Tag Archives: historical fiction

Book Review: The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

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secret_life_bees_coverI just came across a book that I immediately fell in love with. It’s called The Secret Life of Bees and it’s really good!

It’s all about a teenage girl named Lily and her journey to find out about her past. Why did her mother die? What do her memories mean? Why did her mother own a picture of Black Madonna? (Black Mary as in Mother Mary)

Lily spends her whole summer out in the middle of dirt selling peaches from a stand. Her father is strict and mean and reprimanding and gives her terrible punishments such as kneeling on grits for hours at a time. After a bunch of events happen, Lily and her black housekeeper come across a bright pink house in Tiburon, South Carolina where three sisters live as beekeepers. They introduce Lily to their world of making honey and caring for the bees. Lily learns to love it, and I love the way the beekeepers describe their bees and the honey, it’s just beautiful!

I’m really glad that I chose to read this book, because I wouldn’t have picked it out at the library on my own probably. Actually, it’s kinda funny how I came across it. It was one of the books on the list my English teacher gave us as ideas for books to read for our Contemporary Book Report. Really good, I recommend it for everyone! I keep telling everyone, “I view the world differently now” but they just laugh! I don’t blame them ’cause it’s a really dramatic sentence, but I’d love to hear from other people who have read this book or if my post inspired them to read it!

-Kelsey H., 9th grade

Book Review: Marie, Dancing, by Carolyn Meyer

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marie_dancing_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever wondered what goes through a ballerina’s mind when she dances?

What could she possibly be thinking about as she takes the audience’s breath away? The spotlight is on her, her and nothing else. For a few seconds, minutes or even hours, it’s as if nothing else exists in the world while dancing. Dancers learn to hide their emotions on stage. You can’t show nervousness, fear, or any type of imbalance. You have to keep tempo, stay with the music, and perform the grand jetés, fouettés, and combinations that you practiced so hard to be able to do. Nothing else matters.

The amazing story of Marie, Dancing is an excellent book written by Carolyn Meyer because of her descriptive language and engaging plot. Meyer has also written Doomed Queen Anne, Jubilee Journey, White Lilacs, and many more. This is another one of her great books that teaches perseverance, honesty, and passion. These were the three most common lessons I found throughout the book.

Marie, Dancing takes place in beautiful Paris, France, mainly around the Seine River at her ballet school called the Paris Opera. The story is revolved around a sculpture called The Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen, which is actually in the Louvre today sculpted by Edgar Degas. This is what makes this story unique because it is revolved around a sculpture, unlike many stories.

Marie’s goal is to become a famous dancer, but she has a lot of hardships and set backs such as living in poverty and issues with her family. She is in intense ballet training while a world renowned artist; Edgar Degas offers her a job to pose for his new sculpture. Edgar Degas is a bitter and cold man, but an amazing artist: “He didn’t wait for me to reply or to change my clothes but simply walked off, motioning me to follow his command” (4). She agrees, and every week for one year she went to his studio and posed for him. This helped her get a little closer to her dream of stardom. Meanwhile, she has big ballet examinations coming up to determine if she gets to say at the Paris Opera Ballet School. Her older sister ends up in prison for three months, and she is risking her practice time for the examinations by visiting her troubled sister. Will she get that dream of stardom that she is desperate to have? Will she ever dance again? Will she ever forgive her sister for what she has done?

One of the obvious reasons I love this book is because of the main character, Marie. She is an example of a 14 year old dancer in the 1880s who lives deeply in poverty, but has a huge passion for what she does. Three words to describe her are determined, helpful, and kind. I would say that she is determined because she really wants to become a famous dancer, and trains every moment she has. Marie is also helpful because she basically raises her 10 year old sister Charlotte while her mother is off drinking, and her oldest sister is very selfish. She gets payed by Edgar Degas to model, and she uses the money to pay off the rent on their house. “I reached Rue de Douai and climbed the dimly lit and rank smelling stairs” (137). Lastly, I found that Marie is kind. One of the reasons why she is kind is because when her older sister was in prison, she risked her ballet career just to go give her scraps of food.

This book also kept me engaged because I really like how the author wrote very descriptively, and it was easier to paint a picture of the setting and imagine the the plot in my mind. I would recommend this book to middle school students. Although, this book got off to a slow start, it eventually went by faster and it was very enjoyable to read. Overall, this is a book that I would definitely recommend.

