One day in April, 1812, 13-year-old Rebecca Carver returns to her home on Crooked River in Ohio, to discover that her father, mean 'Major' Carver, has captured an Indian and is holding him under arrest in the loft of their family cabin. The people of their settlement claim that the Indian is responsible for murdering a trapper. Rebecca and her sister Laura are terrified that they too will be murdered in their beds and go to sleep with what weapons they can devise. When they are told to feed the Indian the next morning they carry their weapons with them, but Rebecca sees that he is nothing to fear. Over the next few weeks, Rebecca makes a silent friendship with the Indian and comes to question whether he actually murdered anyone. When a young lawyer, who says he is the Indian's friend, comes to defend him in his trial, Rebecca and Laura hope that he will be successful. The story is told alternately by Rebecca and Amik, the Indian, and paints a realistic and gripping picture of life in the early years of our country's history.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0375823891

ISBN-13: 9780375823893

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When the mysterious Jack Spinner appears in response to a plea for help, his assistance is both amazing and frightening. The owner of the village woolen mill has just died and his daughter, Charlotte Miller, is faced with decisions far beyond her age and experience. For generations, it has been said that all bad things at the mill are due to a curse. To save her family's mill, as well as the livelihood of many in the village, she agrees to accept Mr. Spinner's offer to weave straw into gold thread. The terms Charlotte accepts threaten all she loves and cherishes. When she has only 3 days to honor her promise, Charlotte is driven to break the curse that has caused such pain and loss for generations. This fascinating historical novel is filled with engaging mystery that unfolds in the most unexpected manner as each secret becomes known.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 5/8/2012

ISBN-10: 0439895766

ISBN-13: 9780439895767

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Cesa is a 13-year-old Californian, who lived during the time of the gold rush, after the Mexican-American war. Her family has always owned the massive Rancho de la Valle de la Madrugada, the ranch of the valley of the dawn. Cesa can mean Princess in Spanish, which is what her father calls her. Cesa leads her five brothers in games of war, and rides her horse all over the ranch, believing herself to be like a queen. When Americans arrive, searching for gold, and insisting that all of the land now belongs to America, Cesa's way of life is threatened. Will good come of the changes, the way flowers spring up after the rains, which follow the yearly drought? This is the story of the birth of California as it is known today.

Similar books: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0786261420

ISBN-13: 9780786261420

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New York City, 1906 - a deadly outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping the city. Sixteen-year-old budding scientist Prudence Galewski leaves secretarial school to follow her dreams and work as an assistant in the Department of Health and Sanitation. This agency is responsible for discovering the reason for the spread of the deadly disease. Meet 'Typhoid Mary' the Irish immigrant blamed for this outbreak, who has never been sick a day in her life. Follow the path of Prudence and her boss, the head epidemiologist as they try to prove what no one else will believe - that someone without symtoms can be the carrier. This historical fiction is told in journal form and very satisfyingly chronicles the heroine's growth as a person as well as a scientist in the turbulent era when women did not even have the right to vote.

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 3/10/2011

ISBN-10: 0689857381

ISBN-13: 9780689857386

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Hannah is almost thirteen, and she would much rather hang out with her best friend Rosemary at the mall than go to her family's Seder dinner to celebrate Passover. Passover is about remembering, and Hannah is tired of remembering especially when she wasn't even there. But this year it's Hannah's turn to open the door for the prophet Elijah. Instead of the expected empty hallway, Hannah walks through the doorway and finds herself in Poland... in 1942! Everyone here calls her by her Hebrew name, Chaya. Soon the Nazis come and take Hannah away with the rest of the village. Only Hannah knows what awaits them in the concentration camps. In the camps, Hannah discovers the importance of remembering, of friendship... and of sacrifice.

Reviewed by: mkl

Date read: 7/8/2009

ISBN-10: 0140345353

ISBN-13: 9780140345353

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