Rosemary Wells' Lincoln and His Boys

Although the blurb on the dust jacket calls it a biography, it is historical fiction. In the author's notes Wells tells us that the incidents happened and only the dialogue is made up. I loved the way the book brought Lincoln (and his family) to life - personally and politically. Through descriptions of the cities, the White House, and moments in the lives of the Lincoln family, Wells takes us into the time of Lincoln's election to just before his assassination and gives us a feel of being there with the Lincoln family. This would make a great, quick read aloud for Virginia teachers of 5th and 6th graders to give students a realistic picture of the Civil War era.

A good book for high school freshmen

ten miles past normal by frances o'roark dowell is the story of most ninth graders trying to find their niche in high school. Janie Gorman lives on a small goat farm in North Carolina (a farm that five years earlier she gave her parents the idea to buy).  When she goes to high school, she is separated from all of her friends except for her best friend who shares one class. Although she's looking to fit in and be normal,  Janie ends up being herself in this insightful coming of age story. She finds new friends in Verbena, a quirky outcast who draws on her arms and Monster, an eleventh grader who is mature beyond his years. And along the way she meets some local civil rights figures who worked with a Freedom School during the 1960s and once again enjoys her eccentric life. Recommended for ages 12+

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