The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden A paranormal story of two siblings caught in a war. A sister who is told her brother was killed in action. But she has reasons to believe he may still be alive. She returns as a nurse but also to search for her brother to find the truth. The brother who is truly an artist and not a warrior, is trapped after an explosion with a German soldier. Together they work to survive. And even give sacrifice. There is a demon who torments many lost souls and both siblings encounter this dangerous entity. I liked this story. It wasn't an easy listen to but at the end I thought it worked.

The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse

The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse is an excelent historic fiction story. I got to listen to the audiobook. Fine for any high school library. I would say read first because there is a near rape scene and multiple victims. An important read.

The Hazlebourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

The Hazlebourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is a wonderful cast of characters, history and romance British style. Set after WW1 in a world when women were expected to give back jobs to the men who returned from the war and how dare they start their own business. A vet who's fiance had rejected him and a woman who is hired to stay with a beloved grandmother, a grandmother with her own secrets. The audiobook is fantastic. Great voice actress. A great read. Enjoy.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is cast with all sorts of characters and in the lead is Miss Morgan. She's the kind of character you would love to have as a friend. The dual story line in different decades drives the story along and the ending is absolutely beautiful. Friendship forms in a small village in France. Soldiers, villagers and librarians make this a beautiful story. The audiobook also very good. Enjoy. It's a great read!

Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call by Claudia Friddell & Elizabeth Baddeley

 This is a surprise historical event that not many people know about.  Well documented based on a great grandmother and lots of primary resources to tell an amazing tale of unsung heroes of World War I.  Decades before cell phones and smart phones, operators ran switchboards to connect parties on the phone.  These young women braved the war front in France to help orders/information get moved from one battle front to another.  I nominated this for CYRM picture book for older readers this next year.

Chance Escape From the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz

 An important read of the memoir of a talented man who survived WWII and the Holocaust in Europe.  Some grim stories and touching stories.  Add this one to your library.

Dazzle Ships : WWI And The Art of Confusion by Barton and Ngai

WWI had the dangerous situation of German U-boats torpedoing ships.  But one person came up with a plan to repaint the boats with designs to create an optical illusion that even tricked and convinced the King of England to give it a go.  The Illustrations of the book are brilliant and highly sophisticated.  The illustrations give it an art deco style.  I would award this book for it's content and illustrations.  Get this book for any school library.  You'll thank me later.

Soldier For Equality by Duncan Tonatiuh

I bought this for my high school library.  This is the second title I have gotten from Duncan Tonatiuh.  I love his style of illustrations.  Refreshing and yet connects to the art of ancient MesoAmerica.  I also appreciate the connection of bringing real people who made a difference in the world to life.  Add this book to your school library.  It's a good one.

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Brilliant book that blends characters from Greek mythology, World War I and 4 very interesting mortals.  Go back in time to Europe and read history in fresh eyes.  It's a love story but so much more.  The characters grow and find their voices.  The audio book is also very good.  And this would be fine for high school students to read as well. 

One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn

I'm not always a fan of Mary Downing Hahn but she nailed it with this one.  Good Job!  She really builds up each character and the dynamics of the girls.  Making them hard to like and then feeling sorry for them.  This is a good book to add to any school library.  I would also even add it to my high school library for readers who may be at a lower level of reading.  Good job again to this book.  Really liked it a lot!

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick

This is the true story of Winnie The Pooh.  A real bear from Canada who is bought by a vet who is also leaving for war for 20.00.  Winnie becomes the mascot of the troop but Winnie grows and it must have a new home to keep her safe.  There is also another book,  Winnie, which is another version of this story.  Perfect for any school library.  Connects history with literature.  Enjoy.

An Eagle In The Snow by Michael Morpurgo

This story is fine for elementary and middle school library.  It's a fictional account.  It brings you to both World War I and World War II.  A bit paranormal. 

The Woman who Smashed Codes By Jason Fagone

This is a great read.  Also a great audiobook.  This is an incredible true story of one of America's greatest heroes and no one really knows about it.  I'm getting this for my high school library.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

This is an intense story.  The audio book is also good.  There was a real spy network of women fighting the fight.  This historical fiction works well, very believable and the page turner.  It should be in high schools so students and adults understand the sacrifices that were made.  I would say for older mature readers some of the women are tortured and also forced to have sex.  Again this is a good book.  It's historical drama at it's best.  It's a good read.

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.