Synopses & Reviews
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone lived in a house made of a strong Tabby foundation with a double piazza held up by great pillars and a front yard that sloped down to the water? If everyone cold hear the wind in the palmetto trees and taste the sand in their mouths when the wind blew? And what about the tides that flow toward land twice each day, then back out again?"
It's 1900--the dawn of a new century--and never in her wildest dreams did fifteen-year-old Rose Frampton ever think she'd leave behind her family and home on the peaceful shores of her island plantation in South Carolina...especially not to live with a new husband in the land of Yankees.
But she is doing just that. Rose's new life with her handsome and wealthy husband in Brooklyn, New York is both scary and exciting. As mistress of the large Victorian estate on Dorchester Road, she must learn to make decisions, establish her independence, and run an efficient household. These tasks are difficult enough without the added complication that she and her new husband barely know one another. As romance blossoms and Rose begins to find her place, she discovers that strength of character does not come easily but is essential for happiness.
Told in diary form, Ann Rinaldi paints a sensual picture of time and place as readers are given an intimate glimpse into the heart of a child as she grows to become a woman.
Review
"A must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction. Those who have not yet found a love for the genre will be pulled in by this one with its realistic mixture of action, adventure, romance, and scandalous family drama."—Childrens Literature
Review
"A lively, exciting picture of Boston going to war . . . Excellent."--
VOYA"Beautifully crafted."--School Library Journal
Review
"A powerful portrait . . . A tragic tale, beautifully written and researched."--
Kirkus ReviewsReview
"Fascinating . . . An intriguing blend of historical fact and fiction."--
School Library Journal"Gripping."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"Rinaldi's books are always impeccably researched, vividly detailed, and filled with very human characters; they are also about something that matters."—Booklist
"An authentic setting, realistic dialogue, and believable characters in a suspenseful novel that is difficult to put down."—The Alan Review
"A deftly plotted and fast-paced novel."—School Library Journal
"Rinaldi's fans will scoop this up."—The Bulletin
Review
Rinaldi has woven two interesting plots here into a fine coming-of-age historical novel....Makes readers feel as if they are living in history.—Booklist
Fast-paced and dramatic, with a wealth of interesting background information....Impressive.—Publishers Weekly
Deliciously macabre.—The Bulletin
Review
"Believable characters with human strengths and weaknesses, lively writing, and plenty of action and suspense make this book a real page-turner for lovers of historical fiction."--
School Library Journaland#160;Review
"Carefully researched and lovingly written."--
Kirkus ReviewsReview
* "Makes readers feel as if they are living in history." —Booklist, starred review An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Review
"An enthralling, authentic story . . . Rinaldi at her best."--
Kirkus Reviews"A graceful blend of fiction and history . . . Finely tuned, well researched and very accessible, this novel ranks with Rinaldi's finest work."--Publishers Weekly
Review
and#147;Fascinating and filled with remarkable gems of historical memorabilia to create a very satisfying read.and#8221;and#151;VOYAand#147;Authentic . . . Both personalities are well drawn, with real anxieties and emotions.and#8221;and#151;School Library Journal
Review
[star] "Impeccably researched, vividly detailed, and filled with very human characters."
--Booklist (starred review)
Review
"Rinaldi delivers another winning historical novel."--
Publishers Weekly"Engrossing. . . . Thrumming with mini-adventures and vivid characters."--Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Rinaldi describes the teen's first year of marriage with grace, tact, and sensitivity."--
School Library Journal "Fans of romance will be swept up."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"A suspenseful read . . . realistic and . . . exciting."--
BooklistReview
"This tale of treachery comes alive under [Rinaldi's] pen."--
Kirkus ReviewsReview
* "Rinaldi creates . . . [a] vivid picture of the period she saw as a child."—Booklist, starred review
Synopsis
Leigh Ann Conners is spunky and determined. Although she often finds herself in trouble, she loves her two older brothers dearly and would do anything to make them proud.
When the Yankees arrive in Roswell, Georgia, Leigh Ann places a French flag upon the family's mill. She hopes the Yankees will then spare the mill from destruction, but her actions have disastrous results. Sent north with the women and children who worked in the mill--all branded traitors for making fabric for Confederate uniforms--Leigh Ann embarks on a journey that requires her to find her own inner strength. Only then will she be able to rise above the war raging around her.
