Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

This story begins in May of 1776 when the mistress of two young slave girls dies. They were to be freed in her will, but a nefarious relative shows up and claims them. They travel to New York where the earliest days of the American Revolution play out while Isabel, the older girl, tries to make sense of their lives. Her younger sister is physiclly and mentally impaired. Her new owners are harsh and cruel. They are also Tories. Isabel agrees to spy on them for the Patriot cause and helps uncover an assassination plot against George Washington. The plight of slaves in the early days of our history is clearly exposed here. Many details of daily life are described. The initial defeats of the Patriot army and nightmarish conditions in the British-run prisons are also graphically detailed. The book is well written and does what all good historical fiction should: it puts meat on the factual bones of the past. Highly recommended for grades 6-8.

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell

NC author.
Wonderful historical fiction from the military perspective on VietNam but through the eyes of Jamie whose brother TJ enlists in the Army. The Colonel is in charge of signing orders to send young men to VietNam. His daughter Jamie has never really thought about what that means because she is Army through and through, as is the Colonel, and that means you do things the Army way. Brother TJ sends back letters to the Colonel and his wife but sends Jamie a roll of unexposed film with no explanation. She learns how to develop film down at the base recreation center where she volunteers and discovers that her brother is sending her picture after picture of the moon.
A great work to use for a discussion of symbolism and for point of view. We often hear about how people outside the war protested but not about how the people fighting the war felt. Grades 6-8. Possibly younger.

Brooklyn Bridge by Karen Hesse

Sixteen year old, Katniss Everdeen lives in Panem, the future North America that is made up of 12 districts ruled by the Capital. Each year on reaping day, two people from each district are picked for The Hunger Games, a televised survival game. When Katniss’ sister, Prim, is picked, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. The games are required viewing for the citizens of Paneam and they watch until there is only survivor. The book is violent, full of drama, and even a little romance. The story will keep readers on the edge of their seats and the ending will cause them to “hunger” for more.