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

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

Find out about the author here http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7307458.Paul_Durham?from_search=true
View a trailer for the book here http://www.pauldurhambooks.com/books.html

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

Song of the lioness - Alanna: the first adventure

 

Author: Tamora Pierce

Published: New York: Atheneum 1983.; 241 p.

Who is the heroine? 11 year old Alanna

Why will I like it? It has a lot of adventure and a bit of romance, it will keep you reading till the last page and make you want to read the next book.

Who will like it? Any girl over the age of 9 who enjoys stories about knights and/or is a bit of a tomboy

Tell me more: 11 year old Alanna wants to become a knight, so she swaps places with her brother (who wants to become a sorcerer) and becomes a royal page.  She must face many challenges along the way in order to achieve her dream, including learning how to use her healing magic.  She has to learn skills like sword fighting as well as do school work like writing and maths. It is hard work, but what makes it easier is having friends.  Her 2 closest friends are the  Crown Prince Jonathan, and George, the King of Thieves.

Other books in the series:

The hand of the goddess

The woman who rides like a man

Lioness rampart

 Find out about these books here -  http://www.goodreads.com/series/43928-song-of-the-lioness

Stranded

Authors: Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbetts

Published: New York: Puffin 2013.; 176 p

Who is the heroine?  There are 4 main characters in this book including boys as well as girls. They are Jane, Buzz, Carter, and Vanessa.

Why will I like it? It is co-written by the guy who hosts Survivor (that show about grown ups trying to survive on an island). Your parents may not let you watch the show but now you can read his books about kids trying to survive on an island.

Who will like this book? Girls with brothers and sisters, especially from blended families.

Tell me more:  Do you have brothers and/or sisters? They probably get on your nerves sometimes. Imagine being stranded on an island with them!

Vanessa (13) and Buzz’s (11) father has married Carter (11) and Jane’s (8) mother. They are sent on a sailing trip so they can get to know each other and bond as a family. But a storm hits and they find themselves abandoned on an island with no adults. The children have different personalities and must learn to work together to survive and find a way to get off the island. This book is co-authored by Jeff Pobst, the host of the TV show Survivor, even if children do not watch this show, this may still be appealing to them. The other author is Chris Tebbetts, who co-authored the Middle School series with James Patterson.

Other books in the series:

Stranded 2: Trial by fire

Stranded 3:  Survivors

To find out about these books click the link below
http://www.goodreads.com/series/92107-stranded

Theodsia and the serpents of chaos

 

Title: Theodsia and the serpents of chaos

Author: R. L LaFavers

Published: Boston, Mass, United States: Houghton Mifflin, c 2007
Who is the heroine? Theodosia Throckmorton, an 11 year old English girl. Her mother is an archaeologist and father is head curator of London's Museum of Legends and Antiquities

Why will I like it?  It is the action packed adventures of a girl and her cat where you learn about Ancient Egypt. A great example of historical fantasy fiction.

Who will like this book? Girls in primary school (year 3) to early high school (year 8), with an interest in ancient history, particularly ancient Egypt, any anyone else who loves a good adventure.

Tell me more: Theodosia is brave and clever and has the ability to sense when ancient artefacts have curses put on them.  She lives in London, both of her parents deal with ancient artefacts for their work.  When her mother brings home the Heart of Egypt amulet from a king’s tomb she discovers there is a powerful curse on it that could start a war between secret societies.

Throughout the series she comes across artefacts from ancient Egypt and as a result is plunged into a new adventure in each book. 

The other books in the series:

Theodosia and the staff of Osiris
Theodosia and the eyes of Horus
Theodosia and the Last Pharoh

To find out about these books you can go here - http://www.goodreads.com/series/44959-theodosia-throckmorton