a Look at a Book

The Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson

This story takes place during the time of the judges in the Old Testament. I remember that this book made the warfare of that time – of nations conquering nations – come alive in a way that made more sense. I was able to enter into that time through the life of the main character Uriah and learn about these ancient civilizations. It’s a well-researched novel! Beyond that, though, I love the beauty of this foreigner encountering the the Hebrews and their God, because that’s why God chose that people in the first place: to be a light to the nations.

God King by Joanne Williamson

If you don’t know the story of Hezekiah in the Bible, he was a king of Judah who, though not perfect, trusted God more fully than many of his predecessors and successors. This book does not focus on his life, though. He appears in the book since Egypt and Assyria were interacting with Judah at the time.

The main character is actually a young Egyptian Pharaoh who unexpectedly ascends to the throne. Not much is known about him in history, but the author extrapolates and invents based on what is known.

This book made studying about ancient history more accessible to me, and it brought to life much of what I’d read about in Scripture. I also appreciated that while battles and bloodshed were part of that time, it’s handled in a way that makes it appropriate for young minds. Help your child keep in mind that, while historical fiction helps us get a sense of a time period, it is still fiction – not all of what they read truly happened!

Pro tip: read the author’s note after you read the book so nothing is spoiled, but you still know what is fact versus fiction.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The romantic in me delights in the love story in this book. The hopeful child in me loves the ending. The Jesus follower in me loves the portrayal of Daniel and his search for someone to free him from the suffering and agony of his life. He thinks, at first, that it’s the oppression of the Romans that has him held captive. Really, it’s his own anger and desire for revenge.
It’s set in the time of Jesus’s three years of ministry in Israel, so His name is mentioned many times throughout the book. Daniel’s desire to meet this teacher grows and grows – especially when he learns that Jesus could, perhaps, help his sister, who is afflicted by an evil spirit and refuses to leave the house.  It’s just…*chef’s kiss.*

Words fail me. Elizabeth George Speare is a master at historical fiction novels that convey truth, goodness, and beauty. If you haven’t read any of her novels, do yourself a favor and find one!

Mara, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

It has been years since I’ve read this book, but the general feelings I had in response have stuck with me. I definitely read it for the light romance that is woven throughout the book. I also read it for the intrigue and adventure of Mara being this strong, courageous slave girl (I love underdog stories!) who ends up being a double agent as powerful people vie for the Egyptian throne.

A third reason I was fascinated was that I knew hardly anything about Egyptian culture, and I remember learning little tidbits that painted a picture of their religious beliefs and societal hierarchy that added to my limited knowledge.

This was a book that I discussed with friends at an age when I didn’t discuss books regularly yet. They loved it too. Let your preteen give it a read – or read it together!

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

– An underdog tale if there ever was one! It is based on Shahrazad and the tale of One Thousand and One Nights, but it is told from the perspective of someone else who was disposable to the king: a slave in the harem.

On at least two levels, it is about an underdog fighting for her life: Marjan, the servant, and Shahrazad, the queen. Together they form a tenuous bond in their love for weaving tales and their desire to survive and to stop the king from murdering his queens out of fear and jealousy.

Thankfully, though the fear for their lives is tangible, there aren’t gruesome details, so this book is appropriate for your preteen. The stories within stories is a delightful literary tool, and your preteen may, like I did, want to reread it at some point!

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park is a fabulous author of many children’s books. This book blew me away by both with its dual timeline and its instructional value: readers learn both about life as it is currently in Sudan as well as about the Lost Boys of Sudan who were displaced during the Second Sudanese Civil War.

This was a powerful book: heart-rending, yet hopeful in its message to persist against all odds and focus just on the next step. It follows Mya, who must walk twice to get water each day: two hours one way each time. The book also tells the story of Salva, who had to flee to safety during the war. Eventually, their lives intersect in a beautiful way.

I’d encourage reading this together, if not discussing it with your preteen. It’s relatively short, but it packs a punch.

Journey to Jo’burg by Beverley Naidoo

As a child, I wasn’t aware that racism and inequality existed in other countries outside of the U.S. Perhaps your child is like I was?
This book, while fairly short and a relatively easy reading level, does a fantastic job introducing children (and perhaps adults) to the inequalities that Black South Africans had to experience during apartheid – and still today, to be frank.

The two main characters, Naledi and Tiro, decide they must walk to Johannesburg to get their mother when their baby sister falls deathly ill. As they go, they experience both generosity from some and racism from others. It is appropriate for this age group given the fact that it only alludes to the violence that was present, rather than going into gory detail. Highly recommend!

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmusca Orczy

I’m not always one for intrigue and mystery, but this book hooked me when I first read it, and I’ve enjoyed it as a reread as well. My mom had to explain the setting to me of the French Revolution prior to my reading of it, so your preteen may need that too. We were likely learning about it in world history, which helped.

The reader is thrust right into the middle of some aristocrats seeking to escape from France and the people who are trying to help or hinder them. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a master of disguise and mythically good at escaping capture as he helps people flee from France – sometimes from right under the guillotine’s nose.

What makes the story all the more interesting is how he presents himself to the world in England: he’s the richest man in England, but a ridiculous and not-too-smart one. He acts foolishly and inanely in social circles but then changes into his true character when rescuing people from France. His wife is French and brilliant and thinks he is “insufferable.” She doesn’t know his secret identity and the story includes her learning to fall in love with him as she discovers his true self.

This tale has action, romance, and a bit of mystery all wrapped up in a classic novel that is accessible for preteens.

The Second Mrs. Giaconda by E.L. Konigsburg

Though the title is misleading, the author is adept at bringing history – or any story – to life. You might be more familiar with her book From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which is not historical fiction. However, Konigsburg seems to like a good mystery.

This book is her attempt to answer the puzzle of the Mona Lisa: why did Leonardo da Vinci paint her when she wasn’t that pretty or famous? As is the case with historical fiction when not much history is known, the main character is not da Vinci – or even the subject of the painting (the “second Mrs. Giaconda”). It’s an assistant of da Vinci who is cunning and uses his closeness to da Vinci to better himself and his own family. It also features Beatrice who may well have been part of da Vinci’s inspiration for the Mona Lisa. 

Though we’ll never truly know the answer, Konigsburg creates a compelling story that brings to life both the time period and the people who lived in it.