Collection: Historical Fiction

A new paperback edition of Julia Alvarez's beloved Pura Belpre winner about life in Trujillo's Dominican Republic. "Diary entries written by a child while in hiding will remind readers of Anne Frank's story." --SLJ

Anita de la Torre never questioned her freedom living in the Dominican Republic. But by her twelfth birthday in 1960, most of her relatives have immigrated to the United States, her Tio Toni has disappeared without a trace, and the government's secret police terrorize her remaining family because of their suspected opposition to Trujillo's iron-fisted rule.

Using the strength and courage of her family, Anita must overcome her fears and fly to freedom, leaving all that she once knew behind.

From renowned author Julia Alvarez comes an unforgettable story about adolescence, perseverance, and one girl's struggle to be free.

A Miami Herald Best Book of the Year
Winner of the Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
Winner of the Pura Belpre Award
An ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book

"A stirring work of art." --Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"A realistic and compelling account of a girl growing up too quickly while coming to terms with the cost of freedom." --The Horn Book, Starred Review

"Diary entries written by the child while in hiding will remind readers of Anne Frank's story. . . . Readers will bite their nails as the story moves to its inexorable conclusion." --SLJ

"Alvarez's story will spark intense discussion about politics and family." --Booklist

In this brand new reimagining, Mary Jane--the red-headed spark from Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, who stole Huck's heart in just 30 pages--comes to life with her own story of adventuring down the Mississippi River in the 1840s.

Meet Mary Jane Guild -- she's on a dangerous and unpredictable adventure down the Mississippi River -- and she'll steal Huck Finn's heart along the way.

In these chapters you'll come to know the real Mary Jane: a girl on her own dangerous and unpredictable journey down the Mississippi River in pre-Civil War America. Equipped with an uncanny ability for mathematics, a talent for sewing, and a bale of beaver skins, Mary Jane navigates deadly illnesses, angry mobs, treacherous landowners, outright thieves and swindlers, and more than a thousand miles of muddy water. What's more, she thrives in the face of these challenges, thanks to support from a caring boat captain, generous neighbors, a cheery peddler, a chosen family, a loyal and loving dog, and two hardworking horses. Traveling solo requires Mary Jane to grow up fast, but it ultimately leads her to a new resilience, a love of adventure, deep and enduring sisterhood, and a blue-eyed, pony-tailed boy she can't stop thinking about.

Jahren offers a wealth of layered characters and deeply researched, authentic details of changing times in the North and South. Using the language and style of Twain and shifting the point of view to a smart and determined young woman, she explores timeless themes of duty, family, romance, and betrayal, with grit and courage at the core.

Fame is a dangerous game.

As her brother lies in a coma after a near-fatal car accident, twenty-two-year-old Grace Brighton climbs the Hollywood Sign to make a desperate wish for his recovery. She loses her footing and plummets to the ground below--only there is no impact. Instead, she finds herself the center of attention at a film studio . . . in 1953 Hollywood. Everyone believes she's Alice Montgomery, a rising star she bears an eerie resemblance to, who disappeared just days earlier.

Grace has no choice but to step into Alice's shoes. Meeting Alice's entourage and noticing not everyone is happy that she is back, Grace begins to suspect that something terrible has happened to the young actress. Afraid Alice's miraculous return has now made her a target, Grace must find out who wants to harm Alice to find her way back to her own time. When she discovers one of the missing starlet's deepest, darkest secrets, Grace finds herself in grave danger--she may die long before she's even been born.

"A pure delight from start to finish!"--Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

Acclaimed author Trisha R. Thomas delivers a masterful new tale of scandal and intuition. In 1950s oil-rich Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery, a dressmaker with the gift of "second sight," reluctantly reveals the true loves and intentions of her socialite clients, making her a silent witness to a shocking crime.

1954: In the quaint town of Mendol, Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery is a Black dressmaker for the wives and daughters of local oil barons. She earns a good living fitting designer gowns and creating custom wedding dresses for the town's elite. But beyond her needle and thread lies a deeper talent, one passed down from her mother: the gift of insight. With just a fleeting touch or brush against the skin, Bailey has sudden flashes of intuition-- witnessing the other person's hopes, dreams, and nightmares, as well glimpses of their past and future. To protect herself, she wears gloves to keep from grazing the skin of her clients as she pins them into their gowns.

