The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap [Hardcover]

H. M. Bouwman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Set on fictional islands off northeast America in 1787, this story features two twelve-year-old girls from different cultures who must join forces to save themselves, their people, and one special baby. It's part historical (based on convicts who were sent to the Americas and Australia) and part fantasy. Above all, it's a captivating adventure in the tradition of The Princess Bride with shipwrecks, curses, chases, murder plots, magic (of all kinds), romantic legends, thieves and politicians (sometimes both), a caring schoolteacher and a handsome horse groom, a pair of feisty (sometimes difficult) heroines, and the mysterious power of story-telling at its center!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—On the island of Tatenland, in 1787, all of the men have mysteriously been turned to stone, and male babies are taken to the statue garden when they are born to meet their fate. When Lucy's brother is born, she is determined to save him, and after meeting with a local wise woman, she sets out for another island where he will be kept safe. Along the way she meets Snowcap, the orphaned daughter of the governor, who is herself on the run from the regent and steward who are intent on killing her. At first the 12-year-old girls don't get along, but they eventually band together to save themselves and solve the mystery of how the native men came to be turned to stone. While an interesting premise, the story seems to meander from one minor adventure to the next, and the climactic battle between the girls and the evil steward is snuffed out before it can fully flame. Lucy and Snowcap are nicely developed, but the villains and other minor characters lack substance. This is a serviceable story, with interesting characters and some adventure that will hold the interest of fantasy fans.—Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA
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Review

"Beautifully written, fully realized, fast-paced-this blurs the line between fantasy and history and has winner written all over it." STARRED REVIEW, Best Books of 2008 --Kirkus Reviews, Aug. 1, 2008

"Reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker series in concept, and Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea in style, Bouwman's title will read aloud well." --Booklist, October 2008

"The page-turning adventure fronts for a subtle moral tale about loyalty, perseverance, and the power of finding one's own particular gifts." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, November 2008

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 270 pages
• Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761454411
• ISBN-13: 978-0761454410
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'remarkable' and engaging story more than just simply fun to read (which it is!), October 30, 2008

By 

A. Waterbug (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap (Hardcover)

To any nine - thirteen year old girl, "Lucy and Snowcap" is one of those 'must have' books. In fact, (mother to two girls in that age range), I have enjoyed it immensely myself. The younger of my two daughters can get overwhelmed by large books but was never frustrated reading this one. My oldest daughter has declared that there must be a sequel and she will hound the author to ask her to write one.

The story is gripping and engaging throughout. The strong personalities of the girls make them very real and characters with whom one can easily connect. Watching Lucy and Snowcap develop and mature along their journey offers children a chance to recognize their own weaknesses, knowing there is always room for growth. The points of decision for the characters highlight just how important making the right choice is, how our actions and words affect the world outside ourselves.

Philip, the tutor, is a great comic relief. His obvious self-inflated ego goes hand in hand with an ignorance that is both common and hilarious. His character development is another example of the value in one's decisions.

The conflict between the Colay (the native people) and the European settlers is dealt with showing the complexity of the situation but written in a language easy enough for young children to understand. Even though this historical reality was harsh for native peoples, the author finds positive ways to handle it without being trite. This topic is one of great importance and merits more discussion. This book gives teachers and parents an opportunity for such. I would recommend "The Remarkable and Very True Story of Lucy and Snowcap" for book clubs, classrooms, and as a gift for any maturing young girl. I plan to buy more to give as gifts myself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Worth the Wait..., October 26, 2008

By 

deb troehler (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap (Hardcover)

Worth the wait...

H.M. Bouwman could not have said it better in her first young adult novel, "...stories are treasures...tell them only at the correct time." With the current world situation, The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap arrives at the PERFECT time. Both a lesson for teens and a reminder to adults, this tale conveys a timeless message-that it is never too late to change our ways and "nothing is ever set in stone."

I first met Bouwman at a local library where she spoke with future authors about her long journey from manuscript to publication. She was quite personable and approachable, A WRITER WHOSE STORY I WOULD TRULY LIKE TO READ. While I usually prefer short stories and magazine articles, I had no trouble finishing this book in two days. I can't say that I was absorbed directly into this story. I was more of a passive participant-watching the events unfold, but still able to connect those events with my own life experiences.

Bouwman's characters are imperfect, most of them capable of viewing others only through their own eyes and with their prejudices. They are selfish, self-serving and sometimes downright cruel. Yet, the characters' imperfections are what brought them to life. Throughout the story, the reader can hypothesize the reason why Snowcap is so mean to others, but that reason is not directly confirmed until late in the story. The reader is in charge of the "ah-ha" moments.

The pacing in this story is as perfect as it gets! The plot unfolds slowly and deliberately, encouraging the reader to put the pieces together, as a mystery. For example, an interesting event takes place when Snowcap and Lucy finally realize their connection to each other (I must be honest, most readers may put those pieces together earlier than I did-on page 112.). Yet, Bouwman does not make the connection between the two girls a meeting of the minds, as it were. Each character has her own demons to slay before she is ready to become available and vulnerable to someone else. Not all characters manage a positive transformation in their lifetime. However, Bouwman still manages to eventually "cast" even the most sinister character in a better light.

It must also be mentioned that Bouwman's story will appeal to young readers for other reasons. Magic, sorcery, and shape-shifting are important elements of modern novels. Here again, Bouwman creates her own recipe from these elements. Instead of becoming a sauce that saturates the plot, the use of magic and sorcery are sprinkled sparingly throughout. When magic takes place in a scene, there is still the question in the back of the reader's mind-was this really magic or a clever manipulation of facts? (To me, exactly as it should be-magic should always remain a bit of a mystery)

In the end, Bouwman's patience with the release of her novel perfectly parallels the theme of this book-with patience, anything is possible. Her story is most definitely WORTH THE WAIT.

5.0 out of 5 stars Book - Lucy and Snowcap, September 18, 2009

By 

Julie L. Gray "Book Lover" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Remarkable & Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap (Hardcover)

My daughter had been looking for this book for quite a while. The one we ordered and received was in good condition and it was a great gift!