Historical Fiction Pick: The Lacemaker and the Princess

After taking one month off from blogging to finish writing a novel, I figure I'd better get back to doing some recommending!

I just finished reading The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, a sumptious tale of a young girl who witnesses the French Revolution firsthand.

Isabelle is a poor lacemaker who, through an extraordinary turn of events, becomes the playmate of Therese, daughter of the King and Queen of France (better known as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette).

Bradley does a wonderful job of painting a picture of the French Revolution both from the side of the disgruntled, starving citizens of France and the blissful ignorance and extravagance of the royalty. Isabelle is put in the interesting position of understanding both sides of the battle -- Therese is her friend who lavishes riches on her, but outside of the walls of Versailles, Isabelle's family lives in squalor.

I'm a great fan of literature set during this period, but this book presented such a unique vantage point that is rare in a novel for kids. We sympathize with all the characters in the book -- through the eyes of an innocent young girl who tries to see good in everyone. We are also left with a vivid picture of France at the time -- from the poorest sections of Paris to the opulence of Versailles with its blood-red marble walls.

What a wonderful book for any middle schooler through high schooler. I love it when an author can make history come alive -- and author Bradley has done just that in The Lacemaker and the Princess.

Princess Academy: For Girls Who Dream Big

If you're looking for a book that will transport you to another world, try Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale.

You might think that this sounds like a fairy tale book filled with withering princess-types -- all waiting for their Prince Charming, but it is not. The main character, Miri, is from a mountain town where all the inhabitants work in the local quarry harvesting a precious stone called linder. Miri is small compared to the other teenagers in her village, and, to her great frustration, is forbidden by her father to work in the quarry.

Miri's fight to "be useful" to her family and village is sidetracked one day when an important visitor comes to town. The priests of the country's royal family have decided that the wife of the crown prince will come from Miri's small, unrefined village. A mandate is sent down that all the girls between 12 and 17 must attend a Princess Academy. The future princess will be selected in a year's time from this group of girls.

Miri and her friends are shocked, but they follow the order and each begins to see that the world is much bigger than they could have imagined. Miri's transformation, as she learns to read and wrestles with the notion that she may want to be the princess after all, is wonderfully portrayed

A suspenseful twist at the end will have you at the edge of your seat, and you will be cheering for each of the girls as they discover how to get what they really want from their lives.

Miri is a main character that girls can relate to, she's independent, funny, sensitive, smart, sweet and strong -- you'll be routing for a sequel after you read Princess Academy -- a great book for girls! Recommended ages: 5th grade on up....

Next on my list from this award-winning author (Princess Academy was a 2006 Newbery Honor Book): The Goose Girl -- I'll let you know what I think!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!