The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publisher: Penguin, Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: January 2012
Genre: Contemporary fiction, historical fiction, 1950s, Civil Rights Era, Friendship
Other Books By Author: Best Bad I Luck I Ever Had
Overall Rating: 4/5

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Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958.
Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear - speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.
But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn't matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

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There are quite a few books now about the civil rights movement or integration in the 1950s/60s. After awhile I kind of felt like that once I read a few books with this topic, I read them all. With The Lions of Little Rock, it was not just another integration story...it was way more. Although it followed the classic white girl meets black girl scenario, it had a unique twist and a lot of history. 
The main character in The Lions of Little Rock is twelve year-old Marlee who struggles with shyness and speaking for herself. When she meets the new girl in school, Marlee becomes fascinated with her. Liz is everything Marlee wishes she could be...and soon they become inseparable friends. After a troubling discovery one morning at school, Marlee realizes that although Liz wasn't what she seemed, their friendship and Liz's lesson about being courageous is more important. Even though being friends with Liz is fast becoming dangerous as the racial tensions between whites and blacks rise, Marlee learns to find her voice.


Combining a heartfelt come-of-age story in the backdrop of a turbulent time in American history, Levine shows us that friendship and making a stand are sometimes the most important lessons learned in life.
The Lions of Little Rock was nice, different look on the segregation wars. Taking place a year after the "Little Rock 9", Levine incorporates alot of history–sometimes little known–into a wonderful story of a very shy girl on the brink of change. Levine's writing was very lyrical and I'm glad the the events that were going on didn't take over the entire story of Marlee. I liked how everything was presented much better than any other novel I've read about this topic in history. Great book for middle graders and teens. (Ages 11+)

Insight by Diana Greenwood

Edition: Hardcover, 244 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

Release Date: April 2011

Genre: Historical fiction, 1930s, family drama

Overall Rating: 4/5

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Synopsis from Goodreads

Some secrets won't let you go. Elvira Witsil lives about as far away from civilization as you can get, in a remote corner of Wisconsin where nothing much ever happens. In a house crowded with her mother, her cantankerous grandmother, and her little sister, Jessie, Elvira feels forgotten and alone.Their house also contains numerous secrets, and Elvira's family holds their secrets closely. Secrets about the father that Jessie never knew, and that Elvira can't forget. Secrets about that day five years ago. And the one secret that Elvira can't quite understand: that Jessie sees things no one else can see.These secrets will lead Elvira and her family on a journey far away from home—on a journey toward redemption and healing—if she can just bring herself to believe.

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Review

I'll admit that Insight was a pretty odd story. I mean her sister knows when people are going to die. I was a bit worried it would turn into be some kind of "paranormal" thing but Elvira's sister's seeing abilities were treated as a gift.
I liked the atmosphere of the Great Depression. Of course there was nothing nice about a depression but it gave the characters personalities. Elvira's granny was moody because she was forced to "wear the pants" around the household at this hard time. Her daughter, Elvira's mother, was distant and rarely gives much thought how Elvira feels. Elvira is going through the transition between girl and woman, so it is a nice coming of age story as well.
When Elvira's mother sees a opportunity in Jessie's ability, the family goes a on a road trip that will change all their lives forever.


Although I can't say Insight was a complete favorite, I still thought it was a nice read. It was mostly the ending is what sold me. The book reminded me a lot of Kimberly Willis Holt's My Louisiana Sky–which is a favorite of mine. The spiritual message in Jessie's visions is what sets Insight apart from other books. The story is told from the unbeliever's view [Elvira], therefore it sets a unique perspective.
Insight will be a nice change of pace for readers. The background story was fairly well developed and even though I did become frustrated with how Elvira's mother was using Jessie's gift to her advantage, the ending made the entire story worth while. Good endings are hard to find these days. Ages 12+ 

Forgiven by Janet Fox

Edition: Paperback, 288 pages

Publisher: Speak

Release Date: June 2011

Genre: Historical fiction, 1900s, American West, romance, mystery

Other Books By Author: Faithful
Overall Rating: 5/5

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Synopsis from Goodreads
Kula Baker never expected to find herself on the streets of San Francisco, alone but for a letter of introduction. Though she has come to the city to save her father from a cruel fate, Kula soon finds herself swept up in a world of art and elegance - a world she hardly dared dream of back in Montana, where she was no more than the daughter of an outlaw. And then there is the handsome David Wong, whose smiling eyes and soft-spoken manner have an uncanny way of breaking through Kula's carefully crafted reserve. Yet when disaster strikes and the wreckage threatens all she holds dear, Kula realizes that only by unlocking her heart can she begin to carve a new future for herself.

