Alice Rose and Sam [Hardcover]

Kathryn Lasky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1900 | Grade Level: 3 and up

Alice Rose, an irrepressible twelve-year-old, shares adventures with Mark Twain, an outlandish reporter on her father's newspaper in Virginia City, Nevada, during the 1860s.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unlike most other residents of Virginia City, Nev., in the 1860s, feisty 12-year-old Alice Rose does not give a hoot about silver mining or striking it rich. "This is no place for a child!" she protests, and the grittiness of the opening scenes proves her point: while her father works late at the newspaper, Alice Rose sneaks off to the cemetery to protect her mother's and infant sister's fresh graves from coyotes. She sets about earning enough money to return to Boston and join her cousins at a proper ladies' seminary, but in the meantime she consorts with an eclectic collection of friends: the hurdy-gurdy girls, for whom she sews dresses; kindly Hop Sing, who lays track for the railroad; rich Miss Eilley; and the not-yet-famous Samuel Clemens, who helps Alice Rose expose the nefarious deeds of a band of Confederate vigilantes called the Society of Seven. Alice Rose's frustrations with the West contrast with Sam's recognition of its beauty ("You look down into the throat of that cactus blossom, Alice Rose, and you tell me if you have ever seen anything prettier"), but both enjoy a good yarn and are suspicious of the town's hypocritical Christians. Lasky's (True North) picturesque dialogue and precise, energetic characterizations more than make up for the book's choppy flow. A view of American history teeming with adventure and local color. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9AAlthough Nevada was contested territory during the War Between the States, young Alice Rose herself has had quite enough of it, especially Virginia City-a mining town as "pretty as a singed cat." Having just buried her mother and infant sister, ignored by her kind but silver-crazy newspaperman father, the feisty and unconventional girl determines to earn money to go back East by sewing fancy gowns for the local hurdy-gurdy girls. She meets the provocative news reporter Samuel Clemens, and the two eccentrics form a lasting friendship, joining forces to solve the mystery of a murdered drunk and uncovering a deeper Confederate plot. Ultimately, they end up teaching one another valuable lessons about life and truth. Alice Rose has an engaging determination and spirit, and Clemens is fondly portrayed: the scenes between the two are among the best in the book. Unfortunately, supporting characters fall flat. The book does offer a historically accurate and nicely detailed depiction of life in a booming silver town, and Clemens did indeed spend time in Virginia City. Readers get unique, if brief, glimpses into "hidden' issues in history: opium dens, child rights, and an unusual Civil War perspective. Most of these elements, however, are given cursory treatment. Uneven characterizations and an uncertain blend of humor and pathos prevent the full sympathetic response the book aims for. A mild offering from Lasky, lacking the usual power of her other works.AJennifer A. Fakolt, Carson City Public Library, NV
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (January 1, 1900)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786803363
• ISBN-13: 978-0786803361
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,289,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hi Readers! Thanks for coming by my author page. I've written all sorts of books - from fantasy about animals to books about science. One of my favorite animal fantasy series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, is a major motion picture. I liked writing about Ga'Hoole so much that I decided to revisit that world in a new series, Wolves of the Beyond. Visit my website, www.kathrynlasky.com to see a slide show about the real wolves I researched for the series and for the latest update on the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie. All my best, Kathryn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A REAL page-turner!, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alice Rose and Sam (Hardcover)

A while ago, I was faced with a decision: to read Alice Rose and Sam or another book for a book review. I decided, not really caring, to read Alice Rose and Sam. Now I am so happy that I did so I could tell other people about this great book. You just can't put it down! You learn about Alice Rose's time, too, so this is a simply marvelous book to read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, November 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Alice Rose and Sam (Hardcover)

This novel is great fun. Alice Rose - never simply Alice - is a dynamic lead character who treads a narrow path between defying her era's gender roles and wanting nothing more than to go to Boston and be like her refined, petticoated cousins. Sam Clemens plays a supporting part, but does so memorably; his outrageous stories first land him a job on the paper, and then drive him out of town. Through the character of a Chinese immigrant, Lasky shows the reader the virulent racism of the time. Some readers may be put off by the novel's attitudes toward religion. Both Alice Rose and Sam rail against quotation-mark Christians, the sort who wear the name but do not live by the principles they espouse. However, both, also speak favorably of people they have known who have lived up to the name. The books only real flaw is a climax that may leave readers wondering for a moment just what has happened. The confusion is cleared up quickly, however. An author's note at the end describes the historical elements of the book and explains which are fact-based and which are totally fictional. All in all, an appealling heroine, the irrepressible Sam Clemens, and an exciting plot make this an excellent choice.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Tale!, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Alice Rose and Sam (Paperback)

I loved the main character, Alice Rose. Her adventures with Sam Clemens were both fun and educational. I learned quite a bit about the time period -- Lasky should be commended for her thorough research!