Brides have whispered that Bailey can see if their true love is faithful, or if their marriage will be a success. Her aunt Charlene has always warned her, "It's safer to stay out of White folks' business." But Bailey will reluctantly provide a reading during a fitting, as long as the bride promises to be discreet.

Now Elsa Grimes, daughter of one of the richest oil men in Oklahoma, has come to the Regal Gown as the least joyful bride Bailey has ever seen. Elsa's big society wedding is imminent and her gown is gorgeous, but what Bailey's intuition uncovers when she touches Elsa's hand horrifies her. Against her better judgment, she's determined to help Elsa in whatever way she can. But when the son of a prominent family turns up dead on the eve of Elsa's wedding, and the bride-to-be is arrested for his murder, Bailey is suddenly at the center of a firestorm that threatens to overtake her and everyone she loves.

From the author of Unladylike Lessons in Love comes the second spectacular novel in the Marleigh Sisters series, following Anya as she must marry in order to inherit a fortune...and fight her attraction to the man who stands in her way.

Anya Marleigh is a singer and sitar player in Queen Charlotte's court. She is left a fortune by Dowager Countess Budleigh, one of her elderly clients who used to hire her for musical evenings. But there is a condition attached. Anya must marry before her next birthday if she wants to see any of the fortune. The executor of the will is an insufferably conceited man who must consent to her marriage--if he doesn't give his consent, the fortune reverts to him.

But Damian Ashton is only part of the problem. The Budleigh family see Anya as a usurper. They believe the fortune is rightfully theirs, and they will do all in their power--including accusing Anya of murder and Damian of some dubious and criminal dealings--to get their hands on the fortune. Now Anya must do everything she can to thwart their efforts, save herself from the gallows, and at the same time, resist the powerful attraction she feels towards Damian--who surely is only interested in keeping the Budleigh money.

Can Anya sort out the tangle--or must she lose her heart to find her fortune?

From the author of Sisters in Arms comes the incredible, untold story of Effa Manley, a black businesswoman in the male dominated baseball industry, and, currently, the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1930s, New York City

An ambitious Harlem woman's husband upends her social climbing when he buys a Negro Leagues baseball team and appoints her as the team's business manager. Overnight, Effa Manley goes from 125^th Street's civil rights champion to an interloper in the boys' club that is professional baseball.

Navigating her way through gentlemen's agreement contracts, the very public flirtatious antics of superstar Satchel Paige, and a sports world that would much rather see this woman back in her "place" at home, Effa ultimately whips her team, the Newark Eagles, into the Negro Leagues Champions of 1946. But how long will she get to enjoy the fruits of her success before Major League Baseball tears it all apart?

Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team.

Celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the stunning, classic story of an unforgettable friendship with a glorious colour gift edition, fully illustrated by Christian Birmingham.

"All my life I'll think of you, I promise I will. I won't ever forget you."

Bertie rescues an orphaned white lion cub from the African veld. They are inseparable until Bertie is sent to boarding school far away in England and the lion is sold to a circus. Bertie swears that one day they will see one another again, but it is the butterfly lion which ensures that their friendship will never be forgotten.

From master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, this extraordinary tale of friendship, loyalty and overcoming adversity has spoken to readers the world over since it was first published twenty-five years ago. This stunning colour gift book, with new illustrations from Christian Birmingham, will be treasured by a new generation of children.

A love that rises with the ashes of the fallen towers and stretches across time.
Peter finds his late lover's AIDS journal on the eve of his New York City gallery debut, a journal filled with letters from Rano to a son named Mustafa. The journal's revelation of Mustafa paralyzes Peter's professional and private lives. What other secrets will the journal reveal? The trauma of a near-death experience on 9/11 compels Peter to scour Rano's journal for the clues he needs to paint again ... and to love.
Peter has company. His art dealer, Erica, must convince her brainy ex to salvage Rano's brilliant Internet research. Brice must resolve his feelings for Peter and Rano, and for his own curtailed creative career. Immigrant-turned-millionaire Linh must reconcile with her family. As the first anniversary approaches, the collector Thomas waits to see how Peter will honor 9/11, and with whom.

