When will this cruel war be over? : the Civil War diary of Emma Simpson

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Title:

When will this cruel war be over? : the Civil War diary of Emma Simpson

Author:

Denenberg, Barry, author.

ISBN:

9780590228626

Publication Information:

New York, N.Y. : Scholastic, c1996.

Physical Description:

156 pages : illustrations, map ; 20 cm.

Series:

Dear America.

General Note:

"Gordonsville, Virginia, 1864"--Cover.

Reading Level:

1050 L Lexile

Subject Term:

Diaries -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction.

Virginia -- Fiction.

Summary:

The diary of a fictional fourteen-year-old girl living in Virginia, in which she describes the hardships endured by her family and friends during one year of the Civil War.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake)	J FICTION DEA	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Lake Elmo Library	J FICTION DEA	Searching... Unknown

The peaceful Southern life that Emma Simpson and her family have always known is shattered when the Civil War begins. Emma's father and brother are called to battle, but her family believes the Confederacy will quickly win the War between the States. However, as the months drag on, the harsh realities of war set in: Supplies, medicine, food, firewood, and ink for Emma to use in her diary become increasingly scarce as troops from the North march deeper into the South. Finally, even Emma's home is commandeered by the Yankees. Though she faces many hardships and the horrors of death, Emma never loses hope, and, with a brave spirit, she comes to realize what things in life are most important.

Author Notes

Barry Denenberg is the critically acclaimed author of many books of nonfiction and historical fiction. His historical fiction titles include several in the Dear America, My Name Is America, and Royal Diaries series. Barry Denenberg lives in Bedford, New York, with his wife and daughter.

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8This book could greatly mislead readers, as the cover implies that it is the diary of a 14-year-old girl in Virginia during the Civil War, and nothing within the book would lead them to think otherwise. Upon first reading it, one is likely to attribute the many lapses in character and plot development to the fact that this was a teenager's diary. Even the epilogue telling of the young woman's life after the war adds to this illusion. So it is likely to come as a great surprise to read in the "About the Author" section at the end that this is fiction. The book is disappointing. One never gets a true feeling for Emma Simpson, and it is often difficult to follow the thread of the story. The factual information on daily life is good, but is not well incorporated into the plot. This offering does not measure up to other fictional works about this era.Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

In these somewhat engaging fictional diaries, Emma writes from a Southern perspective, Abigail describes Valley Forge, and 'Mem' tells of the 'Mayflower' voyage. The quality of the writing varies, and misleading epilogues describe what happened to the girls and other people mentioned in the books, as if they and the diaries were real. Historical notes and reproductions are appended, but no sources are provided. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 4^-7. Part of the Dear America series, this story of Emma Simpson describes her life on a plantation in Virginia during one difficult year when the Civil War is raging.

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Horn Book Review

Booklist Review

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