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Review
After falling in love with Fox's first novel, Faithful, I anxiously awaited the sequel. Forgiven picks up the story with Kula Baker, the brooding and wild child from Faithful with whom Maggie becomes intertwined with. With Maggie's story finished, Kula steps into the spotlight as she races time, Chinatown, and a terrible fire to save her father. Fox's stories are in the style of a classic Western "romance" but with a YA twist. I really enjoyed how Fox showcased another well known place for a setting yet in a time period we don't know much about. Being headstrong and independent, Kula greets her adventure quite differently than Maggie. Instead of the romantic, wild wilderness of Yellowstone Park, Kula is thrown into a complicated plot of politics on the gruff streets of Chinatown. There, she discovers a stunning but dangerous secret about her family's past.


I loved the whole plot of Forgiven–it was full of surprises. It had romance, mystery, and an intense retelling of the San Francisco fire that destroyed most of the city. It also had quite a lot about Chinatown's dark history and how crooked businessmen controlled the town. I thought Faithful was very dramatic but Forgiven has a touch of tragedy. I loved the characters and how each one had a special purpose in the development of Kula's story. I simply cannot wait until Fox can give us another lovely adventure! Highly recommend. (Ages 12+)

Faithful by Janet Fox

Margaret "Maggie" Bennet has an elegant life amongst the elite families in Newport, Rhode Island. But when Maggie's father tricks her into going on an excursion to the wilds of Yellowstone Park to look for her mother, Maggie realizes that they are in Montana for an entirely different reason. A reason, that Maggie is desperate to find out. Alone and isolated in a dangerous wilderness, Maggie must discover what she wants most: freedom or a life she's always known. Fox's debut novel, Faithful, is a thrilling and heartwarming story of love, discovery, and of course, faithfulness.
The first time I laid eyes on Faithful's book cover, I immediately thought: majestic fear of the unknown. That's exactly how Maggie feels when she first arrives in Yellowstone, uncertain with a desire to conquer the mysteries surrounding the park and her mother's disappearance. Faithful is a great book; not only because it was written quite nicely, but because of the sense of adventure within the pages. The image of Yellowstone is very dominate throughout the story–as it should be–and Maggie's devastation and anger can be felt on a very personal level. I couldn't help but cheer Maggie on as she battled for freedom as the men around her continually tried to control her. When you start this book, you must understand, back then (even in 1904), a woman's future was deeply nestled in the will of a man's. Maggie is at their mercy; sometimes she had to make sacrifices that a 21st century girl would never dream of doing. Even though Faithful is in fact a historical fiction, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who doesn't normally read that genre. Faithful is not all about the time period (even though it is important), it's about knowing what you want and standing up for it. Overall, I absolutely loved Maggie, the adventure, Yellowstone (which I almost got a chance to see a few years back), and the discoveries Maggie made along the journey. I am whole heartedly looking forward to seeing more fiction by Fox.

Recommendation: I highly recommend. Buying it would even be a good idea–especially if you are certain you would enjoy this book. Ages 12+.


This Book is For: Teens (or even adults) who enjoy adventure, mystery, and a little romance. 
This Book is Not For: Teens who absolutely dot not like anything with a historical background; but I still think you would enjoy it :)


Content: A bit of sensuality and a few kisses. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. (PG)


The Last Straw: I turned. The bubbling hot springs were just as she'd depicted them. The vapors. The striking colors, the white that I'd thought was ash. One view after the other, I recognized them all. Mama had been here. - (pg. 99)


|Pages: 322|Published: May 2010|Publisher: Speak/Penguin|Price: Pbk. $8.99| NEW
|Genre: Historical fiction, teen romance, adventure|
|Content: Age appropriate (PG)|Age Group: YA, ages 12+|
|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall: 5/5|




This review can also be found on Flamingnet.net. Copyright© 2010 by BLT.