Shadows skulk in the depths of Mammoth Cave!

There are rumors of ghosts haunting Mammoth Cave National Park-eerie noises, spooky apparitions, and even a strange red liquid leaking from the walls. Fortunately, the Specter Detectors are on the case!

Who are the Spector Detectors?

According to Amelia Zhang: the best spirit hunters in the southeast. According to Justin Case: a suspicious group who appeared alongside the haunted activity. Bethany Caulfield just wants to show off her old park. But when mystery beckons from the caverns beneath their feet, she might not get that chance. Because of the ghostly occurrences, the park is threatening to shut down all cave adventures!

Are there truly specters lurking in the darkness? Is something else causing the echoing whispers, strange shades, and eerie emanations? It's up to the Junior Rangers Investigative Club to get to the bottom of this mystery! To keep the park open and find the phantoms, J.R.I.C. is on the case!

The Specters of Mammoth Cave is a mystery novel in the Junior Rangers Investigative Club Novels series. Follow five members of the J.R.I.C. as they investigate spine chilling occurrences in the depths of Mammoth Cave, learning and discovering more about the history and legacy of the world's longest cave, and one of the most famous National Parks. This book is for anyone interested in the history, natural wonder, and mysterious potential of Mammoth Cave National Park and everyone who loves ensemble mystery/adventure stories. Whether you intend to visit Mammoth Cave, have visited in the past, or simply want to learn more about the park, join Justin, Bethany, Amelia, and friends on the case!

Nio is an orphan who can't help dreaming of a better world. In this action-packed manga, he meets two men who show him how much a few swords can change history. This riveting samurai series from the acclaimed creator of Days shares its setting with Rurouni Kenshin and chronicles the founding of the Shinsengumi by handsome and volatile men fighting for justice...and for themselves!

The year is 1863. It is a turbulent time in Japan, as rising anxieties about the modernizing world coincide with the decline of the shogunate, and the possibility of civil war looms. As disgruntled samurai flood into the city of Kyoto, a group of ronin warriors are recruited to maintain peace and protect the shogunate's interests: the Mibu Roshigumi, later known as the Shinsengumi!

Despite his youth and small stature, Nio begins to turn heads among the Roshigumi with his work ethic and forthright personality. But all is not well within the group--some plot against the Roshigumi for their own interests, and their resources are scant. Fortunately, a plea to the mighty daimyo of Aizu might just gain them an audience. Will the scrappy group of misfits find themselves a powerful backer, or will they be relegated to the dustbin of history?!

Waste not, want not! A patterned flour sack becomes a clever creation in this story set in the late 1930's featuring a crafty girl with a gift for repurposing her favorite daisy print.

When the family flour sack is emptied, Nancy Bess remakes it into a dress. But little girls grow as little girls do, and soon that dress is too small. Bit by bit, Nancy Bess fashions the material into new creations, until finally, all that is left of the flour sack are a few tattered pieces. Peering into the family scrap basket, Nancy Bess comes up with a plan to use the material once more, sewing something special to last for generations.

With carefully crafted and richly detailed illustrations, Nancy Bess Had a Dress will appeal to curious young historians and recycling enthusiasts, as well as like-minded teachers, librarians and caregivers.

Winner of the Dzanc Prize
for Fiction

Urabá, Colombia, 1990: A violent strike at plantations
across the banana zone leads to crops in flames, managers murdered, and the local
economy teetering on the brink. In retaliation, the banana producers finance
right-wing paramilitaries to cleanse the zone of guerrillas and their supposed
collaborators.

Through the intertwined lives of four
characters--a banana worker making a play for power in the guerrillas, a
decadent Colombian banana planter who runs his business from the safety of
Medellín, a widow in Urabá struggling to stay on the right side of the local
paramilitaries, and an American banana executive wading ever deeper into
troubled waters--The Banana Wars charts
the struggle to survive in impossible conditions, in a place where no one is to
be trusted and one false move can lead to death.

