The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

 

The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton. Sourcebooks Landmark, 2020. Adult fiction. 463 pages.

     When the Saardam leaves Batavia for Amsterdam in 1634, the  ship carries a diverse group of people. From the wealthy Sara Wessel, her husband and daughter to a religious mystic, the passengers are unusual. Even the large soldier, Arent Hayes is travelling with a prisoner, his friend Sam Pipps, a detective. On the long journey, mysterious things happen and some think the devil is at work. Readers will work to discover what dangers are afoot, who is not what they seem, and guess whether the great ship and its passengers will ever see land again. 

The Girl in the Mirror: A Novel by Rose Carlyle

 

  The Girl in the Mirror: A Novel by Rose Carlyle.  William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins, 2020.  Adult fiction, mystery. 

 Summer Rose and Iris Carmichael are identical twins, but are mirror images of each other. Outside, so alike, the girls are quite different on the inside. Summer has married the handsome Adam whose wife has died and Summer is mother to his small son. Iris has overcome insecurities and has led a very different life, but when Summer calls and says that she needs her, Iris goes. 

 Iris ends up piloting the family's yacht across ocean waters. The trip is life changing when she is able to basically impersonate her sister after Summer disappears. What has happened to Summer? And who, among the Carmichael cousins, will be able to claim the millions of family dollars by having the first biological grandchild? 

 Filled with greed, mystery, sailing lore, set in the mysterious Thailand, and using the interesting twin tidbits, this tale is a compelling read. Although it is Carlyle's first novel, it will certainly be worth watching this new talent. 

Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley

 

 Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley. Candlewick Press, 2020. YA

     When Ziggy Karlo's mother, Jenny, leaves him with Nana Jean, his life takes a turn for the better. He is safe and has food and Nana Jean is a fierce protector and a compassionate listener. But, it's neighbor June Bug Jordan who becomes his friend. And she needs a friend as much or more than Ziggy. June's father has died of AIDS in the days when no one really knew much about the disease. June's mother is full of grief and has so many mental health isssues that she can't even take care of herself, much less June Bug. It's summer and there's no school or school lunches and Uncle Toby, Dad's brother, only brings groceries once a week. Ziggy and June become the most unlikely friends. Slowly, details are given about each of their families and the two have to come to grips with new realities and work to forge better futures than pasts. 

     This novel is an incredible story of love and family. Some of the subject matter deals with more YA topics than typical children's novels, but SO many of our students face hard situations in their lives and need to have these characters show that there is hope in the world. Beautiful imaginative worlds can provide an escape from dire times, but communication with adults who can help with real things is important, too. Definitely fifth grade and up can handle the reading level. Characters are memorable and this book will show up again at award time. Do not miss it! 

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

  Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. HarperCollins, 2019. Adult fiction.

    Lillian and Madison knew each other from their elite prep school, but it's been years since they have seen each other. Now, Madison reaches out for Lillian's help. Since a scandal at the school caused Lillian to leave, her life seems to have gone nowhere. Beautiful and wealthy, Madison has done well it appears. When Lillian gets Madison's request for her to come be the caregiver for Madison's two stepchildren, it sounds interesting. Madison's husband has political aspirations and is about to become Secretary of State. Their mansion and little boy and life seem picture perfect. But, the stepchildren, Roland and Bessie, have their own problems. Their mother is dead. Their father doesn't know them and doesn't seem to want to know them. And, oh, yes, they have a big problem: they sometimes catch on fire. Can Lillian figure out how to keep these children cool and keep their condition secret from the outside world?  

    What makes a parent? Lillian discovers trust, love, and a fierce protectiveness for these children who so desperately need her. She finds that she needs them, too. Wilson is author of the family drama, The Family Fang, among other quirky novels. If you're looking for a book to get through the hot, humid summer, look no farther than the unusual stories he writes.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess

  The Last Book Party:  A Novel by Karen Dukess. Henry Holt and Company, 2019. Adult fiction.

