How exactly does slavery fit into our nation’s history? Middle and high school students will have a much better understanding after reading In the Shadow of Liberty by Kenneth C. Davis, bestselling author of the Don’t Know Much About series. 

After introductory chapters describe how slavery became part of the country’s economy, Davis provides detailed stories of the slaves of four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Andrew Jackson. And what fascinating, ultimately tragic tales they are. Billy Lee was the valet who accompanied Washington across the Delaware and at Valley Forge, and he can be seen in the background of several famous paintings. Ona Judge was Martha Washington’s personal servant who ran away to New Hampshire. Isaac Granger was captured by the British as a young boy to become one of “Master Jefferson’s people” and was a witness to Cornwallis’ defeat at Yorktown. Paul Jennings was James Madison’s personal servant and later wrote what is considered to be the first White House memoir. Alfred Jackson, who died a free man, told tales to museum visitors of his life as Andrew Jackson’s slave.

Davis addresses head-on the irony that these presidential defenders of liberty and equality kept slaves. He backs up his discussion with a variety of photos, illustrations and helpful timelines. In the Shadow of Liberty provides an informative read about a subject that’s not always fully addressed in the classroom.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

The long-awaited new novel from Trenton Lee Stewart, author of the award-winning, bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society series, is full of intrigue, bravery and friendship. 

Reuben is a loner. He spends his days keeping to the shadows, always on the lookout for hiding places, while his mom works two jobs to keep them in their run-down apartment. But when one of Reuben’s daring exploits results in him coming into possession of a coveted pocket watch with an extraordinary function, our young hero suddenly finds himself swept up in a centuries-old fight for power. If he is to prevail, he must learn to trust his new companions: steadfast Penny, cunning Jack and wise Mrs. Genevieve. 

With writing that is smart and fresh, this middle grade novel showcases Stewart’s trademark blend of edge-of-your-seat adventure and emotional resonance. The almost dystopian world of New Umbra is detailed and thoroughly explained, forming the ideal backdrop as one twist gives way to another. The real heart of this story is its beautifully portrayed relationships, from Reuben’s close bond with his mother to his friendship with Penny. This novel has everything: sharp writing, dynamic characters, a well-paced plot, a detailed setting and, most importantly, lots and lots of heart.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

War, death, slavery; patience, freedom, dreams. Isabel’s life is filled with contradictions. As one hopeful event occurs, painful ones follow. Ashes, the thrilling and long-awaited conclusion to Laurie Halse Anderson’s award-winning Seeds of America trilogy, continues the story of Isabel and Curzon, who have been thrust into the middle of the American Revolution. Isabel is heading back south with Curzon to find Ruth, her sister who was taken from her as an infant and sold. Finding Ruth, however, may not give Isabel the family she imagines. Ruth is scared and angry, plagued by seizures and distrustful of Isabel. Ruth, Isabel, Curzon and Aberdeen (a friend and companion of Ruth’s) begin the trip back north toward freedom, but this journey, in the middle of the Revolution and veering directly into the center of the Battle of Yorktown, is not simple for anyone.

Though it’s the final book in a trilogy, Ashes is accessible for readers who have not yet heard Isabel and Curzon’s story. For those who have, it is a satisfying finale. Filled with the horrors of slavery, the heartbreak of war, the compassion of forgiveness and even a touch of love, Ashes draws the reader deep into the lives of those who watched their owners and masters fight for freedom, even as they themselves were not free.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Newbery Honor author Grace Lin returns to an imagined ancient China in her new fantasy novel. Like her previous books, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky, When the Sea Turned to Silver celebrates the power of storytelling while taking readers on an exciting, danger-filled adventure.

Quiet Pinmei lives with her grandmother, Amah, in a mountain hut. Although Amah ekes out a living with her embroidery, visitors are most attracted to her stories. But with the ascension of the Tiger Emperor, fear fills every heart, and one day the emperor’s men come for Amah. Pinmei manages to escape capture, and she and her friend Yishan set out on a quest to release Amah by bringing the Emperor the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night. Along the way, the two young travelers encounter adventures and magical creatures (including an amazing dragon horse), and shy Pinmei is often called upon to be brave and to tell the stories she knows—tales that help unlock the mystery of their epic quest. 

Lin (whose own artwork graces the book) was inspired by ancient Chinese folklore to create her stories. Readers familiar with her other books will rejoice, and newcomers have not one, but three wonderful books to discover. 

Deborah Hopkinson lives near Portland, Oregon. Her most recent book for young readers is Steamboat School.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

“Over breakfast, Dad / eyes me like an alien / never seen before. / Sometimes, I could swear that he’s / hoping to make first contact.” In verse form, Garvey’s Choice tells the story of one boy’s journey to discover his own voice.

Being overweight is one thing, but Garvey’s dad wants a son who excels in sports, not a “Star Trek”-watching dreamer. When Garvey tries out for chorus, he finds his true talent, but what will his family think? 

