In My Father's House (Point) (Paperback)

by Ann Rinaldi (Author) "Before the war they called the area where I lived in northern Virginia, Tudor Hall When the war started in 1861, it became known as..." (more)
Key Phrases: nigra servants, warming kitchen, hair wreath, Mary Ann, Daddy Will, Maum Hanna (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Oscie struggles with her stepfather as the Civil War rages on. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
By an extraordinary quirk, the McLean family entertained Confederates at their Manassas home just before the battle of Bull Run--and also hosted the peace negotiations at Appomattox, where they had moved to escape the war. Staying close to documented facts, as detailed in an excellent note, Rinaldi uses the McLeans' lives to dramatize the war's moral dilemmas. From his marriage in 1852, Will McLean has an uneasy relationship with his feisty seven-year-old stepdaughter Osceola (``Oscie''), the narrator; though she loves and respects the northern governess Will hires, and absorbs many of her ideas, Oscie is uneasy with Will's progressive stance toward slavery and, later, with his profiteering. Some of Rinaldi's inventions are unevenly developed--Oscie's long-held suspicions of one slave (dispelled when she understands her true story); a couple of romances typical of the era--though they do fill out the story. The most compelling relationship is between Oscie and Will, strong-minded characters, often opposed, whose mutual respect turns believably into a father-daughter bond, touchingly acknowledged in the last scene. Meanwhile, the author skillfully weaves history into her story--offstage battles, resentment against profiteers, a remarkable depiction of the northern generals taking the McLeans' furniture as memorabilia of Lee's surrender. Despite some weaknesses (Oscie at seven is unbelievably mature, and there's a 20th-century feel to some of the dialogue): a sweeping, dramatic overview of the war, authentic and compelling. Bibliography; chronology. (Fiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590447319
• ISBN-13: 978-0590447317
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,106 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History, romance, war, family, death, October 22, 2001

By	Jason M. Sheen (Lehi, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the first Ann Rinaldi book I have read. I like reading books based during the Civil War, so this grabbed my attention. It turned out to be even better then expected! It has true history with some pieces filled in based on Rinaldi's imagination. Also--romance, war, family, death, wealth, poverty and more. I read this book in just a few days because it was so good.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on a little known irony of the Civil War, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

This was the first Ann Rinaldi book I have read. I was immediately drawn to the characters and Ms. Rinaldi's wonderful talent for storytelling. She carefully built and detailed the relationship between the heroine, Oscie Mason, and her step-father, Will McLean, and how their relationship changes as a result of the War between the States and Oscie's growing to adulthood. I was fascinated by the little known fact that the Civil War started and ended on the property of the McLean family. I would highly recommend this book to any high school American history class. Ann Rinaldi has brought history alive again.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to read a great book, read In My Fathers House., February 15, 2000

By A Customer

Ann Rinaldi puts forth nothing but her best in all her books, especially In My Father's House. Rinaldi's main character is Oscie. She is young, free-spirited and interesting. Oscie is trapped between her world of luxury down South and the war taking place on her front lawn. This book is full of excitement, danger and sadness. Evertything from sisters drowning, war happening and Oscie's tutor causing a riot because she was from the North is right in the pages of this wonderful book. I loved it! It was suspenceful, sad , happy,and interesting all at the same time. It tells a lot of truth about the Civil War. If you are a big fan of Gone With The Wind it is inevitable that you will enjoy In My Fathers House by Ann Rinaldi.