HISTORY & HISTORICAL FICTION: Ages 9-12
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Vol. 1) by Tamora Pierce
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young
Readers (October
Summary v.1
Call it intuition, fate or even just common sense, this story shows how Alanna knows that she is not going to be just some prim woman in the convent. She wants to instead become a female knight or a warrior maiden. Unfortunately, in the Tortall land women are not let to train as a warrior. Therefore, Alanna then finds to switch her place with her identical twin, Thom and tries to take his place to be able to become Knight. She then gains a lot of admiration around her while she is constantly haunted by this black stone city and she wants to find it. The rest of the story revolves around how she tries to fulfill her desire while guarding her secret of being a woman.
Summary v.2
Nurtured in a convent amongst stern disciplinarians, Alanna is dissatisfied and looks for a change. The story takes a dramatic turn when Alanna decides to opt to become a knight. Living in Tortell era where females enjoyed limited freedom, she finds this a wishful thinking. Undaunted, Alanna garbs the identity of her look-alike twin, Tom and disguised as a man, undergoes training for knighthood and even lands herself a post of a page. Alanna is continually troubled by the Black City which she wants to discover. The story is mostly about the way she guards her secret of her swiped gender.
Summary v.3
Allana knows deep within her heart that she will not just be a very proper woman in a convent. She knows that it would be more exciting to be a knight instead. Sadly, women in Tortall did not have those types of rights. When she is thinking about making this come true, she remembers that her twin Thom is currently in training to become a knight. Her plan is to trade places with him. Allana becomes a wonderful knight and earns a lot of respect. Her desires are fulfilled as she continues along her journey all whilst keeping her identity a secret.
Page (Book 2 of the Protector of the Small) by Tamora Pierce
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young
Readers (May 23, 2000)
Summary v.1
Keladry who is a 11 year old from the city of Mindelan is the only female who goes beyond a year of training to become a warrior maiden. To be able to prove herself, Keladry spends much of her time defending herself from all those bullies trying to stay right on top, as well as conquering her fear of heights. Her detractors do all they can to thwart Keladry. Kel is considered a valuable role model and is proud of belonging to the weaker sex; she never tries to waver when it comes to her conviction and tries to excel better than a boy does. The book discusses about the bloody battles and the developing body of Keladry making it ideal for mature readers.
Summary v.2
An 11 year old Kelandry from Mindelan is a sole female to undergo training to be a warrior. She finds herself shielding against the tormentors who want to retain their top position and also her acrophobia. Her rivals go all out to impede her progress. Kelendry is a perfect character and good at her tasks, while being pleased to be a female. She is steadfast in her beliefs and strives to perform better than her male counterparts. The book skillfully tells the reader about the gory campaigns and the physical changes that Kelendry experience, making the book a fitting treat for young adults.
Summary v.3
Keladry is 11 years old and from the city of Meladry. She has her fair share of what she is trying to defend. Most of all it is important for her to keep the bullies away. Her enemies do what they can to make sure that she does not go through with her plans. Keladry is very proud of being a girl and strives to be better than any boy could possibly be. It is a very empowering tale that actually goes into detail about the bloody battles she faces. This book written by Tamora Pierce is more suited towards a mature audience.
Christy by Catherine Marshall - Box set
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback
Publisher: W Pub Group (October 1995)
Summary v.1
The story revolves around how Christy leaves a privileged life to follow her dreams of teaching in the Smokey Mountains and how her faith is being tested by her own pupils, when two men love her, and what follows is all the curious customs of the people belonging to her community. Yet along she only loves the people as well as the fulfilling and simple lifestyle. Christy is a story that is based on the author’s mother’s life and was a huge inspiration of a popular TV show with the same name. This is a tale of love that is beautifully told, timeless and charming. The faith and love present in the story appeals readers belonging to all ages.
Summary v.2
This is a especially interesting book which tells the story of a 19 years old Christy Huddleston who opts to proceed to Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to pursue her dream profession of teaching the downtrodden. She is accompanied by several other people. Here she is tried and tested by many hardships and a peculiar environment, but comes through with flying colors. The novel is actually based on the life of the author’s mother and enthralls the hearts of readers of every age. The book has a tinge of spirituality, is educative and has charmed a great number of readers.
Summary v.3
Christy is the main character in this story and she lives in the Smokey Mountains. She also notes in the story her struggle with loving two different men. Christy also has to deal with the strange customs in her vicinity. It is a struggle for her to understand sometimes but nevertheless this proves to be a very interesting story. She loves her life and tries to lead with being a positive role model. Christy was turned into a popular TV series and was based around Catherine Marshall’s mother. This tale is very charming and heartwarming. People of all ages will enjoy reading this book. If you are looking for a book about hope and love this is the one to read.
Standing in the Light: The Captive Diary of Catharine Carey Logan, Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania, 1763 by Mary Pope Osborne
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 186 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (September 1, 1998)
Summary v.1
This book reveals the story of a Quaker girl, Caty Logan who is terribly upset by the Indian raids news on all the farms nearby. Her father tries to explain to her that these are just attacks for all the promises broken by settlers and the government, she still remains frightened. Later on in the story, Caty and her brother are captured by a Lenape group that hands them over to a family who lost their children to a terrible disease called Measles. The story further goes to show her blooming friendship that turns to love with Snow hunter who is a young man who was captured earlier and the difficulties she faces further on.
