These books take place in the past. Often, the events are real, but the characters are imaginary. These books can be adventure or friendship or mystery. But, they all happen in the past!
Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Genre: Historical fiction
Summary: Abilene Tucker goes to stay with a friend of the family in Manifest during the Great Depression. While she is there, she hopes to find out about her dad and his past.
Review: I give this book a 3.5 out of 5. I know, not a raving review, but it was a good story.
Genre: Historical fiction
Summary: Abilene Tucker goes to stay with a friend of the family in Manifest during the Great Depression. While she is there, she hopes to find out about her dad and his past.
Review: I give this book a 3.5 out of 5. I know, not a raving review, but it was a good story.
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Genre: Historical Fiction and funny
Summary: Four young librarians arrive in Eleanor's town and the tomboy who wants nothing to do with school realizes that there are many possibilities for her future!
Review: This is written in typical Peck style with tricks, paybacks and gotcha's! They are quite funny and clever... I give this book a 4 out of 5 - it's not my favorite by him, but it's still great!!
Genre: Historical Fiction and funny
Summary: Four young librarians arrive in Eleanor's town and the tomboy who wants nothing to do with school realizes that there are many possibilities for her future!
Review: This is written in typical Peck style with tricks, paybacks and gotcha's! They are quite funny and clever... I give this book a 4 out of 5 - it's not my favorite by him, but it's still great!!
Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by W.R. Philbrick
Genre: Historical fiction and funny
Summary: Homer Figg lives with a really mean uncle and his brother gets tricked into joining the Union Army during the Civil War. Homer goes on a journey to find his brother and meets some characters and gets into trouble along the way!
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5! I learned some things about the Civil War and I enjoyed Homer's adventures (and lies)...
Genre: Historical fiction and funny
Summary: Homer Figg lives with a really mean uncle and his brother gets tricked into joining the Union Army during the Civil War. Homer goes on a journey to find his brother and meets some characters and gets into trouble along the way!
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5! I learned some things about the Civil War and I enjoyed Homer's adventures (and lies)...
A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
Genre: Realistic fiction, historical fiction, and funny
Summary: Bob and his family move to a small town and live next door to a quirky old lady. Each chapter is a different event leading up to a beautiful Christmas ending. Mrs. Dowdell, the old lady, is the same character from A Long Way to Chicago and some of Peck's other books.
Review: 5 out of 5 stars. This book (and the ones that feature Mrs. Dowdell) is my favorite! I love how she gets her point across in unique ways. There are some crazy things that happen and the first chapter is a bit shocking!! And remember... this book takes place in the 1950's
Genre: Realistic fiction, historical fiction, and funny
Summary: Bob and his family move to a small town and live next door to a quirky old lady. Each chapter is a different event leading up to a beautiful Christmas ending. Mrs. Dowdell, the old lady, is the same character from A Long Way to Chicago and some of Peck's other books.
Review: 5 out of 5 stars. This book (and the ones that feature Mrs. Dowdell) is my favorite! I love how she gets her point across in unique ways. There are some crazy things that happen and the first chapter is a bit shocking!! And remember... this book takes place in the 1950's
90 Miles to Havana by Enrique Flores-Galbis
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction
Summary: Based on the author's life, this is the story of children who fled Cuba in the 1960's. Their parents made the heartbreaking decision to send them to the United States in hopes of a better life. Julian spends several months in a refugee camp where bullies make the rules. Eventually he runs away and makes a heoric decision to try and help others.
Review: 4.5 out of 5! This is a great story and one that everyone should read - but it is also hard to read because it's sad and it's based on reality! It doesn't have super amazing adventure (well, there is that one part...) and it doesn't move super fast, but it's just really poignant!
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction
Summary: Based on the author's life, this is the story of children who fled Cuba in the 1960's. Their parents made the heartbreaking decision to send them to the United States in hopes of a better life. Julian spends several months in a refugee camp where bullies make the rules. Eventually he runs away and makes a heoric decision to try and help others.
Review: 4.5 out of 5! This is a great story and one that everyone should read - but it is also hard to read because it's sad and it's based on reality! It doesn't have super amazing adventure (well, there is that one part...) and it doesn't move super fast, but it's just really poignant!