No Moon by Irene N. Watts

Fourteen-year-old Louisa Gardener becomes nursemaid to the young daughters of a wealthy titled family living in London, England, in 1912. Despite the bullying of Nanny Makintosh, for whom she is an extra pair of hands, Louisa loves her work. Haunted by memories of the drowning of her two-year-old brother on a trip to the seaside when she was but five years old, Louisa has been able to suppress her nightmares and deep-rooted feat of the ocean. But they soon come flooding back when the family decides to sail to New York aboard the Titanic. If Louisa refuses to go, she will be dismissed and never get beyond the working-class life she has escaped from. Will Louisa be able to overcome her fears and embark on a voyage that changes history forever? Her fateful choice makes No Moon a gripping, unforgettable story.

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I'll be honest with you, don't like Titanic stories; never have and probably never will. They scare me. I remember watching a documentary on TV about what researchers uncovered when they finally found the Titanic 73 years later after it sank... ballroom floors covered in moss, a once elegant staircase in shambles, and–the eeriest image of all: a pair of shoes firmly planted on the ocean floor, as if someone just stepped out of them. Every time someone suggests I watch Titanic, I shake my head no. Too sad, I say. 
When I first started reading No Moon I expected the entire book (which is only 232 pages long) to take place aboard the RMS Titanic. Instead, more than half of the book took place on land with barely a quarter of the story dealing with the tragic event of April 14, 1912. I really liked Louisa's voice; she kept me pulled into the story, no matter if it was going a bit slow or not. No Moon was an excellent historical piece not only with capturing a perspective on the Titanic, but with the Victorian and pre-World War I era as well. Some people might not find "downstairs life" (i.e. servant life) enticing, but I do. Especially since you may have never realized that running giant household could take so many different jobs and people! I have never read any of Watt's books until now, but I am familiar with some of her other titles: Remember Me, Finding Sophie, Goodbye-Marianne, and Clay Man. I'm glad I got the chance to read No Moon–it was a great story.

Recommendation: Not a fan of Titanic stories? Me neither, but that didn't stop me from enjoying No Moon! I thought it was a fantastic historical fiction book; read it to celebrate the Titanic's 98th birthday. Recommend to teens ages 12+.

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This Book is For: Teens who enjoy historical fiction set in the Victorian Era and readers who like short books.
Content: None (G)


The Last Straw: "And suppose there is no moon?"
                        "No moon? There is always a moon." (pg. 122)


|Pages: 232|Year Published: April 2010|Publisher: Tundra|
|Genre: Historical fiction, 1900s, Victoria Era, WWI, coming of age|
|Age Group: YA, ages 12+|Content: None (G)|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall: 5/5|

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

"Perhaps we will meet again," Sasha said, softening his voice. "But you must see that it does not matter. You have so much ahead of you. It's your choice now. Choose the future! Choose life!"
For Anastasia Romanov, life as the privileged daughter of Russia's last tsar is about to be torn apart by the bloodshed of revolution. Ousted from the imperial palace when the Bolsheviks seize control of the government, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia. But even while the rebels debate the family's future with agonizing slowness and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blooms between Anastasia and Sasha, a sympathetic young guard she has known since childhood. But will the strength of their love be enough to save Anastasia from a violent death? Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the last days of the Romanov family, Susanne Dunlap's new novel is a haunting vision of the life?and love story?of Russia's last princess - book jacket

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Dunlap’s first novel for young adults, The Musician’s Daughter, was one of my favorite historical fiction novels last year. Anastasia’s Secret however didn’t quite reach that level with me and was harder to get into. Although I love reading about the Romanovs and the Last Grand Duchess, I was just a little too disappointed because I was so hoping Dunlap’s second novel would be just as smashing as The Musician's Daughter. Of course you can’t always compare so critically because there were a few differences I would like to point out that shouldn't be compared. With Anastasia's Secret, Dunlap had to follow a set of rules/timelines because the character she was bringing to life had a very important history. Another reason why I tried to not judge too harshly was the fact that Dunlap (as she said in her author’s note) that she wasn’t use to writing in first person! That’s right. This story comes straight from Anastasia’s mouth and I must confess, Dunlap’s quite good at doing justice to the Duchess's personality. In fact, I couldn’t imagine Anastasia any other way.
After reading about halfway through the book I discovered a pattern in the storyline. The book slowed way down when Anastasia was talking about everyday life. Then it picked up (and skipped through time) again when Anastasia was with Sasha. It seemed like the entire novel evolved around Anastasia’s relationship with Sasha. I’m not really complaining about it because after all that is Anastasia’s “secret”, but I would have liked the scenes in between to have been more interesting. In The Musician’s Daughter I saw the streets of Vienna; in this book, I only heard about the Romanov family–it was hard to picture them. 
Despite a few flaws and high expectations, I did think Anastasia’s Secret was still a decent historical romance and that Anastasia was brought to life in a way that was almost magical. I can’t wait until Dunlap writes another story for us. (You wouldn’t believe how excited I was when I found out this one was being released!)

