Best Teen & Young Adult 21st Century United States Historical Fiction
Everyone's in love with the city's newest It Girl...everyone except the other Diviners. * "Bray illuminates the dark side of the American Dream in her long-awaited sequel to The Diviners, weaving xenophobia, industrial progress, Jazz Age debauchery, government secrets, religious fervor, and supernatural horror into a sprawling and always entertaining narrative. * "The ambitiously broad focus of this novel strikes just the right balance in its division of narrative might, developing each of the dizzyingly large cast of diverse characters with an impressive attention to detail and with period-specific, witty dialogue.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The authorities, under immense pressure from the government and the American people, are forced to strike down on the area where this “sleeping sickness” is believed to have originated: Chinatown- New York City’s Chinese population is left feeling like second-class citizens, like they are not human beings. But more than just the emotional ramifications, people are being taken out from their homes, their papers checked, and the question of further immigration very much hangs by a thin thread. She forces us to stand in the place of an African-American teenager, who is constantly cautious, constantly thinking over each of his moves because he knows people will look for just an excuse to damn him in his own country. Evie has come forth as a Diviner; she has her own radio show, and her talents and charming personality have dubbed her America’s “Sweetheart Seer.” Sam Lloyd is as insufferable as ever for Evie, but certain circumstances as well as just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, put the two together in a way they, nor their friends, saw coming. Theta is dealing with her past, all while trying to maintain a relationship with Memphis, who is trying to deal with the return of his powers. Her newfound fame made her already over-confident personality downright insufferable. By then, the momentum had almost completely died down, and I found myself wanting to finish this tome rather than wanting to know what happens next. Nonetheless, this a series I would recommend to everyone because it is dense, masterfully written and a unique take on YA historical fiction."
"Lair of Dreams was not quite as terrifying as the The Diviners (which kept me up at night and gave me nightmares...so, yeah, this is a plus in my book), but just as fun and full of the characters I came to love. I especially enjoyed Henry stepping up to a more central role in book 2 and seeing his and Ling's friendship and trust develop throughout their dream walks in the book."
"At times I do feel disconnected from the story though because I feel like Libba Bray goes off into her own Lair of Dreams and starts writing a bit purple."
And what if the more Kyle gets to know her, the less he wants her to go home? "- Booklist "A love letter to the New Yorkers who rallied together, this is also an exploration of the intense bonds that form during a crisis. "Lyrical, devastating, extraordinary, and full of heart, The Memory of Things reminds us that in our darkest times, there is so much light to be found in the human spirit. It is, of course, a love letter to New York, but more importantly, it is a love letter to human beings, one that masterfully weaves hope through pain, loss, solace, and connection. ".
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One of the books that I eagerly awaited this year was Gae Polisner’s ‘The Memory of Things’. Once the seriousness of the events become apparent, everyone from Kyle’s school gets evacuated and teachers try to get their students home. When he moves back and tries to take another look, he discovers that it is a girl, who is wearing huge wings. I loved the way the book evoked the atmosphere of that time, the fear and uncertainty that followed the disastrous events and also the calm of the people who stood strong. It is a story of everyday heroes who stood strong amidst adversity and handled the situation with grace and dignity. I loved the way the relationship between Kyle and the girl evolved, from being uncertain strangers to friends to something more. Not brain … dead…” – I couldn’t stop laughing when I read that🙂. I loved the way the story is told, the narrative voices alternating between Kyle’s and the girl’s. Kyle’s voice narrates the story and moves the action along, while occasionally contemplating on life and the deeper meaning of things. Like I’m adrift, in soaking wet clothes that are too heavy with the weight of things I don’t even know. And then the water doesn’t drown me but carries me and, for a second it lightens everything a little, and I feel momentarily hopeful. Or the Twin Towers collapsing one Tuesday morning as you’re minding your own business in school. But just because you plant your feet wider, doesn’t mean the blow won’t take you down. It is a story about normal people handling extraordinary situations with great dignity and courage."
"This story is told from the perspective of two main characters, Kyle and the mystery girl he found covered in ash and wearing wings as he returned home on the morning of the attacks of 9/11. While this is a tragic tale of people directly effected by the attacks of September 11, it is so much more than that. It teaches us that through tragedy, through disaster, through sadness, we can all find hope that things will be better."
"It's not about a timeline, but every kind of sensory memory, from the muscle memory of dance and playing musical chords to the visual and auditory tricks of a memory champion and the multi-generational telling of family stories. : the towers fall (and rise) over and over again as one flips through news channels; a character hesitates to voice "the ugly replay" of a relative's (literally) scarring experience; another character refuses to talk about the family he lost on another continent, in civilian murders numbering nearly 100,000 times the unbearable losses of 9/11. Like those things that flash at the end of a movie reel....") of reality--like a glimpse of a coffin among recalled beautiful light to someone suffering amnesia."
World War II seems far away from Tomi and his friends, who are too busy playing ball on their eighth-grade team, the Rats. Racial/ethnic tension is subtly portrayed throughout the novel, but escalates following the Japanese attack- Tomi's mother loses her job as a housekeeper and Billy "disappears" for awhile, though he returns as a loyal and helpful friend. Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Jr. High School, Iowa City, IA Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"She’d fled the poverty of Japan by becoming a picture bride, sailing to Honolulu to marry a sugarcane worker she’d never met. He took great pride in his enormous Japanese flag, washing it with care and leaving it hanging to dry in the open air. One Sunday morning, Tomi and his friend Billy were playing ball when clouds of smoke spiraled into the sky. Loyalties were tested to the extreme as military and volunteer brigades strung barbed wire around the schools and excavated bomb shelters in public parks. As he strives to free his innocent father, Tomi is incredibly brave, facing angry guards and cruel soldiers who would not hesitate to shoot him. In the midst of all the hostilities, bold friends bring Tomi gifts of love and hope that brighten his days of fear."
"The historical portion of the book was fascinating."
"Yet I found this book interesting because it is told basically from the perspective of the youth who witnessed the Japanese attack and the aftermath including the effects upon lives, friendship, and relationships."
"My son had to read this in high school."
"I really enjoyed reading this book with my children."
"This is so much like the stories my husband tells about his childhood on the Big Island, though my husband is a little younger than the protagonist."
"The book is a recommended book for young adults, but older adults can enjoy and learn from the book as well."
"Having lived thru the air raids and bombing, this book brought back memories and touched on the prejudices against Asians (then we were called Orientals) at the time."
Best Teen & Young Adult 20th Century United States Historical Fiction
The Newbery. and Coretta Scott King Honoree about the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan—. from Christopher Paul Curtis, author of Bud, Not Buddy , a Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott Award Winner. That happened in the mid-'90s when Christopher Paul Curtis released his first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963 ." Christopher Paul Curtis's alternately hilarious and deeply moving novel, winner of the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Honor, blends the fictional account of an African American family with the factual events of the violent summer of 1963.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A funny book with lively characters that teaches about an important event in US history."
"While reading this book I felt as if I was going through the life of the Watsons."
"One of my favorite parts is when Kenny, the main character, explained the how to survive a blizzard prank."
"Very good to spark the tough discussions of differences and the things our country is experiencing as I write this review."
"There are some too silly parts, like an older brother who gets his tongue stuck on a frozen rear view mirror, and installing a record player in a car. The mother threatens to burn the older brother who is caught playing with matches again. In the end the big brother who was a problem earlier now feels compassion and concern for his little brother and helps him deal with his feelings."
"This was a very entertaining book that kept you reading."
"I particularly enjoyed how the Civil Rights part of the boom rains an undertone until the end."
"What a superbly written story of a very unique family whose characters are so beautifully defined."
Best Teen & Young Adult 19th Century United States Historical Fiction
Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, Carrie, and little Grace face the winter as best they can, but soon, blizzards have covered the town in snow that piles up to the rooftops, cutting the town off from supplies and trade. Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) was born in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I grew up on the Little House books and still like to go back and reread them occasionally, for their wisdom, their entertainment value and for their glimpses of a long gone lifestyle. She's okay when she's just reading the book, but when she tries to "sing" (and there is a surprising amount of music in the Little House books), especially when she's singing as "Pa", it's almost unbearable."
"I am delighted that the Little House series is finally on Kindle."
"Love the Little House series."
"Always loved this book!"
"As I read of the end of the Ingall's harsh winter, I felt joy for them, that all had survived."
"Unfortunately, some pages were out of order."
"Love these books and the Kindle version is wonderful!"
"I have read this book a hundred times at least and I always tear up a little at the end when the Chinook wind wakes Laura at night to signal spring has arrived!"
Best Teen & Young Adult United States Civil War Period Historical Fiction
As battles rage up and down the Eastern seaboard, Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth flee, separate, fight, face unparalleled heartbreak and, just like war, they must depend on their allies—and each other—if they are to survive. Chains also received the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent series!"
"Great book to use with a Civil War study."
"Award winning author with very moving book series for the middle reader (8-12)."
"Loved the books."
"Delivered quickly, adored immediately."
"I read these books as an adult and enjoyed every minute and every page."
"LOVE ALL THESE BOOKS THEY ARE AMAZING!!"
Best Teen & Young Adult United States Colonial & Revolutionary Period Historical Fiction
As battles rage up and down the Eastern seaboard, Isabel, Curzon, and Ruth flee, separate, fight, face unparalleled heartbreak and, just like war, they must depend on their allies—and each other—if they are to survive. Chains also received the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, and Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent series!"
"Great book to use with a Civil War study."
"Award winning author with very moving book series for the middle reader (8-12)."
"Loved the books."
"Delivered quickly, adored immediately."
"I read these books as an adult and enjoyed every minute and every page."
"LOVE ALL THESE BOOKS THEY ARE AMAZING!!"