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| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:Freewater.jpg|250px]]<br>
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| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:MrDickensandHisCarol.jpg|250px]]<br>
'''[[Freewater]]'''<br>
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'''[[Mr. Dickens and His Carol]]'''<br>
'''Author:''' Luqman-Dawson, Amina<br>
+
'''Author:''' Silva, Samantha<br>
'''[https://amzn.to/35jivLo Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9780316056618 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
+
'''[https://amzn.to/3ss0uDS Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9781250154057 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
 
'''Time Period:''' Industrial Age <br>
 
'''Time Period:''' Industrial Age <br>
'''Time Frame:''' 1810-1820<br>
+
'''Time Frame:''' 1843<br>
'''Geographic Area:''' North America <br>
+
'''Geographic Area:''' Europe <br>
'''Country:''' United States<br>
+
'''Country:''' Great Britain<br>
'''Topics:''' Antebellum South, Slavery, Maroon Community, Escaped Slaves<br>
+
'''Topics:''' Charles Dickens<br>
'''Genre:''' Fiction <br>
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'''Genre:''' Non Fiction<br>
'''Reading Age:''' Middle Grade<br>
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'''Reading Age:''' Young Adult, Adult<br>
'''Format:''' Chapter Book<br>
+
'''Format:''' Book<br>
'''Published:''' 2022
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'''Published:''' 2020
 
|}
 
|}
  
'''''[[American History|American History]]''' > [[Industrial Age Booklist|Industrial Age]] > [[Topic::Slavery]]''
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'''''[[World History|World History]]''' > [[Industrial Age Booklist|Industrial Age]] > Charles Dickens''
  
Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there’s no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp.
+
'''“A charming, comic, and ultimately poignant story about the creation of the most famous Christmas tale ever written. It’s as foggy and haunted and redemptive as the original; it’s all heart, and I read it in a couple of ebullient, Christmassy gulps.” ―Anthony Doerr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All The Light We Cannot See'''
  
In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home.
+
'''Laced with humor, rich historical detail from Charles Dickens’ life, and clever winks to his work, Samantha Silva's Mr. Dickens and His Carol is an irresistible new take on a cherished classic.'''
  
Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.  
+
Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in.
 +
 
 +
Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens’ deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever.
  
 
==Emily's Review==
 
==Emily's Review==
Sometimes I read a book and I feel sad when I finish because I wanted to stay with the characters longer. That's how I felt when I finished reading [[Freewater]]. This is stellar middle-grade historical fiction. Homer and his sister managed to escape the plantation, but their mother and friend were left behind. They stumbled upon a community of formerly enslaved people living in the swamp. I've read many stories about people escaping enslavement and venturing north - this is the first book I've read about communities of formerly enslaved people living in the south. The story is set in the Great Dismal Swamp and the author did a lot of research on maroon communities in the south - I found it completely riveting.  
+
I found this novel to be so endearing. This story is so cozy and comforting, like a warm blanket and hot chocolate on Christmas eve. If you are a fan of A Christmas Carol, then this book is for you. It takes everything you love about Carol and makes it better.  
  
The characters in this story are so vivid and real. I loved Sanzi especially - she was born in Freewater and finds being confined to the community stifling. She wants to go out and explore and be a hero and doesn't fully understand why her mother won't let her. I also really loved Nora, who is the daughter of the plantation owner. She has selective mutism and feels like her family doesn't understand her. She was deeply attached to Homer's mother, Rosa, who basically raised her. All of the perspective characters had a very distinct voice and I enjoyed reading from all of them.  
+
Dickens is forced to write a new story, a Christmas story, and fast to save himself from financial ruin. But how can he do that while suffering from writer's block? I adored the way the author paralleled Dicken's life with the story of A Christmas Carol. She wove the tale together seamlessly. The writing was beautiful. It felt very evocative of Dickens's own writing. I felt very much like I was there, in Victorian London, walking the streets during the Christmas season.  
  
