Mel's Book Corner

Title: Diana's White House Garden Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Elisa Carbone Major Awards: None Age Group: Kindergarten-2nd grade This is the story of Diana Hopkins who lived with her father, Harry Hopkins, the chief advisor to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the White House. When the United States was at war, President Roosevelt told his staff that everyone needed to do their part in order to win the war. Diana knew this included her, so she started brainstorming ways to help. She thought of being a spy, but this ended up getting her in trouble with the White House workers. She thought she could be a city official, but a sign she made offended her father. She put pins in satin chairs at the White House, thinking these would defeat the enemies that President Roosevelt talked about. This only got Diana in more trouble, and injured people in the process. One day, President Roosevelt said that he wanted everyone to start growing their own food in their backyards. ...

Title: Hope's Gift Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Kelly Starling Lyons Major Awards: 2014 Storytelling World Award, 2013-2014 IRA/CBC Children's Choices Age Group: 1st-3rd grade This is a story about a young girl Hope, and her father having to join the war. On Christmas one year, her father explained to her and her brother that he was being sent to fight in the war. He gave Hope a conch shell as he was saying goodbye and told Hope, "That's the sound of freedom, Hope. And nothing can keep it from coming. Nothing." Hope clung tight to the conch and these words in the coming months whenever she was missing her father. When the canons would roar each night, Hope would desperately pray for her father's safe return and hold the conch to her ear. Many times, Hope's family would get word that President Lincoln was freeing the slaves, but it was always false. Hope continued to miss her father and cried often, with the holidays being the hardest time for...

Title: As Fast As Words Could Fly Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Pamela M. Tuck Major Awards: New Voices Award Age Group: 3rd-5th grade This is a story about a young boy named Mason during the time of segregation. His father was a part of a civil rights group, and he helped them out by taking notes of things his father told him, and then writing letters to President Lyndon B. Johnson. One day, his father surprised him with a typewriter so that he could continue to help his father, but with more ease. Mason started high school, but after a few short weeks, his father said that there was no reason for Mason and his brothers to be going to a school twelve miles from home when there was a high school three miles from home. He stated that they were now registered at the white school three miles away. The boys were fearful, but wanted to please their father. As expected, school life at the new school was tough. The brothers did not get the same amenities as everyone else and were...

Title: Ellen's Broom Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Kelly Starling Lyons Major Awards: Coretta Scott King Honor Age Group: 1st-3rd grade This is a story about a family overcoming slavery. During slavery, husband and wife were sometimes ripped away from each other, and were not allowed to even have a proper wedding ceremony. The husband and wife were only allowed to use a broom and jump over it, signifying that they were "jumping" into a new life together. One day at church, the preacher told the crowd that all former slaves living as husband and wife could now be married in the eyes of the law. Ellen's parents could now be married legally. On their way to the ceremony, Ellen's mother grabbed the broom that was hanging on the wall of the home and asked Ellen to carry it with them on their journey. She said that, since this is all they began with, it should come with them. When they arrived at the office, Ellen noticed that her mother could use something...

Title: A Voyage in the Clouds Genre: Historical Fiction Author: Matthew Olshan Major Awards: None Age Group: 2nd-5th grade This is the story of Dr. John Jeffries and Jean-Pierre Blanchard and their flight from one country to another. An Italian had flown, a Scot had flown, a woman had flown, and a sheep had even flown in a "manned balloon", but no one had ever flown from one country to another. Dr. Jeffries and pilot, Monsieur Blanchard wanted to be the first ones to do this. They cannot stand each other, though which causes issues. Blanchard does not want Dr. Jeffries to fly with him, so he makes up a theory that the balloon can only hold one person and a dog. Dr. Jeffries knew this was not true because he had already weighed everything to know that it could hold the two of them and their supplies. Dr. Jeffries weighs everything again, and sure enough, it all fits. They take flight and everything goes smoothly until they start to descend. Thinking it could be their ...