Children and YA Book Reviews: Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction Book Review #1
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Klaggs, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780142411490
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The story of The Green Glass Sea begins in 1943 when young Dewey (11 years old) was sent by train from Chicago to live with her father, Jimmy Kerrigan, a scientist living secretly in Los Alamos (which did not exist on a map at the time), after her grandmother had a stroke. The story is seen through the eyes of Dewey. She is creative and is passionate about collecting (usually from the dump) anything that may be useful for one of her soon to be mechanical inventions. Dewey keeps to her self as she adjusts to life at her new school and home. All the children that attend her school are associated with the project as their families were also recruited as scientists to build the mysterious “gadget.” As her father is called away for work Dewey finds her self living with the Gordons; their daughter Suze is Dewey’s age and over time they become closer. As the story develops little pieces of information are unveiled that give the reader insight into the families and how difficult their lives were.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Dewey Kerrigan an inquisitive and mechanically inclined young girl will interest both boys and girls as they read through a fascinating tale of living under government security and secrecy from a child’s point of view; the story will reflect positively on the reader since they are of similar age. Since many adults know the outcome of the “gadget” few were privy to what actually went on in these camps making this historical fiction story even more intriguing to readers. The style of writing is age appropriate and written in a kid friendly way with not too much detail that would be overwhelming for the intended audience. The use of references to the war and the Nazi’s brings reality to what was going on around them outside of their little safe haven. Useful background information can be found in the back of the book: a brief Author’s Note with eight items listed as references for “history of nuclear physics, the development of the bomb, or life on “the Hill.”” Additionally, a Reader’s Supplement for The Green Glass Sea follows and contains: an author interview with Hazel Rochman, classroom resources, discussion questions and classroom activities, an additional bibliography, and the author’s speech when she received the Scott O’Dell Award in April 2, 2007. This book would be classified as Unites States History - Historical Fiction and would be appropriate for grades 5th- 8th.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction (2007), A Book Sense #1 Children’s Selection, Winter 2006/2007, A Horn Book Fanfare Selection, A Publishers Weekly Flying Start, A Quill Award Finalist, Winner of the Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature, Winner of the New Mexico Book Award, A Locus Awards Finalist Best First Novel
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS: “The successful detonation of the bomb may be difficult for such readers to contextualize, especially in the absence of an explanation in the author’s note … the view of the Manhattan Project through the eyes of two out-of-the-loop children is an intriguing entrée to this somber piece of history.”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: “A wonderful representation of the hardships and little wonders of World War II … Los Alamos is seen as the beginning of all the atomic bomb controversy and destruction, this novel gives the other side. Poetic and real, this one will keep you reading and leave you thinking.”
THE HORN BOOK: Starred Review. “ … an intense but accessible page-turner, firmly belongs to the girls and their families; history and story are drawn together with confidence.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Klaggs makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during World War II.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Clear prose brings readers right into the unusual atmosphere of the secretive scientific community, seen through the eyes of the kids and their families … the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos’s historical significance will experience the story in a different but equally powerful way.”

5. CONNECTIONS
· Connect to American History and the study of World War II; families in America
· Connect to science, research, and ethics: “Discuss the responsibilities of scientist. Should all that is scientifically possible actually be done?
· Consider other examples of controversial scientific breakthroughs, such as stem cell research, cloning…” (Klaggs, 2007)
· Connect to strategies of government; what has to be kept secret in times of war, compare to current conflicts in the Middle East

