The Promise Quilt

by Candice F. Ransom, Ellen Beier (Illustrator)

Addie's father promised that she would learn to read and write her name. But when he doesn't return from the Civil War, it seems as if Addie's dreams might be lost with him. The war has been hard on the whole country, but it has devastated the South. It is a struggle for Addie's mother to find food for her children. Finding the money for desks and books for their education seems impossible, and she tells them that they'll have to wait. But Addie doesn't want to wait. She pleads with her mother to help find a way to make good on her father's promise. So Addie's mother uses her skill to craft a beautiful quilt which, with the help of a friend in the North who can auction it for them, will pay for the new school supplies. But not before Addie must decide to sacrifice something she treasures for something she so longs for.A poignant Civil War tale told from the Southern perspective, Addie's story is sure to make its mark on the hearts and minds of all who understand and share her thirst for knowledge and self-realization.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Childrens, Civil War, American History

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

See also Candice Ransom

Ransom has published more than 150 books for children, and she is amazed every day that she's able to do this as her life's work. It's no small thing to discover at an early age (ten!) what one is meant to do, and then pursue that dream. For her, the best part of writing for children is that she can move between writing board books, picture books, easy readers, chapter books, middle grade novels, nonfiction, and biography. She is excited to move into picture book nonfiction with BONES IN THE WHITE HOUSE: THOMAS JEFFERSON'S MAMMOTH (Doubleday, 2020).

AMANDA PANDA QUITS KINDERGARTEN and the sequel AMANDA PANDA AND THE BIGGER, BETTER BIRTHDAY (Doubleday) are her first picture books with animal characters! She is proud of her easy readers featuring a brother and sister having fun throughout the year: PUMPKIN DAY, APPLE PICKING DAY, SNOW DAY, and GARDEN DAY. Look for more titles in this Level 1 series written in bouncy rhyme, plus the popular TOOTH FAIRY'S NIGHT (all Random House).

Reviews

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addie happily lives with her family in the mountains of Virginia, but when her father leaves to be a scout during the Civil War, he doesn’t come home. His red flannel shirt is the only thing that returns, and eventually, it becomes part of a quilt sold to buy books for the school Addie’s father promised she would attend.

Beautiful story that helps children understand some of the difficulties of the Civil War without emphasizing the horrors. The pictures enhance the story and show the sadness that many suffered. The remaining family works to feed themselves after the war. Addie makes the sacrifice of giving away her father’s shirt to help her and others. Her mother makes the quilt to buy the books. The author’s note tells about history of the quilt pattern used in the story.

[Grace Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise Quilt was a wonderful historical fiction book to read telling about a story of a young girl named Addie and her family during the civil war. I liked how the author provided historical context at the end of the book about information regarding the civil war. This would be a great read aloud for grades 2nd-4th and students are able to relate to this book by seeing the difference of what life was like for children during the civil war compared to their own lives. Addie gave up something that was important to her in order to impact children's lives to be able to read and go to school. Students reading this are able to see the importance of how their actions and what they do can affect others.

In my future classroom, I would use this activity to teach students about the trying times in the civil war using a venn diagram. Students can compare and contrast the differences and similarities between life of families and Addie during the civil war and life in the modern day world. Another idea would be for students to make their own promise quilt remembering the promises left behind.

This book was a WOW book for me because I think it is a great way for students to imagine life during the civil war, while learning about historical aspects, and for teachers to create creative learning activities based on the book.

[Annie O'Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Promise Quilt" by Candice Ransom is a really great children's book. The illustrations are rich and colorful. It tells a story of a young girl named Addie who is promised by her father to one day attend school. Unfortunately, her father gets enlisted in the Civil War and does not return home again. Through a series of events, Addie and her mother raise money to have school supplies and she learns the importance of attending school, just as her father wanted. To raise the money, Addie has to use a flannel from her father so that her mother can make a quilt that will be sold. This story is a great one for young children who are learning how to cherish moments things in life.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad, touching book.
This book describes the hardships that war can bring and one mother’s determination to find a way for her children to go to school. 5 stars!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the civil war comes to the deep woods of Virginia, a little girl learns the hardest way to live and remember with love. This is a touching story that emphasizes healing. My third grader has added this to her favorite books list!

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The family lives in the hills of Virginia. The father promises the kids that when they get bigger they'll go to school. The father has to leave for the army when the Civil War breaks out.

The father dies in the war.

When the mother says they'll be no school, the kids remind her that the father promised.

A neighbor donates his shed as a place. A women's group from the North will supply the books if the mother sends a quilt for auction. Mama makes the quilt (in the pattern Lee's Surrender), but needs some fabric to finish. The girl volunteers Papa's red flannel shirt, which she's been wearing to remind herself of Papa. The quilt is beautiful and they have plenty of new books for the school. So, even though Papa died, he was able to help keep his promise.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the families left behind, the Civil War changed everything. Here's one story of trying to pursue dreams and keep a promise.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

49 months - A short simple historical fiction of a post civil war family and a young girl's desire to go to school. We enjoyed it.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes:
loved the illustrations more than the story
civil war in VA -- young girl's story of loss and poverty

[Tara]

Bitter sweet story about one family during the civil war. The story is moving- I'm not sure if I enjoy the way it is written. I may joy want my students to write in English like that!