-Valentina M., 7th grade

Book Review: Marie Dancing, by Carolyn Meyer

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marie_dancing_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

“Dancing was truly the only thing that mattered” (27).  Marie strives every day to accomplish her dream of performing at the Paris Opera House and floating across the dance floor. She is a beautiful and talented dancer and there is only one thing standing in the way of her dream: poverty. Marie Dancing is a exciting and interesting novel. The author, Carolyn Meyer, tells a wonderful story about a young dancer named Marie Van Goethem and her hardships growing up in Paris while carrying her family on her back. She weaves a captivating tale while staying true to the historical background and incorporating the famous painter, Edgar Degas. Carolyn Meyer has written many successful historical novels for young readers. She lives with her husband is Albuquerque, New Mexico and continues to publish best sellers.

Marie Van Goethem is a kind hearted teenager who puts everyone before herself. I love the way the author describes her hardships and every day her will to survive. Marie wakes up every day in a small rusted bed next to her other siblings. She is up at the crack of dawn starving her stomach hungry and not fed for several days. She walks by herself to her only joy in life: dance. All day she works hard, her dreams high and pointe shoes ratted. Despite her aching feet and limbs, she is determined to going. She gets home at dark to an unhappy family filled with sadness and despair. Her mother takes Marie’s hard earned money and spends it on liquor to soothe her sorrows. With all that is going on, Marie must take care of her younger sister, Charlotte, and provide for her what she needs. On her father’s death bed he asked her “You- my good, sweet dearest Marie I’m asking you to hold the family together” (25). Trying to live up to the promise she made to her father, Marie feels obligated to put her family’s needs before her own.

One day, Marie is at dance class gliding across the smooth floor when Monsieur Degas sees Marie and asks for her to model for him. This changes Marie’s luck. Perhaps she does finally have a chance as a prima ballerina. If she chooses to model for Degas, everything could change when Marie.  The money she would earn would allow her to follow her dreams and break free from her family. Marie finally agrees to model for Monsieur Degas, and he promises to make her ùne étoile- a star.

Marie over comes many challenges in the book; hunger, sadness, and many losses plague her day to day life. The book is a great read, but I feel that the author does not express Marie’s emotion very clearly. However, I fully recommended reading this book. In the book Marie Dancing I love how the author told some of the story in French. Therefore, reading this book actually ended up helping me learn some new vocabulary in French! I also really enjoyed how Carolyn Meyer used details of the scenery. I felt as if I were actually in Paris!

I fully recommend reading this book. The author captures all the fascinating elements of dance and the will to survive. This book is a heart warming book that had me wondering what was going to happen next. I plan to start reading more of Carolyn Meyer’s books over the summer.

-Grace L., 7th grade

Book Review: The Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis

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mightymissmalone_coverThe Mighty Miss Malone is a historical fiction novel by Newbery Medal winning author Christopher Paul Curtis. This story is about twelve-year-old Deza Malone and her family.

Deza has a loving and caring mother and a brother who has a gifted voice. The Great Depression has caused tremendous trouble for black men like Deza’s father, so he leaves their home in Gary, Indiana in search of a job. One month later they still have had no word from him, so Mrs. Malone decides to leave Gary in search for her husband along with her children.

On the search, they find shelter in a camp in Flint, Michigan. Deza starts to attend school, although she encounters racial prejudice. A few weeks later a man at camp hears her brother Jimmie’s singing voice and convinces him to leave the camp so they can find work in Chicago or New York. That same night, Mrs. Malone and Deza leave camp to find a more permanent home.

At last, Deza finally receives a letter from her father. What does the letter say? What
happens to Jimmie? Will she and her mother finally find Deza’s father? Will
they live happily together as a family? Read the book to find out.

I think Deza is called “Mighty Miss Malone” because she is strong and stays positive through hard times. I loved the fact that she is caring and compassionate for her family. I think girls her age can relate to her. I highly recommend this beautifully-crafted book.

-Anmol K., 6th grade

Book Review: The Lions of Little Rock by Kristen Levine

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LionsThe Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine is a phenomenal book. It takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas during 1958, focusing on fictional characters named Marlee (who tells the story) and Liz.

