Bibliography

Plot Summary:  Petty thefts have been reported at Buckingham Palace, and Mary Quinn is working undercover as a maid to try to catch the thief in action.    In between domestic chores and fending off the prince, little seems to be going on.  When the prince witnesses the murder of a friend in an opium den and the accused shares the name of her long-lost father, Mary struggles to come to terms with her past.  At the same time, Mary realizes that a tunnel connecting the palace to the sewer is seeing a lot of use and fears for the security of the palace.

Thank goodness James Easton is there to work on the sewers.  Regardless of their past, they resolve to work together to solve the mystery for the good of the crown.

Critical Analysis:  There  is a lot going on  in this book, layered and complex as life often is, and Lee handles all the threads and characters with a deft hand.  While the mysteries do stand alone, I believe that much will be lost in the reading if you have not read the first two titles in the trilogy (A Spy in the House, The Body at the Tower) as some plot threads are related to past events and relationships and a few secondary characters make their reappearances. Lee excells at describing what life was like in Victorian times and even more so than in the earlier books, readers see the contrast between the haves and the have-nots, the wealthy and those who serve them, and the special treatment afforded the royal family.

Bibliography

Plot Summary:  Gloria’s country cousin Clara comes to Chicago help with her wedding to society’s favorite son Sebastian Grey.  She catches the eye of debonair Marcus which raises the hackles of Gloria’s best friend Lorraine.  All three girls will be changed by their visit to the hottest  speakeasy and their taste of the flapper lifestyle.

Critical Analysis:  This book has style and glamour (and booze) to spare.  I can see what some of the reviews about flaws, but I really don’t care.  I suppose partially because I love this time period and partially because my teen self can relate to Gloria and her friends.  And oh the drama.  What will Lorraine do next?  When when Clara’s secret be exposed?  Will Gloria go through with leaving her old life?  Shallow? Yes.  Superficial? Yes.  But so much fun!!!

Readalikes:  Larkin names The Great Gatsby as a book that inspired this series.  Published at almost the same time, Anna Godbersen’s Bright Young Things has similar setting, characters and themes (I liked Vixen just a little better).

Review Excerpts:  ”Debut author Larkin crams plenty of delish details of the era … does a good job of switching from one character to another, all the while lacing the stories together….the tale goes over the top at times. But this is fun, and a great cover will draw ’em in.”–Booklist

“Larkin’s frothy debut….Chick lit for the Gossip Girl crowd, the plot doesn’t hold up to scrutiny … and certain scenes betray a misunderstanding of race relations during the period.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“…Larkin writes a movie-like, mysterious plot which will keep readers surprised at events and uncertain as to character motives. The backdrop of 1920s Chicago is described colorfully and romantically.”–Children’s Literature

“The Prohibition era is an uncommon setting for historical fiction, and Larkin paints a glamorous (if shallow) picture of underground speakeasies and society parties of the 1920s….neither the culture nor the characters ever fully come to life and the historical details seem sketchy at best….the high drama will leave those readers eager for future installments in this series”–School Library Journal

Reviewed from public library audiobook.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase

Plot Summary: In 1958 Little Rock, 12 year old Marlee becomes friends with new girl Liz.  Brave and never at a lack for words, she helps Marlee overcome her fear of speaking in class.  But when Liz is gone from school, rumors swirl that she was a Negro passing for white.  Marlee realizes that isn’t what is important, true friendship is.  To stay friends, Marlee and Liz must defy their families and face integration head on.

Critical Analysis:  I want to tell everyone to read this book because it is important.  It covers in a very personal and intimate way a piece of recent history that is little known.  Everyone studies the Little Rock Nine, but there is little discussion about what happened the next school year–the governor closed local high schools to prevent integration.  Neighbors took sides on the issue, tensions were high or higher than ever before.  And the kids and teens lost out.

I want you to read this book because it is important, but you will love this book for the stories and the characters.  For the nuanced portrayal of all involved, families, neighbors, friends, teachers, leaders.  For the growth of many across the pages, for the beauty of friendship and mutual respect and the horror of hate.  From the mundane details of everyday life, and the painful shyness of Marlee to the important meetings and canvassing for votes and support and the scariness of retaliation.

Even in this supposed post racial world, there are still incidents that remind us all too well how little we have changed and how far we need to go.  What Lions of Little Rock tells us is that loving and respecting people for who they are not the color of their skin matters, and once we believe that, we have to work for change.

