HF4

﻿ The Alchemist's Daughter

McMahon, Katherine Chrissy McNeal “The Alchemist’s Daughter”, by Katharine McMahon, is written in the first person from the point of view of a young girl named Emilie. Emilie grew up with her father and the house keepers, Mr. and Mrs. Gill. Her mother died when she was born. Her father teaches her about alchemy, something not many girls learn in 1725. That is until a young man comes into her life and turns it upside down. The story is exciting with so many twists and unexpected decisions. Although this is a great story, some pieces may be too mature for the average teenage student. Furthermore this book would appeal more to girls than guys. (110) Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici Meyer, Carolyn Rachel Crane Caterina de' Medici lives a fairy-tale life in the novel //Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici// by Carolyn Meyer, however, her perfect world is more dangerous than it seems. Meyer brings history to life as she portrays how living life as a royal can sometimes be dangerous. Caterina's life is threatened by angry peasants who demand her to give up her power. Deeply frightened, Caterina and her loyal servants flee across Italy in search of a safe haven, while Caterina prepares to marry Henri, King of France. Caterina de' Medici is memorable and witty and proves that with a strong will and a brave heart, one can overcome all obstacles. (112)

Anne of Green Gables Montgomery, Lucy Maud Georgia Kourakos The novel //Anne of Green Gables// centers around the honesty and innocence of a girl maturing during an era when "children were to be seen and not heard". The story is written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a woman whose spirit longed to be as vivacious and daring as eleven year old Anne Shirley. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, aging siblings, desire to raise a young boy to assist Matthew in maintaining their small farm in Canada. Much to Marilla's dismay, the asylum sends red-headed and freckled Anne to live with the Cuthbert's. Matthew, a man of minimal words, takes a liking to Anne because of her incessant but interesting and philosophical view of the world. Marilla, however, has a stubborn but practical perspective on the matter and is hesitant to accept Anne into their home, Green Gables. The heart of the novel is the sheer dramatic, romantic and witty sense Anne contributes to the small Victorian town. Her personality contrasts sharply with the rest of the females because of her vibrant attributes that push away female stereotypes and boundaries. (178)

Nefertiti

Moran, Michelle Paige Hannah Mummies, sphinxes, and pyramids are stereotypical icons of Ancient Egypt, but there is so much more to the story of the people of Ancient Egypt. //Nefertiti//, a novel written by Michelle Moran, provides an incredibly real look into the life of one of Egypt's most famous queens through the eyes of her sister, Mutnodjmet. From the day of her birth, Nefertiti is raised to marry the future Pharaoh of Egypt and someday reign over the empire by his side. The story follows Nefertiti's path as she wins the heart of the man who goes down in history as the Pharaoh who abandoned the traditional Egyptian gods. It is a time of controversial thinking, changes in thousand-year-old traditions, and undeniable danger for the royal family. The culture of Ancient Egypt is expertly painted by Moran, showing the challenges, ever-present gods, and societal rules of the day. The destiny of the two most powerful women in Ancient Egypt is constantly evolving, and will invoke suspense and emotion until the final pages of the book. (170)

//The Sands of Sakkara // Meade, Glenn

Eric Puhl

The novel // The Sands of Sakkara //by Glenn Meade, tells the story of an attempted assassination of President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill by German spies, Jack Halder and Rachel Stern. Both forced into the operation by the Nazi officials to save a loved one from harm. On the other end, their once dear friend Harry is assigned to protect the two leaders with any means necessary. This story throws plot twists at the reader at every flip of the page. // The Sands of Sakkara //is for any reader who enjoys historical war stories with action and suspense at every moment.