Some of My Favorite Historical Kids' Books

Well, I don't like to go more than a week without posting, so today I am going to do something a little different. I have several projects "in the works": a Civil War shirt for Andy, my little CW quilt is nearly done, and stuff for Easter. Meanwhile, life has been super-busy. Spring has finally arrived in New England- much to my delight. We have one tiny patch of snow left in the yard.
I often see people post questions looking for good books for their kids. Here are some gems that I loved when I was a kid and have enjoyed sharing with my kids, too!
Everyone knows about the great books by Beverly Cleary (Ramona, Henry, etc.) but have you ever read these series?
All of A Kind Family by Sydney Taylor:
This is a wonderful series about a family with 5 girls growing up in New York City around 1900. They are Jewish and it's a great way to learn about the meaning of Jewish holidays, whether you are Jewish or not. There are several other books in this series, too!

Katie John by Mary Calhoun:This book takes place in the 1950s. It is fun to read about the technology (or lack thereof) of the time. Katie John is a tomboy who gets into lots of adventures while helping her family run a boardinghouse. There are 4 books in this series.















Adopted Jane by Helen Fern Daringer:
Jane is an orphan in the early 1900s. She has lived at an orphanage most of her life and has never been chosen to visit a family. One summer she gets 2 invitations: one to visit a widow in a town and one to visit a country family. This book has something I require in a good book: a happy ending!
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher:
Elizabeth Ann is a timid 9 year old who goes to live with relatives in Vermont. She learns a lot about herself and how to look at life in a new way!

 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith:
 I have probably read this book at least 10 times, but I still enjoy it. This is one for older kids- teen and up. Probably my favorite "classic". This one is neat to me because I have family that lived in Brooklyn at the time of this book. It focuses on Francie Nolan and her life as a poor child around 1906. There's lots of love, but many hard times, too! This book is excellent for adults, too- try it if you haven't read it!