aftanith's review
4.0
In Caroline's Secret Message, Caroline Abbot is preparing for a what's expected to be a long, hard winter, and after an entire summer has passed, her father is still being held captive by the British. As she struggles to come to terms with the fact that he's probably going to miss her tenth birthday and might even be gone for years, she and her mother devise a plan to help him get back to America.
The second book in the American Girls: Caroline series, Caroline's Secret Message is a worthwhile read for fans of children's historical fiction and the American Girls franchise; unlike many war-related books, it endeavors to present the individuals on both sides as humans capable of sympathy and kindness. And, via Caroline's relationship with her captive father, it presents the emotions a child must struggle with when their parent or other close relative is separated from them by a war--something with which many children in the target age group can sympathize.
Like all of the American Girls books, I recommend it to young readers and their parents interested in historical fiction or the War or 1812, as well as fans of children's literature and/or the American Girls franchise.
- 7/29/2013
The second book in the American Girls: Caroline series, Caroline's Secret Message is a worthwhile read for fans of children's historical fiction and the American Girls franchise; unlike many war-related books, it endeavors to present the individuals on both sides as humans capable of sympathy and kindness. And, via Caroline's relationship with her captive father, it presents the emotions a child must struggle with when their parent or other close relative is separated from them by a war--something with which many children in the target age group can sympathize.
Like all of the American Girls books, I recommend it to young readers and their parents interested in historical fiction or the War or 1812, as well as fans of children's literature and/or the American Girls franchise.
Spoiler
Reread Date(s):- 7/29/2013
sashaychantea's review
4.0
Wow... Caroline is kinda incredible. I hate to say it but she's what I hoped Felicity would be like. Felicity gets points on nostalgia , but Caroline takes the cake. So far at least anyway.
This story was pretty enthralling and compelling. I had such a good time reading it.
This story was pretty enthralling and compelling. I had such a good time reading it.
panda_incognito's review
5.0
In this book, Caroline and her mother journey to Upper Canada to plead for her father's release, and Caroline has to communicate a possible escape plan to him without the guards catching on. The plot is fast-paced and gripping, and the story deals well with Caroline's intense emotions, bringing in a new character as a foil who offends Caroline at home and makes her feel jealous. This aspect of the story is very well-handled, because it intensifies the plot and themes without devolving into petty drama.
I appreciate how this book honors the courage of women and girls from throughout history, showing how they made great sacrifices for the people they loved and were not always on the sidelines of historical events. The book also portrays the British prison guards in a fair and nuanced light, showing the humanity of people on the other side of a war. This is all very well done.
I appreciate how this book honors the courage of women and girls from throughout history, showing how they made great sacrifices for the people they loved and were not always on the sidelines of historical events. The book also portrays the British prison guards in a fair and nuanced light, showing the humanity of people on the other side of a war. This is all very well done.
felicitydisco's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another great one in this series! Loved the importance her needlework played.
smoothas_sylk's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
piburnjones's review
5.0
Again, reading for the first time as an adult, in advance of the American Girls podcast.
- It's fall, as it should be in book two! We're off to a prescient start again: "I wish I could sail across the lake..." Caroline, you're in luck!
- In this age before birth control, I can't help thinking that Caroline's poor mama has had a number of miscarriages or stillbirths and/or the Abbots have had trouble conceiving.
- Convenience, thy name is Hawthorne!
- Clearly, Caroline's fight with Rhonda stems mostly from stress. They're both hurting and even simple things - like Rhonda's father existing - feel like personal affronts. Love to see the ice melt when Rhonda makes a kind overture on Caroline's birthday.
- Whoa, here's an AG character with a fall birthday! I haven't caught up with all the characters published between Kaya and Caroline to know whether she's the first.
- Nice job setting up Chekhov's embroidery in book 1. I still think the guards mostly likely would have inspected the sewing, but having Caro show Papa the map behind the guards' back is at least more sensible than leaving behind something so obvious as a map.
- With three Hawthornes and now also Lydia and her parents, the Abbott house must suddenly be very full!
We are primed to see the British soldiers as the Bad Guys, but we see clear signs of humanity. The commander who relents and gives Caroline a little time with her father because he misses his own daughters. The soldier, whoever it was, who delivered the box from Papa to Uncle Aaron. We could almost draw a parallel between the war and the standoff between Caroline and Rhonda: there are no bad guys, just different points of view.
- It's fall, as it should be in book two! We're off to a prescient start again: "I wish I could sail across the lake..." Caroline, you're in luck!
- In this age before birth control, I can't help thinking that Caroline's poor mama has had a number of miscarriages or stillbirths and/or the Abbots have had trouble conceiving.
- Convenience, thy name is Hawthorne!
- Clearly, Caroline's fight with Rhonda stems mostly from stress. They're both hurting and even simple things - like Rhonda's father existing - feel like personal affronts. Love to see the ice melt when Rhonda makes a kind overture on Caroline's birthday.
- Whoa, here's an AG character with a fall birthday! I haven't caught up with all the characters published between Kaya and Caroline to know whether she's the first.
- Nice job setting up Chekhov's embroidery in book 1. I still think the guards mostly likely would have inspected the sewing, but having Caro show Papa the map behind the guards' back is at least more sensible than leaving behind something so obvious as a map.
- With three Hawthornes and now also Lydia and her parents, the Abbott house must suddenly be very full!
We are primed to see the British soldiers as the Bad Guys, but we see clear signs of humanity. The commander who relents and gives Caroline a little time with her father because he misses his own daughters. The soldier, whoever it was, who delivered the box from Papa to Uncle Aaron. We could almost draw a parallel between the war and the standoff between Caroline and Rhonda: there are no bad guys, just different points of view.
jadeshea's review
5.0
This story begins with Caroline’s father still being captured by the British. Winter is coming soon, and it’s getting harder to work around the garden, and in the shipyard, but Caroline must help out around the house because it’s what her father asked of her.
However, one day they get a huge surprise, but it didn’t include her father. So, now she and her mother have decided to go try to get him from the British. But, it may not turn out as well as they thought it would.
This was my favorite so far in this series! I adore Caroline, and I felt so bad for her during this story. She’s such a strong and brave little girl who must grow up too quickly because of everything that has happened with her father. And when she does more courageous and brave things to help save her father it made me really admire her.
I loved this book, and I can’t wait to read more about Caroline!
However, one day they get a huge surprise, but it didn’t include her father. So, now she and her mother have decided to go try to get him from the British. But, it may not turn out as well as they thought it would.
This was my favorite so far in this series! I adore Caroline, and I felt so bad for her during this story. She’s such a strong and brave little girl who must grow up too quickly because of everything that has happened with her father. And when she does more courageous and brave things to help save her father it made me really admire her.
I loved this book, and I can’t wait to read more about Caroline!