wizardbaker's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. Instead, I found myself bored and annoyed. I skipped large portions when Joan/Janet did something annoying and was yelled at. I also felt like the author was pushing Christianity on the reader. Not sure why I finshed it, the ending wasn't any better than any rest of the book.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Review copy: ARC from publisher
*** I am revising this to add Debbie Reese's post: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-native-perspective-of-laura-amy.html She raised valid points about seriously problematic issues with this book.
Laura Amy Schlitz had me from the first chapter. Young Joan Skraggs wants more from her life than the drudgery of farm work. Her father and brothers seem to see her as a worker rather than a person. Her father is particularly horrible in this way. He doesn't want her reading because that would be a waste of time. She can no longer go to school and he doesn't want her former teacher encouraging her to learn or do anything to change her lot in life. He wants her to cook, clean and do what he says for the rest of her life.
Joan's mother had always planned more for her though. After her mother died, Joan has trouble finding a way to get beyond the farm. When her father punishes her harshly for standing up for herself, she finally figures out another path.
I was cheering for Joan the whole way. She made many mistakes, but never gives up.
Schlitz kept a perfect balance of tension throughout the book. Just enough to keep readers flipping pages.
I also loved the inclusion of religious discussion. Joan is Catholic and comes into contact with a Jewish family. This could have been a surface detail, but Joan questions and ponders what she believes and why. This presents a fascinating glimpse into two distinct faith backgrounds.
This will be a great book for fans of historical fiction. It really reminded me of Hattie Big Sky. Hattie and Joan have huge challenges, but they're strong, intelligent young women that go after what they want.
*** I am revising this to add Debbie Reese's post: http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-native-perspective-of-laura-amy.html She raised valid points about seriously problematic issues with this book.
Laura Amy Schlitz had me from the first chapter. Young Joan Skraggs wants more from her life than the drudgery of farm work. Her father and brothers seem to see her as a worker rather than a person. Her father is particularly horrible in this way. He doesn't want her reading because that would be a waste of time. She can no longer go to school and he doesn't want her former teacher encouraging her to learn or do anything to change her lot in life. He wants her to cook, clean and do what he says for the rest of her life.
Joan's mother had always planned more for her though. After her mother died, Joan has trouble finding a way to get beyond the farm. When her father punishes her harshly for standing up for herself, she finally figures out another path.
I was cheering for Joan the whole way. She made many mistakes, but never gives up.
Schlitz kept a perfect balance of tension throughout the book. Just enough to keep readers flipping pages.
I also loved the inclusion of religious discussion. Joan is Catholic and comes into contact with a Jewish family. This could have been a surface detail, but Joan questions and ponders what she believes and why. This presents a fascinating glimpse into two distinct faith backgrounds.
This will be a great book for fans of historical fiction. It really reminded me of Hattie Big Sky. Hattie and Joan have huge challenges, but they're strong, intelligent young women that go after what they want.
everthereader's review against another edition
3.0
I was in the mood for a nice historical fiction read, so I picked this book up. It was a little different than what I was expecting. I did have some issues with it, but it was an overall enjoyable read.
Read full review at Marvelous Eden of Books
Rating: 3.5/5
Read full review at Marvelous Eden of Books
Rating: 3.5/5
swissmunicipal's review against another edition
3.0
Three seems to low - four too high. I enjoyed this, but I occasionally found the main character's perspective annoying. Whether that's in larger part to the writing or the audio performance, I do not know.
mb101's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite reads about the time period. You will laugh, cry, and be spitting mad with our leading lady.
orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting step into the mind/life/journal of an ambitious 14 year old in 1911. Though the lessons learned are for a 14 year old girl, they can equally be applied to adult life too.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
I went from barely picking the book up in the beginning, to barely putting it down by the ending. So, first two sections, maybe three stars, the last five sections, four stars? Joan's voice absolutely grew on me the more I got to know her.
Who wouldn't love Joan Skraggs, aka Janet Lovelace? She leaves her drudgery and belittling father at Steeple Farm and makes her way to big city Baltimore, to find work, "edifying" books and art, and maybe a little adventure and romance. After an (age-appropriate) meet-cute in the park at night, she gets a job as the hired girl in a Jewish household. The only thing is...she's never encountered anyone Jewish before, doesn't know a thing about kashrut, the lead servant is a terror of a woman from the Old Country, she has to lie about her age, and she just wants to read books and experience the world. I guess that's more than one "only thing." But I rooted for Joan! I loved her balance of ignorance, innocence, and intelligence. I loved how she could figure how to work with Malka (ah, how I love Malka!) but not at all understand Mrs. Rosenbach's seemingly arbitrary swings of opinion, and so completely misread some relationships (and I thank the author for just the right amount of shared-embarrassment and not-too-painful consequences there!).
