- Hardcover: 266 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Press (Nov 1 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0590117440
- ISBN-13: 978-0590117449
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 15.1 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 413 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,925,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In this novel inspired by the Confederate ransom of Hagerstown, Md., Rinaldi's (The Coffin Quilt) backdrop is as compelling as ever, but the narrator's undeveloped character lessens its intensity. The story begins in 1861, as 11-year-old Amelia Grafton relates the Civil War's impact on her sharply divided yet tightly linked town: "Mama and I were Southerners, but not Rebels. We were for the Union, but not the Yankees. You have to be from Maryland to understand it." When Amelia's actions inadvertently contribute to the demise of her friend's father, a Confederate-sympathizing newspaperman, and his printing press, Amelia vows to remain neutral which, unfortunately, translates as a rather passive recounting of events through most of the novel. Among the book's strengths are some riveting characters both real (Generals Lee and Custer make cameo appearances) and imagined (e.g., the fictional Jinny Pearl shoots a Rebel soldier after he attempts to rape her and disguises herself as a man to enlist). The pace picks up in the last quarter of the novel when, in 1864, Confederate General McCausland threatens to burn Hagerstown unless its citizens pay an astronomical ransom, and Amelia must finally choose sides. However, readers will likely find the unfolding of Amelia's outfoxing of the general implausible (she applies white paint to alter the ransom order) and may not stay with the book long enough to witness the highly personal price of this war. Ages 10-14. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8-Rinaldi writes about the Civil War through the eyes of Amelia Grafton, a young teen living in Hagerstown, MD. The story takes place over a period of three years, and readers learn of the townspeople's struggles as they are forced to split in their loyalties and deal with young men enlisting and families losing their most prized possessions. Amelia, a Yankee sympathizer, wants to make a difference by participating in the war effort in other ways besides preparing food and helping the wounded, the traditional duties assumed by women. In an exciting show of ingenuity and bravery, she devises a plan to trick a Confederate officer and save her town from being burned to the ground. While Amelia's character lacks the depth required to make a connection with most readers, the story gives an excellent sense of what it was like to live in an area so affected by this war.
Carrie Lynn Cooper, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Carrie Lynn Cooper, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vidya's Book Review,
By A Customer
This review is from: Amelia's War (Paperback)
Tears came to my eyes. I didn't want to leave him here like this, with this evil man who had eyes that could fry you. It wasn't fair that the whole burden of things should be on my father. People had talked about money making in the war and insulted Mama about it. Where were those people now? Gone, fled and skedaddled like the mayor. And here was my father, trying to do right for all of them, in his gentle and becalming way.In Ann Rinaldi's Amelia's War, a young girl around the age of eleven, named Amelia takes her mother's words to heart. The first time she took part in a conflict, there were some serious consequences with his friend, Josh. Soon, she vows to stay out of any war and remain loyal to people she cares about. The Civil War began. Amelia helps Josh survive through the war alone. Josh has an interest in writing, not fighting. Can Amelia convince her brother, Wes, not to join the army? Can Amelia and Josh get along in spite of their differences? Can Amelia stay in Hagerstown after a tragedy disrupts? This book is good for boys and girls of all ages. Boys will enjoy the fighting and action. Girls will enjoy Amelia and her thoughts. Tucked along the way are some interesting pieces of information about Hagerstown, Maryland during the Civil War. Ann Rinaldi is the author of Wolf by the Ears and In My Father's House. These books including this book has won awards.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amelia's War,
By Kelsey (Chambersburg, PA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Amelia's War (Paperback)
I just finished reading this book and it was great! I was recommended to me by a friend and I am sure glad I read it. It is about a girl named Amelia who is growing up in the Civil War and lives in Hagerstown, Maryland. She is for the Union and is having a hard time dealing with war times. And to make matters harder she has a friend by the name of Josh that has southern leanings and has made a pact with him to stay friends through and through. But Josh was the nephew of General McCausland and when he comes to town it puts their pact to the test. This book was even more interesting to me because I live very near to Hagerstown and the town I live in was mentioned several times in the story. This book rocks and you should definitely read it!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Living During the Confederacy,
By nicole (Michigan) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Amelia's War (Paperback)
Amelia's War, written by Ann Rinaldi is a historical fiction novel. This story takes place in Hagerstown, Maryland, with a family consisting of Amelia, her mom, her dad, and 2 brothers, Wes and Sky, the whole family was caught in the middle of the Civil War, which was moving closer, and closer to Amelia's family. All love in the city have lost it for one another as some people savor the south and some savor the north. One of the most dynamic events that Amelia first sees is a young man who joins the Confederate army and who soon is shot by a mob. Amelia soonly tells a newspaperman, who prints the story. The journalist soon is arrested for southern leanings and his newspaper business is soonly wrecked by a vicious angry mob. Because she feels she made the harm for the journalist she decided to take no sides and stay as much as possible out of the war. The journalist's son, who is one of Amelia?s good friends stays in the abandoned workshop and lives there. She helps him out by taking him food and going to visit him so he wont be alone. Finally the war moves so close to Amelia and her family that she cant keep her vow that she wouldn?t get into the war. When the confederate army is about to occupy the town, Josh decides and goes to interview a Southern general or as known his uncle. He returns a reluctant courier, with awful news. If the townspeople cannot come up with $200,000.00 to pay the Southern army, Hagerstown will be burned or the town will no longer exist. Amelia saves the town by taking an awful and deadly judgment she secretly paints over a zero on the order that Josh has been carrying around with him, making the cost 20,000.00. I must say that I enjoy this book because it was about the confederacy and if you enjoy learning and reading about the confederacy then you will enjoy this book.I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about the confederacy.
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