Synopsis
Leigh Ann Conners is spunky and determined. Although she often finds herself in trouble, she loves her two older brothers dearly and would do anything to make them proud.
Synopsis
Sis Goose is a beloved member of Luli's family, despite the fact that she was born a slave. But the family is harboring a terrible secret. And when Union soldiers arrive on their Texas plantation to announce that slaves have been declared free for nearly two years, Sis Goose is horrified to learn that the people she called family have lied to her for so long. She runs away--but her newly found freedom has tragic consequences.and#160;How could the state of Texas keep the news of the Emancipation Proclamation from reaching slaves? In this riveting Great Episodes historical drama, Ann Rinaldi sheds light on the events that led to the creation of Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom that continues today.Includes an author's note.
Synopsis
On theand#160;night of President Abraham Lincolnand#8217;s assassination, his frantic wife, Mary, calls for her best friend and confidante, Elizabeth Keckley. But the woman is mistakenly kept from her side by guards who were unaware of Mary Todd Lincolnand#8217;s close friendship withand#160;the black seamstress.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; With vivid detail and emotional power, Ann Rinaldi delves into the childhoods of two fascinating women who became devoted friends amid the turbulent times of the Lincoln administration.and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Includes an authorand#8217;s note, a readerand#8217;s guide, and a bibliography.
Synopsis
Thirteen-year-old Sarah Revere knows her father is a hero. But she also knows that Paul Revere guards a secret about the start of the Revolutionary War that he'll tell no one--not his new wife, not his best friend, not even his trusted daughter. It seems
everyone in her family has secrets. Sarah's even got one of her own--and it's tearing her apart.
Reader's guide included.
Synopsis
A fictional account of Phillis Wheatley, the slave who became America's first published black poet
Synopsis
Fourteen-year-old Emily Pigbush suspects that her uncle, a respected physician, is involved in body snatching.
Synopsis
The spunky daughter of the famed Paul Revere tells the story of her fathers rides and the intelligence network of the Patriot community prior to the American Revolution. Ann Rinaldis impeccable research and keen perception of adolescent angst create a look back in time that remains powerfully relevant today.
Synopsis
It's 1900, the dawn of a new century, and fifteen-year-old Rose Frampton is beginning a new life. She's left her family in South Carolina to live with her handsome and wealthy husband in Brooklyn, New York--a move that is both scary and exciting. As mistress of the large Victorian estate on Dorchester Road, she must learn to make decisions, establish her independence, and run an efficient household. These tasks are difficult enough without the added complication of barely knowing her husband. As romance blossoms and Rose begins to find her place, she discovers that strength of character does not come easily but is essential for happiness.
Writing in diary form, Ann Rinaldi paints a sensual picture of time and place--and gives readers an intimate glimpse into the heart of a child as she becomes a woman.
Includes a reader's guide.
Synopsis
An independent-minded young maid tells the story of social-climber Peggy Shippen and how she influenced Benedict Arnolds betrayal of the Patriot forces. Revolutionary Philadelphia is brought to life as Becca seeks to find her missing pieces” while exploring the complicated issues of the war between the impoverished independence men and the decadent British Tories. This tale of treachery comes alive under [Rinaldis] pen.”--
Kirkus ReviewsSynopsis
When the Yankees arrive in Roswell, Georgia, spunky Leigh Ann Conners places a French flag upon the familys mill. She hopes the Yankees will then spare the mill from destruction, but her actions have disastrous results. Sent north with the women and children who worked in the mill—all branded traitors for making fabric for Confederate uniforms—Leigh Ann embarks on a journey that requires her to find her own inner strength. Only then will she be able to rise above the war raging around her.
Synopsis
The Revolutionary War is raging. General Wayne's soldiers are freezing, underpaid, and resentful. Whispers of mutiny abound.
A stone's throw from the restless camp, Tempe Wick wages her own battle for survival. Despite her efforts, she fears she won't be able to feed her family, care for her ailing mother, or maintain her farm for long.
As the whispers get louder, the soldiers get bolder. Mutiny is imminent. And Tempe faces a gut-wrenching decision: Should she join the revolt?
Ann Rinaldi's dramatic story is based on the legend of America's Tempe Wick.
Reader's guide included.