    It's the late 1980's and Eve Rosen chafes in her going nowhere job in New York City. She aspires to write her own books, but reads through the slush pile at a major publisher. Eve lives in the shadow of her brilliant mathematician brother. This is a twenty something who needs help! When she is invited to a Cape Cod party at the home of Henry Grey, she jumps at the chance to go, to meet people, to become more than she thinks she is. The party does result in a job offer that will change Eve's life. But her youth, idealism, and inexperience pit her against much older, more jaded, and people who are part of the island clique.  

Sarah Bernhardt by Catherine Reef

  Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzzling Life of the World's First Superstar by Catherine Reef. Clarion Books, 2020. Biography. YA

Complete with a timeline, extensive bibliographic notes by the author, index, and several dozen photographs, this biography of the actress and entrepreneur Sarah Bernhardt brings to life her life, career, and legacy. Definitely written for teens and ages above, Reef is meticulous in describing Bernhardt's unconventional and headline making life. Reef even articulates the differences in sex workers of 18th century France: streetwalkers, prostitutes, and courtesans (among whom was Sarah's mother). Loyal to her friends and a doting mother to her son Maurice (even when often separated), Bernhardt acted, produced, and directed as well as managed several theaters, and became known all over the world. Her famous death scenes were the favorites of many audiences. Thought to have been born in 1844, Bernhardt died in 1923. Her life became the basis for myths and legends and readers may appreciate her bravery and independence to live her life as she chose. 

  The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain. Penguin Random House, 2015. Travel/memoir.

Get your map of Great Britain ready and go on the road with humorist and travel writer Bill Bryson! Bryson is THE best at describing daily life, minute details about people and places, and everything he sees around him. When he travels through both large and small cities and towns, he gives his opinions, tells a bit of history, and always manages to make you smile if not laugh out loud. Sometimes updating his first trip to England in his twenties, he gives the perspective of someone who loved the island enough to marry a native and move there, but is still an American at heart. He tells where he likes to eat and stay and places to avoid. Bryson can be poignant, witty, grumpy, or entertaining. He is never dull!

Amy Snow by Tracy Rees

  Amy Snow by Tracy Rees. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2015.

When wealthy eight-year-old Aurelia Vennaway finds a naked baby in the snow, she takes it home and insists that it be raised along side her. Her strict parents totally disapprove, but the baby is named Amy Snow and grows up with Aurelia's loving instruction and care. When Aurelia dies in her twenties, Amy is devastated. But, there the adventure truly begins. Aurelia has left Amy letters surrounding a mystery. Amy has to figure out clues as the letters arrive. As Amy travels across England, she matures into an interesting young woman who makes friends, meets handsome eligible gentlemen, and solves the mystery. This reads a little like a Jane Austen novel with families and friendships sprinkled throughout. 

The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Robards

  The Black Swan of Paris by Karen Harper. Mira Books, 2020. Historical fiction.

When a copy of this book arrived in my mailbox, I first thought, "Oh, just another WWII tale about a brave woman." Was I wrong! This exciting novel grabs readers and takes them along on a whirlwind view of Paris during WWII and behind the scenes details of intrigue, resistance, and courage. Genevieve Dumont is best known as a glamourous singer. Her manager, Max; driver, Otto, and faithful dresser all take care of her. But, Genevieve's life is not all froth. She has a past that becomes quite important to the story. Drawing the attention of German officers, she is in danger, especially as her estranged family are targeted. From the stages of the clubs to the underground hideouts of the Resistance workers to the beaches of Normandy, readers will cheer Genevieve Dumont. 

American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt by Karen Harper

  American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vandebilt.  by Karen Harper. William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2019. Historical fiction

This novel will probably have readers racing online to find photographs of the real Consuelo Vanderbilt, one of the very wealthy Americans who married English lords in the Gilded Age. Consuelo's mother, Alva, ran her life and manipulated her marriage to the man whose family home was Blenheim Palace. Consuelo's whole life was fascinating and mostly covered by newspapers. She had two sons, the heir and the spare, as was thought necessary. But, unfortunately, her marriage was not a love match. Later in life, Consuelo found true love, adventure, and continued philanthropy. Harper does a good job of fleshing out the details of Consuelo's life and provides some additional sources for both print and online research in an author's note. 

The Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest

 The Summer We Found the Baby  by Amy Hest. Candlewick Press, 2020. Children's chapter book.

OK, I am prejudiced toward this book. Amy Hest's When Jessie Came Across the Sea is one of my very favorite historical fiction picture books. Such a sweet story, well told and with gorgeous illustrations by Lynch. 

And, from the time that the Bobbsey Twins found Baby May, I have been hooked on finding a baby in a basket! Growing up as an only child and walking to  the public library that was in the basement of the county courthouse, I thought that finding a baby in a basket would just be the best thing that could happen to anyone. As an adult, I once confided to a friend that if I found a baby in a basket on the doorstep, I would probably just pull it in and slam the door shut! So combine Amy Hest and this sweet title and I have a real winner!

Julie and Martha's mom has died and Dad needs a place to write. He rents a beach cottage on Belle Island, Long Island, New York. The family next door have a son away fighting in WWII and a son named Bruno who is twelve. Julie is eleven and Martha is six. Hest describes each character so well that readers may think they have moved in next door, too. The three children each serve as narrators to move the story along and have their own little illustrations for their contributions: Julie, a bicycle; Martha, a dish of ice cream; and Bruno, binoculars. 

On the particular day of interest when the story begins, Bruno has received a message from his brother and is off on an important errand. But, his plans are sidetracked when he sees Julie and Martha with a baby in a basket on the steps of the brand new children's library. When they take off, he follows. And, the adventure begins. Even Eleanor Roosevelt makes an appearance!  The twenty chapters are numbered and with titles. In each chapter, the children speak individually. Adults may figure out what's happening long before children, but, trust me, just enjoy the journey. The pacing is perfect and it's easy to keep up with who's who. Parents are a big part of the story, too, but they are loving and supportive in just the right ways for the children to be independent and loved. 

Of course, it all works out. Julie's sweet maternal instincts, little Martha's precious desire for a little sister and a mother, and Bruno's hopes to be a man like his big brother all play into this summertime romp. Do not miss it. It is my favorite new book! 

The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard

 The Cazalet Chronicles, a series of five books: 

(The Light Years, Marking Time, Confusion, Casting Off and All Change),

by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Published and republished over the years, available as a set on amazon.com. 

When I read an interview with Camilla, Prince Charles' wife, she mentioned that some of her favorite books were this series by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Then, I read that Hilary Mantel touted them, too. WHAT? I had never heard of the Cazalet Chronicles! So, I searched local libraries and no one had the complete set. I invested and started reading...then the 2020 pandemic hit. No worries, I have been  in England in 1937-1950's all summer long with the Cazalet family!

Beginning in pre WWII years, The Brig and the Duchy have a holiday home in the countryside. Their three sons and their wives have an array of children and homes and readers learn their stories through the books. Quite the family saga, not everyone survives, not every marriage survives, and the children grow up and have their own stories. Tiny details about what life was like during WWII make the books believable and provide a look into the past.  Of course, nothing went back to the same after the war. Houses had been bombed. Servants were basically gone.  So the Cazalets adapted to the more freewheeling 1950's with zest. I can see why especially English women who lived through the times featured in all the books have picked up these stories and enjoy them fondly. Howard tells good stories, features interesting people, describes locales and places well, and makes time just fly by! Not a bad thing at all in a pandemic...

P.T. Barnum books

 We Are All His Creatures: Tales of P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman by Deborah Noyes. Candlewick, 2020. Historical fiction. YA

P. T. Barnum was a real person. His promotion of Jenny Lind, General Tom Thumb, and other unusual beings made him famous. This fictional series of short pieces each showcase one of the people in his life, one of the people or exhibits in his vast collection, or an event that featured such. Barnum was, no doubt, a great marketer. But, his personal life and treatment of his family and employees did not make him a person to imitate. Noyes does a good job of tying together these fascinating, but rather bleak, imagined narratives. Each is illustrated by a small photograph that helps make the people real.

 The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming. Illustrations by Ray Fenwick. Schwartz and Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, 2009. Middle grades and up. Biography.

This is a biography of P.T. Barnum, but so much more! It uses photographs, circus posters, drawings, and text boxes to tell the story of his life and work. When he died in 1891, his fame had made him known worldwide. Fleming is objective in balancing the unique aspects of his collection with the "side show" nature of his advertisements. She even includes a link where readers can hear Barnum himself speak online. Photographs chart the history of Barnum's museum and circus development.

So many of the state tests ask students to compare works of fiction and nonfiction. These two books would capture the interest of many, but provide very different perspectives on Barnum. Readers curious about P.T. Barnum will want to read both!

Carville's Cure by Pam Fessler

Carville's Cure by Pam Fessler. LiveRight, a division of W.W. Norton, 2020. Adult nonfiction.

Remember the people in the Bible who were outcast because they had leprosy? Or what happened to them in Ben Hur?  Fast forward to 2020. Pam Fessler has  written a fascinating and well researched book about the disease, now known as Hansen's Disease, patients who have suffered, and treatments over the years.

While this is her first book, Fessler writes like a pro. Her husband has a family connection with Hansen's Disease, but the narrative is not at all just first person. She chronicles the history of the Louisiana Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana and follows many of its patients. While many would compare the facility to a prison, Fessler explains how the federal government got involved, what happened to the patients, what happened to the facility, and what happens to patients today. Most readers would never think that they may work with, teach, or associate with patients who have Hansen's Disease in the modern world. Help end the stigma and discrimination by updating your own information by reading Fessler's book. Extensive notes and a bibliography are included.

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem by Kate DiCamillo

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem by Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Candlewick Press, 2020. Children's chapter book.

In this, the fifth book in the Tales from Deckadoo Drive series, the story is about second grader, Stella Endicott. Stella loves school. She loves her teacher. She loves her neighborhood. But, when Horace Broom, another second grader questions her truthfulness, the fun begins. Of course, the children end up as friends, but the adventures that get them there are quirky, down-to-earth, and hilarious.

DiCamillo's writing is so smooth that it is a pleasure to read. She always teaches something: in this case, all about metaphors AND the planets!  Readers will flock to their libraries to find out more about Baby Lincoln, Mercy Watson, and the other neighbors on Deckadoo Drive.  Put some paper out as students will want to write their own poems as well.

Death in Rough Water by Francine Mathews

Death in Rough Water by Francine Mathews. SOHO Press, 2016. Fiction. Crime, detectives.

A fun summer who done it for anyone who loves Nantucket! Detective Merry Folger works under her father, the police chief. When her childhood friend, Adelia's father dies on his fishing boat, Del returns to the island with her two-year-old daughter in tow. Soon Merry is pulled into even more turmoil with more lives in danger. Mathews gets the trivia right and readers will feel like they are right there, too.

Check out other titles in this series or look for the author's other series starring Jane Austen and written under the name Stephanie Barron.

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2019. Fiction mystery.

Amy is a wife, mother, stepmom, and friend. She seems quite normal as a member of her neighborhood book club. But, when a new woman named Roux appears at a meeting, Roux challenges the women to a "game" and their secrets all begin to appear. Even Amy and her friend, Char, have secrets. The teen, Luca, is astonishingly handsome and immediately appeals to Amy's stepdaughter, Maddy. As Amy tries to put together the pieces of information that Roux and Luca drop like red herrings, the plot takes creepy twists and unexpected turns. Can Amy protect those she loves as well as her past? This cul-de-sac will keep you reading until far too late in the night!