Summary v.2
Presented in the form of a diary of the book’s heroin, Catharine Logan, it is one of the most sought after novels. The author makes us relive the 1970’s with her vivid narration of those days. Catharine, or simply Caty, is captured by the Indians along with her brother Thomas and taken to their dwelling. Here she gets accustomed to the ways of her captors and begins to love them and their traditions. She also falls in love with Snow Hunter, a captive like herself. Caty is made to face many difficulties but she overcomes them with her strong will power.
Summary v.3
Carey Logan is a Quaker girl that is distraught by all of the Indian raids that have occurred in nearby towns around her. Even though these attacks have nothing to do with her and are all political, she remains frightened. Later in the story, Carey and her brother are captured by a group of people are forced to live with a new family. Their new parents lost their children to measles. This is a captivating story that many will find as heroic and will admire Carey’s strength to press forward despite what has happened to her.
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Laurel Leaf (September 14, 2004)
Summary v.1
This is a tale that is an inspiring story of courage, and the resistance gained against evil. This story revolves around two physicians who help a prisoner to escape from war. This is a story stating out choices, a story of all those ordinary people who were immersed in hell and yet kept faith with one another, their country, ideals and God. Here is a story of a young woman who takes responsibility of not just herself but also many others too. The story shows how the ethical and religious heritage of this woman is demanded repeatedly even during the most dangerous of situations. It shows how one individual even during the worst scenarios can go ahead to change this world for only the better.
Summary v.2
The book is a story of the prisoners of war at the Nazi camp. In the face of extreme adversity the prisoners show bravery and defiance. Two of the Russian doctors help a captive to flee from war. It is concerned with ordinary people with extraordinary guts, who lead a doomed life yet are full of hope, never losing their faith in the Almighty. A young girl among the prisoners is an epitome of all that is good and morally right. She defends herself and others even in extremely perilous situations. The book is very educative and delicately laced with religious morality.
Summary v.3
This is a very inspiring tale and it shows how the characters go to great lengths to resist evil. Two doctors are on a mission to make sure that they follow through with their plans. What are their plans? You must read to find out more. This is hands down a remarkable story about how having faith can change everything. When you feel as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel, holding on to something you cannot see becomes law when you have faith. The women in this book are very courageous and you will fall in love with this lengthy book.
All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor and Helen John
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 189 pages
Publisher: Yearling (December 1, 1984)
Summary v.1
This book helps an individual to learn about the Jewish Faith, and how it impacts the everyday life of an individual. The family in this story is very loving and encourages the girls of the family to grow and learn to be strong. The story shows the togetherness and faith the individuals have in one another and their religion.
The novel introduces the holy days of Jews such as Yom Kippur, Sabbath Days, Succos and prum. The story also throws light on how the family is not just religious but nationalistic by talking about the celebrations of the Fourth of July.
This book is a must read as it helps in teaching tolerance, kindness and love for all individuals.
Summary v.2
Other than a couple of Jewish holidays, few people know about the ways of the Pentecost, their life style, their beliefs, faith or their traditional values. The book, “All-of-a-kind-family” is very informative about these aspects of Jews and fits in with modern times. The story introduces the reader to newer dimensions of Jewish strong bonds of inter-personal relationships and their firm convictions in their religion, the importance of Fourth of July, love and emphatic charity for every living being. The pictures that the book carries are simply a magnificent treat for the eyes!
Summary v.3
If you are looking to learn about the Jewish faith this is the perfect book to help you in doing so. It is filled with wonderful entries that will make you want to read more. There is a very strong family in this story which teaches their girls to stay strong. They try their best to portray their religion in the best light. Many traditions are discussed throughout this book and readers will fall in love with All of a Kind Family. It is a marvelous book that goes into depth about the religion and a family who is proud of it.
A Coal Miner's Bride: the Diary of Anetka Kaminska by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 221 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (July 1, 2000)
Summary v.1
The book revolved around a 13-year-old girl who lives in Poland that was controlled by the Russians in the year 1896. Anetka Kaminska resents how the Russians had taken over her country and are forcing all her people to give up their customs and language. However, she is more angry with her father who is in America and planning her marriage with a coal miner who is twice the age. Her father does not love her and treats her like a servant. Her father then dies leaving behind her two other siblings younger than her and how life becomes more difficult for her. The rest of the story shows her struggle and how she tries to make a life for herself in America.
Summary v.2
Living in Russian controlled Poland, a 13 year old girl, Anetka Kaminska, hates the Russians and the life style they are imposing upon the Poles. Troubles are further compounded when her uncaring father arranges her to be wed to a coal miner living in America but who is double her age. Misfortunes do not end here for her as her husband is killed in a mining accident, leaving her to fend for self and her children. The book describes Anetka’s courage, her struggles and her life near a coal mine. The hardships that the heroine faces bring tears to the eyes.
Summary v.3
This book is about a 13-year old girl that lives in Poland and is controlled by Russians. Anetka Kaminska is upset that the Russians have invaded her country and force her to live up to their customs. As if that was not enough for her to deal with, her father is in America arranging a marriage to a coal miner. Her dad does not care about her happiness and sees her as his servant. After her father dies she is left to raise her two siblings and start a life in America. This is a book that shows the strength of a young girl.
The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback
Publisher: Yearling (March 1, 1988)
Summary v.1
The author here talks about a girl called Robin, who is insecure about her father’s struggle of trying to be employed and how the family travels from a place to another in search of shelter and food. They then end up next to an abandoned mansion where Robin tries to escape from her noisy siblings for some quiet time. She then manages to discover a tunnel that leads right into this hue mansion and she finds no furnishing inside except in just a small room, a circular alcove. Later in the story comes a life threatening part and the entire magic and suspense is revolved around there. A must read book for all the thrill lovers.
Summary v.2
This novel is about a girl named Robin whose family living a vagabond life, much to her disgust as she is constantly feeling insecure but is helpless. Her family is once stationed near a mansion which Robin enters through a secret tunnel and is surprised to find it bare with just room fully furnished, exuding warmth that Robin longed for. She refers to it as The Velvet Room and spends long hours there reminiscing about self, her life and takes to fantasizing. She is thrown into a risky situation which sends chills down the reader’s spine.
Summary v.3
Robin is the main character of this story. She is forced to go with her family in search of shelter and food. They don’t have much money because her father does not have a job. When her family moves next to an abandoned mansion she discovers a tunnel that leads into a whole new adventure. If you are a thrill seeker then you will fall in live with this book and not put it down! It is terrific because it is filled with a lot of action and suspense. The story line is well thought out and the characters are very realistic.
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie
Pope
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Sandpiper (October 29, 2001)
Summary v.1
The story talks about Kate who is the lady-in-waiting during the reign of Queen Mary for Princess Elizabeth. Her sister in the story gets Kate exiled.
The story is for all those individuals who are interested in the Elizabethan England, Britain folklore or the fantasy in novels. It is definitely a great read for individuals belonging to any age especially for young women and girls, as there is something so special about the heroine, Kate. She is so appealing and real. She is known to be very intelligent and strong as she is faced with difficult and impossible situations, however, towards she end she gets recognized for what she really is.
Summary v.2
This exceptional novel is a fitting treat for girls and young ladies. The story is about Kate who is employed in Queen Mary’s reign for the princess. Kate’s sister Alicia succeeds in banishing her from the kingdom to Perilous Gard. Kate is depicted as a strong, righteous girl, who proves her mettle in the end. The book is a real delight for all those who love Elizabethean times and the glorious folklore of Great Britain, its culture and values of the time. As the book progresses, she and Christopher, Kate’s guardian’s brother, face one of the most horrifying adventures.
Summary v.3
Kate is next in line for queen, right behind Queen Elizabeth. Kate gets exiled by her own sister in the story. Anyone interested in the Elizabethan period or fantasy themes will enjoy this great tale. Women and young girls will enjoy this tale because it is about a very brave heroine that makes everything possible and real. Kate is a great character and you will cheer her on as you read The Perilous Gard. Anyone seeking an inspirational story will find it in this book. It is always uplifting to read about girls that are able to continue the fight for what they believe is right.
Dear America by Kathryn Lasky
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Scholastic (November 1, 2003)
Summary v.1
This book is a diary of a girl who is a Jewish immigrant called Zipporah from Russia; she talks about the experience her family goes through during the first year and half in the city of New York’s lower eastern side. The character, Zipporah dreams of becoming an actress in the Yiddesh Theater and is completely overjoyed at being offered to be a prop girl. Her job is then overshadowed by her younger brother’s death. Making things worse, her elder sister also runs away to marry a non-Jewish boy, while her other sister Tovah organizes a women’s rights union that her mother disapproves of. While on the other hand one of Zippy’s friends dies in a fire accident. The story unfolds how Zippy makes her life in this city; life cannot be golden in this golden city after all.
Summary v.2
This exquisite book is in a diary form belonging to a Jewish migrant from Russia named Zipporah. She vividly describes her experiences during the initial one and a half years in New York. Zippy, as the heroine is popularly called, wishes to become an actress in the Yiddish Theater and is offered an assignment working as a support girl. However, her joy is short lived as she is faced with many ordeals within the family. The final nail in the coffin comes when Zippy’s friend is killed in a fire. All the calamities leave Zippy wondering if America was worth it.
Summary v.3
Zipporah is a Jewish girl from Russia. In her journal she discusses the experience her family has living in their first year in New York’s lower east side. She has a dream of becoming an actress and is ecstatic when she is picked to be a prop girl in the Yiddish Theater. Her joy is not present about being a prop girl because her brother dies. The story gets worse as she is faced with another tragedy. Her sister decided to marry a non Jewish boy and it made her family feel awful. There are also other tragedies in this book. You will have to read more of Dear America to find out.
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