The Literacy Bridge - Large Print - A Ride Into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Ann Ridaldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2005 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: The Literacy Bridge - Large Print

The Pennsylvania Line of the American Revolutionary Army has camped on Tempe Wick's farm. Every day her cousin Mary Cooper watches as Tempe grows more impatient with the waste and destruction of war. The soldiers are weak and suffering from the cold. Their families are starving. So Mary understands - although she does not approve - when Tempe's sympathies start to drift away from the Revolutionary Cause.

Available only in The Literacy Bridge 5.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator "because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel." However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

Grade 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator "because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel." However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VA
  (School Library Journal )

A suspenseful read . . . realistic and . . . exciting." (Booklist ) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 383 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (September 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786279575
• ISBN-13: 978-0786279579
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,604,902 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

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think the book was very good overall., October 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick (Hardcover)

I think the book was really good...it portrayed the characters in a different type of light. My personal perspective was that it was very well written...It is seldom that someone can describe and tell without making us all snooze in our seats. This is also a good book to read in class, because there is much to discuss. There is more to the story than you see by reading it. You must think about the whole plot and relate to the character. So, this is a definite must read!

3.0 out of 5 stars History Plus but does it Matter?, August 21, 2009

By 

Willow "sdec" (New York,, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick (Paperback)

I learned about the plight of Revolutionary soldiers and the New Jersey battleground. However, although several of the minor characters are well portrayed and involve the reader's emotions and hopes, the lead character Mary Cooper, does not...at least in my reading. This book is well written and the plot (I assume most of it is historically based) has good twists and turns. It may well have been difficult to portray two young women in semi 'lead' roles and make their problems tug at the reader's heartstrings. Even such a good writer as Ann Rinaldi can't be perfect!

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Favorite., October 5, 2007

By 

Alyssa O. ""san diego sun"" (Sunny California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick (Paperback)

This book is okay but I much rather would have read about Mary Cooper's life before she came to live with her awful cousin and aunt. She seemed like more of an interesting person and a staunch Patriot than her stuck-up cousin.