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katiecox616's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent YA/middle grade historical fiction about 16 year old Elizabeth Bertelsen. In 1878, she longs to study and become an astronomer, but feels bound to become a wife and mother just like her mother. When she ventures out alone for the first time to visit her sister and help while she labors and gives birth, she has the chance to visit Denver to view the total eclipse of the sun that happened on July 29, 1878. Adventures along the way change Elizabeth's idea of what is possible for herself. The author sheds light on some lesser-known facts about life in the American West while creating an endearing and empathetic heroine.
lizbusby's review against another edition
5.0
I had heard such good things about this book, and now having read it, they are all deserved. This is one of the first books with a Mormon protagonist published by a mainstream publisher that isn't a sensationalist polygamy book. I loved how Rosalyn Eves was careful to include just enough explanation for those not familiar with the LDS church and its history, but still relied somewhat on the reader to figure things out.
Eves also manages to pack in almost every controversial issue in the history of the church in a short YA volume: race restrictions, polygamy, LGTBQ issues, women's blessings, relations with the Native Americans, it's all in there. And she deals with them all in a very forthright yet ultimately faithful way. The science versus religion theme as well as the marriage versus career question felt so authentic and realistic to me as an LDS woman, without feeling anachronistic in its feminism.
The eclipse setting was fascinating, the characters were loveable and interesting, and I even enjoyed the romance in the book, which is a big ask for someone as picky as me. This is a book I'm already recommending to my book club and will pass along to my sons and daughter when they are ready for considering the issues it presents. Highly recommend this book!
Eves also manages to pack in almost every controversial issue in the history of the church in a short YA volume: race restrictions, polygamy, LGTBQ issues, women's blessings, relations with the Native Americans, it's all in there. And she deals with them all in a very forthright yet ultimately faithful way. The science versus religion theme as well as the marriage versus career question felt so authentic and realistic to me as an LDS woman, without feeling anachronistic in its feminism.
The eclipse setting was fascinating, the characters were loveable and interesting, and I even enjoyed the romance in the book, which is a big ask for someone as picky as me. This is a book I'm already recommending to my book club and will pass along to my sons and daughter when they are ready for considering the issues it presents. Highly recommend this book!
ronald_schoedel's review against another edition
5.0
Great read. I really enjoyed the story arc.
The protagonist is a sincere and well-meaning, yet (like most every teenager) flighty at times, occasionally very selfish and self-centered. I like that our heroine was not an impossibly perfect teenager; such a story would be unbelievable. Sometimes you will want to yell at her. And that's ok since she deserves it. But she learns from her experiences, as most of us as teenagers learn from our stupid and selfish experiences. As an example, with some half-truths and lies Elizabeth nearly ruins an important friendship. This is just so much like a teen drama might play out, which is one of many things that makes the book relatable for modern teens, Mormon or non-Mormon.
Some will say some of the more progressive attitudes of some characters is unrealistic for the time period, but I would dismiss such complaints. They may not have been common attitudes of the time period, but absolutely there were more progressive thinkers then. Eves skims some societal prejudices whilst taking others head on. I really appreciated the balance, as it makes the book come off more realistic and less preachy, allowing for the reader to not be told what to think. A worthy addition to the canon of Mormon YA literature.
The protagonist is a sincere and well-meaning, yet (like most every teenager) flighty at times, occasionally very selfish and self-centered. I like that our heroine was not an impossibly perfect teenager; such a story would be unbelievable. Sometimes you will want to yell at her. And that's ok since she deserves it. But she learns from her experiences, as most of us as teenagers learn from our stupid and selfish experiences. As an example, with some half-truths and lies Elizabeth nearly ruins an important friendship. This is just so much like a teen drama might play out, which is one of many things that makes the book relatable for modern teens, Mormon or non-Mormon.
Some will say some of the more progressive attitudes of some characters is unrealistic for the time period, but I would dismiss such complaints. They may not have been common attitudes of the time period, but absolutely there were more progressive thinkers then. Eves skims some societal prejudices whilst taking others head on. I really appreciated the balance, as it makes the book come off more realistic and less preachy, allowing for the reader to not be told what to think. A worthy addition to the canon of Mormon YA literature.
thehappiestreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
coralma's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amandarawsonhill's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like I finally just really saw myself in a book and it was beautiful.
krstnhd's review against another edition
5.0
Though I consider myself a non-practicing Mormon, I was absolutely stunned by this book and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
There are so many messages here that are important to all girls and young women, but especially to those of the Mormon faith. The idea that you can strive to be someone even though you may be the first is not one that Mormon girls are always taught, but I hope that Elizabeth inspires them in ways that the religion sometimes falls short.
I SUPER appreciated that Elizabeth was able to acknowledge that she too was treated poorly for being Mormon and could find some initial common ground with her Black acquaintances, BUT NEVER SAID THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH PERSECUTION WERE THE SAME. And RE's re-emphasis of this in her Author's Notes got a standing ovation from me. The number of times I've heard White Mormons say they "get" racism because they are Mormons is NOT ZERO, and I am so happy RE and Elizabeth made the distinction here.
I highly recommended this to women of all ages who have any sort of connection with the Mormon faith. I will be gifting this to all the women in my family this holiday season and hope other readers find Elizabeth to be the inspirational heroine that I did.
There are so many messages here that are important to all girls and young women, but especially to those of the Mormon faith. The idea that you can strive to be someone even though you may be the first is not one that Mormon girls are always taught, but I hope that Elizabeth inspires them in ways that the religion sometimes falls short.
I SUPER appreciated that Elizabeth was able to acknowledge that she too was treated poorly for being Mormon and could find some initial common ground with her Black acquaintances, BUT NEVER SAID THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH PERSECUTION WERE THE SAME. And RE's re-emphasis of this in her Author's Notes got a standing ovation from me. The number of times I've heard White Mormons say they "get" racism because they are Mormons is NOT ZERO, and I am so happy RE and Elizabeth made the distinction here.
I highly recommended this to women of all ages who have any sort of connection with the Mormon faith. I will be gifting this to all the women in my family this holiday season and hope other readers find Elizabeth to be the inspirational heroine that I did.