Diamond of Drury Lane

Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
Reading level: grades 5-8

Orphan Catherine Royal, better known as “Cat” to her friends, has been living in Drury Lane since she was a baby. After she discovers the owner of the theatre has hidden a diamond in the building, she vows to help keep it safe. When a viscious street gang discovers the existence of the diamond, Cat must do whatever it takes to protect it. Will the help of her friends -- Pedro, a musical prodigy, two nobles, and another street gang – and her own cunning intelligence be enough to keep the diamond safe?

Set in the 1790’s, Diamond of Drury Lane is a fast-paced, exciting historical fiction with a little mystery for spice. Much of the book is set in the streets of London in Covent Garden. Vivid descriptions of the city and the people bring the story to life. The author uses many phrases and words of that time period which also adds to the atmosphere. There is a glossary in the back of the book for readers who want to familiarize themselves with the language of that period. Readers will be happy to know that there are more books in the series. Recommended.

Hard Gold

Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859, a tale of the Old West by Avi

As part of Avi's "I Witness" series, this book tells the first person (but fictional) story of Early Whittcomb, a thirteen year old boy from Iowa. Prompted by a threat to his family farm (the railroad wants to build through their land), Early runs away to follow his uncle Jesse to Colorado to look for gold. Early signs on as a helper on a wagon train for a barber and his family, meeting the challenges and hardships as a pioneer heading West in the mid-19th century. Dangers await them at every turn, even after they arrive in Colorado. The gold rush provides a great backdrop for this adventure.

"I Witness" books are historical fiction featuring young characters and based on events from American history. Avi liberally sprinkles in maps, old photographs, and even newspaper clippings to enrich the historical setting. These well-researched books also include glossaries to help explain terms and people from the period. Although the characters he creates are fictional, Avi's fascinating stories could be real. These books are perfect for curious readers 5th grade and up.

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
by E. L. Konigsburg
Reading level: grades 6 and up

There are four individual stories evolving at once, in four separate places. Amadeo and William are the main characters who connect all the other players in the story. The plot centers around art that was confiscated by the Nazis when Holland was invaded in the late 1930s. The historical segments are very suspenseful, but some of the content is for mature readers. Students interested in the Holocaust will find this book informative and worth reading.

Boston Jane, An Adventure

Boston Jane, An Adventure
by Jennifer L. Holm
Reading level: grades 5-7

Miss Jane Peck is the only daughter of a Philadelphia doctor. Her early years are spent as a tomboy until William Baldt, her father’s intern, introduces Jane to the idea of becoming a refined society lady.

Jane’s adventure begins when she departs Philadelphia with her friend, Mary, to join William in the Washington Territory. William has asked the sixteen year old Jane to marry him, and after some time Dr. Peck finally agrees to let her go. The voyage takes more than five months around Cape Horn.

By the time Jane arrives in Shoalwater Bay, two months late, William has gone off on official business for the governor who wants to secure a treaty with the Indians. Jane is forced to live with trappers, sailors, and all sorts of frontier characters.

During the time she awaits William’s return, Jane finds herself torn between maintaining her image as a society lady and surviving the hardship of frontier life as the underlying independent woman. Her strength and courage win out in the end.

Her tale has elements of humor and sorrow, but readers will instinctively like Jane and cheer for her success.

Ten Cents a Dance

Ten Cents a Dance
by Christine Fletcher
Reading level: Ages 16 and up

Set in Chicago, 1941, Ruby lives with her mother and sister in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. She must quit school to work in the packinghouse to support her family. Ruby meets neighborhood bad boy, Paulie Suelze, and her life changes overnight when she becomes a “dime-a-dance” call girl in a sleazy nightclub. To cover her activities, Ruby lies to her mother that she has a job as a telephone operator (much more respectable than what she really does) and believable because new hires must work the night shift. Her mother never suspects what she is really doing and accepts the money that Ruby gives her for the rent and groceries gratefully.

The story takes a downward spiral as Ruby becomes more and more involved with Paulie. Ruby finds herself falling for him, and thinks he likes her, too. Only toward the end of the book does Ruby find out what he is really like and that his love for her has been only an illusion. Ruby eventually saves her own respectability and her sister’s life before Paulie can hurt either of them again.

A fascinating account of life in Chicago during the late 1930’ and early 1940’s. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this one!

Black Storm Comin'

Black Storm Comin'
by Diane Lee Wilson
Reading level: grades 5 and up

Bet you never thought of California in terms of Civil War involvement. Did you know that people worried that California would side with the South? (In the end, it didn’t.) But blacks (called coloreds) were in as much danger of capture there as they were in the Northern states. Runaway slaves weren’t really free until they reached Canada.

This is the story of Colton Wescott, a boy with determination, gumtion, and a mission. He becomes the breadwinner for his mother and sisters after his pa takes off and doesn’t return. The fastest way to make money is to ride for the Pony Express. Colton is only twelve but has the will and the guts to stick to the job, get the mail through the snow drenched Sierras, but along the way gets himself into a whole pack of situations that will keep you turning pages.

