This is a prompt hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words, which challenges bloggers to read 12 books from different time periods – the book can have been written in, or set in the time period. I don’t usually have the time to join in with weekly memes, but as I love historical fiction and this is spread over a year, I have decided to take on the challenge. I will be trying to meet the time periods with MG fiction, but if I have to resort to my adult books, I will link to my Goodreads reviews as I really want to keep my blog focussed on children’s books.

Here is the awesome artwork that Sam had designed for her blog:

 

My Books:

Pre 1300  I have a book in mind, which I have intended reading for ages, for this spot.

1300 – 1499  I am going to have to research MG fiction for some of these time periods, but I do have adult novels to fill the spaces if absolutely necessary!

1500 – 1699

1700 – 1799  Pride and Prejudice retold by Katherine      Woodfine and illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans

Ok, so here I am stretching the rules, just a little, in order to try to keep this challenge focussed on MG Books. I am justifying this inclusion by the fact that Jane Austen was born in 1775. She is, of course, the author of one of my all-time favourite novels, Pride and Prejudice. In an inspired move, Hachette Children’s Books have published a beautiful collection of hardback editions of Jane Austen’s novels retold by children’s authors and wittily illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans. Of course, the first one I picked up was Pride and Prejudice, not only because it’s my favourite but also it was retold by Katherine Woodfine, whose writing I adore. (You can read reviews of the Sinclair’s Mysteries here and the Taylor and Rose Secret Agents here).

My review of this retelling of Pride and Prejudice can be read here.

1800 – 1899  The Fantastically Feminist (and totally true) Story of the Mathematician Extraordinaire Ada Lovelace by Anna Doherty

This is an utterly brilliant non-fiction title aimed at primary school aged children, with brilliant cross-curricular links to maths and computing, written and wonderfully illustrated by Anna Doherty. It introduces children to the groundbreaking mathematician Ada Lovelace, who is now known as the prophet of the computing age, she was born in 1815 and died in 1852. My review can be read here. 

1900 – 1919

1920 – 1939

1940 – 1959  Our Castle by the Sea by Lucy Strange

Although this book begins in 1939 the story continues into 1940, with Britain firmly in the grip of World War 2 and Petra’s family facing their own battles, with hidden secrets, local folklore and personal courage interwoven in this powerful and beautifully written story. You can read my full review by clicking here.

 

 

1960 – 1979   I know that one of my absolutely favourite MG authors is due to publish a book set in this time period later in the year, so I’m reserving this spot.

1980 – 1999  This could be difficult, but I might review a book enjoyed by my sons, written during this time period.

2000 – present  I have something near the top of my TBR stack for this spot.

The Future

 

I shall update this landing page each time I read and review a book from one of the time periods.