Broken Days (Quilt Trilogy #2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Ann Rinaldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

The second page-turning installment of award-winning historical-fiction author Ann Rinaldi's QUILT TRILOGY. "A definite plus for any historical fiction collection." - VOYA

When her mother died, she told 14-year-old Walking Breeze to seek out her family-the Chelmsfords of Salem. She will find solace there.
But Ebie Chelmsford has other ideas. Ebie knows that her half-Shawnee "cousin" will take her place as grandfather's favorite. And Ebie will do anything to stop that--even trying to prove that the girl is an imposter...
Ebie thinks Walking Breeze is destroying the home Aunt Hannah has fought to keep together. But it's Ebie's actions, ultimately, that risk tearing apart the Chelmsford family, like the tattered threads of the family quilt.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590460544
• ISBN-13: 978-0590460545
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for bringing history vividly to life. A self-made writer and newspaper columnist for twenty-one years, Ms. Rinaldi attributes her interest in history to her son, who enlisted her to take part in historical reenactments up and down the East Coast. She lives with her husband in central New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An "interuption" on the Chelmsford family, by a relative!, May 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Broken Days (Quilt Trilogy #2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Broken Days is a very good book, about growing up in the Chelmsford family. The Chelmsfords consisted of 5 children, three girls and 2 boys. This book is narrated by the youngest child's daughter, Ebie. Ebie's grandfather is stiff and gruff, and seems to have no love for Ebie. His favorite child,Thankful, dissapeared about 20 years ago, and he has missed her tremendously ever since. When Thankful's daughter shows up at the Chelmfords, nobody believes that she is a Chelmsford, except Ebie. Years ago, before Thankful's daughter and Ebie were ever born, the three daughters, Hannah, Abby, and Thankful, made a family quilt. If Walking Breeze, Thankful's daughter, had Thankful's piece of the quilt, nobody would question her. Everybody would know she was a Chelmsford. Ebie saw the quilt, and got jealous that her grandfather would love Walking Breeze, not her. So, Ebie decicdes to get rid of the quilt, knowing what shame will hang over her. Not Rinaldi's best book, but not her worst at all. This book is an excellant book, showing what life in the 1810's was like, when someone walked right in on your family, disturbing everything. I recommend this book to anybody who loves historical fiction, or anybody who likes to read what growing up in another time was like. Like most of Rinaldi's books, Broken Days is about coming of age, in some way or another.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Quilt Trilogy, April 9, 2000

By 

Christine Wallace - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Days (Quilt Trilogy #2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Broken Days was definitely the best out of the Quilt Trilogy Books. It was so adventurous. A Stitch in Time wasn't great, but I totally think Broken Days was the best! I would definitely recommend this book because it is so real and it keeps continuing with the Chelmsford family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for history lovers!, January 21, 2003

By 

Enne (Clevland, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broken Days (Library Binding)

I really think people should read this book. I liked the first one better but this one is just as good. Heres a summary:
After her mom dies, walking brezee comes to live with the chelfsfold family. But Ebie (the narator) doesn't believe she is really related to them. But Walking Brezee brings Thankfuls quilt (the sisters were working on one in the first book). Ebie still thinks she's an imposter so she hides the quilt.
I won't give away anymore! But if you liked the first book you'll like this one too!