Scan barcode
dotreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing historical fiction tale of a girl with grit!
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
There are many classics that I would defend as valuable still today, with some explanation from an adult who understands the racial difficulties of the history presented. This one, unfortunately, I think has past its time. The entire book is an example of the fear and superiority of colonialism. Even the moments that seem to be showing the wrongness of the white opinion that they deserve the land, still present the "Injuns" as backwards and childlike. The only one to be beyond that to some extent is a French-speaking Christian.
Otherwise, this was a good read, but not great. Though I appreciate the decisions by season, the sections were so long. I had a hard time staying engaged. The book have a good picture of life in Maine at this time, and several of the characters were well-drawn, but most were fairly one-dimensional.
Otherwise, this was a good read, but not great. Though I appreciate the decisions by season, the sections were so long. I had a hard time staying engaged. The book have a good picture of life in Maine at this time, and several of the characters were well-drawn, but most were fairly one-dimensional.
sunflower_13's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.25
Honestly a slow beginning but plenty of action throughout. The book is split into the four seasons instead of more regular chapters which was creative and worked well enough for the story but also probably contributes to the overall slower pace of the book. Still after the Summer (and maybe some of Fall) season(s), I feel the pace picks up a bit.
kibbles15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Animal death
19paws's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this a lot. It felt very authentic, and I loved the way Maggie turned into a sort of superhero. Also the wonderful descriptions of the coast of Maine.
jjlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
recommend especially for people who live in Maine, charming children's book, though somewhat old.
yourfriendtorie's review against another edition
2.0
YA fiction about a 12-year-old French girl who is indentured to a pioneer family homesteading on the Maine coast. It's no "Little House," obviously, although it's chock full of offensive references to "Injuns." It's also no "Country of the Pointed Firs," though it is similarly evocative of the beauty of the wild Maine coast, just not as artful as Orne-Jewett. Despite its failings, I am a sucker for pioneer-themed YA and Calico Bush didn't disappoint in its descriptions of maple sugaring, log cabin-building, winter hardship and the gory accidents that befall pioneer children.
marlo_c's review against another edition
3.0
I read this aloud to my daughter as part of our homeschool history curriculum. It's a realistic portrayal (including the language and prejudices) of what life might have been like during this time period settling a wild, remote location. While it's not my favorite of this genre, it's well done and enjoyable with a likeable heroine.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
4.0
I am amazed that the same person who wrote Hitty, wrote this.
Marguerite emigrates with her uncle and grandma from France in the early 1700's. They immediately die, leaving her alone in the New World. She becomes an indentured servant and moves to Maine where the family she serves builds a cabin and worries about Indian attacks.
The story is really fairly i teresting and well done.
Marguerite emigrates with her uncle and grandma from France in the early 1700's. They immediately die, leaving her alone in the New World. She becomes an indentured servant and moves to Maine where the family she serves builds a cabin and worries about Indian attacks.
The story is really fairly i teresting and well done.