Keeping Score

Keeping Score
by Linda Sue Park
Reading level: grades 4-6

Basefall fans will love this book! Maggie is a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan. She learns to score the games she listens to on the radio down to the minutest detail. Her fireman friend, Jim, is a Giants fan. When he gets drafted to go to Korea with the Army, Maggie continues to keep track of both teams so she and Jim can relive the games when he returns.

P.S. Linda Sue Park grew up in Chicago, a die-hard Cubs fan!

Gabriel's Horses

Gabriel’s Horses
by Alison Hart
Reading level: grades 4-6

If you love horse stories, you’ll love this book. Gabriel is a young slave boy in Kentucky during the time of the Civl War. Learn about the Confederate raider who steals thoroughbreds from Kentucky horse farms and how Gabriel saves his beloved horses from the perils of war. You won’t believe the exciting finish to this first book of the Racing to Freedom trilogy.

Voyage of Ice

Voyage of Ice by Michele Torrey
Reading level: grades 4-7

If you ever thought sailing and whaling are glamourous and romantic, like Nick and Dexter Robbins, then you must experience the brutal telling of their treatment aboard the Sea Hawk, how they are lost at sea, and how they try to survive the winter in the frozen arctic. Fifteen year old Nick, the son of a whaling ship captain and his brother can't wait to go to sea. In what may be a hasty decision, they end up aboard the Sea Hawk and suffer punitive and cruel treatment from vindictive Captain Thorndike. It is Nick's positive and hopeful traits and promise to save the captain's daughter, that help him and his brother face a menacing ship hand, freezing weather, and starvation. This well researched book by Michele Torrey will keep you riveted to the end.

Other books by Michele Torrey in the Chronicles of Courage series: Voyage of Plunder and Voyage of Midnight.

The Redheaded Princess

The Redheaded Princess by Ann Rinaldi
Reading level: grades 6 and up

Although it is difficult to imagine the powerful Queen Elizabeth I as a child, Rinaldi portrays this tumultuous time beautifully. Following Elizabeth's life from the age of nine until her ascension to the throne at 25, this story provides a glimpse into 16th-century England and the political and religious turmoil of the time.

For the most part, relationships and statuses of the leading characters are laid out within the framework of the story. Although the thoughts and emotions of young Elizabeth are imagined by the author, the events surrounding princess's childhood are factual. Rinaldi weaves enough action and emotion into her story that, despite knowing that Elizabeth ends up as the queen, you will find yourself compelled to see what happens next.

Fire from the Rock

Fire from the Rock by Sharon M. Draper
Reading level: 12 years and up

Fire from the Rock is a fabulous look at one black girl's journey toward the integration of Little Rock schools in 1957. Although the character and her family are fictional, the setting, events, and some supporting characters are real. Both a heart-warming and heart-wrenching read, as well as a superb supplement to a US history unit.

Hitler's Canary

Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig

Reading level: grade 5 and up
Interest level: grade 6 and up

Hitler’s Canary offers an alternative view to WWII than most books on the topic. It gives a sense of the time without the horrors of the Holocaust, and shows how the war affected children’s lives (as opposed to seeing the war from an adult, military, or political viewpoint).

Bamse, the ten-year-old main character, and his Jewish best friend, Anton, grow up in Demark during the Nazi occupation. Bamse eventually becomes part of the Danish resistance, maturing as the struggle becomes more intense. Parts of Bamse’s story are touching, funny, and scary, in turn. Because Bamse’s family is in the theater (his mom is an actress, his dad builds sets) the line between reality and fantasy can feel a bit blurry in this book. The sometimes quirky characters add a bit of humor, but the juxtaposition of the seriousness of the setting and the lightness of these characters can make the story feel a bit off. Overall, a good view at an often overlooked area of World War II.

Letters from Wolfie

Letters from Wolfie
by Patti Sherlock

Reading level: grades 6 and up

Mark Cantrell donates his dog to the United States Army when his brother, Danny, enlists in the Marines during the Vietnam War. Dogs are used to patrol the perimeter of camps and bases, guard soldiers from attack and equipment from theft, and as trackers to pursue enemy troops and locate wounded U.S. soldiers.

Shortly after Wolfie begins his training, Mark decides he made a mistake and starts a letter writing campaign to get his dog back. Wolfie and his handler, Tucker, complete their training when Wolfie passes the test where dog and handler rappel out of a hovering helicopter. Wolfie and Tucker are shipped out within days.

This novel gives a realistic view of the United States during the 1960s. It is more an historical fiction book rather than a dog story. Readers interested in American history will benefit from reading Letters from Wolfie.

Lacemaker and the Princess

The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Reading level: grades 5 and up

Eleven-year-old Isabelle is a peasant lacemaker in Versailles in 1788 on the eve of the French Revolution. Although she accidentally befriends the princess (Marie Antoinette's daughter) and is tutored in all the luxuries of court, Isabelle cannot escape the class differences between them. As the Revolution nears, Isabelle is torn between her new life at court and the family in which she was raised. This novel is rich with details about the French Revolution era while enthralling readers with the story of the girls' innocent friendship.This novel is loosely based on a true friendship that the princess had with a girl of a lower class. Although Bradley takes liberties with the details, the framework is historically accurate. Despite the historical setting, the joy, hopefulness, and dilemmas of the developing friendship are timeless.