Review Excerpts:  ”Readers will root for a painfully shy girl to discover the depths of her own courage and find hope in the notion that even in tumultuous times, standing up for the people you love can’t be wrong. Satisfying, gratifying, touching, weighty — this authentic piece of work has got soul.” –The New York Times Book Review

“Levine’s characters fall on both sides of the integration issue, but she avoids painting them too broadly, and many of their views evolve over the course of the book. The best evolution, though, belongs to Marlee, who starts off almost pathologically shy and gradually learns to face her fears, find her voice, and speak up for what’s right.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“This engaging story, with its emphasis on the impact of friendship and on finding one’s voice when it is most important to be heard, will no doubt appeal to a broad range of readers and inspire many interesting conversations.”–Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase

Bibliography: Hooper, Mary. (2011). Fallen Grace.  New York, Bloomsbury USA Children’s. ISBN: 978-1599905648

Plot Summary:  Penniless orphans Grace and her sister have just barely managed to avoid starving or freezing to death in Victorian London.  When Grace gives birth to a still born baby and sneaks it into the coffin of a well to do woman, little does she realize that this act will eventually lead to an even larger secret that will change both their lives forever.

Critical Analysis:  Somehow from the publisher blurb, I wasn’t expecting such a charming, delightful book.  Yes, Hooper has done her research, and yes, there are tons of details about life in the Victorian England and the funeral trade (fascinating stuff that.)  There are very real glimpses of life in poverty, life on the streets.  One detail that will remain in my mind is of the little boy who could only go outside when one of his brothers stayed him, as he had no clothes of his own.

I really like the way the plot is constructed as well.  We are given glimpses into other places, other characters that later will fall into place and become more important to the plot.  This device adds an air of mystery.  The little excerpts from the paper serve a similiar purpose, giving the reader information that the protagonist does not have.

But it is the character of Grace Parkes that makes this story work.  She loves her sister and tries hard to provide for them both, taking on tasks and jobs to try get by.  And sometimes things go well, and just when you think they will stay that way, something else comes along that should knock her down, but somehow she keeps on.  And I think we forgive some of the coincidences and luck that play a role in the story because we want so badly for things to go her way.

Readalikes:  There are of course many parallels here to Dickens’ novels.  This would be a great read along side any number of his works.

Review Excerpts:   “Hooper has done her research, and she makes elements like Victorian funeral practices absolutely fascinating. The story itself moves at an energetic, page-turning clip. If at times the coincidences seem, well, too coincidental, blame Dickens.”–Booklist

“Hooper writes in beautiful 19th-century cadences, but her story lines pack a 21st-century punch. Nothing feels forced or inserted for mere shock value. Fallen Grace has been impeccably researched, and it shows in every paragraph.”–New York Times

“Hooper has not only the labyrinthian plotting and heart-thumping pacing but also the social critique down pat, and even jaded readers may be surprised to find themselves beguiled by the improbable ravages of Cruel Fate and holding their breath for a happy ending.”–BCCB

“Hooper, author of many historical novels, packs her brisk Dickensian fable with colorful characters and suspenseful, satisfying plot twists.”–Kirkus Reviews

Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Bibliography

Plot Summary:   Young Albany midwife Mary Sutter wants nothing more then to study to be a surgeon.  But the idea of female doctors is still foreign to most, and no one will take her as a student or apprentice.  At the beginning of the Civil War, she sees an opportunity where others see adventure or struggle.  Too young for the nursing corps, a chance meeting with the secretary of state leads her to a military hospital where she works tirelessly beside a surgeon to save as many lives as she can.

Critical Review:  There is something compelling and fascinating about the ideas, people, and events in this book.  This is not a romantic view of the Civil War or of women entering a field once closed to them.  Matter of fact, some of the horrible details and descriptions are part of what makes this a compelling read.  Combine that with real people and events from history, a set of very human characters who give perspective to what is happening, and even a love story and this book moves beyond just a Civil War story.  It is both epic and intimate at the same time, quite an accomplishment.  The mix of real historical people and events with the characters in the story contribute to this as do the detailed descriptions of life in military camp, of the military hospital, and the battlefield.

The most compelling of all is the character of Mary.  From almost the beginning, she is torn between what she desires most in the world, studying to become a surgeon, and the rest of her life, her family-twin sister, mother, brother; and romance-neighbor next door, various men she encounters along her way.  She is determined and she won’t give up till she gets what she wants.  And yet we see her work till she almost makes herself ill, worry about her loved ones in the war, rush home to be with her pregnant sister, show grief and guilt over her actions.  The ending is very satisfying, but I won’t give it away.

Review Excerpts: “From a variety of perspectives…the novel offers readers a picture of a time of medical hardship, crisis, and opportunity. Oliveira depicts the amputation of a leg, the delivery of a baby, and soldierly life; these are among the fine details that set this novel above the gauzier variety of Civil War fiction.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“Oliveira deftly depicts the chaotic aftermath of battles and develops her own characters while incorporating military and political leaders of the time. The historic details enrich the narrative without overshadowing Mary’s struggles.”–Library Journal

Reviewed from public library copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Brink, Carol Ryrie. (1973). Caddie Woodlawn. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN: 9780027136708 (hc) 9781416940289 (pb)

This was another reread for me.  I think I must have read it during one of those long lazy summers when we would get piles of books from the library and read all day (and in my case, sometimes part of the night!)  Unlike other books on this list, I don’t remember reading this one more than once, although I did read the sequel (Magical Melons) and other books by Brink.

