Amelina Carrett: Thibodeau, Louisiana 1870 (American Diaries) [School & Library Binding]

Kathleen Duey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: American Diaries (Book 12)

BAYOU GRAND COEUR, LOUISIANA
1863

I wonder if the Confederates think of this war as their own? Or the Yankees? Who would want a war to be their own?

Amelina is frightened. She is used to being alone while her Nonc Alain is away trading, but now Yankee soldiers are so close that she can sometimes hear the rumble of gunfire. Just because her close-knit Cajun community has for the most part been uninvolved in the war doesn't mean Nonc Alain's farm would be spared if the Yankees swept through the area.

When Amelina makes a startling discovery that challenges everything she's been told about the Yankees, she is forced to make her own decision about what is right and what is wrong. Can she find the courage to face the danger that her decision brings?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Written with insight and sensitivity, this entertaining story has a protagonist whose courage and fortitude allow her to overcome the prejudices of the Civil War and help a fellow human being. Amelina has been living with her Nonc Alain since the death of her parents. Though used to being left alone while her uncle is off fishing and trapping, she becomes frightened when she hears gunfire near her Cajun community. The discovery of a wounded Yankee soldier forces her to make a decision between what is right and what is wrong. Succinctly written, this tale has strong characterization and an interesting narrative describing the natural, cultural, and historical aspects of Cajun life in the Louisiana bayou during a volatile period in American history. Amelina's actions are juxtaposed against a marchand's hatred for the Yankees and her uncle's treatment of the war as a way of making money. Amelina is neither ignorant nor naive when it comes to the issue of slavery. She doesn't judge the soldier for fighting and he, in turn, doesn't try to sway her toward his abolitionist views. She offers the man her father's clothing and the pirogue he made her, and he gives her his address so that they may correspond after the war. These symbolic gestures of friendship overshadow the turmoil of the war, creating an enriching tale written from the heart.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Topeka Bindery (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613157095
• ISBN-13: 978-0613157094
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,437,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have published over 80 books for children of all ages and YA/Adult readers. Many have won state and national awards and all of them have brought me the kind of fan mail that writers love to get.

Two from today's email (Jan 27 11)
Dear Ms. Duey,

I am 8 years old and I live in Catalonia (Spain). I just finished reading your book "Moonsilver" with my mom, and I really liked it. I want to ask you, what was your dream in 3rd grade? I'm asking you because at the end of the book, it says that the series of the Unicorn's Secret books is based on a dream you had in 3rd grade. I am in third grade right now, so I'm really curious!!!
Please tell me

(writer's name)



Dear Ms. Duey,

I loved your book the Unicorn's Secret. Me and my mom read it together. I like your books because I like unicorns and your story was very exciting. I like to draw unicorns. They are one of my favorite animals. I have two stuffed animal unicorns. One is named Sparkle. I sleep with her every night. Did you always want to be a writer? Have you ever seen a real unicorn? I am in 1st grade. I love to read. When I grow up I want to be a animal trainer and I want to train unicorns if I can find one.

LOVE , (writer's name)


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YA readers are writing a lot, too. Most say something like this one:

I have been waiting for the third book in Skin Hunger trilogy forever. Ok not forever but it feels like it. When is it coming out? How long will you make me wait? I love these books and am really needing to know what happens to Sadima and Hahp!!!!!


I know, me, too. Please read below.
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If it is later than 6:30am PST, I am probably writing, even if I am on an airplane. I might be working on a faerie book or writing about unicorns for grade school kids, or I could be lost in something dark, detailed, and strange for YA/adult readers. The third book in the Resurrection of Magic Trilogy is dragging me through the woods. I am working on it every day, and am Skying instead of traveling to schools and libraries until I get it DONE. It's taking wild amazing turns and I love it.

If I am not working...I might be answering readers who contact me through my website: http://www.kathleenduey.com Thanks to everyone who gets in touch with me on Facebook, my blog, http://kathleenduey.blogspot.com/, Twitter, and all the other ways to reach me. I can't keep up anymore, but I try to answer questions and I send out signed bookplates when I can. It means so much to know that you like my books.

I appear at schools, bookstores, and teach at writers' conferences nationwide and internationally. There is a schedule on my website and I try to keep it current.
And more and more... I Skype. It's a wonderful way to meet readers in classrooms and at libraries, I love to drop in on book clubs and critique groups, then get back to work!

Book news: The Unicorn's Secret books are getting lovely new covers by Sandara Tang, an amazing artist based in Singapore. The fan mail astounds me.
Sandara is the cover artist for the new kid's series The Faerie's Promise, too. Excerpts from all my books are on http://www.kathleenduey.com

YA NOVEL ONLINE/IN PROGRESS: RUSSET fans: http://russet-one-wing.blogspot.com/
I am accumulating entries and will tag you all when there is more to read. Give me your contact info and I will add you to the alert list. kathleenduey at earthlink dot net

The third book of my YA/adult trilogy is in the works now. I don't have a release date yet because I still writing like MAD. But it will be ASAP, I promise. The story is taking amazing turns and dragging me through the woods the way the first two did. Thanks!!!! to the thousands of people asking when it will come out.

You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good American Diaries book., March 18, 1999

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amelina Carrett : Bayou Grand Coeur, Louisiana 1863 (Paperback)

Thirteen-year-old Amelina, who is Cajun, is an orphan. Since she was eight she has lived with her uncle on his small house on the bayou. But now it's 1863, the Civil War is creeping closer to Bayou Grand Coeur, and Amelina discovers a hurt Yankee. Helping him will risk her own life. Can she do what is right? I enjoyed this book. It was very exciting and historically accurate

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the time, March 1, 2005

By 

sayitwitme - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amelina Carrett: Thibodeau, Louisiana 1870 (American Diaries) (School & Library Binding)

Although this book displays the civil war prejudice and hardships people of that time endured, this book is not worded and written in a way that you are just engrossed in reading the text. When I read a book, I have to be interested in it from the get-go. When reading this book, you'll have to be patient for it to become the least bit interesting.