Wednesday 15 October 2014

Hill Hawk Hattie



Author: Clara Gillow Clark
Published: Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press 2003

Who is the heroine?
11 year old Hattie Belle


Who will like it?
Girls with an interest in history.


Why will I like it? A great combination of history and adventure

Tell me more: Hattie lives in the hills of Pennsylvania in the 1880s. After the death of her mother Hattie is angry and lonely. She quits school and has to stay at home and do all the chores. She does not always get along with her father. He makes her dress like a boy and takes her on a dangerous rafting trip down the Delaware River. Along the way she grows up and gets to know her father. These characters give you a good idea of what it would be like to live through this time and place in history.

Other Books in the series:

Hattie on her way

Secrets of Greymoor


Find out a bit about the author here http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/269031.Clara_Gillow_Clark?from_search=true


Tuesday 14 October 2014

The invisible order Book 1: Rise of the Darklings


Author: Paul Crilley
Published: New York: Egmont USA, 2010

Who is the heroine? 12 year old Emily Snow who lives in London
Who will like it?  Girls aged 10 and over who don’t mind stories that might be a bit scary, and have an interest in history. If you enjoy action packed historical fantasy (or you think you would) this book is for you.

Why will I like it? An adventurous fantasy fiction story of a girl and her brother.

Tell me more: Emily Sow is 12 years old and takes care of her younger brother William. One day she comes across a fairy battle. After saving a fairy, she is plunged into an ancient war between powerful fairy fractions.  But both of these groups have a hatred for the secret society known as the Invisible Order.  Then William is kidnapped, Emily (with the help of her friend Jack) must get him back, but she does not know who to trust. This book does have some dark themes so will not be for everyone.
Other books in the series:
The invisible order: The Fire King - to find out about it click the link below http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10282547-the-fire-king

Find out about the author here http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/paul-crilley/

The Luck Uglies



Author: Paul Durha, Illustrator: Peter Antonsson
Published:  New York: Harper, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers 2014

Who is the heroine?
11 year old Rye O’Chanter
Who will like it? Any girl over the age of 9 who likes fantasy fiction

Why will I like it? It is witty and action packed fantasy fiction, the setting has a medieval feel. A more complicated version of a goodies vs baddies story
Tell me more: Rye O’Chanter lives in the Village Drowning, and enjoys getting up to mischief with her friends Quin and Folly.  The village is run by the ruthless Earl Longchance, who claimed to have rid the village of the bog noblins. In reality this was the work of a dangerous secret society known as the Luck Uglies. But one day a bog noblin turns up in the village. Rye must align herself with the Luck Uglies to get rid of the threat. This action packed story is written with humour. The heroes in this book have both good and bad qualities.  
Other books in the series: New series, trilogy is planned but only the first one has come out

Rowan Hood, outlaw girl of Sherwood Forest



Author: Nancy Springer
Published: New York: Philomel Books 2001

Who is the heroine?  13 year old Rosemary Hood, Robin Hood’s Daughter


Who will like it? Girls aged 9 and up who want stories about brave girls and have an interest in the Robin Hood legend or history in general.

Why will I like it? It is a funny and interesting take on the Robin Hood story, as well as an action packed fantasy fiction story.
Tell me more: In this charming, and funny book we follow the journey of Rosemary, daughter of Robin Hood. She has never met her father, but then her mother is murdered because she is suspected of being a witch. Rosemary disguises herself as a boy (Rowan) and sets out to find Robin. Along the way she meets and befriends a half wolf half dog and Ettarade a 13 year old princess running away from a forced marriage.  She meets Robin but does not tell him that she is his daughter.  But then Robin is captured and Rosemary and her new band of friends must try to rescue him. This is a nice take on the Robin Hood legend. 
Other books in the series:
Lionclaw, a tale of Rowan Hood

Outlaw princess of Sherwood a tale of Rowan Hood
Wild Boy : a tale of Rowan Hood

Rowan Hood returns: the final chapter

Nancy has another series of books you may enjoy featuring Enola Holmes ( younger sister of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes) to find out more click here - http://www.goodreads.com/series/42968-enola-holmes-mysteries

Samantha Sutton and the labyrinth of lies


 
Author: Jordan Jacobs
Published: Naperville, ILL: Sourcebooks Inc. 2012;

Who is the heroine?
12 year old Samantha, who has always wanted to be an archaeologist

Who will like it?  Any girl over 9 who enjoys a good mystery and has an interest in archaeology


Why will I like it? If you have an interest in archaeology it has a good description of what it is like to be on an archaeological dig.

Tell me more: Samantha Sutton has always dreamed of becoming an archaeologist, so she is thrilled when she gets to accompany her uncle to an archaeological dig in Peru, even if she does have to go with her annoying older brother Evan.  While they are there valuable artefacts are stolen and the site is vandalised. Samantha tries to solve the mystery before her uncle. This book is actually written by an archaeologist and contains good details of what the work is like.  There is also some detail about the culture and history of the local people in Peru.

Other books in the series:
 Samantha Sutton and the winter of the warrior queen
and coming in 2015 - Samantha Sutton and the temple of traitors

The author Jordan Jacobs always wanted to be an archaeologist  find out more at his website - http://j-jacobs.com/archaeologists-childhood-dream-privilege-writing-love/?utm_source=rss#038;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=archaeologists-childhood-dream-privilege-writing-love

The search for WondLa



Author: Terry DiTerlizzi
Published: New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2010.

Who is the heroine?
Eva Nine, a 12 year old girl who has been raised by a robot called Muthr.

Why will I like it?  The story moves quickly and there are beautiful illustrations, and the book comes with access to an interactive online map.

Who will like it? Girls aged 9 and up who like science fiction. Or anyone who has felt out of place and has wanted a place to belong.


Tell me more: This book tells the story of Eva and her quest to find other humans. This fast paced science fiction story is part of a trilogy, and has some great extras. Readers with a web cam can access an interactive site where they can explore the world where Eva is travelling. This feature sets it apart from other books. There are more illustrations available through the site as well.
Other books in the series:
A hero for WondLa
The battle for Wondla

The Wondla website has information about the author, the books as well as games, art gallery, and a demonstration of the interactive map http://wondla.com/home/

The smugglers treasure: American Girl history Mystery 1


 
Author: Sarah Masters Buckley
Published: Middelton, Wis.: Pleasant Co. Publications c1999

Who is the heroine? -  Elisabet Holder an eleven year old girl, used to having servants who must suddenly learn to work in the family bakery.

Why will I like it? it is suspenseful and the story moves quickly and you get to learn about what it would be like to live in Louisiana during the war of 1812.

Who will like it? girls aged 10 and up, who have some interest in history.
Tell me more: Elisabet is used to being waited on by servants. Then her father is captured by the British and she has to live with her aunt and uncle in New Orleans, where she is forced to live work in a bakery. While there she hears about a hidden treasure, she sets about trying to find it so that she can pay her father’s ransom. The story moves along well and gives the reader a good idea about the time in which it is set. If readers are interested in history this series is particularly good as each contains extra information about the time in which it is set, including a map and pictures .

Other books in this series:
There are 21 other books in this series , these include, Gangsters at the Grand Atlantic, Danger at the Wild West show, Mystery on Skull Island and Trouble at Fort La Pointe. Books in the series are written by different authors and featuring different main characters.
For a look at all the other books in the series click the link below - http://www.goodreads.com/series/67650-american-girl-history-mysteries