What I Read in November 2016 Part IV. . .

What I Read in November 2016 Part IV. . .

Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson--Young Adult Historical Fiction

This thrilling conclusion to the Seeds of America series has Isabel and Curzon on the run together again. They're still searching for Isabel's sister Ruth. They've battled illness, banditti, Redcoats , gators and snakes and now they're closer than ever. However, the British control Charleston and a sympathetic woman urged Isabel to look at Riverbend first. What Isabel finds there is beyond anything she could have imagined. She struggles to accept the situation and with Curzon's glib tongue and a new friend named Aberdeen, the friends are off on another journey- north to Rhode Island to freedom. The British and Continental troops are on the march, soon to meet in Virginia. The travelers have a choice- keep going north without money or food or follow the army where there will be other self-liberated people and jobs. Isabel and Curzon are still sharply divided over their opinions over which side to support. When the battle is over, freedom will come, but will it come for Isabel, Curzon and their people?

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction and a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy. At first it seems as if one situation will be resolved very quickly, but I underestimated the power of Laurie Halse Anderson's storytelling. Isabel goes on another type of journey- a journey of discovery and growth. Her character growth is outstanding. I even teared up at one point. I stayed up until almost 2 am to see where this story was headed. It was left a bit open-ended, leaving me to wonder what's next for Isabel and anyone else who survives. If I have a critique, it's that there is way too much about camp life. I've never been interested in military history so I skimmed a lot of the military details and the domestic details. I found the messages a little too heavy handed for my personal taste as an adult, but I think younger readers will like it. The messages are very timely right now.

I liked how the summary of the first book was included in the plot as Isabel relates it to another character. I also really liked learning about her family traditions.

The romance finally progresses. As readers of Forge know, Curzon is in love with Isabel. Her feelings become pretty clear in this novel even though she doesn't acknowledge them. I wondered whether Isabel and Curzon would get together and if they would survive that long.

There are a couple of new characters here. Aberdeen is a slightly less angsty male Isabel. He's a bit hot-headed but knows how to reign it in when he needs to. He believes in freedom and believes in promises one army offers, much like Curzon. Curzon is more idealistic than Aberdeen though. There's also a lovely elderly enslaved couple- Mr. Walter and Miz Serafina. They're funny, sweet, kind and loving. I would be honored to have them as surrogate grandparents. The new female character is a great one. She's a bit sassy, stubborn and also very sweet. I love her relationship with animals, especially the donkey.

I can't recommend this trilogy enough, especially this conclusion. The issue of sexual abuse of slaves isn't glossed over but it's not spelled out graphically either. If the reader is aware enough, they will pick up on it but the characters just say the overseer means harm to one character. There is some battle violence too. I would label this book as more young-adult or for more mature children ages 12+. Adults can read and love this too.

Winter Cottage by Carol Ryrie Brink--Middle Grades Historical Fiction

The family is down and out in the winter of 1932. While on the way to horrible Aunt Amy's in Minneapolis, the car breaks down and the Sparkes family are forced to stop in the snowy woods on Wisconsin. They find an empty summer cottage and move in to spend the winter. Pops is sure his ship will come in soon and he'll be able to leave rent at the end of the winter. Thirteen-year-old Minty isn't so sure. She's the practical one of the family while her father, a poet, and sister "Eggs" are dreamers. When Minty finds a picture of the girl who lives in the house in the summer, Marcia Vincent, it becomes all the more important to her to pay Marcia back.

This is a sweet little story. It shows some of the realities of the Depression in a gentle kid-friendly manner. It could seem a little dark to adults since Pops is a dreamer and unable to support his family, but it's not meant to be. I could really relate to Minty. I'm the rational sibling in my family. I couldn't put the book down for worrying how Pops would come up with the money and whether the Vincents found them. I skipped ahead to the end but found it a little confusing without having read the middle! Part of the ending was a bit of a surprise but the rest wasn't really. It's a typical children's book of this period. The story makes camping in the winter woods without technology or newspapers sound like fun. If I hadn't already been craving pancakes, I would be now after reading this book. I want Pops' secret recipe for gollwhollickers! I love diner pancakes the size of a dinner plate. I've never seen a whale before but it sounds really good.

