Literature Young Adult Fiction » Historical Fiction http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com YA Readers Reviewing Books Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:06:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-a-little-princess-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-a-little-princess-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:40:33 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1819

by First Mate Keira

Title: A Little Princess
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Format: Hardback
Page Count: 266 pages
Grade Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Summary: Sara Crewe, a little girl who grew up in India is taken to London by her father to attend Miss Minchin’s Seminary for Girls. Sara must learn to live on her own and navigate the schoolroom and its students. Good thing she’s good at storytelling, playing pretend and supposing or life would be tough for this odd little heiress.

Why I started this book:

I have loved the 1995 movie for ages and ages. Heard it was a book (how did this escape me?) and decided to pick it up and read it.

Likes:

  • It’s surprisingly easy to read and while there are a few big words here and there that might slip the grasp of a younger child, it is a breeze to get through. A rarity I’ve found in classics.
  • There’s a more believable reason for Sara to become a beggar than in the movies where the government seems to have unfairly seized everything. In the book he loses it on speculation for diamond mines.
  • The sparrows outside her attic window and the rat family inside the walls.
  • Ermengarde as the friend and Lavinia as the enemy.

Toss-Up:

  • Sara is so immensely likeable because of how kind she is and how brave she is and how she handles herself in the face of adversity and tough situations. Sometimes she’s so strong you break for her. The book can be very sad at times. I cried once or twice wile reading her supposing about being a Princess when she was practically a beggar.
  • Sara’s relationship with Lottie as her “mother.” That didn’t gel so well with me.
  • Becky. Surprising.

Dislikes:

  • Miss Amelia is not nearly so likeable a character in the books as she’s in the movie versions of this story. I was sad about that.
  • The father is actually dead as opposed to the movies (Shirley Temple's The Little Princess and A Little Princess 1995) where he suffers amnesia from a war wound.

Last Minute Thoughts: This would be a great story to read at bedtime, a chapter or two at a time.

Buy: A Little Princess

Rating: 3 Treasure Chests (at least compared to the A Little Princess 1995 movie)

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]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-a-little-princess-by-frances-hodgson-burnett/feed/ 0 Review: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-indian-captive-the-story-of-mary-jemison-by-lois-lenski/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-indian-captive-the-story-of-mary-jemison-by-lois-lenski/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:10:43 +0000 Second Mate Embry http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=792

by Second Mate Embry, guest reviewer

Title: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison
Author: Lois Lenski
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 320
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: Mary Jemison is living a normal life in the past during the years of British colonization of America until one day a man comes running by saying that the Indians are going to attack. Her dad ignores the warning and continues to plant his corn. They attack and she is separated from her family and kept captive amongst the Indians. They call her Corn Tassel for her hair. She’s tried to runaway to get back to her family but the Indians keep bringing her back. She is to become like them, but Mary doesn't want to be an Indian. It’s based on a true story.

Why I started reading this book:

It was a literacy book in my class and I read it for school as an assignment.

Likes:

  • Most books I’ve read about historical America usually have the European population capturing the Indians and I liked that this was the reverse of that scenario.
  • I enjoyed the different Indian names (Shining Star, Squirrel Woman, Red Bird, Little Turtle, Running Deer, etc.) and I thought that it was cool that their names sort of reflected the character and their personality.
  • The Indians only captured Europeans to replace dead members of their tribe.
  • The most interesting part of the book was when one of the captured Europeans was running the gauntlet! The Indians were trying to kill him and if he made it out alive he would be considered a true Indian.

Dislikes:

  • I wish it was more suspensful. I thought I would be very wrapped up in what would happen next and it was really more “Mary throwing herself a pity party, mumbling woefully about not being able to escape, and refusing to eat Indian food.” I just wanted to shake her to get her to stop moping and to start doing something.
  • Some of the language was hard to follow as it was full of older style dialogue instead of the contractions and language we use today.

