Book Search: Historical Fiction

We listened to the audio version of this book and we all really enjoyed it. I love how we are learning about history in this gentle way. This book is just at the eve of the American Revolution and it's fascinating the way people started splitting up, some in favor, some not.

As part of our History Curriculum (Story of the World) we are reading about the Colonial world and Native Americans. The book The Sign of the Beaver was part of the recommended reading and we all enjoyed it. A 13 year old boy is left alone to guard the homestead in the wilderness of Maine, waiting for his father to return with his mother and siblings. After being brutally stung by bees, he is taken care of by Native Americans and befriends a young boy. A story of friendship and loyalty.

This is truly an outstanding book that will appeal to a large audience. Our girls (then 10 and 7) hung on every word. I loved that this was about Laura Ingalls Wilder's great grandmother! There was a lot of research put into it and I loved reading all about Scotland, as my own mother was born there. I especially enjoyed how the author wove in retellings of fairy stories and myths. This is the first the series and we are very excited to continue on. PLEASE NOTE I am referring to the unedited version with the painted cover, not the one with the photographed cover (which amazon insists on linking to). I have not read both but I have heard that the 2nd version is considerably abridged.

We all really enjoyed this book about Kirsten. Learning history through these gentle American Girls stories is wonderful, and our girls are so interested in the stories as well as all the facts at the end of the book.

We're really enjoying these books about Kaya.

Have you ever wondered how chocolate is made? This picture book goes into detail about how the farmers pick the pods, dry the insides between banana leaves and turn the beans as they dry. One girl lives in Santo Domingo and tells about her life in creating chocolate, and how excited she is when the sailors bring ice to trade for cocoa beans Another girl lives in Maine and shares about her life where her father cuts ice from the river and packs the ice house. It was fascinating to hear about how these everyday things we love used to be made.

Our girls (6 and 9) really enjoyed this book and always wanted to hear more each time I had to stop. Laurel tells me she just loves historical fiction when it comes in the form of a journal or diary. This book is a bit intense, starting with two brothers (age 14 - Jasper - and his younger brother Tom) being separated, one goes off on the Mayflower as an indentured servant, and one stays behind. So Jasper creates this journal to tell him about the New World. There are a lot of deaths, even a suicide, so be prepared to explain that one. If you have any concerns about too much death read the book before your child does. Overall, we really enjoyed this tale of Jasper's fascinating adventure, including him running away and being found by Native Americans. In the end (plot spoiler ahead!) he is reunited with his brother. There is a really neat historical note section at the end of the book that we all found interesting, to hear how much of the story was true and just how many of our presidents are decendants from the first settlers.

A collection of folk tales from Japan.

Another wonderful tale of Martha Morse, now 9 and adjusting to having to grow up and not be so wild. We absolutely love this series, I especially enjoy all the details about every day life. ***PLEASE NOTE: I am not referring to the book amazon insists on pulling up, I am referring to the UNabridged version, which has a cover with Martha bending down to play with a hedgehog.