Synopsis
Kidnapped from her home in Senegal and sold as a slave in 1761, a young girl is purchased by the wealthy Wheatley family in Boston. Phillis Wheatley--as she comes to be known--has an eager mind and it leads her on an unusual path for a slave--she becomes Americas first published black poet. “Strong characterization and perceptive realism mark this thoughtful portrayal.”--
BooklistSynopsis
How could Lizzy Enders's father abandon her at a girls school run by nuns? She's surrounded by Catholics--but she's Methodist! Shunned by the other boarders, Lizzy befriends a wandering carpenter named José, who with just three tools--and unflagging faith--builds an elaborate spiral staircase in the new chapel in mere weeks. When he disappears without a trace, Lizzy realizes that the way she sees things is not always the way they are.
Inspired by the legend of the "miraculous" staircase in the Chapel of Loretto in Santa Fe, Ann Rinaldi skillfully blends the mystery surrounding the staircase's builder with the daily trials of a spunky thirteen-year-old girl growing up in the 1870s.
Synopsis
Susanna English desperately wants to join the circle of girls who meet every week at the parsonage, but she doesnt realize the leader of the group, the malicious Ann Putnam, is about to set off a torrent of false accusations that will lead to the imprisonment and execution of countless innocent people-victims of a witch-hunt panic. “The authors skillful manipulation of the conventions of the young-adult novel-particularly the rich exploration of being an outsider and going against the mainstream-makes this book a superb vehicle for examining the social dynamics of this legendary event.”-The Horn Book
Synopsis
War is turning Juliet Bradshaw's world upside down. Her brother, Seth, rides with William Quantrill's renegade Confederate army, but he's helpless when the Yankees arrest Juliet along with the wives and sisters of Quantrill's soldiers as spies. Imprisoned in a dilapidated old house in Kansas City, Juliet is one of a handful of survivors after the building collapses, killing most of the young girls inside. When she's reunited with her brother, Juliet finds the life she had previously known is gone. Surrounded by secrets, lies, murder, and chaos, she must determine just how far she will go to protect the people and things she holds dear.
Synopsis
Now that her father is dead, CeCe McGill is left to wonder why he risked his life for the ragged slaves who came to their door in the dead of night. When her uncle, an ornithologist, insists she accompany him to Georgia on an expedition in search of the rare scarlet ibis, CeCe is surprised to learn there's a second reason for their journey: Along the way, Uncle Alex secretly points slaves north in the direction of the Underground Railroad. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous pre-Civil War South, The Ever-After Bird is the story of a young woman's education about the horrors of slavery and the realization about the kind of person she wants to become.
Synopsis
An intimate portrait of a young Confederate woman discovering her strength and courage as the Civil War rages around her.
Leigh Ann of Roswell is a touching story of family and independence by the acclaimed historical novelist, Ann Rinaldi.
Synopsis
“Carefully researched and lovingly written, Rinaldis latest presents a girl indentured to John and Abigail Adams during the tense period surrounding the 1770 Massacre. . . . Fortuitously timed, a novel that illuminates a moment from our past that has strong parallels to recent events. Bibliography.”--Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
For young Kay, growing up in middle class America during World War II is a confusing and sometimes painful experience. Her stepmother, Amazing Grace, is a selfish woman who takes her unhappiness out on those around her. And for a little girl so concerned with pleasing others and doing the honorable thing, life with Amazing Grace is nearly unbearable. But Kay is also a believer. Shes determined to “keep smiling through,” as the song says, knowing that one day she will do something extraordinary. “A bittersweet historical novel.”-Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
A young girl living in South Carolina during the American Revolution discovers the duplicity within herself and others.
Synopsis
The Revolutionary War is raging. Food and firewood are scarce, and Tempe Wick is worried that she will not be able to care for her ailing mother and her family and still maintain the farm. Her ability to hold on to her world is threatened when a mutinous soldier demands that she lend him her beloved horse in exchange for keeping her brothers rum-smuggling activities secret from the authorities. This dramatic historical novel is based on a real event that has been popularized into American legend.
Synopsis
Chaos reigns in Washington, D.C., after President Lincolns assassination. But for fourteen-year-old Emily Pigbush, the Unions turmoil is nothing compared to her own struggle. Sent to live with her uncle Valentine after her mothers untimely death, Emily realizes that her best friends mother was one of John Wilkes Booths accomplices. And even worse, she suspects that her uncle is breaking the law.
