Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...
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Book Review: A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle, Retold by Alex Woolf

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A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle and retold by Alex Woolf was adapted for young readers and is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes book series.  The main two characters, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, meet for the first time and solve their very first mystery.

I'd like to thank Arcturus Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Alex Woolf. 

Not having read the original story written by Arthur Conan Doyle, I have nothing to compare the retelling to, but Alex Woolf does a phenomenal job in rewriting this story for children in a way that they'll understand.  The illustrations are amazing and a great contribution to the story.  I think this retelling will encourage children to read more.  I know I would have loved reading this in elementary school.

It has definitely piqued my interest in reading the series as originally told and compare it to Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series as I definitely see similarities between Holmes and Poirot as well as Watson and Hastings.  I'd also like to compare this retelling to the original work.

Five out of five stars is what I give A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle and retold by Alex Woolf.  If you or your child enjoyed this book, I'd recommend The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, #1) by Carolyn Keene.

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