Author Nikki Grimes (Words with Wings) wrote this story in tanka, Japanese short verse that is like pumped-up haiku—five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable count. While this makes for short chapters of one to three verses, they’re also tightly compacted and hard-hitting. Garvey’s joy when he’s with his friends, or beginning to train his singing voice, sparkles as brightly as his hurt feelings burn when he’s being teased. Readers don’t have to be fans of Luther Vandross to choke up when father and son connect through his music.

It can be hard for parents to learn that letting kids be themselves is beneficial to the whole family. This story empowers kids to do just that while slipping them a dose of poetry in the bargain. It’s a winner.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

BookPage Children's Top Pick, October 2016

“A Tale of Two Weddings” would be an apt, more Dickensian title for Archer Magill’s story. At the first wedding, when Archer was 6, his performance as the ring bearer didn’t go so well. He split his too-tight dress pants (with no underwear underneath) and walked down the aisle, bare bottom exposed for the world (and YouTube) to see. In fifth grade, Warrant Officer Ed McLeod arrives during a school lockdown complete with helicopters to be the new student teacher in Archer’s class. The 26-year-old’s dramatic arrival and movie-star looks soon make him “the most famous student teacher in the Twitterverse and the photosphere.” He becomes a heartthrob to the girls and gets marriage proposals from as far away as North Korea. Turns out, though, that Mr. McLeod is gay and attracted to Archer’s beloved Uncle Paul, and Archer is to be the best man at their wedding. He does a splendid job this time—pants intact, no butts about it.

Author Richard Peck relates the years between the weddings with his signature humor, using the intimacy of the first-person point of view to provide Archer’s take on his world—sometimes clueless, always earnest—as he grows up and seeks role models. Peck began this book in 2014, when same-sex marriage became legal in Illinois (where the novel takes place), and by the time he finished, same-sex marriage was the law of the land. “But have the youngest readers among us heard?” he wondered. So he wrote this endearing, full-of-life story “to spark discussion and to open a door to a world suddenly living in a whole different era.” By the end of the story, count Uncle Paul and Ed McLeod, now happily married, as two of Archer’s role models.

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Tough baseball games are nothing for Shane Woods, a 12-year-old boy who loves pitching and hanging out with his friends. But soon, Shane’s secret—that he is transgender—may come out thanks to a school bully.

Shane’s proud of who he is and who he has become—thanks to his supportive mom (but not his father, who thinks this is a phase he will grow out of). Shane’s good friend Josh has always been there for him, but Shane wonders if he can share his secret with him. And when Shane’s story does come out, Josh is angry and upset that he didn’t open up to him.

Shane finds refuge in drawing his graphic novel—the images of which are scattered throughout the book, paralleling his own story of betrayal, exclusion and misunderstanding. He also seeks support through a gay-straight alliance, where he meets a trans girl who befriends him.

Much like the characters in his graphic novel, Shane forges ahead, learning to be at peace with himself while working toward his future, the ultimate unknown. The Other Boy offers an honest portrayal of a challenging journey, featuring a very likable, believable and real lead character.

In light of the infectious and extraordinary joy that young Judith brings to her Aunt Cora’s life, the fifth grader has earned the nickname “Jubilee.” But Jubilee holds trauma deep within, as she hasn’t spoken a word—except when alone or with Dog—since her mother broke their relationship and dropped her off to live with Aunt Cora. She communicates entirely with gestures, taps and doodled cartoons.

As fifth grade begins, Jubilee is paired with talkative Mason for a class project, and a tentative friendship blooms. But Jubilee is consumed with questions about her mother’s estrangement. Through pain and confusion, Judith embarks on a journey of self-discovery, searching for answers to the tenacious question that has shattered her world since her early ages: “Why did my mom abandon me?” Allowing herself to break free from the barriers of difference and solitude, Jubilee discovers that her world is full of love and compassion—a feeling she once doubted and debated in her most private moments.

Patricia Reilly Giff, author of Newbery Honor book Lily’s Crossing, touches upon the torment of abandonment and its influence on young people. In this tale told through the eyes of a developing fifth grader, Giff sensitizes the overwhelming feelings that come with desertion and insecurity. Affording Jubilee the gifts of humor and artistic expression, Giff allows her heroine to step outside of her comfort zone and take control of her personal happiness. Jubilee’s illustrations throughout the book offer a deeper look into her extraordinary heart.

Entering a new grade, learning to cope with peers and bullies and balancing academics and personal family struggles are all challenges faced by children. Jubilee is an exceptional story about self-discovery, forgiveness and the art of letting go. It's also about the power everyone holds within themselves to see the world not for what it is, but for what it could be.

Twelve-year-old Florian Bates has recently moved to Washington, D.C., where both his parents work in art museums. His new school is Alice Deal Middle School, where he is in seventh grade along with his new best friend, a dynamic black soccer player named Margaret. He’s learning a new language (Romanian), of which he has mastered just one phrase, which translates to “My hovercraft is full of monkeys.”

Oh, and one more thing: Florian has a new job. He’s a covert asset for the FBI.

Florian was recruited into the agency thanks to his remarkable observational abilities, which rival the great detective Sherlock Holmes. Florian’s skills are all based on the fundamental philosophy he developed called T.O.A.S.T, which stands for the “Theory of All Small Things.” He tells Margaret, “That’s how I read people and places. The idea is that if you add up a bunch of little details, it reveals the larger truth.”

