Editorial Review

Life in the summer of 1609 in the New World is strange foryoung Elizabeth, who has traveled with her family from England toJamestown, Virginia. After the disastrous sea crossing, during which ahurricane destroyed or rerouted five of their nine ships, Elizabeth is happy to be on dry land. Her initial elation vanishes, however, whenmosquitoes, steamy weather, rampant illness, and unrest between the Indians and thenew arrivals threaten any hope of a peaceful settlement. To make matters worse, Elizabethmisses her twin brother, Caleb, and feels tremendous guilt because she took his sketchbook with her, and is now using it for a journal. But together with her parents, she begins to build a new life in the Jamestown settlement, befriending such 17th-century luminaries as Captain John Smith and 13-year-old Pocahontas. Read more

Reviews (8)

my america
I like this book because it is based on a true story about a girl named Elizabeth and her family at war. Her brother and father get dragged in to the war by some soldiers. Elizabeth gets very worried about her brother and father because they do not come back until a while.

A Washington Mill Student
Once I got this book I couldn't put it down. It was so interesting that I did not want to go to sleep. I liked it when Elizabeth had to hide her journal from her mom and that her mom had a baby.One day Elizabteth asked Captin Jonh Smith to say hi to her brother Caleb.Whenever I read an interesting book,like this one, I never let it go until I finish it.I hope you read this book one day.

A Great My America!
In 1609, nine year old Elizabeth Barker's family sails from England to Jamestown, Virginia, establishing America's first English colony. In her diary, Elizabeth explains the hardships of daily life and the happiness of family. However she is also sad because her twin brother Caleb was left in England because he had bad lungs. Elizabeth and her best friend Jessie have fun and adventures in this new strange land. They befriend the Indian princess Pocahontas. Howeveer soon Elizabeth realizes life isn't all going to be great, as her family faces scarce fook, illness, even death. However Elizabeth is determined to make a new home in this strange new land. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Diaries    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. Historical - United States - General    8. History    9. Jamestown (Va.)    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (10)

The great book.
When I first got this book I didn't want to let it go . It was so interseting that I didn't want to go to sleep.The part I liked was that Elizabeth's mom had a baby. Also that Elizabeth andJessie asked Captain John Smith if he can go back to England and say hi to Caleb. I had fun reading this book.If you heard about this book then check it out.

A sad but good book
This book tells about nine-year-old Elizabeth Barker, an English girl who has come to live in the Jamestown colony in 1609.Food is very scarce, and many people are starving.Many people die, including Elizabeth's friend and mother.But she also makes another friend, a really nice one, and her twin brother, Caleb, who was too ill to travel with Elizabeth and her parents before, finally arrives on the spring supply ship, which also has food.By the end of the book, the colony is a peaceful place to be.

A book all people should read
I am a 9 year old girl who loved this book.I think it had great adventures in it and it was historical.It was not a hard book to read, but was very interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775    4. Diaries    5. Fiction    6. Historical - General    7. Historical - United States - Colonial    8. History    9. Jamestown (Va.)    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Virginia    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (9)

Ok but Bewidering Edition of Dear America
I think my students will like this book and find it interesting but I am bewildered at the willingness of the author in adding gruesome episodes with little explanation.I find short passages that mention a gruesome death or injury and just go on to the next page.My main interest in using this book is for ESOL students whose reading levels are low but need American history lessons.This book fits the bill in history and reading level but I wonder if the book could have been written with a more comfortable fit.Students are going to end up with many more questions than a feeling of clarity.I will have to try to make that up.

Okay but not great
This book is about a young boy traveling the Oregon Trail back in the day. He has many hardships and has to deal with lots of problems. They have to deal with death, sickness, and many wagon problems.The diary tells of how he feels and really shows his true side.

