 Jocelyn Hook knows that one day she will follow in the footsteps of her famous father Captain Hook: scourge of the seven seas! The only problem is that she's never actually met him, or set foot on a pirate ship. That, and her mother and grandfather who are determined to cinch her into corsets and stuff her with teacakes until she finally succumbs and turns into the meek lady of good breeding that they hope to marry off one day. But while suffering through the tortures of finishing school she finally hears from her father. The note promises danger, encounters with terrible beasts, and a wardrobe entirely free of corsets. Jocelyn doesn't have to think twice before accepting her father's request and jumping headlong into adventure!
Jocelyn is a firey, witty, young girl who is full of bravado but still has doubts. This book is full of adventure and heart and did I mention the humor? The book had me laughing out loud. Plus there's the appeal of Peter Pan, Smee, and all those other familiar never-land faces. Hook's Revenge by Heidi Schulz Erica's Picks 4th - 6th Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Humor, Retellings
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 Sloane was the best friend a girl could ask for. No matter what they were doing, Sloane would turn it into an adventure and Emily could count on her to draw her out of her shell. Which is why Emily couldn't wait for their epic summer to begin. But then Sloane disappears without saying a word. The only clue she leaves behind is a list of things for Emily to do from apple picking at night to kissing a stranger. Armed with her list, Emily sets out to check items off and find Sloane. Along the way she ends up having the most unexpected and wonderful summer of her life.
I like that the main driving force of the plot is the friendship between Sloane and Emily. It is interesting having the story told from the perspective of the friend that isn't as popular and often feels like an after-thought. The story deals a lot with what it's like to be friends with someone with such a strong personality, especially for a shy person, and what it's like to be suddenly left alone to cope with life. Emily makes admirable strides but I like that her personality doesn't suddenly change overnight and that it takes her and other characters times to overcome their fears. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson Erica's Picks 7th -8th Tags: Character Driven, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, Romance, Summer Vacation  John Brown is a controversial figure: depending on your perspective he could be seen as an inspiration who stopped at nothing to fight for what he thought was right or as one of the earliest domestic terrorists. The truth lies somewhere in the murky area between these two extremes. Read this book to uncover the bloody and complicated history of slavery, the civil war, and John Brown.
I really enjoyed the nuanced approach Marrin took towards John Brown but my favorite parts were when he pulled back to provide further context. His section on the history of slavery was excellent. Marrin doesn't pull any punches and he doesn't come down on any one side but allows the reader to explore the complexities of history and see multiple perspectives. A Volcano Beneath the Snow: John Brown's War Against Slavery by Albert Marrin Erica's Picks 7th - 8th Tags: Biography, History, Nonfiction  The Romanov family reigned over Russia in a time when unrest was growing and trouble was on the horizon. As the world outside changed, they grew increasingly out of touch as their isolation both protected and endangered them. Then, on one infamous day, the whole family was murdered to end the imperial line. Rumors of the survival of the young Anastasia spread, but the fate of the family was sealed. What led to this event and what was it like to grow up in Russia's last royal family? Find out in The Family Romanov!
This nonfiction book reads like a novel as the characters are developed and the plot races towards its inevitable tragic end. Fleming did an excellent job taking a really complicated era and making it understandable. Additional excerpts about lives of the peasants at the time helps to provide a wider context and make sense of what happened. An excellent read! The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming Erica's Picks 7th - 8th Tags: Biography, History, Nonfiction |
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