The Children's Blizzard

Many people who are amateur historians have heard of the horrendous blizzard of January 12, 1888 which killed over two hundered people across the Northern plains states. This blizzard is often called the schoolhouse blizzard or children's blizzard as many of those killed were children who had just been released from school. In the new book The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin, this blizzard takes on a personal tone as the story of several individuals unfolds with some becoming heroes/heroines and others becoming villains. Benjamin does a masterful job of providing a backstory of her five main characters which sets up what happens during and after the blizzard. In particular, she does not end the story when the blizzard is over but follow these characters for several years into the future showing how their experiences impacted their lives and communities. At first the stories seem quite disparate but soon the lives of several characters become quite intwined. It does not become apparent how the fifth character becomes involved until after the blizzard is over, but he has a large impact on the other characters.

The Children's Blizzard is a wonderful book but not for the squeamish as descriptions of individuals freezing to death and subsequent amputations are included. While the main character is female, the story will appeal to both men and women who enjoy historically accurate fiction based on true stories.

I received a complementary copy of The Children's Blizzard from Random House Publishing Group--Ballantine via Netgalley. I am not obligated to provide a positive review.

Stanfield Chronicles

Exploration by David Tory is the first book in the new Stanfield Chronicles series. Set primarily in England, Exploration follows Isaac Stanfield through his teen and young adult years. Stanfield's story is told through a combination of letters and journal entries which describe the many adventures he experiences. His adventures largely center around sailing and doing investigative work for individuals invested in what would become the Massachusetts Bay Company. As part of his work, Stanfield is sent to see if it is possible for a group of English settlers to survive a winter in the new world. Finding it is, Stanfield's work paves the way for the sailing of the Mayflower.

Author David Tory does an admirable job of blending historical research including actual historical figures with an engaging story. There is a dash of romance as well as swashbuckling adventures and sorrow. The combination creates a historical narrative which appeals to all readers. I look forward to more of Isaac Stanfield's adventures in subsequent volumes of this series.

I received a complementary copy of Exploration from NetGalley.

A Most English Princess

A Most English Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Daughter by Clare McHugh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you enjoyed Victoria on PBS Masterpiece, you want to read A Most English Princess by Clare McHugh. McHugh focuses on Queen Victoria oldest daughter, who is also named Victoria. This fictional biographic account of her life begins as a young girl and continues throughout her adult years. While focused on the life of Victoria, the lives of her siblings and parents are included. However, the most attention is given to Victoria's relationship with her husband's father and with her son, Kaiser Wilhelm II.

With the title A Most English Princess, one might think that the book is only for women. While women will definitely enjoy the book, the emphasis is not on romance but on history. Any history buff will enjoy the behind the scenes look at Prussia and the royal families. Reading this book provides much insight into the militarization of Germany and why conditions were set for World War I. McHugh provides just the right mix of an enjoyable story that is well-researched and historically accurate.

I received a complementary copy of A Most English Princess from William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive review and all opinions are my own.

American Patriots

Recently, I finished reading American Patriots: Answering the Call to Freedom by Rick Santorum. While a slim book, American Patriots packs a lot of content and introduces readers to a larger scope of patriots beyond Washington, Henry, and LaFayette. After a brief introduction, Santorum organizes the book into the sections Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Each section contains an overview of that subject and describes what those terms meant to the founding fathers and people of that time period. Santorum then proceeds to share biographies of various patriots who are less well-known yet were instrumental in the War for Independence.

Santorum includes a variety of individuals and does not limit the selection to "dead, white males." Included are individuals of varying racial and ethnic groups as well as many women. Perusing the table of contents prior to reading the book, I found that all of the individuals listed except for three were unfamiliar to me. While reading the brief biographies of each individual, I found that several are considered regional heroes and would be quite familiar to individuals who live in those regions. Santorum also includes multiple references for individuals who may wish to further research any of these individuals.

American Patriots is recommended for multiple audiences. As Christmas is coming, American Patriots would be a great gift for a history buff. Teachers and home school families would appreciate the behind the scenes information beyond dates and battles American Patriots would add to a unit on the American Revolution. Families who enjoy read-alouds will find this a great resource as each chapter is brief yet meaty enough to elicit great conversation and character building. Our family plans to add this to our read-aloud pile. Individuals who may not agree with Santorum politically will still enjoy the stories of these unsung heroes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Pubishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”