The year is 1774, and the British army has blockaded Boston. Ten-year-old Emma is stuck at Aunt Harmony's house in the city, far from her family. Emma desperately wants to help the American struggle for freedom. When Papa gives her a secret code the militia uses, she finally gets her chance to change the course of history.
From 1774 to 1776, Emma describes in her journal her stay in Boston, where she witnesses the British blockade and spies for the American militia. Features hand-printed text, drawings, and marginal notes.
Anonymous
Posted April 30, 2008
Moss. M. (1999). Emma¿s Journal: The Story of a Colonial Girl. New York: Scholastic. Synopsis: The story, based during Colonial times, is about, Emma, a ten year old who leaves her family farm for Boston to be her aunt¿s servant girl. Also living with she and her aunt is Thankful, a loyalist whom was sent by her uncle to learn the piano, penmanship, and more about becoming a lady. Emma is sad through most of the story because she is sad she is away from her family. She spends her time cleaning and spying on the Brittish. Her goal is to be a hero and becomes one when she has Amos bring a message to Colonel Presscott telling him that attacks were going to be made on various American¿s. Luckily, the partriot soldiers were able to get a head start, and while many American¿s died, her message still save many. Hard times follow with the small pox outbreak, food is scarce, and their colony is being destroyed by the Brittish. George Washington, tne newly appointed would lead the army, and the colonies from British Rule. The story ends two weeks after the Declaration of Independence. Emma concludes with contentment of being back with her family and pride for all who helped contribute to the beginning of the United States of America. Evaluation: The book portrays the heart of a patriotic Colonial girl and the risks she takes to me more than just a servant girl. One clear strength of the book is the author¿s ability to identify heroism as the common theme and goal for many of the characters presented in the book, especially Emma. The author¿s note informs the reader that through researching and reading many journals of women and girls during this time period enabled the author to provide first hand accounts of what it was like at the time to be a female. Values of which individuals held were clearly reflected through characters presented as loyalists and patriots. Furthermore, the dialogue is realistic to the time period. While some vocabulary seemed advanced for any ten-year despite the time period, humor and different figures of speech are evident in the book. Noted Americans and references to specific events, such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, which are typically addressed in text books, are described in this book in an easy to understand manner. This text would be best suited for any gender in fourth and fifth grade. While the narrator of the story is a female, males can relate to the other multiple characters introduced and held in high regard for their patriotism and heroism. The author has written related works such as Hannah¿s Journal: The Story of a Girl in the Depression. Both stories share historical events, but use a fictional character to help reflect how individuals, specifically children, felt during both time periods. References: Moss, M. (2001). Hannah¿s Journal: The Story of a Girl in the Depression. New York: Scholastic.
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Posted March 13, 2004
Although you can't get much off the beginning, once the first page is turned, it's an awesome book full of excitement and action and lots of fun.
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Posted November 28, 2002
This book is really good and I liked it. You should really read it because you will probably like it!
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Posted April 4, 2001
This book was truly epic and exciting. It really helps you understand what colonial children went throught.I recomend this book to anyone who likes a true adventure
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Posted March 12, 2001
This was a good book. It really helps you understand the colonial life for a child. The things Emma goes throught are truly epic and exciting! I recommend this book to anyone who likes true adventure.
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Overview
The year is 1774, and the British army has blockaded Boston. Ten-year-old Emma is stuck at Aunt Harmony's house in the city, far from her family. Emma desperately wants to help the American struggle for freedom. When Papa gives her a secret code the militia uses, she finally gets her chance to change the course of history.
From 1774 to 1776, Emma describes in her journal her stay in Boston, where she witnesses the British blockade and spies for the American militia....