Detailed item info | Synopsis | Twelve-year-old Patsy keeps a diary of the ripe but confusing time following the end of the Civil War and the granting of freedom to former slaves.
| | Details | | Series: | Dear America Series |
| | Size | | Length: | 202 pages | | Height: | 7.8 in. | | Width: | 5.8 in. | | Thickness: | 0.8 in. | | Weight: | 11.2 oz. |
| | Publisher's Note | An orphan girl becomes an unlikely heroine to the freedmen and women during the Reconstruction Era.
In this latest addition to the Dear America series, Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Joyce Hansen presents the inspiring story of Patsy, a freed girl who becomes a great teacher.
| | Industry reviews | Gr 5-8 Set in the days following the Civil War, this novel, written in diary format, traces the thoughts, feeling, and events in the life of 12-year-old Patsy. Like many of the other freed slaves, Patsy remains at Davis Hall plantation to work for her former master for wages. As a joke, she had been given a blank book by Mrs. Davis's niece. Patsy, however, has secretly learned to read and write and now this diary serves as companion as she questions what freedom means, comments on the former slaves as they leave the plantation, wonders what will become of her (a disabled orphan), and writes of her hope to be a teacher. Hansen describes a time not often covered and, in doing so, increases understanding of the Reconstruction period. She never loses sight of the story, however, delivering enough suspense to keep her plot moving. An epilogue, historical note, reproductions of photos, words and music to "Free at Last," a gingerbread recipe, and maps round out the book. Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Divakaruni
Like many of the other freed slaves, Patsy remains at Davis Hall plantation to work for her former master for wages. As a joke, she had been given a blank book by Mrs. Davis's niece. Patsy, however, has secretly learned to read and write and now this diary serves as companion as she questions what freedom means, comments on the former slaves as they leave the plantation, wonders what will become of her (a disabled orphan), and writes of her hope to be a teacher. Hansen describes a time not often covered and, in doing so, increases understanding of the Reconstruction period. She never loses sight of the story, however, delivering enough suspense to keep her plot moving. An epilogue, historical note, reproductions of photos, words and music to 'Free at Last,' a gingerbread recipe, and maps round out the book.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Hester
Hansen alternates, page by page at times, between a Patsy who uses the language, 'whispers hang in the air like the strands of moss that dangle from some of the oak trees,' and one who misuses the verb 'to be' in stereotypical fashion. The lack of realism in the language does the character Patsy a great injustice; it becomes difficult even to find her immersed in words that no 12-year-old, much less a self-educated one, would ever utter. This is a shame, because her story is one that deserves to be told.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Hester
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