Egg Drop Dead

Egg Drop Dead is by Vivian Chien. The fifth book in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop mystery series. Lana and her crew from the Noodle Shop are catering a birthday party for Donna Feng. Donna has a secret history only she and Lana know about, or is there someone else who knows? When Donna's nanny is murdered and a thumb drive with all of her secrets is left in her bathroom, she begs Lana to clear her of suspicion in the nanny's murder without revealing her secrets. Can Lana accomplish this without getting herself killed? Fans of the series will love this installment. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction play about two sets of lovers who struggle to find happiness. Claudio wants to marry Hero, but Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro, sets out to trick Claudio into believing Hero has been unfaithful. Hero's friend Beatrice and Claudio's friend Benedick pretend to hate each other, but do they "protesteth too much." Shakespeare's classic comedy is a must read for everyone. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace is by John Knowles. The classic historical fiction tale of two friends at a boarding school during the waning years of WWII. Gene is a lonely intellectual and his roommate Phineas is an athletic daredevil. When Gene causes Phineas to fall from a tree and break his leg, he must deal with his guilt from causing an injury to his friend. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10. 

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep is by Allan Wolf. A magnificent fiction in verse historical fiction look at the ill-fated Donner Party. The Donner Party heads to California and decides to take a little known "short cut" and ends up stuck in the mountains, unable to cross the pass due to early winter snows. Of the 89 members of the party who started out only 49 survived and at least 19 of the deceased were eaten by the survivors. Wolf's book is well researched and a fascinating read. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content - cannibalism). 

The Bombay Prince

The Bombay Prince is by Sujata Massey. The third book in the historical fiction Perveen Mistry mystery series. When Crown Prince Edward visits India, not everyone is supportive of British rule. As Bombay's streets erupt with violence, a young female college student is found dead. Perveen decides it is up to her to find out the truth about her murder. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this well written mystery. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Hamlet

Hamlet is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama about problems in the state of Denmark. Hamlet is the son of the King of Denmark. He returns home to find his father dead and his uncle married to his recently widowed mother. He sees his father's ghost who tells him he was murdered by his uncle and demands that Hamlet get revenge for him. One of the finest of all Shakespeare's plays. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Romanovs: 1613-1918

The Romanovs: 1613-1918 is by Simon Sebag Montefiore. A very long nonfiction look at the history of the Romanovs. It is a slow read, but it is well researched and minutely documented. The history of Russia's longest ruling family is filled with sex, mental illness, a desire for power, and heroic displays by both the men and women of the family. It is worth the effort to read if you are at all interested in Russian history. 

Ratings 6 out of 10 - Adult - AC (mature thematic content).