Category Archives: Historical Fiction/Historical Element
Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide
I was excited to learn that Isabel Quintero wrote a new YA book because my students had enjoyed Gabi: A Girl in Pieces so much. (I only use the past tense because I retired; they are most likely still enjoying it.) … Continue reading
Nonfiction: “Code Talker”
Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WW II by Chester Nez with Judith S. Avila Chester Nez was one of the original 32 (some say 29, but Nez informs the … Continue reading
Adult Books for Teens: Nonfiction: “Dead Wake”
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson The Lusitania, a British ship in the Cunard Line, was considered the most elegant passenger liner of its day. It was fast and luxurious, and a trip aboard was … Continue reading
Nonfiction: “The Warmth of Other Suns”
Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson While I found The Warmth of Other Suns enlightening in many ways, I was truly astonished by the revelation that African Americans leaving the South during the early years of the Great … Continue reading
Nonfiction: “The Half has Never been Told”
The Half has Never been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism by Edward E. Baptist I was fascinated by Baptist’s argument that an important foundation of American capitalism, and an essential element in the economic success … Continue reading
“Go Set a Watchman”
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee With the flap over Harper Lee’s new book still simmering among readers I know, I have to admit that I’m surprised at how virulently both professional reviewers and ordinary lovers of To … Continue reading
Adult Books for Teens: Common Core: Nonfiction: “In the Garden of Beasts”
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson William E. Dodd wasn’t President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first choice for United States Ambassador to Germany in the early 1930s, just as Adolf Hitler rose to power–nor even the president’s second … Continue reading
Common Core: Nonfiction: “The Age of Acquiescence”
Age of Acquiescence: The Life and Death of American Resistance to Organized Wealth and Power by Steve Fraser I picked up Age of Acquiescence because it was recommended as a companion work to Capital in the 21st Century. Age of Acquiescence … Continue reading