Spring Quick-Picks

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 A mix of recommendations—novels and non-fiction, adults and kids.  


Here are my most recent reads that I enjoyed.


The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

A breath-taking novel based on a true story a female spy network in France during the Great War. This book alternates between Eve’s time as a spy in 1915 and a young woman in 1947 who enlists the help of the reluctant and bitter Eve and her driver to help search for her beloved cousin who disappeared during the second World War. Soooooo good!  


One of my favorite things about this author is not just her gripping writing style, it’s the fact that afterwards she gives background information on the real characters, so you know exactly what’s true and which parts may have been embellished.  


The Elephant of Belfast by S. Kirk Walsh

Based on a true story, twenty-year-old Hettie saves Violet the elephant during bombings on Belfast in WWII. The descriptions of the bombings put you right inside the mayhem, chaos, and destruction.  I also found it very interesting to read about “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland: the Catholics/republicans/nationalists (in Belfast, Northern Ireland) who wanted to unite with Ireland versus the Protestants/unionists/loyalists who wanted to remain in the United Kingdom.


Escape at 10,000 Feet by Tom Sullivan

This mid-kids’* non-fiction graphic novel is a great way to learn about the true, unsolved story of DB Cooper who hijacked and escaped from a plane with a stash of cash and a parachute in 1971. I liked that the text was comprehensive and engaging, as were the large illustrations. Regular graphic novels don’t hold much appeal for me, but this one was a great exception!


The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

A touching mid-kids’* story of a gorilla who is part of a circus-themed show in a mall. Big-hearted Ivan finds a creative way to help a baby elephant named Ruby in this quick yet wonderfully memorable read. The paragraphs are very short, many only one sentence long, so this book is an easier read despite being 336 pages.  It is the winner of the 2013 Newberry Medal and has been made into a movie.

 

*Mid-Kids’ Books – Ages 8-12, Grades 2-6

 Young Adult – Ages 13+, Grades 7+

 

Happy Reading,

 

Annette 

Comments

Davida Chazan (The Chocolate Lady) said…
If you liked The Alice Network that much, you'll ADORE her next two books - The Huntress and The Rose Code. Even better than Alice, if you ask me. She just gets better and better!
April 10, 2021 at 4:20 AM
Reading in the Garden said…
I did not read The Huntress, but I did read The Rose Code and agree with you.... it's very good!! I'll have my review out sometime coming up. :)
April 17, 2021 at 6:14 AM
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