Books

Meet Samantha: An American Girl (American Girls series Book 1) by Susan S. Adler
FIC ADL
Meet Samantha is a marvelous story about finding best friends. Samantha is an orphan who lives with her rich grandmother named Grandmary. One day when Samantha and Eddie are playing tag, a wagon pulled up to Eddie’s house. Eddie said, “Finally they’re here.” Samantha asked who they were, Eddie explained that it was his new servants, and the oldest one would be his maid. Samantha was curious about Eddie’s new servant girl Nellie. She was also curious about the Nellie’s family, especially her two sisters. Later on in the story, Samantha and Nellie become great friends also Samantha teaches Nellie how to read and write. If you like stories about friendships, you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it will make you think and read more, and more as you have fun reading about it to find out what is happening. 
I give it  stars. 
Reviewed by Carolyn B.

Crispin by Avi
FIC AVI
Crispin is a creative story about a boy who is running from his problems. Crispin is declared a Wolf’s head (he is not human anymore) and he runs away from his hometown after his mother dies. No one knows his name but the priest. When the priest is suddenly murdered, Crispin feels like he will never find out his name. If you like books about daring thirteen-year olds, you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this book because it is a page-turner and you’ll want to read more. The way the author explains the story is awesome. The characters are very life-like, this is a beautifully descriptive book.
I give it  stars.
Reviewed by Ashley M.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Jennifer Choldenko
FIC CHO 
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose, moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when his guards' families were housed there. He has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier 
FIC COL
The book My Bother Sam is Dead is a very interesting story about a boy named Sam. He was going to war to fight for the rebels, but his parents wouldn’t let him because they were Tories. Sam joins the rebels anyway, but he sneaks out to see his brother Tim. One day, he was caught sneaking out and he was accused of stealing cattle. He really went to see his brother. Will Sam be killed for something he didn’t do? If you like books about violent wars, you might like this amazing book. I recommend this story because I learned more than I thought I knew. I also found the answers for my questions. 
This is a fantastic book I give it   stars. 
Reviewed by Mili M.

The book My Bother Sam is Dead is a wonderful, exciting historical fiction book by James Lincoln and Christopher Collier. It is about a boy named Tim Meeker and his brother Sam. Sam is fighting in the revolutionary war, for the patriots when his dad is a strong Tory. How will Tim chose sides when it means fighting his brother on one side and fighting his dad on the other? 
I give this book   stars because of the exciting time period. Note: some adult language. 
Reviewed by Jordan D.

Valley Of The Moon: the diary of Maria Rosalia de Milagros (Dear America series) by Sherry Garland
FIC GAR
This book was published in 2001. It has 218 pages. 
Valley of the Moon is a terrific story about a young girl named Maria, who was taken in by a wealthy Spanish family after her mother happened to die. She works for the family as a servant. Maria is very interested in a diary but no one can know she writes in, or she’ll get it taken away. Another way this book is fascinating because it’s interesting to read somebody else's diary. Find out all the adventures Maria will go through. So you should read it. If you like books about secrets you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is very, very interesting and exhilarating. This is exhilarating because it has many adventures which Maria does without anyone knowing. This is an awesome book, I give it   stars. It is recommended for students in fourth and fifth grade. 
Reviewed by Ronni G. in Mrs. Skerritt’s fifth grade class.

The Winter of the Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory
This book was published in 1996.  It has 143 pages.
The Winter of the Red Snow is a fascinating book about a girl named Abigail who lived during the Revolutionary War.  It takes place in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  George Washington's troops had just moved into the town and they learn that it is very hard to be in the war.  If you like war diaries you will like this historical fiction book.  I recommend this book because it kept me at the edge of my seat.  It was so interesting. I now really understand how hard it really was to live during that horrible time.  This is an interesting book, I give it   stars. I recommend this book for people in fifth grade.
Reviewed by Amanda R. in Mr. Murray's fifth grade class.

My Brother, My Enemy by Madge Harrah
FIC HAR
This book is a wonderful, heart-warming story about a kid named Robert Bradford, who sets out to kill his Indian friend Naokan, who swore to be his brother. Robert mistakenly thinks Naokan killed his parents and sister. Robert sets off to kill him, but runs into a lot of trouble, what happens next? Read it to find out. If you like books about the past, you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is a heart-warming story, and because he learns what happened to his family. This is a phenomenal book for student in 3rd-5th grade.
I give it  stars.
Reviewed by Ryan S.

