utter misfortune of being the only girl right in the middle of a family full of boys. Because of this, there are some expectations put on her by her mother. Calpurnia struggles to improve her sewing, knitting, and cooking because in 1899 a girl is expected to do these well. She really … Read more
The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Newton Fusco Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) This is the poignant story of Charlie Anne and her family during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Charlie Anne’s mother has recently died in childbirth and her tough unemotional cousin, Mirabel has arrived to take care of the family. Life is a never ending round of chores for Charlie Anne who misses her mother desperately. The final … Read more
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Historical Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) It’s 1776 and Isabel Finch (who later becomes Sal Lockton) and her younger sister Ruth are sold to the Locktons when their owner passes away. They were to have been freed under the terms of the last will and testament of their owner, but with no copies of the document to prove it, the girls are stuck. The Locktons take them to … Read more
A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Richard Peck is an author of several award-winning historical fiction books for kids. In A Season for Gifts, he has written another exceptional story. Set in the 1950’s, this is the story of 12-year-old Bob, his family and his experiences as the new kid in town. This novel is filled with remarkable characters, including the older teenage sister who begins … Read more
The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Thomas and Dorothy Hoobler Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Seikei is the son of a merchant in ancient Japan, but he longs to escape his current station and become a noble samurai – one of the knights of Japan. He gets his chance when he notices a mysterious figure in the dark while he and his father are staying at an inn. … Read more