Scan barcode
prairiedances's review
5.0
A Ann Rinaldi is at her best when she writes about characters from the "middling" sort. Characters who are privy to history from the sidelines. In the novel, Mary is a mixed raced girl in who is a student at one of the first schools for girls of color in Connecticut. I once read that history is suppose to be somewhat strange to present day readers. It's a world who's ideas and beliefs have long since been overruled as outdated and at times draconian. As such, Rinaldi has skillfully recreated the world of 1832. She doesn't attempt to judge or edit the thoughts and actions of the people of that time period but merely presents them as they were. The girls at the school, Miss Crandall, Quakers, the towns people, all are portrayed as people and not politically correct pawns. Also themes of the antebellum period are represented: religion, women's rights, slavery, labor rights etc. Great book.
"Sometimes good things are done for the wrong reasons. Don't ever look into a person's reasons or you'll always be disappointed. Just look at the good accomplished". Page 143
"Sometimes good things are done for the wrong reasons. Don't ever look into a person's reasons or you'll always be disappointed. Just look at the good accomplished". Page 143
More...