Blogging from A to Z Challenge
Currents by Jane Petrlik Smolik
This is a middle grade historical novel about one slave girl and a bottle that gets washed up across the ocean on the Isle of Wight.
Sounds intriguing, right? Perfect for kids (of any color) who love historical fiction or looking for diverse characters or multidisciplinary lesson planners, etc.
Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. I’m surprised there aren’t more historical fiction novels like this for kids, aren’t you?
23 replies on “Blogging from #AtoZChallenge: C-Currents by Jane Petrlik Smolik”
What a great idea! I just finished reading Brown Girl Dreaming and Crossover. They were magnificent works. They portrayed the emotions and the journey of the character in verse. Very creative, of course, they are also award winners. It is a pleasure to find your website. Thanks.
I always thought there were a good number of historical fiction books for teens when my daughter was young. In fact, even after she was past that I continued to read some, the books were always so well written. Once had a librarian tell me she preferred to read the books written for teens over adults, because she felt the same way…….they were better written, she thought they had to be, held to a higher standard. Perhaps not multicultural though from my memory.
That is a gorgeous photo. Reminds me of Escape from Botany Bay, though this book has the diversity Botany Bay lacked. Still, loved the other one, so I’ll probably enjoy this one!
sound like a grand adventure from a simple story line, not that it’s simple… not what I meant. Cannot think of the word.
Found your blog as a participant of the A to Z Challenge, and visiting 5 other bloggers each day. It is amazing what everyone is writing. I am discovering so much and so many talented people out there.
This books sounds like an amazing book for folks who like history, but as a possible tool to open up a persons eyes that historical books don’t have to be dry.
I love historical fiction. I’ll add this to my list of books to read. And please look for other historical novels for teens and YAs at the National Writing for Children Center. Thanks so much!
Suzanne
A to Z Blogging Challenge Participant
http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com
When my daughter was in middle school, she was a little obsessed with the American Girl and Dear America historical books. This may be worth a look. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad that there are more and more multicultural books for kids. I always try to send them to my nephew in Korea, because I want him to know what other people look like. Never sure what my bro thinks about it but whatever 🙂 I’m the aunt. It’s my job to broaden minds!
~AJ Lauer
an A-Z Cohost
@ayjaylauer on Twitter
Hi,
I too hope that more historical fiction is written for kids and teenagers.
Shalom,
Patricia at Everything Must Change
Sounds interesting. From the A2Z challenge Cher’ley https://writingwranglersandwarriors.wordpress.com
Forget kids, I would love to read this one 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
I read a historical fiction novel in middle school and it always stuck with me- something about the events we were studying in class serving as the setting for the action of the book made it a really unique experience. I 1000% agree that there should be more books like that!
I haven’t heard of this one.
My son, now 13, really enjoyed reading They Came In Chains: The Story of the Slave Ships, a few years back. This looks interesting, with the added element of mystery. I’ll suggest it to him – and I might read it myself, once I finish my four months of writing challenges! =)
It does sound intriguing and I like the cover of the book too.
Dropping by from the AtoZ Challenge
Historical middle school books (good ones) are difficult to get hands on. This one sounds excellent–my 5th gr. gr-daughter will like it. She loved the American Girl series.
Thanks for stopping by my site!
its perfect for girls who love American Girl books!
The Isle of Wight by itself is interesting to me from a cultural perspective (and he premise of the book in that setting sounds intriguig). I am always looking for quick reads (especially after 500 page novels) – maybe this one sounds like an idea. My son is big for this now 🙁 Tnx for sharing it. Happy A to Z.
i always think of that rock band when i hear isle of wight.
Might I add that I am so sleepy I missed oodles of typos in my comment. I really can spell and type haha.
i love typooos two Jeri
Not to brag but my Mom is the author of Currents. She worked hard and did a lot of research for this novel, but more importantly had fun writing it. I am excited that people are looking forward to reading this book and I am proud of her accomplishments! Thank you for supporting her!
Hi Libby!!
Thank you for stopping by! I think your mom is something to BRAG about!!!