A Doctor Like Papa by Natalie Kinsey – Wanock
A Doctor Like Papa is a sad story about an 11- year old girl, her brother and their father. They live in Vermont in 1918. There was virus called influenza that a lot of people have and her father is the only doctor in the area. Margaret also wants to be a doctor. One day, when Margaret and her brother leave from the house, they see a house with a dog in the yard. The dog was outside dehydrating, so Margaret gave the dog water. Margaret went inside; there was a woman on the floor. She had influenza. She was suffocating. Her daughter was scared. She was about the same age as Margaret. If you like books with happy endings you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it’s heart-warming, it’s sad, and it’s great. This is a terrific book for students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. I give it stars.
Reviewed by Veronica G.

Lumber Camp Library by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
FIC KIN
This book was printed in the United States of America and was published in 2002. It has 87 pages.
It is about an eight year old girl named Ruby whose pa is a lumber jack. Ruby likes to work in the lumber camp with her pa, but she belongs in  school where she can learn to read and write. When she goes to lumber camp with her pa she brings books to read. Ruby loves to read, but her mother thinks it is not a wonderful idea. She tells Ruby if she loves it so much she is allowed to. This is a great book to read. I recommend it for historical fiction book reports. I rate it   stars. This is a tremendous book. I only give it three stars because it is not a long book, and also because they are short chapters. I encourage grade 3-4 to read this. This is a great level, and there are not many difficult words. 
Reviewed by Vanessa in Mr. Murray’s fifth grade class.

The Night the Bells Rang by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
This book was published in 1991. It has 79 pages. 
The Night the Bells Rang is a magnificent story about historical fiction events. Basically it is about a child named Mason living through World War 1. He gets bullied at school and wishes many bad things upon the bully. Mason sees the bully go off to war and he gets killed. Mason feels very guilty about this incident. Once Mason sees what happened to the bully will he stop bulling his brother? If you like books about history you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is accurate on the events that happen in this time period. This book lets you know all the bad things that happen during the wars. Kids will really enjoy this book. This is a terrific book, but it is very short. I give it   stars. I recommend this book for students in 3-5 grade. 
Reviewed by Courtney in Mr. Murray’s fifth grade class.

Lydia Queen of Palestine by Uri Orlev
FIC ORL

This book was published in1993. It has 170 pages. 
Lydia Queen of Palestine is a pitiful and jolly story.  Lydia Queen of Palestine is a historical fiction book. Lydia’s father and mother got divorced and there’s a war going on in Germany. Then she move to Palestine, her dream country and makes a new friend Ruti. Will Lydia get her family back together again? If you like books about wars and heart breakers then you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it makes me gay (happy) and gloomy. It keeps me on the edge of my seat. The characters show a lot of emotion. This is a heavenly book, I give it stars. It’s recommended for 4th and 5th grade. 
Reviewed by Morgan D. in Mr. Alnwick’s and Mrs. Katz’s 4th grade class.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
FIC PAR
A Single Shard is an extraordinary story about an orphan named Tree ear, a wise crippled man, and a famous potter named Min. It takes place in a Korean Village and the capitol. It is about a boy pursuing his dreams to be a potter. If you like books about foreign historical fiction you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it describes the characters without fault. The plot leaves you on the edge of your seat. The language matches the time perfectly. This is a phenomenal book, I give it stars.
Reviewed by Sam H.

The Cookcamp by Gary Paulsen
FIC PAU
This book was published in 1991. It has 115 pages. 
The Cook Camp is a boring story about a boy called Little Thimble who was sent to his grandma’s camp for the summer. She is a cook for men who are building a road to Canada in 1944. The main characters were Little Thimble, the grandma, and the workers. The story tells you all about Thimble’s summer. So you should read it. If you like books about sadness you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because the setting is cool because it changes like 7 times. The setting I like the best was in the crane when Little Thimble almost fell out. This is a sad book, I give it stars because it was boring. It is recommended for students in 4th and 5th grade. 
Reviewed by Keith F. in Mrs. Auger’s 4 grade class.

A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
FIC PEC
A Long Way from Chicago is a wacky story about a sister and brother that go to their grandma’s house every summer. They always enjoyed going to their grandma’s. They have many adventures with their grandma like when they hide a girl from her mean mother. Their grandma hates to spend money. If you like books about weird grandmas you might like this adventurous historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is an adventurous, funny book, and the characters are very weird. This is an interesting book.
I give it  stars.
Review by Daniel L.

Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
FIC SEL
This book was published in 2007. It has 533 pages. 
Hugo Cabret is an excellent story about Hugo’s father that died because of a fire at work. His father found a machine that Hugo needs to fix it. Hugo lives alone in a train station clock thing. Will Hugo fix it? He is trying to find a message. If you like books about machines you might like this historical book. I recommend this book because it’s a great story and I think people might like this book.  Also it is popular. My favorite part is when he finds the machine. This is a great book and I give it stars. It is recommended for 4th, 5th and 6th grade 
Reviewed by J.S. in Mrs. Auger’s 4th grade class.

Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp
This book was published in 1991. It has 63 pages. 
Meet Felicity is a fun story about a young girl living during the Revolutionary war. I recommend this book because it tells a lot about what life was like during the Revolutionary war. It tells about how friendships can still last even though one person is a patriot and one is a loyalist. It also tells about chores they did that kids today when never do. For example, Felicity has to take care of her little brothers and sisters. If you like books about the Revolutionary war you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is very descriptive on how life was and how war changed people. For example, it tells how tea lessons became not as populated as sewing lessons due to the tax on tea. My favorite part of the book was when Felicity met a horse named Penny. This is a great book, I give it stars. It is recommended to students in the fourth and fifth grade. 
Reviewed by Rachel F. in Mr. Murray’s 5th grade class.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
FIC TWA
Huckleberry Finn is an awesome story about a little boy named Huckleberry Finn who gets taken by his father. He tricks his father into thinking that he got killed and runs away. He finds a man who is a run away slave and tries to free him. If you like books about great adventures you might like this fiction book. I recommend this story because it has many interesting words, great ideas and adventures. It also has great descriptions and clear language. It was amazing with the tricks that Huckelberry Finn made up to run away. I loved it; I also think that it was kind of boring only because it was pretty short. I also think that he shouldn’t do what he did to his father. This is a marvelous book; I give it  stars. It is recommended for students in 5th-7th grade. 
Reviewed by Alyson in Mr. Murray’s 5th grade class.

The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty (Dear America series) by Ellen Emerson White
This book was published in 2002 and has 188 pages. 
This is a seriously exciting story about a person named Patrick joining the marines during the Vietnam War. This book is a diary of his life in the war. It tells every day in the war and all of that stuff and how the war life is like. My favorite part was when he almost got killed and died but the diary was there to protect him from the bullet. If you like books about war and life you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it is an amazing, out of this world, excellent war book. This is an awesome book I give it 5 stars. It is recommended for students in 5th grade. 
Reviewed by Andrew S. in Mr. Murray’s fifth grade class.

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
FIC WIL
Farmer Boy is a tremendous story about Almanzo Wilder and how he becomes a grown boy while living on a rural farm. Almanzo wants to become a boy who knows his crops, and knows life as a farmer boy. He wants to be like an adult, and wants a brand new colt. Will Almanzo fulfill his dream? If you like books about rural life you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because it’s a book that expresses life on a farm, and if you like and want to learn about farm life, this is the right book for you! This is an outstanding book, I give it   stars out of five.
Review by Emily D.

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is an interesting story about four farmer children that are at home and need to work, while their parents are away. The characters are Alice, Alizajane, Almonzo, and Royal. Their parents go away and they are fooling around a lot. For example, they make cake and all goods. Then they wait till the last minute and clean up. Almonzo gets something on the wall and Alizajane cleans it up and they don’t get in trouble. So if you like books about adventures and old fashion people you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this story because the characters are uniqe people like people in the old days. The setting was boring because it was always at the house. I also learned what words they use to command the cattle. I liked it because of the events they do for example they make lots of cake and use all the sugar. I also liked this because it gives you ideas of what you can do if you are bored.
I rated this book   stars.
Review by Jeremy L.

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder is an exciting story about a boy who lives on a farm with his family and does his part every day. The problem is Almonzo has to worry about more and more things every day. He had to help with the animals. He milked cows and fed the horses. He also had to harvest in spring and fall. All the crops had to be picked in time or they would be ruined. If you like books about farm life you might like this historical fiction book. I recommend this book because it shows how life on a farm was. It shows the responsibility of a child back then. It also shows the opportunities a child had back then. This book is an awesome book.
I give it   stars.
Review by Carmine C.

Series books

The Great Brain

By John D. Fitzgerald

FIC FIT

Little House on the Prairie

By Laura Ingalls Wilder

FIC WIL