Historical Fiction Book Review #2
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schlitz, Laura Amy. 2007. GOOD MASTERS! SWEET LADIES! VOICES FROM A MEDIEVAL VILLIAGE. Illus. by Robert Byrd. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763615789
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Laura Schlitz brings together an enchanting compilation of 19 monologues and 2 dialogues encompassing a cast of 23 intriguing young characters (i.e. Will the plowboy, Constance the pilgrim, Jack the half-wit, Pask the runaway, and Giles the beggar to name a few) between the ages of 10 and 15 that live within a Medieval English manor in 1255. These stories describe what it was like to live and survive during this time period. “A little background” information and legend are also included to assist with terminology used during the time period, brief explanations of the characters and occupations of the day to assist the young reader in understanding the time period and the language of this period. The background information includes: the three field system (farming), Medieval Pilgrimages, the Crusades, Falconry, Jews in Medieval Society, and Towns and Freedom.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This collection of prose and verses are set in 1255 within an English Manor. These monologues and dialogues are interconnected within the setting. Young readers will find out about the culture of the day (hunting, holidays, occupations, cookery, farming, medicine, religion, remedies, social life, and sayings). They will also learn about villeins, millers, varlets, snigglers, and tanners as the cast of characters tell their tale in creative way. This book would interest both boys and girls since both are represented within the 23 characters. A legend is located along side of the prose or verse that can be referred to and assist in understanding the story. The background information included within the text is an integral part of the setting and theme of the characters that follow.
The book contains a bibliography of 54 citations for reference works on the time period, costumes, terminology, music, and a variety of other aspects on living during the Middle Ages. As the author states these miniature plays can stand alone or read in any order and would take approximately 3 minutes to perform. Each monologue and dialogue varies in written style. Each chapter contains a beautifully colored fine pen and ink illustration that “take[s] inspiration from an illuminated thirteenth century [German] manuscript” that complements each reading. These illustrations done by Robert Byrd vary in size and depth of contents from approximately 2”x 2” up to a full page. The illustrations depict the hard life of this period as can be observed by the lack of smile on any of the characters faces. The addition of a two-full page illustration at the beginning of the story sets the stage to see where all the characters reside. This book would be classified as World History - Historical Fiction and appropriate for grades 5th and up.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Newbery Medal winner (2008), A Junior Library Guild Selection
BOOKLIST: Starred Review. “Using a series of interconnected monologues and dialogues featuring young people living in and around an English manor in 1255, she offers first-person character sketches that build upon each other to create a finer understanding of medieval life … a rewarding choice for performance or for reading aloud in the classroom.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “The artist does not channel a medieval style; rather, he mutes his palette and angles some lines to hint at the period, but his use of cross-hatching and his mostly realistic renderings specifically welcome a contemporary readership.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ‘”The text, varying from dramatic to poetic, depending on the point of view, is accompanied by historical notes that shed light on societal roles, religion, and town life. Byrd’s illustrations evoke the era and five dramatists’ ideas for appropriate costuming and props.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Use all or some of the characters as a read aloud
· Use all of some of the characters in custom to perform skits; connect to drama
· Connect to a unit on medieval studies.
· Connect with studies of world religions.

Historical Fiction Book Review #3 (Print and Audio CD from Listening Library)
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
O’Dell, Scott. 1960. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. New York: Yearling ISBN 0440439884
O’Dell, Scott. 1995. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. CD-Rom. Random House Audio Publishing Group. ISBN 0807217794.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Scott O’Dell’s, ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS takes place on a fish shaped island where blue dolphins and sea otters make their home around the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. The story is about a young Indian girl, named Karana (Won-a-pa-lei, Girl with Long Black Hair) and her enduring survival after she decided to leap from a ship and return to the island and her village of Ghalas-at where she remained stranded from 1835 to 1853. This story is a recreation of “a girl Robinson Crusoe” known as the Lost Woman of San Nichols. During the eighteen years that Karana remains on the island she exhibits fear and courage with the Aleuts and the wild dogs; her thoughts about her family and loss of her father, Chief Chowig and brother Ramu; and her innate respect and connection with nature are intertwined with her basic instincts of staying alive.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this engaging emotional survival adventure about a young courageous selfless Indian girl, Karana (the protagonist) facing many challenges through conflicts both internally and externally with nature. The story is suspenseful as you follow Karana’s (first-person narrative) character and how she changes over an eighteen year period living mostly in solitude except for her interactions with Rontu (leader of the wild dogs) and Rontu-Aru (Rontu’s son) as she waits for her people to return for her. Throughout the story Karana describes in detail the island and her actions to make you feel that you are with her on the island. The plot of the story takes several turns and includes vivid descriptions of death but they are not overwhelming for the reader/listener as Karana stays strong and moves on. The overall survival theme is timely as young readers face their own challenges in life both socially and physically.
The reader, a young woman Tantoo Cardinal narrates an unabridged production of this "moving performance" in a convincing dialect of the period. Listening to this engaing audio book, I had a better appreciation of the author’s style and the authenticity of the character. The background music/instrumental plays periodically between chapters and at the closing of the production is soothing in nature and complements the story and adds to the overall ambience of the setting. The audiobook contained 4 compact disks for a total of 3 hours and 51 minutes of playing time. This audio production was of clear sound quality with no noticeable noise or static. The story is written and divided up into 29 unnamed chapters. A brief Author’s Note is included about background information located at the end of the story. The image on the cover of the book includes a tranquil scene of a young woman interconnected/drawn within the island surrounded by three blue dolphins swimming in a moving sea. This story would be classified as New World - Historical fiction and appropriate for grades 4th -8th.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Newbery Medal winner (1961)
BOOKLIST: “A moving and unforgettable story.”
LIBRARY JOURNAL: Starred Review. “A haunting and unusual story.”
HORN BOOK MAGAZINE: “Strange and beautiful, revealing courage, serenity, and greatness of spirit.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Also available in Spanish language edition.
· Connect to studying about Native Americans. See also: Seale, Doris (Santee/Cree), and Beverly Slapin, eds., A Broken Flute: The Native Experience in Books for Children. 2005, b/w illustrations.
· “A Broken Flute deals with the issue of cultural appropriation in books for children, and evaluates hundreds of books for children and teenagers published from the early 1900s through 2004”
· Connect to studying about wilderness survival and decision making.See Also: Island of the Blue Dolphins http://literature.pppst.com/MNO/scott-odell.html Website for kids and tea