It's rare to read a book about slavery that is uplifting and heartwarming. This story gives a great balance to reading about the horrors of slavery. This is why I'm such a fan of resistance stories - it is exciting to discover that there were people in this dark time that managed to find a way to be free. I think the author did a fantastic job of showing the brutality of slavery without getting overly graphic. I highly recommend this book to kids ages 10+.  
+
I highly recommend this tender tribute to a Christmastime classic.  
  
 
==Other Similar Books==
 
==Other Similar Books==
Other suggestions on the subject of '''Escaped Slaves'''.
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Other suggestions on the subject of the '''Charles Dickens'''.
  
{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::Escaped Slaves]]
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{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::Charles Dickens]]
 
  | ?Author = by
 
  | ?Author = by
| ?Topic =
 
 
  | ?Reading Age =
 
  | ?Reading Age =
 
  | sort=ReadAgeNum
 
  | sort=ReadAgeNum

Revision as of 12:12, 12 December 2022

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Welcome to History Book By Book,
Reading your way through history... one book at a time...

> We are currently recommending a total of (1,100) books, divided into (65) specific booklists on this website.

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I am a list maker. I love organizing booklists, to-do lists, checklists of all kinds. I spend a great deal of my time researching books for my job and I’ve often found it frustrating that there isn’t one reliable resource where I can find an organized timeline of literature. So I’ve created one. I’ve set out to create a resource that will guide you on a literary adventure through history.

You can find books here on just about every time period or historical topic and for any age level. I’ve done my best to research and vet each title to ensure that this list is filled with living books. I’ve noted content warnings when necessary and my daughters and I have reviewed many of the titles recommended. This has been and will continue to be a labor of love, as we continue to build this website and update these book suggestions. I hope you find it helpful!

Thanks and Happy Reading, Emily

Emily's Favorites

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Book Suggestions Published in 2022


See also: 2021 | 2020

Featured Weekly Book Suggestion - 12/5/2022

Industrial Age
MrDickensandHisCarol.jpg

Mr. Dickens and His Carol
Author: Silva, Samantha
Buy at Amazon | BookShop.org

Time Period: Industrial Age
Time Frame: 1843
Geographic Area: Europe
Country: Great Britain
Topics: Charles Dickens
Genre: Non Fiction
Reading Age: Young Adult, Adult
Format: Book
Published: 2020

World History > Industrial Age > Charles Dickens

“A charming, comic, and ultimately poignant story about the creation of the most famous Christmas tale ever written. It’s as foggy and haunted and redemptive as the original; it’s all heart, and I read it in a couple of ebullient, Christmassy gulps.” ―Anthony Doerr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All The Light We Cannot See

Laced with humor, rich historical detail from Charles Dickens’ life, and clever winks to his work, Samantha Silva's Mr. Dickens and His Carol is an irresistible new take on a cherished classic.

Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. His newest book is an utter flop, the critics have turned against him, relatives near and far hound him for money. While his wife plans a lavish holiday party for their ever-expanding family and circle of friends, Dickens has visions of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a Christmas book to save them all from financial ruin, he refuses. And a serious bout of writer’s block sets in.

Frazzled and filled with self-doubt, Dickens seeks solace in his great palace of thinking, the city of London itself. On one of his long night walks, in a once-beloved square, he meets the mysterious Eleanor Lovejoy, who might be just the muse he needs. As Dickens’ deadlines close in, Eleanor propels him on a Scrooge-like journey that tests everything he believes about generosity, friendship, ambition, and love. The story he writes will change Christmas forever.

Emily's Review

I found this novel to be so endearing. This story is so cozy and comforting, like a warm blanket and hot chocolate on Christmas eve. If you are a fan of A Christmas Carol, then this book is for you. It takes everything you love about Carol and makes it better.

Dickens is forced to write a new story, a Christmas story, and fast to save himself from financial ruin. But how can he do that while suffering from writer's block? I adored the way the author paralleled Dicken's life with the story of A Christmas Carol. She wove the tale together seamlessly. The writing was beautiful. It felt very evocative of Dickens's own writing. I felt very much like I was there, in Victorian London, walking the streets during the Christmas season.

I highly recommend this tender tribute to a Christmastime classic.

Other Similar Books

Other suggestions on the subject of the Charles Dickens.

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