Alex & Eliza

Cruz, M. (2017). Alex & Eliza. New York ,NY: G.P. Putnum's Son.

This historical fiction love story between Alexander Hamilton (Alex) and Elizabeth Schuyler (Eliza) is set during the Revolutionary War.  Elizabeth comes from a prominent family who expect their daughters to marry well.  Alexander is an orphan from St. Croix who came to America at the age of seventeen.  He was sponsored by several wealthy families from New York to come to America to further his educated.  When the Revolutionary War began, he quit college to help with the war.  He soon became General George Washington's  aide-de-camp and a colonel. One evening, Alex visits the home of the Schuyler's to bring news to Eliza's father, General Schuyler that he is being court-martial.  Eliza overhears the entire conversation between her father and Colonel Hamilton.   This is the same evening that the Schuylers have a ball.  Eliza tells her two sisters and when they meet Alex, they are not very welcoming.  Though Alex is charming, Eliza is angry with him for bringing bad news to the family and is rude to him. At the military trial, her father is innocent.  Eliza and Alex do not see one another for two years, and upon meeting again while she is staying with her aunt, she begins to grow fond of him.  They begin to see more of each other at social events, and they become infatuated with one another.  However, the Schuyler family is having financial problems and Mrs. Schuyler wants Eliza and her sisters to marry into wealthy families.  Alex is not a proper suitor since he is poor.   Mrs. Schuyler arranges a marriage between  Eliza and the governor's son, Henry Livingston.   Henry is pompous and crude, and Eliza is devastated that she can't marry the man she loves.  The evening before Eliza is to marry Henry, he comes over drunk and tries to "have relations" with her.   Alex happens to catch this and punches Henry.  He knows he must do something to stop this marriage.  He travels to General Schuyler's house and tells him of what happened.  Her parents tell Eliza she no longer has to marry Henry and they give their blessing to her to marry Alex.  

This historical fiction story about a founding father, Alexander Hamilton and love interest, Elizabeth Schuyler, includes many historical places, people, and events. The story accurately depicts the times in dress, speech, and social interactions. This love story includes two young people that fall in love , but are told they can't marry because they are from two different social classes.  But in the end, the two marry anyway.  This is like so many love stories where love conquers all in end.  This YA book depicts a story of young love that endures despite what Eliza's parents want her to do.  Alex fights for their love no matter what.   There are some teens that may not be able to date certain people because of where they grew-up, their financial situation, religion, or their ethnicity.  This book helps them through that, and know that love can break through barriers.

Alex & Eliza is a New York Times Young Adult Hardcover Bestseller in May of 2017.