Category: Historical Fiction

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by M. Lee

1/25/2019

Felicity Montague's greatest desire is to become a doctor. She has studied from books, made anatomical drawings on the floor of her room, and even stitched the tip of her boss' finger back on after he had an accident at work.
All that is moot though since Felicity lives in the 1700s, a time when women weren't even allowed to go to college, much less practice medicine. No matter what she tries, the men will not accept her as an equal.
When she discovers that her idol, Dr. William Platt, is marrying her former childhood friend, Johanna, Felicity concocts a plan to crash the wedding in an attempt to get hired as Platt's research assistant. The only problem is that the wedding is in Germany and Felicity is flat broke in London. When a mysterious female pirate named Sim offers to help Felicity get to the wedding, she jumps at the chance -- but can Sim be trusted?

This is a fun, adventurous book about women who want more than the world wants to give them -- and what they are willing to do to achieve their goals. Although it's a sequel, you won't really miss anything if you haven't read the first book (and I liked this one a little better than its predecessor).

Book 2 of the Montague Siblings Series
Grades 9-12

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Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

2/10/2017

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Rose Justice is an American living in England during World War II. She works as a pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary, a civilian group helping with the war effort.
One day when Rose is ferrying a fighter plane from London to Paris, she gets captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbruck, a "work camp" that is really a concentration camp for women.
While at Ravensbruck, Rose meets an unforgettable group of women, including several who have been cruelly experimented upon by Nazi doctors. To keep up her spirits and those of the women around her, Rose writes poetry and devises ways to fight back and escape death, which lurks around every corner.

This is a sequel or companion to Code Name Verity, which I thought was an amazing book; this one is also very, very good. If you like historical fiction or books about the Holocaust and WWII, then this one is for you.

Grades 8-12
Companion to Code Name Verity

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The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

11/17/2016

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In 13th century France, Dolssa is a girl to whom God speaks. Condemned by the church as a heretic, Dolssa is sentenced to death, but she escapes right before she is to be executed.
Botille is a sassy teenage matchmaker who runs a tavern with her sisters and tries to eke out a living in her poor, rural fishing village.
When Botille finds Dolssa hunted and on the run and close to death, her decision to help Dolssa puts not only Botille and her two sisters but also Botille's entire village in enormous danger.

I wasn't sure what to expect with from this book, but I love, love, loved this story of courage, miracles, grit, and sisterhood. Berry recreates life in the 1200s in such vivid and meticulous detail that you'll feel the sea breeze and smell the bean stew. Just give it a try!

Grades 7-12

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The Lie Tree by Francis Hardinge

10/12/2016

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In Victorian England, girls are supposed to be well-mannered, modest, and good; they are not supposed to be smart or well-educated because they are not expected to have a job other than being a wife and a mother.
Faith Sunderly craves to be a scientist like her father, but everyone, including her father and even her little brother, dismisses her as being "just a girl."
When Faith's father dies mysteriously, she delves into his research for answers, but instead she finds a secret that may have lead to her father's death and also puts her in great danger.

This book is an interesting blend of historical fiction and fantasy, and it makes you think about how restricted women were not so very long ago.

Grades 7-12

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book reviews

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by M. Lee

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

The Passion of Dolssa by Julie Berry

The Lie Tree by Francis Hardinge

Ms. Wheaton

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