Book Reviews
This is our BOOK review section. If you'd like to read our reviews of curriculum and homeschooling resources, click here to visit our other reviews.
We will be adding reviews over time, so please check back to see if something you are wondering about is listed. You can also email us at guesthollow (at sign) memorableplaces (dot) com and ask about something specific. "Coming soon" book titles are linked to Amazon. They will be linked to my reviews after I post them.
Also, please note that the hundreds of shorter book reviews that are in my curricula are not listed here. You can find them in the book listings for each history or science program.
If you would like a book to be reviewed please let us know. We look forward to reviewing YOUR book!
Note: Want to know if a book is O.K. / appropriate for your teen to read? I usually include information in my Y.A. & adult book reviews that should help you decide. If you need additional information about any of the books I've reviewed, feel free to email me.
Click on a category, or scroll down:
- Christian & Bible Book Reviews
- History Books for Kids Reviews (Both non-fiction and fiction titles for kids)
- Historical Fiction (& History) Book Reviews (for adults and Y.A.)
- Reviews of Children's Books (various genres)
- Non-Fiction Book Reviews
- Y.A. (Young Adult / Teen) Book Reviews
- Fiction for Adults Book Reviews
Please choose from the book title below to go to its specific review page.
Review coming soon! |
This is an inspiring book for Christian teens who need some encouragement to be courageous and stand up for what's right in a world full of wrong. Tweens and teens |
The Guardian (Home to Hickory Hollow) A beautiful, wholesome, satisfying novel Middle school (or earlier) to adult |
Heaven is for Real A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back Ok, I'm skeptical and not a believer in the story, but it was an interesting read anyway... Middle school to adult |
I Couldn't Love You More is a beautiful, sweet keepsake with the message that God loves you more than anyone. The pictures are lovely!! Baby to toddler |
Little Pilgrim's Progress - a wonderful adventure story and allegory of the Christian journey. A must read! 1st grade to middle school |
A book designed to be read over 30 days with the goal of improving a variety of relationships Teen to Adult |
Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible This attractive Bible has lots of extra goodies to help you get more out of your Bible reading. Teens to adult |
Reign: The Chronicles of Queen Jezebel Review coming soon! Adult |
The Respect Dare: 40 Days to a Deeper Connection with God and Your Husband Felt kind of like a commercial for the author's business... Adult |
Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action Review coming soon! |
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An easy read with lots of color that adds visual interest
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A heavily illustrated book that covers the Great Fire of London in an easy to read, succinct manner Elementary through early middle school |
A great look at Seneca culture as well as an emotional and complex story of a girl struggling with her identity. Is Molly an Indian? Is she white? Elementary and middle school - will appeal more to girls
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Set in 17th Century New France (Canada), this exciting adventure is based on a true story of bravery Elementary and middle school |
MANKIND: The Story of All of Us Volume 1 Mankind: The Story of All of Us is a graphic novel that was designed to accompany the Mankind T.V. series on the History Channel. It has 120 pages with 7 individual comic book style stories. Elementary (with a few reservations) through high school |
I couldn't stand this book, but Otter gives it 5 stars... Middle school (with reservations) through high school |
Noah Webster Father of the Dictionary Review coming soon! |
The Secret of the Sealed Room: A Mystery of Young Benjamin Franklin With a subtle anti-Christian message and a much too modern heroine, this book was not a fit for us. Elementary and middle school |
World War I: An Interactive History Adventure Review coming soon! |
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Historical Fiction (and History) Book Reviews (Adults and Y.A.) |
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Review coming soon! Adult |
Benjamin Franklin's Bastard: A Novel An excellent debut novel told from the vantage point of those closest to Franklin. Adult |
Review coming soon! |
The Boleyn King: A Novel (Anne Boleyn Trilogy) Review coming soon! Adult |
Great non-fiction title that spends a lot of time on the childhoods of Henry's children Highschool - Adult |
Meh. I learned a lot about Margaret Tudor but the writing style didn't resonate with me. Older teen (preview) to adult |
Historical fiction that doesn't take itself seriously - a light-weight read Adult |
Review coming soon! |
Imperial Woman: The Story of the Last Empress of China Review coming soon!
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A well-researched, engaging book about Anne Neville during the War of Roses Older teen (preview) to adult |
Beautiful book at times about the Revolutionary War, but then also sometimes slow and stilted Teen to adult |
The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
An excellent debut novel about Katherine Parr Adult |
The Queens of Love and War: The Fatal Crown, Beloved Enemy, and Gilded Cages Review coming soon! |
The Queen's Secret (A Novel of the Tudor Court) Review coming soon! Adult |
Nostalgic and educational! Great for students and adults alike! Teens to Adult |
Serving Victoria: Life in the Royal Household Informative and Eye-Opening non-fiction book about those who served Queen Victoria Highschool to Adult |
A debut novel by Patricia Bracewell that covers the life of Emma, queen of England in the early 11th century Adult |
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Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #1: Amelia Bedelia Means Business |
Adorable board books for the discerning, literature loving baby |
Itch: The Explosive Adventures of an Element Hunter Review coming soon! |
A nice collection of poems with endearing, old-fashioned illustrations |
Stick Dog |
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Because I Said So!: The Truth Behind the Myths, Tales, and Warnings Every Generation Passes Down to Its Kids - A fun book with lots of common "sayings" explored - fun for teens with a few minor reservations. Teens (preview) to adult |
Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight Review coming soon! Adult |
A mix of history, culture and trivia - make sure you have some peanut butter on hand... ;-) Middleschool - Adult |
It's Only Slow Food Until You Try to Eat It: Misadventures of a Suburban Hunter Gatherer Funny adventures of food foraging... Mature highschooler (preview)- adult |
A humorous and comforting book about raising a family
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Regret Free Parenting: Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing It Right Didn't resonate with me...
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Tiger Babies Strike Back: How I Was Raised by a Tiger Mom but Could Not Be Turned to the Dark Side Interesting cultural look at Chinese-American parenting and the potential hazards of Tiger Parenting |
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Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
A sci-fi dystopian aimed at teens with an awesome, interesting premise that falls flat and is filled with trashy drug use, rape, violence and other topics I wouldn't want the intended audience soaking up. Older Teens - not recommended though (preview) to Adult |
The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns) Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
A dark, Gothic Y.A. novel Older teens (preview) to adult |
Review coming soon! |
Once We Were: The Hybrid Chronicles, Book 2 Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
Review coming soon! |
THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ - Yeah, it's that good. *Technically not marketed as a Y.A. book, but has some elements of that so I'm placing it in two categories. |
The first novel in a series with an interesting dystopian version of the future U.S. Older teens (preview) to adult |
Older teens (preview) to adult |
The 2nd in a series, this dystopian book is for Christian teens 10 to adult |
Full of surprises, Taken is an exciting dystopian with many layers to unravel. Older teens (preview) to adult |
Review coming soon! |
Don't let the horrible cover fool you - this is an interesting dystopian appropriate for most ages Middle school (preview) to adult |
A heart-pounding dystopian with lots of action in a futuristic, flooded Manhattan Older teens (preview) to adult |
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Review coming soon! Adult |
Christian science fiction set in a dystopian world Older teens (preview) to adult |
Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic. Older teens (preview) to adult |
THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ - Yeah, it's that good. |
Strange, haunting, fantasy fairy-tale novel Teens (preview) to adult |
Review coming soon! |
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