Home here we come!!
I thought Westward to Home was an okay book.It was about a boy named Joshua and his family moving to Oregon.At the beginning of the book Joshua's grandfather didnt want to go to Oregon with his family.He thought it would be hard for him to leave his wife's grave. He eventually decided to go to Oregon with his family.Joshua was excited.Joshua's grandfather surprises his whole family with something he does on the trail.This book is best for boys.They can connect with how he feels and what he goes through. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Diaries    5. Fiction    6. Frontier and pioneer life    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. Overland journeys to the Pacif    11. Overland journeys to the Pacific    12. West (U.S.)    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (1)

A good conclusion to Hope's story.
Hope Potter is almost eleven years old when she begins her third diary on Christmas Day, 1777. Her older brother Ethan has finally returned home, but their house in Philadelphia is still occupied by British soldiers, and her father is still away fighting for the Patriots. Hope can no longer even see her best friend, Polly, because Polly's parents are Loyalists. Things become even worse when the family learns that Papa is very ill at the American encampment in Valley Forge. Will they be able to do anything to help him?
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Diaries    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. History    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. Philadelphia (Pa.)    10. Revolution, 1775-1783    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (5)

We are patriots
Have you ever wondered how the patriots lived during the 1700's ?
Readers will be inspired by the experiences of Hope.
In Hope's second Diary, readers will experience all the events of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl living in Philadelphia. Hope's family are Patriots, and that makes them a target for the English soldiers. With her father gone to fight the British, and her brother in a Redcoat prison, Hope and her mother had to stay in Valley Forge. But now they've moved back to their home in the city, and Hope is shocked to learn that her best friend Polly is a Loyalist. Polly's family won't let them see each other anymore, and Hope is sad to think they are on different sides in the war. Wonderful Story
I really enjoyed reading this book, the characters are so interesting. I love hearing them described through the love of Hope.I recommend this book for any young girl who likes history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Diaries    4. Fiction    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. History    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. Philadelphia (Pa.)    11. Revolution, 1775-1783    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (4)

A big hit with my daughter
My 8-year-old daughter was assigned this book at school.She read it in about an hour and said "It's the best book I ever read in my life."She's prone to exaggeration but she's also read a lot of great books.

I LIKED IT
I LIKE IT IT WAS A SWEET STORY AND SAD BUT IT WAS GOOD

A promising start.
"Hope in My Heart: Sofia's Immigrant Diary, Book One" is an interesting start to an immigration diary series in My America.I've read a few Ellis Island immigration related stories before (not too many), but never have I read one about the bribery incidences and detained immigrants on Ellis Island.It's so sad to think that foreigners who were coming to America for a better life were only to be greeted by evil, conniving, and thief-like people disguised as doctors, nurses, and other authoritative individuals.This book shows the frustration non-English speaking people experienced, and how they were treated as infants and senile people, in hopes of taking their belongs and sending them back to their homeland over supposed medical diseases.Kathryn Lasky wrote this wisely, leaving much to be desired about Sofia and her family, and I look forward to the sequel books.I recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Diaries    5. Ellis Island Immigration Stati    6. Emigration and immigration    7. Family - General    8. Fiction    9. Historical - United States - 20th Century    10. Immigrants    11. Italian Americans    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Juvenile Historical Fiction    14. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    15. Social Situations - Emigration & Immigration    16. United States    17. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (6)

Five Smooth Stones
It is 1776 in Phildelphia,Pennsylivana Hope Potter, Mrs.Potter (Hopes mother, and Ethan Potter (Hopes brother) are tring to make a living whileMr.Potter is at war against King Georege.They have a family buesseness on Bread St., the name of the beuness is Potter Pies they make all kinds of Pastrys.It is hard to hae a family beussinesswith only 3 people to help, but Mrs. Quinn come to help after her husband dies from a war accident.One night Ethan found out his dad switched sides, to be on King Georges side. In about a week Ethan vanishes.He left a note saying,"Went to find dad."Mrs.Potter and Hope were sad, they couldn't beleive Ethan let them.Read Five Smooth Stones to find out if Hopes brother and father comes back and what elese is going to happen.

Do judge this book by it's cover
Five Smooth Stones is about a regular girl in the Revolutionary War period.Hope has her father is at war, her brother is away and her mother is expecting a baby. This novel revolves around the lifestyle and history of the late 1700's and gives you a great lesson about that time period and has you conncet with a girl in that world. Although this book is only 93 pages not counting photos and drawings and has a little bit large typing the book give you a lot of feelings to take in and the use of the words, shall, ye, and thou are many.I reccomend this book to girls or boys with an avid interest in history within a diary formed book.

