Blue Thread Book Review

 Author: Ruth Tenzer Feldman. Release date: 2012. Publisher: Ooligan Press. ISBN: 9781932010411.

Annotation: In 1912 Portland, Oregon, sixteen-year-old Miriam Josefsohn wants nothing more than to become a businesswoman and help the women’s suffrage movement, both things her strict father would never dream of allowing her to do. Everything changes, however, when Miriam’s uncle gives her a family heirloom: a prayer shawl with a single blue thread that has the power to transport Miriam thousands of years in the past to the time of Moses.  

Personal thoughts: I hadn’t heard much of anything about this novel prior to picking it up, but as a Portland, Oregon native I wanted to give it a try. Fortunately it is one of those gems that somehow always seem to get lost in the sea of young adult literature. Obviously, I really liked this novel pretty much from start to finish. It is well-written and not overly wordy or dramatic. Miriam is really likable and I found myself cheering her on as she struggled to stand up for herself against her misogynistic father. I also loved reading about turn-of-the-century Portland and learned a lot about the women’s suffrage movement and the Daughters of Zelophehad. I think that Blue Thread could easily have a place in the classroom, especially as a novel that enhances education about a certain time in history, or simply as a good book for both teens and adults to enjoy.

Plot summary: Being a well-to-do girl in 1912 Portland, Oregon doesn’t give sixteen-year-old Miriam Josefsohn the freedom to choose what kind of life she leads. Her strict German-born father insists that Miriam be a proper young lady, which means that she will never be able to work a job, cannot get involved in politics like the women’s suffrage movement, and needs to focus on what’s important: getting married to a wealthy Jewish man. The problem is that Miriam wants nothing to do with marriage, and wishes she could become a businesswoman and suffragette. Everything changes, however, when Miriam meets Serakh, a girl her age with bronze skin and a long white braid who asks her about a prayer shawl with a single blue thread. Miriam has never seen such a prayer shawl, but is shocked a few days later when her uncle gives her a family heirloom he has been keeping for her: her great-grandmother’s prayer shawl with a single blue thread. When Serakh returns, she informs Miriam that the shawl has the power to transport Miriam thousands of years in the past to the time of the Daughters of Zelophehad: five sisters in biblical times who sought the right to inherit their father’s lands. Miriam learns that the daughters need her help in their struggle for justice, and that their plight might influence her own generations later.  

Review: History author Ruth Tenzer Feldman demonstrates her prowess at creating enjoyable, thoughtful works of fiction with Blue Thread. Combining historical fiction, fantasy, and Jewish fiction, Feldman weaves a tale that both educates and entertains readers who are interested in experiencing something less fluffy and melodramatic as other novels for teens. The most successful part of Blue Thread is, without-a-doubt, the protagonist, Miriam. The character is well-written to the point that by the end of the novel, the reader feels like she is a long-lost friend. Although she lives 100 years ago, modern teens will find much to identify with in Miriam’s struggle to prove to her parents that she is capable and independent. Miriam evolves throughout the story, learning from her travels to the past, and ending her journey on a very exciting note. The time travel aspect of the novel is interesting and adds a level of fantasy to the book, but more important is Miriam’s efforts to champion women’s rights in general. The author does an excellent job of intertwining the fantasy and historical fiction components of the story, but the novel is primarily a coming-of-age story about a really likable and admirable young woman.

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul by Leanna Renee Hieber.   

Themes:  Women’s suffrage movement, Portland, Oregon, father/daughter relationships, time travel, Judaism, the Bible.  

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from authors Karen Cushman, Anne Osterlund Swan, Janice Dilg and David Michael Slater.  

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

-     Why do you think Miriam’s father was so strict? Do you think that his beliefs were normal for the time period?

-      Explain why Miriam’s father was so opposed to her having the prayer shawl. Did his attitude change in the novel?

-     What was the significance of Baloo in the events of the story?

-      How did Miriam help Tirtzah and her sisters fight for justice? How did they help her?

-       If you lived in 1912, do you think you would have been like Miriam and fought for women’s right to vote? Why or why not?

-      Describe how Miriam is similar to a sixteen-year-old girl in 2012. How is she different?

 

 

 

 

Tempest Book Review

Author: Julie Cross. Release date: 2012. Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin. ISBN: 9780312568894.

Annotation: It’s 2009, and nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a college student in New York City who recently discovered a startling new talent: he can jump back and forth through time. One day, however, he is attacked by uniformed men who seem to know who he is and what he can do. After the men shoot his girlfriend, Holly, Jackson panics and jumps back in time to 2007. Holly is still alive, but there is one major problem: Jackson can’t seem to return to 2009.

Personal thoughts: I love time travel stories, but this one was different from any I had ever read. Usually one of the main components of time travel is changing something in the future, but that concept was completely absent from this story and it was hard for me to get used to that at first. Once I embraced the mechanics behind the time travel in this trilogy, however, I really enjoyed the novel. I think Julie Cross has created some interesting characters that will be able to hold the story up throughout the series. I also liked that the main character was an older teen; it’s not something that happens very often in paranormal young adult fiction. I’m looking forward to seeing where this trilogy heads.

Plot summary: The year is 2009, and nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a happy-go-lucky college student who spends most of his time with his girlfriend, Holly. One day, however, Jackson discovers that he has developed a strange new talent: he can jump back and forth through time. Unsure of who he can trust with this new found skill, Jackson confides in his best friend and science-geek, Adam, who develops a series of experiments for Jackson to test his abilities. It seems that Jackson can only jump back in time a few days at the most, and nothing he does in the past seems to have any impact on his current life when he returns. What Jackson doesn’t know is that his skills are about to be put to the test, however, when two uniformed men arrive at his dorm room one morning and seem to know who he is and what he can do. While struggling with the two men, Holly is accidentally shot, and, in a panic, Jackson jumps back in time. He finds himself in the year 2007, far earlier than he has ever jumped before, and unable to return to 2009. He also learns that the 2007 version of himself has disappeared. Confused and determined to ensure Holly’s safety, Jackson tries to find a way to return to 2009 before it’s too late.

Review: Time travel is always a popular concept in young adult novels, and Julie Cross offers a fresh perspective with the first book in her new trilogy, Tempest. The story begins already set in the past, letting the reader know right away that they are in for something different. Jumping through time for nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer isn’t like riding in a car outfitted with a flux-capacitor: he can only go back a few days at the most, and nothing he does changes the future. After he finds himself in 2007 and unable to return to his current time, the science of exactly how he travels through time becomes far more cerebral. The author doesn’t shy away from making the reader think about how it all works, making for a novel with enough depth to last through the trilogy. There is also a strong mystery element to the plot, as well as a romance that is sweet without being overly gushy. The novel ends with a cliffhanger that will definitely leave readers longing for the sequel, which is set to be released in 2013.

Genre: Science-fiction

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Counter Clockwise by Jason Cockroft, Hourglass by Myra McEntire.

Themes: Time travel, conspiracy, romance, CIA.  

Awards/Reviews: Starred review from Kirkus,  positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Library Journal and Entertainment Weekly.

Series Information: First book in Tempest trilogy. Second book set to be released in 2013.  

Discussion questions:

- Why do you think there is a conflict between the CIA and the EOTs?
- If you were Jackson, would you have tried to date Holly in 2007? Why or why not?
- Do you think Jackson should trust his father? Dr. Melvin? Chief Marshall? Why or why not?
- What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

The Freedom Maze Book Review

 Author: Delia Sherman. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Big Mouth House. ISBN: 9781931520300.

Annotation: In 1960 Louisiana, thirteen-year-old Sophie Martineau is sent by her recently divorced mother to Oak Cottage, an old plantation on the bayou, to stay with her grandmother for the summer. Bored and lonely, Sophie makes a wish that inadvertently transports her 100 years in the past, where, after being mistake for a slave, she experiences life on a pre-Civil War plantation.

Personal thoughts: I am a big fan of both historical fiction and time travel, so this book was right up my alley. I thought the author did an outstanding job of describing the plantation and life as a slave in 1860. The reader is truly transported into this tumultuous period of time, something that I think would be very valuable for tween or teen readers who are learning about the Civil War or slavery. The author’s passion for this era, as well as slave narratives and memoirs, is very evident throughout the novel, and adds that much more to the already exceptional story.

Plot summary: In 1960 New Orleans, thirteen-year-old Sophie Martineau is struggling to cope with her parents’ recent divorce. Her father has moved to New York City, and her former best friend is no longer allowed to socialize with the child of a single mother. To make matters worse, Sophie’s mother has decided to send her to Oak Cottage, an old plantation outside of New Orleans, to stay with her grandmother and aunt for the summer. Bored and lonely, Sophie makes a wish to be someone else, and is inadvertently transported back in time to 1860. Having spent several weeks in the sun exploring the bayou of Oak Cottage, Sophie’s tanned skin causes her to be mistaken for a slave, and she is immediately put to work in Oak River House, the luxurious home of her ancestors, the Fairchilds. Sophie is used to the racial segregation in the south of 1960, but nothing prepares her for the cruelty and discrimination she experiences as a slave in a pre-Civil War plantation.  

Review:  Inspired by real life slave narratives and memoirs, veteran author Delia Sherman’s The Freedom Maze proves to be a well-written and intriguing novel that is both entertaining and educational. Although the story involves time travel to the 19^th century, it begins in the past, over fifty years ago, at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Sophie is a complex character, as is her mother, a recently divorced, bitter woman who warns Sophie against associating with “negroes,” especially men. As was likely the case with many children during this period of time, Sophie is unsure of exactly why she is supposed to be afraid of African Americans, but takes her mother’s word for it, trying hard to be a proper southern lady. Sherman does an excellent job of conveying Sophie’s frustration, both with her parents’ divorce and her “exile” at the Oak River plantation. The story gets even more layered, however, after Sophie travels back to 1860. The many plantation slaves become to focus of Sophie’s new life, as do the ancestors she is forced to serve after they assume she is the light-skinned offspring of a relative and his servant. The author’s description of life on the plantation, from vocabulary to daily tasks, is very well done, and gives The Freedom Maze enough historical accuracy to have a strong place in the classroom. Overall, an exceptional novel that can easily be enjoyed by tweens, teens and adults, particularly those with an interest in American history.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Kindred by Octavia E. Butler.   

Themes:  Time travel, slavery, plantations, racism, divorce, American history, the South, the Civil War.

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from Kirkus, positive reviews from authors Alaya Dawn Johnson, N.K. Jemisin, Nisi Shawl, Cory Doctorow, Jane Yolen, Holly Black, and Elizabeth Knox.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

-     Compare life for African Americans in 1860 to 1960. How were African Americans treated in each time period? Do you think things were that different between 1860 and 1960?

-     Why do you think the Fairchilds mistook Sophie for a slave? Do you think they would have treated her differently if they thought she was white?

-      Why do you think Antigua was so upset when she thought Sophie lost her free papers?

-      What do you think Sophie learned by living life as a slave in 1860?

-      Do you think life for African Americans has changed between 1960 and the present? How?

-       Read an actual slave narrative and compare Delia Sherman’s descriptions of life on a plantation. How historically accurate do you think The Freedom Maze is?

-     Why do you think the novel is called The Freedom Maze? What is the significance of the maze in the story?

The Blackhope Enigma Book Review

Author: Teresa Flavin. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Templar. ISBN: 9780763656941.

Annotation: After her stepbrother mysteriously vanishes while walking through a labyrinth in Blackhope Tower, fourteen-year-old Sunni and her classmate Blaise follow him into an enchanted Renaissance-era painting that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries.

Personal thoughts: The idea of people entering enchanted paintings is something I relish, and I found this story to be, in a word, delightful. Although the characters left just a tiny bit to be desired in terms of development, I really enjoyed venturing into the world that Teresa Flavin created. The concept of the layered worlds in the painting was really intriguing, and I loved seeing how the story played out as the characters got further into the painting. I’m looking forward to reading The Crimson Shard and hope that it can live up to what The Blackhope Enigma accomplishes.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Sunni Forrest and her classmate Blaise Doran are both studying famous Renaissance artist Fausto Corvo for a project at their English school. Sunni enjoyed getting top marks in her class for her artistic skills, that is until Blaise blew in from America and wowed everyone with his intricate drawings. One afternoon while studying a painting called The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia housed in the chambers of the neighboring Blackhope Tower, Sunni’s tag-along twelve-year-old stepbrother, Dean, suddenly vanishes while walking through a labyrinth set up in front of the painting. Sunni and Blaise are shocked when they realize that Dean has been transported into the painting, spotting his out-of-place figure amongst the Renaissance inhabitants of Corvo’s work. Determined to rescue Dean, Sunni follows him into the painting. When neither Sunni nor Dean reappear from The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, Blaise decides to enter the work himself the following day, feeling partially responsible for their vanishing into the painting. What Sunni, Dean and Blaise discover is an intricate series of worlds layered upon top of one another in the painting. Each realm is beautiful, but dangerous, allowing visitors to move forward from land to land, but not in reverse. The trio soon realizes that the only way out of the painting is to continue on into the unknown, but will they survive what lies ahead long enough to return home?

Review:  Harkening to the traditions of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, The Blackhope Enigma, first in a series of novels for young adults by illustrator turned author, Teresa Flavin, brings a fresh, original, and enthralling tale that easily appeals to fantasy fans of all ages. The novel cuts right to the chase, immediately beginning Sunni, Dean and Blaise’s adventure from almost the first pages. The concept of the layered painting and various worlds that the trio experience is not only unique, but very entertaining. Readers will delight in finding out “what comes next” in The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, with each layer adding more and more to the story. The inclusion of art history in the novel, from discussions of various painting techniques to a look at the society of the Renaissance, adds an element to The Blackhope Enigma that will appeal to educators who might want to spark an interest in this era. The characters of the novel, though somewhat underdeveloped, are enjoyable as well and will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers who can identify with some of Sunni and Dean’s brother/sister antics. Overall, The Blackhope Enigma is a wonderful start to a fun and exciting series. The second novel, The Crimson Shard, tells of another adventure involving Sunni and Blaise and was published in October 2011.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 5+

Similar titles: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce.

Themes:  Art, time travel, betrayal, Renaissance.

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Scholastic Parent & Child and Library Media Connection.    

Series Information: Sequel, The Crimson Shard, released in October 2011.   

Discussion questions: 

-       Have you ever had someone who wanted to do a project on the same topic as you? Did this bother you like it did Sunni? Why or why not?

-     Do you think Blaise did the right thing in following Sunni and Dean into the painting?

-    Why do you think Marin thought Sunni and Dean were spies?

-     Do you think Angus got what he deserved? Why or why not?

Wake Unto Me Book Review

Author: Lisa Cach. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Speak. ISBN: 9780142414361.

Annotation:  Fifteen-year-old Caitlyn Monahan hopes that the mysterious scholarship she received to a French boarding school thousands of miles from her Oregon home will help rid her of the nightmares that have plagued her for years. What Caitlyn doesn’t expect upon arriving at Château de la Fortune is that her dreams will become more vivid than ever, bringing with them the very real and handsome Raphael, a resident of the Château four centuries before.

Personal thoughts:  I am surprised that I haven’t heard more about this book because I really liked it! It was very well-written and flowed very easily and naturally. Caitlyn is a great character and, despite the fact that she is self-admittedly “moody,” easy to identify with. I really enjoyed the bits of history that the author threw in, including references to the Knights Templar and the de’ Medici family. The romance between Caitlyn and Raphael was also very enjoyable. I am really looking forward to reading Foxfire and can’t wait to see where the series goes!

Plot summary: Fifteen-year-old Caitlyn Monahan feels misunderstood by everyone in her small Oregon town. Nicknamed “moan-and-groan” for her constant depressive mood, Caitlyn wants nothing more than to escape someplace where she won’t be an outcast and where the strange dreams and nightmares that have plagued her for years won’t haunt her every waking moment. One day, Caitlyn receives a strange e-mail from the headmistress of Château de la Fortune, a boarding school thousands of miles away in southeastern France. Not sure why she has been given the opportunity to apply, Caitlyn is even more astonished when the school offers her a full scholarship. After arriving in France and beginning her new life at the Château, Caitlyn hopes that she has finally found a place where she will fit in and where her nightmares won’t follow her. Instead, the dreams become more vivid than ever, and now include a handsome young man named Raphael who appears to be living in the very same Château hundreds of years earlier. As Caitlyn learns more the history of the castle, she discovers that Raphael was a real person, and the adopted son of Bianca de’ Medici, a mysterious woman who was burned at the stake for witchcraft in the 16^th century. Unsure if her dreams are real or just a result of her overactive imagination, Caitlyn tries to uncover the truth about her visions of the past, and what part they might play in her future at the Château.

