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|Book Review #partner | While I really enjoy historical fiction, w haven’t read a lot of books set during the Vietnam era. I was excited when given the chance to read a YA set during that time and the story did not disappoint! ___ Miss E focuses on Bets, a 15 year old army kid settling into yet another new home in California before her dad ships out for Vietnam, and her growing relationship with the mysterious old women in town. Bets is a great character and I loved how strong she was, while still being a kid who messes up, has problems, doesn’t always understand her parents, and isn’t always sure of herself. Her relationship with Miss E. (and as a pleasant surprise it turns out that Miss E. is a historical figure I’m obsessed with so I fell for this book even harder) was charming and yet taught them both so much and brought them out of their comfort zones. ___ Herberger did a great job introducing Bets to the conflict the county felt about the Vietnam war and I thought the scene in San Francisco was powerful and very well written. The idea that it’s okay to be afraid but it shouldn’t stop you from following your dreams or doing what you believe in was peppered throughout the story and we'll done. The ending was also very sweet. I’m excited to pick up the second book in the series, Cross Country, and to share this series with my nieces when I’m done! ___ Thank you @bherb17 for my free review copy! ___ #bookstagram #bookreview #bookreviewer #misse #bibliophile #bookworm #booknerd #bookstack #findingherwasjustthebegining #bookmark #coverlove #historicalfiction #historicalya #morethanjustaprettybook #notjustaprettybook

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□□□□□ • Oh my goodness. At this point, I feel it's safe to say that Bets has made it onto my list of all-time favorite literary characters. After having read Miss E., I was thrilled to see that there would be a follow-up story. And now here I am, I loved Cross Country so much, I'm hoping for more again! What it comes down to is that Mr. Herberger just has a way with words, simply put. He has a way of describing things, places, people, feelings, etc. that, as a reader, you just get it. It helps, too, that these stories take place during a time period that I wish I could have experienced so much so that I feel almost nostalgic for it. I also really loved how relevant Bets' coming-of-age feels today. Even though she grew up during a totally different time period, young adults (and grown ups) will find a lot of lessons to take away from this book, especially with everything going on in the world today. Serious stuff aside, Cross Country is also a great adventure story. Who hasn't dreamed about just picking up and driving across the country? Bets has some pretty epic adventures along the way--some fun, some not so fun--with a wonderful cast of characters I won't soon forget. I love when even the secondary characters come to life, and Mr. Herberger didn't let me down. All in all, I loved Cross Country just as much, if not more than Miss E., and I know that I will read anything else Mr. Herberger publishes. Between all the times this book made me stop and think and all the times it was just plain fun, Cross Country brought Woodstock to life. I am always up for a story from Bets' point of view, and this one was a pure delight to read! #currentread #bookstagram #book #books #igreads #booklover #fiction #bookphotography #instabook #instaread #bibliophile #bookaholic #reading #lovelybooks #read #igbooks #bookworm #bookish #ilovebooks #booklove #bookreview #bookblog #ilovereading #yalit #historicalfiction #brianherberger #crosscountry #woodstock

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