Historical High Society in NYC

Citation:

Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

Recognition:

Although this book has yet to win any literary awards, it has enjoyed huge popularity. You may discover more about The Luxe world and the author at Luxe Books.

Annotation:

Elizabeth Holland is the “it” girl of the social elite in New York City circa 1899. She is everything a well bred rich girl should be, and she can do no wrong. Until, her secret is exposed and New York’s high society is turned up side down.

Review:

The descriptions of New York City and it’s elite at the turn of the 20^th century draw the reader into a world I can imagine much like today. Don’t be intimidated by the length of this novel because once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down. The Luxe is the first book in a trilogy written by Anna Godbersen. All I can say is, I can’t wait to read the second and third installments of the dramatic cut throat world of high society teenagers living in New York City.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: http://theluxebooks.com)

A realistic Fantasy

Citation:

Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Delacorte Press, 1993.

Awards:

This book has received many awards and lots of recognition from the literary world. Listed below are some of the more notable awards The Giver has received.

The 1994 Newberry Medal

The 1996 William Allen White Award

American Library Association listings for: Best Book for Young Adults,

Notable Children’s Book, 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 – 2000.

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Winner of the Regina Medal

Booklist Editor’s Choice

A School Library Journal Book of the Year

Annotation:

Sixes wear the back zip jackets to learn interdependence. Sevens have front button jackets to practice independence. Eights have pockets on their jackets to learn responsibility. Nines get to ride bicycles and do not have to wear hair ribbons. When you turn twelve you get your assignment. Adults live in family units or with the other childless adults. When it is time they go to the House of the Old. Ultimately one by one, everyone will be released. This is the world of The Giver, or is it?

Review:

If you have not read this book, make it the top title on your “What to read next” list. This story is sure to make you reconsider how you think about the world you live in, the relationships you have, and the choices you make. Lowry expresses a fascinating approach to living in a programmed society through the eyes of a young man named Jonas. Although the book focuses on issues such as euthanasia, isolation, love, and independent thought, it ultimately shares a hopeful message. The Giver is a must read.

Genre: Fantasy

(Image credit: www.wikipedia.com)

A Horror-fying tale

Citation:

Stine, R. L. Dangerous Girls. New York: Avon Books, 2003.

Annotation:

Twin sisters are trying to escape the reality that their Mom killed herself a year ago, by spending the summer at camp. They escape their reality only to find a world of darkness and hunger they do not want to be a part of. Can they make it out alive, or will they continue to live their lives as Dangerous Girls?

Review:

Horror is not my genre, but since it is so popular these days, I wanted to give it a try. This book is a quick, entertaining read. The story is fast paced and the characters are well developed. For a veteran horror reader, the plot may be a little light on the terror factor. I recommend this book for anyone easing into the horror genre that isn’t looking to be too scared to fall asleep alone at night.

Genre: Horror

(Image credit: www.amazon.com)

Historic Philadelphia

Citation:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Annotation:

Mattie is 14, independent and ready to experience what the city of Philadelphia has to offer her. She works hard for her family’s business and spends her limited amount of free time exploring the city with her friends, until suddenly her world rapidly changes when people start getting sick in the Fever 1793.

Review:

I currently live in Philadelphia and that was initially what drew me to this story. I enjoyed reading descriptions of places in the late 1700s that I can walk by today. It may look totally different, but it was fun for me to make the connection between the historic city in this novel to the modern city I live in. Aside from the subject of historic Philadelphia, this novel touches upon issues that each of us face through the course of growing up.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: www.alibris.com)

A personal revolution

Citation:

Rinaldi, Ann. The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre. New York: Gulliver Books, 1993.

Annotation:

Rachel is a thoughtful teenage girl in colonized America who wants more from life than what her station of being a servant to John Adams’ family will allow. Orphaned with no other kin than an uncaring uncle, Rachel matures beyond her years in the tumultuous circumstances of British occupied Boston.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book because it relays the details of the Boston Massacre through an engaging personal story of an endearing fourteen year old girl. If you are a reader who is interested in learning about the history of Boston during the year or so before the revolution began through historically accurate details intertwined with a fictitious character’s emotional response to her situation, this book is for you.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: www.annrinaldi.net)

A view of WWII

Citation:

Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. New York: Laurel-Leaf Newberry, 1989.

Awards:

Newberry Medal winner 1990

Annotation:

Annemarie is not a Jew, therefore in her mind she has nothing to fear… until her best friend Ellen’s family is under inspection by the Nazi police occupying their neighborhood in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Review:

Would you put your life on the line to help a friend? Seriously? That’s what I loved about this story. It is the story of the holocaust through the eyes of a girl who is safe simply because she is not Jewish. This thought provoking novel asks each reader to really ponder what length one would be willing to go to in order to help those in need of it at the most desperate time. I also liked Number the Stars because it illustrates the strength and triumphant nature of humanity in the face of total despair.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: www.wikipedia.com)

A GLBTQ recommendation

Citation:

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Orphea Proud. New York: Delacorte Press, 2004.

Awards:

Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List Winner 2005

Lambda Literary Award Nominee 2005

Annotation:

This is the story of a teenager who is a dramatic, expressive, loving, empathetic, dynamic, confidant, scared, daughter, orphan, sister, lesbian, niece, and loyal friend named Orphea Proud.

Review:

I loved this book because it is presented as a performance piece like one you would see and listen to in a theater. The story of Orphea’s life is told by her through a cast of characters, and often the reader is reminded that indeed they are simply part of the audience. The audience follows the main character through one trying situation and event after another. I won’t spoil the end for you, but I will say it is satisfying at the end of quite a dramatic ride.

Genre: GLBTQ

(Image credit: www.wikipedia.com)