In My Mailbox - 7/4/09

Credit goes to The Story Siren for thinking up the In My Mailbox feature.

My new books that I bought or received this week:

Daughters of the Sea: Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Daughters of the Sea tells the story of three mermaid sisters who are separated at birth by a storm and go on to lead three very different lives. Book one is about Hannah, who spent her early days in an orphanage and is now a scullery maid in the house of rich, powerful family. She is irresistibly drawn to the sea and through a series of accidents and encounters discovers her true identity. Hannah relizes that she must keep the truth a secret but she also knows that soon she will have to make the choice - to be a creature of the land or the sea.


Before They Were Famous: William the Conquerer by Caroline Corby

A young boy is sent away to France, far from the political turmoil of the Normandy court. He spends his years training to become a knight and learning the value of friendship and loyalty – which will be vital when decides he must return to take his rightful place as Duke of Normandy. This thrilling historical adventure, one of the Before They Were Famous series that includes the Cleopatra, Boudica and Pocahontas, tells the story of a young boy who one day became known as William the Conqueror.


Before They Were Famous: Pocahontas by Caroline Corby

There was a prophesy talked of amongst the Native Americans of Virginia – a prophesy that one day a nation would spring from a certain spot on Chesapeake Bay and and destroy them. When ships land there in April 1607, Chief Powhatan wants the intruders killed and when their leader, John Smith, is captured, he orders his execution. But Pocahontas bravely intervenes and persuades her father to befriend the foreigners, learning English to act as translator and helping the newcomers survive the bitter winters in the strange land. But are they to be trusted or will the prophecy come true? Pocahontas learns that bringing two cultures together comes at a cost in this exciting addition to the Before They Were Famous series.


Leigh Ann's Civil War by Ann Rinaldi

Leigh Ann Conners is spunky and determined. Although she often finds herself in trouble, she loves her two older brothers dearly and would do anything to make them proud.
When the Yankees arrive in Roswell, Georgia, Leigh Ann places a French flag upon the family’s mill. She hopes the Yankees will then spare the mill from destruction, but her actions have disastrous results. Sent north with the women and children who worked in the mill—all branded traitors for making fabric for Confederate uniforms—Leigh Ann embarks on a journey that requires her to find her own inner strength. Only then will she be able to rise above the war raging around her.

(This one is actually my first ebook ARC, from Net Galley. I hope it's not too difficult to read!)