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
Genre: Historical Fiction and Adventure
Summary: Samuel is 13 and lives in the British colony of Pennsylvania. His entire world is turned upside down when his village is invaded by the British. Samuel is inadvertently thrown into the middle of the Revolutionary War as he searches for his parents.
Review: I give this book a 5 out of 5. I learned more about the war than I remember from history. I love the personal angle of the book and believe it’s a must read!
Genre: Historical Fiction and Adventure
Summary: Samuel is 13 and lives in the British colony of Pennsylvania. His entire world is turned upside down when his village is invaded by the British. Samuel is inadvertently thrown into the middle of the Revolutionary War as he searches for his parents.
Review: I give this book a 5 out of 5. I learned more about the war than I remember from history. I love the personal angle of the book and believe it’s a must read!
The Fairy Ring By Mary Losure
Genre: Historical and fantasy
Summary: This is a true story about two cousins who accidentally fool the world with photographs of fairies. Even the author of Sherlock Holmes is tricked!
Review: 4 out of 5. I liked the book, but it moved a bit slow for me. I’m impressed however, that the girls could pull this off!
Genre: Historical and fantasy
Summary: This is a true story about two cousins who accidentally fool the world with photographs of fairies. Even the author of Sherlock Holmes is tricked!
Review: 4 out of 5. I liked the book, but it moved a bit slow for me. I’m impressed however, that the girls could pull this off!
Elisabeth: The Princess Bride (The Royal Diaries) by Barry Denenberg
Genre: Historical Fiction, romance, and realistic fiction
Summary: Elisabeth lives in Bavaria and becomes engaged to the Emperor of Austria. This book is her diary of the events leading up to her marriage and a what her life was like after marrying.
Review: I loved this book! It makes history so much more interesting and easier to remember!! Five out five!!
Genre: Historical Fiction, romance, and realistic fiction
Summary: Elisabeth lives in Bavaria and becomes engaged to the Emperor of Austria. This book is her diary of the events leading up to her marriage and a what her life was like after marrying.
Review: I loved this book! It makes history so much more interesting and easier to remember!! Five out five!!
Turtle In Paradise by Jennifer Holm
Genre: Historical Fiction and realistic Fiction
Summary: Turtle moves to Key West during the 1930’s and spends time with her cousins. They go on crazy day to day adventures as Turtle waits for her mom join her!
Review: This is a sweet story and I give it a 4 out of 5! It’s a great book for girls and it flows well.
Genre: Historical Fiction and realistic Fiction
Summary: Turtle moves to Key West during the 1930’s and spends time with her cousins. They go on crazy day to day adventures as Turtle waits for her mom join her!
Review: This is a sweet story and I give it a 4 out of 5! It’s a great book for girls and it flows well.
Elephant Run by Roland Smith
Genre: WWII and adventure
Summary: Nick's mom sends him to Burma to get away from the bombing in London. But the Japanese invade the elephant village where Nick's dad lives. Nick is forced to be a servant to the Japanese and he must escape! So the majority of the book is about his daring escape that involves, elephants, POW camps, and the jungles!
Review: Five out of five!!! Edge of your seat action!!
Genre: WWII and adventure
Summary: Nick's mom sends him to Burma to get away from the bombing in London. But the Japanese invade the elephant village where Nick's dad lives. Nick is forced to be a servant to the Japanese and he must escape! So the majority of the book is about his daring escape that involves, elephants, POW camps, and the jungles!
Review: Five out of five!!! Edge of your seat action!!
The Firefly Letters (A Suffragette's Journey to Cuba) by Margarita Engle
Genre: Historical Fiction and poetry
Summary: Three girls, two slaves, and one American who live in Cuba create a plan to bring Cecilia's baby freedom!
Review: Five Stars! It's awesome, I love the poetry and it's heartfelt!!
A Review by Mia!
Genre: Historical Fiction and poetry
Summary: Three girls, two slaves, and one American who live in Cuba create a plan to bring Cecilia's baby freedom!
Review: Five Stars! It's awesome, I love the poetry and it's heartfelt!!
