Broken Days (Quilt Trilogy #2) - Softcover

Grade 6 Up?Set in Massachusetts in the turbulent days prior to the War of 1812, this sequel to A Stitch in Time (Scholastic, 1994) revolves around Walking Breeze, the half-Shawnee daughter of Thankful Chelmsford. When her mother dies, the 14-year-old girl finds a home with her relations in Salem, a starchy New England community that bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Shawnee village in which she grew up. Walking Breeze and the Chelmsfords not only deal with a clash of cultures, but also with Cousin Ebie's accusation that the newcomer is not Thankful's daughter. After many interruptions for Indian uprisings, battles on the high seas, and sundry domestic crises, she is vindicated. The characterization of Walking Breeze is credible in so far as it depicts the struggle of a Native American caught between two worlds; however, her dialogue is less than convincing, alternating between standard English and Tonto-like utterances. The portrait of Ebie as an insecure and jealous teen rings true. Although the plot is too busy for much depth, it will appeal to readers who prefer action to reflection. Rinaldi provides an accurate historical backdrop as she did in A Break with Charity (Harcourt, 1992), but this story lacks the substance and intensity of that fine novel.?Pat Katka, San Diego Public Library
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