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! style="font-size:120%; background:lightblue; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Modern Age
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! style="font-size:120%; background:lightblue; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Industrial Age
 
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| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:MaxintheHouseofSpies.jpg|250px]]<br>
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| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:OneBigOpenSky.jpg|250px]]<br>
'''[[Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War II]]'''<br>
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'''[[One Big Open Sky]] ''' <br>
'''Author:''' Gidwitz, Adam<br>
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'''Author:''' Cline-Ransome, Lesa<br>
'''[https://amzn.to/3uVnr66 Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9780593112083 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
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'''[https://amzn.to/4aHdo3O Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9780823450169 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
'''Time Period:''' Modern Age <br>
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'''Time Period:''' Industrial Age <br>
'''Time Frame:''' 1939<br>
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'''Time Frame:''' 1879<br>
'''Geographic Area:''' Europe <br>
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'''Geographic Area:''' North America<br>
'''Country:''' Great Britain, Germany<br>
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'''Country:''' United States<br>
'''Topics:''' WWII, Kindertransport, Espionage<br>
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'''Topics:''' Westward Expansion<br>
'''Genre:''' Fiction <br>
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'''Genre:''' Fiction, Poetry<br>
'''Reading Age:''' Middle Grade, Upper Middle Grade<br>
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'''Reading Age:''' Upper Middle Grade, Young Adult<br>
 
'''Format:''' Chapter Book<br>
 
'''Format:''' Chapter Book<br>
 
'''Published:''' 2024
 
'''Published:''' 2024
 
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|}
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="font-size:95%; width:25em;"
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! style="font-size:120%; background:#fb607f; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Content Warning
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| style="padding:15px;" | death of a parent
 +
|}
 +
'''''[[American History|American History]]''' > [[Industrial Age Booklist|Industrial Age]] > Westward Expansion''
  
 +
'''Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free—or cost them everything they have—in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement.'''
  
'''''[[World History|World History]]''' > [[Modern Age Booklist|Modern Age]] > [[World War II Booklist|WWII]]''
+
1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they’ve strived for over generations on their very own plot of land.
 
 
'''“Max in the House of Spies is everything you could hope for in a book,” -R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, White Bird, and Pony'''
 
  
'''“Espionage! Secrets! Suspense! If you’ve ever dreamed of being a spy, this book is for you.” -Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Projekt 1065'''
+
But Thomas’ hopes—and mouth—are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger.
  
Max Bretzfeld doesn’t want to move to London.
 
  
Leaving home is hard and Max is alone for the first time in his life. But not for long. Max is surprised to discover that he’s been joined by two unexpected traveling companions, one on each shoulder, a kobold and a dybbuk named Berg and Stein.
+
Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn’t nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn’t no one tell us/how to live/how to die.
  
Germany is becoming more and more dangerous for Jewish families, but Max is determined to find a way back home, and back to his parents. He has a plan to return to Berlin. It merely involves accomplishing the impossible: becoming a British spy.
+
Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery—but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas’ desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there?
  
The first book in a duology, Max in the House of Spies is a thought-provoking World War II story as only acclaimed storyteller Adam Gidwitz can tell it—fast-paced and hilarious, with a dash of magic and a lot of heart.
+
Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome’s striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom.
  
 
==Emily's Review==
 
==Emily's Review==
I was RIVETED by this story. Spies and intrigue make for excellent reading, but even more so, I love that the author frames this story with a note at the beginning explaining that this is a book about asking and exploring two big questions - Why do people hate Jews? and How can a whole country believe a big lie? The author did a great job building a story that worked to enthrall readers while also getting them to ponder and think about these big questions.
 
 
Max is a great protagonist to follow - he is smart but makes some very questionable choices. Sent to England to England on the brink of war on the Kindertransport, he is worried about his parents back in Berlin. Fitting in in England is also a challenge. He is still learning the language and his accent makes him stand out. But as I said, he is a smart and determined kid, so he puts all of his efforts into finding a way to prove that he is a capable spy so the government will send him back to Berlin.
 
 
The adults in this book range in helpful to infuriating. Some want what is best for Max, while others, particularly those working for the government, see Max as nothing more than a useful tool in their mission to win the war.
 
  
Oh, and did I mention that there is a fantastical element? When Max leaves Germany, he doesn't leave alone - he is followed by two mythical beings: a kobold and a dybbuk. No one but Max can see or hear them, and they are a sort of Statler and Waldorf, heckling and commentating on everything that is happening to Max. They lend some comic relief to a very distressing and sometimes disturbing story.
+
I grew up playing endless rounds of Oregon Trail. I loved seeing all the ways one could die on the journey, but I also loved planning the trip, and doing all the shopping to figure out what we'd need to survive. That game imprinted on me, and I often turn to stories about people journeying out west to start a new life as homesteaders. I haven't read many, however, that feature an all-black cast of characters.
  
