Customer Reviews

Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American Revolution (Great Episodes)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Since my name is Jane, I could not resist buying this book when I saw it. It lived up to my expectations and Jane Prentice is very worthy of the name Jane.

When Lady Jane Prentice at 14 arrives in America from England, she is already able to take care of herself, because she had been w/o a mother since the age of 3 and her father (a penniless earl) never paid her much attention. She is met by her Uncle Robert's brother-in-law, Arthur Ainsley, and his family. Jane immediately becomes attached to "Uncle Arthur" and "Aunt Harriet". The Ainsley's son, Brandon, is romantically interested in Jane.

Jane stumbles upon the schoolmaster, Simon Cordwyn, and he invites her to join his school, because he sees in her an intelligent and inquisitve mind. People question Simon's political standing, but he maintains his neutral position in the rising rebellion.

Jane is annoyed at how everyone treats her like a child. She believes she is capable of understanding the upcoming conflict between England and America. Finally, Simon Cordwyn explains the situation in full to her. She slowly begins to sympathize with the Patriots but is still loyal to England.

Meanwhile, there is strife in Jane's family. Uncle Robert is a staunch Loyalist but Cousin Hugh is a dedicated Patriot. Jane is not allowed to even visit her cousin Hugh because of his Patriot leanings. However, she manages to meet him with the help of Simon Cordwyn.

As war breaks out, Jane finds herself torn between her family; half of which are Patriots, and the other half Loyalists. Jane tries to remain neutral, but finds it harder and harder to do so.

Jane is pursued not only by Brandon Ainsley, but the British officer Captain Flemming. While receiving their advances, she wonders about the whereabouts and her strange feelings concerning Simon Cordwyn.

Telling all to refer to her as "Just Jane" istead of her formal title, Lady Jane, Jane Prentice is an endearing heroine with courage, intelligence, kindness, and the presence of mind to decide for herself where her sentiments stand: with loyalty to England, or liberty for America.

As an avid reader of young adult fiction, I was immediately drawn to this interesting and beautiful book. The writing was good, the history interesting and informative, and the characters intriguing, but I had a few concerns.

My biggest concern is that adultery is made to look understandable and sympathetic. While the female, married counterpart is held accountable and punished for her part in the affair, Simon (the hero and love interest to our heroine) needs only tell Jane he has ended it in order to recieve her forgiveness. This man is regarded as the moral compass of the entire book, and yet never once is his part in the affair discussed in any way other than part of a misunderstanding which makes Jane jealous. We don't know how far this affair has gone, but isn't a romantic relationship with a married woman something that should at least be considered a flaw in this hero's past? Shouldn't we see the morally sound and defiant Jane actually consider that maybe he isn't quite her match (especially since the affair was with her aunt, old enough to be her mother)?

This is one of the many moral contradictions I find in Jane. She talks big, but can't back it up. She is horrified to find Simon is having an adulterous affair, but really only because she is jealous. She refuses to indulge the attentions of an advantageous connection for whom she has no real feelings to those who ask it of her, but then she does it anyway because she's having a good time. In fact, she continues to indulge the attentions of her cousin Brandon as well, each time only telling the truth when it suits her. And yet the other characters continue to consider her a remarkable and moral woman.

The biggest problem with this is that it is written for ages 12 and up. These are adult issues. I don't think we need to be telling 14 year old girls that it's fine to have hopes and dreams of marriage with their much older and adulterous teachers. What kind of morality is that? Even if this double standard of allowing men to get away with what makes a woman completely outcast IS historically correct, is THIS what we want to teach our teenage daughters?

I'm really horrified that a middle school teacher would be recommending and actually assigning this book to the children. I hope a letter is sent home to the parents explaining the issues contained in the book so they can make their own moral judgments and teach correct principles to their children.

It may be easy to look past these issues and applaud this novel for its other good qualities, but with considering the impressionable minds it was written for, I can see it as nothing other than an morally depricating agenda. It should not be read by children.

"Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American Revolution" holds the status as best Revolutionary War book, in my eyes. Finally, an author who wrote a female character as not rebelling against her female roles in society. Finally, an author who did not sugar coat what happened to torn families or captured men. Finally, an author who didn't need to end everything on a happy note. The beginning may seem slow, but once Jane matures and the war progresses, the story picks up speed, it will make you never want to put the book down. I recommend.

Just Jane is a fantastic read! Not only do you learn a lot about the revolution, but you have a wonderful story to get caught up in. This book lets the reader see both sides of the war,loyalist and patriot. You end up falling in love with the patriot characters and the loyalist characters. You feel everything that Jane is feeling,the confusion,the frustration,the longing for something that may never come to be. William Lavender has given us the chance to take a tiny glimpse into the struggle that the revolution caused in a divided family. Five stars for William Lavender!

I am a middle school American history teacher and have just finished reading Just Jane. I was so enthralled by the story line, that I was unable to put the book down and finished it in one day. I plan on having my class read this book as a group. It will easily reinforce some of the topics we have covered thus far this year. I highly recommend Just Jane to any middle schooler, and many adults may enjoy it as well.

I really enjoyed Just Jane because it told me not only about what happened to an American soldier during the Revolution (Brandon), but about what happened to people in his family who were only trying to say alive and not get involved (Jane, Simon, and many others). Both English people living in the colonies, as well as Americans, who had at one time gotten along and been family and friends, were forced to take sides. Because of that it was really more like a civil war. It makes the story very exciting and suspenseful, since people never knew which side their friends or family would wind up choosing (or being forced to choose), and they never knew what their enemies would do to them if the enemies wound up getting into power. I really recommend it for anyone 12 or over, girls or boys.

This is a fantastic book that I found very hard to put down!
It tells the story of the daughter of a once wealthy English earl that moves to America. She finds herself stuck in a staunch Loyalist home with family fighting on either side of the war. She must figure out who she actually is and then decide which side she supports.

This book is filled with exciting twists and turns that keep the reader hooked, as well as a touch of romance. For anyone who is hesitant to read a historical fiction book- (Like I was!) -I highly reccomend it...as well as to people who already love reading historical fiction!!!!

This book might be a little cliche, (for those who have already read alot of other books like it), but not at all bad.

For the people that think this book is unappropriate reading material for middle school kids, I'd like to note that this book does not set a bad example, the author simply is trying to describe how it was in those times.

VERY WELL WRITTEN BOOK!

Frankly, I am quite tired of reading about Revolutionary Era heroines who start out a wealthy, well bred young ladies and end up rebellious and happily settled with a suitor mentioned throughout the novel.
How cliche can you get? I knew the sotry before I opened the book: an orphaned girl moves in with relatives, soon she finds herself in the midst of war while two men; one vain but a "proper match," while the other is poor but kind hearted. The heroine slowly matures and chooses the poor suitor over the rich; she settles down and lives a life of hardships she may not have faced as a wealthy Lady, but nevertheless is happy.
Okay, so of course this is a nice tale, and I aggree with a descision to choose love over your duty. (Within reason).
But come on! This plot is entirely predictable. We know from the first meeting with Mr. Corwyn that he is meant for her and her "identity," is that of a "spirited girl" with enough intelligence to choose love over someone else.
A less, perhaps, suitable suitor.
ALright.
Bye.

This book is about Lady Jane Prentice the orphaned daughter of an English earl.She has rensently moved to Charleston,SC(then Charlestown)to live with her only living fanily.The year is 1776 and the atosmephere is very tense.One side of the family are tories and the other are patriots While exploring the city she meets the hansome Simon Cordwyn a school teacher and patriot.Which side will she choose. the book is really good a must read

Finding it hard to keep interested in a book is a bit of a problem, but not with Just Jane. It keeps you entertained all the way. From the very first page to the last. With the story being told over 4 years, you get to watch the characters grow as you read on. In Just Jane, William Lavender doesn't just tell you a story, he makes you apart of it. You won't want to stop reading once you start.