Buy: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Rating: 2.5 Treasure Chests

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]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-indian-captive-the-story-of-mary-jemison-by-lois-lenski/feed/ 0 Review: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-number-the-stars-by-lois-lowry/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-number-the-stars-by-lois-lowry/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:49:44 +0000 CaptainYarr http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1714
  • Review: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski
    • ]]>

    by Captain Lyaf Yarr


    Title: Number the Stars
    Author: Lois Lowry
    Format: Paperback
    Page Count: 156 Pages
    Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

    Summary: Two years into World War II, Nazis are hunting Jews. Annemarie Johansens is a 10 year old girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark. But everything changes once her best friend, Ellen Rosen has to hide from the Nazis for being a Jew. The Johansens decide to take her in and disguise her as Annemarie's dead older sister. After that EVERYTHING is chaos! Annmarie is forced to mature. Childhood is a thing of the past. Everyone has to be brave and courageous and somehow pull though.

    Why I Started the Book:

    I started this book because we read it in class for a project in language arts.

    Likes:

    • Every chapter kept me on the edge of my seat, I had to keep reading and figure out what happen!
    • I can't help but feel sympathetic toward Annemarie. No ten year old should have to go through what she did!
    • Kirsti is defiantly my favorite character in this book! She's so adorable and oblivious to everyone! She's self-centered and is always craving pink frosted cupcakes. I love cupcakes and can relate to such cravings... but mine don't necessarily have to have pink frosting.
    • I love the chapter where Annmarie and Ellen are waiting for the soldiers to arrive in their bed and Papa acts like a barrier and acts like he will do anything to protect his loved one! So sweet and brave!

    Dislikes:

    • I think that it is so sad to think about World War II and the horror involved! :(

    Last minute thoughts: This was a really good book! I defiantly want to read more book by Louis Lowry! But I wonder if all of of her books are about historic events? This book is a Newberry Award winner.

    Buy: Number the Stars

    Book Rating: I give this book 4.5 Treasure chests!

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    1. Review: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski
    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-number-the-stars-by-lois-lowry/feed/ 0     Review: Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/#comments Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:11:19 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1669
  • Walk the Plank with M.J. Putney (Author Interview)
  • Dark Mirror Winners
  • Review: The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen (Changeling, Book 2) by Delia Sherman
    • ]]>

    by First Mate Keira

    Title: Dark Mirror
    Author: M.J. Putney
    Format: Trade Paperback
    Page Count: 320 pages
    Grade Reading Level: 8th Grade+

    Summary: In a world where magic is shunned by the elite, Lady Victoria Mansfield finds herself flying after a particularly good dream. Shocked and horrified, she tries to hide it until an accident at a lawn party by the cliffs forces her to reveal the secret. Her life as she knew it is over. Exiled to Lackland Abbey, Tory will join others like her at the reform school… nobles hoping to return home clean of their magic. Soon though Tory will learn that status isn’t everything and sometimes there are things more important, things worth fighting for.

    Why I read this book:

    The publisher offered me a copy and I accepted because it the book sounded like the antithesis of Harry Potter. You don’t go to school to learn it. You go to school to get rid of it.

    Likes:

    • The underground secret society of nobles forming to learn their magic with the very help of the professors who are at the school trying to rid them of it. Predictable? Yes. Fun anyway? Yes.
    • The mirror and what it does. I will admit it through me for a loop the first time it was found and used for time travel. It’s a bit jarring at first, and I wondered if Tory would get back to her past, but I liked the change of pace.
    • I like that Tory never made the easy choice. She did what was right even at cost to herself.

    Toss-Up:

    • Magic doesn’t seem to have many rules. On one hand this is interesting because it allows for the unexpected results in the rules we know. On the other hand it makes for an all too convenient loop-hole to be accessed as needed.
    • Magic is being eradicated because a few aristocrats in the past didn’t like that they couldn’t do it themselves and that others in their peerage had powers and used them. That said, the commoners were still practicing and all wished they could have it and use it… with the exception of the upper middle class looking to get an in with the aristocrats. So how come it’s unknown so completely to the mages during WWII? They practically live down the street from the ruins of Lackland Abbey.

