Weaver's Daughter [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002 | Age Level: 9 and up

In 1791 after her family's journey from Pennsylvania, ten-year-old Lizzie suffers from the disease of asthma in her new home in the Southwest Territory (present-day Tennessee).

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After writing two WWI novels (Ruthie's Gift and One-of-a-Kind Mallie), Bradley turns to the close of the 18th century to gently explore the fears of a pioneer girl afflicted with asthma. Lizzy Baker, a 10-year-old living in the Southwest Territory, dreads the coming of each autumn when she suffers her sick spells. Convinced that she cannot survive another bout, Lizzy is haunted by her impending death until a neighbor, the local midwife, reminds her that she has two choices about how to spend the rest of her days: to be "afraid of everything" or to be "afraid of nothing at all." The somber tone that permeates the first half of the book abruptly disperses when Lizzy consciously makes the latter choice and concentrates on the present. Readers will share the heroine's joy as she welcomes a new baby sister into the world and uses her talents at spinning and weaving to make a coverlet that is her "one own thing." Bradley introduces a family from Charleston, wealthy Mrs. Beaumont and her handsome stepson, to contrast attitudes from other parts of the country, including the Bakers' opposition to slavery and the subtle ways Lizzy and her sisters find to express their views. Besides shedding light on the era's customs, values and medicinal practices, the author conveys a comforting message through Lizzy's bittersweet experiences. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A compelling story set in the Southwest Territory (now Tennessee) in the 1790s. Ten-year-old Lizzy and her family do not know what makes her so sick every fall. They realize, however, that it is life threatening and use the proceeds from the sale of a handwoven coverlet, with which they'd hoped to buy a pig, to pay for a doctor's services. His remedy-a purgative-gives the illusion of a respite, but then the weather changes and her asthma returns in force. Even after winter comes and Lizzy is feeling better, she worries about her future. She is convinced that she cannot survive another bout of illness and tries to come to terms with her impending death and to assuage the guilt she feels for the burden she is placing on her family. Salvation comes in the form of the wealthy slave-owning Beaumonts, who have settled briefly in the area and plan to return to their plantation in Charleston, SC. They offer to take Lizzy with them and love her as their own in the hope that the salubrious seaside climate will help to keep her alive. Bradley describes the frightening sensations of a severe asthma attack with the authenticity of personal experience. She also gives thoughtful treatment to the dubious morality of slavery and whether those opposed to it are obligated to speak out. Bradley's characters are rounded enough to display conflicted sentiments. A surprisingly rich book, given its slimness.
Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 173 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786237635
• ISBN-13: 978-0786237630
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,658,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A girl tries to live her life even as death hangs over her., August 31, 2000

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Weaver's Daughter (Hardcover)

Most of the time, ten-year-old Lizzie Baker is happy with her family's life on the Tennessee frontier in the 1790s. Except for every fall, when Lizzie's asthma becomes so terrible that she can barely breathe. And this fall, it was so bad that Lizzie nearly died. The doctors and the local midwife try several treatments, but none of them really seem to work. Lizzie resigns herself to dying, and decides to just try and enjoy the year she has left until next fall, which she surely won't survive - each fall, her asthma gets worse and worse, and she couldn't possibly survive an attack worse than the last one. Lizzie enjoys spending time with visitors to the community - a wealthy surveyor and his wife and son. The wealthy family, the Beaumonts, live by the sea in South Carolina. Some people say that the sea air might help Lizzie's lungs. When the Beaumonts offer to adopt Lizzie and take her to South Carolina, she must make a choice - stay in Tennessee, where she will surely die but with the comfort of her family nearby, or go far away where she could still die, far from home? I highly reccomend this book. It's a great historical novel and an inspiring story about a young girl's amazing courage and determination. I don't think I could ever be as brave as Lizzie.