And the cliffhanger at the end left me reeling! I need to know what happens next. I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion!
+
Lesa Cline-Ransome wrote one of my absolute favorite books last year, For Lamb, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. The story begins with a family starting their journey west from Mississippi. We read from 3 perspectives - Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and a young teacher Philomena. I was surprised and pleased at how much depth the author put into this story. Novels in verse don't always work for me, I often find they need more story and can sometimes be hard to follow, particularly when there are three perspectives. But this story was so good I frequently forgot that I was even reading a novel in verse. I loved seeing how resilient the three protagonists were. I can't imagine how hard it would be to leave everything you know to travel across the country (for MONTHS!) to a place you don't know anything about for the chance at a new and better life. Seeing how they were able to overcome so many obstacles and tragedies along the way was inspiring. 
  
While this is a middle grade book, I think I would recommend it for the older end of that range - 10 and up. There is a lot of nuance and background that is useful to understand and get the most out of this story.
+
I think this would be a great addition to any US History curriculum or pioneering unit. I think it is best for ages 12+
  
 
==Other Similar Books==
 
==Other Similar Books==
Other suggestions on the subject of '''World War II (European Front)'''.
+
Other suggestions on the subject of the '''Westward Expansion'''.
  
{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::WWII]][[WWIIcat::Europe]]
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{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::Westward Expansion]]
 
  | ?Author = by
 
  | ?Author = by
| ?Topic =
 
| ?Country =
 
 
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Revision as of 11:12, 8 April 2024

History book by book logo.jpg
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.

First Time Here? Check Out: Frequently Asked Questions | How Do I Use History Book By Book (HBBB)?

General Outline

Prehistory Booklist (4,500,000,000-6000 BCE)

  • Stone Age (2,600,000-3300 BCE)

Early Civilization Booklist (6000-3000 BCE)

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  • Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE)
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Classical Age Booklist (3000 BCE-400 CE)

Early Medieval Booklist (400–699 CE)

High Middle Ages Booklist (700-1399 CE)

  • Vikings (790–1100)
  • Aztec Civilization (1345–1521)

Renaissance Booklist (1400-1599 CE)

Enlightenment Booklist (1600-1699 CE)

Age of Revolutions Booklist (1700-1839 CE)

Industrial Age Booklist (1840-1899 CE)

Modern Age Booklist (1900 CE - present)


See also: American History | African American History | Indigenous American History | Jewish History


List of All Booklists

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Why is HBBB a thing?

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 2024


See also: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

Featured Weekly Book Suggestion - 04/08/2024

Industrial Age
OneBigOpenSky.jpg

One Big Open Sky
Author: Cline-Ransome, Lesa
Buy at Amazon | BookShop.org

Time Period: Industrial Age
Time Frame: 1879
Geographic Area: North America
Country: United States
Topics: Westward Expansion
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Reading Age: Upper Middle Grade, Young Adult
Format: Chapter Book
Published: 2024

Content Warning
death of a parent

American History > Industrial Age > Westward Expansion

Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free—or cost them everything they have—in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement.

1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they’ve strived for over generations on their very own plot of land.

But Thomas’ hopes—and mouth—are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger.


Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn’t nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn’t no one tell us/how to live/how to die.

Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery—but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas’ desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there?

Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome’s striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom.

Emily's Review

I grew up playing endless rounds of Oregon Trail. I loved seeing all the ways one could die on the journey, but I also loved planning the trip, and doing all the shopping to figure out what we'd need to survive. That game imprinted on me, and I often turn to stories about people journeying out west to start a new life as homesteaders. I haven't read many, however, that feature an all-black cast of characters.

Lesa Cline-Ransome wrote one of my absolute favorite books last year, For Lamb, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. The story begins with a family starting their journey west from Mississippi. We read from 3 perspectives - Lettie, her mother Sylvia, and a young teacher Philomena. I was surprised and pleased at how much depth the author put into this story. Novels in verse don't always work for me, I often find they need more story and can sometimes be hard to follow, particularly when there are three perspectives. But this story was so good I frequently forgot that I was even reading a novel in verse. I loved seeing how resilient the three protagonists were. I can't imagine how hard it would be to leave everything you know to travel across the country (for MONTHS!) to a place you don't know anything about for the chance at a new and better life. Seeing how they were able to overcome so many obstacles and tragedies along the way was inspiring.

I think this would be a great addition to any US History curriculum or pioneering unit. I think it is best for ages 12+

Other Similar Books

Other suggestions on the subject of the Westward Expansion.

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