    Last Minute Thoughts: My toss-ups are probably going to be explained in future books of the series. I am looking forward to figuring everything out!

    Buy: Dark Mirror

    Rating: 4 Treasure Chests

    Want to learn more? Check out Walk the Plank with M.J. Putney (Author Interview)

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    1. Walk the Plank with M.J. Putney (Author Interview)
    2. Dark Mirror Winners
    3. Review: The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen (Changeling, Book 2) by Delia Sherman
    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/feed/ 0     Review: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-hattie-big-sky-by-kirby-larson/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-hattie-big-sky-by-kirby-larson/#comments Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:57:47 +0000 BookWatch http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=803

    by BookWatch, guest reviewer

    Title: Hattie Big Sky
    Author: Kirby Larson
    Format: Paperback
    Page Count: 304
    Grade Reading Level: Grades 7-9

    Summary: This book is about 16 year old Hattie Brooks who is an orphan living with her aunt and uncle in Iowa in 1918.  She inherits a homestead in Montana and travels on her own to claim it.  It is the middle of winter and she must learn to survive alone in harsh conditions and determine how she will fence the homestead and cultivate a crop so she can keep it. She has less than a year to accomplish this. This book also confronts the prejudice against her closest neighbor, a German American farming his own homestead during World War I.  When you are reading this book you feel like you are right there with Hattie. It is a very personal account and it includes letters she writes to her home newspaper and to her best friend who is in Europe fighting World War I.

    Why I started this book:

    My favorite books are the Newberry Award winners.  I have a goal of reading all of them and I have quite a few to go. This is a Newberry winner.

    Likes:

    • When you are reading this book you feel like you are right there with Hattie. It is a very personal account and it includes letters she writes to her home newspaper and to her best friend who is in Europe fighting World War I.
    • It is based on the true account of the author's great-grandmother. I found her courage amazing, not only in facing dangers and harsh conditions but in standing up for what she knew was right and being a true and loyal friend.

    Buy: Hattie Big Sky

    Rating: 5 treasure chests.

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    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-hattie-big-sky-by-kirby-larson/feed/ 0     Review: Fly Girl by Sherri L. Smith http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-fly-girl-by-sherri-l-smith/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-fly-girl-by-sherri-l-smith/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:21:38 +0000 BookWatch http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=798
  • Review: I, Q: Independence Hall (I. Q. the Series, Book 1) by Roland Smith
    • ]]>

    by BookWatch, guest reviewer

    Title: Fly Girl
    Author: Sherri L. Smith
    Format: Hardback
    Page Count: 256
    Grade Reading Level: Grades 7-9

    Summary: Fly Girl is about an African American girl, Ida Mae during World War II who wants to be a pilot and also help the war effort.  Her father had already taught her how to fly his crop dusting plane.  When she learns about the WASP (Women Airforce Service Program) she decides to join even though they will not accept applicants from her race.  She is light skinned and passes as a white girl, which means she has to deny her family identity in order to follow her dreams and serve her country. The biggest enemy she confronts is prejudice.

    Why I started this book:

    My favorite books are the Newberry Award winners.  I have a goal of reading all of them and I have quite a few to go.  I read Fly Girl by Sherri L Smith about a year ago. (I don't think this is a Newberry winner.)

    Likes:

    • The struggles that she faces and the ultimate questions she must come to terms with make it a very moving book.
    • You also learn about the dangerous flights these female pilots flew during the war without receiving any recognition from the government or status as veterans.  That has only recently been remedied by congress for the few surviving pilots from this program.

    Buy: Flygirl

    Rating: I give it 5 treasure chests.

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    1. Review: I, Q: Independence Hall (I. Q. the Series, Book 1) by Roland Smith
    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-fly-girl-by-sherri-l-smith/feed/ 1     Review: Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-education-of-bet-by-lauren-baratz-logsted/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-education-of-bet-by-lauren-baratz-logsted/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:11:41 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1468

    By First Mate Keira

    Title: Education of Bet
    Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
    Format: Hardback
    Page Count: 186
    Grade Reading Level: Grade 7+

    Summary: Elizabeth (Bet) Smith desires to be schooled. She’s wants more than anything to attend lessons and to learn things. She doesn’t understand why Will Gardener, the nephew of the man who houses her, takes it for granted. Doesn’t he understand just how boring being a girl is and how much freedom he has as a boy? Will Gardener doesn’t equate school with freedom. He wants to join the military and go to war fighting for his country but as his uncle’s only heir he’ll never be allowed to do so. The two come up with a daring plan to get what they both want… Bet is going to take his place!

    Likes:

    • Bet’s daring and risky plan of impersonating a boy at an all boy’s boarding school might sound a little farfetched, especially when one remembers Amanda Bynes’s She's the Man where Amanda could not possibly pull off looking like a guy, but it is no the case in Education of Bet. Elizabeth has a natural ability with voices, acting when she reads out loud to Paul Gardener, Will’s uncle. This handy talent coupled with a crash course in real acting and learning to be a boy gets her far. The only person who seems to see through her is Mrs. Smithers, the head housekeeper at Betterman Academy.
    • James Tyler, Bet’s roommate at Betterman Academy is not like the other boys at school. Here the story reads a bit like Yentl (Barbra Streisand). James clearly likes “Will Gardener” uncomfortably so for a straight boy. Imagine his delight when Will is revealed as Bet. The two strike up a romance alienating the other boys as they retreat time and again to their shared room to make out. James is an honorable boy and he never lets anything get too far. It’s very sweet.

    Dislikes:

    • One word: Bullies. I can’t imagine why their main victim would want to help them bully others. I suppose the psychology here is that the victim wants to be in the “in-crowd” and avoid getting bullied in the future. It’s definitely the wrong way to do that. Bullies only stop when you stand up to them and refuse to give them what they want. Getting adult help is best, but that option wasn’t even allowed due to the irresponsible Headmaster who thought it was all tattle-telling and snitching of the worst sort.

    Buy: The Education of Bet

    Rating: 4 Treasure Chests

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    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-education-of-bet-by-lauren-baratz-logsted/feed/ 0     Review: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine by Lauren Willig http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-the-temptation-of-the-night-jasmine-by-lauren-willig/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-the-temptation-of-the-night-jasmine-by-lauren-willig/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:15:58 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=761
  • Review: Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
  • Review: Betrayed (House of Night, Book 2) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
  • Review: Tempted (House of Night, Book 6) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
  • Review: Chosen (House of Night, Book 3) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
  • Review: Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    • ]]>

    by First Mate Keira

    Title: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine
    Author: Lauren Willig
    Format: Trade Paperback
    Page Count: 468
    Grade Reading Level: Ages 15+

    Summary: One heroine is researching for her dissertation on the Pink Carnation. The other heroine is living it. Both heroines are already set on the path of love, but the road is bumpy and not without potholes. Can they successfully navigate their way through to happily ever after?

    Likes:

    • You can read this novel without picking up the others in the Pink Carnation series first. However, I am definitely most eager to check them out. This looks like a very promising book series.
    • Eloise and Charlotte Lansdowne, the heroines of both the present and past love stories, are a gem. Eloise was amusing and Charlotte sweet. I found a little of myself in both of them.
    • Robert, Duke of Dovedale and Charlotte’s love interest, is the type of hero who understands that knights in shining armor are important and tries to make himself into one. He doesn’t yet realize he’s already a prince among men and that is his largest appeal.
    • The vivid imagery and adept storytelling woven by Lauren Willig will suck you in and not let you up for air until the very last punctuation mark. You will find humor, romance, intrigue, kidnapping plots, secret clubs, nefarious doings, and more within these pages.

