The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

 

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis. Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2022. Historical fiction.

Although the Magnolia Palace is the home of Henry Clay Frick and the book uses him and his family as main characters, it is definitely a work of fiction. Not until the author's note in the back will readers know what is real and what is made up.

A beautiful model whose face and body are on sculpture and buildings all around New York City comes to be a private secretary to Helen Frick in 1919. Another model in 1966 takes a job that will be shot at the home, now a museum. Their stories collide as a magnificent pink diamond is the center of a mystery that even involves murder.

Readers who are interested in history will want to search for more information on the Fricks and to find photographs of the treasures of the very real collection. 

Seed by Maggie Li

 

 Seed by Maggie Li. Little Life Cycles series. Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press. Board book. 2022.

School librarians are often asked for books on life cycles. From corn to frogs to apples, children need nonfiction titles to help them understand life itself. This smallish board book takes explanation to a minimum with the story of Pip, one of the tiny seeds inside an apple. A bird spreads the seeds when it eats the apple. Some seeds get too cold, others land in too salty water. When a little girl finds Pip, she plants him. Colorful pictures show the growth of the seed into a tree that produces its own apples. A center cut-out in the shape of a seed shows the little smiling face of Pip and will intrigue the youngest readers. This book would also be useful in talking about the seasons. 

The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah

 

 The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah. St. Martin's Press, 2021. Adult historical fiction.

In the Panhandle of Texas in 1921, Elsa Wolcott is determined to be an Old Maid by her family. Elsa is determined to make a life for herself. She hooks up with handsome Rafe Martinelli. Then comes the Great Depression. Rafe hates that his plans for college and a better life were made impossible. He abandons the family. Elsa becomes a hard worker, desperate to improve life for her daughter Loreda and son Ant. She earns the love and respect of Rafe's parents but leaves them because of Ant's health.

When the little family of three head to California, it is no silver lining. Picking cotton, doing field work, trying to survive in worker camps, and just existing is no easy life. Communist sympathizers try to organize the workers. Loreda resents her mother and longs for the never present Rafe. Tony and Rose, Rafe's parents, stay on the farm in Texas and letters between them all give even more realities of hard living. 

The book continues until 1940 when the family is updated and readers learn what happens to them all.  A depressing look ala Steinbeck's GRAPES OF WRATH era, this novel portrays events and people that might have existed in America during the past.  The women are strong. The times are tough. 

The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail

 

 The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail. John Scognamiglio Books, Kensington Books, 2022. Adult Historical fiction.

In about 1900, Alice has led an uninteresting life until she marries Howard. Life after marriage does not improve much.  He is a traveling salesman and abandons her. Alice soon discovers she is pregnant and, with few choices, heads south to find Howard. 

Constance is a young mother in New Orleans. She suspects her husband is up to no-good and soon finds her suspicions are correct. 

Their lives collide when, of course, their husbands are really the same man, but they don't realize it. As "widows" in New Orleans, the women come together to create their own futures. In the Mardi Gras tradition, Alice is hired to make a spectacular gown for Constance to be in a crewe of all women.

With the help of servant Analee, kind Dr. Birdsong, and a social leader encouraging them both, the women show grace, strength, and courage. Will they share their secrets with each other?