Of course, what use is a detective without a mystery? And luckily for Florian (and his fans, of which there are bound to be many), there is no shortage of cases to solve. It helps to have a father in museum security and a mother who specializes in art history and forgery. And when several valuable impressionist paintings disappear from the National Gallery of Art, Florian and Margaret put their observational skills to work to help find the thief.

This intriguing, lighthearted mystery features an appealing middle school friendship with a bit of art history and FBI lore thrown in for good measure. Framed! would make a great selection for pleasure reading, while also offering a number of STEM connections for classroom use. Let’s hope the T.O.A.S.T. mysteries keep coming!

Deborah Hopkinson lives near Portland, Oregon. Her most recent book for young readers is Steamboat School.

Of course you’re named William Meriwether Miller when your dad is a Lewis and Clark scholar. What Will doesn't expect is to go on a road trip that follows the Lewis and Clark Trail with the same father who left 15 months ago and started a new life. In fact, it’s the last thing Will wants to do, particularly because he’ll be missing out on the summer All-Star team. And please, don’t let it be “educational.”

Starting at Fort Mandan in North Dakota, the father-son duo drive, hike, camp, paddle and explore the same route the Discovery Corps trekked to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. While the Lewis and Clark expedition took 18 months to travel 4,000 miles, Will and his father complete it in close to two weeks. Along the way, Will encounters people and situations that remind him of Sacajawea, York the slave, Seaman the dog, the Nez Perce Indians and others who helped Lewis and Clark on their travels. Interspersed segments of Will’s summer assignment paper and postcards to his mom fill in additional historical facts.

More than a re-creation of Lewis and Clark’s great American adventure, this thoughtful middle grade novel considers the cost of their voyage, especially on Native Americans. Like the original explorers, Will grapples with difficult choices when faced with unforeseen adversity. As Will learns more about himself, readers will learn a bit of U.S. history while considering their own resolve.

In the land of Ferenwood, rainlight pours through the air, magic is currency and color is everywhere. Alice Alexis Queensmeadow covers her embarrassingly colorless body with billowing skirts and bangles, but nothing can cover the pain she’s felt ever since her beloved father disappeared three years ago. The highlight of her world is the upcoming Surrender, a ceremony in which 12-year-olds are given assignments based on their magical abilities. 

When Alice’s Surrender offering goes wrong, she’s consoled by a boy named Oliver, whose mysterious task (and even more mysterious talent) could bring her father home. Alice and Oliver must travel through the parallel world of Furthermore, a wonderland where doors appear out of nowhere, rulers measure time and pocketbooks are books made of actual peoples’ pockets.

In language drenched with the pain of loss—and then the joy of recovery—Tahereh Mafi presents a novel that’s unique in its emotional resonance. An omniscient narrator intervenes with occasional observations as Alice and Oliver negotiate challenging physical landscapes and the even more challenging landscapes of the heart.

Jill Ratzan enjoys sharing stories with readers of all ages in central New Jersey.

This article was originally published in the September 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Twelve-year-old Reena is shocked when her parents decide to move the family to a small coastal town in Maine. She and her little brother, Luke, are excited, if a little nervous, to explore their new home. But their parents have another surprise in store when they volunteer the kids to work for Mrs. Falala, a prickly old woman who lives with a motley assortment of animals. 

Reena and Luke soon discover that Mrs. Falala needs help from each of them. Luke teaches Mrs. Falala to draw, and Reena takes on the task of readying Zora, a very stubborn cow, for the fair. Reena comes into her own in the barn, building confidence as she gradually gains Zora’s trust. 

Reena is a witty but gentle narrator, well attuned to the feelings and insecurities of others, even adults. The relative simplicity of the storyline, coupled with Reena’s mature observations, translate well to the book’s structure, a series of poems. Some poems are strictly narrative, while others are more abstract, providing a good balance of familiarity and challenge for readers. Award-winning author Sharon Creech delivers another charming and satisfying novel-in-verse, perfect for independent young readers.

This article was originally published in the September 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

From the Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall comes a new gem about a wise poet, two resilient children and the dog they all love. 

Teddy is an Irish wolfhound with a love for words, instilled in him by his owner, Sylvan. Rescued from a shelter and taken home to Sylvan’s secluded cabin in the woods, Teddy grows up with words and soon learns to use them himself. Although Teddy can understand words, Sylvan teaches him that there are only two kinds of people who can understand him: poets and children. 

When wandering around the woods in a snowstorm one day, Teddy finds two stranded children, Nickel and Flora, and tells them that he will rescue them, just as Sylvan once did for him. They follow him back to the cabin, where they begin to realize that the healing they seek can be found in each other. 

The Poet’s Dog is sweet and heartwarming, while the simplicity of Patricia MacLachlan’s prose allows for the poignancy of the story to shine through. This is an unassuming masterpiece, the kind that endures and will be cherished by generations of children, becoming dog-eared with age and love.

This article was originally published in the September 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.