Thank you all for your excellent comments. It’s so great to know that people want to read fun books about history. We have a winner!
Congratulations Morning Rose, comment #1! Please email your address!
****DARLA — FIFTH-GRADE GUEST BLOGGER****
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this book, and even more excited that Darla was so engrossed in this story of a twelve-year-old’s heroic actions during the American Revolution. I’m a history nut, so it’s especially satisfying for me to witness my kids show glimmers of interest in history. I thought it was only fitting that she write the review, especially because of our travel to Boston last summer, so what follows is her reaction. Please find giveaway instructions at the end of her review.
The book Spitfire
It feels as if you were actually on the ship being Abigail or Pascal by the ways Kate Messner used the words, telling exactly what was happening, like looking through their eyes, and using their hands. It was amazing some of the things they did back then, like surgery was cutting of their arm and dipping it in hot tar to stop the blood. Abigail and Pascal usually make the choices you would make, so it’s like a second life as Abigail or Pascal, trying to keep secrets, is helpful, and make a living at the same time.
It feels as if it actually happened, not ending as “They grew up, got married, and lived happily ever after.” It has the kind of twist that you love, that is so “wow” that you never know what is going to happen next, always wondering, always wanting to pick the book back up again and just skip homework for a night. The chapters switched from Abigail to Pascal every other one, so it can be confusing at time, but that just makes it more interesting.
I highly suggest this book to people who like reading nonfiction, or who like unusual twists and saying “oh my gosh” often in a book. I would rate this book 4 ½ stars. It is very good and I definitely recommend it.
To be considered for the contest, please leave a comment describing what interests you about the book. You may also like to learn more about the author — Kate Messner — she has a new book due for release in September. You can participate even if you don’t have a blog. Just make sure you leave a working email when you leave your comment. I’ll choose the winner at random after 5 p.m. CST on Friday, June 13. US addresses only. Thanks for stopping by!
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Tags: book review, Kate Messner, Spitfire
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10:01 pm
Sounds like an interesting book! My boys would enjoy the adventure and history aspects of Spitfire. Please enter me in the giveaway.
10:23 pm
I’d like to read about the American Revolution
12:58 am
I’m reading “Founding Mothers” by Cokie Roberts. It is full of amazing things done by amazing women.
Your book sounds as if it is amazing, too. Except the part about the surgery, eeeeeech!!!
9:36 am
[…] Spitfire by Kate Messner By Contests4Moms | May 30, 2008 Where: Pass the Torch […]
2:21 pm
You convinced me. I have to read it! I love those “oh my gosh” moments when something unexpected happens. Thanks!
7:03 pm
I’m a big fan of historical books. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
12:13 am
It has a lovely book cover. It looks like watercolors!
The American Revolution has always been an interesting topic for me! The book sounds delightful and like one the reader can
really sink their teeth into! It is fun to feel like you are living what the story line of the book. I enjoy a good historical read. Please enter me in your drawing. I really
appreciate it…..Thanks,Cindi
11:35 am
I love books and want ANY! This sounds like a good book.
4:25 pm
I’ve never read a children’s book set in that era. Count me in! I’ve also blogged it @ A Bookblogger’s Diary
5:27 pm
Your review does a phenomenal job of highlighting the book and making it seem like a must read. I’m really excited about it now. I actually enjoy the hopping back and forth from character to character every other chapter but I usually am mad it’s time to move to the next character when the chapter ends…lol. I really like the storyline and think I’ll thoroughly enjoy the book.
11:16 am
I love reading and I need a few good books for the summer. I’d love to win a copy of Spitfire. Thanks!
11:19 am
Sounds like an interesting book and my nephew likes action stories and this reads like it is an action story so I think I’d like to check it out. Even if I don’t win the contest I may have to look into getting one.
6:42 am
My daughter would love this book. I begin homeschooling her this fall, so she will be reading a lot since she loves it and she loves adventure and history.
Thanks!
8:10 am
I really like the review of your book… it sounds interesting, and I like that there are a lot of twists! Thanks!
8:25 am
The American Revolution is one of my favorite historical periods to learn about and study. I would read this, obviously enjoy it, and then save it until my two are old enough to enjoy it themselves. Thank you!
Megret
meg (dot) wilson (at) gmail (dot) com
9:51 am
We are a homeschooling family that loves to read historical fiction. The surprising moments just make it that much better. You have me convinced that we should be looking to read it.
10:16 am
It sounds like it’s from a childs perspective of the American Revolution. What a great way to get kids interested in history. My niece would love the book.
11:45 am
This book sounds great. I love how the guest blogger says the book pulls you into the past. My daughter would love this book. Great giveaway, thanks!
12:01 pm
This book sounds like a great present for my brother & sister - they love to read things like this!
3:30 am
Thank you for holding such a great giveaway! I love history, esp anything having to do with medical history, it would be interesting to see how much the author got right and how much they sensationalized.
7:22 am
count me in
10:38 am
I enjoy reading about the American Revolution, plus I think my grandson would enjoy this
7:24 pm
I love adventure stories - this sounds great!
8:39 pm
Gripping historical novels, such as the one you have described, are a fantastic way to arouse anyone’s interest in the past. If I win, I have the perfect 10-year-old recipient in mind.
4:12 am
I love history, it always sucks my attention immediately
4:07 pm
great book
9:57 pm
I like girls who step up and do brave things. Abigail posing as a boy and having an adventure is appealing to me.
12:37 am
Our school had a pirate reading adventure event this year, so this book will fit right in with all the other pirate-type books. I know they are part of the book, at least…I’d like to see just how much. Thanks!
6:26 am
When I was a youth, I was engrossed in Revolutionary War History. Living in Virginia, I went to many battlegrounds. Did plenty of reports on Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. This book looks like it follows along the lines of what I like.
9:37 am
It sounds like a wonderful historical adventure, full of surprises to keep the young reader interested. My daughter would love to read something like this. Thank you for sponsoring this giveaway.
1:10 pm
My daughter loves reading time travel and history books - sometimes we read them outloud together. This would be a great addition to our collection.
1:18 pm
Looks like a great summer read!
11:06 pm
I love these kind of stories,takes you back in time
to a place so different from today.This kind of adventure
is a good read and quite enjoyable