The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America) [Hardcover]

Kristiana Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Dear America

In her beloved diary, eleven-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart chronicles the despair and the hope of the winter of 1777 and 1778, when she witnesses the struggles of George Washington and his soldiers on the fields of Valley Forge.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?The hardships of the Revolutionary Army at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78 have become symbolic of patriotism and perseverance. This novel recounts the experience through the eyes of 11-year-old Abby Stewart, whose family lives near the encampment. Abby's childlike yet perceptive diary records her varying emotions toward the soldiers?curiosity, pity, anger, revulsion, enthusiasm?as she observes and interacts with them. Although Gregory's overall tone is positive, she doesn't neglect the downside of army life (disease, desertion, thievery) or the horrors of war. Daily events?chores (especially cooking and laundry), amusements, trials, worries, family interactions?are smoothly woven into the story. The Winter of Red Snow gives readers an interesting and realistic look at the Revolutionary War. However, the quaint language ("I could speak not") is awkward. A two-page epilogue fills readers in on these fictional characters' fates, and a lengthy historical note provides documentation on life in 18th-century America.?Ann W. Moore, Guilderland Public Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; First Printing edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590226533
• ISBN-13: 978-0590226530
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristiana Gregory grew up in Manhattan Beach, California, two blocks from the ocean. She's always loved to make up stories [ask her family!], telling her younger siblings whoppers that would leave them wide-eyed and shivering. Her first rejection letter at age ten was for a poem she wrote in class when she was supposed to be doing a math assignment. She's had a myriad of odd jobs: telephone operator, lifeguard, camp counselor, reporter, book reviewer & columnist for the LA Times, and finally author.

"Jenny of the Tetons" [Harcourt] won the Golden Kite Award in 1989 and was the first of two-dozen historical novels for middle grade readers. "Bronte's Book Club" [Holiday House] is set in a town by the sea and is inspired by the girls' book club she led for several years. "My Darlin' Clementine" [HH] takes place in an Idaho mining camp of 1866, based on the song of that name.

Her popular "Cabin Creek Mysteries" are from stories she told her sons when they were little and needed a bribe to go to bed. All she needed to say was, "Do you guys want to hear a Jeff and David story?" and boom they were there. Kristiana's most recent title is "Cannons At Dawn" in Scholastic's Dear America series, a sequel to the best-selling "The Winter of Red Snow," which was made into a movie for the HBO Family Channel.

Kristiana and her husband have two adult sons, and live in Idaho with their two golden retrievers. In her spare time she loves to swim, walk, read, and hang out with friends. She's trying to learn to knit, but isn't yet having much success.

Check out Kristiana's blogs at http://notesfromthesunroom.blogspot.com/ for behind-the-scenes stories about her books, and with photos from her childhood.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A young girl observes the events at Valley Forge in 1777-78., July 23, 2000

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America) (Hardcover)

Abigail Jane Stewart, called Abby by her family and friends, is the narrator of this fictional diary. She is only eleven when the American army makes camp near her home in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in December of 1777. She and her older sister, Elisabeth, and younger sister, Sally, are worried about their mother and newborn brother, but they try to help the army in whatever way they can. Abby, her mother, and sisters do laundry for General Washington, and Abby and Elisabeth sew for the soldiers and visit the encampment with Mrs. Washington to help with the sick soldiers. In viewing the horror of war firsthand, Abby matures from a child who views war as an adventure to a girl who, in spite of her young age, understands the sacrifices the soldiers are making to fight for freedom. This was one of the first Dear America books I read, and I still remember how very much I enjoyed it. It started me out on my way to loving this series.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for all Revolutionary War "fans", January 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America) (Hardcover)

This book is a must-read for all Revolutionary War fans. Anyone who likes to read accounts about our nation's past will love The Winter of Red Snow. This book is a fictional diary about Abigail Jane Stewart, an 11-year-old girl who lived at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. It tells of her feelings toward life, the war, the army, etc. It is a great account. While reading this book, I felt like I had traveled back in time. I felt like I was right there with Abigail. When Abigail helped Martha Washington on her walks through the army's camp, I could see, hear, and even smell the sick and dying soldiers in my mind. Abigail's vivid descriptions brought such clear, sharp pictures to my mind, it made me wish I was a painter so I could paint them. I recommend this book to anyone who likes diaries from wartimes, or just the Revolutionary War in general. It is full of detail, description, and vivid feelings and thoughts. It's a real page-turner, and is very hard to put down.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful window on history., February 21, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America) (Hardcover)

This book should be near the top of the list of books for young adults, perferably nine to twelve, to read. History comes alive through details on life from a young girl's perspective. Even kids who don't like to learn about history will love this book, and most likely other books by this author. The details in this book: especially the descriptions of the soldiers trudging through the snow, will pull (willingly, I might add :)) any young adult into American History. Yet, the story still has a lightheartedness that children will enjoy. There is a wonderful plot, and a happy ending. This book will enthrall young adults and keep them reading until the last page is turned. History is something everyone should know about, and the author makes it possible so even the young can enjoy it.