Amelina Carrett : Bayou Grand Coeur, Louisiana 1863 (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Written with insight and sensitivity, this entertaining story has a protagonist whose courage and fortitude allow her to overcome the prejudices of the Civil War and help a fellow human being. Amelina has been living with her Nonc Alain since the death of her parents. Though used to being left alone while her uncle is off fishing and trapping, she becomes frightened when she hears gunfire near her Cajun community. The discovery of a wounded Yankee soldier forces her to make a decision between what is right and what is wrong. Succinctly written, this tale has strong characterization and an interesting narrative describing the natural, cultural, and historical aspects of Cajun life in the Louisiana bayou during a volatile period in American history. Amelina's actions are juxtaposed against a marchand's hatred for the Yankees and her uncle's treatment of the war as a way of making money. Amelina is neither ignorant nor naive when it comes to the issue of slavery. She doesn't judge the soldier for fighting and he, in turn, doesn't try to sway her toward his abolitionist views. She offers the man her father's clothing and the pirogue he made her, and he gives her his address so that they may correspond after the war. These symbolic gestures of friendship overshadow the turmoil of the war, creating an enriching tale written from the heart.
Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

BAYOU GRAND COEUR, LOUISIANA
1863

I wonder if the Confederates think of this war as their own? Or the Yankees? Who would want a war to be their own?

Amelina is frightened. She is used to being alone while her Nonc Alain is away trading, but now Yankee soldiers are so close that she can sometimes hear the rumble of gunfire. Just because her close-knit Cajun community has for the most part been uninvolved in the war doesn't mean Nonc Alain's farm would be spared if the Yankees swept through the area.

When Amelina makes a startling discovery that challenges everything she's been told about the Yankees, she is forced to make her own decision about what is right and what is wrong. Can she find the courage to face the danger that her decision brings?

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689824025
• ISBN-13: 978-0689824029
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,046,755 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good American Diaries book., March 18, 1999

By	Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Thirteen-year-old Amelina, who is Cajun, is an orphan. Since she was eight she has lived with her uncle on his small house on the bayou. But now it's 1863, the Civil War is creeping closer to Bayou Grand Coeur, and Amelina discovers a hurt Yankee. Helping him will risk her own life. Can she do what is right? I enjoyed this book. It was very exciting and historically accurate

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the time, March 2, 2005

By	sayitwitme - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amelina Carrett: Bayou Grand Coeur, Louisiana, 1863 (American Diaries) (School & Library Binding)

Although this book displays the civil war prejudice and hardships people of that time endured, this book is not worded and written in a way that you are just engrossed in reading the text. When I read a book, I have to be interested in it from the get-go. When reading this book, you'll have to be patient for it to become the least bit interesting.