camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Very compelling story…until you remember that she’s 13! It’s historically accurate, but still horrifying.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Grief, Gun violence, and Alcohol
diamontique's review against another edition
5.0
The book was pretty good, but I want more romantic elements in the story. I suppose a book aimed at children can't have much of that, but if it were for teenagers, I think it would be quite a different story altogether.
ginabbina's review against another edition
4.0
I used to read all the Dear America books, and this one was my favorite; I kept the hard copy years later. I first read it around late elementary or middle school. The historical setting was educational, but I loved it because I'm a big sap at heart. When I first read it I thought the Leon/Anetka romance was surprising because Anetka is annoyed by him at first, but it's so obvious now! "His handsome face is very annoying" we know, Anetka.
Also, the book is slightly conflicted but it's mostly pro union, which I liked.
I read this in like two hours on a whim. It's very young YA, and I don't think I'd really recommend to adults. I'd recommend to younger readers, though, especially romantic kids.
Also, the book is slightly conflicted but it's mostly pro union, which I liked.
I read this in like two hours on a whim. It's very young YA, and I don't think I'd really recommend to adults. I'd recommend to younger readers, though, especially romantic kids.
disconightwing's review against another edition
5.0
This 13 year old girl is more mature than like, 99% of the people I deal with on a daily basis and that's kind of sad.
Really good book though.
Really good book though.
brookey8888's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was so interesting and I learned a lot. I had no clue about this so I’m glad I got to learn a little bit. I also really enjoyed seeing Polish culture because I am Polish so it’s interesting to see the customs. It’s crazy to think that people(and still now) were marrying off there 13 year old girls to like 26 year old men. Like that’s insane. I found the romance(slight spoiler, not the arranged marriage) sweet. As well as the friendship and sense of community was nice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Bullying, Death, Violence, War, Child death, Colonisation, Sexual harassment, Antisemitism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent
eviejo_07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
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
3.5
meredith_mccaskey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I loved this book when I was a pre-teen; now as an adult I find it absolutely heartbreaking. Well-written, well-researched, but god my heart aches for the many real girls just like Anetka, children themselves forced into marriage and motherhood.
shaprincess21's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book!!! I could not put it down after I started to read it.
alexblackreads's review against another edition
4.0
I love the Dear America series as a whole, but I think this book is something special. While the books generally range from good to great, this one was memorable. Anetka is a 13 year old sent to America from Poland to marry a man more than twice her age. He has three children and she becomes mother to them. At thirteen.
It's so heartbreaking in such a normalized way. It's definitely commented on how young she is, but no one really seems to care, including Anetka herself. She's not bitter about becoming a mother when she's still a child herself. She just hikes up her sleeves and does it in a no nonsense way. I think the casualness of this book was what really sent it over the top for me. It's not horrifying that she's barely a teenager essentially being sold as a slave, it's just her life.
It's a great book, one of my favorites that I've read from this series and I would highly recommend.
It's so heartbreaking in such a normalized way. It's definitely commented on how young she is, but no one really seems to care, including Anetka herself. She's not bitter about becoming a mother when she's still a child herself. She just hikes up her sleeves and does it in a no nonsense way. I think the casualness of this book was what really sent it over the top for me. It's not horrifying that she's barely a teenager essentially being sold as a slave, it's just her life.
It's a great book, one of my favorites that I've read from this series and I would highly recommend.