Four Challenges Finished!

After going through my list of books read and listing a bunch of alternatives, I am proud to announce that I have finished four challenges:

1st in a Series
Back To History
What An Animal
Young Adult

Now I get four free books:)

11,000 Years Lost (book review)

11,000 Years Lost, by Peni R. Griffin, is the story of 11-year-old Esther's journey back to the Pleistocene era. When Esther finds two ancient spear points on her school playground, they lead her to a doorway into the past. Esther steps 11,000 years back in time, not knowing that after she does, the doorway will disappear. She intends to stay for a few minutes exploring, then return home. But soon she finds herself stuck in Ice Age Texas, and she doesn't know when she will find another doorway. Soon Esther meets two girls who belong to a tribe of mammoth hunters, Ahrva and Tekinit. They bring her to their family, who adopts her thinking she is a child from the stars. When traveling with them, she finds herself face to face with dire wolves, scimitar cats, long legged bears, and mammoths, but never another doorway. Will Esther ever see her family again?

Although this book was a slow reader, it wasn't because it lacked excitement. It let the reader glimpse into the life of a person living in the Pleistocene. I was sad when this book ended, and eager to read more about Esther's adventures. I will definitely search for more books by this author!

This book was a substitute for the "Back to History Challenge and my "G" author for the A-Z Reading Challenge.

I am Regina (book review)

I am Regina, by Sally M. Keehn, is a fictional tale based on the true story of a young woman named Regina Leininger, who was kidnapped by the Native Americans when she was ten years old and held captive until she was twenty. The story of Regina starts on her family's farm in the country. Regina is the younger of two daughters, and a bit of a worrywart. Her older sister Barbara, however, is fearless and mischievous. When a band of Native Americans burns their farm to the ground and captures Regina and Barbara, Barbara is the one who tries to escape and find help. However, her escape fails and she is recaptured. Now all the girls have are each other. But they are separated when Barbara is sent to live in another village, and Regina feels quite alone. Then she slowly befriends a young girl named Sara, and they are both given to a harsh old woman named Woelfin. Slowly Woelfin and her son, Tiger Claw, seem to accept Sara and Regina. The children begin to learn their the traditions of their new home. They even mourn as their neighbors are lost to the guns and diseases of the white man.

This was a shocking story about hope, survival, and courage. It portrayed the life of a young woman living under those circumstances very well, and as you start to know Regina, you begin to feel happy when she accomplishes something, and to mourn along with her when a friend is lost. It was an amazing book.

This book is for the Back to History Challenge.

Finishing Becca (book review)

In Finishing Becca, by renowned historical fiction author Ann Rinaldi, young Becca is chosen to leave the hard work on her farm behind and work for a rich Loyalist family in Philadelphia. The year is 1778, and Philadelphia is a hotspot for Revolutionary war happenings. Becca can't wait to see the city for herself, her stepfather can't wait for her to get away from him, and her mother can't wait for her to finally get a formal education. The people she is to work for are well-educated socialites, the Shippens, and surely they can give Becca a rich girl's education. But the only thing Becca gets an education in is mendacity, because young and beautiful Peggy Shippen has set her sights on the American general Benedict Arnold, and she will do anything to turn him to her side. Becca can only watch in astonishment and disgust as Peggy woos Arnold into turning against his native country.

It was interesting to see this important historical event from a maid's point of view. As the story unfolds, Becca finds herself a part of the Shippens' duplicitous dealings, so the reader gets to see what happens through the eyes of someone who was close to the family. This book wasn't the best that I have read by Ann Rinaldi, but it did not disappoint me (her books never do).

This book was read for the Back To History Challenge.

Red Scarf Girl (book review)

Red Scarf Girl, by Ji-Li Jiang, is a true story about the Cultural Revolution. The author is twelve years old in the book. At the beginning, she is a model student at the top of the class. But as the story progresses, she is ridiculed by fellow students born into "red" families, for Jiang was born into a "black" family. All around her, lives are being ruined and families torn apart. People commit suicide. Homes are destroyed. When Jiang's own father is detained, she faces the most difficult decision of her life--she can testify against her father in court and be given all the honors and privileges that red children have, or she can be forced to bear even more pain. What will Ji-Li decide?

This was an incredibly sad story. It's impossible for me to imagine being in her place. I am glad that I didn't live in China during this time.

Amelia's War (book review)

This book is also for the Back To History Challenge.

Amelia's War, by Ann Rinaldi, is the story of Amelia, a young girl living in a small Maryland town during the Civil War. Neighbors and friends are torn apart because of their beliefs about the war. Amelia makes a special pact with her best friend Josh not to take sides. She doesn't want the war to ruin their friendship! However, that pact is tested when the Confederate Army marches into town with Josh's uncle as their leader. He wants the town to give his army supplies, and if it doesn't, he threatens to burn the town to the ground. Will Josh stick with Amelia, or will he help his uncle? The fate of Amelia's only home depends on his choice.

I really enjoyed this book. It built up the suspense at the end and then left me feeling satisfied with its conclusion. This was one of my favorites reads by Ann Rinaldi so far. I'm using a lot of her other books for the history challenge, and I hope they're all as good as this one!

A lot of new challenges!

I'm joining a ton of new challenges this year! I only have two books left for the Four-legged Friends and two for the Book Awards Challenge, so I should have plenty of time for these new challenges! I'm not posting my list for the What's In A Name Challenge here because I already have a separate post for that.


First, there's the Sci-Fi Experience, hosted by Carl. This isn't really a challenge, but I'm looking forward to reading lots of good sci-fi books!






Second, there is the Mythopoeic Award Challenge, hosted by Lenneth. Here is my list:



Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Tithe by Holly Black

Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson

The Giver by Lois Lowry



Third, there is the Young Adult Challenge, hosted by Joy. Here is my list:


Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Swan Sister edited by Terri Windling and Ellen Datlow

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Finishing Becca by Ann Rinaldi

Maximum Ride: School's Out--Forever by James Patterson

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Underworld by Catherine Macphail

Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison



Fourth, there's the Back To History Challenge, hosted by Shannon. This is my list:





Finishing Becca by Ann Rinaldi

Number The Stars by Lois Lowry

The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

On The Edge of Revolution by Deborah Kent

Air Raid Pearl Harbor by Theodore Taylor

Amelia's War by Ann Rinaldi

Seeds of Hope by Kristiana Gregory

The Plague by Philip Wooderson

Burning Issy by Melvin Burgess

I Am Regina by Sally M. Kehn

West To A Land Of Plenty by Jim Murphy

What Was Watergate? by Pamela Kilian

Alternates:

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-Li Jiang

11,000 Years Lost by Peni R. Griffin

Two Girls Of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein

Robert E. Lee by James I. Robertson Jr.

Ulysses S. Grant by Steven O'Brien

The Seer of Shadows by Avi

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

Lucy and Her Times by Paseal Pieg and Nicole Verrechia


Fifth and finally, there is the First In A Series Challenge, also hosted by Joy. Here's my list:



So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce

Larklight by Philip Reeve

The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey

Northlander by Meg Burden

Triskellion by Will Peterson

Terrier: The Legend of Beka Cooper by Tamora Pierce

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

The Divide by Elizabeth Kay

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper


That's all!