Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to "Little Women"

Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women
by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Carlyn Beccia
Walker, 2013. Unpaged. Biography

Little Women was one of the first novels to be set during the American Civil War, and Louisa May Alcott drew on her own wartime experiences to write the book. She wished she could have fought in the war, but the only helpful occupation open to her--and that, just barely--was nursing. Women were only accepted into nursing positions if they were unmarried, strong, could produce letters attesting to their good character. Also, they had to be "very plain." Louisa May considered herself plain enough, though she had beautiful hair that fell to her ankles. Apparently the Army agreed and she was assigned to nurse soldiers in the old Union Hotel in Washington, D.C. There she bathed and bandaged the wounded men, sang to them, wrote letters home for them, and read to them. Louisa wasn't able to stay long with the soldiers, as she contracted typhoid fever and returned home near death. Luckily she lived to write the stories that would become a beloved part of American literature. Kathleen Krull provides her usual interesting and sprightly narrative for this story, and Carlyn Beccia's pictures are lovely, antique to just the right degree, and atmospheric. She was not able to make Louisa May look ugly, but beauty is as beauty does, eh?

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog