Plumfield Moms

The Namesake: A Story of King Alfred

Reviewed by Edward Garboczi
The Namesake: A Story of King Alfred and The Marsh King, by C. Walter Hodges—renowned for his illustrations—forms a two-part historical novel series about Alfred the Great and pivotal moments in his life. The story is told through a second Alfred, a young man who becomes an assistant to the king. Hodges’s writing, paired with his beautiful illustrations, vividly portrays the life and character of this remarkable historical figure. Understanding modern Great Britain, from which much of American culture is drawn, is deepened by knowing Alfred’s legacy. Middle and high school students who read these books will find in Alfred the Great a worthy figure to admire and emulate. Read the full review

A Night Divided

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
This 2015 middle-grade novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen tells the story of a family divided by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. It is the second historical fiction novel by Nielsen that I have read, and I am glad to have this one in my lending library. It moves at a different pace than that of Words on Fire and is less exciting, but it offers readers young and old a compelling tale of life inside the wall. Nielsen does an excellent job of helping us to understand why so few tried to escape East Germany – because of the danger, because of retribution to the loved ones who stayed behind, and because of uncertainty that the West was really any better. But the realities of life inside the wall are chilling. Read the full review

Night Is Coming

Reviewed by Sara Masarik
Night is Coming by W. Nikola-Lisa is a sweet and tender picture book that would be perfect for the bedtime routine of many little ones. Read the full review