Although physically able, Marlee chooses to be a “mute” because she’s afraid she’ll say something stupid. On the first day of middle school, a new girl named Liz shows up. Liz and Marlee quickly become friends. Then one day, Liz suddenly leaves school. According to rumors, she was “passing” as a white student.

Marlee and Liz manage to stay friends through thick and thin, through black and white. Lots of things in this book are things we can relate to such as mean people, crushes, bullies, and personal fears. There are also things we can’t relate to because we’re in 2013 while they’re in 1958. But it all ties together in a remarkable and unexpected friendship between Liz and Marlee.

With plot twists and nerve-wracking scenes, Kristin Levine’s work is an easy story to picture in my mind. I saw this book at a book fair, and was unsure of it because of the title. But it’s an amazing book! If I had to rate it on a scale from 1 -10, I’d definitely say a 10. There’s only one problem with this book: there’s no sequel (yet I hope)! Even though this is a new book (published in 2012), I really want to read a sequel! Kristin Levine did write a previous novel, The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, which I now want to read.

My favorite part of the book is probably the end. I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s a heart warming, teary-eyed scene that made me want more.

I recommend this book for girls or boys ages 11 and up who aren’t into history. It opens your eyes in a way you and I can relate. This book made me realize how hard and dangerous it was for African Americans during the mid-20th century. It also made me thankful for the peace we have today. I recommend this book for adults too. I read The Lions of Little Rock with my mom and she teared up. I’m not an emotional person, but if I was, I would’ve too.

Bottom line, I really recommend this book for anyone that loves reading!

-Danielle L., 6th grade

Book Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, By Ransom Riggs

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miss_peregrines_coverMiss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is a fictional narrative of Jacob Portman, who discovers another hidden world on a remote island. As the novel unfolds, Jacob’s grandfather, Grandpa Portman, tells tales of seemingly unrealistic people in his life as a child. A levitating girl, an invisible boy, and a girl who could lift boulders fill his stories. At first, Jacob believes everything. But soon he develops suspicions of the truth.

When Jacob finds Grandpa Portman dead, torn up and bleeding, he is devastated. He senses a creature lurking in the shadows. However, his friend doesn’t see it. When questioned by the police about what happened, Jacob tells them what he saw. Thinking him somewhat insane, the police recommend Jacob see a psychiatrist who leads him to believe nothing really happened, that it was all in Jacob’s head.

After receiving a book that Grandpa Portman had clearly wanted him to have, he finds mysterious clues inscribed inside. He relentlessly tries to decode the clues and eventually finds evidence of Grandpa Portman’s childhood home. He then has the daunting task of convincing his parents to allow him to travel there and explore it for more answers. Continue reading →

Book Review: The Great Brain, by John D. Fitzgerald

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great_brain_coverI remember when I read this book in the sixth grade. It was one of my teacher’s favorites and at the end of the year he gave everyone in the class a copy.

Written in the late 1960s, The Great Brain is a classic novel. The story is set in Utah in the 1890s and based on the author’s real-life experiences as a child.

In the book, John and his brother Tom have many adventures together. Tom is tricky, clever, and a con man. He is known as the “Great Brain” and is always finding different ways to get money. Tom once charged the neighbor kids a penny each to see the hole that was being dug for the water closet, or outhouse. Tom manages to get their teacher fired as well. With Tom always causing trouble he seems like the bad guy, but he later grows from that. His plan to rescue the two boys lost in Skeleton Cave makes him a hometown hero. He then sees what can happen for someone if you do the right thing. Tom and John (known as J.D.) become closer as brothers as well as their whole family.

And that’s just the beginning. With the other seven books in the series, there are a lot more adventures to be had and lessons to learn. The titles in the series are:

  • More Adventures of the Great Brain
  • Me and My Little Brain
  • The Great Brain at the Academy
  • The Great Brain Reforms
  • The Return of the Great Brain
  • The Great Brain Does it Again
  • The Great Brain is Back

It is a great series filled with excitement, drama, and humor.

-Lauren B., 12th grade

Book Review: The Devil’s Arithmetic, by Jane Yolen

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devils_arithmetic_coverThe Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen is a wonderful historical fiction novel that takes the reader back in time to the Holocaust. In this story, we follow a modern Jewish girl that goes back in time.

