“The Wicked and the Just”

Well written historical fiction packs a lot of punch for readers of many ages.

Rather than a text book, carefully researched historical fiction deftly combines snippets of history with an engaging, often breathtaking story. The net result is not only a terrific story to read aloud or independently, but one that also imparts real information.

And who knows?

Youngsters who may have once thought they didn’t like history may think otherwise once such books are read.

Plant the seed; It could very well develop into something most positive.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Klondike Gold” written and illustrated by Alice Provensen, Simon & Schuster, 40 pages; read aloud: age 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.In 1896 gold was discovered in the Klondike. Gold fever struck people from all over the world, and one hundred thousand people traveled to the gold fields. Among them was a young man named Bill Howell.Traveling with his friend, Joe, the two set out for Seattle, then boarded a boat north to Dyea where the men disembarked and traveled the rest of the 560 miles on foot and on their homemade boat. The journey was treacherous, with raging blizzards, sub-zero temperatures, and near-impossible terrain. And despite having to carry a year’s worth of supplies, the two pressed on with thousands of other prospectors, all for the slim chance of striking it rich.Based on the true story of Bill Howell, this fascinating tale captures the excitement, hardships, and desperation of people who risked their lives to find gold.

Librarian’s ChoiceLibrary: Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans CityLibrary Director: Judith PfeiferChildren’s Librarian: Pat PflugChoices this week: “Five Little Chicks” by Nancy Tafuri; “All the Places to Love” by Patricia MacLachlan; “Kira-Kira” by Cynthia Kadohata

Books to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.“I Survived: The San Francisco Earthquake, 1906” by Lauren Tarshis, illustrated by Scott Dawson, Scholastic, 2012, 98 pages, $4.99 paperback; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.In San Francisco in 1906, 11-year-old Leo loved being a newsboy. In the years before Leo’s father died, his papa would always tell him that Leo had good luck and guts, just like grandpop had had.Now that Leo was on his own, he knew Papa would have been proud of him. He made his way fair and square with the little money he made selling newspapers, and he kept papa’s gold nugget safely tucked away in his trouser pocket.In the early morning hours of April 18, 1906, the city of San Francisco was ripped open by a huge earthquake, and Leo was caught in the midst of crumbling buildings, shattering glass, and then fire.Would he have the good luck and guts that his father had told him he had – enough, at least, to survive?Fast paced, well researched and thoroughly engaging, this exciting historical novel will have youngsters ripping through the pages, start to finish.“The Wicked and the Just” by J. Anderson Coats, Harcourt, 2012, 342 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 12 and older; read yourself: age 12 and older.In the Middle Ages, Cecily’s life was unraveling. Her mother had passed away, and her father, once lord of the manor where they had lived, announced that the two of them were moving to a far outpost in occupied Wales — Caernarvon.Cecily was furious; she didn’t want to live among what she thought of as “savages.” Her only consolation was that once there, she would finally be the lady of the house.But what Cecily anticipated was not as it turned out to be.Another young woman, Gwenhwyfar, had dreams of her own, but they, too, were dashed when the English came, waged horrible battles, and reduced the Welsh to extreme poverty and hardship.Now, Gwenhwyfar had to be at Cecily’s beck and call, and the snotty Cecily took full advantage of Gwenhwyfar and made her miserable life far worse.Little by little, Cecily’s experiences begin to soften her arrogant attitude, and when the Welsh rose up against the English, slaughtering everyone in their path, Cecily was caught in a delicate and dangerous place between life and death.A brilliant, rich historical novel, “The Wicked and the Just” is an extraordinary read.