Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

Catherine is quite the interesting girl. She would be the typical everyday girl in this period in England (1290). She lives in a manor. It is a small manor but she helps her mother to tend to sicknesses and embroiders a lot. She is not too happy with her lot in life. She is especially not excited to be told she has to marry who her father choses for her. This is a story of her defiance and her dreams of her own life.

I like this book. I thought it was most unique. Some parts could be a little crude such as talking about relieving one’s bladder and body parts but I think it helped to understand the crudeness of this period of time. This is not a lady like girl. The book is also written like a diary which is a fun way to get the idea across.

I learned much about this period of time especially about how their homes worked in regards to the king. I love how the author adds notes at the end. I didn’t realize what a Historical Fiction kind of person I am. This book is right along those lines.

Alternate covers:

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

I love the movie called "Ella Enchanted" a lot.  I also like this book too.  But I think they are both unique works and the movie does not follow the book.  It is like a separate work.  The main idea of someone having to be obedient is one of the few things similar but, not much else otherwise.  They are both good but not really the same story.  Ella is given a gift at birth...an awful gift.  She must be obedient.  See how she does deals with it and see how it is similar to a fairytale we all know.  This book is so fun to read.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

This book is a Newberry Honor Book. I love this book. It is a story about Miri. Miri lives in the mountains with her sister, Marda, and her father. The people in her village work in a quarry. Her father won’t let Miri work there. She doesn’t feel useful with her family.

Then news from royalty comes that the prince will chose someone from Mount Eskel to be the princess. An academy is started to train the girls. There are many obstacles, dreams, surprises, learning, and hardships that happen in the academy and Miri misses her family.

This is an exciting adventure. I love Miri and love the romance that goes on in the book. I highly recommend this book.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Okay, if I were to only read inside the cover I would have never read this book. She talks of private parts right off. I think this inside cover is to attract those who may be a reluctant reader. The book doesn't have a lot more parts like that, but there is a naked scene, that made me uncomfortable. But, that was a reality to be aware of.

That being said, I loved this book. It deserves the Newbery Honor Award. It is intriguing to learn about Alcatraz and Al Capone, the prisoner. I enjoyed the author's notes at the end. Whether I realized it or not, I learned things about this famous prison.

I was also really interested in Moose's sister's problems. She covers Autism beautifully and with compassion. It helped me feel grateful that those with Autism seem more understood now-a-days. There is still room for improvement in today's world though.

I was able to listen as the author talked to a bunch of teachers and librarians and I was impressed to learn that her sister had the same type of problems. She talks with understanding and a knowledge of being there. I found the theme that we love those with Autism and they do much better to be beautiful.

It is a wonderful book and I couldn't put it down. I love the characters. I'd recommend this any day.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Turner is a young boy who moves to a new community because his dad is the new minister. He doesn’t really like the new community. They play baseball differently, they aren’t that nice, and his dad is trying so hard to impress the community that he is extra strict with Turner.

Turner meets a little girl named Lizzie. She is from an island founded by former black slaves. These people live a very simple life. Turner and Lizzy become friends and discover a plan that the community has will leave Lizzy and her people without a home.

This is a story about friendship and about cruelty of people and of the goodness of people. This book is based on an event that actually happened. It is an impressive book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

It deserves the Newberry Honor, and Printz Honor Awards. I loved it from beginning to end.

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

This book starts out slow, but soon I find myself invested in the main character, May Amelia.

The book doesn’t have quotes when people speak. It just capitalized at the front of sentences of the quoted line. It’s kind of strange but it works. It gives the feel of a little girl in the frontier period. It helps us think like her.

I highly recommend reading this, but be prepared that it takes a minute to get into.

This was a 2000 Newbery Honor Book