What's my favorite genre? Hmmm... Probably realistic fiction or mystery. Lately for some reason, though, I have been on a historical fiction kick. I just read a great book called, The River Between Us, by Richard Peck. Set during the Civil War, it is the story of a girl named Tilly in the state of Illinois. Her hometown is on the Union side of the Mississippi, but a mysterious young woman sails in and sets Tilly's house and, indeed, the whole town on its ear. Her name is Delphine, and she is traveling with her attendant, Colinda. Could she be a slave? And what is Delphine's real story?
I just loved this book. Historical fiction authors usually do so much research on their chosen time period that the reader gets a fairly accurate feel for what life was like at that time. The River Between Us presents a part of American history that I didn't know much about. Now I'd like to know more about it. Richard Peck is an excellent author. He usually writes humorous historical fiction like The Teacher's Funeral and A Long Way From Chicago.
Try The River Between Us for a great dramatic story of the Civil War and all of its harsh reality. It's definitely worth a try.
So, by the way, what is your favorite genre?