Tag Archives: Historical fiction

Pedro and the Monster Eaters = Pedro y los devoradores de monstruos

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written by Xequina María Berbér and illustrated by C. Rod. Unalt

Pedro is a young boy that comes from a family of artists that creates papier maché art pieces – from pinatas to giant puppets called mojigangas that are used in parades and festivals in Mexico. His family is very busy, because their artwork is so beautiful. So, Pedro learns the aspects of the art from an early age. One night, he becomes very sick and has a high fever. He has some terrible dreams in which the mojigangas chase after him. In his nightmares, colorful creatures called alebrijes rescue him by gobbling up the scary puppets. He awakens and is determined to create these monster-eating creatures in papier maché. Soon, people from all around are buying his colorful art pieces and he become world renowned for his beautiful work.

This story is loosely based on the life of Mexican folk artist Pedro Linares, who created beautifully painted fantastical creatures in papier maché. The book is written in English and Spanish and illustrated with colorful otherworldly creatures that spring from Pedro’s imagination. Text and illustrations work very well together to convey Pedro’s story. An author’s note at the end gives more information about Pedro Linares and is a great starting point for more thorough research about an artist in a medium about which there is typically little information.

Purchase this book for your library for a variety of reasons – the subject matter, dual language presentation and the beautiful illustrations. Students will be curious to explore more about the artist and the medium after such a wonderful introduction.

Child of the Flower-song People: Luz Jimenez, Daughter of the Nahua

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Luz Jimenez was born in the late 1800’s in the village of Milpa Alpa, a short distance from Mexico City. She was part of the indigenous Nuahac people and learned the language, stories and customs of her ancestors. She suffered the same fate as many indigenous people of her era – placement in government run schools where she had to speak Spanish and wear unfamiliar clothing. Her father was killed during the Mexican Revolution in 1911 and her mother moved the family to Mexico City. It was here that Luz realized her dream of becoming a teacher. Her teaching role was not as a typical school teacher, but as a teacher of her ancestral culture and language to the world. She became a model for many of Mexico’s leading artists of the time, including Diego Rivera, who saw her classic Nuahac beauty as something to capture on canvas, in a photograph or as a sculpture. She became friends with these artists and others – scholars and anthropologists, who wanted to learn about her culture and language. She took them back to her village and taught them her ancestors’ stories, language and customs. This knowledge is part of the history of Mexico and Luz is often referred to as the “Soul of Mexico”.

This well-written, informative book tells the story of Luz’s life in an accessible way without being too text-heavy. Accompanying illustrations by Duncan Tonatiuh are reminiscent of indigenous Mexican artwork and add a rich tone to the story. An author’s note, artist’s note, glossary, bibliography and timeline of Luz’s life are important added features. I appreciate the photo of Luz modelling for a group of artists on the artist’s note page. The only pieces missing are some examples of the artists’ work with whom Luz worked. It did lead me to research her life and find those examples. So, perhaps readers will do the same.

Gold Rush!

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You are on the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri to either Oregon or the possible riches of California. Which way will you go? That’s up to you in this choose your own story format book. Life on the Oregon Trail is never easy an decisions need to be made at every turn. With twenty-two possible endings, this story will take young readers on a journey filled with danger in the form of wild animals, thieves, difficult travel conditions, possible illness, starvation or death. One of the pathways is the right one and it’s up to the reader to discover it.

Just like the PC Oregon Trail game of years’ past, this book will give the reader a tiny taste of the difficult decisions that pioneers made every day on the Oregon Trail. An introduction at the beginning and a guide with pioneer biographies at the end are highly recommended first reading before the adventure starts for the reader. Pen and ink illustrations enhance the story in Book #7 of this series.

This is a great way to introduce students to life on the Oregon Trail. They follow children their age as they determine the best path for their wagon and family. Parents and teachers will enjoy the nostalgia of the book and remember those times they were attacked by a bear or died of starvation in the computer game of their youth. They might have some pointers for the kids on this one!

The Race to Chimney Rock

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Pack your wagon and head out from Independence, Missouri to Oregon City along the Oregon Trail using a “choose your own trail” format. Parents will remember the Oregon Trail PC game of their youth as their children navigate the hazards of daily life on The Trail.

There are twenty-two possible endings to this book, but only one will get you as far as Chimney Rock, the stopping point for this book (one of four). Readers are given choices along the way and turn to the page corresponding to their choice. Do they ford the river or take the ferry? Wild animals, illness, bad weather, break downs and bad guys are along the way to slow them down or kill them. Don’t worry, though, readers can start over and they might make it the next time!

An introduction at the beginning and a guide at the end help prepare young pioneer readers for the dangers they will face on the Oregon Trail. Pen and ink illustrations help move the story along and readers will learn something as they meander through the book (many times). Parents will enjoy the nostalgia of the book, because we have all caught dysentery in the Oregon Trail game. So, why not share that with your kids? Recommended

Cleo and Cornelius : a tale of two cities and two kitties

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Cleo and Cornelius are living the high life in ancient Egypt, where cats are treated like gods and their days are filled with lounging, eating, napping and being worshiped. One day, Cornelius accidentally boards a boat for Rome, which is a very different place than his home. Here, dogs are revered and cats are supposed to keep mice out of houses. But, there is adventure, as he and Cleo discover when she comes to Rome to find him. They race chariots, dip their paws in a Roman bath, perform in a theater and so many other activities. Exhausted, they hop a ship back to Egypt and their luxurious lives of eating, napping and being worshiped, which is fine with Cornelius. Cleo, on the other hand, grows bored and the heads back to her adventurous life in Rome.

This story is loosely based on Aesop’s “Town Mouse and Country Mouse” fable and is full of richly illustrated scenes of the ancient worlds of Egypt and Italy…and Cleo and Cornelius! There are two pages of notes for the reader, explaining life in those two societies. Photos of artifacts are included. This is a fun romp of a story and we learn some things along the way.

Armstrong & Charlie

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Armstrong & Charlie is a historical fiction novel. The book is set in the Hollywood Hills of California during the 1970s and the Opportunity Busing program has just started. Boys and girls from the inner city travel to Wonderland Elementary in an attempt at desegregation.  The story focuses on a friendship that emerges between Armstrong and Charlie. Charlie is a Jewish boy of privilege. Armstrong is the youngest of six kids who is ready to fight for everything. Finding themselves at odds with one another in multiple school situations, Armstrong and Charlie are pushed into an unlikely friendship. Separately, each boy is also on a journey of self-discovery. This is a story full of heart and soul, friendship, and growing up.  Chapters are told from each character’s perspective. This provides insight to each character’s motivation and emotions regarding shared experiences. The story, the characters, and the compelling structure, keep readers engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Sky Full of Stars

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The book is about a young girl and how she faces her challenges. The book is about the struggles of an African-American life during the time of oppression and inequality. The protagonist is a young girl who lives with her grandmother and experiences many challenges at this age, and witnesses things that change her perception of the world over time. She witnesses people her age also going through similar struggles and we get to view her thoughts and opinions and sometimes even fears. I thought that the book was a bit slow towards the beginning but once it picked up the pace it was super exciting and emotional. (Due to the fact this is based on a true story). I would recommend this book to those who really enjoy reading about black history and especially the hardships and what it took in order to get to the way things are now. Be wary that this is about the murder of a young boy named Emmet Till and this incident actually happened and isn’t fictional.

-I.D.

Yours Truly

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Truly Lovejoy is back in this second installment of the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series. Readers do not need to have read book one, Absolutely Truly, in order to follow the storyline of this book.  The author references elements of book one, but provides context so book one details do not detract from this story. In the second book, Truly learns about her namesake and the history of the house she now calls home in Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. As the story develops, there are multiple mysteries that interconnect to reveal the rich history of the area and the founders of the town. Truly and her friends call themselves the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes, and they work together to crack a maple syrup crime and settle a town feud. Along the way, Truly also investigates her family’s history, uncovering a local connection to the underground railroad and uses her quick wit to find her younger sister when she goes missing. With a complex mystery to solve, historically accurate details, and engaging and realistic family and friendship complications, this book will be a winner with mystery, historical, and realistic fiction readers.   

The Enemy Above: A novel of World War II

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It started as rumors that the Nazis were coming ,until the gunfire got louder and closer. On the run, being chased and hunted to be killed or captured after have to flee from their home. All for being born Jewish. What first caught my eye looking through the pile of books was the book cover. When I read the summary it sounded like a action packed story which is why I chose it. One thing I loved about the book was when it got into the action it was really good and every big moment connected to the others very well. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books with real life facts in it but also somewhat fiction in the book.

W.G.

First Class Murder

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Journey back in time to Europe in the 1930’s and take a train ride on the Orient Express.  Our heroines, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells, just finished school term and are taking a journey with Hazel’s father. They have been given strict instructions to avoid detecting. This is something they cannot do when a mystery lands in their laps. In order to find a murderer and a spy, they must employ their deductive reasoning skills once again even at the risk of upsetting Hazel’s father and placing themselves in danger. The title can stand alone or may be read in order with the other books in the Wells and Wong Mystery series. A recommended read for who-done-it enthusiasts.