zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
The most fascinating part of this book was about life at the lighthouse. The story itself was kinda dreary, though interesting with the Civil War details. I wish the epilogue was more thorough and uplifting, but Amelia's love for lighthouses was apparent throughout the story. Forgettable yet entertaining.
I recommend to fans of the series, or those interested in the lighthouse life.
I recommend to fans of the series, or those interested in the lighthouse life.
bellatap's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
A nice small story
amkago2008's review against another edition
3.0
I did not like this one as much as the other Dear America books. It kept my interest throughout but I did not like how it ended. I thought it had a very sad undertone through the whole book.
huncamuncamouse's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars? Rounded up because it started strong.
Another weird one to rate. Karen Hesse wrote one of my favorite childhood books, The Music of Dolphins, so I was looking forward to this one, even though it's yet another Civil War diary. However, it had a unique angle since Amelia's father is a lighthouse keeper and it quickly becomes clear that she is passionate about doing the same work. At the same time, she's struggling with a family divided over how they feel about slavery. This mirrors the same division sown within the state of Delaware, which was a border state filled with people whose opinions on the war varied. This book started really strong and just . . . petered out, which unfortunately has happened with several other diaries. I felt frustrated when I finished this, especially the epilogue. Why bother telling us that Daniel (the obligatory love interest) and Amelia marry but quickly separate without offering an explanation about why?
At the line level, this is one of the best written diaries in the group I've read so far, but unfortunately, the plot goes nowhere, and the side characters become increasingly flat as the book progresses when the opposite should be true.
Dead parent count: 0, but the mom is so annoying you'll wish she'd die
Another weird one to rate. Karen Hesse wrote one of my favorite childhood books, The Music of Dolphins, so I was looking forward to this one, even though it's yet another Civil War diary. However, it had a unique angle since Amelia's father is a lighthouse keeper and it quickly becomes clear that she is passionate about doing the same work. At the same time, she's struggling with a family divided over how they feel about slavery. This mirrors the same division sown within the state of Delaware, which was a border state filled with people whose opinions on the war varied. This book started really strong and just . . . petered out, which unfortunately has happened with several other diaries. I felt frustrated when I finished this, especially the epilogue. Why bother telling us that Daniel (the obligatory love interest) and Amelia marry but quickly separate without offering an explanation about why?
At the line level, this is one of the best written diaries in the group I've read so far, but unfortunately, the plot goes nowhere, and the side characters become increasingly flat as the book progresses when the opposite should be true.
Dead parent count: 0, but the mom is so annoying you'll wish she'd die
daniamun's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
ainiali's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of journal entries by Amelia Martin, a fictional character who was based on a real person in history. For a start, I like her strong character. At 16, Amelia basically did everything to help her family stays together during hard times. Dealing with death, the mental health of her mother, moral standing of her father and things she can't control, Amelia did everything she could. With a little bit of romance, this is such a good read for a history lover.
mckenna98's review against another edition
5.0
i always saw the “dear america” books on the shelves of my grade school library but never actually picked one out to read. now, years and years later, i have finally accomplished a childhood goal of mine to read one. and honestly? it didn’t disappoint. i actually really enjoyed this book!! i thought the epilogue wrapped up everything perfectly. i also appreciated that there were actual pictures/information from the time period at the end of the book. i found that very interesting and i’m sure middle-grade readers would, as well.
4.5 rounded up!
4.5 rounded up!
fireflykettle's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Very sad and kind of boring tbh. Not the best book in this series
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Racism
daisythebrownie's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75