Summer is slowly slipping away from us. This week’s genre helps keep stories from the past from slipping away. At some point everyone seems to wonder why we have to learn about the past. Well, we study history in order to learn from it and I’ll admit history books aren’t the first books I gravitate towards. However, I have found a love for historical fiction.
Historical Fiction
Note: We've linked each title to its Amazon page so you may read other's reviews. These books are also available at the public libraries and great local bookstores such as Blue Willow Bookshop and Katy Budget Books.
This genre is part of the fiction genre. In order to be labeled historical fiction some part of the story isn’t historically accurate. Usually the time period or event is true but the characters and story are made up. Sometimes the characters and time period are correct but not all the events are true.
A NIGHT DIVIDED by Jennifer A. Nielsen
This is Greta’s story of her life during the Cold War era. Her father and brother Dominic travel to another part of Germany and overnight a wall is built and the family is separated. The Berlin Wall separates the family for four years and then one day Greta spots her father on the other side. She realizes he is signaling her to take a serious risk. Greta and her other brother, Fritz, decide to take the risk and tunnel under the wall in order to reunite their family. Do they succeed? Some readers might even be thinking: what’s the Berlin Wall? Read this gripping novel in order to find out.
SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys
Everyone knows the story of the Titanic but how many of us know about the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. This story takes place close to the end of World War II and tells the story of the people who were trying to escape the horrible events of that time. It is told through several different points of view. It’s a story of human cruelty and hatred sprinkled with small rays of hope. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is true and is a story not many of us know. Reading this book gives you a new insight to events of World War II and the largest maritime disaster ever.
Ruta Sepetys is one of my favorite authors. I encourage you to read her other historical fiction novels: BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY and OUT OF THE EASY.
COUNTDOWN by Deborah Wiles
It is 1962 and Franny is an eleven year old who is coping with a father being on active duty, an annoying younger brother and of course middle school. Franny’s story has added conflict because President Kennedy has announced the Cuban Missile Crisis. I compare this book to reading a scrapbook since the story is enhanced by actual images, lyrics, speeches and headlines from that time period.
This is the first book in a trilogy, which chronicles the 1960’s. The second book is titled REVOLUTION and tells about a young boy growing up during the Civil Rights movement. She is currently working on the last book of the series.
If you just can’t flip the pages of historical fiction then try this book. If you are loving historical fiction but also like realistic fiction try this book. It is one of my favorites.
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by Cynthia James Omololu
First I promise you I’m not spoiling the story! Within the first chapter you find out that sixteen year old Lucy lives with her mother who is a well-respected nurse and a hoarder. Of course no one knows about her being a hoarder. Lucy never has friends over because she is embarrassed by her mother’s problem. Her older siblings don’t come around much either.
Lucy comes home one day to find her mother dead. What will Lucy do? What will happen when friends and neighbors find out about her dirty little secret? This is one is a page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.
I’m already back at work getting the library ready. I’m charging up the iPads, planning lessons, and getting new books ready. Who doesn’t love the smell of new books? Next week will be my last post and I’ll be telling you all about memoirs. Be sure to stop by and check it out.
Historical Fiction
Note: We've linked each title to its Amazon page so you may read other's reviews. These books are also available at the public libraries and great local bookstores such as Blue Willow Bookshop and Katy Budget Books.
This genre is part of the fiction genre. In order to be labeled historical fiction some part of the story isn’t historically accurate. Usually the time period or event is true but the characters and story are made up. Sometimes the characters and time period are correct but not all the events are true.
A NIGHT DIVIDED by Jennifer A. Nielsen
This is Greta’s story of her life during the Cold War era. Her father and brother Dominic travel to another part of Germany and overnight a wall is built and the family is separated. The Berlin Wall separates the family for four years and then one day Greta spots her father on the other side. She realizes he is signaling her to take a serious risk. Greta and her other brother, Fritz, decide to take the risk and tunnel under the wall in order to reunite their family. Do they succeed? Some readers might even be thinking: what’s the Berlin Wall? Read this gripping novel in order to find out.
SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys
Everyone knows the story of the Titanic but how many of us know about the tragic sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. This story takes place close to the end of World War II and tells the story of the people who were trying to escape the horrible events of that time. It is told through several different points of view. It’s a story of human cruelty and hatred sprinkled with small rays of hope. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is true and is a story not many of us know. Reading this book gives you a new insight to events of World War II and the largest maritime disaster ever.
Ruta Sepetys is one of my favorite authors. I encourage you to read her other historical fiction novels: BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY and OUT OF THE EASY.
COUNTDOWN by Deborah Wiles
It is 1962 and Franny is an eleven year old who is coping with a father being on active duty, an annoying younger brother and of course middle school. Franny’s story has added conflict because President Kennedy has announced the Cuban Missile Crisis. I compare this book to reading a scrapbook since the story is enhanced by actual images, lyrics, speeches and headlines from that time period.
This is the first book in a trilogy, which chronicles the 1960’s. The second book is titled REVOLUTION and tells about a young boy growing up during the Civil Rights movement. She is currently working on the last book of the series.
If you just can’t flip the pages of historical fiction then try this book. If you are loving historical fiction but also like realistic fiction try this book. It is one of my favorites.
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS by Cynthia James Omololu
First I promise you I’m not spoiling the story! Within the first chapter you find out that sixteen year old Lucy lives with her mother who is a well-respected nurse and a hoarder. Of course no one knows about her being a hoarder. Lucy never has friends over because she is embarrassed by her mother’s problem. Her older siblings don’t come around much either.
Lucy comes home one day to find her mother dead. What will Lucy do? What will happen when friends and neighbors find out about her dirty little secret? This is one is a page-turner that you won’t be able to put down.
I’m already back at work getting the library ready. I’m charging up the iPads, planning lessons, and getting new books ready. Who doesn’t love the smell of new books? Next week will be my last post and I’ll be telling you all about memoirs. Be sure to stop by and check it out.