cashleykate's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really enjoy this series. The books are relatively short but the voice of the characters in the different books and the attention to detail to give readers a historical feeling experience is lovely. I also like that there is a good deal of notes included at the end of each book regarding the historical significance as well as the true historical figures that show up.
itssky17's review against another edition
4.0
It's very fun to read this again as an adult, knowing way more about history than I did when I originally read this. Catching on to not only the hidden references to historical people and events, but seeing how they explain away things that are important, but too complicated to explain in such a book, was quite wonderful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Medical trauma
Minor: Child death, Blood, Slavery, and Animal death
emmyrosem's review
hopeful
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
kknapp's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
the_games_a_foot's review
This book is too middle-grade for me. I am not criticizing the book when I was younger this book and the others in the series were fun reads. But now... I have deaccessioned a good chunk of my young readers and middle-grade titles as I realize that most are not giving me any reading pleasure anymore.
peytonktracy's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.0
There was a long gap between finishing the last Dear America I read and this one because this one was just so... boring, somehow? I felt that there were so many story bits and either traumatic or at least dramatic moments, none of which got the attention they really deserved. They were glossed over quickly, maybe because what would be traumatic to me was commonplace then, but none of them felt like they really informed Abby's character, her desires and motivations, her fears, anything at all. She felt very much the witness, the narrator, and not a character as much as other Dear Americas didn't. This one also felt like it was name dropping: Abby managed to meet George and Martha Washington, Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, Baron von Steuben, Benedict Arnold, Henry Knox, even British General Howe, which just felt somewhat forced, though I know all these character did spend the winter in Valley Forge or Philadelphia. However, one of the positives I will give this book is the sluggish pace of war, particularly in winter, and that daily life happens amidst major historical events. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Abby's sisters and brother and their antics, or how she hated doing laundry, even though I'm sure Abby would tell her children and grandchildren, and would be passed down through the ages, that she did George Washington's laundry. Maybe her character will flush out more in the sequel?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death