Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It is by Janina Ramirez. A nonfiction look at women who have been left out of the history of the Middle Ages - from a slightly woke feminist point of view.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10.
The Age of Deer: Trouble and Kinship With Our Wild Neighbors is by Erika Howsare. An interesting nonfiction look at the history of our interactions with deer.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Black God's Drums is by P. Djeli Clark. A alternate history fantasy set in Civil War New Orleans. A young orphan thief named Creeper discovers a plot to use an ancient weapon to destroy New Orleans. She and a airship captain who can channel two African orishas must band together with their orishas to save New Orleans and get the weapon back.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Sittaford Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A stand alone historical fiction mystery by the Queen of Mysteries. In a remote house in the middle of Dartmoor, a group of people decide to hold a seance for fun after dinner. Only a message comes through that Captain Trevelyan has been murdered - and when one of the dinner party goes to check; he has been. When a young man is arrested for the murder, his girlfriend and a reporter decide to prove the police have the wrong man. A fun romp Christie fans will enjoy.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Cordelia's Honor is by Lois McMaster Bujold. A combination of two of Bujold's science fiction books into one volume. Cordelia is the captain of a survey ship from Beta colony. On a routine survey her team is attacked by soldiers from Barrayar, Cordelia orders her crew to leave her and escape; she then meets the Barrayaran leader and discovers the attack on her crew was really a mutiny to kill the leader of the Barrayarn's named Vorkosigan. Cordelia and Vorkosigan survive and she helps him kill the mutineers and he helps her get back to Beta. Once there she discovers a war has broken out and she leads a mission to defeat the Barrayan fleet, only to be captured. She is rescued by Vorkosigan and she helps him defeat a political rival. Upon her return to Beta she discovers she is considered a Barrayaran spy, so she flees to Barrayar and marries Vorkosigan, who she loves. When Vorkosigan is made regent at the death of the current Emperor, Cordelia finds herself in the middle of a civil war. I am not a huge fan of science fiction, except for anything by Martha Wells, but I really enjoyed these books. More action and political intrigue than heavy science fiction.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
What the Vicar Saw is by Benedict Brown. The ninth book in the historical fiction Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series. Christopher's family goes to visit his paternal grandmother so she can meet his brother's fiancée. As they are attending church they notice the absence of the vicar for the sermon, only to find him murdered. Now Christopher must convince the police, and his grandfather, that the man arrested for the crime is innocent. Fans of the series will love this installment as well. Christopher really comes into his own in this one.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Snows of Weston Moor is by Benedict Brown. The 8th installment of the Lord Edgington Investigates mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher head out to visit family for Christmas, but find themselves in trouble when their car crashes in a blizzard on a barren moor. Seeing a light they find themselves at the remote manor house of Weston Moor, but once there they find themselves in the middle of a murder. Fans of the series will love this latest chapter in the series.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 are by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction plays by the Bard himself. These plays trace the rise and fall of King Henry IV of England and the ascension of his son Hal, Henry V to the throne. A must read for all lovers of history and Shakespeare. Make sure to watch The Hollow Crown series, which is a complication of Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, and Henry V - wonderfully done!
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Midnight Library is by Matt Haig. An interesting fantasy take on living multiple lives. Nora Seed has lived a life full of misery and regret and she's ready for it to end, so she takes an overdose of pills. Instead of dying she finds herself in a strange library where she is given the opportunity to go back and fix her mistakes and regrets and live another life. But, are the choices we didn't make necessarily better than the choices we did make? This book reminds me of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life.
Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity).