Maybe it is because we lived in the country with woods and trees and fields, but I always felt an affinity for girls like Caddie and tales like this.  When I first read this, I had no real knowledge of Native Americans, and so it is with much hindsight that I see the Native Americans in this book with current eyes.  I do agree with Debbie Reese, that reading and teaching this book today provides a great opportunity to reflect on not only stereotypes, but America’s past and history.  Just as with the Little House books, we have an author who was writing a fictionalized account of events, and a large part of that will be a reflection of the people and perceptions of that time period.  I don’t think that this book needs to be removed from libraries and classrooms, but it should be read with lots of stops for discussion and even better would be to combine it with a great book from Louise Erdrich or Joseph Bruchac.

*Astute and observant readers will know that I have skipped #94, Swallows and Amazons.  Rest assured, I will write about it just as soon as I get my hands on a copy.

Reviewed from public library copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Bibliography

Plot Summary:  17  year old Louisa Cosgrove wants nothing more than to study to become a doctor, a rare choice for a woman in Victorian England.  When her father, her main supporter, becomes ill and dies, she resigns herself to becoming a lady’s companion instead.  When the carriage pulls up, not at a manor house, but at an insane asylum, Louisa is sure there must have been a mistake.  They don’t even seem to know her true name.  As the truth sinks in, she is determined to survive the horrible conditions, find out who put her there, and get away as soon as she can.

Critical Analysis:  I found this book utterly compelling and was unable to put it down.  I think it was a combination of factors.  The narrative structure alternates between vignettes from Louisa’s past and events happening in her present.  It adds to the mystery, as present Louisa wonders what from her past might have landed her here.  Louisa herself refuses to conform to the expected role of a girl/woman in Victorian times, and this is made even more evident in the secondary characters with which Eagland surrounds her.  Some are sympathetic to Louisa, like her father, and others are not.  As the story goes on, the reader, along with Louisa, learns that most of these characters are not what they seemed, adding if not to their growth, to hers.

The publisher calls this a romance, perhaps a misnomer, or at least misleading, as while there is a romantic thread, this story is focused much more on Louisa than on the romance.  For me, the part of the story that felt the most new and fresh were the scenes in the asylum, both how Louisa was treated and the descriptions of the other women there, their pasts and stories.  To have this shown in such vivid detail and to realize how common a practice it was at times in the past leaves me reeling.  I almost want to seek out some of the diaries or other materials Eagland used for her research, but I’m not sure I could handle it.

Readalikes:  Not long after I finished Wildthorn, I listened to the audio of My Name is Marry Sutter by Robin Oliveira.  Mary Sutter has many parallels to Louisa–upper middle class background, well educated, wants to be a doctor at a time when that was still considered strange.  Mary, however, has the support of her midwife mother, and the benefit (if you want to call it that) of the American Civil War as a training ground.  A story both epic and intimate, of family and of coming of age , of medicine and war,  I highly recommend it as well.

Reviewed from publisher provided egalley downloaded from Netgalley.com  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Plot Summary:  Elizabeth is determined to be a good wife and mother.  She doesn’t love her new husband, but she is grateful to him until she starts to uncover details about his past dealings with her father.  Her sister, Diana is determined to forget all about Henry, but all the adventure in all the exotic places in the world may not be enough.  Their former ladies’ maid, Carolina continues to rise through society but hiding her past may cost her the one thing she wants most.

Critical Analysis:  I have read and enjoyed all four of the Luxe novels.  Matter of fact, the very first book I reviewed here was the first one, Luxe. I still feel that what Godbersen does so well is combine an interesting soap opera kind of story with a real look at what is really proper behavior and the difference between the classes, especially in the character of Carolina, who was in the lower class but moves to the upper class when she inherits some money.  She learns the hard way that money can buy you friends but not love or respect.  A similar example can be seen in Diana who refuses to conform to what is expected of a lady of her stature.

The best thing for me about this last book is how satisfying it was.  Everyone gets what they deserve in the end, according to how they have behaved throughout the series.  I would say more, but I don’t want to spoil it.  On a personal note, thank you Ms. Godbersen for setting story and character arcs and sticking to them, resisting the temptation to extend the series to more volumes.  Sometimes it is best to leave the reader wanting more.

Readalikes:  As with the first Luxe novel, I am reminded of The Gilded Age by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley.  Not his most well known work, but I think this series is the perfect opening to introduce it to teens and others, and also that it might make a great English or History reading, as the title is where the name for the time period came from.