A Review by Mia!
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
Genre: Funny and Historical Fiction
Summary: It's 1929 and to kids from Chicago spend the summer with their Grandma in a small town in Illinois. These kids help their grandmother trespass, poach, catch the sheriff in his underwear, and feed the hungry. And this is just one day! Imagine the rest of this summer.
Review: I LOVE this book! It's is so funny... I give it a five out of five. Grandma is CRAZY! But remember, this takes place in 1929 and things were different.
Genre: Funny and Historical Fiction
Summary: It's 1929 and to kids from Chicago spend the summer with their Grandma in a small town in Illinois. These kids help their grandmother trespass, poach, catch the sheriff in his underwear, and feed the hungry. And this is just one day! Imagine the rest of this summer.
Review: I LOVE this book! It's is so funny... I give it a five out of five. Grandma is CRAZY! But remember, this takes place in 1929 and things were different.
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Genre: Funny and historical fiction
Summary: Moose lives on Alcatraz, not very far from some of the most dangerous convicts ever! His dad is a prison guard and his sister, Natalie, has autism. Natalie needs to attend a special school, but as it turns out, that's not so easy!
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5 - it's good, but it's not a fast read!
Genre: Funny and historical fiction
Summary: Moose lives on Alcatraz, not very far from some of the most dangerous convicts ever! His dad is a prison guard and his sister, Natalie, has autism. Natalie needs to attend a special school, but as it turns out, that's not so easy!
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5 - it's good, but it's not a fast read!
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (Sequel to Al Capone Does my Shirts)
Genre: Adventure and historical fiction
Summary: Moose and the convicts on Alcatraz are back! And Moose owes Al Capone a favor. And a simple favor turns into so much more!
Review: I love this book - 4.5 out of 5. And I love it because it is clever, adventurous, funny, and shows compassion for special needs kids!
Genre: Adventure and historical fiction
Summary: Moose and the convicts on Alcatraz are back! And Moose owes Al Capone a favor. And a simple favor turns into so much more!
Review: I love this book - 4.5 out of 5. And I love it because it is clever, adventurous, funny, and shows compassion for special needs kids!
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
Genre: Adventure and historical fiction
Summary: In the late 1920's prohibition was in full swing and this meant that smuggling alcohol was big business - and very illegal. When Ruben and Jeddy find a dead body washed up on the shore, they know something illegal is going on! And through a series of events... Ruben ends up in the middle of two prohibition gangs.
Review: 4 out of 5 - It's really good, but it doesn't move fast enough to be a five!
Genre: Adventure and historical fiction
Summary: In the late 1920's prohibition was in full swing and this meant that smuggling alcohol was big business - and very illegal. When Ruben and Jeddy find a dead body washed up on the shore, they know something illegal is going on! And through a series of events... Ruben ends up in the middle of two prohibition gangs.
Review: 4 out of 5 - It's really good, but it doesn't move fast enough to be a five!
Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Coloumbis
Genre: Historical Fiction, adventure and comedy
Summary: Sallie March and her sister run away from their foster family. So they decide to head out west to an uncle- but this is before the west is settled. And these girls get into quite a few crazy predicaments.
Review: I really like this book - as in a 4.5 out of 5! It's not super quick moving, but the stuff the girls get into is funny!
Genre: Historical Fiction, adventure and comedy
Summary: Sallie March and her sister run away from their foster family. So they decide to head out west to an uncle- but this is before the west is settled. And these girls get into quite a few crazy predicaments.
Review: I really like this book - as in a 4.5 out of 5! It's not super quick moving, but the stuff the girls get into is funny!
The Clay marble by Minfong Ho
Genre: Realistic fiction, international war, and historical fiction
Summary: Dara is leaving her country because of a vicious war. She joins a refugee camp and gets separated from her family. She has to outsmart the enemy and find her family!
Review: Wow! Five out of five... It really makes you understand how awful it is to flee your country because of war!!
Genre: Realistic fiction, international war, and historical fiction
Summary: Dara is leaving her country because of a vicious war. She joins a refugee camp and gets separated from her family. She has to outsmart the enemy and find her family!
