What Should I Read? Book Talks and More

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost In a remote area of Alaska, twelve-year-old Willow helps her father with their sled dogs when she is not at school, wishing she were more popular, all the while unaware that the animals surrounding her carry the spirits of dead ancestors and friends who care for her. This is a native American story which combines myth with story. It illustrates the strong connection Native American people can have with Nature. 4 - Good Book, recommend. This is a William Allen White list book.

A Difficult Boy by M.P. Barker In Farmington , Massachusetts, in 1839, nine-year-old Ethan experiences hardships as an indentured servant of the wealthy Lyman family alongside Daniel, a boy scorned simply for being Irish, and the boys bond as they try to right a terrible wrong. This book is historical fiction about the life of an indentured servant of the 1800s. It is interesting to see this perspective--we are often exposed to the idea of slavery and understand that horror. An indentured servant also lived a life of slavery, and many had the actual hope of paying their debt and becoming free. 3-Average book--would probably recommend. This is an William Allen White list book.

Sheep by Valerie Hobbs After a fire destroys the farm where he was born, a young border collie acquires a series of owners and learns about life as he seeks a home and longs to fulfill his life's purpose of shepherding sheep.

My Summer Reading List: Siberia by Ann Halam After spending two years at a prison school, thirteen-year-old Sloe sets off on a trek across frozen wastelands, tending to the secret "seeds" of wild animals her mother left in her care, trying to reach a new life for all of them. This novel is science fiction.

Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock A girl is transformed, through instruction in life at court, determination, and magic, from sullen, pudgy, graceless Ben into Crown Princess Benevolence, a fit ruler of the kindgom of Montagne as it faces war with neighboring Drachensbett.

I read this book last May. In 1969 Houston, Texas, thirteen-year-old Scott learns to fly from his father, an Air Force flight instructor, but when NASA needs him for a secret space mission, Scott's elation is tempered by concern that his mother, who has moved to Florida, will find out.

The Time Thief : Being the Second Part of The Gideon Trilogy Kate made it back to her time, but Peter is stuck in 1763. However, Kate did not return alone!  The Tar Man, a villainous eighteenth-century criminal, returns with Kate to twenty-first-century London. Time travel makes this science fiction genre.  But part of the story is in 1763 London with real historical characters, so it is also a little bit of historical fiction!