Review Excerpts: “Readers of this series will not be disappointed with this final installment. It would be best to start with the first book and enjoy each title in order.”–Children’s Literature

Reviewed from public library copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Bibliography

Plot Summary:  In 19th century England, Bet and Will, childhood friends though she is a daughter of a maid and he the son of  wealthy family, concoct a plan so both can get what they want.  Bet, an education, and Will, a chance to become a soldier in the army.  Pretending to be a boy can’t be that hard, can it?  But Bet didn’t think about how to deal with her period, undressing in the same room as a boy, and falling in love.

Critical Analysis:  I found this book to be very refreshing.  First of all, it is less than 200 pages long.  In a time when so many writers for teens have followed in J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer’s wake penning books that seem to go on and on (and often for no apparent reason other than they can) I am glad that there are still writers out there to display the skill that is needed to create a whole world and a story in fewer pages with less words.  Secondly, so glad to see a story like this that doesn’t feel like it needs magic or paranormal elements to make it complete.  Instead Baratz-Logsted gives us a charming heroine living in a well described historical setting.

Bet is probably the best thing about this book.  From the moment she is introduced, you can’t help but want her to succeed, to pull of her attempts to disguise herself as a boy, to get the education she wants.  You root for her to find solutions to problems she didn’t anticipate and hold your breath when she comes close to being discovered.  A close second is the setting, description, and events at the boys’ boarding school.  It reminds me so strongly of other such schools in books and movies, from Dead Poet’s Society to Harry Potter.  I think this is a rare work of historical fiction that might have wide appeal across ages, grades, and genders.

Readalikes:  The book reminded me strongly of the first Song of the Lioness book, Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce where Alanna trades places with her brother Alan disguising herself as a boy so that she can train to become a knight.

Review Excerpts: “…Bet’s descriptive, intimate, first-person narrative incorporates historical details and diverse characters….Despite some improbable elements, historical-fiction fans will likely find Bet an appealingly lively heroine as she pursues her dreams and makes unexpected discoveries in learning, life, and love.”–Booklist

“Baratz-Logsted amusingly describes the lengths to which Bet goes to pass as a boy (cutting off her hair) and keep her secret (insisting on changing clothes in the dark). Readers will root for Bet to the very end, as she proves that from lemons can come the sweetest lemonade.”–Publisher’s Weekly

Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy.  Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.

Bibliography

Plot Summary:  Jonah and Simon are on a road trip, but it isn’t a teenage lark.  Abandoned by their mother, out of food and water, they pack the little precious possessions they own and set out across the New Mexico desert heading to Arizona and their prisoner father.  When a car flies by and then slows, and the beautiful blond begs the driver to pick them up, Jonah knows it is a mistake to accept, but he and Simon climb in the back anyway.  At least Jonah has a gun…

Critical Analysis:  This book completely blew me away.  It is a rare suspense/thriller in the young adult fiction category.  And a good one at that.  Smith does an excellent job of building suspense and tension.  Telling the story from the different voices of the characters really adds to that feeling.  This is used often in adult suspense novels, but I don’t think I’ve seen it much for young adults.  It gives the reader different viewpoints of what is going on, and it also allows Smith to portion out information.  He reveals and doesn’t reveal events and details depending on who is telling the story at the time.

The setting is very evocative.  I can feel the heat, see the desert.  Details about the 1970s are tightly woven with the events of the story–clothing styles, hippies, Vietnam.  Even descriptions of diners and hotels are spot on.  I can almost smell them.  Add to that the tone which communicates a real desperation and longing, especially from Jonah.  We get other characters’ points of view, but I think this is Jonah’s story, Jonah’s journey.  The brothers are traveling to somewhere, but more because they don’t know what else to do, not because they know what to expect when they get there.  In the end, the book is about the journey, the physical one and the emotional one the brothers experience.

I am reminded very much of the best western fiction that has and is being written.  Not just westerns, like cowboys and horses, but that fiction that takes the ideals of the west and expands them, updates them, bends them into something new.  (Of course, sitting here writing this review, I have drawn a blank on specific authors or books…)

Review Excerpts: “Smith’s Vietnam-era road trip tells the tense, violent and cathartic story of teenage brothers….There are moments of bleak, nasty violence, but they rarely appear gratuitous, instead underlining the despair Jonah and Simon feel, and offering something they must transcend.”–Publisher’s Weekly

“Abandoned by their mother, out of food and even water, 16-year-old Jonah and his brother, Simon, two years younger, embark on a brutal but mesmerizing road trip that steers an unswerving course toward tragedy…older teens will be riveted.”–Kirkus Reviews

“A relentless, bleak thriller that nails the claustrophobic sense of being totally out of control, and moving fast.” –Booklist

Reviewed from publisher provided advance copy. Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.