Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys was NOT a good book. It was a GREAT book! Not only did it have courageous characters and a fascinating, climax-building plot, it also told an untold, almost forgotten part of history that everyone should know! I truly feel that it is our duty to remember all the courageous people that were murdered and persecuted by the Soviet Union. There is no better way to celebrate Women’s History Month then by reading this novel, an incredible story of a young girl experiencing some of the worst circumstances, but still overcoming!
In The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Jo Kuan is a young Chinese girl in the late 1800s. Her and her adoptive father are one of the few Chinese citizens in Atlanta, as they live in a predominantly wealthy white neighborhood. To get by in life, she began working as a maid for one of the wealthiest men in town during the day, and after being mistreated by her employer, she decided to start a new column called Dear Miss Sweetie in her local newspaper to write about the serious issues that no one wants to talk about. Jo Kuan is a vibrant, courageous, and hardworking young woman who has a powerful message and story to share about women's leadership and perseverance through injustices and problems in our society, which is exactly what Women's History Month it’s all about.
Set in 1906, Jennifer Donnelly's A Northern Light tells the fictional story of Mattie Gokey, a young woman who aspires to become a writer. Even though those dreams seem impossible for Mattie to accomplish, she continues to use words as a way to learn, escape, and express herself. Additionally, Jennifer Donnelly’s novel weaves in the legitimate murder of Grace Brown, described through Mattie’s eyes. In reading Grace’s letters, Mattie discovers how to regain her voice and go after what she wants despite her fears. This book is a perfect read for Women’s History Month, providing the reader with a tale of history, mystery, and perseverance.
Julie Berry’s novel, The Passion of Dolssa, is a historical, religious, and romance novel that takes place during Medieval Europe in the country of France. In 1241, Dolssa is a young and mature woman who is part of the upper class family that has a mysterious gift that was naturally given to her. Having a title as a non-believer, she flees from a friar condemned her mother to death by fire and wants Dolssa to face the same consequences. Botille, a marriage broker, has a difficult time keeping herself and her younger sisters safe in a small seaside town of Bajas. Botille runs into Dolssa as she is falling ill and hides her in a local shelter from the friar. Both Botille and Dolssa develop a close friendship when Botille brings Dolssa back to normal as Bajas is being attacked. The Passion of Dolssa is a wonderful read for Women's History Month as it shows that two young girls have each other and increases womanhood with friendship, love, and service.
Stacey Lee’s enchanting Under a Painted Sky centers on one of the lesser-known areas of American history--the stories of the Chinese immigrants in the 1800s and their descendants. In 1849 Missouri, Samantha Young suffers an unspeakable tragedy which turns into a crime that sends her racing for California with the help of a runaway slave named Annamae. While life on the Oregon Trail is rough, the two girls forge a powerful bond of friendship as they struggle to survive undetected and search for missing keys to their pasts-unfortunately, the law is closing in fast and they are running out of time and hiding places. This book is a gem in a minefield. A true tribute to Women's History Month, it is smart, adventurous, and a celebration of the strength of women.
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