Interesting but lacking.
"Five Smooth Stones: Hope's Revolutionary War Diary" is a decent book for younger readers learning about the lifestyle led by colonists during The Revolutionary War.For historical points, this book is lacking, until the Historical Note at the end of the story.Read "The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777," also by Gregory, with or instead of this book, to get a bigger and better picture of The Revolutionary War.A good book for younger readers interested in history, but might be boring for older more knowledgeable history buffs.I "kind of" recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Diaries    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. History    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. Philadelphia (Pa.)    10. Revolution, 1775-1783    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (7)

7th grade reading, it was good

Shows us what is really important in life.
Virginia's story continues from Book 1 as her family moves from Gettysburg to Washington, D.C. In the final years of the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was an unattractive city full of mud-filled streets, grungy buildings and many homeless soldiers who have deserted the battlefront. Her brother had asked the family to move north so he could take a job as a reporter, but Jed ends up in a low paying job instead. The family faces some tough times that first winter, and Virginia is worried how they will survive. When she takes a job as a housekeeper for a wealthy family, Virginia learns even more hard lessons about what it means to be poor. Pretty good addition.
"After the Rain: Virginia's Diary, Book Two, Washington D.C.,1864" is a short book without a tremendous amount of action.It's sweet and simple and perfect for young readers who are interested in historical fictions.Virginia is a bright little girl and a good role model for younger readers.Even if you haven't read Book One, you'll still be able to read this book without confusion.I miss an epilogue in the "My America" series. I recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Civil War, 1861-1865    5. Diaries    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. Historical - United States - Civil War    9. Historical - United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)    10. History    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Juvenile Historical Fiction    13. Washington (D.C.)    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General    15. Lincoln, Abraham   

Reviews (2)

The prairie years
In the continuation of nine-year-old Meg Well's story, she and her brother Preston have finally been joined by her parents and little sister Grace. However Kansas at this point in history might even be more dangerous than the cholera stricken St.Louis the Wells family escaped from. Fights between the people who want Kansas to stay a free state and those who want it to turn towards slavery ensue and threaten anyone who disagrees in sight. Slaves aren't the only danger, as prarie fires threaten to tear down all things in sight. However young Meg mananges to grow up in this time of turmoil and I can't wait to read the conclusion of her story coming out in August 2003.

A good new My America book.
Nine-year-old Meg Wells and her seven-year-old brother, Preston, were sent away from their St. Louis home in the spring of 1856 during a cholera epidemic, and went to live with relatives in Kansas Territory. But now their parents and their little sister, Grace, have joined them on the prairie, and it looks like their stay in Kansas will be longer then expected. Meg wants to return to St. Louis, but with Kansas Territory a battleground between those who want it to enter the United States as a free state and those that would have it allow slavery, Meg's father is determined to stay in support for a free state.Meg describes in her diary her family's life during the summer and fall of 1856, as they face a dangerous prairie fire and are caught up in the crossfire between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. I reccomend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book about Meg, As Far As I Can See. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1854-1861    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Diaries    6. Fiction    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. Historical - United States - 19th Century    9. History    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Kansas    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (1)

Sofia's story continues.
Nine-year-old Sofia has finally been reunited with her family after a month in quarantine on Ellis Island, and now they have traveled to Boston to build their new life in America. Sofia's father finds a job in a grocery store, and Sofia begins attending school. She enjoys learning English and making new friends, although she misses her best friend from quarantine, Maureen, whose family has settled in New York City. Sofia describes in her diary her life over seven months as her family adjusts to their new lives in America and sees their dreams begin to come true. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy the My America series and have read Hope in My Heart, Sofia's first diary. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Diaries    5. Family - General    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. History    9. Immigrants    10. Italian Americans    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Juvenile Historical Fiction    13. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Editorial Review