Synopsis
Tragedy strikes a Texas family when they fail to tell their slaves that they have been freed by Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
Synopsis
See, through the eyes of two of Patrick Henry's children, the secrets and horror going on within their home as their father rouses a nation to arms.
Synopsis
Patrick Henry, the famous statesman, has a secret: He keeps his wife in the cellar. Slowly losing her mind, Sarah Henry has become a danger to herself and her children. But daughter Anne has a secret of her own: She knows which child will inherit their mother's madness.
Told from the point of view of the Henry children, this compassionate tale explores the possibility that Patrick Henry's immortal cry of "Give me liberty, or give me death," which roused a nation to arms, was first spoken by his wife as she pleaded for her own freedom.
Includes a reader's guide.
Synopsis
Eleven-year-old Harriet Whitehead, whoand#160;serves as the "letter writer" for her blind stepmother, is haunted by her unwittingand#160;role in Nat Turner's Rebellion, one of the bloodiest and most effective slave uprisings in the history of America.
Synopsis
Eleven-year-old Harriet Whitehead is an outsider in her own family. She feels accepted and important only when she is entrusted to write letters for her blind stepmother. Then Nat Turner, a slave preacher, arrives on her familyand#8217;s plantation and Harriet befriends him, entranced by his gentle manner and eloquent sermons about an all-forgiving God. When Nat asks Harriet for a map of the county to help him spread the word, she draws it for himand#151;wanting to be part of something important. But the map turns out to be the missing piece that sets Natand#8217;s secret plan in motion and makes Harriet an unwitting accomplice to the bloodiest slave uprising in U.S. history.Award-winning historical novelist Ann Rinaldi has created a bold portrait of an ordinary young girl thrust in to a situation beyond her control.
Synopsis
An indentured servant of John Adams is caught up in the events that lead to the infamous Boston Massacre.
Synopsis
CeCe McGill digs deep to find the strength to stand up for her convictions when she travels South with her ornithologist uncle who is searching for the Ever-After Bird, the rare scarlet ibis, while secretly helping slaves find their way to the Underground Railroad.
Synopsis
A scandalous, little-known event in our Civil War history
Synopsis
A frightening portrait of the mass hysteria behind the notorious Salem witch trials--based on historical accounts.
Synopsis
Susanna desperately wants to join the circle of girls who meet every week at the parsonage. What she doesn't realize is that the girls are about to set off a torrent of false accusations leading to the imprisonment and execution of countless innocent people. Susanna faces a painful choice. Should she keep quiet and let the witch-hunt panic continue, or should she "break charity" with the group--and risk having her own family members named as witches?
Reader's guide included.
Synopsis
The spunky daughter of Paul Revere tells the story of her father's rides and the intelligence network of the Patriot community prior to the American Revolution.
Synopsis
A fictionalized dual biography by one of the premier writers of historical fiction for young readers
Synopsis
In South Carolina in 1780, fourteen-year-old Caroline sees the Revolutionary War take a terrible toll on her family and friends, and comes to understand the true nature of war.
Synopsis
Ann Rinaldi brings to life the exciting tale of a mysterious staircase built in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1878—a staircase that remains today a miraculous feat of construction.
Synopsis
The joys, heartaches, fears, and struggles of a young Southern woman trying to make a place for herself in the land of Yankees.
Synopsis
Historical fiction full of intrigue, adventure, and heartbreak.
Synopsis
A fourteen-year-old maid witnesses the events that lead to General Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the American forces during the Revolutionary War.
Synopsis
A ten-year-old girl growing up during World War II learns the painful lesson that doing what's right is not always easy.
Includes a reader's guide.
About the Author
Susanna desperately wants to join the circle of girls who meet every week at the parsonage. What she doesn't realize is that the girls are about to set off a torrent of false accusations leading to the imprisonment and execution of countless innocent people. Susanna faces a painful choice. Should she keep quiet and let the witch-hunt panic continue, or should she "break charity" with the group--and risk having her own family members named as witches?
Reader's guide included.
"An enthralling, authentic story . . . Rinaldi at her best."--Kirkus Reviews
"A graceful blend of fiction and history . . . Finely tuned, well researched and very accessible, this novel ranks with Rinaldi's finest work."--Publishers Weekly
ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for bringing history vividly to life. She has received numerous starred reviews and awards, as well as widespread recognition for her historical novels. Ms. Rinaldi lives in central New Jersey.