Slave Girl

Slave Girl

By Patricia C McKissack

Summary:
In 1859, 12 year old Clotee is working as a slave in the Henly household in Virginia.   Too young to work in the fields, Clotee is assigned to fan young master William during his lessons.  Unable to read and write, Clotee finds some happiness listening to his lessons.

When a new tutor comes, he catches Clotee reading over William's shoulder. She becomes worried she will be whipped or worse. As winter advances Clotee's work gets harder than ever with all the guests arriving. 'Freedom' is all the slaves ever talk about.  All but Clotee. For Clotee, freedom is just another word that doesn't mean anything.  Yet when Clotee is introduced to a group of abolitionists and the underground railway, her life changes for ever.

Review:
Slave Girl is another book from the My Story series. I very much enjoyed reading Slave Girl because it was just a short read to introduce you to the practice of slavery. Before I read this book I was not very interested in reading about slavery, but this book has gotten me more interested in the subject.

I feel that I relate to the main character, Clotee, because I am almost the same age as her and I love adventures (even if they are only ever in books). I absolutely love the fact that in the book the author gave Clotee a secret love life. Clotee is a very brave and courageous character and so she is a wonderful role model for any young girl. Clotee shows that you should be grateful for what you have.

There is a bit of a challenge in reading this book though -- it is that the entire book is written in what Clotee calls 'slave writing'. That is to say that the book is written like this:

(Example) "I aine 'bout to cook and not eat."
(Real spelling) I am not about to cook and not eat.

Some readers might find it hard to read at first, but after the first 10 pages you'll be reading Slave Girl like it was any other book.

This adventure and romance book is one that any tween would enjoy. I highly recommend it.

225 pages

I'd tell you I love you , but then I'd have to kill you

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

By Ally Carter

Summary:
Cammie Morgan is not who you think she is.  She is not just a normal teenage girl at a normal school.  She speaks 14 languages, can kill with her bare hands, and attends a CIA training school. Cammie's school is very secret.  The girls who attend it are probably the most well-educated girls ever known.  When a new girl, Macey, arrives, it's Cammie's job to help Macey fit in.  On one of Cammie's missions she meets a normal boy who thinks that Cammie is a normal girl.  Cammie's crush on this boy is undeniable, but this crush is also a secret kept from her mom, the headmistress of her school. As the school year goes on Cammie has more missions waiting for her.  Things get complicated when Cammie's missions involve her crush.  Like math, each mission and challenge has an answer.  The trick is to find it.  Along the way Cammie finds out more about Macey and also about keeping secrets.

Every mission gets harder and harder but what Cammie doesn't know, is that her biggest mission yet is sitting right in front of her...

Review:
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You is the first book in the Gallagher Academy series.  It is a great book for any tween or teen. This book takes you into a brand new world. You become a Gallagher Girl.  I like how in every one of Cammie's classes she takes on another dangerous task. I love how Ally Carter, the author, gives a 'behind the scenes look', that is to say that she tells us how, why and which way Cammie handles her missions.  It shows us what Cammie is like, and what she can do with her special skills learned at the Gallagher Academy.

I'd Tell You... is more or less an introduction to the series. It shows an extremely different lifestyle from the one we all know.  That side of the book is good, but I have to say that there is no real mystery in this book. I am not saying that it is a bad book. On the contrary, it is a wonderful introduction to the following books in the series. I'd Tell You... still has the excitement of Cammie's first secret crush. I think that Cammie's expressions and feelings are very well shown. You can tell when Cammie is worried, in shock, pain or even scared.  I'd Tell You...  takes you into the 'spy world' and makes you want to know all the adventures that she will have in the future.

Overall this is a great introduction to the series.  I will be review the next book in the series soon, don't miss it...

284 pages

Prisoners in the Palace

Prisoners in the Palace

By Michaela MacColl

Summary:
In 1836, Liza, a 17 year old girl living in London, is shocked by the sudden death of her wealthy parents. Liza is left with taxes and houses to pay for and is forced to find a job. Liza is offered a job as a lady's maid to princess Victoria. Even though the life of a maid will be difficult, it is the only job Liza is offered, so she accepts right away.

Liza struggles to fit in amongst the other maids at Kensington Palace.  Princess Victoria accepts Liza as more than a maid, as a friend.  On one of Liza's days off she meets a newspaper boy, Will.  Although Liza is deeply in love with Will, her loyalty belongs to the princess. 

King William IV, Victoria's Uncle is close to death and Victoria is next in line to the throne. When Liza figures out that Sir John, a close confidant of princess Victoria's mother, is plotting to steal the throne from Victoria, she knows she must help Victoria.  The two girls team up, but it turns out they have more things to worry about than they had realised.  They can trust no one but themselves, and they don't have much time to find the people plotting against Victoria and to save Victoria's throne.

Review:
Prisoners in the Palace my favourite historical book. Queen Victoria is my all-time favourite queen of England and Prisoners in the Palace is a wonderful representation of Queen Victoria's last months as a princess.

Liza is a fictional character, she is a very real character for me. Liza's life seemed so miserable but when she becomes closer to princess Victoria she is puts all her sadness aside and finds another side of herself. I can feel the friendship between Liza and princess Victoria developing and I see how much stronger and braver Liza becomes. Liza's loyalty, love and care for the young princess is very well shown. In this book Liza faces many challenges alongside princess Victoria. I find that Liza is a very influential person and I hope that one day I will have the same courage as Liza.

Spectacular read! Highly recommended for EVERYONE.

This book was chosen for me by one amazing lady at KidsBooks in Vancouver, all my thanks go out to Sarah. You always find me the best books, don't worry I'll be back soon!!!

362 pages

War Nurse

War Nurse 

By Sue Reid

Summary:
In 1939, the life of Kitty, an 18 year old girl, is turned upside down by one man and his army:  Hitler and the Nazis.  Kitty trains as a Red Cross nurse, and to her surprise, is placed in one of the best hospitals in England.  More scared than excited, Kitty sets to use all her training helping the injured soldiers. When she learns that her young brother Peter is being shipped to France, she hopes never to see him amongst the injured in her care. When Kitty falls in love with one of the patients she becomes distracted from her work and finds herself in more trouble than she had bargained for.

Review:
Many young girls became nurses during the first and second wars.  Each girl has her story but Kitty's is one to be told.  Kitty is the perfect image of a war nurse.  Her emotions are wonderfully described and I feel like I am standing there beside her.  I have heard lots of stories from people about the first and second world wars. War Nurse matches the stories perfectly and describes them vividly.

I relate to Kitty because she is just an innocent girl, living her normal life, when one event changes everything.  Kitty had almost no experience as a nurse but by the end she has become a very experienced and trained nurse.  Overall,  a wonderful read, and this is not a book to miss.

This is a 'My Story' book and, like all 'My Story' books it is written like a diary. There are a lot of books in the 'My Story' series. I have a few of them and chose to review this one first. Stay tuned for other reviews!

188 pages

At the sign of the Sugared Plum

At the Sign of the Sugared Plum

By Mary Hooper

Summary:
Hannah Brown is a normal teenage girl living in a little town not far from London.  Hannah's oldest sister, Sarah, is living in London and is the owner of a sweetmeats shop.   When Hannah is invited to help her sister in London she is filled with excitement.  But when Hannah arrives in London, things are not what she had expected.

As Hannah struggles to fit in with the city styles, she also struggles to survive her worst fear, the plague.  Hannah and her sister Sarah take all the remedies to protect themselves.  Hannah's doctor also  happens to be a young man her age, and she soon has even more on her mind. As Hannah's love life takes hold, so does the plague.  Hannah can help others survive, but can she survive? 

Review:
I really enjoyed this book since it is historical and I love historical books. I had never imagined that the plague could have such an impact in English history. Mary Hooper (author) really makes you feel the same way any other person that was trying to survive the plague would feel.

When I read this book I traveled back more than 300 years and became Hannah Brown. I felt the terror and shock that she felt. I love how Hooper added a love life for Hannah during the plague. This book shows the truth in love, sisterhood and most importantly, survival.

161 pages