The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham

The Letter Tree is similar to You Got Mail in a different century. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. It's a story that is a good read. Fine for teens to read also.

Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte

There was a deaf community thriving in the Martha's Vineyard area for quite a while.  This story was written by a librarian who is also deaf.  A good read, to see the world of the non-hearing.  Add this one for your middle school library.
 

Hamilton and Peggy by L. M. Elliott

 Ever since watching Hamilton the Broadway show, I've been more interested in his story.  In the show, Peggy is a minor star.  In this book, she's the major star.  Her story is told in her eyes.  Her impressions of the men in her sister's lives, her figuring out life and her navigating through the Revolutionary War. It's perfect for high school libraries.  Enjoy.

Mrs. Lincoln’s Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini

A good story with a lot of relationship.  Lots of family dynamics going on.  You have Mary Todd Lincoln who is the widow, witnessing the assassination of her husband, the president of the united states. The story switches back forth between different family members and also different time frames.  

It's a good story and a good audio book.  

 

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez

Sisters band together to help a sister with some mental health issues.  The sister does end up committing suicide.  It's a story about family and grief and so much more. It's a good read.

Undefeated by Steve Sheinkin

True story about Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner.  Jim played football and base ball and even did track.  He was a natural athlete who made it to the Olympics in Europe.  It's an eye opener for all that Jim had to face.  It's a good read and a good audio book.  Add this one to your library.

Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi

This is a book we need now.  To help us as a whole understand how black people have been treated

over the years and why.  How different perspectives played out.  From presidents to everyday people 

responded to racism with actions that go beyond abuse.  This book was written a few months before what is going on right now in the United States.  It is timed perfectly to help us all understand the roots of  anger, hurt and frustration that are being expressed in today's world.  It is an important read.

I'm getting for my high school library!

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

A sweet story of a four generation from Russia to America.  Four women raising their children as told 

by a grandmother encouraging her grand daughter.  Listen to the audio book.  It's told sweetly.  

Code Word Courage by Kirby Larson

You had me at rescuing a dog and that's at the very beginning.  Then the story of the young man who becomes a soldier.  The young sister who faces bullying behavior and her friend who also faces racism and bullying as well.  To bring in the Navajo culture brings insight to an amazing culture.  Well done Kirby Larson.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

A very raw story about life as the youngest girl and the pressures of her family places on her as she is trying to find herself.  A very realistic story.  Some f bombs and she ends up having a physical relationship with a boy.  It's a good read.  A powerful story.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The audio book really captures a feel for an old west type life in this alternative historical fantasy that has zombies known as shufflers in this story.  A very clever book and great drama.  Fine for any high school library.  Enjoy.

Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

The audiobook is a great listen.  I know the book is also.  Blended with history, this story should be in all libraries.  Enjoy reading about Beans.  It's a good read.

Dash by Kirby Larson

This is based on a true story and lots of research by author Kirby Larson.  I've liked her other books and this book is perfect for any library.  The audio book also very good.  Enjoy.

Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier

I listened to the audio book and was impressed.  Not for high school unless very mature readers who love historical fiction.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this.  Again, audiobook very good. Enjoy.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

I listened to the audio book and it was a rich layered story that traveled through time and countries.  How these people's lives entwined make this an impressive collection of stories threaded together. 

March: Book 2 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell

I'm getting this for my library.  History should always be reviewed so that we can learn and make a positive difference.  I think this series would be perfect to be added to the White House library.  Maybe the librarian at the White House will share this with the presidents who serve this country as a reminder that all people have rights and not focused on a few elite.  It's a good way to broaden one's view of what people suffered and sacrificed to make a positive and important difference.

Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson

I loved this story.  I love that there are letters and journals that read true and authentic.  Adding details in history that don't sound like a history book but as friends and cousins writing to each other.  It's all connected and worth the read.  Good book to add for social studies classes to read.  This is my second book I've read by this author, Jodi Lynn Anderson.  I'm adding this to my library.  Enjoy.