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A review by saidtheraina
The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap by H.M. Bouwman
4.0
I didn't think I'd like this book. Yes, it had a fantasy element, but it was written like historical fiction, which I've been avoiding.
Anyway, I liked it. It read extremely fast - the plot builds and builds but isn't predictable at all. I couldn't believe I was more than half way through when I checked. And I read it during breaks at work, so it kept my interest through lots of short spats.
It's a fascinating blend of genres. I think I'll categorize it as magically realistic historical fiction.
This is the story of two little girls, and the important roles they play in bringing peace to a fictional batch of islands. One of the girls is "child governor" of the island - being the daughter of the slain Anglish Governor. The other is a native child. The Anglish landed on this set of islands when their boat wreaked on the shores. The boat was en route to America, delivering indentured servants. Thus, all of the Anglish on this set of islands were criminals back in England. There is predictable conflict between the Anglish and the Colay (natives)... Anyway, the story talks about colonization at a child's level, cultural identity, literacy, the role of story in society, historiography, race, physical appearence, ethics... the list goes on and on. I really liked that the blemishes both girls have are relative nonissues beyond being a nice basis for attitude comparison.
At first, I didn't like that most of the characterizations were fairly archtypical, but the author does a nice job of redeeming most characters. Oh, and I loved the author's historical note at the end. She's done her research.
Anyway, great book. I'm gonna see if I can get away with booktalking it to 5th/6th graders, even though the main characters are 12.
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I find myself randomly thinking about this book and wishing more people had read it. Four years after I read it. So it deserves to pop up in my feed again. Especially while I'm so behind on my reviews.
Anyway, I liked it. It read extremely fast - the plot builds and builds but isn't predictable at all. I couldn't believe I was more than half way through when I checked. And I read it during breaks at work, so it kept my interest through lots of short spats.
It's a fascinating blend of genres. I think I'll categorize it as magically realistic historical fiction.
This is the story of two little girls, and the important roles they play in bringing peace to a fictional batch of islands. One of the girls is "child governor" of the island - being the daughter of the slain Anglish Governor. The other is a native child. The Anglish landed on this set of islands when their boat wreaked on the shores. The boat was en route to America, delivering indentured servants. Thus, all of the Anglish on this set of islands were criminals back in England. There is predictable conflict between the Anglish and the Colay (natives)... Anyway, the story talks about colonization at a child's level, cultural identity, literacy, the role of story in society, historiography, race, physical appearence, ethics... the list goes on and on. I really liked that the blemishes both girls have are relative nonissues beyond being a nice basis for attitude comparison.
At first, I didn't like that most of the characterizations were fairly archtypical, but the author does a nice job of redeeming most characters. Oh, and I loved the author's historical note at the end. She's done her research.
Anyway, great book. I'm gonna see if I can get away with booktalking it to 5th/6th graders, even though the main characters are 12.
---
I find myself randomly thinking about this book and wishing more people had read it. Four years after I read it. So it deserves to pop up in my feed again. Especially while I'm so behind on my reviews.