Review: Wow! Five out of five... It really makes you understand how awful it is to flee your country because of war!!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Genre: Historical fiction and comedy
Summary: It's 1963, and Kenny's family heads to Birmingham, Alabama to visit family. While in Alabama, they witness the horrible events of the deep south in the 1960's. Their family is forever changed!
Review: This book is a classic - and for good reason! It is told through the eyes of a 10 year old and he uses humor to describe some of the darkest days of America's history. After reading this book, you can really understand what it was like. Definitely a 5 out of 5!!
Genre: Historical fiction and comedy
Summary: It's 1963, and Kenny's family heads to Birmingham, Alabama to visit family. While in Alabama, they witness the horrible events of the deep south in the 1960's. Their family is forever changed!
Review: This book is a classic - and for good reason! It is told through the eyes of a 10 year old and he uses humor to describe some of the darkest days of America's history. After reading this book, you can really understand what it was like. Definitely a 5 out of 5!!
The Entertainer and the Dybbuk ~ Sid Fleishman
Genre: Historical Fiction and Ghosts (but not scary ghosts...)
Summary: An American ventriloquist is traveling Europe after World War II. Surprisingly, he becomes possessed by the spirit of a Jewish boy who died in the Holocaust.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. It is funny and distrubing at the same time!
Genre: Historical Fiction and Ghosts (but not scary ghosts...)
Summary: An American ventriloquist is traveling Europe after World War II. Surprisingly, he becomes possessed by the spirit of a Jewish boy who died in the Holocaust.
Review: I give this book a 4 out of 5. It is funny and distrubing at the same time!
The Ravenmaster's Secret by Elvira Woodruff
Genre: Historical Fiction (1700's) and a little adventure
Summary: Forrest lives in the Tower of London and helps his dad with the ravens. Scottish Rebels are captured and Forrest can't wait to stand guard. Only, his prisoner is a girl! And now Forrest has to choose between family and friendsip... Safety and escape...
Review: I give this book a 3.75 out of 5. I'm not a fan of the 1700's but this book has some good plot twists!
Genre: Historical Fiction (1700's) and a little adventure
Summary: Forrest lives in the Tower of London and helps his dad with the ravens. Scottish Rebels are captured and Forrest can't wait to stand guard. Only, his prisoner is a girl! And now Forrest has to choose between family and friendsip... Safety and escape...
Review: I give this book a 3.75 out of 5. I'm not a fan of the 1700's but this book has some good plot twists!
Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi
Genre: Historical fiction and adventure
Summary: In the 14th century, a poor servant boy flees his village and tries to figure out his own identity. He is accused of murder and people want to kill him for money!
Review: 4 out of 5 - Really good, surprising action, and you learn a little history too (seriously though, it's not painful!)
Genre: Historical fiction and adventure
Summary: In the 14th century, a poor servant boy flees his village and tries to figure out his own identity. He is accused of murder and people want to kill him for money!
Review: 4 out of 5 - Really good, surprising action, and you learn a little history too (seriously though, it's not painful!)
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Catherine is the daughter of a knight and she keeps a journal where she records the events of her life - especially her desire for adventure and her efforts to avoid being married off!
Review: 4 out of 5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Catherine is the daughter of a knight and she keeps a journal where she records the events of her life - especially her desire for adventure and her efforts to avoid being married off!
Review: 4 out of 5
Little Women by Louisa May Allcott
Genre: Historical, a classic, and Realistic fiction
Summary: This is a classic! It is a wonderful story about the March sisters and their friendship and struggles as they try to survive during the Civil War. Each sister is completely different and completely lovable!
Review: five out of five! This book is wonderful and you will be instantly smarter after reading it! The vocabulary is tough because it was written so long ago, but you will LOVE this story!
Genre: Historical, a classic, and Realistic fiction
Summary: This is a classic! It is a wonderful story about the March sisters and their friendship and struggles as they try to survive during the Civil War. Each sister is completely different and completely lovable!
Review: five out of five! This book is wonderful and you will be instantly smarter after reading it! The vocabulary is tough because it was written so long ago, but you will LOVE this story!