A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick
Grade 7-9-- The legend of Tempe Wick, a young Colonial woman who hid her horse in her house to protect him from mutinous Revolutionary soldiers, is related through the eyes of her 14-year-old cousin Mary. The author's note states that Rinaldi made Mary the narrator "because Tempe was 22 at the time of the mutiny and too old for a young adult novel." However, this changes the focus of the story in a disconcerting manner: Mary is the level-headed, sensible, fiery patriot, while Tempe is portrayed as a beautiful girl turned bitter, confused, and overwhelmed by the war and her family responsibilities. Rinaldi makes excellent use of her research into the period, establishing a believable army camp with such historical figures as General Anthony Wayne, as well as real soldiers whose letters provided details for the story. Unfortunately the narrative alternately bogs down or becomes melodramatic. While Mary naturally matures during her wartime experiences, she often seems wise beyond her years, especially when quoting a beloved brother's platitudes on life. Although Rinaldi's effort is admirable, Tempe's story is much more appealing in Patricia Lee Gauch's version for younger readers, This Time, Tempe Wick? (Coward, 1974). --Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, County of Henrico Public Library--Fairfield Area Library, Richmond, VACopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.