Young Adult Literature
Historical Fiction Book Reviews
Bibliography
Sepetys, R. (2023). I must betray you. Philomel Books. ISBN 9781984836045
Plot Summary
Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu has many hopes and dreams, as any teenager would. However, his are tainted and crushed by the tyrannical regime and dictator of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu. It’s 1989 and the oppressive nature of communism is strangling Romanians. Every aspect of their lives is controlled and manipulated by the dictatorship.
Cristian soon finds himself blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer and betray those he loves most. As Cristian struggles internally, battling with the secrecy that must be maintained as an informer and the weight of betrayal against those he loves most, cracks begin to break apart the nation held together by totalitarianism.
Cristian begins to plot a way to show the world the true nature of Romania’s brutal dictatorship and soon finds out that betrayal has already infiltrated his home. Fed up with being bound by the chains of isolation and fear, he risks everything to give a voice to suffering Romanians.
Critical Analysis
Ruta Sepetys captures readers in this historical thriller set in Bucharest, Romania in 1989. Under the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu for more than two decades, readers are submerged into the world of the protagonist, Cristian Florescu. Incorporating carefully researched details about this particular time in Romanian history, Septeys provides the reader with the everyday reality of citizens living Eastern Europe. Carefully crafting a story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, Cristian narrates his daily life and internal struggles. Being deceived and black mailed by secret agents, watching his grandfather deteriorate due to illness, and a small love story blossom, Cristian finds the strength to fight. He fights for freedom, fights for Romanians and fights for life.
Review Excerpt(s)
“As educational as it is thrilling...[T]he power of I Must Betray You [is] it doesn’t just describe the destabilizing effects of being spied on; it will make you experience them too.” –The New York Times"Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus
"Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist
Connections
Discussion questions to use throughout the reading of the book can be found at PenguinClassroom - I Must Betray You
Differentiated lessons about story elements can be found at TeachingBooks.
Reading guide can be found at IMustBetrayYouReadingGuide
Other recommended books if you liked this one:
A Hundred Sweet Promises by Sepehr Haddad
Winter Work by Dan Fesperman
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline
Bibliography
Zusak, M. (2007). The book thief. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780375842207
Plot Summary
World War II in Germany is no place anyone wants to be or should be…but I was there working as diligently as I could. You see, this was a time of great turmoil and war for all. However sometimes, just someitmes, things can surprise you when you least expect it. For me, it was a little girl. A little girl who despite having such an unpleasant start, who experienced grief brought on by the passing of her brother and being left by her mother to be fostered by others, had so much will to live. I watched her many times as she formed bonds, stole books, learned to read and write and fall in love amidst the air raids.
Come. Let me tell you a story about Liesel Meminger. A story you won’t soon forget.
Critical Analysis
Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, grips readers in this historical fiction novel and takes them back in time to 1939 Germany. Narrated by Death itself, a story unfolds about a young girl names Liesel Meminger and the heinous acts of the Nazis. Many themes are present, such as the power of words, guilt, propaganda, friendship and more. Careful research was conducted to incorporate details of the time period which provides powerful insight into just how much the country suffered under the rule of Adolf Hitler. Food rations, bartering, destruction of Jewish owned business, watching captured and chained Jewish men and women walk down the street, and much more is used to transport the reader to a time. As stated by The New York Times, The Book Thief is “The kind of book that can be life-changing”. This compelling story will submerge readers into a time of strife, turmoil, love, and friendship.
Review Excerpt(s)
“The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times
"Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important."- Kirkus
"This hefty volume is an achievement...a challenging book in both length and subject..."- Publisher's Weekly
Connections
For additional activities related to the book:
Discuss the symbolism of Death as the omniscient narrator of the novel.
Take a virtual field trip to Dachau, the first Nazi Concentration Camp on the following website: KZ-Gedenkstaette-Dachau.de/index-e.html. Then have students find a poem that expresses their feelings at the end of the tour. Have them write a paper that draws a parallel between the poem and the concentration camp. Encourage peer editing for clarity, spelling, and grammar.
Death says that Liesel was a girl “with a mountain to climb.” (p. 86) What is her mountain? Who are her climbing partners? What is her greatest obstacle? At what point does she reach the summit of her mountain? Describe her descent. What does she discover at the foot of her mountain?
**Note: The activities above and more can be found at:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=925
Other recommended books if you liked this one:
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.
- The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.
Bibliography
Avi. (2003). The true confessions of Charlotte Doyle. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780380714759Plot Summary
A journey across the Atlantic ocean was supposed to be an uneventful voyage with two other families, a journey taking Charlotte to meet her family who have already gone to America while she finished her schooling. As fate would have it, the trek across the ocean would be only Charlotte, the captain and crew of the Sea Hawk. Despite the sudden cancellation of the others, uneasily Charlotte decides to board. Unbeknownst to her, the voyage would be forever life changing. Soon in the midst of a mutiny, charged with murder, tried and found guilty, Charlotte’s story of survival and triumph unfold.
Critical Analysis
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, written by Avi, is a historical fiction novel readers won’t be able to put down. The story of a prim and proper thirteen year old traveling alone to America across the Atlantic ocean with an unruly crew and ruthless captain will have readers riveted. The story unfolds during 1832 and is told from the adult perspective of the protagonist Charlotte. As Charlotte “confesses” her story of her time on the Sea Hawk, certain aspects of the nineteenth century are incorporated, such as the primary use transatlantic voyages, spoken language and societal expectations of women. Readers will be in for a captivating ride as they travel with Charlotte on a journey of finding her true self.
Review Excerpt(s)
“Tautly plotted, vividly narrated, carefully researched: a thrilling tale deepened by its sober look at attitudes that may have been more exaggerated in the past but that still persist.” - Kirkus
“Never wavering from its 19th century setting, the novel offers suspense and entertainment modern-day readers will enjoy.” - Publisher’s Weekly
Connections
For additional activities related to the book:
- Create a plot diagram and analyze the plot of the story.
- Research social etiquette of the 1800s. Have students demonstrate a few selected practices, such as greetings or dinner manners.
- In Charlotte’s time, sailors were known for being superstitious. Research sailor lore and superstitions. Is there any truth to these beliefs?
- Research other women in history who have overcome their stereotypical roles and places in society to become leaders and heroines.
https://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-english-lessons/88019-the-true-confessions-of-charlotte-doyle-book-activities-and-teaching-ideas/
https://www.varsitytutors.com/englishteacher/true-confessions-of-charlotte-doyle-lesson-plans
Other recommended books if you liked this one:
- Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
- Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
- The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
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