The story features a visit to an Indian reservation. There's some typical stereotypical content of the period "squaw", "brave" and "heathen" (this from the nuns at the mission). A "heathen" Indian dance scene is portrayed from the point-of-view of a child who is having a great time. It didn't come across as terribly bad and it did acknowledge that the Indians were there and had their own culture. The scene is as much fun as the scenes in the cabin.

Fans of classic children's literature will enjoy this one and reading it with a young child.


The Witch Family by Eleanor Estes--Middle Grades Historical Fantasy

Amy and Clarissa are almost-7-year-old best friends living in Washington, DC. They love to draw and listen to stories about a horrid old witch. Amy decides the witch has been bad enough and needs to be "banquished" to a glass hill where nothing grows. If the witch is good, she can come down for Halloween - one night only. Old witch is kept in line by Malachai, the spelling bee and letters from Amy. Then Amy feels old witch might be lonely and sends a little witch girl and a little witch cat. The little witch, Hannah, is fascinated by Amy and Clarissa and worried by her Gammer's mean thoughts. A lonely Hannah is soon joined by witchie baby and a teenie witchy cat. The witch family complete, it's up to old witch to teach the children what witches are supposed to act like, but nothing seems to go her way. When Amy finds herself in the witch world, she discovers what havoc she has created!

This is a cute story geared towards 6-9 year olds. Adults have to suspend disbelief quite a bit in order to really enjoy the story. It's very silly but fun. I really liked the plot and had a hard time putting it down. I wanted to know if the old witch would keep her promise and what would happen to Hannah. I liked the world of the glass hill and the strange witch world. The witch school was especially delightful. It was all very well drawn out and the rules defined by Amy/the author.

I wasn't crazy about Amy. She's bossy and a bit bloodthirsty. Actually she reminded me of my niece who is the same age! Clarissa doesn't have much personality. She's more simple and uncomplicated than Amy. It's really Amy calling the shots. I liked the witch family despite old witch's tendency towards evil. It gave her some color and depth rather than reforming her right away. Hannah is sweet. I liked her better than Amy and Clarissa.

I will recommend someone read this book to my nieces, if they sit still long enough to listen. They're just around Amy and Clarissa's age and a bit older so I think they are young enough to fully accept the magic and enjoy the book.

What I've Read This Week

What I've Read This Week . . .

Hello faithful followers, I apologize for the lack of frequent postings. Time for blogging is difficult during the school year. I hope to have some interesting historical information for you soon but for now, enjoy these book reviews.

The Wake of the Lorelei Lee: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, On Her Way to Botany Bay by L.A. Meyer -- Young Adult Historical Fiction

Things are looking up for Jacky now that she's about to be pardoned by the British government. Jacky plans to her beloved Jamie in London and head up Faber Shipping Worldwide. Jacky has purchased a new ship, a brig, she names Lorelei Lee to take her on her next adventure. As always, Jacky is impetuous and arrives in London before she receives word from Jaimy that it's safe to do so. Upon her arrival, Jacky learns that a change in the Admiralty led old enemies to tell lies (and half-truths) about her and reveal that she kept some of the Spanish treasure for herself. This time, there's no escape for Jacky. She's thrown in the hulks (prison ships) and her future involves being sent to Botany Bay in the new colony of Australia as part of a program forcing female convicts to marry and mate with male convicts in order to populate to the new colony. Jacky, of course, does not quite submit willingly to her fate. When she discovers that the ship that will be taking her to Australia is none other than her own beloved Lorelei Lee, she uses her knowledge of the ship to her advantage. Jacky, along with the faithful Higgins and a kind captain manage to make the voyage pleasant. However, there are those who believe the lies told about Jacky and mean her harm. Meanwhile, Jaimy has landed himself in hot water and is also being transported to Australia. Jamie's voyage is less than ideal but he has learned a thing or two from Jacky and isn't willing to submit to despair. Jacky and Jaimy continue on their star-crossed paths and Jacky tries to find a way to thwart fate in this latest adventure. As usual, Jacky is wild and impetuous, but this time she seems to have grown up a bit and learned from past mistakes. I enjoyed her adventure though it felt a bit formulaic and predictable. I especially liked Jaimy's journey and the evolution of his character. Previously I couldn't stand him but I like him much better in this book. I've grown tired of Jacky and her adventures. The novelty has worn off and each adventure brings less excitement for me. I quit reading at the end of Part IV which has a happy ending and imagine my own future for Jacky. Even though I am through with Jacky, I think faithful readers will enjoy this latest adventure as much as the others in the series.

Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff -- Middle Grades Contemporary/Historical Fiction Elizabeth, a 21st century girl, is sent to live with her Aunt Libby she's never met when her father has to leave the country for business. Elizabeth is upset at being left with a stranger and having to change schools but she and her Aunt Libby begin to bond when Elizabeth notices an old drawing of an ancestor who looked just like her. Elizabeth begins to feel a kinship with the other Elizabeth (called Zee) and Elizabeth's quest to know Zee's story helps her bond with her mother's family and find her way in her new school. Zee lives in the 1770s in upstate New York with her parents and older brother who came to America from Europe searching for a place to belong. Zee feels unwanted and unloved because she's awkward, clumsy and forgetful. Luckily, her closest friend Ammi likes Zee just fine. Ammi's older brother Isaac seems to like Zee too. However, Zee and Ammi's families are on opposite sides of the growing conflict between those who are loyal to the king and those who wish to be free. Zee's father and brother march off to join the patriots and Zee and her mother are left to run the farm the best they can. When tragedy strikes, Zee must pull herself together and find a path to safety and to freedom. Elizabeth and Zee's stories alternate with each chapter and show how everyone isn't perfect but each person possesses unique abilities that enrich the lives of others. I personally felt Elizabeth's story was the weaker of the two. Told in first person present tense it reads awkwardly and some of Elizabeth's feelings get left out and events are rushed. Zee's story kept me turning the pages wanting to know what happened, though some parts were a little gruesome. I appreciated the realistic portrayal of the Revolutionary War and reading about a heroine who had many faults but was still likable and a strong female character. I do not think the writing is as strong as Giff's earlier historical fiction novels but it's still above average. This is a good book for middle school children and their parents. Adults will probably like Zee and Elizabeth's desire to know Zee's story.

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson -- Young Adult Historical Fiction

This sequel to Chains is told from the point-of-view of Isabel's friend Curzon. After Isabel rescues him from prison, having served his time in the American army for his owner, Curzon considers himself a free man. Curzon and Isabel disagree about their future plans and Isabel runs off, leaving Cuzon alone. Curzon is strong-willed and manages to make his way in the world, befriending a young soldier and rejoining the American army in the fight against the British. The soldiers are quartered at Valley Forge during that disastrous winter experiencing bitter cold and starvation. Curzon makes the best of things, despite an enemy who is determined to hate him for the color of his skin. Though Curzon enjoys the time spent with his comrades, he hesitates to get too close and share his deepest secret. Curzon also worries about Isabel, with whom he's fallen in love. He is alternately mad at her for leaving him and worried for her safety. A chance meeting with someone from his past may ruin everything Curzon has worked for, especially when he discovers that Isabel's life is in danger. Curzon has to be brave and determined in order to survive. This book is historical fiction at it's best. Anderson's descriptions of life at Valley Forge are incredibly detailed and realistic and draw the reader in. Her descriptions of life in slavery are also true-to-life and she doesn't shy away from horrific details yet she manages to do so without being too graphic. The story is populated with supporting characters drawn from imagination and real life which make the story all that more realistic. My biggest complaint is that I would have liked the story more of it alternated with Isabel's viewpoint. I kept wondering what had happened to her and whether Curzon would ever learn her fate before the end of the book. This is an excellently written novel for readers ages 12 and up. I can't wait for the next volume in the series!