THE RIVER BETWEEN US

by Richard Peck
Historical Fiction; Civil War; Racism. "During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois."

Follett Library Resources

Richard Peck frames this novel as story within a story. The narrator, a boy, travels with his father in 1916 to see his grandparents. This beginning is a little slow and I wasn't sure where Peck was going. The story really takes off, however, once the grandmother takes over as narrator.The boy picks up the narration at the end, which concludes as a conversation with his grandmother and a revelation.

Truly skillful. Peck is a master! Highly recommended for both a Civil War reading list addition or just a good read.

JACOB HAVE I LOVED

by Katherine Paterson " Newbery Medal, 1981 Filled with resentment over the attention showered upon her twin sister, and awaiting the day she can leave her town behind, young Louise meets a wise old sea captain and begins learning how to let go of her anger."

Follett Library Resources

"Jacob I have loved, but Esau have I hated," Romans 9:13

This is a classic coming of age story with universal appeal. The depth of emotions may be appreciated by both middle and high school students, as well as adult readers. The book begins quietly and gently brings to life a young girl's struggle for identity in a small town in the Chesapeake Bay during World War II. Sara Louise comes alive as a complex girl with frustrations and dreams that are unique in circumstance but understood by all.

COUNTING ON GRACE by Elizabeth Winthrop

"Twelve-year-old Grace Forcier and her friend Arthur, taken out of school and put to work in a Vermont textile mill in 1910, are championed by their teacher who urges them to write the National Child Labor Committee, an action only Grace seems to realize will have serious repercussions."

Follett Library Resources

Winthrop conveys vividly the desperation, danger and hardship that families faced as mill workers. Their world is bleak and hopeless, bearable only through family bonds and caring people such as Grace's teacher and Lewis Hine, the photographer who recorded children laborers. This is a well researched, well written novel, one of my absolute favorites this year. An excellent read aloud or assigned reading choice.

Other good books on this subject are Russell Freedman's "Kids at Work" and of course "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson.