Penelope: Terror in the Harbour by Sharon McKay
Marie-Claire: Dark Spring by Kathy Stinson
Rachel: A Mighty Big Imagining by Lynne Kositsky
Emily: Across The James Bay Bridge by Julie Lawson

Never boring, these historical fiction books explore what it was like to grow up as a girl in Canada in the late 1700s, late 1800s, and early 1900s.

Each of the four books I reviewed takes readers on a different journey.

Superbly written, Penelope: Terror In The Harbour is a chilling tale of life and death. Here, Penny takes on household tasks and is left to deal with a horrible ordeal when there's an explosion in a harbour near Halifax. Her family's home is destroyed and it's up to Penny to find her father and seek safety for her two little sisters and herself.

In Marie-Claire: Dark Spring, young readers can step into the shoes of 10-year-old Marie-Claire whose life is one giant struggle. She must stay home from school to help raise her siblings while a smallpox epidemic is rampant in Montreal. All Marie-Claire wants is a normal life! By reading this book, girls can get a better perspective on how hard life was in the late 1800s for some families in Canada.

Another 10-year-old girl, Rachel, boards a ship in the late 1700s which will take her and her mom away from slavery in America as she reunites with her stepfather. They yearn for freedom in Nova Scotia, Canada. Rachel: A Mighty Big Imagining, is a survival tale which shows young girls the importance of determination and courage as they learn what a precious gift freedom is.

Finally, Emily: Across the James Bay Bridge explores Victoria's Chinatown. Emily manages to get lost on the streets of Chinatown and learns about the Chinese immigrants, her family's own cook, Hing, while learning more about her own life.

Each of the books begins with a map of Canada and the area which is featured. You'll find an important timeline in the back of each book which gives girls an idea of the historical significance of the times of each book's setting.

Expect to see more titles in this wonderful historical series for girls! A great book collection for the third through fifth grade classrooms or for all girls who love reading, regardless of the country they live in! Highly recommended by The Review Zone.