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bookworm87's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
llama_lord's review against another edition
3.0
This is a rare dud in the Dear America series. I was expecting to really enjoy it since the Civil War is one of my favorite periods in American history, but unfortunately the horrible writing sucked all of the fun out of this book for me.
The one thing that I liked about this book was that the protagonist, Emma, loved books and often related emotionally with the characters she read about. It's always nice to have a character with a love for reading and it was nice to see that portrayed positively.
That was pretty much the only positive this book had. The diary entries were short and uninspired. Emma's voice did not feel like a fourteen year old girl's and was inconsistent - one entry she would sound something like "I ardently pray for the safe return of our valiant Confederate troops and passionately long for a solution to this seemingly eternal conflict between the states!" while the next entry would be like "I wonder if boys think that I'm pretty?" I feel that this was because the author had very little insight into the mind of a teenage girl.
Not to mention that the book was very, very boring. Even when fairly interesting things start to happen in the plot the dull writing keeps the reader from ever feeling involved in the story. Plus there were historical inaccuracies, as other reviewers pointed out.
I was so disappointed with this, especially because I think that a diary from the perspective of a Confederate girl could have been really interesting. I wouldn't recommend this one, even if you're a fan of the series.
The one thing that I liked about this book was that the protagonist, Emma, loved books and often related emotionally with the characters she read about. It's always nice to have a character with a love for reading and it was nice to see that portrayed positively.
That was pretty much the only positive this book had. The diary entries were short and uninspired. Emma's voice did not feel like a fourteen year old girl's and was inconsistent - one entry she would sound something like "I ardently pray for the safe return of our valiant Confederate troops and passionately long for a solution to this seemingly eternal conflict between the states!" while the next entry would be like "I wonder if boys think that I'm pretty?" I feel that this was because the author had very little insight into the mind of a teenage girl.
Not to mention that the book was very, very boring. Even when fairly interesting things start to happen in the plot the dull writing keeps the reader from ever feeling involved in the story. Plus there were historical inaccuracies, as other reviewers pointed out.
I was so disappointed with this, especially because I think that a diary from the perspective of a Confederate girl could have been really interesting. I wouldn't recommend this one, even if you're a fan of the series.
princegreenleafgreenleaf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
braddy7's review against another edition
3.0
Not our favorite but it was interesting for our kids to think about different aspects of being a Southerner during the war.
justicepirate's review against another edition
2.0
I will admit that I had wanted to read this book when it came out about 15 years ago or more, when I first had it. Unfortunately it was ruined in a flood so I never got a chance to read it (and for two years before that someone was borrowing it). Now that I am 30, I decided to read it.
I don't know if this is a true journal account or not, but it was very realistic to what I believe a young girl in the south during the Civil War might write in her journal. I didn't really enjoy it as much as I hoped because it ended so abruptly. There are a few gruesome things she stated in case you are a parent and might be worried. I think you have to understand a bit of the mindset of a person during that time in the South to read this, or you'll be angered (though In a way I was a bit saddened by the mindset myself, so I guess I should take my own advice especially since I, myself am a modern-day abolitionist).
I don't know if this is a true journal account or not, but it was very realistic to what I believe a young girl in the south during the Civil War might write in her journal. I didn't really enjoy it as much as I hoped because it ended so abruptly. There are a few gruesome things she stated in case you are a parent and might be worried. I think you have to understand a bit of the mindset of a person during that time in the South to read this, or you'll be angered (though In a way I was a bit saddened by the mindset myself, so I guess I should take my own advice especially since I, myself am a modern-day abolitionist).
meaganmart's review against another edition
1.0
I think there are already several reviews that do a great job of pointing out the flaws of this novel. I will say the overt racism against enslaved people that were presented without pushback or questioning was really disturbing. The author describes in detail why the enslaved people are inferior to white people and "need" the white people to guide them and be masters over them. It is quite upsetting to see this view presented with no commentary on why it is so racist and so deeply wrong.
Another troubling story arc was the narrative that Emma and her mother educated the enslaved children on the plantation. Not only is that incredibly unlikely, but it was also illegal in Virginia at the time to teach enslaved people how to read or write. This is clearly a white savior arc meant to show that slavery wasn't "that bad" for some enslaved people and that there were "kind" masters like Emma's family who gave their enslaved people special privileges and education and wanted "the best" for them.
Although I am a fan of many books in the Dear America series, this is definitely one to skip.
Another troubling story arc was the narrative that Emma and her mother educated the enslaved children on the plantation. Not only is that incredibly unlikely, but it was also illegal in Virginia at the time to teach enslaved people how to read or write. This is clearly a white savior arc meant to show that slavery wasn't "that bad" for some enslaved people and that there were "kind" masters like Emma's family who gave their enslaved people special privileges and education and wanted "the best" for them.
Although I am a fan of many books in the Dear America series, this is definitely one to skip.
willwork4airfare's review against another edition
2.0
Notes:
Why are they such short entries? I loved this series as a kid but this one is not vibing well with me. Why are there big headings every few pages? Were they all arranged like this? I am not impressed.
"Cousin Rachel and I talked again this evening." Like that was the entire entry for one day. What was the point? Taking up space in an already short book.
It might have been more interesting to combine all the letters they wrote to each other instead of relying on Emma to summarize them in her boring diaries.
The plot got more interesting as the action picked up but by interesting I kind of just mean more gruesome.
Lots of great "nice slave owner" escapes unscathed while "bad slave owner" gets what he deserves. I understand people like this existed and it's interesting especially right now while we're discussing the legacy of the Confederate flag, but a book meant for children that makes it sound like there's a good way to own slaves...
She learned absolutely nothing except that war made her miserable.
Why are they such short entries? I loved this series as a kid but this one is not vibing well with me. Why are there big headings every few pages? Were they all arranged like this? I am not impressed.
"Cousin Rachel and I talked again this evening." Like that was the entire entry for one day. What was the point? Taking up space in an already short book.
It might have been more interesting to combine all the letters they wrote to each other instead of relying on Emma to summarize them in her boring diaries.
The plot got more interesting as the action picked up but by interesting I kind of just mean more gruesome.
Lots of great "nice slave owner" escapes unscathed while "bad slave owner" gets what he deserves. I understand people like this existed and it's interesting especially right now while we're discussing the legacy of the Confederate flag, but a book meant for children that makes it sound like there's a good way to own slaves...
She learned absolutely nothing except that war made her miserable.
jeneca's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing book. Many times, it made me cry. Any book that makes you cry as usually an amazing book.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This was an interesting perspective from a southern girl during the Civil War. It was extremely short, even as fluffed up for length as it was. Emma seemed like a good and sweet person, but as a supporter of the Confederate cause, a slaveholder, can she really be a good person? I found myself pondering this question throughout the book. Mostly I came to the conclusion that the Civil War was an absolute mess in every possible way. Lives were ruined, on multiple levels, in multiple ways.
Emma's father was even more outspoken (and racist), as were some of her neighbors.
I recommend this book to young readers, as well as to those interested in a different perspective on the Civil War, even though it's largely superficial and fiction. Still a fun read.
Emma's father was even more outspoken (and racist), as were some of her neighbors.
I recommend this book to young readers, as well as to those interested in a different perspective on the Civil War, even though it's largely superficial and fiction. Still a fun read.