Young adult literature

Hearn, Julie. 2005. The minister's daughter. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

recommended for young adults (middle into high school)

Nell is a child of the mid-1600's in England: a Merrybegot, born on the 1st of May; granddaughter of a healer or "cunning woman;" and alone in the world after her grandmother dies. Her life is not normal, even for the year of 1645. Birthing faery babies, avoiding the piskies that live in the furrows and bush, and using herbs and magic spells to keep the folk in the village well, Nell has seen perspectives on life that most young people don't see. But when the snobby minister's daughters get into some trouble through wayward means, Nell may be one of the few that can help. But she's also the target of their accusations of witchery. Ms. Hearn gives us a carefully woven and a compelling story of two very different walks of life -- and how each earns its own rewards.

This engaging read is an example of young adult literature that also falls into the genres of fantasy and historical fiction. It mixes normal adolescent concerns along with fantastical touches of magic in an intriguing story that masterfully connects the reader to the early Colonial American Salem witch trials. As shown in the resolution to this story, truly the seeds we sow today will be what we reap in time. As an example of young adult realistic writing, we see a detailed slice of life in rural, mid-1600's England with believable characters --good and bad-- who play out the constantly-moving and developing story line. The resolution to Nell's situation could be criticized as having a touch of deus ex machina, but the author carefully intertwines evidence to support the ending earlier in the story line. The story concludes with a hopeful, satisfying ending that will make the reader smile.

I was not enthusiastic about reading this title because it seemed, at the beginning, to be a heavier and darker work than I was prepared to read. I was quickly won over, however, by the development of Nell's character and the detailed description of her life in rural England with her grandmother and her growing skills as a healer and midwife for the faeries. Most satisfying of all, the evil-intentioned get their come-uppance in the end. One sour note for me was the stereotyping of the minister and his family as "puritanical." These characters in Ms. Hearn's book are marked by a complete lack of integrity and grace, qualities more true than not for the real, generally admirable Puritans. Superficial literature about this era, however, generally treats Puritans in a similar manner, so the overall impact of the book is not diminished.

Key words: Puritans, magic, witches, adolescence, English Civil War, King Charles II

Young adult realistic fiction

Broach, Elise. 2005. Shakespeare's secret. New York: Holt.

recommended for: 5th through 9 grades.

With a first name like Hero, there's bound to be problems for the new sixth grader. But out of the source of her name comes an intriguing mystery tied to the very same Shakespearean work. Somewhere in the new house her family has moved into is hidden a significant treasure: a diamond! And not just any diamond -- it's somehow related to Shakespeare and his era long centuries ago. With the help of an elder neighbor and an unexpected ally in an older, popular student, Hero discovers that a little sleuthing and doing what's right can often lead to unexpected --but rewarding-- consequences.

This representative of the realistic fiction genre for young adult literature models some of the best qualities of the category: an easy-to-know protagonist whose problems are similar to yours and mine, plausible and realistic situations and plot developments, and a satisfying and positive conclusion to both the story's mystery and Hero's personal dilemna. Ms. Broach skillfully develops Hero's character as the action unfolds, and we are reassured by the normalcy of Hero's situation: a sound family unit, solid community and personal values, and realistic conflicts both within Hero's school situation and with her sibling. Adults contribute to Hero's development and to the resolution of the problem, but Hero herself is able to reason and deduce the needed inforamtion. Readers will be delighted to discover the truth behind the mystery diamond and its hiding place.

Sometimes the problem-oriented young adult realistic fiction works can tend to oppressiveness in the depth and nature of the conflict, and I found myself relishing a "normal" protagonist whose problems were resolvable without major drama. The "real" world holds much heartache and pain for most of us, and I believe students will enjoy a chance to empathize with a protagonist's situation without overshadowing their own. A satisfying read that is both credible and engaging.

Key words: Shakespeare, school bullies, elders, family relations

Young adult historical fiction

Peck, Richard. 2004. The teacher's funeral : a comedy in three parts. New York: Dial Books.

recommended for: grades 5 - 8

Fifteen year-old Russell Culver has one dream that will take him out of the rural area where he has grown up: escape to the Dakotas for harvest time where the work is meaningful and pays well -- and best of all, gets him out of school! But destiny and Pa Culver have other plans for Russell. This school year is going to be different. After Ms. Myrt tragi-comically passes on to her reward, the new teacher is none other than Russell's older sister Tansy, who has been privileged to study at the distant high school. Between Pa and Tansy and fate itself, Russell is forced to spend another year at home, and in doing so, comes to learn much more about the people around him, his family and his own inner self.

Author Richard Peck is well-known for his humorous yet accurate renderings of young adults in historical moments that engage today's reader. This title is another successful title: the early 1900s in rural Indiana are portrayed authentically and with accuracy. The reader is transported to the time and the period when schools were single buildings with a privy close by. Transportation is by horse, if one is mobile, and the new-fangled automobile is viewed with suspicion and concern. Mr. Peck's exceptional ability for the language and nuances of living in the times is spot-on in this work, and readers will enjoy the chance to see life through a more innocent and community-based time.

I was familiar with Peck's work through the historical fiction The ghost was mine, a story of young Daisy who becomes somehow connected with the ghost of a young girl who was on the Titanic at the time of its tragic end. The humor in this Teacher's funeral is less overt but nonetheless present as it lightens and makes attractive the narrative of a young man's life a century ago. Middle school readers will enjoy this look at life that still allows for narrative surprises and laughs.

Key words: rural Indiana, one-room schools, harvest, early threshing machines