Brooklyn Bridge by Karen Hesse

Beautifully written historical fiction about 14 yr. old Joe Michtom, child of Russian immigrants set in turn of the century Brooklyn. The family has invented the “teddy bear” inspired by Roosevelt and turned their small candy store into a bear factory. Immigrant family life is well represented as the extended family lives either within their block in Brooklyn or just over the Bridge.
Joe longs to visit exciting Coney Island, the new amusement park but always seems to have to work on bears, even the family has taken a back seat to these bears.
Joe falls in love, out of love, experiences loss, anger and frustration but is building his fine character all the while.
An unusual side story of orphan children that live underneath the Brooklyn Bridge parallels Joe’s story. It takes some reflection and thought to bring the two ideas together but the orphans strengthen the readers knowledge of the emotions and societal events of the time period.

The Walls of Cartagena by Julia Durango

Illustrator: Tom Pohrt
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN (library bind): 978-1-4169-4102-6
Price: $15.99 #pages: 152 Call number: FIC DUR

This historical fiction provides a fascinating glimpse into the 17th century slave trade activities by the Spaniards in Cartagena, Colombia, South America. It is based on the true lives of the Jesuit priest Pedro Claver, his interpreters and benefactress.
A dangerous adventure follows Calepino, a thirteen year old African slave boy who speaks eleven languages and his work as an interpreter for Claver and as an aide to a doctor in a leper colony. Although Calepino would rather stay behind the castle walls and read Cervantes all day, his work helping the doctor leads him to betraying the ones he trusts and helping slaves escape.