January 21, 2019
Today I have a book that begs the question “what makes someone a monster?” Set in Victorian England, a young chimney sweep discovers a golem who may just be the most human character of all. Don’t forget to follow One Great Book on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or by email so that you don’t miss a single story that will sweep…
November 18, 2018
Today I have a work of historical fiction that tackles slavery. I can’t lie. This is usually the type of book I shy away from because it gets me way too emotional. But I love Christopher Paul Curtis and it is a National Book finalist so I took one for the team and dug in. Gosh, was I rewarded with…
June 18, 2018
Today I have a book that is a medieval treasure hunt and adventure. This book absolutely surprised me in the best way and I was completely caught up in both the story and characters. However, while the old-fashioned language and the religious elements didn’t throw me off, they might give some pause to kids. I hope they are able to…
June 6, 2018
Today I have a book that is a mystery with truths about the past. The main plot is a hunt for a treasure, but intertwined is the story about a black family from the 1950s who are suffering at the hands of racism, The author has created a compelling story that also examines what it was like to be black…
May 7, 2018
Today I have an absolutely not so boring book about the Civil War. I read it in one day and totally got caught up in the mystery, the friend dynamic and yes even in the very chill romance. This is a great selection for kids who love history and battles, but it is also a perfect choice for kids who…
April 18, 2018
Today I have a book that is historical fiction from Iraq. So often we think of historical fiction as something we as parents didn’t live through, but in this case, 1991 may be relevant for us while ancient history for our kids. The politics that continue to play out in the Middle East are influenced directly by Desert Storm, and…
April 15, 2018
Today I have a book that shows kids that history can be fun! I have always said that I think history textbooks should be written in graphic novel format. Our past is really a story of how we got to our present-day circumstances. Bringing that story to life with an arc, a graphic component and humor will make it more…
March 20, 2018
Today I have a book that looks at Strongheart, the canine hero of the silver screen. This German Shepard had the looks, the acting chops, and the presence to make moviegoers swoon and he was an early action hero! I think Benjii owes a debt of gratitude to his predecessor who made viewers open to the charm and wiles of…
December 3, 2017
It isn’t often that I find a sequel equal to the original book. In fact, I rarely read the second book in a series because of time constraints. But boy am I glad I took a chance on this second book in the series because it blew me away. I loved The War That Saved My Life and was I…
July 23, 2017
This is a powerful story for children and even adults. It looks at the plight of refugees from both a current and historical perspective, and it does it in an action packed narrative that will have readers on the edge of their seats. When kids wonder why we study history, we tell them we are doomed to repeat it if…