Virginia Dickens is angry. Her father and brother Jed have left her behind while they go off to Uncle Jack's farm to help him hide his horses from Confederate raiders. It's the summer of 1863 and Pa and Jed believe 9-year-old Virginia will be out of harm's way in the sleepy little town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Too soon they all discover how wrong they are, as Union and Confederate soldiers descend on Gettysburg for the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Virginia has front-row seats to this horrific episode of history, and she records every incident and feeling she experiences in her journal (which is actually Jed's; he entrusted it to her when he went away, asking her to be his "eyes and ears in Gettysburg"). Read more

Reviews (8)

Witness to the Battle of Gettysburg
Young Virginia, named after the state, shares her emotional journey through the Civil War, missing her dead mother, worriying constantly about her brother and father, and being afraid so often.
My Brother's Keeper
My America: My Brother's Keeper: Virginia's Civil War Diary, Mary Pope Osborne, 4 stars.
THE COOL BOOK
I thing this book was good because it had a iot of detait about the character. People should read this book if they like the Civil War and if they would like to know about the Civil War this book would be good to read. A reader that would like to read about the Civil War would read this book.My favorite part was when Jed told them that he was going to get married to Jane Ellen.It was my favorite part because it made me feel very happy that they were going to get married.My favorite character was Virginia because they talk abou� her a lot and how she had to keep Jed's diary for him.I hope that the next book is as good as this book was.I love these books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Diaries    4. Fiction    5. Gettysburg (Pa.), Battle of, 1863    6. Historical - General    7. Historical - United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (2)

A good conclusion to Sofia's story
It is 1903 and 10-year-old Sofia is finally getting used to life in the United States. Things are looking up now that her best friend Maureen, whom she met in quarantine, has come to live with their family on the north end of Boston. The two share many adventures as both are in the 5th grade. They have many new experiences including celebrating the various "new" American holidays. The future looks bright for Sofia as her parents are finally able to open their own grocery store. This was another good book in the My America series and a fitting conclusion to Sofia's story.

A wonderful conclusion to Sofia's diary.
Ten-year-old Sofia Monari continues her diary describing her Italian immigrant family's life in Boston's North End. It's October of 1903, and Maureen, an Irish girl Sofia met in quarantine, has come to live with the Monaris after her mother dies and her father and siblings return to Ireland. Sofia describes her adventures with Maureen as they learn more about America; go to school; celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas; and help Sofia's older sister, Gabriella, begin a dressmaking business. Young readers who enjoyed the previous two books about Sofia, as well as other books in the My America series, will definitely enjoy this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 20th Century    7. Immigrants    8. Irish Americans    9. Italian Americans    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    13. Social Situations - Emigration & Immigration    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (3)

An Exciting Story of Bavery
This is book three of Corey's Underground Railroad Diary.It is an exciting tale of how Corey is left in Michigan and finds two slaves who he helps get into Canada.Corey also hatches a plan to save his friend Queen from slavery.Found out how this story unfolds but reading Message in the Sky.

Message in the sky
We are the upper cats. This is a magnificent book. This is about a kid named Corey. He escaped from slavery. He lives on a farm in Amherstburg,Canada. Corey has four pigeons he races with and Just
Message in the Sky
This story is about a boy named Corey Birdsong. He ecaped
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Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. Fugitive slaves    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. Slavery    10. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (2)

Meg triumphs again
Nine-year-old Meg has finally been reunited with her family in Kansas Territory and life finally seems to be settling down after the pro-slavery Ruffians finally were forced to leave. Meg and her family move to the town of Lawrence where her father opens a store. Meg comes to face the daily realites of life in Kansas and finally is able to start school and make some friends. Through it all Meg will also have to face the sometimes dangerous Kansas winters as a blizzard blows throw and tornados abound, but through it all Meg creates more life experiences and her third diary is another triumph. This is a great book for younger kids, whose older siblings like Dear America and The Royal Diaries. Definitely a must read. Meg comes out to be a very courageous character.

