Book Review: The Princess Dolls by Ellen Schwartz (historical fiction)

What would you do if you felt a friend was being treated unjustly?

Buy this book 

I received my copy from the author

Illustrations by Mariko Ando

Published by Tradewind Books

Published in 2018

won The Diamond Foundation Award

Set in Canada in 1942, The Princess Dolls is a middle-grade (for readers 8 to 10 years old) novel that explores the challenging topics of prejudice and activism.

Esther, a Jewish-Canadian girl, and Michiko, a Japanese-Canadian girl, are best friends and avid fans of princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. When their differences stand in the way of their friendship they turn to their mutual interest to heal their relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed the feel-good ending. 

More...

My interview with author Ellen Schwartz

Ellen Schwartz CWILL BC member

On this blog in September...

September. Ah, September... The transition from Summer to Fall has always been difficult for me--especially when the Summer has been lovely. This Summer was lovely. Thankfully, I have my writing and good books. They help.

Story Stories...

September 1 and 8
Afi

Who helped shaped your life?
This two-part short story is about my afi (Icelandic-Canadian grandpa) and amma (grandma)

September 22
My First Writers' Group

During my first couple of years on Mayne Island, I formed a writing group. This short story is about my experiences with this group.

Book reviews:  

September 15
Bunny by Mona Awad

I love weird and twisted books. I loved Bunny.

September 29
The Pearl by John Steinbeck

I first read this book in junior high (middle school) and recently re-read it. Did my impressions of this book change? How? This is a then and now review.

Before taking this picture, I encouraged Abby to look at me. She refused. That's why I call this picture... 'Abby posing' by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

What's harder to write than the synopsis?

The Invisible Woman (short story) by Leanne Dyck

The case of the mysteriously disappearing woman...

on Vancouver Island photo by ldyck

The Invisible Woman

The first time it happened I was out walking with your father. Both of us had put on a few extra pounds and we wanted to be proactive. We passed a guy I knew well. I'd grown-up beside him. We'd gone to school together.

"Hi, Archie," he called to your father. He usually had some kind of smart remark for me. This time nothing.

I called out, "Hey, Walter."

It was like he didn't even see me. People are odd is what I thought. Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I'd unknowingly upset him. Or maybe pretending he didn't see me was his latest tease. I tried not to let it bother me.

Later, at the grocery store, I noticed a new acquaintance. I wanted to say hello but couldn't remember her name. So I waited for her to acknowledge me. Nothing. I wrote it off to being preoccupied. Maybe she had invited people over and her brain was full planning the meal.

At the checkout, we saw Louise. She and I like to talk. It annoys your impatient father, but we don't care. I wait for him to shoot the breeze at the hardware store. This is my turn. But she looked right through me.

"Cash or credit?" she asked your father.

Feeling insulted, I let your father deal with her and we left.

This morning, at breakfast, you asked your father, "Hey, dad where's Mom?"--with a serious tone.

I'd just poured your juice. I'd just filled your plate with scrambled eggs and toast.

"Huh? I don't know." I know when Archie is teasing. He wasn't. 

That's when I knew something must be up. I ran to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror expecting to see my reflection--crow's feet around my eyes, laugh lines around my mouth, a few stray hairs above my upper lip and under my chin. But... It wasn't that I didn't recognize myself. It was that there was nothing to identify. All I saw was the shower curtain. I'd become invisible. 

More...

The mysterious case of the disappearing woman...

Next Sunday evening...

Book Review:  The Princess Dolls
written by Ellen Schwartz
illustrated by Mariko Ando 

Set in 1942, two girls--one Jewish-Canadian and the other Japanese-Canadian--bond over their mutual admiration for Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret