Category Archives: highly recommend
The Blossom and the Firefly – Sherri L. Smith
From the publisher, “From the award-winning author of Flygirl comes this powerful WWII romance between two Japanese teens caught in the cogs of an unwinnable war, perfect for fans of Salt to the Sea, Lovely War, and Code Name Verity. Japan 1945. Taro is a … Continue reading
A Castle in the Clouds – Kerstin Gier, Romy Fursland (translated by)
From the publisher, “Witty and charming, this contemporary young adult novel follows a girl as she navigates secrets, romance, and danger in an aging grand hotel. Way up in the Swiss mountains, there’s an old grand hotel steeped in tradition … Continue reading
Washington’s End: The Final Years and Forgotten Struggle – Jonathan Horn
When he left office in 1797, George Washington planned to stay busy with “rural amusements.” But it was not to be. He was in debt. The farm was a money pit. He needed to rid himself of his many slaves, … Continue reading
Educated for Freedom: The Incredible Story of Two Fugitive Schoolboys who Grew Up to Change a Nation – Anna Mae Duane
In the 1820s most Americans did not see a need to educate black children. Reading, writing and a bit of math would do very well. After all, these children were seen as inferior. But the people who established the New York … Continue reading
Fireborne – Rosaria Munda
From the publisher, “Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone—even the lowborn—a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite … Continue reading
Tiger Queen – Annie Sullivan
From the publisher, “In the mythical desert kingdom of Achra, an old law forces sixteen-year-old Princess Kateri to fight in the arena against twelve suitors to prove her right to rule. For Kateri, losing is not an option because in … Continue reading
Tidelands – Philippa Gregory
Midsummer Eve, 1648, the scene is set. A grey church, a grey sky and a woman waiting to meet a ghost. Instead, she meets a handsome priest, running from danger, and her life is changed forever. Philippa Gregory had me … Continue reading
The World That We Knew – Alice Hoffman
The world changed for Hanni in 1941. Berlin became a very dark and dangerous place. Hanni knew that her twelve-year-old daughter, Lea, must be sent away. But Lea could not go alone and Hanni must stay with her invalid mother. … Continue reading
The Vagabonds: The Story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison’s Ten Year Road Trip – Jeff Guinn
It all began in February of 1914. Thomas Edison arrived in Fort Myers, Florida, for his annual escape from the cold of New Jersey with not only his wife and children, but naturalist John Burroughs and Henry Ford, and Ford’s … Continue reading
Maximillian Fly – Angie Sage
Maximillian Fly is a roach of sorts, with human characteristics and quite tall at over six feet. He’s actually much kinder than the humans. Thoughtful, keeps to himself. Until he witnesses two children, Kaitlin and Jonno, desperately running in the … Continue reading
Fatal Inheritance – Rachel Rhys
Eve hates getting letters. They are always from her mother and are always unpleasant. But this one is different, addressed to Mrs. Eve Forrester, the letterhead is printed: PEARSON & WILKES SOLICITORS. It requests her presence at the firm’s offices … Continue reading
Dark Shores – Danielle L. Jensen
From the publisher, “Piracy, blackmail, and meddling gods meet in this thrilling first novel in a commercial, fast-paced new YA fantasy series by Danielle L. Jensen A PIRATE’S DAUGHTER Teriana is the daughter of a trading ship captain. Her people … Continue reading
The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted – Robert Hillman
It is 1968 in rural Australia. Tom Hope is trying to understand just why his wife left him. Her note didn’t help: I’m leaving. Don’t know what to say, Love Trudy. Tom has never known what to say to people. … Continue reading
The Island of Sea Women – Lisa See
There is an island, Jeju, south of Korea’s mainland where women have been free divers for generations, harvesting seafood to sell, diving without air tanks or wet suits. They are the heads of households, bringing in the income, while the … Continue reading
Lovely War – Julie Berry
From the publisher, “It’s 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She’s a shy and talented pianist; he’s a newly minted soldier with dreams … Continue reading
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