Search Results for: blog wolf by the ears ann rinaldi

An Acquaintance with Darkness – Ann Rinaldi

“An Acquaintance with Darkness” is the story of Emily Pigbush, a fourteen-year-old girl who lives in Washington D.C. with her mother at the close of the Civil War. Her father was killed and her mother was left with nothing. With the wasting disease upon her, Mrs. Pigbush knows she will soon die, leaving her daughter alone in the world. Emily’s good friend Johnny Surratt comes to say goodbye, telling her that he’s headed for Canada. Deep in her heart she knows she will never see him again, that he’s mixed up with something sinister. When she meets an actor by … Continue reading →

Author Review — Ann Rinaldi

I’ve made it no secret how I feel about Ann Rinaldi. She is the author who first introduced me to the joy and wonder of historical fiction and started me down a path that would bring me some of my greatest joy. It won’t come as a great shock that she is one of the first authors I’ve chosen to review. Ann Feis Rinaldi was born in New York City in 1934. Unfortunately, her mother died shortly after giving birth, so Ann went to live with her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn. She remembers this time as the happiest of … Continue reading →

Taking Liberty — Ann Rinaldi

We know today that slavery is wrong. At the time of George Washington, however, it was a way of life, and in the south, it wasn’t much thought of. Slaves were common and there was no one to stand up for their rights or to make the plantation owners accountable for what they were doing. So when I say that George Washington owned slaves, I don’t say that to indicate that he was a bad person – he was simply doing what was done and common in that time. “Taking Liberty” by Ann Rinaldi is the story of Oney Judge, … Continue reading →

Time Enough for Drums — Ann Rinaldi

I confess, I’m a romantic. I’m not a chest-heaving, rippling muscles romantic; I’m a heart-fluttery, “oh he brought her a puppy” romantic. Tie that together with my love of history, and “Time Enough For Drums” by Ann Rinaldi is my kind of book. In fact, it’s my second favorite by her, following closely on the heels of “Wolf by the Ears.” Jemima Emerson is a strong-minded girl who wants to know everything she can about the revolution that’s brewing. She hears talk about it all the time and wants to do her part to help. Why couldn’t a girl be … Continue reading →

Girl in a Cage – Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris

I’ve mentioned just how much I enjoy the young adult historical fiction of Ann Rinaldi. I’m delighted to say that I’ve found another superlative author to add to my favorites list – Jane Yolen. I have read some of her adult fiction novels and found them to be very well done, and today I’d like to share with you “Girl in a Cage,” which was nominated for the Utah Young Adults’ Book Award and co-written with Robert J. Harris. History tells us that Robert the Bruce had one child, a daughter named Marjorie, who was captured by the English and … Continue reading →