Rebellion 1776, by Laurie Halse Anderson

     The newest from master storyteller Laurie Halse Anderson, the author who brought you Fever 1793 and the Seeds of America trilogy. I had my human buy this from the store as soon as it was released, that is how tail-wagging excited I was to get my paws on this book!

    Rebellion 1776 tells the story of the American Revolution which began around 1776 and has a lot of roots right here in Virginia as well as northward into the New England states. The narrator is Elsbeth Culpepper, who has lost her entire family, except for her father, to smallpox. As things between England and the new colonists come to a head, the smallpox epidemic is beginning as well. This is a part of history that doesn't make the headlines in most books about this country's revolutionary period, but as Anderson shows it plays a huge part in events leading up to and during the Revolution.

    Anderson created the events of this story based on real letters written by Abigail Adams, wife of president-to-be John Adams, as she goes to Boston with an extended family and friends to receive the smallpox vaccination. Anderson begins each chapter with a quote from the era, some from Adams but also from others as well, and then weaves Elsbeth's story from the events described in the letters. Not a new idea, but a good way to write historical fiction, I think.

    As a "rabid" fan of historical fiction, I was really ready to "lap" this book up! And I'm glad I did, as I truly enjoyed it...but...I was hoping for a little more of the history going on involving the revolution than what Anderson offered. She relied heavily on the disease and Elsbeth's journey - which isn't a bad thing at all! - just not as much of the history as I had hoped for or expected. Don't get me wrong, Anderson is as strong a storyteller as anyone, and you won't go wrong reading her books. But Rebellion 1776, while really good, wasn't quite as strong as Fever 1793. That said, if you read and love Rebellion, treat yourself to Fever - it will stay with you for a very long time (the book, not the fever...). 4 paws!

A Duet for Home, by Karina Yan Glaser

     The latest release from the author of the Vanderbeekers 7-book series (which I have not yet read), A Duet for Home is the story of June Yang, her younger sister Maybelle, and their mom. After losing their dad and husband, the family becomes homeless, and mom goes silent. June is basically caring for Maybelle, as well as navigating a forced move to a homeless shelter. At the shelter, June befriends two pranksters, Tyrell and Jeremiah, albeit reluctantly at first. Together, these kids navigate life at Huey House, the New York homeless site where changes are coming - quickly! - and not necessarily good ones.

    Author Glaser explains in her notes her adult experiences with homelessness and it is clear throughout the book that she knows about the system that June and her family are thrust into. Through it all these kids all have hopes and dreams, as any kid does, but with the added uncertainties that being homeless brings. And June does so well as a teen "adult", which is commendable but also infuriating - why do some kids have to be adults long before they're supposed to be?

    A Duet for Home is a good book, although several times I found myself thinking forward of what I might read next. Sometimes that is just my doggie brain not being able to focus, and sometimes it's a sign that the writing, although good and important, isn't compelling. I can't immediately recall a book that this reminds me of, which is a good thing, I think! It isn't too "this author" or "that genre". It's a good book, just not amazing. If the topics I've mentioned have meaning for you, you would probably like this read! If not, it wouldn't be a bad book to choose as your next read, but I'm not sure it will be your all-time favorite. 4 paws.