The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

My daughter and I recently read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, a Newberry Medal winner. Set in 1687 in the Connecticut Colony, this is the story of Kit Tyler who has come from Barbados to live with her aunt and uncle after her grandfather’s death. After a life of education and freedom in Barbados, Kit is woefully unprepared for the restricted lifestyle of early Puritan settlers. Predictably, her freethinking ways result in accusations of witchcraft. Fortunately, this book isn’t just about witchcraft, but of colonists first uprisings against British rule, the very beginning of the American Revolution. Speare wraps a compelling story in interesting lessons of early American history, the harsh lifestyle of early colonists, tolerance for those with different values and backgrounds, and adaptability. Full of adventure and sweet romance. My daughter couldn’t put it down. Four out of four bookworms.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi

Once again Avi gives us a compelling historical novel for young adults which adults will enjoy as well. Crispin has just buried his mother, but his grief is compounded when he is proclaimed a “wolf’s head.” Anyone may kill him and receive a reward. As Crispin runs for his life, he learns that all is not as it seems—with his life or with the world around him. This novel is reminiscent of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle in that a stranger who Crispin initially distrusts opens Crispin’s eyes to the truths of how people treat each other. Avi gives us a lesson in English medieval history wrapped in an exciting story that will leave readers breathless and ready for the sequel. Four out of four bookworms.

The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz

This past summer, my daughter began to study American History at home to see how we would do together with homeschooling. When we got to the settlement of Jamestown, I felt the need to explain to her that Pocahontas wasn’t like the Pocahontas in the Disney movie. My daughter asked if there was something we could watch or read that told the true story of Pocahontas. So I began looking for a biography. I contacted Riva at a local used book store, Title Wave Books, for some suggestions. One of the books she recommended was The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz. My daughter and I both found the book interesting. In fact, we were reading the book together, but my daughter stayed up late reading ahead of me because we weren’t moving fast enough. Fritz gives us a fascinating read while not leaving out the important historical details about John Smith, Jamestown, the Powhatan, Pocahontas’ marriage to John Rolfe, her time in England, and her death. A few weeks after reading this book, we visited the recreated settlement of Jamestown Fort and a Powhatan Indian village. A lot of what we saw there confirmed the facts in this biography. We were able to turn to each other and say, “I remember that from the book!” Fritz is an award-winning author who has a way of making history relevant and alive. Four out of four bookworms.

Frightful’s Mountain by Jean Craighead George

This is the third book in the series beginning with My Side of the Mountain and On the Far Side of the Mountain. I haven’t read the first two, so I can’t compare them to Frightful’s Mountain. However, my daughter and I enjoyed this book so much that we plan on reading the original two books.

Frightful is a peregrine falcon raised illegally since she was a hatchling by a boy, Sam Gribley. As the novel begins, Frightful has been stolen from Sam by poachers. Frightful manages to escape which begins her adventure to find home, aka Sam. While trying to find her way back to Sam, she must learn to be a peregrine. George expertly weaves her meticulous research through the story, so children don’t know they’re learning while reading. Frightful’s encounters with poachers, animals, power lines, and a construction project keep this story suspenseful until the end. Three out of four bookworms.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

This historical novel is a little slow to start, but stick with it because it will soon take you on a rollicking, high seas adventure. Charlotte Doyle boards the Seahawk believing she will be chaperoned by not one, but two suitable families. That is just one of her firmly held, prim and proper misconceptions to be shattered during her voyage across the Atlantic. Adventure, mystery, tension, and surprises await the reader with every page. My eleven-year-old daughter and I read this book together, and we both enjoyed it. A Newberry Honor Book. Four out of four bookworms.