Book Review: I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly by Joyce Hansen

I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, 1865
by Joyce Hansen
Dear America Diary Series
Unabridged, 4 hr.
Scholastic
Barbara Rosenblat and Sisi Johnson (Narrator)
July 30, 2005
★★★½☆☆

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Source: Downloaded to audio from my local library

“Patsy, an orphaned slave, has taught herself to read and write on the sly. After the Civil War ends and slavery is abolished, Patsy believes her master will keep his word and pay the former house slaves and provide an education for the slave children. But when Master Davis ignores his promise to establish a school, and the Freedmen’s Bureau can’t send a teacher, Patsy steps in to teach the students, old and young, to read and write.

Patsy’s diary is filled with courage, conviction, and hope as she strives toward freedom—freedom from slavery and freedom from the limitations placed on her by others.”

This book in the series takes place on a plantation in South Carolina just after the end of the Civil War. Patsy, our diary writer, is now a former slave trying to figure out what it means to be “free”. Being free seems to be almost the same as being a slave when many of the things promised to them do not materialize but Patsy is determined to be truly free.

This is truly a coming of age story – but not in your typical way. At the beginning of the book Patsy is quiet and perfectly content to hang out in the background. But as things start to change and she realizes that she has something that all her fellow men and women on the plantation need – the ability to read and write – she begins to find herself much more in demand and important. This happens in a very natural way, given the situation.

This story might be a little more difficult for younger readers to connect with especially if they don’t have a working knowledge of the Pre-Civil War and Reconstruction life for African-Americans. However, if they do have some knowledge of the times, this book gives an insightful view of what a former slave’s life might have been like immediately following the end of slavery.

★★★★☆

The narrator did a pretty good job of nailing the manner with which the young Patsy speaks and fills her narration with the feeling of wonder and interest with everything. You really get the feeling that she is whispering her secrets to her journal in a corner like she would wish a friend.

This is author Joyce Hansen’s only book in the Dear America Diary series however she has written several of fiction and non-fiction works. You can visit her website for additional information. If you are looking for further discussion about this book with you children, check out this discussion and activity guide from Scholastic.

My reviews of other books in this series:

• Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie
• Winter of the Red Snow
• My Secret War

Reviews of this book by others:

• The Hope Chest Reviews
• Ana Mardoll’s Ramblings

 

Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court

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Book Review: My Secret War by Mary Pope Osborne

My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck,
Long Island New York, 1941
by Mary Pope Osborne
Dear America Diary Series
Unabridged, 3 hr. 15 min.
Scholastic
Barbara Rosenblat (Narrator)
April 1, 2008
★★★★☆

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Source: Downloaded audio from my local library

“In a diary that brings to life the dramatic happenings on the home front during World War II, Madeline Beck is living in a boardinghouse with her mother while her father is on an aircraft carrier guarding the Pacific Coast. After discovering that a German U-boat has landed near her home - a little-known, true incident on Long Island - she and her classmates form "Kids Fight for Freedom" and participate in the home front war effort.”

This is another diary in the Dear America series this time focusing on the home-front effort during World War II. I haven’t read very much set during WWII, but what I have has primarily been set abroad. Not only was it new and interesting to see how the home-front reacted to the war, but also to see it from a child/teenager perspective was novel. We see many of the typical things such as book, blood, scrap and can drives, but I really liked how Madeline founded the “Kids Fight for Freedom” club. I’m sure that there were many such clubs like this where even the kids were doing what they could to ensure that their fathers/brothers/relatives would come home.

The main character’s father is in the military so we see what it is like to have a family member serving overseas. The letters that they send and receive are so precious to them and are a lifeline throughout the war. Madeline and her crush get caught up in the secret German U-boat landing. While this is a real event, it almost felt fantastical the way it was portrayed. The events surrounding the landing felt like right out of a spy/action novel rather than what you would necessarily expect from a Dear America novel.

This was a different take on the typical war story. There is sadness and dark times, but also times where the characters pull together to help each other through and forge deep ties with other community members. Even as an adult, I learned a lot about the way of life in a small town during this time period.

★★★★★

The narrator of this book was FABULOUS! I always say that when listening to a diary, the narrator has to be very convincing and truly evoke the character that they are voicing. You need to be able to believe that you are hearing the inner musings of the diary’s author – be in their brain perhaps. The narrator had the right mix of emotion, excitement, and sadness as were appropriate.

Author Mary Pope Osborne also has written Standing in the Light (another book from the Dear America series) as well as two books from the spin-off My America series (as well as other books). You can visit the author’s website for additional information about the books. If you are looking for activities to enhance your reading experience with your children, check out this discussion guide/lesson plan from Scholastic.

This book is currently out of print, but you can find it from used sellers or try your local library. Scholastic is currently working on re-releasing many of the books in the Dear America series as well as releasing new books in this series. More when it becomes available.

My reviews of other books in this series:

• Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie (Oregon Trail Diary)
• Winter of the Red Snow (Valley Forge Diary)
• I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly (Diary of a Freed Girl)

Reviews of this book by others:

• Caitlin Schwatka on Goodreads
• Ana Mardoll’s Ramblings

 

Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

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Book Review: Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847
by Kristiana Gregory
Dear America Diary Series
Unabridged, 3 hr. 30 min.
Scholastic
Barbara Rosenblat and Stina Neilson (Narrator)
August 2009
★★★★½☆

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Source: Downloaded the audio from my local library

“After the death of her two sisters, thirteen-year-old Hattie and her family plan for a fresh start. They sell their farm in Missouri and journey along the Oregon Trail toward Oregon City. At first the adventure is exciting, but as the days, weeks, and months pass, Hattie realizes what a dangerous trip it is. As they cross the prairies, news of the fate of the Donner party reaches them, and death, disease, weather, and the terrain take a terrible toll on their traveling party. The Campbells lose neighbors and friends until they almost cannot bear to continue. Yet Hattie and her family must persevere or risk the same misfortune. Hattie`s diary chronicles the hardships of such a harrowing journey, but also captures the friendships and celebrations of life that keep hope alive.”