Kent State by Deborah Wiles

  Kent State by Deborah Wiles. Scholastic, 2020. Middle school and up.

During the turbulent times of the late 1960's, America was divided over the War in Viet Nam. On May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, the National Guard was called to quell a student protest on the campus. Pandemonium ensued. Four students were shot and killed.

Deborah Wiles uses this real event to provide voices that represent many of the people who were there. From students to community members to guardsmen and others, people of diverse beliefs and cultures speak about what they saw and felt. Told in blocks of spoken text by unnamed characters, the book would make a dramatic impact as a spoken performance. Wiles uses her extensive research to describe what happened at Kent State and to encourage readers to take a stand for what they believe in.

Gold Rush Girl by Avi

Gold Rush Girl by Avi. Candlewick Press, 2020. Historical fiction.
In 1848 Providence, Rhode Island, young Victoria Blaisdell longs for adventure and to be out from under Aunt Lavinia's stern instructions on how to be a proper young woman. When her father decides to go to California to search for gold, Victoria and her younger brother, Jacob, go, too. Sickly Mother stays behind, hoping to join them later.

In California, Tory finds not only adventure, but danger, friends, work, and a new sense of identity and self- worth. Jacob disappears and only Tory, Sam, and Thad (a Mod Squad team of teenagers if ever there was one) may be able to find him and rescue him from a kidnapping in time to save his life. The ending is neatly tied up so that young readers can enjoy the danger, but, yet not be too scared. Tweens will probably want to read more about early California, the gold rush, and earthquakes.

No one does adventure better than Avi. The pacing, the historic details, and the narrative itself move the story. The characters themselves have interesting back stories and skills that contribute to the plot. Senor Rosales even teaches Tory a good bit of Spanish! So many people abandoned their ships to rush to the gold fields that Rotten Row became an area of floating, disintegrating ships. Avi ties the locations in with a map of San Francisco and where such ships have been found.

Half Moon Street by Alex Reeve

Half Moon Street by Alex Reeve. Felony and Mayhem Press, 2018. Mystery.      Ready for a Victorian mystery  that will take you back to the times of Charles Dickens' London? This unusual mystery stars Leo Stanhope, a neatly dressed young man who works at the morgue. But, Leo's big secret is that he was born a female. He thinks he is in love with Maria, a beautiful prostitute, and dreams of a future with her. Alas, murder comes between them and Leo is the prime suspect.

Thus, begins an adventure to find the killer, save a loyal friend with the only means at Leo's disposal, outwit a wealthy landlord who is both greedy and deadly, to find a job that doesn't require blood and death exposure, and to keep himself safe.

The details are extensive, the writing smooth. The novel is dense, rich with the atmosphere of soot and dirt. Leo Stanhope just may be the hero in a whole new series. Give him a chance!

Spindle and Dagger by J. Anderson Coats

  Spindle and Dagger by J. Anderson Coats. Candlewick Press, 2020. Fiction.        The teen heroine of this medieval tale, set in 1109 Wales, will need both spindle and dagger in order to  survive and make a life. A warband has set upon her home and killed her family. Elen is taken away to become the property of Owain, the son of the leader,  a son who longs to be recognized for bravery and prowess. Elen treats a wound that would have killed Owain and spins a lie to protect herself. Owain thinks if he keeps Elen near and safe that she will ensure that Saint Elen protects him.

So Elen has a home travelling with the violent band of brigands, but longs to get away and find a real and safe home. When Owain abducts Nest, a beautiful mother and her three small children who is the wife of a Norman warlord, Elen begins to see that she might have a better future.

The Welsh names are a bit confusing, but readers of medieval tales will relish this Welsh tale. The sexual nature of Elen's kidnapping and life make this at least a young adult tale, but her story is well written. It is refreshing that Elen is not a superheroine, uses no magic, and thinks much like a typical teenager might. A historical note in the back talks about the Middle Ages and the actual historical fighting and skirmishes that are the basis for these events.

