Rinaldi, Ann. The Last Full Measure.
Harcourt Brace/Houghton Mifflin, 218p, 2010, 17.00
978-0-547-38980-6, ms VG-BN
Vividly portrays life in the town of Gettysburg during the battle. With their family, Tacy and her brother David live through the dangers, fears, and aftermath of the battle.
With her father a doctor and two brothers away fighting for the Union army, fourteen-year-old Tacy lives through the days of the Battle of Gettysburg in town. Her older brother David, is in charge. He cannot fight due to a crippled leg. Tacy is headstrong and a real handful for David. During the battle the family helps hide some free Negroes, attend to wounded, and meet Confederates both respectful and not. After the fighting Tacy and David continue their father’s work of burying bodies and recording the names. At this time David gives his life for his principles by following the law and refusing to let a body be dug back up.
This book gives a glimpse at what it was like for the townspeople and how ordinary citizens may be called on to do extraordinary feats.
The characters are well drawn and it is obvious that both the locale and action during the battle are well researched. This will be a useful addition to the collection when students study the Civil War. Perfect for eighth graders.Theal, Joan
Showing posts with label Rinaldi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rinaldi. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Rinaldi, Ann. The Family Greene
Rinaldi, Ann. The Family Greene
Harcourt Brace/Houghton Mifflin 2010 250p 17.00
978-0-547-260067-9 elm/ms Historical E-BN
Cornelia is the daughter of General Nathaniel Greene, second in command to George Washington during the Revolution. Since her mother was such a flirt, Cornelia struggles with the rumors concerning her father not being her real father.
The time period of the Revolution and the encampment at Valley Forge were both serious and frivolous times. The wives of various generals did much to raise the spirits of the troops. It was these so called indiscretions that caused Cornelia to wonder about her parentage. She loved her father and siblings, but her mother’s flirtations distressed Cornelia.
The author has written a thought provoking suspenseful story in which Cornelia tries to decide if her father is General Wayne or her father. At one point she confronts the General Wayne and asks about her parentage. He doesn’t respond to her because if he did Cornelia would think less of her mother. And he wanted her to learn that love and trust are important in a family.
Throughout the years Cornelia struggles with the identity of her father. But she also comes to learn that in addition to families have the power of love on their side as well as messy encumbrances.
The novel will be read and appreciated by readers who enjoy historical fiction. They will also appreciate that Cornelia in the end of the story did not really care that she never got an answer from General Wayne. This is a well written book that is recommended as a Books of Note. It would be an excellent addition to any middle school or secondary school library. McNeil, Linda
U.S. History
Harcourt Brace/Houghton Mifflin 2010 250p 17.00
978-0-547-260067-9 elm/ms Historical E-BN
Cornelia is the daughter of General Nathaniel Greene, second in command to George Washington during the Revolution. Since her mother was such a flirt, Cornelia struggles with the rumors concerning her father not being her real father.
The time period of the Revolution and the encampment at Valley Forge were both serious and frivolous times. The wives of various generals did much to raise the spirits of the troops. It was these so called indiscretions that caused Cornelia to wonder about her parentage. She loved her father and siblings, but her mother’s flirtations distressed Cornelia.
The author has written a thought provoking suspenseful story in which Cornelia tries to decide if her father is General Wayne or her father. At one point she confronts the General Wayne and asks about her parentage. He doesn’t respond to her because if he did Cornelia would think less of her mother. And he wanted her to learn that love and trust are important in a family.
Throughout the years Cornelia struggles with the identity of her father. But she also comes to learn that in addition to families have the power of love on their side as well as messy encumbrances.
The novel will be read and appreciated by readers who enjoy historical fiction. They will also appreciate that Cornelia in the end of the story did not really care that she never got an answer from General Wayne. This is a well written book that is recommended as a Books of Note. It would be an excellent addition to any middle school or secondary school library. McNeil, Linda
U.S. History
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Rinaldi, Ann. My Vicksburg.
Rinaldi, Ann. My Vicksburg.
Harcourt Brace 2009 152p 16.00 978-0-15-206624-6 ms/jr
This is the story of a young Confederate girl who lived in Vicksburg during the battle. It shows the readers about the hardships incurred as well as the unusual aspects of warfare at that time. Claire Louise Corbet was a young girl who was considered to be headstrong. She also has an unusual family situation because her father is a Confederate doctor and her brother(Landon) is a Union doctor. The family had to move out of their home during the bombings and live in a cave on the outskirts of town. However, when the bombing stopped for the luncheon and evenings meals, they could return home for any item they had forgotten. This went on for 47 days until the town surrendered.
However, Claire came to realize that all was not black and white when he brother hides a Confederate deserter(Robert-who lost a post to Robert E. Lee) in their cave until he can get well. Claire takes things into her own hand when she realizes that he brother is honor bound to turn Robert in for treason. She provides Robert with her horse so that he can escape to the West.
The author has done a good job of providing an insight into what the life and trials of people who lived through such situations encountered. LM
Harcourt Brace 2009 152p 16.00 978-0-15-206624-6 ms/jr
This is the story of a young Confederate girl who lived in Vicksburg during the battle. It shows the readers about the hardships incurred as well as the unusual aspects of warfare at that time. Claire Louise Corbet was a young girl who was considered to be headstrong. She also has an unusual family situation because her father is a Confederate doctor and her brother(Landon) is a Union doctor. The family had to move out of their home during the bombings and live in a cave on the outskirts of town. However, when the bombing stopped for the luncheon and evenings meals, they could return home for any item they had forgotten. This went on for 47 days until the town surrendered.
However, Claire came to realize that all was not black and white when he brother hides a Confederate deserter(Robert-who lost a post to Robert E. Lee) in their cave until he can get well. Claire takes things into her own hand when she realizes that he brother is honor bound to turn Robert in for treason. She provides Robert with her horse so that he can escape to the West.
The author has done a good job of providing an insight into what the life and trials of people who lived through such situations encountered. LM
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