Prairie Songs by Pam Conrad

Reading level: age 8-10
167 pages

I inhaled this book (from start to finish in just a couple of hours) and it was wonderful. It was very quick to read but was well written. To me this means that story allows me to make a connection with the characters and who they are as well being able to discover subtle themes and beautiful messages.

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

Reading Level: age 10-12
Paperback: 150 pages
Newbery Award Winner

A surprisingly good read. This is a story of a boy who was kidnapped and force to play his pipe on a slaving ship. Well written and an interesting perspective to the cruelties that took place as part of the slave trade.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: The Dial Press; Later edition (July 29, 2008)
 
During WWII, Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel was occupied by the Germans who imposed strict curfews upon the villagers. In order to avoid harsh punishment for being caught out after curfew a common alibi was invented, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was born. The members of this newly formed group decided to actually start meeting and in addition to sharing books, they served dessert such as potato peel pie, the only pie they could make with the scant supplies available. The club not only ignites a genuine love of reading, but offers a common focus and diversion that helps unite them and carries them through the horrors of war with grace and character. The characters are so delightful and likable, I felt sad to have this uplifting story find it's end. I like a quote that is in the inside cover of the book. "Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers". I am certainly glad that this book found it's way into my home! One of the best recent fiction books written!

The Truth about Sparrows by Marian Hales

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Square Fish (October 16, 2007)

 
Taking place during the Depression, this book is about a girl whose family has had to relocate and like many of the time, take whatever jobs they could get. The beauty of this book is the weaving of a story I could relate with heavily... defining home. Without being didactic, the author takes her reader on a journey as the main character learns that despite her circumstance and what she left behind, she has with her all along what she thought she had lost. Simple but beautifully written!