Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac is a historical fiction novel that follows the remarkable journey of Ned Begay, a young Navajo boy who becomes a Code Talker during World War II. Inspired by his heritage and language, Ned enlists in the Marines and is trained to use the Navajo language as a secret code to transmit vital military messages, confounding enemy forces.
In Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, a ten-year-old girl named Annemarie Johansen lives in Denmark during World War II. As Germans take over Denmark, they begin to “relocate” all Jews. Annemarie’s friend Ellen is Jewish, so the Johannsen’s take in Ellen and pretend she is their daughter. As the German soldiers become suspicious, they move to Annemarie’s uncle’s home in the countryside. Annemarie must be brave and help keep her friend out of danger.
The Tailor’s Daughter by Janice Graham is a historical fiction book, set in Victorian England, featuring the main character — Veda Grenfell, a master tailor’s daughter. She is a very passionate young woman who loves and excels at her father’s work. At the age of sixteen, a fever leaves her deaf, disconnecting her from her life as a young woman emerging into society. With no hopes left of marriage, she turns to what she loves most — tailoring.
In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, a young girl named Liesel gets adopted and lives in Nazi Germany during World War II. Her life changes one day when she finds a book covered in snow, and she decides to steal it. Liesel knows that this is dangerous as all books were supposed to be turned in for book burnings, but she takes it anyway. She continues stealing books, thrilled by the new knowledge she gains access to. Soon after, her family hides a Jewish man in their home which elevates the risk for her entire family.
Summary: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool is a historical fiction novel set in the Great Depression era. The story revolves around twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker, who is sent by her father to spend the summer in Manifest, Kansas, a town he once lived in. Abilene discovers a hidden cigar box filled with mementos and letters that belonged to a mysterious bootlegger named Jinx, from World War I.
I’ve read Chloe Gong’s previous duology, but I wasn’t aware she was coming out with a new
book with the same setting and (roughly) same characters. After seeing multiple reviews of this
book on Goodreads and having it recommended to me by a friend, I was eager to read it.
There are spoilers for her original duology (These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends).
Valiant Ladies, by Melissa Grey, is a stunning story of love, mystery, and finding
yourself. Kiki is a rich girl who only wants to sword fight and be with Ana, she doesn't
want to be married and have to stay at home. Ana grew up on the streets until she
found Kiki. She now lives in a beautiful house and might soon lose Kiki. After Kiki’s
brother’s sudden death, the girls decide to find the murderer and the culprit of the other
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II.
This book is told from four perspectives. Each is hunted by guilt, fate, shame, and fear. Each is
from a different homeland. Each is in search of a different destiny. But, they all share the same
goal: survive for those you love. Joana is a nurse in search of her mother. Florian is a Prussian
soldier with stolen Nazi treasure in search of his sister. Emilia is eight months pregnant and in
Queen of Ice is a fiction mystery book. This book is an amazing read if you are interested in learning about other cultures. The information about the culture in the book is not direct but as you read you start to get an insight on other cultures, making the book informative. The overall storyline of the book is great and attention-getting since it’s very unpredictable. The mystery aspect of the book is tied in smoothly to the other themes making it so that the book isn’t exactly a thriller but not just fantasy fiction either.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is by far one of the best books I have ever read. Set in WWII, this historical fiction novel is narrated from two different perspectives; one from Werner, a German boy, and Maurie Laure, a blind French girl who remarkably cross paths. There is so much anger and conflict created between the contradicting backgrounds of the two characters, but their personal interactions with each other tell a much different story.
