From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6–Set on the remote island of St. Helena, this novel explores the final exile and death of Napoléon Bonaparte. Eleven-year-old Gracie is a motherless Chinese/Caucasian girl whose life drastically changes upon Napoléon's arrival. Her father, sullen and disagreeable since his wife's death, struggles to make ends meet. To help out, Gracie gets a job as a maid at The Briars, where Napoléon is temporarily in residence. Through her eyes, readers see the island's social hierarchy and ethnic diversity, and how the people prospered with Napoléon's presence. She meets Gilbert the stable boy, Toby the slave gardener, the servants Mrs. Pratt and Kitty and, from a distance, sees General Bonaparte. As her friendship with Gilbert blossoms, so does her relationship with her father, who finally reveals her family's history. With her clever, resourceful ways, Gracie is an appealing character who keeps readers' interest. The story is infused with plenty of well-researched detail, part of which is the author's family history. It should be popular with fans of the Dear America series.
–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Be Astengo, School Library Journal 12/2005
Gracie is an appealing character who keeps readers' interest. The story is infused with plenty of well-researched detail.
