It’s 1989 and Christian Florescu lives in Romania under the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu. After the secret police blackmails Christian to be an informer and spy on Americans. In a society built by fear and mistrust, Christian wants to save his grandfather and wants to stay out of trouble so he agrees. Christian uses his connections with the Americans to spread the truth about Ceaușescu and shed light on Romanians living under his harsh rule. When the time to fight comes, Christian is one of the firsts to stand up.
It’s the summer of 1942 and Liza Kaganova more than anything, wants her best friend Aka to come home. Liza's searched all over Leningrad, Russia, even the headquarters of the militia. However, after a messy run in with the militia, Liza can’t go back to there. She runs into two former classmates, one of which is now working for the militia and another who lives in the tunnels. Liza attempts to get them help her. In all the desperation, Liza doesn’t think to look at what is right in front of her.
If you enjoy historical fiction and happy endings, check out this bestseller from one hundred years ago, by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. The first book in the Anne series, Anne of Green Gables provides a peek into a charming world of long-ago, with its setting on quiet, rural Prince Edward Island. Anne is a dreamy, creative 11-year-old orphan who arrives on the island to live with Matthew and Marilla, an elderly brother and sister.
Perhaps the funniest book in the Anne series, Anne of Avonlea follows Anne through her first “grown-up” experience teaching at the local school. L.M. Montgomery introduces several new important characters – the hilarious Mr. Harrison, twins Dora and her bad-boy brother Davy and younger Avonleans of all kinds.
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz is a gripping and emotional novel that tells the stories of two children caught in significant historical events. The book follows Brandon, a 9-year-old boy trapped in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks, and his father, a firefighter trying to rescue the survivors of the crash. It also introduces us to a young girl named Resa in Iraq, whose life is affected by the fallout from the attacks.
In the summer of 1916, 10-year-old Chet Roscow is finally settling into life in Elm Hills, New Jersey. But just as he's making new friends, a terrifying rumor surfaces: sharks have been spotted nearby. When a prank goes too far, Chet finds himself face-to-face with a real danger lurking in the local creek. With no one believing his wild tale, can Chet find a way to protect his town before it's too late? Dive into this thrilling historical adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Summary: Alan Gratz’s Refugee tells three riveting tales about 3 different children and their escape as refugees to freedom. The book jumps between the stories of these children, telling truly bone chilling tales of their escapes, sacrifices, and hardships to get to freedom.
Wuthering Heights is a tale of lovers given over to madness and the effect their love has on others near to them. The reader deals with doubt as the characters change so drastically throughout the story. Emily Bronte weaves a psychologically challenging narrative that is so different from the common love story. Mr. Lockwood arrives at Wuthering Heights only to convey his gratitude toward his new landlord. Mr. Lockwood is the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange, owned by the morose and mysterious Mr. Heathcliff.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke is a historical fantasy novel set in an alternate 19th-century England where magic once existed but has long since faded into obscurity. The story follows two magicians: the reclusive and cautious Mr. Norrell, who seeks to revive English magic through scholarly study and practical feats, and the charismatic and daring Jonathan Strange, who becomes Norrell’s pupil and later his rival.
The Help features three women who are seemingly ordinary that take an extra step to become extraordinary. It's 1962 and Skeeter has just graduated and returns home to her mother, who is unhappy that Skeeter has a degree but not a husband. Aibileen is a black maid who is raising her next white child out of many, and after the death of her only son, she becomes devoted to make a change to a child that is not hers. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is known to have lost many jobs because of her sharp tongue.