A good conclusion to Meg's story.
Nine-year-old Meg Wells begins her third diary in December of 1856. There is peace for now in Kansas Territory, with the pro-slavery soldiers having been forced to return to their home states, but Meg's father is still injured, and the bitter cold of winter has settled upon the prairie. When he is unable to regain the use of one of his arms, the family moves to the town of Lawrence, where he starts a store. Meg describes happy events, as she is finally able to go to school again and makes new friends, and also the dangers of life on the prairie including blizzards and a tornado. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the My America series. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. First day of school    5. Girls & Women    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. Rural schools    10. School & Education    11. Schools    12. Tornadoes    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (9)

monkey lover
This book is about a slave boy who has horid owners. His father teaches him how to read and write.His father and his father's friend leave and his friend gets captuered and gets a really bad beating.Corey has a friend named Mingo. Corey teaches him how to write but he can not tell.It must of been hard back then.This book was really good. I hope you read it and like it to.

corys notebook
This is one of the best book!!!! It's about a slave named Corey who wants to be free. He keeps a secret notebook about how cruel they were to him.You shoud buy this book.
freedom's runaway diary
This book is about i a little boy named freedom that was sold to these people with his family. Well that family treated them very badly, so they had to find a way to get to the underground railroad. The first person that escaped from freedom's family was his father. Then freedom and his mother ran off becasue they wanted to find his father. Read on to find out if they find his father or not. If not they will get beaten badly or even killed by there owners becasue they found out freedom had left. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. Fugitive slaves    5. Historical - General    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile Historical Fiction    9. People & Places - United States - African-American    10. Slavery    11. Underground railroad    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (3)

nice and an interesting story
In the book Flying Free, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, A boy named Corey and his family escape from slavery in Kentucky America to start a new life in Amherstburg in Canada. They were able to escape with the help of the Underground Railroad. In Canada, they get their own home and Corey goes to school. With the help of their neighbors, they were able to build their new log cabin. Corey and his family got jobs and started earning their own money. Although Corey was happy with his freedom and new life, he missed his friend Mingo who was not able to escape. Corey sent Mingo a letter convincing him to escape from slavery and hoped for him to come to Canada. Soon, Corey received a letter from Mingo informing him of his escape.
Heartwarming story.
In Corey's first Diary, we learned about slave life, and the heartbreaking conditions they were forced to endure. Now Corey and his pregnant mother have managed to get to Canada, with the help of the Underground Railroad, where they can be free. Corey's parents find jobs, buy some land and build a home. And best of all, Corey can now go to school and learn to read and write without having to hide it. The continuation of Corey Birdsong's story
Corey and his family, runaway slaves from Kentucky, have finally escaped to freedom in Canada. They have now built a new, hopeful, life in Amherstburg, Canada. In Canada they own their own land, and Corey gets to go to school. However, they still are hoping to help those they left behind, such as Corey's friend Mingo. But, beyond the river in Ohio many slavecatchers still lurk to find runaway slaves and getting Mingo safely over is going to be hard. However Corey comes up with a brilliant plan that will help get Mingo over to freedom. The continuation of Corey's story is another great My America book. I recommend it to everybody! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African Americans    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Diaries    5. Ethnic - African American    6. Fiction    7. Fugitive slaves    8. Historical - General    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. People & Places - United States - African-American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (2)

A wonderful new book from the My America series.
When she is given a diary for her ninth birthday, Margaret Cora Wells, called Meg by her family and friends, expects to record her daily life in St. Louis, Missouri. But then a cholera epidemic strikes, and Meg's mother and little sister, Grace, fall ill. Having already lost two children to cholera seven years before, Meg's mother is determined not to lose another. So Meg and her seven-year-old brother, Preston, are sent to live with their aunt, uncle, and cousins in the Kansas Territory. Accustomed to a comfortable city life, Meg finds frontier living to be tough, but at the same time full of adventure. But in 1856, Kansas is a very dangerous place, where pro-slavery Border Ruffians attack northerners like Meg's family, who have come to Kansas in the hopes of making it a free state. Can Meg come up with a plan to help her family? I highly recommend this new title from the My America series.

