{"id":42,"date":"2018-04-26T18:57:59","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T23:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.wordpress.com\/?p=42"},"modified":"2023-09-30T11:57:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T15:57:31","slug":"belle-epoque","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itslitteaching.com\/belle-epoque\/","title":{"rendered":"Belle Epoque: A Novel of Adventure, Art, and Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Finding historical fiction that engages young adults can be a difficult task. When I read Belle Epoque<\/em> by Elizabeth Ross, however, I knew that I was on to something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belle Epoque <\/strong><\/em>follows the story of Maude Pichon, who runs away from home to find adventure in Paris. <\/strong>This historical fiction is perfect for any high school readers with wanderlust in their hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love, or think my readers will find useful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Drew Me to Belle Epoque<\/em>:<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of my reading lately has been pretty heavy in preparation of a curriculum overhaul<\/a>. I needed something a little lighter. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little bit of French romance sounded like the ticket, and, I’ll be honest, the beautiful cover drew me in.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Fun fact: I have a minor in French, so the little pieces of francais<\/em> were extra fun for me!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Makes Belle Epoque “Lit”?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The premise behind Belle Epoque<\/a><\/em> caught my interest right away. When Maude arrives in Paris, she is desperate for work. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, she accidentally finds herself working for an agency that only hires ugly women! <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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The exit tickets are how I keep my students accountable during independent reading!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These women are meant to be foils to beautiful, upper-class women who hire homely companions. They make their employers appear more attractive by comparison. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maude is horrified to find that she qualifies for the agency (as most would!), but with rent due in the pricey capital city, she has few options. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the threads throughout this novel is Maude’s struggle to maintain her own self-worth while society tells her that she is ugly and plain.<\/strong> I think many of our adolescent students can relate to this feeling. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heck, a lot of us adults can relate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the story goes, Maude meets new people, explores the city, and becomes exposed to art. She learns more about herself. She develops, destroys, and re-establishes friendships as she works to find her own identity–something else we can see our students struggling with daily. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of course, there is romance. Although, I appreciate that the romance here is less puppy-dog-eyes and more of a loving, mutual appreciation for one another. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Who’s The Perfect Reader for Belle Epoque<\/a><\/em>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I think this book would be a great addition to your classroom library if you have some teen girls struggling with their own self-esteem, self-worth, or who just love historical fiction.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is probably not a read for a reluctant reader. It requires some background knowledge–history, geography, artistic movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless that reluctant reader really<\/em> loves French history, I’d steer them away from this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The right reader won’t shy away from books that aren’t full of action and suspense on every page. They appreciate writing as a craft, and maybe appreciate art as a whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I’m a sucker for any story with corsets and ballrooms. If you have any girls like that in your room, hand them this novel. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Title<\/strong>: Belle Epoque<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/strong>: Elizabeth Ross<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lexile<\/strong>: 760L<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genre<\/strong>: Historical Fiction, Romance<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting<\/strong>: Victorian France<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Main Character<\/strong>: Maude Pichon, a poor, French girl who has run away from an arranged marriage to Paris<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Page Numbers<\/strong>: 352<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more great reads for your classroom?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can buy a copy of <\/a>Belle Epoque<\/a><\/em> for your classroom here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dread Nation<\/a><\/em> is another historical fiction with a strong female protagonist–with the added twist of zombies! Dreamland<\/a><\/em> can offer a little more in the romance department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For even more great recommendations and some tips for getting your classroom library off the ground, become an It’s Lit Teaching insider!<\/p>\n\n\n\n