School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Rosa, an orphaned mestizo servant, records her work and the rhythms of life in a California rancho, the search for her own family roots, and the growing turmoil caused by the Americans who are pouring into California to overthrow Mexican rule and claim the land. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
A half-Indian, half-Spanish servant, Rosalia chronicles daily life on a ranch, the many festivals and religious holidays celebrated, as well as her search for the identities of her deceased parents. Rosalia is a compelling character, and her diary provides an interesting perspective on life in California in 1846. Back matter includes archival photos, a historical note, and a glossary of Spanish terms. From HORN BOOK Spring 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 5-8. Maria Rosalia de Milagros, a 13-year-old orphan working on a California rancho in 1846, picks up a discarded diary that changes her life forever. She writes in secret--no one knows she can read and write--and the journal becomes a "refuge in a sea of work" and a powerful tool that helps her make sense of her life. She writes about the hard work; the rare pleasures of church festivals; her coworkers and wealthy employers; and the disturbing increase of norteamericanos coming to California. Some of them, like kindly Senor Johnson, become friends and neighbors; others steal land and are eager to appropriate Alta California for the U.S. Maria's most heartfelt writing, however, is about being orphaned. Garland has cast Maria as a sturdy heroine, whose love for Alta California infuses her story with a strong sense of place, and the historical details are both accurate and interestingly woven into the story. Like other books in the popular Dear America series, this one is illustrated; it also includes a glossary of Spanish terms, an epilogue, and a lengthy historical note. A worthy addition. --Jean Franklin
