audio

Wishes and Wellingtons

~ Megan

After listening to Julie Berry’s Lovely War, I knew I wanted to try out a few of her other works. It just so happened that Wishes and Wellingtons was included in my Audible membership and it is narrated by one of my favorites: Jayne Entwistle.

Maeve Merritt isn’t like the other girls. She prefers the unconventional and it just happens that the unconventional prefers her. Maeve attends Ms. Salimanker’s School for Upright Young Ladies where, her parents hope, she will learn to be an upright young lady. But this feisty girl, who does not back down from bullies, is certainly not on the path to becoming an upright young lady.

Maeve happens upon a tin of sardines while serving out her punishment for yet another act of disobedience. But this isn’t just any sardine tin; this tin holds the power of magic. Once unleashed Maeve finds herself, along with her roommate Alice and an orphan boy, Tommy, on more than one adventure. Will she be able to discern just who she can trust? Will she be able to outsmart the bad guy and save her father from ruin? Come along with Maeve on an adventure you’re sure to never forget.

This Young Adult novel, full of adventure and mishap, is sure to entertain.

Awesomeness:

-The friendship between Maeve, Alice, and Tommy is realistic and sweet. It is the power of friendship that saves Maeve.

-A bit of a Coming of Age novel. Maeve will learn about who she is and just what is truly important.

Cautions:

-Once the knowledge of Maeve’s secret is out, she will be blackmailed and followed. While nothing is graphic or extreme, we are talking about grown men attempting to intimidate a young girl. However, she will give them a run for her money!

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker

~ Megan

You know, when you find your genre, you can’t help but read everything in it!! I was gifted 3 months of audibles for my birthday. Let me tell you, the pressure to use my credit well was intense. Who wants to waste a credit on a poorly written (and poorly read) book? (Side note: you can return audbile books!) Anyway, I took to instagram to try and find the best book for my credit. And let me tell you… I DID!!

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker is a superbly written and extremely well researched novel. Throughout the entire thing, I kept wondering and hoping that the main character was real… and she was! (Which I learned in the author’s note section.)

As a former history teacher, I don’t want some fluffy novel that just happens to be set in an historic time period. I want the history woven with the story. Jennifer Chiaverini did just that. She included historic details and her character’s insights into those details. You can tell she put a lot of time and effort into her research and the creation of her novel. Personally, I think the tell-tell sign of a great novel is when the content inspires you to read more about the topic. I am looking forward to reading the memoir written by the dress making, Elizabeth Keckley.

Awesomeness:

  1. This novel is well-researched. The accuracy of the history is it’s best selling point!
  2. The characters are extremely well-developed.

Cautions:

  1. It is a Civil War novel and as such the issues of slavery will be addresses. In some cases, slave experiences are recounted. Nothing very distasteful, but real nonetheless.
  2. The difficulties faced by runaway slaves and freedmen in the north are mentioned. Nothing extreme, but if a younger audience is reading, you will need to be prepared to discuss contraband camps and the fugitive slave law.