Product Description

The Revolutionary War is raging. General Wayne's soldiers are freezing, underpaid, and resentful. Whispers of mutiny abound. A stone's throw from the restless camp, Tempe Wick wages her own battle for survival. Despite her efforts, she fears she won't be able to feed her family, care for her ailing mother, or maintain her farm for long. As the whispers get louder, the soldiers get bolder. Mutiny is imminent. And Tempe faces a gut-wrenching decision: Should she join the revolt? Ann Rinaldi's dramatic story is based on the legend of America's Tempe Wick. Reader's guide included.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1938986 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-15
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .90" h x 5.00" w x 8.00" l, .90 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator "because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel." However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Grade 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator "because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel." However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VA (School Library Journal )

Ingram
The Revolutionary War is raging, but Tempe has become apathetic. When a mutinous soldier demands that Tempe lend him her beloved horse, she realizes that she must take a stand in the fight. "Enough everyday detail to make it realistic and enough adventure to make it exciting."--Booklist.