What thoughtful, well-written historical fiction! I realized I couldn't remember the last time I read a middle grade book with Jewish main characters.What thoughtful, well-written historical fiction! I realized I couldn't remember the last time I read a middle grade book with Jewish main characters. This covers the art of doll-making, Jewish traditions, the effects of WWII... and in a voice that doesn't speak down to the reader. All around great read. Recommend for those interested in historical and realistic fiction....more
This is a sweet and genuine story about a mouse who comes to live with Emily Dickinson, exploring briefly her life and poetry. I recommend this for moThis is a sweet and genuine story about a mouse who comes to live with Emily Dickinson, exploring briefly her life and poetry. I recommend this for more advanced and/or thoughtful readers if reading independently, but this would also be a great read-aloud. Vocabulary, tone, and subject matter are nuanced and might need some guidance. I could see this sparking a bigger conversation about her life and work....more
Well, after years of seeing this in schools, book sales, and in shops under Summer Reading signs, I have finally read it! I have to say, this had me rWell, after years of seeing this in schools, book sales, and in shops under Summer Reading signs, I have finally read it! I have to say, this had me reading cover to cover, always anticipating with some anxiety what was to happen next.
(view spoiler)[The actual accusation of witchcraft doesn't happen until late in the story, and while it is frightening to imagine what fate could befall our heroine, no actual harm comes to her. The idea is there of torture, water trials, and hanging, but the whole thing is over so quickly that none of it felt like it mattered.
Hannah herself is thankfully spirited away with a happy ending, but for being the titular character, she felt very transitory. And in the end, Kit has her happy ending, too, which feels rather unfair to all the women who really were accused of witchcraft and didn't make it out unscathed.
And that's really what prevents this from being 4 stars for me. The writing is compelling and made me keep turning pages, to be sure! But once I thought about it, this book feels held back in some way, like we're learning about witch trials while not seeing their cruel reality.
But, really, the ending sat well with me as I can't help but want everyone safe and happy. (hide spoiler)]
So, in the end, I do recommend this book for someone just learning about Puritan society and wanting some insight into the craze of witch-hunting. ...more
I read this for April's Poetry Month, and am so glad I did. This would be an excellent introduction for a child learning about refugees and war. It doI read this for April's Poetry Month, and am so glad I did. This would be an excellent introduction for a child learning about refugees and war. It doesn't shy away from the reality of having a home torn apart, and family, friends, and community lost to an attack. It also addresses the tension between her mother's tradition and Amira's desire for an education without making her mother seem totally backwards or heartless.
(view spoiler)[ And, the ending will leave the reader wondering if any of Amira's dreams will come true, if she sees her family again, if any of what we've been hoping for will even happen. Which, really, is the reality of her situation; Amira doesn't know what the future holds. (hide spoiler)]
I would recommend this book for a middle-grade reader interested in the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, and/or the court at Versailles. Overall, I would recommend this book for a middle-grade reader interested in the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, and/or the court at Versailles. Overall, entertaining, and convincing for the time period.
I am a bit confused, though, who the audience was intended to be. Centering on an eleven-year-old girl and her equally young friends (a princess and another girl brought up to be her companion as well), this alone prevents me from handing this to a teenager. Though, Isabelle doesn't express herself like a typical eleven-year-old, sounding much older and more learned than she is. So, the manner of storytelling and language lend themselves to a more 13-14 age range, but the characters wouldn't attract their attention.
The ending is also rather abrupt, leaving the reader with little hope of the future and more questions than answers.
But again, if the reader is interested in this tumultuous period in France's history, then they will enjoy it and hopefully realize just how frightening it could get....more
Oh, Catherine. Sometimes I feel we conflate difficult personalities with truly strong ones, but I can't help but like her stubborn gumption. She is atOh, Catherine. Sometimes I feel we conflate difficult personalities with truly strong ones, but I can't help but like her stubborn gumption. She is at times selfish, difficult beyond reason, and outright dangerous in her thoughtlessness, but can I really blame her? So young, and worrying about being sold off to a stranger that she can barely tolerate let alone love. I do have to wonder, though, if this characterization is really accurate for a medieval heroine. Modern readers will appreciate her humor and wit, but I also grew tired of her immaturity. Cushman does describe in her author's note that true medieval people would be difficult to understand, so I'll just assume we need a certain suspension of disbelief.
Didn't know Smith's mother was part Algonquin! She also nods to Joe Bruchac-- I have a volume of his poetry sitting nearby. It's clear from the DedicaDidn't know Smith's mother was part Algonquin! She also nods to Joe Bruchac-- I have a volume of his poetry sitting nearby. It's clear from the Dedication that she really took the time to research all this before publishing. I do like the way she handled Weetamoo's story, recognizing the different record-keeping she would have engaged in, and focusing on thoughts rather than a journal format.
Well written and engaging enough, but that Epilogue and historical note! Younger readers will know all too well the harsh reality of her life, and the lives of others she knew. Some reviewers don't approve of this swift kick to the gut, but we do need to teach our children what actually happened and not a pretty almost-truth.
With that being said, part of me wonders why this series chose this Native American figure when the author has said in an interview that she had to guess at Weetamoo's early life. It's important to know her story, but yet again, I'm wondering if the figure they chose was appropriate for a book in this age range, and not better suited for an older read that would have delved into their more adult, more recorded lives. There's value in the imagined, but many young readers may not realize this isn't really what happened-- just something that could have happened, judging off of what we know about their culture.
Wouldn't that be interesting, though? If you had the middle grade stories, and then a young adult market. Maybe someday Scholastic will look into that....more
A week or so ago, I had this realization that I loved these books when I was younger. I remember keeping my copy on Marie Antoinette close and rather A week or so ago, I had this realization that I loved these books when I was younger. I remember keeping my copy on Marie Antoinette close and rather on display so everyone could see my beautiful princess book. There was total distress when pencil marks or dirt got on it in any way. (And the gold edges? I adored it all. Looking back, I was kinda obnoxious about the whole thing). So, when I visited my local library, I made sure to see if they had this series on hand. Ended up leaving with 3, and will probably get more next time.
So, this is first in the stack! We need more middle grade books about African historical figures, so I was really looking forward to this one. Nzingha is a new person for me, but I feel this story was too brief to serve any justice to her character. While it's clear she's very strong from a young age, what confuses me is how the book's supplemental material makes her sound like a staunch anti-slavery warrior queen. Slavery was very much a part of her culture and life, but what she disapproved of was the European's chattel slavery. In the text she makes the distinction that their slaves can be treated well. What the Portuguese proposed would drive every person into the ground, and make the child of a slave still a slave, which she did not approve of.
Certain events are handled too swiftly, with resolve almost a page or so after the thrill. Again, there's just not enough time spent with anything, with the story itself being about 100 pages. Valuable subject matter, to be sure, but could have been more developed.
Also with that being said, if there's ever an opportunity for this series to be revamped, I'd love to see an African writer building an African character. Research is great, but so is finding a person who lives the history....more
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