Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
Because of the top secret nature of the code talkers’ work, their role in World War II was unknown until it was declassified in 1969. Even now, with several books, movies and history programs on the topic, many people still don’t know the story of the Navajo code talkers. Joseph Bruchac’s book is the perfect introduction suitable
Vicious Circle by C.J. Box
The Vicious Circle is a story about the cycle of wrong doing, justice, revenge … rinse and repeat. Joe Pickett is a game warden who is a stickler for the law. He is caught up in the circle of violent retribution when a rodeo star he helped put away is released from prison bent on
The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
The Half-Drowned King is about two young people, Ragnvald Eysteinsson and his sister Svanhild, who were raised by their stepfather following their father’s death. The stepfather takes over their lands and, in theory, Ragnvald should get them back when he becomes an adult. The story takes place in the ninth century in the lands that would
Walking the Choctaw Road by Tim Tingle
Tim Tingle is a Choctaw author, speaker and storyteller extraordinaire. The stories in this book take place in several states and throughout history. My goal is to highlight a different book and author for every state. I’ve placed this book in Oklahoma, though it would be equally at home in any of the other states
Ship of Dolls by Shirley Parenteau
What a novel way to promote friendship between two countries: with dolls! Dr. Sidney Gulick, an American missionary who lived in Japan for 25 years, was dismayed over the deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Japan in the early 1900s. His idea was to promote friendship between the two countries by sending U.S. dolls to
Good Behavior by Blake Crouch
Good Behavior is a set of three novellas about Letty Dobesh, a thirty something pickpocket and con woman who is good at her craft. She has just one problem, she is a little too fond of drugs and alcohol. She lost custody of her young son due to drug use and her goal is to get
Dash by Kirby Larson
Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, over 110,000 men, women and children of Japanese descent were forced from their homes and into internment camps. The majority of the interned were American born citizens. This story is based on the true story of Mitsue Shiraishi and her dog Chubby. Life in Seattle is good to 11-year
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool
Jack Baker’s mother has died and his father is away in the military. Jack is sent to an all-boys boarding school in Maine where he meets Early Auden, an orphan. Early is an “odd” boy, according to Jack, who is fascinated and obsessed with the number Pi. Early can “read” stories in numbers and is
Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Pam Ryan was inspired to write Esperanza Rising by her grandmother’s childhood experiences. Although it was written in 2000, Esperanza Rising is still extremely popular and part of many school curriculums. Esperanza Ortega (13) is the doted on daughter of a wealthy rancher. She lives in luxury with servants to help in the house and
My Name Is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Debby Edwardson wrote that this story was inspired by the experiences of her husband and his two brothers while at a Catholic boarding school in the early 1960s. She also incorporated additional events of the time that had significant impacts on Native Alaskan communities. The audiobook starts out with an author’s note which contains several
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine – Of Books and Libraries
Have you noticed the tendency of authors to focus on books and reading? Take The Reader by Traci Chee as an example of this self-reflective preoccupation. This is not surprising given that writing and books, and readers and reading, are at the center of an author’s life. However, there are others for whom books are
The Detective’s Assistant by Kate Hannigan
The Detective’s Assistant was inspired by the life of Kate Warne (1833-1868), who is credited as being the first professional female detective in the United States. She worked for the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Chicago and was instrumental in uncovering the Baltimore Plot; a plot by secessionist to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln. Author Kate Hannigan