Customer Reviews

A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton (Shenandoah Sisters #2)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two Black girls, two White girls and a baby try to keep the plantation going and keep away any people who might do them harm. Working harder than ever is the new Mistress of the plantation, a mere 15 yr. old girl. She now oversees a very young girl and a somewhat mentally challenged new mother with a small son. Most of the people are either running or hiding from danger.

This second book brings into focus the viciousness of the baby's father and his intent on getting rid of both mother and baby. What follows is dynamic love and perserverance and the ugliness of some men's minds and their wicked meanness is almost too much to absorb.

The girls are maturing quickly and when the bank loan comes due with no money to be had, reposession is a very immediate possibility. This is where the book gets its' title, a real friend materialized and the harmony they show and their hard work pay off.

Today I finished book two and today I purchased book 3 in this series. I feel almost like family now and simply must know the future for these young people. Thank you Michael Phillips for this series.

Mayme Jukes and Katie Clairborne are two fifteen-year-old girls from worlds apart -- Mayme was born into slavery, while Katie was the daughter of a wealthy family that owned a large plantation. But in the final days of the Civil War, they both lost their families to marauders, and now they share an important secret. After Mayme, fleeing the scene of her family's murders, came across Katie, the only survivor at her plantation, Rosewood, the two girls decided to live there on their own and pretend that Katie's mother is still alive. As if that were not difficult enough, now they must protect three other people as well. Emma, a former slave, and her baby, William, are hiding at Rosewood from William's father, the son of Emma's former master. And Aleta, a young girl whose mother died as they fled from her abusive father, is living at Rosewood and is determined to never return home. Mayme and Katie have other worries as well. A loan is due soon at the bank, and if they don't pay, they will never be able to protect their secret.

This was a good sequel to "Angels Watching Over Me" that continues the story of Mayme and Katie, and introduces some new characters as well. I really enjoyed the first book, and this was an excellent sequel. It brings to life the dangers of the post-Civil War South and is a heartwarming story of friendship. I really came to care about the characters. I highly recommend these books to teens who like historical fiction about this time period. I can't wait to read the other two books in this series and find out what happens next.

The second in the Shenandoah Girls series, A DAY TO PICK YOUR OWN COTTON continues the story of Katie and Mayme. In this book the two unlikely friends, one a recently freed slave and the other the daughter of a former wealthy slave owner, continue to attempt to keep the fact that they are alone on Katie's plantation a secret. The two girls struggle to make things look "normal" on the plantation, but along the way they encounter new friends, a new roommate, dangerous visitors and financial difficulties. The story has a little of everything, there are moments that are light-hearted and humorous, others that are sad, and some that are filled with suspense, and the result is an overall enjoyable read.

While A DAY TO PICK YOUR OWN COTTON is book two in a series, the author provides enough background so that it could stand on its own. However, I think I enjoyed the book more having read the first because I had a stronger emotional connection to the main characters. Overall, this is a fast paced story that highlights many aspects of everyday life in the Post-Civil War South. The Christian themes in the book are subtle and unassuming, it was touching to watch Mayme and Katie struggle to understand God and develop a relationship with him. While this series is not specifically geared towards young adults I think they may enjoy it as much as their parents.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This book was the second entry in the Shenendoah Sisters series, and definitely lived up to the first book. As Mayme and Katie try to make their way in a strange new world of the Reconstruction South without adults, they also need to take care of Emma, her son William, and little Aleta. Their love for each other and the Lord resonates through each page. Phillips has a great voice for these girls and the way they struggle through each day. This is a series I'm hooked on.

A Day To Pick Your Own Cotton is the engaging story of two girls, one the daughter of a slave and the other the daughter of a plantation owner. Both girls have been orphaned by the Civil War and must struggle to live and provide a sanctuary to others. An enduring story by popular and prolific Christian novelist Michael Philips, A Day To Pick Your Own Cotton is enhanced by vivid description and poignant characterization.

Great story that can teach us all--easy reading This is part of a series. Read them all together. This is how we should look at one another

This 4/set Series by Michael Phillips is wonderful. Interesting,Exciting,Encouraging and we learned how to do many things from these stories.

Awesome series! I love Michael Phillips books about this time period in American history. The book has some outstanding and well developed characters. You feel as though you know them personally.

The books in this series have a wonderful multicultural and biracial theme. The characters are morally and ethically attentive. I like this series for young secondary female students--very empowering.

Do read the series in order. You will enjoy the sequencing of the events in the lives of these brave sisters who encounter tremendous odds during the American slavery system and post Civil war era.

I have the entire series and several other books written by this author. Michael Phillips is a great author and he writes wonderful books.

My book came quickly, in great condition, for a cheap price. Great service and product!

I am an avid reader of Michael Phillips books. He has never disappointed me since I began reading his books. This series is a continuing saga of the South during the early years of slavery and their freedom and hardships attaining that freedom. Once you start reading the series it is hard to lay the books down. I recommend his books to anyone who likes history and living the life of a Christian all tied into one.