Customer Reviews

Be Ever Hopeful, Hannalee (A Troll Book)

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"Be Ever Hopeful Hannalee" was an excellent book about a young girl "Hannalee" surviving the civil war and trying to get her life back on track with all the difficulties she stil made it through! I loved this books to bits! The thing is I was forced to read this for a social project and I was like "yawn yawn" but I really liked it! I was yes of course so suprised but I could not put it down! Well, I just wanted to say that you should read this book if you love civil war or not! Belive me I am not a historian in the civil war either! I am just a normal 13 year old girl who reads books! Thank you for your time.

The Civil War has just ended, and 14-year-old Hannalee Reed -- first introduced in "Turn Homeward, Hannalee" -- is desperately trying to rebuild a life for herself and her family. While she and her younger brother Jem were up north, working as servants after being taken from their home by Yankee soldiers, their widowed mother gave birth to baby Paulina. Their older brother Davey returned home, minus an arm.

Finding no means of support after the Yankees destroyed their town's mill, the Reeds decide to head for Atlanta, where they hear opportunities are everywhere. Full of optimism and hope, they discover that the destroyed city is full of others just like them. It's hard to find work amidst all the competition...and no one wants to hire a one-armed man. Housing is expensive, and they have a baby to take care of.

Still, Hannalee is determined to get by. She finds work selling yard goods in the shop of a Yankee widower who recently moved south with his teenage daughter, Mary Anne. Despite lonely Mary Anne's attempts at reaching out, Hannalee is too proud to allow herself friendship with a girl who she deems as the enemy.

Meanwhile, a chance encounter causes Hannalee to meet Delie, a young black girl who was recently freed. She tries to befriend her, but just as Hannalee rebuffed Mary Anne, Delie is suspicious of any white person.

Then Davey is accused of murder, and Delie may be the only eyewitness able to save his life. Desperate, Hannalee sets out to find her...with the help of Mary Anne.

This book is intriguing and well-written. Readers will be able to envision the ruined Atlanta, struggling to rebuild itself, as easily as if they were there themselves, and root for the entire Reed family.

I actually had to be forced to read this book ten pages at a time in english class two years ago. I LOVE reading and LOVE history, but couldn't get into this book. It's filled with long gaps in which absolutely NOTHING happens. I found it to be dull, much to my surprise. I expected more from such a talented author.