Media Matters

 Book by Jennifer Nielsen. Compelling historical fiction (Polish resistance in WW2) based on a true story! (Definitely read the author’s note at the end.)

 Book by Katherine Reay. I loved this dual timeline historical fiction novel about the Berlin Wall, spanning from the day the wall went up to the day it came down. 

 Book by Margi Preus. This was a fascinating true story with a very likeable protagonist. Children and adults could enjoy reading it together, as there is no objectionable content. “These shells are like the people of the world, Okachan,” Manjiro said, speaking not just to his mother, but to everyone. “They come from many different places. They come in many different colors and sizes. But they are all beautiful.”

 Book by Kirby Larson. This is a fantastic historical fiction novel about a 16 yr old woman who inherits a Montana homestead claim during WW1. She confronts the ugliness of discrimination against German born US citizens and learns that character and kindness are far more important than looks (“Handsome is as handsome does.”)  This is the type of book that will make you both laugh and cry. It doesn’t have a neatly wrapped up ending, but it still manages to feel hopeful.  There is no objectionable content, so this could truly be enjoyed by the whole family.

 Book by Amina Luqman-Dawson. This book tells a bit of history I was previously unaware of. The various short chapters told from different viewpoints made the story interesting and accessible. Recommended for ages 10+

 Book by Pam Munoz Ryan. I really enjoyed this story of four children in different times and places who all come to possess the same enchanted harmonica. Rich themes abound, most notably discrimination on the basis of physical appearance, religion, poverty, and race. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed its renditions of many of the songs mentioned in the book. It would be really fun to gift this book with a harmonica!

 Book by Jennifer Ryan. This was a charming read! Even though they were initially pitted against each other as competitors, I loved how the women came together in the end to support each other.

 Book by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. This was a fantastic audiobook about Eastern Europeans (Ukrainians in particular) who were enslaved by Nazis during WW2. I loved the humanity and generosity the protagonist showed to her fellow prisoners. Highly recommended for ages 12+ (there is violence, but it is not described in detail).

 Book by Lisa Wingate. This was a fantastic book! It is a dual timeline novel. One tells the story of Hannie, former slave girl who in 1875 ends up on a quest to find her family members who had been separated and sold away years before. The other timeline tells the story of Benny, who in 1987 is a first year English teacher at a low income school in Louisiana who engages her students in researching local and family histories. Both stories are engaging and beautifully written. Highly recommended for ages 13+. Content has adult themes, but nothing explicit.

 Novel by Julie Berry. This was a fantastic novel, intertwining two love stories with the events of WWI, all narrated by the Greek gods who were involved in influencing the characters and events in the stories. That may sound strange, but it worked surprisingly well. Although the historical aspects were interesting and well-researched, at its core this book is a romance, celebrating everything that is good and noble about love. I really enjoyed being able to swoon without having to wade through any questionable content. Highly recommended for age13+.

 Novel by Ruta Sepetys. Another fantastic historical fiction from this author. She captures emotion, suspense, and bravery in the face of real danger, causing the reader to feel like they are right there in 1989 communist Romania with the characters. A thriller that had me on the edge of my seat! Highly recommended for ages 13+. A few quotes: “Imagine a madhouse where the lunatics are running the asylum and the workers are punished for their sanity.” “Living in Bucharest was like living inside a black-and-white photo. Life in cold monochrome. You knew that color existed somewhere beyond the city’s palette of cement and charcoal, but you couldn’t get there—beyond the gray.” “Mistrust is a form of terror. The regime pits us against one another. We can’t join together in solidarity because we never know whom we can trust or who might be an informer.” “If communism is Paradise, why do we need barriers, walls, and laws to keep people from escaping?”

 Book by Amanda Dykes Beautifully written, dual-timeline, Christian mystery. I loved both storylines (one with nods to the prodigal son, and the other with nods to Moses) and the themes of redemption, identity, worth, being found, and being loved. The language is rich and might be difficult to parse for younger readers, but there is no objectionable content, so I would recommend this for age 12+. Some quotes: “Courage keep, and hope beget; The story is not finished yet . . .” “And isn’t that the way of miracles? Something extraordinary because of the faithful ordinary.” “It was the brokenness that caught the light.” “A person never knows how far their life might reach.” “Who are you? You are loved. You are you. You are full of good purpose. You were made for this, your time, and this, your life. There is none like you, and I see the fingerprints of a mighty and good, kind, loving God in your good, kind, loving soul. You are full of honor and goodness. There is no one in this world ...

Short middle grade novel by Lesa Cline-Ransome. This was a fantastic historical fiction about a boy who moved from Alabama to Chicago during the Great Migration. He finds solace from his loneliness and homesickness when he discovers a library and the poems of Langston Hughes. I really enjoyed this one!  There are two companion novels to this book that are also excellent: “Leaving Lymon”  and “Being Clem” tell the stories of two of the side characters in “Finding Langston”. They work as stand-alone stories, but are even better when read together.

 Book by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is an excellent historical fiction novel set during the Revolutionary War that is told from the perspective of a young slave girl. It felt slow to me at the beginning, but by the time I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t put it down. The content is appropriate for ages 11+, with some violence/gore portrayed (beatings, a branding, and diseased bodies/wounds).

 Book by Kate Albus. A charming, slightly old-fashioned tale that reminded me of A Little Princess meets The War That Saved My Life. It was light, heartwarming, and a fun nod to bibliophiles. Recommended for ages 10+.

Short chapter books by Gloria Whelan. This historical fiction series is part of the Stepping Stones series of books.  They tell the story of two families, one white settlers and the other Native Americans, who become friends and help each other in 1840s Michigan. These are well written and a good introduction to the historical fiction genre. They read more like short vignettes and leave things open-ended rather than a more traditional plotline with closure. The titles are: 1. Next Spring an Oriole 2. Night of the Full Moon 3. Shadow of the Wolf They are best read in order.

 Short chapter book by Gloria Whelan. This was a lovely historical fiction about a rural blind girl whose education has been ignored until a new teacher comes to town. I loved that the kids in her community came together to raise money for a Braille writing machine for her. My only complaint was that I wanted more. The ending felt very incomplete, but I guess that’s what you get with an easier to read chapter book instead of a full length novel.

 Graphic novel by R.J. Palacio. This is a historical fiction graphic novel about a French Jewish girl who is hidden during WW2. It is absolutely beautiful and highly recommended. My only complaint about it is in the epilogue, where the author attempts to draw a parallel with a specific current event that is overly simplistic and not a good comparison.  (FYI: Although this is listed as a “Wonder” book, because it briefly mentions one of the characters in that book, it absolutely stands on its own and can be fully enjoyed by someone who has never read Wonder.)

 Novel by Anne Blackman. This is a wonderful book told from the perspective of three eleven year old girls in alternating chapters. Historically, it is set in the Soviet Union, with some chapters during WW2 and most chapters set in the 80’s immediately following the Chernobyl disaster. It touches on some heavy topics such as child abuse and anti-Semitism. But it also focuses on love, forgiveness, and friendship. Highly recommended for ages 10+.

 Novel by Vera Cleaver. This was beautifully written with an utterly spunky and determined 14 year old girl as the protagonist. It has all the feel of a pioneer novel set in the 1800s, but in actuality I was surprised to realize that it is set in 1960s Appalachia. It was eye-opening to see what actual poverty looked like in the not very distant past, and makes me wonder what conditions are like now.