My America: A Time To Dance, Virginia Civil War Diary, Book Three
Grade 3-6--In this third installment of Virginia's diary, the war has just ended and the Dickens family moves to New York City. Pa is a musician, but has difficulty finding jobs until he takes in music students. Virginia helps out with her baby nephew, but later gets a job as a dresser for the actresses at a theater. This opens up the world of plays and words to the 11-year-old and helps support her family's modest income. This diary provides a glimpse into the post-Civil War period, as seen through one family's experience. Virginia seems a little bit too mature for her age, exhibiting a sophisticated grasp of political events and even of the plays of William Shakespeare. However, readers who have followed her through the first two books will enjoy the continuation of her story. A first-rate historical note, which includes black-and-white illustrations, puts the time period into context.--Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.