Recommendation: If you’ve read Dunlap’s other novels then Anastasia’s Secret is a must. I would highly recommend to history lovers or historical romance junkies both teen and adult. If you like fast-paced books or have a tendency to abandoned books after a couple chapters then try The Musician’s Daughter–Anastasia’s Secret is probably not for you. Recommend to teens ages 14+.

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For Parents and Teens

This Book is For: Teens or adults who enjoy a good historical (romance) fiction novel or who have a soft-spot for Anastasia stories.

This Book is Not For: Teens who don’t like historical fiction or who can’t stick with a slower plot.

Content Radar: There is sensuality between Sasha and Anastasia and some sexual situations–nothing extremely detailed. There is also lewd remarks from soldiers as well. Not appropriate for teens/tweens 12 and under. (PG)

The Last Straw: What is it about Bloomsbury novels? They smell like adventure!
“I hear the tune and recall a nursemaid singing to me.” - Anastasia

|Pages: 333|Year Published: Nov. 2009|Publisher: Bloomsbury|
|Genre: Historical fiction, romance, 1900s, WWI|
|Age Group: YA, 14+| Content: PG|
|Enjoyed It: 4/5|Content Rating: 4/5|Cover: 5/5|
|Overall: 4/5 |

BLOG TOUR: Medina Hill by Trilby Kent

In the grimy London of 1935, eleven-year-old Dominic Walker has lost his voice. His mother is sick and his father’s unemployed. Rescue comes in the form of his Uncle Roo, who arrives to take him and his young sister, Marlo, to Cornwall. There, in a boarding house populated by eccentric residents, Marlo, who keeps a death grip on her copy of The New Art of Cooking, and Dominic, armed with Incredible Adventures for Boys: Colonel Lawrence and the Revolt in the Desert, find a way of life unlike any they have known. Dominic’s passion for Lawrence of Arabia is tested when he finds himself embroiled in a village uprising against a band of travelers who face expulsion. In defending the vulnerable, Dominic learns what it truly means to have a voice.

******

Medina Hill is a captivating and unforgettable story of friendship, bravery, and justice.

I really loved reading this book because it had a sort of old fashioned yet modern voice to it which I thought gave the book a timeless feel. This chronicle of Dominic’s journey to bravery with the help of his newly found hero, Lawrence of Arabia, is simple but detailed. Everything in Medina Hill is excitingly fresh from the Romany gypsies to the mysterious coves of Zennor, Cornwall. The odd and charming crowd living at Medina Hill is probably the best thing in this novel. Otto, the over zealous thriller writer, is my favorite out the bunch; but all of them are just as lovable.

Though told from a eleven year old boy’s point of view, Medina Hill can target an a “juvenile” as well as older audience because of its coming-of-age themes and seasoned perspective. Combining adventure, history, matchless characters, Kent has done an extraordinary job on creating her first novel. I can only hope she has more stories to share.

Overall, Medina Hill’s ageless narrative of justice and bravery is sure to capture readers of all ages. I highly recommend!

*Trilby Kent was born in Toronto, Ontario and grew up cities on both sides of the Atlantic. After completing degrees at Oxford and The London School of Economics, she worked in the rare books department at a promient auction house before turning to writing feature articles for publications in Europe and North America. She now lives in London, England. Medina Hill is her first novel.*

|Pages: 170|Year Published: October 2009|Publisher: Tundra|

|Genre: Historical fiction, 1900s, friendship, coming of age|

|Age Group: YA, ages 11+|Content: None|

|Enjoyed It: 5/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 5/5|

|Overall|

This book trailer was made especially for Medina Hill Blog Tour. Be sure to turn on your computer sound! Enjoy guys.

(PS. I finally got a YouTube account so now my videos will be BIGGER!)

Follow the Tour to the next Blog!

Panama by Shelby Hiatt

She is fifteen, ready for something-anything-to happen. What happens in Panama. The US government has asked her father to help build the canal. The whole family will go be part of this historical event. But Panama isn't as she imagines. Americans live in the Zone, which has been designed to look and feel just like an American town. She wants more. She wants different. The fantasy is out there. She'll find it.