The Courage and Strength of A Young Girl Comes Alive!
During 1856 in St. Louis her mother and sister fall ill with the cholera epidemic, which has spread widely in Missouri , nine-year-old Meg and her brother Preston are sent to live with relatives in the praire lands of Kansas, until the epidemic passes. In her diary Meg describes the dangerous journey they have to take to get to Kansas and when they finally get their she and her brother Preston must adjust to the rugged lifestyle which is much different from St. Louis with their everyday chores. This was a great story about how a young girl braved her new lifestyle and someday wishes to be reunited with her family. I highly recommend Dear America fans to read this great new book in the My America series. I can't wait for the conclusion of Meg's story in her next diary! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. Diaries    3. Fiction    4. Frontier and pioneer life    5. Historical - United States - 19th Century    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Juvenile Historical Fiction   

Reviews (1)

Predicting the Best
I have read the first diary of Joshua three times, the second one twice. I am about to read the third one, which is this one and I KNOW it will be good. I would also recommend other Dear America books and other books by Patricia Hermes to anybody. They make a realistic fictional person from the colonial times and describes how they feel while telling a conflict at the same time. I've already read seven Dear America Books. I liked every single one of them. And I know this will also be great, too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - 19th Century    6. History    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Oregon    9. Rural schools    10. Schools   

Reviews (3)

A satisfying finale.
"A Time To Dance: Virginia's Civil War Diary, Book Three" is the third and final installment in Mary Pope Osborne's trilogy.If you're look for fresh excitement and adventures, then you may be disappointed with this story.If you're looking for a continuation of Virginia and her family's life, then you may enjoy it.What kept my attention was Virginia's blossoming love for the theatre and writing - two of my passions.There is a lack of history in this final book.The story ends with the possibility of a fourth installment, since two new members will be joining the family.I recommend.

The end of a great series
Virgina "Ginny" Dickens continues to chronicle her diary after the Civil War. Her family now has moved from Washington DC to New York City and her father continues to try to find a job as a violinist as her brother works in the newspaper buisness. Ginny countines her daily lessons and helps to take care of her nephew while her brother's wife recovers. Ginny countines to discover new things about herself as she finds herself intersted in the mysterious world of theatre and finds a job backstage. Through all her experiences Ginny finally finds happpiness. The conclusion to Ginny's diary will be another great read for My America fans.

A wonderful conclusion to Virginia's story.
Eleven-year-old Virginia Dickens and her family have left Washington, D.C. shortly after the end of the Civil War to move to New York City. While her father tries to find work as a violinist and her brother writes for a newspaper, Virginia spends her days on lessons and helping care for her baby nephew as her brother's wife recovers from the baby's birth. When her brother takes her to a play, Virginia becomes interested in the world of the theater, and soon finds a job working behind the scenes. This book was a wonderful conclusion to Virginia's diary and I recommend it to all readers who enjoyed the other My America books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1865-1898    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Diaries    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Historical - United States - Civil War    8. Historical - United States - Civil War Period (1850-1877)    9. History    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. New York (N.Y.)    13. Performing Arts - General    14. Reconstruction    15. Theater    16. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Reviews (2)

Hannahs review
I loved this book at the end i started crying but it is happy. I really think you should read this book. But when you start this book you wont want to put it down!

A wonderful new book from the My America series.
When she is given a diary for her ninth birthday, Margaret Cora Wells, called Meg by her family and friends, expects to record her daily life in St. Louis, Missouri. But then a cholera epidemic strikes, and Meg's mother and little sister, Grace, fall ill. Having already lost two children to cholera seven years before, Meg's mother is determined not to lose another. So Meg and her seven-year-old brother, Preston, are sent to live with their aunt, uncle, and cousins in the Kansas Territory. Accustomed to a comfortable city life, Meg finds frontier living to be tough, but at the same time full of adventure. But in 1856, Kansas is a very dangerous place, where pro-slavery Border Ruffians attack northerners like Meg's family, who have come to Kansas in the hopes of making it a free state. Can Meg come up with a plan to help her family? I highly recommend this new title from the My America series. It has a nice story and good historical details. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Diaries    4. Fiction    5. Frontier and pioneer life    6. General    7. Historical - General    8. Juvenile Fiction