The Sacred Sacrifice: Cultivating Lenten Traditions with Bach's Great Passion is by Hannah Paris. A wonderful devotional for the Easter season; a companion to Cindy Rollin's similar guide for Christmas based on Handel's Messiah. This book walks you through the entire Lenten season using Bach's St. Matthew Passion as a base. A must have for Christians wanting to be more intentional in their celebration of Easter and their knowledge of the great music of the past.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had is by Susan Wise Bauer. A wonderful non-fiction read discussing various genres of books and how to read them. Each section also provides a list of books in that genre that anyone desiring to be a better educated reader should pick up. A must have for anyone who wants to improve their reading skills.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
Iron Widow is by Xiran Jay Zhao. The first book in the science fiction Iron Widow series. Aliens have invaded the world, and the boys of Huaxia must pair with female concubines to channel enough xi to power the mechanized robots that are used to protect the provinces. When Zetian offers herself as a concubine to avenge the murder of her sister, she makes a startling discover about her own powers. She is paired with the most powerful pilot in the land, who is also accused of murdering his own family. Together they must learn to work together to defend the land, each other, and to change the way their country is run. But can then manage this before they are killed by their own government or by the alien robots? What they will learn about the truth and each other will change everything.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Murder by Other Means is by John Scalzi. The second in The Dispatcher science fiction series. When Dispatcher Tony Valdez takes a job for a lawyer that skirts legality, he finds himself on a hit list. As he tries to figure out who wants him dead and why, he has to battle not only his enemies, but the police who were once his friends. Fans of the first book will thoroughly enjoy this one as well.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
River of Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile is by Candace Millard. A fascinating nonfiction look at the men who set forth to find the source of the Nile. Millard is a wonderful nonfiction writer and her books always read like adventure stories. The things these men suffered to explore the unknown are beyond my understanding.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature content).
The Ice Princess is by Camilla Lackberg. The first in the realistic fiction Patrik Hedstrom mystery series. Erica Falck returns to her hometown after her parents die to settle family affairs. When she discovers the body of her childhood best friend dead in a bathtub, supposedly a suicide, she finds herself working with policeman Patrik Hedstrom to solve the mystery of Alex's death. The investigation brings to light long held secrets within the community.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
We Never Met in Real Life: Essays is by Samantha Irby. A nonfiction collection of autobiographical essays. I realize many people find Samantha Irby funny; I am just not one of those people. This type of content is just not to my taste.
Ratings: Adult - 2 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (very mature content).
The Haunting of Tram Car 015 is by P. Djeli Clark. The second book in the fantasy alternate history Dead Djinn series. Agents Nasr and Youssef are called in to exorcise a djinn from a haunted tram car. However, the spirit is not a djinn and the job is much tougher than expected.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
A Dead Djinn in Cairo is by P. Djeli Clark. The first installment in a fantasy alternate history series. This novella is set in an alternate 1912 Cairo, where magical creatures are the norm. Special Agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi is called in to investigate a dead djinn. When she discovers the death might be a suicide, not a murder, she finds herself involved in an end-of-the-world situation. A fantastic series about a world you will want to spend time in.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Richard II is by William Shakespeare. The first in Shakespeare's classic tetralogy of history plays covering the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. The story follows the dethroning of Richard II by Henry Bolingbroke. A wonderful play and well worth the effort to read. The magnificent John of Gaunt speech about England in Act II is worth the price of admission.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear is by Walter Moers. The first book in the charming fantasy Zamonia series. A blue bear, named Bluebear, tells the story of his very action-packed life in the land of Zamonia. A blue bear has 27 lives and 13 1/2 of them are related here. This book is fast paced and fun to read. It is filled with lots of strange characters and is absolutely enchanting. It's an adventure story, an epic fantasy, and a biting satire all at the same time.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Feast is by Margaret Kennedy. A classic historical fiction novel set in 1947 Cornwall, England. A small hotel is demolished by a landslide. As the funerals for the dead approach, a flashback tells the stories of the owners, workers, and guests of the hotel - both those who survived and those who did not. This book is a character study; there is not much "action," but it is still intense and thought-provoking. Each character's soul is revealed in this amazing novel.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks is by Patrick Radden Keefe. An interesting set of nonfiction essays. These essays cover a variety of unsavory characters doing unsavory things, as well as characters like Anthony Bourdain, who are famous and interesting. These can easily be read one at a time or in any order you like. Don't expect Empire of Pain however.
Ratings: 6 out of 10 - 11th grade - AC (some adult thematic content).
Matrix is by Lauren Groff. An interesting historical fiction novel. Marie de France was seventeen when she was sent to a poor mismanaged convent by Eleanor of Aquitaine. At first shocked by her new life, she realizes her need for a family and vows to care for her new sisters. She becomes the new head of the convent and begins to implement a new course for the women under her care. This is a fictionalized version that the devout may take issue with, but it is a powerful story.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
When Ghosts Come Home is by Wiley Cash. A realistic fiction crime novel. When Sherriff Winston Barnes, who is running for re-election, decides to drive out to the local airfield in the middle of the night to check out a low flying plant that work him up, he is not prepared for what he finds. The son of the local school principal dead on the runway next to the abandoned, and empty, plane. The FBI arrive and believe the plane was carrying drugs, but Winston can't believe the dead man was involved with drug running. A complicated investigation that involves everyone in the community ensues. I enjoyed the novel until the ending, which I hated very much!
Ratings: Adult - 3 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Crimes of Clearwell Castle is by Benedict Brown. The seventh installment in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher decide to visit some distant relatives in the Forest of Dean, but when they arrive they discover two towns embroiled in the fall out of an ancient curse and a castle full of really strange relatives. Then a local bar owner is murdered and the death seems to be linked to a previous death and the local curse. Lord Edgington and Christopher must wade through a gothic mystery, complete with ghost, to solve the case.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts is by Benedict Brown. The sixth book in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. When Lord Edington receives a letter from a rich man who believes he is being poisoned, he and Christopher head off to prevent the murder. When Hugo Templeton-Swift is actually murdered, the pair must solve the murder they failed to prevent.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Tangled Treasure Trail is by Benedict Brown. The fifth installment in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. After reading of a death in a strange treasure hunt, Lord Edgington and Christopher head for London to participate themselves. Then another participant is shot and the case becomes entwined with secrets from WWI.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Reykjavik is by Ragnar Jonasson and Katrin Jakobsdottir. A realistic crime novel set in Iceland. As Reykjvik is about to celebrate its 200th anniversary, a reporter decides to solve the mystery of a young girl who went missing from a remote island 30 years earlier. But the investigation leads him to a lot of powerful people who don't want the mystery solved.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Lake District Murder is by John Bude. The first in the historical fiction Golden Age Inspector Meredith series. The Inspector is called in when a body is found in an isolated garage. The investigation winds a complex path through a tangle of shady business dealings and murder. Fans of Golden Age mysteries will thoroughly enjoy this mystery.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Professor is by Charlotte Bronte. A classic historical fiction novel by the author of Jane Eyre. This is Bronte's first novel. William Crimsworth is parentless and penniless. He leaves England to find work in Brussels and becomes a professor at an all boys school. He then secures an additional position at the adjoining girl's school where he is attracted to the older and more dominating directress. Then he meets another teacher at the girl's school named, Frances Henri, and the situation changes. A great look at Bronte's developing talent.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come is by Jessica Pan. A memoir by a shy introvert who decides to spend a year trying new things. Pan puts herself in circumstances she is not comfortable in and learns she can be an introvert and still step outside her comfort zone.
Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10.
Death at La Fenice is by Donna Leon. The first in the realistic fiction Commissario Guido Brunetti mystery series. When a famous conductor dies of cyanide poisoning in the middle of a performance, Brunetti is called in to find the killer. But in this case, it's more like narrowing down the suspect pool, which turns out to be larger than you would think.
Rating: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Mr. Dickens and His Carol is by Samantha Silva. A touching historical fiction novel with a touch of magical realism. This novel fictionalizes the story of how Charles Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol. Fans of the Christmas favorite will enjoy this book.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
An Orkney Tapestry is by George Mackay Brown. A collection of writing about Orkney seen through the eyes of a poet. This work examines Orkney via travel writing, nonfiction articles, myth, poetry, and drama. This work is magnificent. It makes you want to pack up and head to England. Anglophiles will love it.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
Greek Lyric Poetry is translated by Willis Barnstone. A magnificent collection of Greek lyric poetry by a variety of ancient Greek poets. A must read for fans of the classic Greeks.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Midnight Folk is by John Masefield. The first in the fantasy Kay Harker series. Kay is an orphan who lives in an old country estate looked after by two nasty caretakers. Kay's great-grandfather was a sea captain who supposedly stole an immense treasure. He maintained his innocence until his death, and now Kay is determined to find the treasure and clear his ancestor's name. His great-grandfather steps out of an old painting and with a groups of magical toys and animals, allows Kay to be transported to an enchanted world every night at midnight to find the treasure before a group of witches does. A charming children's fantasy.
Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants is by Robin Wall Kimmerer. A beautifully written nonfiction book by an indigenous author who is also a botanist. This book is semi-autobiographical look at indigenous culture, it's relationship to the earth, and Kimmerer's life. The worldview is definitely Native American; the writing is stunning in places. It is a fun and thought-provoking read.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10.
Whalefall is by Daniel Kraus. A very strange realistic fiction novel. After his father commits suicide by diving off of a boat, his son - Jay Gardiner - decides to look for his father's bones to bring closure to his family. He and his father never got along and he left home before his father's death and never settled things with him, As he makes the dive, he is swallowed by a sperm whale who is chasing a giant squid for food. Jay is swallowed when his gear gets tangled with the squid's tentacles. This is a bizarre story that boys might really like as it has a very high ick factor.
Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence).
A Fatal Grace is by Louise Penny. The second in the Chief Inspector Gamache realistic fiction mystery series. When a nasty newcomer to Three Pines is killed, Chief Inspector Gamache and his team return to Three Pines to find her killer. But how do you narrow down the suspects when everyone hated the victim? Fans of the series will love this installment as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is by James McBride. A powerful historical fiction novel set in rural Pennsylvania. When workers digging a well find a skeleton, secrets from the past emerge. Chicken Hill is near Pottstown; it has always been a lower income part of town inhabited mainly by African Americans and immigrant Jews. Moshe and Shona live there and run a grocery store that serves all of the community equally. When the state comes looking to institutionalize a young deaf black boy, Moshe and Shona help to hide him. This sets off a terrible chain of events. A powerful heart-wrenching story of the power of friendship, love, and resilience.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
There There is by Tommy Orange. A strange and shattering realistic fiction novel. The novel follows 12 Native American characters, each from their own point of view and perspective, as they travel to the Big Oakland Powwow. You get insights into all of the characters and what has brought them to the event and the horrifying shooting that occurs there and its aftermath. This book slips back and forth in time and between characters' voices - it is not always easy to follow and with 12 characters it is sometimes a challenge to remember who each of them are and how they are related to each other.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure is by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. A nonfiction look at what has gone wrong on college campuses. The book discusses what has happened, why it has happened, and what can be done to reverse the damage. While I don't agree with all of the points the authors make, the book does make you think - and there is a lot to think about.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.
The Future of Work: Compulsory is by Martha Wells. A brief prequel to the science fiction Murderbot series. No one knows Murderbot has fried its governor module, but when a miner is in danger after a pointless argument, Murderbot must decide whether to continue watching The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon or risk giving itself away by saving the miner instead of obeying orders.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
Starter Villain is by John Scalzi. A bizarre science fiction tale with super villains and intelligent cats. Charlie is a divorced substitute teacher barely making it. He is living in the house his father left him in trust when he died and his two step-siblings, who are also part of the trust, are desperate to get Charlie to agree to let them sell the house. If he can't get his life together, they just might get their wish. Then his uncle dies, a rich uncle he hasn't seen since he was a child, and leaves Charlie control of his super villain empire - complete with a volcano lair, talking cats with enhanced intelligence, a giant laser death ray, talking dolphins who want to unionize, and a super-secret multinational collection of villains who want him dead. So what can possibly go wrong? Scalzi is a delight! The twist at the end is typical of his wonderfully weird mind.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Death in the Dark Woods is by Annelise Ryan. The second book in the realistic fiction Monster Hunter mystery series. When a hunter and a fisherman are killed in the woods by what appears to be a Bigfoot, the local game warden asks for Morgan's help. Morgan and Newt travel to a Bayfield County, Wisconsin to see if Bigfoot is real, or if there is a murderer on the loose. This installment was every bit as fun as the last one and watching the relationship between Morgan and Jon develop is sweet.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Still Life is by Louis Penny. The first in the realistic fiction Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series. When an elderly woman is killed in the woods in a small town in Canada, it is thought she was mistakenly shot by a hunter. Inspector Gamache, however, suspects it was murder. But everyone seems to have loved Jane Neal, so who would have killed her and why? Mystery lovers will enjoy this series very much.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Winters in the World: A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year is by Eleanor Parker. A wonderfully interesting nonfiction look at Anglo-Saxon England. The book takes you through the Anglo-Saxon year using poetry, historical sources, literature, and religious observances. For anyone interested in Anglo-Saxon England this book is a must read. It is informative, yet easy to read and comprehend. Be warned it will increase your TBR with Anglo-Saxon poetry and literary references.
Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10.
Howard's End is by E.M. Forster. Forster's historical fiction classic tale of class and social conventions. This is the story of two families that intertwine as time passes. It details death, marriage, engagements made and broken, societal conventions flaunted - it is also the tale of a house. Howard's End itself is a character in this classic book. This is a challenging read, but well worth the effort. The language is stunning and the ending is heartwarming.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Lemesurier Inheritance is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot must determine if a family curse is real or an excuse for murder. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Double Clue is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Medieval jewelry is stolen from a safe after a party and Poirot must unmask the thief. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Cornish Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. When a murder at a Cornish lodge stumps the police, Poirot must solve the mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Lost Mine is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot tells a story of how he was rewarded shares in a mine for solving a mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventure of the Clapham Cook is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is stunned when he is asked to help locate a missing cook, and yet there is more to the disappearance than meets the eye - as Poirot soon discovers. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Submarine Plans is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Important submarine plans have been stolen from an aspiring Prime Minister. Only Poirot can find the plans and solve the mystery. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Case of the Missing Will is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Miss Violet Marsh's uncle has died and left a strange will. She comes to Poirot to help her solve the riddle her Uncle left for her. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot must solve the death of an Italian nobleman. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Market Basing Mystery is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. A landowner is dead and it seems to be suicide, yet Poirot suspects murder. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventure of Johnny Waverley is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is called on to solve the kidnapping of a young boy, taken from his home while both the police and Poirot were present. Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Case of the Veiled Lady is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is approached by a veiled lady who is being blackmailed and needs Poirot's help to recover some letters before they can be shown to her fiancé. But is the lady all she seems? Christie fans will enjoy this selection.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is by Agatha Christie. A charming short story historical fiction mystery by the great Agatha Christie. Poirot is contacted by the widow of a dead archeologist to decipher the curse of Men-her-Ra. Can even the great Poirot stand up against an ancient curse? Christie fans will be delighted.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
Aunty Lee's Delights is by Ovidia Yu. The first in the realistic fiction Singaporean mystery series. Aunty Lee runs a restaurant and her step-son has asked her to cater his wine tastings - as he is trying to push his business as a wine merchant. When two of the guests don't show, and are then found dead in bags on the beach, Aunty Lee decides to assist the police in finding the killers. A charming series cozy mystery fans will love.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
On the Fringe is edited by Donald R. Gallo. A realistic fiction collection of short stories by a variety of YA authors. Each story is about a teen "on the fringe," the outsider in their high school. Some of the stories are very good, others push agendas - but all are thought provoking.
Ratings: 6th grade - 4 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).
The Chocolate Box is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Poirot tells Hasting's a case he failed to solve, or did he? In his days as a Belgian policeman, a young woman asks him to help her prove an important member of the government was murdered. The clue: a box of chocolates. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