She goes into a concentration camp and you will see all the hardships endured there. You will see betrayal, love, and some misfortunate events throughout the story. You will also learn the true meaning of life: always do what you believe in. It doesn’t matter what other people think or say. It’s what you think is best for you that you should do. Jane Yolen teaches us this helpful message through everything that these Jewish people had to go through.

I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of 11 to 14. It is truly a very touching book and it will help a lot in understanding their lives. This book was the winner of the National Jewish Book Award in 1989. I highly recommend that you read this book. I know that you won’t regret it. This book will teach you many life lessons. One of these life lessons will teach you how fortunate you really are.

Like Gandhi once said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” The Jewish people did win.

-Melika R., 7th grade

Book Review: In Darkness, by Nick Lake

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in_darkness_coverIn Darkness is a novel written by Nick Lake that recently won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. This award is the teen literature equivalent of the Newbery award, which honors the most distinguished book written for children each year. Having read this book, I can most certainly testify that this novel is worthy of the award.

This novel is categorized under the genre realistic fiction, but personally, I found it to be more historical fiction. I am not and have never been a fan of historical fiction, but I found myself really touched by this novel. The story follows Shorty, a Haitian boy, trapped underneath a hospital following an earthquake. As he nears death, he ruminates on his life, and all of the things that he has done that he regrets, and all of the things that he will miss if he dies. I found this to be one of the most touching portions of this novel- Shorty is a very relatable character to the teenage audience that Lake writes to. He is angry, passionate, lovable, and honest. He has the same interests most teens have today- music, friendship, family, and school. His life in Haiti is interesting and captivating, and mostly shocking, because it shows the extreme poverty and violence that these Haitians live with.

Shorty’s story is entwined with the story of Toussaint l’Ouverture, the slave who led the rebellion for Haiti’s independence two hundred years prior. Although both of the characters are so different, Lake writes their stories together with shocking ease. Both characters are undergoing a war, l’Ouverture leading Haiti’s independence from France, and Shorty’s involvement in the gang wars. Through their stories, you see how Haiti was shaped, and the similarities between the Haiti of the past, and the Haiti of the present. Many Haitian rituals and phrases are included in the novel, making it seem very authentic and showing Lake’s passion for this subject and his dedication to his novel.

In Darkness was touching and passionate. It took me a while to get used to the switching of the viewpoints from Shorty to l’Ouverture, but I found the exchanging of the viewpoints made me more invested in each story. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen in each of the characters’ lives next. Some readers might find this story desolate and hopeless, but there were various parts of the novel that shined with optimism, most notably Shorty’s angelic lost sister, Marguerite. Other reviewers have said that the novel is inappropriate for younger readers, because of the amount of expletives and violence, but I think that it is truthful and would be a great read for any young adult reader.

I highly recommend this novel overall, and I think it definitely deserves the Michael L. Printz Award.

-Brianna M., 11th grade

Book Review: Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman

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catherine_called_birdy_coverDo you ever feel trapped, like you can’t do anything you want? In Catherine, Called Birdy, this is exactly how the main character, Catherine, felt. The story took place in medieval Europe, where most marriages were arranged by the parents of both sides. However, some peasants were allowed to chose who they married, and Catherine thought that was unfair. Who knows what kind of suitor her beastly father will choose?

Throughout the story, Catherine kept a journal of her daily activities. At one point, she visited her brother in a monastery and was jealous that he was allowed to work away from home while she must stay home and do lady-like tasks. She felt the same way when her uncle visited and told stories about his crusades. But whenever she tried to have an “adventure” or not act like a proper lady, she got punished. What a dilemma…

Things got worse when suitors started visiting their manor to arrange her marriage. During these occurrences, Catherine tried to make herself as unlikable as possible. She seemed to get her wish, because for some reason or another, each marriage proposal didn’t work out. But one day, Catherine’s father decided she must wed. And she must wed the worst of the suitors yet: Shaggy-Beard, or so she called him.

It appeared she was running out of ways to get out of this predicament. By using the silver from his gift to her, she consented to marrying him. Will she succeed in living the life she wants or the life her father wants for her?

I rate this novel a 9 out of 10 and would definitely recommend it to others. It won the 1995 Newbery Honor Award, and I’m not surprised because of the rich details and engaging storyline of medieval life. I am interested in reading other books by Karen Cushman and would suggest others do the same.

-Leila S., 7th Grade