    Dislikes:

    • Charlotte’s friend Penelope reminds me too much of a character from another novel which is coloring my view of her. I want to shake some sense into that girl. She’s the only fly in the ointment as far as I’m concerned.

    Buy: The Temptation of the Night Jasmine

    Rating: 5 Treasure Chests

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    1. Review: Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    2. Review: Betrayed (House of Night, Book 2) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    3. Review: Tempted (House of Night, Book 6) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    4. Review: Chosen (House of Night, Book 3) by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    5. Review: Untamed (House of Night, Book 4) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-the-temptation-of-the-night-jasmine-by-lauren-willig/feed/ 1     Review: Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-sarah-plain-and-tall-by-patricia-maclachlan/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-sarah-plain-and-tall-by-patricia-maclachlan/#comments Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:07:55 +0000 CaptainYarr http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=716

    by Captain Lyaf Yarr

    Title: Sarah Plain and Tall
    Author: Patricia MacLachlan
    Format: Paperback
    # of pages: 58 pages
    Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

    Summary: When Anna and Caleb's dad invites a mail ordered bride to come and stay with them for a month all they want is for her to stay. But will their fathers' and Sarah s' differences get in the way? Or well the month she's with them be a waste of time?

    Why I Started the Book:

    I started this book because I was going through my bookshelf and both my sister and my mom said they really enjoyed it so I thought that I would give it a try.

    Likes:

    • I liked the character Sarah. She's a very independent woman for her time. She answers an ad for a mail order bride but sets her own rules. She'll come out for a trial period and then decide!
    • I liked how Sarah was honest from the beginning about herself and her expectations. She didn't act like she was coming for the love of their father, but just to help them out. She's not afraid to get down and dirty.

    Dislikes:

    • This book was good but I wish it was longer and that more happened in it.
    • I wished that the kids made something happen, like if they didn't want Sarah to be their mother then they would try to make bad things happen to her. They didn't really do anything. They were good kids and just agreed to everything and were excited and happy. Not much conflict there.

    Last minute thoughts: Sarah describes herself as “Plain and Tall” but really she's not plain at all. I also searched this book on Amazon and I found out that there is a movie to this book! So I will get the movie from the library and watch it!

    Buy: Sarah, Plain and Tall

    Book Rating: I give this book 3.5 treasure chests!

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    ]]>     http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-sarah-plain-and-tall-by-patricia-maclachlan/feed/ 0     Review: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-aurelia-by-anne-osterlund/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-aurelia-by-anne-osterlund/#comments Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:34:42 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=1814

    by First Mate Keira

    Title: Aurelia
    Author: Anne Osterlund
    Format: Paperback
    Page Count: 246 pages
    Grade Reading Level: Grades 7-12

    Summary: The book begins with a dead body being carted away. Readers soon learn that there’s a plot to kill the crown princess of Tyralt, but the princess herself is unaware. A grown up school friend returns to the palace to help unravel the mystery on behalf of the king. The clues all seem to be leading to the princess’ stepmother, the Queen, or to a King from a neighboring kingdom.

    Why I started this book:

    I was offered the second book, Exile, in the series and needed to read this book in order to be caught up for the second.

    Likes:

    • Who’s behind the assassination plots? The mystery is handled extremely well. I had considered and thrown out the real culprit way early in the story based on red herring information. Well done!
    • Aurelia is not a common princess, as she loves her common subjects and prefers to be among them. She sneaks out of the palace and goes around in disguise (but I’m pretty sure the people know her despite the disguise) and mingles with everyone as often as she can. She dreams of being able to travel, but a crown princess can hardly go into the capital city, let alone visit the farthest reaches of her kingdom. She also wishes for more learning opportunity like university.
    • Robert is a nice guy and I hope to see his suit with Aurelia blossom.

    Dislikes:

    • The ending is wholly unsatisfying as the person behind the murder attempts is left unpunished. Well… sort of… I hope said person is forced to marry a certain someone. Would serve that person right!

    Buy: Aurelia

    Rating: 4 Treasure Chests

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