This entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series offers a sensitive and honest biography of Van Gogh for young children. Vincent’s close ties to his brother are noted as are his struggles to settle into adult life and fit in.
Readers watch as Vincent begins to paint and develops his own style. They also learn in a simple way about his on going mental health issues.
This title shows how children can learn about many different kinds of people including those whose lives are not easy. I recommend this book and also believe that it could lead to good discussions between children and adults.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Dark Heart of Florence is the fifteenth book in a series featuring Lady Emily, her husband Colin and those around them. Long term readers will be delighted to again spend time with these characters and those new to the books may well want to go back and read at least some of the earlier entries.
There are many things that were appealing in this latest dual timeline story. One of these is the author’s knowledge of Florence, the Medici family, Savonarola and the imagined lives of those who lived at that time. She then takes readers on a virtual tour of that same city in 1903. It bears repeating that the erudite Ms. Alexander knows her Florence.
For those who may not know, Lady Emily’s husband works for the British government. His jobs often involve secrecy. However, Lady Emily, who is not a typical woman of her time, always becomes involved as well. Watching how their work leads to a restoration of order is another enjoyable aspect to the series.
In the part of the book that is set during the time of Botticelli, readers meet a young woman who wants more than what a young woman can typically expect, which is an arranged marriage. Who she falls in love with and the consequences of that choice form one thread of the narrative.
In 1903, Lady Emily, her close friend, her husband and her husband’s work colleague are staying in the home that was bequeathed to Colin’s daughter from an earlier relationship. A body falls to the ground. Why was he murdered? Does it have to do with Colin’s work or, possibly, a hidden treasure? Readers will keep turning the pages in order to find out.
Readers can be sure that they will find plenty of adventure in this story that is engaging and interesting. I definitely recommend this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Here is Hannah Lynn’s latest historical fiction title. Fans of retellings of famous Greek stories and myths will want to take a look at this one.
This is the story of Demeter and Persephone and many others. It is a story of the gods with both heroines and villains to be found in these pages. In many ways, this is a tale of parental love. The obstacles that the characters face are not ones that readers will experience but, nonetheless, they can relate to wanting to care for and protect a loved one.
Daughters of Olympus is a novel filled with events, some violence and engaging depictions of its time. The plot is involving and readers will enjoy this new way of looking at a classic story.
I very much enjoyed this title. It will be liked by those who have read books by Natalie Haynes, Jennifer Saint and Clare North among others. I look forward to whatever the author writes next.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.
Regular readers of my posts have undoubtedly seen how often I thank NetGalley for an advance copy of a book. There are so many wonderful titles to request in a wide variety of genres. Often I see a book by a favorite author, while at others, I have the chance to discover something new. If my request for a book is approved, I will read that book. When I finish, I write a review on NetGalley and post to a variety of sites.
Sound interesting? Are you interested in learning more about NetGalley? Interested in being a reviewer? Or…are you a reviewer already and would like some tips? Either way this title is an excellent resource.
Many thanks to NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Mark you calendar for the pub date for Fiona Davis’s forthcoming new novel. I think that this may just be her best book yet. I thoroughly enjoyed The Stolen Queen.
As is often the case, the story is told in two time lines and in two countries. Interestingly, both time lines have characters in common.
Readers first meet Charlotte Cross when she is a young girl embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. She has left her society family behind to be part of a 1930s dig in Egypt. So much happens to Charlotte there in terms of both her professional and personal life, but readers need to find out all of this for themselves.
The second timeline takes place partly in NYC right around the time of the famous King Tut exhibition. Now Charlotte is working in the Egyptian section of the museum when a necklace becomes part of an exhibit and leads to many events.
In this second time line, readers also meet Annie. She has been an enabler to her mother. Unexpectedly Annie secures a position working for the very well known Diana Vreeland just in time for a major fashion event. As was true for Charlotte, things don’t go according to plan.
It is not long before Charlotte and Annie travel to Egypt together. There is, again, much that happens while they are there.
Davis handles all of the plot elements flawlessly. It is also clear that she did her homework in order to give this book a real sense of its historical authenticity.
Anyone who has enjoyed a novel by this author will want to read this title. My guess is that this one will also bring her many new fans.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group-Dutton for this title. All opinions are my own.
The engaging cover of this entry in the long running series tells young readers one thing about Rudolph. Of course, that is that she was a medal winning athlete. While this is true, there is more to Wilma’s story than this.
Just for a start, young Wilma had nineteen siblings! This will undoubtedly amaze kids. Also, readers will be impressed to learn how she went from having polio to her great successes. Also impressive was the way in which Wilma stood up for civil rights.
There is much to love in this story. It is easy to recommend this entry on little people with big dreams.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 