Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The inspiring diary of a "Hello Girl", October 22, 2002
This review is from: When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western Front 1917 (Dear America Series) (Hardcover)
The year is 1917, and for seventeen-year-old Simone Spencer the World War overseas has caused her world to take a 360-degree turn. Her brother, Will, is in the army, and Simone finds with each passing day that her high society life in New York is far from what she wants. Searching for some meaning in her life, Simone finally volunteers to be a "Hello Girl," better know as French speaking girls who work as switchboard operators. Little does Simone know the many challenges the raging war will through her and the influence she will play. As each day passes with new surprises, all Simone wishes for is that her family will return intact and well. Being a big fan of "Hello Girls", the ones who helped bring the Allie victory, I was very excited to finally find out they were going to do a piece on them. Though this diary was written by a virtual unknown, I felt Beth Levine did a great job writing this diary and should be commended. Another book I would recommend to read is Survival in the Storm, by a fifteen-year-old sensation. To close it up, I recommend all to read this new Dear America book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorites of the Dear America series, October 26, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western Front 1917 (Dear America Series) (Hardcover)
Since I am very interested in the World War I era, I assumed this would be a great book. It was better than I expected, and very well-written. The story is about Simone Spencer, a seventeen-year-old who is pretty much bored and can't decide on what to do when school lets out. She begins her new diary stating that America is in war. After many are called to fight at the front, Simone's brother is one who leaves for France. Simone thinks about becoming a nurse, but then learns about the request for French-speaking American girls to handle the switchboards at the war front. Since her mother is French, and because she has learned the language, Simone decides that this is what she wants to do. She works very hard and meets a friend, Alice, who becomes very close. While over at France, Simone meets one of her brother's friends, who is also a soldier, Sam. Simone feels that meeting him is her love story. When both he and her brother, William, have to travel to another location, Simone is back to concentrating on her job. Soon Alice becomes sick and unexpectedly dies, which leaves Simone devastated. When the war is won, she immediately returns home, only to find out that everyone says Sam died. Somehow, she can feel that everyone is wrong. When visiting the hospital, she comes upon a soldier who lost his leg -- Sam. Simone finally finds true happiness at that Christmas. This was an excellent book, one of my favorites in the Dear America series, and I would definitely recommend it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful new book from the Dear America series., October 17, 2002
This review is from: When Christmas Comes Again: The World War I Diary of Simone Spencer, New York City to the Western Front 1917 (Dear America Series) (Hardcover)
Seventeen-year-old Simone Spencer finds her life as a member of New York City society in 1917 empty, especially with the United States entering World War I and her older brother enlisting in the army. Simone is searching for meaning in her life, something she can do to contribute to the war effort -- and she thinks she has found it when she learns of a need for French-speaking American women to work as switchboard operators on the front. Simone travels to France, but is little prepared for the devastation of war. She forms close friendships and even falls in love with a young soldier. But on the front every new day is unpredictable, and Simone wonders if she and those she cares about will make it out of the war intact. I highly recommend this new Dear America books to fans of the series. I'd been hoping the series would put out a book about World War I, and I'm glad they finally have.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
