Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising
By: Pam Munoz Ryan


(Historical Fiction)

Esperanza is part of a well to do family who owns a ranch and is loved by her parents.  All of this is shattered when her father is killed my bandits and her family ranch is burned tot eh ground.  Esperanza and her Mama are fugitives and the illegal immigrants in a CAlifornia Mexican labour camp.

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust
By: Karen Hesse


(Historical Fiction)

This book goes to explain the dust bowl.  It tells of a family who is living during the time and the difficulties they face in the dry and dusty environment they are living.  The book contains easy text that is set up as free verse.

The Memory Coat

The Memory Coat
By: Elvira Woodruff


(Historical Fiction)

This book discusses the place of Elkis Island.  It follows a family on their journey from Russia to the US through Ellis Island.  Today Ellis Island is a museum, but back in history it was a place immigrants entered through before entering the US.  Families all over the world came through in search for many goals.

My Freedom Trip

My Freedom Trip 
By: Frances Park


(Historical Fiction)

Soo is escaping to meet her father, who is in South Korea.  She has to cross the 38^th parallel to reach him.  Her mother didn’t go with Soo at the time she was searching for her father.  Soo shows her bravery through her travel to find her dad.

The New Coat for Anna

The New Coat for Anna 
By: Harriet Ziefert


(Historical Fiction)

Anna needed a new coat, but it was during the war and all supplies were being sent out.  Her mother told her she would get her a coat after the war ended-the war had ended but her mother couldn’t afford to buy a coat for Anna.  Her mother took her to a farmer and asked for the wool of a sheep in place of a gold watch, he agreed and come spring Anna had wool.  They later went to the old lady with a spinning wheel and offered a lamp to have her turn the wool into thread.  She told them to come back when the cherries were ripe so they could dye the wool red.  They then took the yarn to a weaver to be woven into cloth, offering a garnet necklace. They took the cloth to the tailor who was given a teapot to create Anna’s coat.  When it was finished they invited everyone who helped create the coat to eat a Christmas cake they made.  Everyone was very happy! 

The Butterfly

The Butterfly 
By: Patricia Polacco


(Historical Fiction)

Nazis.  Monique-Small French village.  When they come “little ghost” it wasn’t really a ghost (young Jewish girl named Sevrine, hiding from the Nazis). 

Patricca Polacco dips into her own family history, from the French Resistance.

Compares being free as the Papillion butterfly, letting it fly away (out the window) to when they are free from the Nazis.  Later they were all split and they wanted a sign that they were OK.  Butterflies flying free in the garden, she knew they were safe.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

When Jessie Came Across the Sea 
By: Amy Hest


(Historical Fiction)

Jessie, who is 13 lives with her grandma, since her parents both passed away.  Jessie goes to the rabbi with the boys and learns how to write, which she later teaches her grandma.  Her grandma teachers her how to sew.The rabbi had a ticket to America to visit his brother, who sadly passed away.  Since he had no need to leave his churcha dn go to the US he chose Jessie to say with his brother’s widow.  Jessie goes over to comfort and help Kay sew-making many wedding dresses.  She was saving up money and meets a boy, who later asks her to marry him.  Before the wedding she was sure to save enough money to fly her grandma to the US to come to the wedding.  Her grandma brought her mom’s wedding band for Jessie to wear.