I have a lovely patron who is a voracious reader. She has read and re-read so many excellent books. At sixteen, a student in a classical school, and being raised in a faithful Catholic home, she is looking for books that are new to her, exciting, well-written, and morally on point. She reads quickly and well, and therefore is stretching me in how I can best keep her fed on goodness.
What a gift it is to have Sherry Early as a friend! Sherry has been my librarian “phone-a-friend” more and more of late. As I worked with my patron, I asked Sherry for a list of books suitable for a teen girl with strong morals. She has a particular interest in historical fiction and specifically Westward Expansion. She likes The Virginian, The Girl of the Limberlost, and Bargain Bride. She loves a great number of the classics. And, of late, she has been reading and re-reading Jennifer A. Nielsen because of her carefully researched and exciting wartime fiction. Sherry and I both appreciate Nielsen as well and so Sherry knew what we were after.
Sherry generously agreed to share her list here. Please remember that she made this list based on her standards for her library and in consideration of my needs. Please note that wherever either of us has reviewed the book, we have linked to that review and encourage you to read those reviews to determine the appropriateness of the recommendation for your needs.
Fiction
- Albert, Susan Wittig. The Beatrix Potter Mysteries. Review of The Tale of Hill Top Farm at Semicolon.
- Alcott, Louisa May. All of her books. a
- Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. Semicolon review.
- Anderson, Laurie Halse. Seeds of America trilogy. (Chains, Forge, and Ashes) Semicolon review of Chains and Forge.
- Arthur, Ruth. The Saracen Lamp. (historical ghost story)
- Beatty, Patricia. All of her books, including Nickel-Plated Beauty and Bonanza Girl. Mini-reviews for some of Patricia Beatty’s books at Semicolon.
- Beatty, John and Patricia. Pirate Royal (and others). Review at Semicolon of At the Seven Stars by John and Patricia Beatty. Semicolon review of Pirate Royal.
- Benary-Isbert, Margot. The Ark. Plumfield Review
- Benary-Isbert, Margot. Rowan Farm. Plumfield Review
- Bronte, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. Semicolon on Jane Eyre.
- Carter, Ally. Gallagher Girls series and Heist Society series. Semicolon on Ally Carter’s novels.
- Christie, Agatha. All of her books.
- Dickerson, Melanie. Merchant’s Daughter. (and others by this author)
- Eliot, George. Adam Bede. Semicolon on Adam Bede.
- Gaskell, Elizabeth. Cranford. Semicolon on Cranford.
- Herriot, James. All Creatures Great and Small. The rest of his books. Plumfield Review
- Hostetter, Joyce. Blue.
- Hostetter, Joyce. Comfort.
- Hugo, Victor. Les Miserables.
- Hugo, Victor. The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- Larson, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky Plumfield Review
- Larson, Kirby. Hattie Ever After.
- MacDonald, George. All of his books.
- MacInnes, Helen. North From Rome.
- MacInnes, Helen. Message from Malaga. (and other spy novels by this author)
- Marshall, Catherine. Christy. (some content considerations)
- Meigs, Cornelia. Invincible Louisa. Plumfield Review
- Meigs, Cornelia. Swift Rivers. Semicolon review.
- Meyer, Carolyn. Mary, Bloody Mary. Semicolon Teen review.
- Meyer, Caroline. Where the Broken Heart Still Beats.
- Meyer, Caroline. Loving Will Shakespeare. (and others by this author) Semicolon review.
- Moser, Nancy. Just Jane. (Women or Ladies of History series) Semicolon review.
- Nayeri, Daniel. Everything Sad Is Untrue.
- Nordhoff, Charles. Mutiny on the Bounty.
- Perkins, Mitali. Bamboo People. Semicolon review.
- Peters, Ellis. Brother Cadfael mysteries.
- Pope, Elizabeth. The Perilous Gard. Semicolon review.
- Rawlings, Marjorie. The Yearling.
- Rinaldi, Ann. The Coffin Quilt.
- Rinaldi, ann. Nine Days a Queen.
- Rinaldi, Ann. Mine Eyes Have Seen.
- Rinaldi, Ann. An Acquaintance with Darkness
- Rinaldi, Ann. Or Give Me Death.
- Rinaldi, Ann. Mutiny’s Daughter.
- Rinaldi, Ann. My Vicksburg.
- St. John, Patricia. Twice Freed.
- Sayers, Dorothy. All of her books.
- Shellabarger, Samuel. Prince of Foxes. Semicolon review.
- Smith, Sherri. Flygirl. Semicolon review.
- Snedeker, Caroline. The White Isle. Semicolon review.
- Snedeker, Caroline. Forgotten Daughter. Semicolon review.
- Stevenson, Robert Louis, Kidnapped.
- Stout, Rex. All of the Nero Wolfe mysteries.
- Sullivan, Tara. The Bitter Side of Sweet.
- Sutcliff, Rosemary. All of her books.
- Tey, Josephine. Daughter of Time.
- Tey, Josephine. Brat Farrar. (and others by this author) Semicolon review.
- Vipont, Elfrida. The Lark in the Morn and The Lark on the Wing. Semicolon review of Lark in the Morn.
- Voigt, Cynthia. Homecoming. Dicey’s Song. Sequels are Seventeen Against the Dealer, Sons from Afar, The Runner, and Come a Stranger.
- Wilcock, Penelope. The Hawk and the Dove. (and sequels)
- Willard, Barbara. The Mantlemass series, beginning with The Lark and the Laurel OR A Sprig of Broom. Read in order. Semicolon review.
- Willis, Connie. To Say Nothing of the Dog. Semicolon review.
- Willis, Connie. Blackout.
- Willis, Connie. All Clear. Semicolon review of Blackout and All Clear.
- Yolen, Jane. The Queen’s Own Fool. Semicolon review.
Non Fiction
- Messner biographies.
- Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. (youth edition?) Semicolon review.
- Hidden Figures by Margot Shetterley. (youth edition?)
- The Road from Home by David Kherdian.
- Finding Home by David Kherdian.
- God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Semicolon review.
- Joni by Joni Eareckson Tada.