Customer Reviews

Come Juneteenth

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What would you do if you knew something important, but potentially devastating, about a close family member? What if you were sworn to secrecy about it, but you felt as though you were betraying someone you love? Would you tell or would you do as you were told? Such is the decision facing 13 year old Luli Holcomb when she learns that the slaves held on her family's ranch have indeed been set free almost two years earlier, though the Civil War itself wasn't quite at an end. Her "sister", Sis Goose, raised as one of the family and treated as a dearly cherished daughter, is in fact a free person of color, even though she's always had the benefits and privileges of being free. Luli is pressed into keeping the secret by her family so that the other slaves on the ranch won't leave, but she's not comfortable with it, especially after her older brother Gabe finds himself in love with Sis Goose and begins a relationship with her. Who holds Luli's loyalty?

Rinaldi has taken Juneteenth, the "official" date in June 1865 when Texas slaves were told they were free, and built an interesting story around it. As with most things in life, there weren't cut and dried solutions, and Sis Goose's reaction to her "family's" decision to keep her in the dark brings about changes she could not have foreseen. Told from Luli's point of view, we see her placed between a rock and a hard place, loving and missing the sister she's always known and yet understanding the heartbroken anger Sis Goose unleashes. Luli must make hard choices herself as she sees her father dying and the Yankees settle into her once grand home. The twist at the end is truly shocking, and Rinaldi does a fine job of reeling the reader into this web of lies.

This is a truly intriguing book, so much more than straight historical fiction. The biggest problem I had with it is the "luck" factor; at times things seemed to happen a little too conveniently, especially as Gabe and Luli track down the missing Sis Goose. And while I understood the nickname given to Sis Goose, I never liked it and found it distracting, as though it was almost a deliberate reminder that this vibrant young woman really was a slave. I also questioned Luli's recovery after the devastation that came; I just don't think it was played out realistically. However, Rinaldi's story and the characters themselves redeem any minor problems I have with this fine novel, and I can heartily recommend it to anyone of any age who enjoys excellent historical fiction.

Thirteen-year-old Luli Holcomb has lived her entire life on the family ranch in Texas. With her father weak from illness and her mother busy helping to run the ranch, Luli's older brother, Gabe, takes charge of her. But he doesn't teach her the ways of a proper southern belle. Instead, Gabe instructs her how to shoot guns, ride and care for horses, and survive in the Texas wilderness.

The other influential person in Luli's life is Sis Goose. Sis Goose's enslaved mother dies right after giving birth, and her white riverboat father is completely uninterested. He immediately gives her to Luli's aunt, who in turn hands her over to Luli's mom. Three years older and unofficially adopted into the family as a baby, Sis Goose and Luli are best friends and sisters. Though legally a slave and belonging to Luli's aunt, Sis Goose is considered family; she goes with them to parties and balls, and shares a bedroom and an education right alongside Luli.

Being in Texas and so far away from the other states, the Civil War seems a million miles away, yet the Holcomb family still feels the effects. Blockades force them to do without coffee and silk dresses, and Gabe enlists in the Confederacy --- though his job is to fight the nearby Native Americans, not the Union soldiers. And then one day a fellow arrives announcing that Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation has set the slaves free. But the entire Holcomb family rebukes it as just a false rumor, despite knowing the contrary. On orders of her parents and Gabe, Luli must lie to her best friend and sister.

When asked why, Luli is told that all Texas ranchers are keeping the secret. If the slaves knew the truth, then the crops would never be harvested, not to mention they would stage a bloody uprising and many people would die. So Luli hides the truth even though it burns inside of her. She knows that eventually the facts will emerge and wonders if Sis Goose will ever forgive her. And then one day, in June 1865, the Union soldiers arrive at their ranch, and the truth is finally revealed.

Ann Rinaldi has vast experience in writing historical novels, and her incredible talent shines through once again. She perfectly brings the past back to life, including all of the hardships and challenges, the joy and the sorrow. Readers will be drawn into the story, quickly caring about the realistic characters and the impossible situations they must wade through. COME JUNETEENTH is a wonderful read for everyone!

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

In Come Juneteenth author Ann Rinaldi presents an atypical but equally vivid picture of the complicated friendship between Luli Holcomb, daughter of a Texan slave owner, and her adopted mulatto sister, Sis Goose. Although legally a slave, Sis Goose enjoyed the same freedoms as her adopted siblings; not only did she receive an education, she was treated as part of a family. However, when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the isolated Texans--including Luli and her family--kept it a secret as the Civil War waged on; removed from the eastern states, they fought to sustain their agricultural economy as a slave state and prolong emancipation until the end of the war.When Sis Goose learns of this, she experiences the ultimate feeling of betrayal by her adoptive family and her once cherished relationship with Luli becomes strained. As federal troops move into Texas and begin to occupy the Holcomb's property the story becomes even more complicated and the real meaning of freedom is questioned. Overall, Rinaldi develops a dramatic plot with believable characters while referencing other historic events of the time. With the help of a teacher, students could examine the book on a deeper level--thematically and historically--as political figures such as Rooney Lee and topics such as Native American relations and Spanish Mexico are also referenced.

Ann Rinaldi's, Come Juneteenth, is a captivating story about a family dealing with the emancipation of their slaves at the end of the Civil War. Rinaldi does a great job of developing the characters, and the plot is quite interesting. The delayed emancipation of slaves in Texas is often overlooked in history books, which helps to make this novel even more interesting. But from a historical standpoint, there are some weaknesses. The event later named Juneteenth did happen, but the story itself is entirely fictional with few ties to history. But the biggest problem I saw in the book is the way in which Rinaldi depicts slavery. The Holcomb's were exceptionally kind to their slaves, which would have been highly unlikely. Slavery is sugarcoated and depicted as not being "that bad." But overall, I would recommend it to others with the understanding that it is more fictional than historical.

I was unprepared for how serious Come Juneteenth was. For years, I've seen Ann Rinaldi's novels and assumed they were adolescent historical romances. I was completely wrong and look forward to reading more of her work, because she presented an interesting and educational story in an unexpected way.

The novel centers on one family's experiences leading up to Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when Texas slaves received their freedom, a full two years after the rest of the confederacy. The narrator, Luli Holcomb, is the daughter of slave owners and is raised alongside Sis Goose, a slave who has been adopted into the family. Although they love Sis Goose (particularly older brother Gabe), they keep her emancipation a secret. But when the union army arrives, the revelation of her freedom has devastating consequences.

It was a bold decision to tell the story from the perspective of the slaveowners, particularly in a sympathetic way. Luli knows it is wrong to hide the truth, but rationalizes it by citing potential financial ruin without people to work in the fields. As Luli said, "Did it matter? we asked ourselves. Who would be hurt with a couple of more months in bondage?" (89) The answer: everyone.

Come Juneteenth did not give me one thing I wanted: Sis Goose's point of view. While she is central to the story, she remains elusive. Rinaldi missed an opportunity to share how Sis Goose felt upon learning of her family's betrayal. Luli's moral issues are thoughtfully explained, I would have liked for Sis Goose to have the same chance.

I will definitely be checking out more of Ann Rinaldi's novels.

This book starts off pretty good. Actually, most of the book is pretty good. Then, by the end it takes a MAJOR turn for the worst. I was very dissapointed in it. I also didn't like how Sis Goose's character seemed inconsistent with her behaviour and alot of her actions aren't thouroughly explained. After I read this book, I felt like I wasted my time.

This is one of her better books, and people of all ages would like it.

Ann Rinaldi is my favorite Author. Come Juneteenth is a great book like every other she has written. I can't wait for her next book to come out. You have to read this book!!!