*****

Panama is a dramatic novel about a girl who witnesses the building of the Panama Canal. The construction scenery and the Panamanian towns are vividly descried and-wouldn’t you know it?-the Wright brothers even play an important part in this story. I think the Panama Cannel is a exciting setting and the Zone (an American “town” in the Cannel area) made it even more interesting. Hiatt has a very elegant and philosophical voice, making the narration feel very Victorian.

The girl (who’s name is never mentioned) participates in quite a bit of romance with a Spaniard called Frederico toward the middle of the novel. I personally think it got too carried away with the love affair and it is talked about so boldly throughout the story, I felt the subject change drastically from the Panama Canal to someone’s love life. I like romantic stories, but this went overboard for my taste, especially with it being a young adult novel. Most YA romance novels have some sort of “message” intertwined with the story, but Panama does not follow this pattern. It's more of a memoir or diary recounting what happened to "the girl" during her stay in Panama.

Overall, Hiatt’s debut novel flowed with great detail and history giving Panama an unique setting, but because of Panama’s references and sexual scenes, I cannot recommend to anyone younger than 17 years. I just felt like Panama isn't very suitable for the age of fourteen as the book suggests.

Shelby Hiatt got the idea to write about the Panama Canal after visiting it and getting to know many Zoners, descendents of the people who lived and worked on the canal. She lives in California. This is her first novel.

|Pages: 208|Year Published: Sept. 2009|Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

|Genre: Historical fiction, 1900s, romance|

|Age Group: Ages 17+|Content: Sexual references & scenes|

|Enjoyed It: 3/5|Content Rating: 1/5|Cover: 5/5|

|Overall: 2/5|

Fever Season by Eric Zweig

After the Great War and Canada’s violet Spanish flu epidemic, 14-year-old David Staifer is left an orphan. As he recounts his life, David discovers a way to find his long lost uncle: hockey. The only way to get to Seattle is to take job with Montreal’s National Hockey League; but with the fever still at large on the West Coast, can David survive long enough to find his Uncle? Will his beloved team survive the hockey tournament as well?

******

Fever Season was a nice peek into the past of hockey and what life was like during World War I. At first the story was kinda slow, especially when David talked about his childhood; only when he joined the hockey team as a sort of “janitor” boy, did things start to pick up. The reason I picked up Fever Season was because it was set on Canada. I don’t know anything about Canadian history (I didn’t even know about the fever), so I thought this book would help. Even though it was probably a bit too juvenile for me, I still enjoyed learning about 20th century Canada and what orphans had to go through during those times. With it’s lightness and “memoir” like style, I would definitely recommend to any hockey fan or history buff.

|Pages: 228|Published: Oct. 2009|Publisher: Dundurn Press|

|Genre: Historical fiction, sports, 1900s, orphans|

|Age Group: YA, ages 12+|Content: None|

|Enjoyed It: 3/5|Content Rating: 5/5|Cover: 4/5| (NEW!)

|Overall Rating|

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton

Jimmy lives in Rowlesburg, West Virginia, during the 1940s. He does all the things boys do in the small mountain town: plays a mean game of football, pulls the unforgettable Halloween prank with his friends in “the Platoon,” and promises to head off into the woods on the first day of hunting season— no matter what. He also knows his father belongs to a secret society, and is determined to uncover the mysteries behind it! But it is a midnight encounter with a train that shows Jimmy the man his father really is.

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When the Whistle Blows is mixture of historical fiction, small town memories, and the final years of the stream engine.

It was actually pretty good historical fiction material, but to me it was more of a coming of age story (or even memoir) and reminded me a lot of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

The story takes place on All Hollow's Eve (Halloween) starting the year

of 1943 and ending with Jim's final memory of his father in 1949. Throughout those final six years with his father, Jim experiences some valuable school lessons, his first football season, trains, and the town's secret society. Besides Jim's compelling story, When the Whistle Blows brought to life the world of trains, their makers, and how they shaped our nation-one whistle at a time. Overall, Slayton did a great job on her debut novel and I hope we see more from her in the future.

When the Whistle Blows is Slayton's first novel for young readers and was in fact based the on the life of her grandfather.

Pages: 162 Year Published: June 2009 Genre: Historical/1900s/WWII

Age Group: YA, ages 10+ Content: Very mild language (1-2 words)

Personally Enjoyed It: 4/5 Rating: (according to content)