YA Historical Fiction

 


Sixteen Scandals

By: Sophie Jordan

This book is a sweet period romcom with loveable characters and a very happy ending.  Great for a quick and easy read!  I would recommend this for anyone searching for a happy ending or anyone who likes fairy tales.  This book was a classic YA romcom, the only difference was it was set in the 1800s.-Norah

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

By: Mackenzi Lee

I love this book so much!!!!!!!  It is the queer, historical, adventure novel that everyone needs.  One of the biggest problems with historical fiction is authors don't stay true to outdated opinions.  Mackenzi Lee does not shy away from just how racist, sexist, and homophobic the 17th century was.  She also is very frank about how outdated medical, and in particular mental health knowledge was.  But, even amidst these heavy topics she crafts one of the funniest, most unique stories I've read.  The main character Henry is such a well rounded individual that was a delight to watch develop.  The rest of the characters are also fully written out with their own individual flaws and personalities.  It is such a well crafted plot.  This book is such a pleasure to read and there is not a single dull second.  It has some mature content so if you are 13 or older please read this book!-Norah

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy

By: Mackenzi Lee

If I thought the first book, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue was good, well just imagine how freaking excited I was there was a second book that was centered around Henry's gender-stereotype defying sister.  This book was just as well written as the first and the plot was just as exciting.  Some new characters were introduced and all the original favorites were back.  Mackenzi Lee is honestly a genius.  She proved that with the way she wrote her characters and stayed true to setting.  In this second book though, her genius reached a whole new level with the complexities of the relationships with in this book.  I can't really explain it so you just have to read it but it is so good.  I love, love, love this series!!!-Norah

The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks

By: Mackenzi Lee

The Montagues are back!  This is the final book in the series and focuses on the youngest sibling who was 2 at the time of the first book.  Adrian, the main character has no idea his two older siblings exist.  He is the sole heir of his father's estate, an anonymous writer of rebellious political pamphlets, his mother recently died, he is betrothed to an amazing woman, and he has severe anxiety in the 17th century.  The dude's got a lot going on.  I can't think of better time to discover long lost siblings and try to solve the mystery of a fantastical family heirloom.  As in her first 2 books Mackenzi Lee does an amazing job of staying true to the setting, writing well rounded characters, and creating a fast paced plot.  This book was not my favorite but still amazing.  I really liked the way Mackenzi Lee wrote about Adrian's anxiety and that the plot was a little more open to interpretation.  I was slightly let down that the final book had a straight main character but Adrian's fiance is amazing so it was okay.  I also didn't love the side characters as much but overall this book was a fantastic ending to an even more incredible series and everyone should read it.-Norah 

Sold on a Monday: A novel

By: Kristina McMorris

 I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. I was also afraid that it would be very confusing/hard to follow. As I continued reading, though, I realized that my fears were completely false. Kristina McMorris easily showcases the struggles and sacrifices many families went through during the great depression. Sold on a Monday is one of the best historical fiction books I've read. My favorite part of this book was the ending, which doesn't happen often. The ending surprised me and took an entirely different direction than I thought that it would. I would totally recommend reading this book!         -Allie
           *MILD LANGUAGE WARNING*

Girl in the Blue Coat

By: Monica Hesse

Okay, may I just start by saying wow. This book was exceptionally written and I absolutely loved every second of reading it. It's a holocaust novel about an 18-year-old girl, Hanneke, that was a black market worker. She provided for her family because her father is not able to. One day, on her trips, to deliver the goods people ordered, one of her usual clients asked her to find a person. The particular girl, her name Mirjam, had been in hiding in the client's home because she was Jewish. The story is about Hanneke trying to find Mirjam, but it's also about her dealing with the grief that she very much had because of her deceased boyfriend. The story has infinite themes that can be seen throughout the whole book. I could probably read it 10 more times and still not get all the details of it. In conclusion, though, this book is a joy to read and overall just a really good historical fiction read/book about war. I personally usually don't like these types of books, so if you're someone like me, you should give this novel a try!-Delaney

Rebel Girls

By: Elizabeth Keenan

This book was a fascinating read!  It is set in the 90s.  The main character and her sister go to a strict Catholic school.  When school starts, there is a rumor that the main character’s sister had an abortion.  This is a big no-no at their school.  The sister is staunchly pro-life and horrified by these rumors.  The main character though is a punk, feminist, and very pro-choice.  The main character's friend is also very pro-choice.  I thought portraying the different sides of this issue through opposing sisters was very interesting.  The plot is all about how the main character and her friend fighting against the rumors while still standing strong in their beliefs and in the process start a movement at their school.  It is a great story of girls of all types sticking together.  I really liked this book.  The premise of the book is incredible, although the execution was not as strong as it could have been.  A lot of the boy drama in the book made the story weaker and I thought it could have been left out altogether.  There is a subplot about systemic racism which was interesting.  I have to add one thing, the behavior of some of the characters in this book is horrifying to me, as both a girl, as well as a human!  I will never understand why some people want to take basic rights away from humans.  -Norah

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

By: Avi

This was about a girl traveling to America on a ship.  It was supposed to be a nice boat but it was not.  The caption was horrible and whipped the crew.  The girl eventually joined the crew.  For a reason which you have to find out.  The ending was very confusing but overall it was good.-Norah 

Girl in Blue

By: Ann Rinaldi

This was a great story about a girl that runs away from her home to be a soldier because of an arranged marriage. She, later on, becomes part of a detective service. This was a great book and is definitely a must-read for historical fiction lovers.-Annabelle

The Trial

By: Jen Bryant

This story is about the 1935 trial for Bruno Richard Hauptmann because he supposedly murdered Charles Lindbergh's baby son.  It is told from a perspective of a 12-year-old girl that gets to sit in on the trials and help her uncle be a court reporter.  Throughout the story, you learn about her family as well as the trial. Will you think the verdict was fair? -Norah