Almost, Maine by John Cariani

Almost, Maine by John Cariani. Feiwel and Friends, Macmillan, 2020. Fiction, Young Adult and up.

Almost is a small town. It's so far north that it's almost in Canada. Its people are like people you will recognize. They live, work, fall in love, and have complicated lives that intersect with each other's. On one particular Friday night in the heard of winter when the Northern Lights shine their brightness over all, things get really strange. People fall in love. They fall out of love. They find new love. They find unexpected love. The whole book is based on a play by the author.

Honestly, this is the perfect book to read in the midst of a pandemic. Things happen. People react. It's easy to get lost in the sweetness and quirkiness of these characters. Certainly it makes readers think and gives a short vacation from current events!

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2019. Adult historical fiction.

When young Odie O'Banion, his brother Albert, his friend Mose, and little Emmy leave their Lincoln Indian Training School in 1932 Minnesota, they take a canoe down the Mississippi River. The first about a hundred pages have set up their relationships, their struggles, and what leads them to take such drastic measures. This is a quest book with adventure, friendship, love, and the unexpected. Kruger writes beautiful descriptions of land AND people. He places the reader right in the middle of these children and makes us root for them. If you have not read any of Krueger's other works, treat yourself to Ordinary Grace, too.

An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten. Translated by
Marlaine Delargy. Soho Crime, 2018.

This petite book has several stories about the eccentric 88-year-old Maud. Maud lives alone in Sweden and manages her life very well. Readers may raise an eyebrow or just laugh aloud at her adventures and the ensuing murders that seem to give Maud no qualms. From a former student to a neighborhood antiques dealer, no one is safe when this little old lady is around.  The perfect gift for a mystery loving friend to slip into her purse!

Emily Writes by Jane Yolen

 Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings by Jane Yolen. Illustrated by Christine
Davenier. Christy Ottavino Books, Henry Holt and Company, 2020.

Of course, we don't really know how early Emily Dickinson began to write poems. But, Yolen has found inspiration for this picture book in Spring, 1934, where in Amherst, Massachusetts, a very young Emily might have scribbled on scraps of paper from her father's trash basket. Yolen has done her research and uses information known about Emily's life as well as words that have been used in real poems that Dickinson wrote. The result is a charming imaginative story. The softly colored illustrations add to the childlike appeal.  An author's note, examples of some of Dickinson's poems, and a bibliography are at the back of the book.

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc by David Elliott

Voices: The Final Hours of Joan of Arc. By David Elliott. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019. Historical fiction.

This fascinating novel in verse tells the story of the Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc. The flame, the sword, and a sewing needle all get their own voices to help tell what happened. Other poems feature each of her parents, the royalty, Saint Michael, and Joan herself, among other voices. Readers may gain a better knowledge of the history and as well as the people of the times. They will certainly have new understandings of the very sad and human nature of Joan's part in history as well as the many different kinds of poems that can be written. Some of the poems such as the arrow are shape poems. It would be interesting to have high schoolers do a readers' theatre with some of the selections. Definitely a good choice in teaching point of view!

"Who can say why some arrive and then depart forgotten while others fashion history?" page 14

Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather

Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather. Alfred E. Knopf, 2017. Young Adult fiction.

It's hard to imagine a novel that can combine both witches in Salem and the Titanic, two of my favorites, but this one does! A typical high school story of girl wants to fit in and find love, but with some magical twists, the book includes a main character who "dreams" of being on the HMS Titanic itself. Set in modern day Salem, Samantha Mather lives with her father, after the mysterious death of her stepmother who was a witch. School chums include some of The Descendants who claim ancestry among the witches of the renowned Salem trials. Samantha has ties to the minister Cotton Mather AND a couple who survived the tragedy of the great ship's sinking. Teens will appreciate the young love, the clique of girls, and the high school scenes amidst the big dance that has a Titanic theme. Interestingly enough, the author herself explains her own family's connections with history in notes at the end.