Where Is Your Bookmark: A Peek Into A Girl Called Samson & Other Friday Fun!

Happy Friday! I am currently reading Amy Harmon's A Girl Called Samson for the upcoming historical book club meeting, and thought I would share a few excerpts with you today.

A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.

January 3, 1827

Dear Elizabeth, 

You have not been far from my mind today. It is a new year, though I suspect it will be my last. I find myself lost in thought more than I am present, and though I've told parts of my story, I've never written it all down from beginning to end.  [opening of A Girl Called Samson]

and

March 15, 1770

Winter had begun her retreat, but summer was still a long way off, and the horse we rode picked his way over the thawing, gouged road with a bowed head and an uneven gait. The man in front of me shielded me from the bite of early morning, but I huddled in misery behind him, ignoring the crouching countryside and the bare branches prodding the sky for signs of spring. [opening of Chapter 1 of A Girl Called Samson]

There are letters throughout the novel, but the opening letter is like a call to the reader to get comfortable and settle in for the story we are about to read. And from the opening of the chapter, that feeling continues--the descriptive writing drawing me in. I feel like I am with her in that moment.

A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Our wonderful host Freda of Freda's Voice is on a break, and Anne of My Head is Full of Books  has stepped in to host! 

I imagined my company talking among themselves. Robbie looks a little feminine. Not his fault. None of us can do much about the way we look.

But then I kept up during the march, led them in drills, and handled my weapon with as much speed and accuracy as anyone else in my company, and they stopped seeing the parts of me that might have made them wonder before. 

I was accepted as a man because for me to be a woman was unfathomable. [page 120 of A Girl Called Samson] 

It sounds like Deborah is managing to fit in among her fellow soldiers. I imagine it would be hard to keep such a big secret like that though. She always has to be on her guard.

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon

From New York Times bestselling author Amy Harmon comes the saga of a young woman who dares to chart her own destiny in life and love during the American Revolutionary War.

In 1760, Deborah Samson is born to Puritan parents in Plympton, Massachusetts. When her father abandons the family and her mother is unable to support them, Deborah is bound out as an indentured servant. From that moment on, she yearns for a life of liberation and adventure.

Twenty years later, as the American colonies begin to buckle in their battle for independence, Deborah, impassioned by the cause, disguises herself as a soldier and enlists in the Continental Army. Her impressive height and lanky build make her transformation a convincing one, and it isn’t long before she finds herself confronting the horrors of war head-on.

But as Deborah fights for her country’s freedom, she must contend with the secret of who she is—and, ultimately, a surprising love she can’t deny. [Goodreads Summary]

Does this sound like something you would enjoy? If you have read it, what did you think?

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. It is hosted by Linda Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About. Join in by answering this week's question in the comments or on your own blog.

What day in your life would you like to relive? 

My first thought was my wedding day. It's such a blur, the day so busy and over in a flash, but wrapped up in so many happy memories that I would not mind revisiting that day, if only just to take it all in again but more slowly. Or maybe that day my husband, daughter and I visited a local train museum, seeing my daughter's excitement and joy as she rang the bell and got to ride on a train around the train park. The moments I find myself wanting to relive most are the ones I wish I could have captured in a bottle to pull out on the harder days. Like that afternoon Mouse and I lay in the grass, under the big blue sky, making up stories about the clouds as they went by, letting go, at least for that moment, all my worries and obligations; hiking in the mountains with my family, surrounded by trees and nature; cuddling on the couch with my husband or daughter while watching a favorite movie; or even just sitting on the couch, my cat stretched out across my chest, reading. 

What about you? Is there a time in your life you would like to relive--just to experience again? 

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

It's back-to-school time. What book would you recommend to students, whether it's an educational read or an enjoyable diversion from textbooks? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

One of the questions I asked my daughter when she came home on her first day of school last month was what she was going to have to read for her Language Arts class this school year. This semester, was a book of their choice, and Mouse chose Cornelia Funke's Inkheart. She's been keeping me updated on her progress every day--not because I ask, but because she is enjoying it so much. Next semester her class will be reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (It's true, I squealed when she told me--S.E. Hinton was one of my favorite childhood authors). They are reading other familiar titles and authors as well. Last week she read a portion of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. And her teacher mentioned Edgar Allan Poe. Oh, I do hope it's "The Raven"! I've been torturing her with that poem since she was little. 

I was one of those odd students who enjoyed most of the required reading assigned in school, but my favorite reading assignments were always the ones in which I got to choose my own reading material. Whether from a pre-made list or something completely of my choice. Required reading can feel like an obligation, but having options offers a bit more freedom. I read a lot outside of school too, so I have never really seen reading as a hardship, but rather an enjoyable past-time. 

I could make an exhaustive list of books I think middle school/high school aged students (and non-students too!), would benefit from reading, whether it be a book to escape into, be entertained, learn from, be inspired by, see themselves in, step inside someone else's shoes, or try something new. As much as I love Jane Eyre and will begrudgingly admit there's value in reading Shakespeare's plays, I think there's something to be said for reading a variety of old and new books.  A handful of modern (and a couple not so modern) books that immediately come to mind that might appeal to today's generation include: 

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley ~ The gripping story of Daunis, a biracial Native American teenager, who becomes entangled in a dangerous investigation involving drug trafficking and murder. This novel delves into themes of identity, community, and the strength to stand up for what is right.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley ~ The story of gifted scientist Victor Frankenstein who succeeds in giving life to a being of his own creation. However, this is not the perfect specimen he imagines that it will be, but rather a hideous creature who is rejected by Victor and mankind in general. The Monster seeks its revenge through murder and terror.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo ~ Set in contemporary Harlem, New York, and revolves around the life of Xiomara Batista, a teenage girl grappling with the expectations of her strict, religious mother and the discovery of her own creative voice. The novel is written in verse, providing a unique and intimate glimpse into Xiomara's inner thoughts and emotions.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo ~ A coming-of-age Young Adult novel centering on the experience of Lily Hu, a teenager in 1950s San Francisco, as she comes to terms with her sexuality while also dealing with the prevalent societal racism toward Chinese Americans.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank ~ Or commonly referred to as The Diary of Anne Frank, is a book of the writings from the Dutch-language diary kept by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson ~ Having called the police after having been raped at an end of the summer party, thirteen-year-old Melinda becomes a social outcast. The novel navigates the complexities of high school social dynamics as Melinda grapples with the aftermath of her trauma, leading to her selective mutism. As she battles with her inner turmoil, the story unfolds in the halls, classrooms, and social settings of the high school.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone ~ Dear Martin examines the complex issues of race and privilege in twenty-first century America. The perspective is through the eyes of Justyce McAllister, a black teen who re-examines his relationship to privilege and success when he is racially profiled by the police.

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Mattias Ripa ~ A graphic memoir about Satrapi’s experiences growing up in Tehran, Iran before and after the revolution in 1979.

What books would you recommend to students today? 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!

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