I did find the up-and-down sway of her emotions overwhelming at times - "I LOVE this! This is EXCELLENT! No, everything is HORRID, I am ASHAMED! No, things are the MOST BEST!" But, to be fair, Joan is truly fourteen, pretending to be eighteen while encountering hundreds of new social and emotional situations constantly. I can understand how the up and down of a fourteen's mental state lends itself to a page-turner plot, and I will confess that there were certain events that I did read through avidly, curious how her feelings would alter!
In addition to her emotional development and growing skill navigating (to surpass, in her own way) class barriers, Joan also has a wonderful spiritual character arc. I can't think of many other examples of historical fiction that are so fresh and honest with religion, especially the religious and social expectations of females in the time period presented. Her prayers, her meetings with the priest (Father H what's-his-name?), her discussions with Mr. Rosenbach, even her thoughts about conversion, were all thought-provoking, appropriate to her education and innocence, and not at all preachy. (I'm looking at you, Heidi!).
Recommended for...
Older readers who loved Catherine Called Birdy , The Midwife's Apprentice, Esperanza Rising and other diary or epistolary historical fiction with strong female characters.
Possible paired read with Donnelly's A Northern Light?
Who wouldn't love Joan Skraggs, aka Janet Lovelace? She leaves her drudgery and belittling father at Steeple Farm and makes her way to big city Baltimore, to find work, "edifying" books and art, and maybe a little adventure and romance. After an (age-appropriate) meet-cute in the park at night, she gets a job as the hired girl in a Jewish household. The only thing is...she's never encountered anyone Jewish before, doesn't know a thing about kashrut, the lead servant is a terror of a woman from the Old Country, she has to lie about her age, and she just wants to read books and experience the world. I guess that's more than one "only thing." But I rooted for Joan! I loved her balance of ignorance, innocence, and intelligence. I loved how she could figure how to work with Malka (ah, how I love Malka!) but not at all understand Mrs. Rosenbach's seemingly arbitrary swings of opinion, and so completely misread some relationships (and I thank the author for just the right amount of shared-embarrassment and not-too-painful consequences there!).
I did find the up-and-down sway of her emotions overwhelming at times - "I LOVE this! This is EXCELLENT! No, everything is HORRID, I am ASHAMED! No, things are the MOST BEST!" But, to be fair, Joan is truly fourteen, pretending to be eighteen while encountering hundreds of new social and emotional situations constantly. I can understand how the up and down of a fourteen's mental state lends itself to a page-turner plot, and I will confess that there were certain events that I did read through avidly, curious how her feelings would alter!
In addition to her emotional development and growing skill navigating (to surpass, in her own way) class barriers, Joan also has a wonderful spiritual character arc. I can't think of many other examples of historical fiction that are so fresh and honest with religion, especially the religious and social expectations of females in the time period presented. Her prayers, her meetings with the priest (Father H what's-his-name?), her discussions with Mr. Rosenbach, even her thoughts about conversion, were all thought-provoking, appropriate to her education and innocence, and not at all preachy. (I'm looking at you, Heidi!).
Recommended for...
Older readers who loved Catherine Called Birdy , The Midwife's Apprentice, Esperanza Rising and other diary or epistolary historical fiction with strong female characters.
Possible paired read with Donnelly's A Northern Light?
marmoset737's review against another edition
3.0
Not as crazy about this book as many others seem to be. I thought it was beautifully written and meticulously thought out/researched/etc., but I just never really connected to Joan/Janet. She was just a little too naive and precious at times (which perhaps the diary entry approach didn't help with) and it seemed like things "happened" to her after her initial bold choice to escape her family home. The book was also a little devoid of danger in a way that I found slightly cloying. While I think there is an audience for this book - probably recent fans of LM Montgomery or Laura Ingalls Wilder who were looking for more of that style would dig this - I think the book would be a bit long and slow-paced for most teens.
stacylmoll's review
5.0
Wow! What a great book, I started to yesterday and finished it today. Stories about what lfe use to be like, have always interested me. I felt so bad for Joan, having such a terrible life and a horrible father. I love that she had the streghthen to leave and give herself a change at a happier life. I also like that fact that she stuck up fir her Jewish employers and stayed true to her faith at that same time. That was very refershing. A great period piece to read!
This book is due out this month!
This book is due out this month!
cxppatee's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5