Ann Rinaldi speaks to my soul. Her coming-of-age characters are conflicted, flawed and seemingly powerless... Yet their actions influence the course of history. Through her storytelling, Rinaldi empowers and challenges young women to rise to their greatest potential. ( )

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I feel like this is a must read, especially if you're doing anything related to the American Civil War. It's a journey along side a well off family but also shows how they have to adapt to life during war time. I remember reading this book when I was younger and falling in love with the history of the Civil War. ( )

Based on some true events in Wilmer McLean's life (the fist shots in the Civil Ware were fired at his home in Manassas and the surrender was signed at his house in Appomattox), Ann Rinaldi has written a readable account of life from 1852 trough 1865.

Oscie Mason's father died when she was four and her mother, Virginia, remarried when she was around seven. Her new husband, Will McLean was a merchant, in the face of all the farmers iln Virginia. Oscie was the strong daughter and at a tender age tried to run her plantation with their 20+ nigras. They were benevolent masters, as compared to some of their neighbors.

McLean was intelligent and open minded and hired a Northern tutor to teach the children. They learned to think for themselves. McLean, even in 1852, talked about changes in the South and how he was the New South whereas Daddy John (Oscie's biological father) was the Old South.

Much of the book talks about Oscie's unease with Daddy Will. Much talks about the treatment of slaves and everyday life.

As war is brewing, Mclean invites Confederate soldiers to the plantation. Oscie falls in love with Alex, who happens to be married. He is also honorable.

As war excalates, McLean, who vows to take care of his family, moves them to Charlottesville, near a cousin. He is a speculator during the war and makes money buying and selling commodities, such as sugar and wheat. This goes against what Virginia feels is proper, but it is the only way he knows to provide for his family.

He later m oves the family to Appomatox so that the war 'would never invade his home'. But it does. The first shots of the war were fired from his plantation in Manassas and the peace treaty was signed at his home in Appomattox.

Maria, a year older than Oscie, falls in love with a Yankee soldier, Michah. Oscie ultimately falls in love with a Confederate soldier, Thomas, who participates in the Mosly Regiment, a guerilla war troop.

There is talk about witchcraft being practiced by some of the slaves, the buying and selling of slaves and even a free black buying a slave who will ultimately be a spouse because all free slaves were subject to being retaken as slaves.

The plot is interesting but not riveting. This book is good for early middle schoolers. ( )