SIX OF CROWS

Bardugo, L. (2015). Six of crows. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

This novel is a spinoff series from Bardugo’s popular Grisha Trilogy. The six in title refers to the six main characters in this story. Each of the six teenagers has a specialty that will help them pull ogf an incredible heist. There is Kaz, the master thief; Nina, the heartrender aka internal organ decimator; Matthias the ex-holy warrior and convict; Inej the spy; Wylan, the demolitions expert and Jesper, sharpshooter.

The novel supplies a plethora of unexpected plot twists. Bardugo’s story is filled with adventure, romance and treason and flashbacks that allow a reader to really get to know the characters. This is not a light-hearted caper although there is humor in the book. The characters live in a dark world and as a result, they are complex.

The teams first task is to break Matthias out of the well-fortified and guarded Hellgate prison. His assistance is needed in order to break into the infamous Ice Court to abscond with an obscene amount of money. To do so they knock down a tree so that they can switch places with prisoners who are being taken to Ice Court. After being separated they are reunited after several near misses they are able to escape- seemingly without Wylan, who is actually glamoured to look like someone else. Van Eck, the books ultimate antagonist, and Wylan’s father, realizes that it is a ruse and has his henchman grab Inej and the money the group had worked hard to obtain.

The books ends on a bittersweet note. Kaz and the group- sans Inej- visit Pekka Rollins. (Rollins is the book’s other antagonist and owes Kaz a favor for letting him escape at the prison.) Rollins agrees to help and after the group leaves he realizes that they have pickpocketed everything of value of his person.

This book with its darker themes is best suited for high school students with a taste for adventure dense stories.

Historical Fiction: Evaluation Criteria

As with all book evaluation plot, setting, theme and style must be taken into consideration.  However, when it comes to evaluating historical fiction the key to a good book is its authenticity.  An author, according to Vardell, is able to achieve this by thorough research of the time period that focuses in on

* the times the book is set in
* the time period values
* language
* people
She notes that the author should not overwhelm the reader with historical details and that the careful "balance of fact and fiction in essential."

It is only after a careful evaluation of these things that one can look to how the author creates a compelling and authentic story with characters, plot, setting, theme and style and provide an accurate review of the book.

Characters should be someone young readers can understand and relate to.  They should be:

* well-rounded
* dynamic
* imperfect
* completely memorable

The Plot

* shouldn't be "overwhelmed by details"
* it should not be "sugar-coated"
* accurately set up events and places

The Setting is probably the most important aspect after authenticity because it influences everything else that occurs in the story.

"It is what makes the fiction historical fiction."

The themes found in historical fiction books are "universal for the most part, because (there is) a bit of a balancing act (needed), since our beliefs and attitudes change and evolve over time."

Style

* Reflects the author's "voice and manner while capturing the flavor of the times."
* Language patterns are important because the dialogue needs to capture the speech 

  patterns of the time. 


Vardell, S. (2008). Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide (1. publ. ed.). Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Libraries Unlimited.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963

REVIEW

Curtis’ coming-of age novel is a perfect fit for young readers who are starting to delve into the atrocities committed in the not so distant pass.   The 1960s were a radical time of change in America, and the Watson family appears to be sheltered and safe in Flint, Michigan. By the end of their trip Kenny, the novel’s protagonist, and his older brother Byron have been exposed to this change and have come to the understanding that they must continue on their life’s path even though bad things happen.

The Watson’s visit to Birmingham is sparked by Byron’s thug-like behavior and his parents’ attempt to correct this behavior by taking him to live with his strict maternal grandmother.  This move in setting is significant because in Alabama they are exposed to the volatile racism of the deep-South. It is in Birmingham that their lives are forever changed by an infamous church bombing. 

Curtis’ narrative, via the voice of Kenny, will resonate with young readers because he can be both humorous and humble.  Young readers may not fully comprehend the multitude of feelings these events bring but the writing allows them to understand the fear that comes from having someone you love being taken away from you.

Curtis, C. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village

REVIEW

In this Newberry Medal-winning book the intrepid Schlitz doesn’t overwhelm her readers with setting details.  In any other historical fiction piece, this blatant exclusion would be the kiss of death; however, her historical notes, well-penned monologues and dialogues which avoid modern colloquialisms and contain a smattering of 13^th century lingo save her from this fate.

The story is set in an English manor in the year 1255.  The characters range in socio-status and present a historically-accurate view into the medieval world that millennial students can relate to.  Sitting on the highest rung on the socio-status ladder are Isobel and Hugo, the daughter and nephew of the manor’s lord, respectively.  Jacob, the Jewish moneylender’s son, and the young beggar Giles cling to the lowest rung.

Historical authenticity is provided via characters’ voices.  For example, Isobel is outraged and cannot understand why anyone would have thrown dung at her beautiful gown.  The expected upper-class sense of entitlement is present and familiar but when one reads the ingredients she uses to try and remove the stain they are instantly reminded that this book is deeply rooted in a time vastly different than the present day. Young readers will also be able to relate to the story because of the universal themes of friendship, problems with parents, money troubles and first love that she expertly weaves throughout the book.

Schlitz, L., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.