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

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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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

Posted in Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Family Problems, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“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

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Adult Books for Teens: “All the Light We Cannot See”

  All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr A French girl whose father is the master of the locks at the Museum of Natural History in Paris goes blind when she is only six years old. Her father … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, bullying, Family Problems, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Adult Books for Teens: “A Place at the Table”

A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White   This tale of disparate people coming together to grant one another a bit of peace, the opportunity to find their places at the table, begins with brother and sister James … Continue reading

Posted in bullying, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Multicultural | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment