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Once
Upon a History
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In the year 1777, fourteen-year-old
Samuel Russell is torn between his family's Quaker beliefs
in non-violence and his desire to protect them from
dangers which threaten as the British army marches on
Saratoga, New York near his home. Stands Straight, a
young Abenaki Indian, also is torn by the tensions of
war, as the Americans, whom he distrusts, and the English,
who seek his people's support, prepare to do battle.
Alone after the rest of his family
dies of "the consumption", Lucas wanders into a Connecticut
town and apprentices himself to a Doc Beecher. Although
he learns quickly and the doctor is pleased, Lucas has
trouble in understanding the difference between medicine
and superstition.
The setting is Rockaway on Long
Island during World War II. The story is about Lily,
a young girl who finds her summer disrupted by events
unfolding in Europe in 1944. As her father is called
to serve overseas and her friend s brother is declared
missin missing in Normandy, Lily "crosses" to maturity,
growing from a child of fantasies and lies into a young
person of truth and understanding. Lily's friendship
with an immigrant girl teaches her how precious life
really is.
This thought-provoking work portrays
the growth of 12-year-old Will Page, a spunky, likeable
boy who has been left orphaned after the Civil War and
is compelled to live with his aunt and uncle in Virginia.
Will is especially uneasy because he cannot bring himself
to feel respect or love for his Uncle Jed, an equally
feisty and likeable character, who had refused out of
principle to fight against the Yankees - the same Yankees
who killed Will's own father.
David and Hammer Logan's family
has water, the only water in this part of drought-ridden
Mississippi. They share the water with all neighbors,
black and white. Charlie Simms carries too much prejudice
to behave kindly to the Logan boys. Anger triggers a
series of events that brings harsh results and hard
truths for both families to face.
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