Greg Pattridge
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Category Archives: Historical fiction
CABBY POTTS, DUCHESS OF DIRT
When her parents force her to work at grand Ashford Manor, 12-year-old Cabby Potts will do anything to escape, including playing matchmaker between her sister and the rich young lord of the manor. If it succeeds, her scheme will save … Continue reading
THE PRINCE OF STEEL PIER
It’s nine o’clock on Friday morning, and Mrs. Goldberg is definitely dead. With that kind of first line I was pulled into this compelling drama set in 1975 Atlantic City, New Jersey. 13-year-old Joey narrates the story. He and his … Continue reading
THREE STRIKE SUMMER
The year is 1936. Gloria Mae Willard, her parents, and older sister are evicted from their Oklahoma farm. The baby brother they recently lost is buried under a tree on that property. The Dust Bowl has wreaked havoc making farming … Continue reading
Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves
If you like historical novels, especially those centered around WWII, then this unique title will be just the ticket you need. Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves is set in Virginia where the vast waters it borders have … Continue reading
THE TITANIC TUNNEL
The historical fiction tag first peaked my interest for this title. Other than a certain popular movie and an ample supply of non-fiction accounts of the unfortunate tragedy, I’d come across very few fictional stories for middle graders about Titanic’s … Continue reading
THE BUTTON BOX
Ava is Sephardic Jewish and her cousin Nadeem is Muslim. Their different religions and cultures have never stopped them from being best friends. But after a bully makes them question their ties to each other, a visit to their grandmother … Continue reading
Dream, Annie, Dream
A music teacher friend of mine called a few weeks back with a problem. His school was doing a read every day initiative and teachers had to spend ten minutes reading the first 10-20 pages of any novel. “I read … Continue reading
LORETTA LITTLE LOOKS BACK (REVIEW & GIVEAWAY)
Loretta Little Looks Back (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; September 29, 2020) includes stories of Loretta, Roly, and Aggie B., members of the Little family that present the vivid story of their young lives, spanning three generations. These separate … Continue reading
THE PLACES WE SLEEP
I don’t read many novels in verse, preferring instead to stay with stories told the more traditional way. For me to break away from my comfort zone takes either a character or time period I’d like to spend time with—and … Continue reading
STEALING MT. RUSHMORE
If there was an award for worst parents in an MG book, the two in STEALING MT. RUSHMORE would win hands down. When things don’t go right Dad escapes from the world to his bedroom, while Mom has already taken … Continue reading
Always in the Middle... 