Review:  Full of romance, history, and the appeal of a good ghost story, Wake Unto Me is a charming, enjoyable mystery from veteran author Lisa Cach. One of the strongest elements of the novel are the characters. Well-developed and interesting, it is easy for the reader to identify with Caitlyn and her longing to find a place that feels like “home.” The supporting characters, including Caitlyn’s new friends, Naomi and Amalia, the strict headmistress of the Château, Madame Snowe, and the handsome man of Caitlyn’s dreams (literally), Raphael, add a great deal of depth to the story as well. The history of the de’ Medici family, the Knights Templar, and the crusades create a rich background for the events of the story. Fans of historical fiction, ghost stories, romance, and mystery will all appreciate this novel. Overall, an excellent beginning to a new series that will delight both teen and adult readers. The sequel, Foxfire, is set to be released in summer 2012.

Genre: Mystery/Ghost Story

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: The River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren, Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon, Hereafter by Tara Hudson.  

Themes:  Time travel, dreams, nightmares, France, de' Medici family, ghosts.   

Awards/Reviews:  Written by award-winning author.    

Series Information: Sequel, Foxfire, set to be released in summer 2012.  

Discussion questions:

- Why do you think Caitlyn’s classmates in Oregon called her “moan-and-groan”?

- Would you be able to move to France like Caitlyn did? Why or why not?

- Research the history of the de’ Medici family. How did the author include historical facts in the novel?

- What do you think happens to Caitlyn when she’s dreaming?

-  What would you like to see happen in the sequel?

Waterfall: A Novel Book Review

Author: Lisa T. Bergren. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  David C. Cook. ISBN: 9781434764331.

Annotation:  After discovering a mysterious time portal in an ancient Etruscan tomb, seventeen-year-old Gabrielle finds herself transported back in time to 14^th century Italy. Lost in the war-torn countryside, Gabrielle falls under the protection of Castello Forelli, one of two opposing sides of a civil war, and the handsome Marcello, a brave knight who is next-in-line to rule the Forelli lands.

Personal thoughts:  I love time travel, so I was really excited about reading this novel. Although I found it to be glaringly wholesome (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it was just very obvious), I did enjoy Waterfall. The story took a little time to really get moving, but once it did I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen with Gabi, Lia and Marcello. I’m looking forward to finishing the series by reading the next two novels, and am interested to see what else the author publishes in the future.  

Plot summary: Seventeen-year-old Gabrielle “Gabi” Betarrini and her fifteen-year-old sister Evangelia “Lia” are stuck working with their archaeologist mother in the Italian countryside for the summer. Bored out of their minds and finding no entertainment in the Etruscan ruins, Gabi and Lia decide one afternoon to explore a recently unearthed tomb. Upon entering the ancient shrine, Gabi and Lia discover two handprints etched into the stone wall: handprints that match their own perfectly and that are warm to the touch. After she and Lia both place their hands on the wall, Gabi finds herself alone in the tomb surrounded in darkness. Struggling to find the exit, Gabi emerges in the midst of a battle between two sets of medieval looking knights. After nearly getting killed herself, Gabi discovers that she has transported back in time to the 14^th century. Her rescuers, knights of Castello Forelli, take her to their walled stronghold nearby, mistaking her for a noble woman from far away Normandy. Gabi is shaken by what has happened, but even more worried about Lia: both girls placed their hands on the wall of the tomb at the same time, but Lia is nowhere to be found. Determined to find her sister, Gabi finds herself distracted by the handsome Lord Marcello, heir to the throne of Castello Forelli. It seems that Gabi has landed smack in the middle of a conflict that has been brewing for decades between Castello Forelli and the neighboring Castello Paratore. Will Gabi be able to survive the bloody war, and the dashing good looks of Marcello, long enough to find Lia, and get back to her own time?

Review:  Veteran author Lisa T. Bergren begins a new series for young adults with Waterfall, one that includes time travel, romance, action, and lots of charm. Gabi and Lia’s story begins almost immediately with the author wasting little to no time thrusting the girls back into the 14^th century Italian countryside. Although some of Gabi’s skills that are uncovered after travelling back in time, i.e. her ability to speak medieval Italian, her knowledge of fencing, and her healing abilities, are a little reminiscent of Mark Twain’s tongue-in-cheek A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, her adventures fighting alongside the knights of Castello Forelli ultimately prove entertaining. The religious aspects of the novel (Gabi seems to struggle with the constant religious references of the medieval Italians) do not go unnoticed, adding an interesting component to the story that is not overpowering. Overall, Waterfall is an enjoyable first installment in Bergren’s River of Time series. The second and third novels, Cascade and Torrent were also released in 2011.

Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Reading level: Grade 6+

Similar titles: Cascade and Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren.    

Themes:  Time travel, Italy, medieval times, sibling relationships, romance.

Awards/Reviews:  Written by award-winning author.

Series Information: First installment in River of Time series. Cascade and Torrent are sequels.  

Discussion questions: 

- Who were the Etruscans?

- Research 14^th century Italy. What was life like in those times?

- Who was “the poet” that Gabi and Fortino were discussing? How are his works important in literary history?

- Why do you think that Lia travelled back in time after Gabi?

- Do you think it was right for the Forellis to torture the men who destroyed the manor? Why or why not?

- What would you like to see happen in the second and third novels in this series?

Little Women and Me Book Review

 Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens. ISBN: 9781599905143.

Annotation:  After a school assignment prompts her to pick one thing she would change in a classic novel, fourteen-year-old Emily March finds herself transported into the world of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. While the story continues around her, Emily assumes her new role as middle March sister, and hopes that she can influence the outcomes of certain events in the book, particularly those concerning the March’s “hot neighbor,” Laurie.    

Personal thoughts:  The 1994 film version of Little Women is one of my all-time favorite movies and is what prompted me to read Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel when I was younger. As an essential lifelong fan of the story, I was intrigued to read this adaptation. The result was far beyond my expectations! I’m not sure if I have ever laughed as much while reading a novel. The clever things that Emily says about the March sisters (basically a vehicle for the author to comment on the original story herself) are, in a word, hilarious. I also really liked the more heartwarming aspects of Emily’s life in Little Women, and was especially pleased with the outcome of the story. I would highly recommend this novel to any fans of the original, or as a means of generating interest in reading the classic.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Emily March is fed up with being the middle sister. The love of her life, Jackson, only has eyes for Emily’s older sister, Charlotte, and, to make matters worse, her weird English teacher assigned an essay over the weekend.  The assignment is to take a novel and select one thing to change in the plot. Emily immediately reaches for Louisa May Alcott’s classic Little Women, one of her favorite books, and mulls over whether to write about preventing Beth from passing away or ensuring that Laurie ends up with Jo instead of Amy. As she’s thinking, Emily is suddenly transported back in time and finds herself living in the world of Little Women. Emily doesn’t know how or why she has arrived not only in 1860s New England but as a member of the March family. As the events of the original story continue around her, Emily learns to adapt to her new life with older sisters Meg and Jo and younger sisters Beth and Amy. Being a 21^st century teen in 1860s Massachusetts, however, has its downsides. Not only is Emily plagued with Victorian sensibilities, a war, and, hairy legs, she is also engaged in a battle of wills with Jo over the attentions of Laurie, the March’s teenage next-door neighbor. Will Emily be able to accomplish both of the changes she had in mind for Little Women?

Review:  Amongst the recent bevy of modern adaptations of classic novels, Little Women and Me stands out as a must-read for anyone with even the slightest hint of liking for the original story. The novel immediately takes the reader into Louisa May Alcott’s creation. Those who have read Little Women will recognize characters, events and even quotes from the classic. The addition of Emily, a clever and sarcastic 21^st-century fourteen-year-old, makes for a delightful and laugh-out-loud take on the original novel. Emily pokes fun at some of the oddities in the story: Beth’s affinity for kittens, limbless dolls and all things pathetic, Jo’s irritatingly evident penchant for independence, and Amy’s obsession with her nose. Fans of Little Women will find many moments of hilarity in Baratz-Logsted’s creative adaptation. The story also takes several twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing, particularly as to the exact nature of Emily’s presence in the March house. Overall, Little Women and Me is a funny, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable update of a classic novel. Those who have not read Louisa May Alcott’s version will need to brush up on the basics, but Little Women and Me can also be enjoyed by people who are not as familiar with the original.

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters.  

Themes:  Little Women, Louisa May Alcott, sisters, time travel.   

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from Kirkus.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

- What would you like to change about the original Little Women story?

- Which of the March sisters (not including Emily) is your favorite? Why?

- Did you enjoy this adaptation of a classic novel? Why or why not?

- What lesson did Emily need to learn from being stuck in Little Women? Do you think she learned it?