Historical: "Revolver"

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Sedgwick, Marcus. Revolver. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2009.

1899 in the Arctic frontier was a time of hope, greed, steadfastness, and despair. In this wild north one family is caught between their faith and their years of desperation. All this while in the company of their constant silent companion, the Colt revolver.

When Sig's father is found dead, frozen on the ice within a mile of their cabin, Sig must assume responsibility for his sister Anna and his stepmother Nadya. He sends them for help and he elects to stay with the dead body of his father which is laid out on the table. This brave gesture leaves him alone with only stifled tears when the knock comes at the door.

There at the door stands a giant of a man, a man with a face not, "stroked into creation by God's loving hand, but battered into shape by the Devil's hammer." This man would send Sig's world crashing down on him as he accuses Sig's father of stealing a horde of gold ten years ago in Nome. Wolff's story makes Sig question everything he knew about his father while at the same time remembering everything his father taught him.

As he is tested and terrified by the stranger, he also remembers his dead mothers quiet whisper, "have faith." All the while thinking about the colt revolver hidden in the box. Does Sig dare to use the gun? Are his mother's children murderers? Will Wolffe use the gun he's brought?Read this story to find out which will rule the hour, Sig, the murderer, or the Revolver.

Historical: "The Luxe"

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Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

One longs for love, one longs for luxury, two long for Henry Schoonmaker, who will his truelove be?

Elizabeth, Penelope, Diana, and Lina swirl through mists of love and intrigue in 1899 New York. Wrapped in miles of antique shell pink satin, but with a modern heart, Elizabeth Holland is torn by the twin motivations of conscience and craving. As for her "best friend" Penelope, jealously fuels her every move. And poor Lina's feeling a little put out. Well, who wouldn't be a little put out when your childhood friend starts treating you like her maid? Which you are. And finally there's Diana...

"Diana was about to slip away quickly when she looked at Henry and decided that she wasn't done with him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the parlor on the east side of the house...When they were on the other side of the oak door, she reluctantly let go of his hand. She looked up at the great canvases above, with their dark, roiling seas. They seemed to Diana like an approximation of her own feelings at the moment."

This sumptuous novel of luxury and extravagance will bring to life the social scene of turn of the century New York exposing the naked hearts of four of it's most captivating residents.

YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Fame and Fortune (2009)

Verse Novel: "Out of the Dust"

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Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997.

A young girl comes of age in Oklahoma as dust storms combine with the Great Depression to create a mountain of hardships.

Dust can be angry and dust can be mean, and the dust storms that settled on Oklahoma during the great depression could break a family's heart. This is the story of one such family- a man, a woman, and a girl. A story of challenges faced when the soil dries up and partners with the wind and becomes an aggressor in a war without end.

"On Sunday,
winds came,
bringing a red dust
like prairie fire,
hot and peppery,
searing the inside of my nose,
the whites of my eyes,
Roaring dust,
turning the day from sunlight to midnight."

When Billie Jo's mother is killed, she must not only weather the storms outside, but she must also weather the silence of being neglected and overlooked by her father. This is their story. A story of dust and rain. But also a story of blossoming hopes.

Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award. Booklist Editors' Choice. YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. ALA Notable Children's Book. Newbery Medal. School Library Journal Best Book.

Historical: "Wolf by the Ears"

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Rinaldi, Ann. Wolf by the Ears. NY: Scholastic, 1991.

Time is running out for Harriet Hemmings, rumored to be the daughter of Thomas Jefferson, who must choose between a life at Monticello and a life of freedom. This historical novel is told in the form of a diary.

Harriet will be turning twenty-one soon and will be forced to choose between the only home she's ever known and true freedom. The kind of freedom which can only be bought through secrets and disguise.

Well dressed, well schooled, well fed, and well loved. Harriet Hemmings has it all. Or does she? Raised at Monticello, the daughter of Sally Hemmings, she is also rumored to be the daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Thus she is held in high esteem by the man himself and feels in her heart that he will protect her. But he is getting old and losing his money. If something happens to him, what will happen to her? Would she be sold with the place? Or will the slaves in Virginia be set free? When the Governor of Virginia pleads with her to take her freedom she is hesitant and says, "But you're going to free Virginia's slaves."

He replies, "The pro-slavery people in this state are too strong. Look at my father-in-law. He can't make his mind up about slavery. Hates it, yes. Says it's a wolf America has by the ears. And that we can no longer hold onto it. But neither can we let it go."

If Harriet doesn't take her chance when her time comes, can she count on continuing to be treated well? Or will she too be caught like a wolf by the ears?

Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award.