The Scarlet Letter was a piece of literature that I was required to read for my junior year English class, and I ended up really enjoying it. The book explored themes of human emotion, guilt, regret, and judgment, and it really forced me to reflect on the differences in society back then and now. Hawthorne did a beautiful job with displaying imperfect characters that he wanted the audience to connect with in some way.
Summary: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel set during World War II, focusing on the lives of two French sisters, Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol. As the Nazis occupy France, Vianne is forced to endure the hardships and moral dilemmas of living under enemy rule while trying to protect her daughter. Meanwhile, the rebellious Isabelle joins the French Resistance, risking her life to save downed Allied airmen and undermine the German forces.
Hotel Rwanda is a movie about the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who protected refugees during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The movie is about the events leading up to the genocide, as well as the violence and chaos that ensued. Rusesabagina uses his connections and resources to protect over a thousand refugees, risking his own life in the process. I watched this movie at school. I would not have normally watched it, but I liked it.
The Book Thief is a historical fiction book by Markus Zusak. The book takes place in Germany during WWII and is narrated by Death. After the death of Liesel's brother and being separated from her mother, Liesel is taken in by a foster family just outside of Munich. Using a book she found in the snow, Liesel learns to read and becomes very close with her foster father, Hans. As the war progresses, Liesel's family hides a Jew in their basement, and Liesel will go to extreme lengths to defend him.
Frannie Tasker is an adventurous young girl who is stuck living under the gaze of her terrible stepfather. While diving for a shipwreck, she comes across an opportunity to assume a whole new identity under the name of sophisticated lady Emmeline Coates. She knows she can tell no one or it will cost her, but that changes when she meet Asa. Asa teaches her how to truly pass as Emmeline Coates, who becomes her new life for the next few years. While living as Emmeline during a time of war, she steps into risky territory.
The Crucible is a fictional tragedy based on the Salem witch trials which captures the spirit of fear and hysteria perfectly. It is a play written by Arthur Miller during the the tense era of McCarthyism trying to draw a parallel between the anti-communist hunt taking place in America during the time and the witch hunt in Salem, in turn showing the dangers of hysteria.
The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. After his mother’s death in 1935, Pierrot is now an orphan. He feels alone until he discovers that his Aunt Beatrix is arranging for him to live with her. Aunt Beatrix works as a servant in Aldolf Hitler’s home located on top of a German mountain. As Pierrot begins to adapt to his new life, he and Hitler form an unusual relationship.
SUMMARY: Odysseus, stranded on an island, makes it out alive through the favoritism of the Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes. An adventurous, sorrowful and tragic twenty-one long year journey back to Ithaca he takes to see his beloved home as Poseidon chases after him, wanting him dead. Many lives are lost during the journey, only for him to find out that there are hordes of hubris men overstaying their visit.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II. In this book, Bruno and his family leave their home in Berlin and move near a concentration camp where his father is now a commandant. In Berlin, Bruno had several close friends and loved exploring his house. After moving, he misses his friends and longs for his days of exploring to return.
Mila 18 by Leon Uris is a historical novel set in Warsaw, Poland, during World War II, focusing on the Jewish resistance fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto. The story follows a diverse group of characters as they struggle against the Nazi occupation and the atrocities of the Holocaust. The titular Mila 18 is a bunker where the resistance makes its last stand against the overwhelming forces of the German army during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.