Starkly drawn from the true history of Urabá and
this period of conflict, including the unseen role of US corporate interests,
celebrated author Alan Grostephan's latest is an incandescent historical novel
for fans of Jesmyn Ward, Roberto Bolaño, and Fernanda Melchor.

Una ciudad. Dos vidas.

Un amor imposible en los albores de la revolución.

Shanghái, 1924. Los primeros movimientos comunistas empiezan a minar el poder del Partido Nacionalista y alientan la expulsión de los extranjeros residentes en las concesiones, los exclusivos barrios internacionales de la ciudad. Nacida en uno de ellos, Darlene Long ansía conocer la China auténtica, pero los muros de su jaula dorada se erigen altos y sabe que siempre será considerada una forastera.

En la otra punta de la ciudad, Kai Tao se organiza junto con otros universitarios para promover el ideario comunista y, aunque sus caminos no deberían cruzarse, un encuentro fortuito unirá sus destinos para siempre mientras la ciudad se prepara para unas revueltas que podrían poner fin a todo lo que han conocido hasta ahora, incluida su historia.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

One city. Two lives.

An impossible love at the dawn of a revolution.

Shanghai, 1924. The first Communist uprisings are beginning to undermine the power of the Nationalist Party, and pressure is growing to expel foreigners from the concessions, the city's exclusive international districts. Darlene Long, a resident of one such concession, longs to explore the real China, but the bars of her golden cage stand in the way, and she knows she will always be considered an outsider.

On the other side of the city, Kai Tao has joined the university students promoting the Communist cause. Although their paths never should have crossed, a chance encounter links Darlene and Kai's fates as the city prepares for a reckoning that will change everything they've known until now, including their lives.

The old world will die in flames...

Ireland, 1011 AD. Brian Boru is now High King of Ireland. His queen, Gormflaith, instructs their young son in his heritage - but only on his mother's side. For Gormflaith, an immortal Fomorian skilled in fire-magic, intends to finally defeat the Fomorians' hated foes, the Descendants, and establish control over Ireland. And if King Brian stands in her way, so much the worse for him...

Fódla, the Descendants' spy in King Brian's camp, treads a wary path. She must protect her magically powerful young nephew from their leader, Tomas, who will do anything to achieve his aim of the Descendants returning to the mortal world and ruling Ireland. And Fódla is on dangerous ground, for she has broken one of the sacred rules of the Descendants: she has fallen in love with a mortal.

As the schemes of Gormflaith and Tomas come to fruition, the only possible outcome is war. Ireland has bled red and often... but the coming clash will be a battle for the ages. Strange alliances will form, old defences will fail, and the land will never be the same again.

Reviewers on Shauna Lawless' Gael Song series

'Lawless blends fantasy with historical fiction to great effect.' SFX
'Lawless's writing is absolutely luminous.' Irish Independent
'Swept me along and refused to be put down.' H.M. Long

The first act of this thrilling two-part adventure tale takes place in Beirut in 1941, when renegade journalist Marcel Labrume crosses paths with the beautiful and mysterious American millionaire Carol Gibson, who the Germans suspect of being a spy. With the help of Labrume, the young woman works to deliver a Jewish man wanted by the Germans to Palestine. Then, in 1942, Marcel Labrume is captured during the Battle of Bir Hacheim and becomes a prisoner of war. With his usual style and aplomb, and by the skin of his teeth, Labrume manages to narrowly escape death.

The Farewell Song of Marcel Labrume is Fantagraphics' first entry in its planned Micheluzzi library, which will reprint all of his most significant works. Micheluzzi is one of the most iconic graphic stylists of the European comics scene known for his elegant line and stunning draftsmanship. He drew many graphic novels between 1974 and 1990, mostly of adventurous stories grounded in historical reality with a patina of romanticism, in the tradition of Milton Caniff and Hugo Pratt. Micheluzzi's artwork in these Fantagraphics editions have been meticulously and lovingly restored by the artist's daughter Agnese Micheluzzi and will be the finest reproductions in the artist's career.