Grades 4 – 6
Eleven-year-old Viviani Fedeler spent her entire life in the New York Public Library, and knows every inch of it like the back of her hand. Then she becomes convinced that the library is haunted. Merit Mubarak teases her for it, but Viviani is on a mission to find out if the library really is haunted, or if it’s all in her head. This middle grade historical fiction novel was inspired by the true story of Viviani Joffre Fedeler.
Grades 3-6
This book is a fresh new way to teach kids about history. Centered around the time period of Abigail Adams, the story follows Abby, a history student whose friends think history is boring. When she hears this, Abigail Adams goes on a mission to change their minds! She escapes the White House and becomes a Caribbean Pirate. Can Abby fix history before it’s too late?
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Ages 18+
Angelique Latham loves her job working as a nanny for a rich family in England. When she is unexpectedly fired and left without a reference letter, she is unable to find other work. Discouraged, she travels to Paris to seek work instead. While she is still unable to be a nanny without references, fate intervenes and she meets a young woman who has just fled a madam who treated her badly. Then Angelique has an idea to open a house of pleasure that protects its women and serve only certain clients.
Grades 9-12
This novel is based on the real story of Dita Kraus, who was a prisoner at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Her Jewish leader, Freddy Hirsh, asks her to take charge of eight books that prisoners manage to sneak in with them.She became known as the “librarian of Auschwitz” because she made books available to the other prisoners no matter what the cost. Dita’s story is one of courage and hopefulness at one of the darkest periods in history.
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Grades 3-6
Delphine and her two younger sisters are sent to visit their birth mother, Cecile, during the summer of 1968. They travel all the way from Brooklyn to Oakland, California and they’re not sure what to expect. When they arrive, they find that Cecile isn’t happy to have them visit, and wants them to attend the Black Panther summer camp. They came with one thing to accomplish: to get to know their mother better. However, Delphine fears this might be an impossible task, given how outlandish their mother is.
Grade 2
It is 1942 during World War II. Joe is a soldier in the war, and he and his 10-year-old brother Charlie are writing letters to each other to keep in touch. Joe tells Charlie all about what it’s like to be a soldier, and Charlie knows that his brother is brave. However, when Joe is sent on a secret mission, Charlie learns just how brave his brother really is. Can Charlie be brave and fight his own bullies at home without his brother by his side? Read Brave Like My Brother by Marc Tyler Nobleman to find out.
Grades 3-6
This historical fiction novel takes place in 1939, when thirteen-year-old Genevieve spends the summer at her grandmother’s home in Alsace, France. When it is almost time for her to return to the States, Genevieve makes the bold decision to stay in France. It proves to be a tough one, because World War II breaks out soon after. Gen finds herself in the midst of the war when the Nazis take over Alsace and deport Jews. Then her friend Remi commits sabotage, and she is forced to hide him in the attic. This book is the companion book to Lily’s Crossing.
Thanks to Holiday House Hardcover for a review copy of this book.
Grades 4-6
When ten-year-old Mamie’s class is assigned to write letters to the astronauts who are planning to land on the moon in 1969, she chooses Michael Collins, the least known of the three men. Although she doesn’t hear back from Michael, Mamie continues to write to him after the assignment and school is over, using the letters like journal entries. She loves writing to him, and wonders if she will ever get a response.
Thanks to School Library Journal for a review copy of this book.
Ages 18+
Tru and Nelle by G. Neri takes place in the South in the 1930s during the Great Depression. It is a fictionalized story of Tru, also known as the writer Truman Capote, and Nelle, also known as the writer Harper Lee, and their childhood friendship.
Michelle’s Bookish Life 