I think that this will live on as one of my favorite books in this extensive series. It brought back all of my childhood memories of playing the very first Oregon Trail game! Do you remember fording the Blue River, oxen dying, eating poisonous plants, breaking an axle? I do! All that and much more takes place in the diary of Hattie Campbell.

One of the great strengths of this book is the emotions that are evoked. Westward travel was certainly not easy. There were moments of terror, sadness, happiness, and hope – they were all here. I also thought that they played the in-between world of not quite a child and not quite an adult very well. It felt real when she didn’t fully understand some of the decisions being made and she and she didn’t have that frustrating quality to knowing all even though she is only 13.

I also really liked how historical events were peppered through the diary but not fully explained. It wouldn’t be normal for someone to go on and on about the back story of the Donner party, but that event would certainly have made it into their diaries and affected some of the choices that they made. Rest assured though, there is a lengthy historical note at the end where all of these mentioned historical events are more thoroughly explained.

★★★★★

Another well narrated outing in the series. Again they selected a young sounding voice actress who fit the character role. She also evoked the highly emotional scenes well.

Kristiana Gregory also has written several other books in the Dear America series.  You can visit the Scholastic website for additional information about the book and activities to do with your children and recipes to make.

My other reviews of books in this series:

• The Winter of Red Snow (Valley Forge Diary) 
• My Secret War (WWII Home Front Diary)
• I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly (Diary of a Freed Girl)

Other reviews of this book by other bloggers:

• Ana Mardoll’s Ramblings
• Rebecca’s Book Blog

 

Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

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Book Review: Winter of the Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory

 

The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart,

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777

by Kristiana Gregory

Dear America Diaries series

Unabridged, 3 hr. 50 min.

Live Oak Media

Barbara Rosenblatt and Jennifer Ikeda (Narrators)

February 15, 2006

★★★½☆☆

Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Source: Downloaded audio from my local library

“Eleven-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart's fictionalized diary about her life, family, friends, and neighbors, and the sides they have to choose in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Revolutionary War, renders a vivid portrayal of one of the most memorable and crucial winters in American history. Abby's life with her family is quickly upended when they are awakened by the unfamiliar sound of drums. General George Washington is leading the Continental soldiers into their winter encampment at Valley Forge, PA.”

As a kid I loved reading the Dear America diaries although I only read a few of them back then. I have recently found myself interested in them again (of course after I gave away all of mine and when the majority of them are still out of print!). However, as of 2010, Scholastic has begun to reprint many of the books as well as release new ones.

The Winter of Red Snow was my second read in this series (however it is the first I am reviewing at this time). I have to admit that I never spent much time thinking about that winter at Valley Forge – and when I did, it was usually about the soldiers and how they were hungry, cold, and drummed into shape my Von Stueben. However, this book led me to consider the effects on the residents of Valley Forge with all of the soldiers camped in the backyards, literally. Throughout this diary we learn about how the families frequently gave up goods, supplies and food for the soldiers, took jobs to help the encampment, and the sicknesses that could affect them too. We also make a quick trip to Philadelphia during this book where the British troops are encamped for the winter and get to see a comparison of how they wintered compared to the Continental army. Trips are made into the Continental encampment and the headquarters building for General Washington and we learn a lot about the lives of the soldiers.

This book is less of an adventure story and I found it a little less enjoyable than some of the other books in this series because of it. Throughout the story the Continental Army is just waiting out the winter and at the end of the book it is spring and they have set out again. There is great historical information though. If introducing the series to a young one in your life, I might not start out with this book, but once they are sucked into the story mix it in.

This was also my first piece of fiction with George and Martha Washington as characters. They were portrayed very much the way I would expect them to be – the General is very regal, strong, but quiet. Martha is warm, caring, and 100% supportive of the cause.

One of the unique aspects of this diary that I enjoyed was the inclusion of recipes in the diary. Martha Washington’s famous 40 egg cake (!) is included as well as a recipe for onion soup, and another that I cannot remember at this time. This lends itself to a cooking experiment!

There was a very extensive historical note at the end of this diary. They set up the events that preceded Valley Forge as well as a summary of what happened afterward to the surrender at Yorktown. There was a lot more of a note in this than many other historicals that I have read and I think this is wonderful especially for the youth who these books are designed for. There is a sequel to this book, Cannons at Dawn and I am interested as to where this book takes us, since at the end of Winter of Red Snow the soldiers have left Valley Forge.

★★★★½☆

There were two narrators of this book – the first was the narrator for the actual diary and the second narrated the historical note at the end. The narrator for the diary was wonderful at conveying a youthful sense to her narration and really made you feel like you were listening to the inner thoughts of Abby as she wrote in her diary. There was emotion and emphasis where there should be. The narrator of the historical note was sufficient in her role, but I am not sure why they needed two different narrators.

Kristiana Gregory also has written several other books in the Dear America series. There is also a sequel to Winter of Red Snow entitled, Cannons at Dawn. You can visit the Scholastic website for additional information about the book and activities to do with your children and recipes to make. If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book?

My other reviews of books in this series:

• Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie (Oregon Trail Diary)
• My Secret War (WWII Home Front Diary)
• I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly (Diary of a Freed Girl)

Other reviews of this book by other bloggers:

• YA Books Central
• Ann Mardoll’s Ramblings

 

Copyright © 2012 by The Maiden’s Court

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