What do you think?
Rate this book
Divided Decade Collection #1
The Candle Star
After a tantrum, Emily Preston is shipped from her plantation home to her inn-keeping uncle in Detroit. There she meets Malachi, son of freed slaves, who challenges many ideas she grew up believing. But when Emily stumbles upon two runaways hidden in her uncle's barn, she finds that old ways die hard. And Mr. Burrows, the charming Southern slave catcher, is only yards away, lodged in the hotel.
Divided Decade is a collection of three stand alone stories that view the American Civil War through three different lenses. All are set within Michigan. The Candle Star features the Underground Railroad. Blood of Pioneers illustrates the trials faced on the rural homefront after the menfolk leave for war. And Beneath the Slashings is set within a Northern lumber camp filled with returning soldiers. The books can be read out of order or read alone, depending on the theme that most interests the reader (or most closely relates to a classroom curriculum). All three have been highly acclaimed by teachers and home schoolers. Each has lesson plans and additional resources available.
Divided Decade is a collection of three stand alone stories that view the American Civil War through three different lenses. All are set within Michigan. The Candle Star features the Underground Railroad. Blood of Pioneers illustrates the trials faced on the rural homefront after the menfolk leave for war. And Beneath the Slashings is set within a Northern lumber camp filled with returning soldiers. The books can be read out of order or read alone, depending on the theme that most interests the reader (or most closely relates to a classroom curriculum). All three have been highly acclaimed by teachers and home schoolers. Each has lesson plans and additional resources available.
168 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
111 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Isenhoff
57 books91 followersMICHELLE ISENHOFF writes for women, teens, and tweens. Her work has been reader-nominated for a Cybils Award, the Great Michigan Read, and the Maine Student Book Award. She's also placed as a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Review Book Awards, a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and earned multiple Readers' Favorite 5 Star seals of approval. A former teacher and longtime homeschooler, Michelle has written extensively in the children's genre and been lauded by the education community for the literary quality of her work. More recently, she has enjoyed writing historical romance for older teens and women. Currently, she is relishing the creative freedom of branching out into adult speculative fiction.
**Visit her blog at www.michelleisenhoff.com.
**Sign up for her new release newsletter at http://bit.ly/1bHFqaw.
**Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michelle.isenhoff.au....
**Visit her blog at www.michelleisenhoff.com.
**Sign up for her new release newsletter at http://bit.ly/1bHFqaw.
**Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michelle.isenhoff.au....
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 14, 2018
This book, in plot, was pretty much your typical pre-Civil war fair. A spoiled southern kid learns about the evils of slavery and how people are helping them.
The writing was not typical. It was poetic, gripping, and I didn't want to stop. This is the kind of writing for youth readers is that we need. It isn't dumbed down. It is beautiful and rich.
Emily, while spoiled was a likable character. The story was populated by interesting and realistic people.
One minor complaint: While church and prayer were mentioned in passing, nothing about this books struck me as Christian (it is sold in the Christain section category on Amazon). However, the thing that kept me from five stars was something else.
The writing was not typical. It was poetic, gripping, and I didn't want to stop. This is the kind of writing for youth readers is that we need. It isn't dumbed down. It is beautiful and rich.
Emily, while spoiled was a likable character. The story was populated by interesting and realistic people.
One minor complaint: While church and prayer were mentioned in passing, nothing about this books struck me as Christian (it is sold in the Christain section category on Amazon). However, the thing that kept me from five stars was something else.
June 29, 2015
THE CANDLE STAR
Divided Decade Series - Book One
Author: Michele Isenhoff
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: Fred Wolinsky
Length: 4 hours, 32 minutes
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 30, 2015
Publisher: Michele Isenhoff
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Fourteen year old Emily Preston has grown up on a plantation in the South. Her family is wealthy and they own over 200 slaves.
She is a wild and willful child and her parent's decide to try to curb her behavior by sending her to live with her Uncle who owns a hotel in Detroit, Michigan.
Being raised by slave owners in the lap of luxury and never having to do anything for herself, Emily is in for a huge dose of culture-shock when she arrives in Michigan.
Emily meets Malachi who is a black boy that is almost the same age as Emily. Never having met a free black person, she is shocked to discover that not only can Malachi read, but he also attends school.
Emily had always been told that black people were not capable of learning the way white people can.
As she spends more and more time in the company of her uncle as well as Malachi and a terrific cast of characters who work in the hotel, Emily starts to question everything she has ever been taught about black people.
But, being so young, what good will her changing attitudes be? Does it even matter?
This book is thoroughly researched and I absolutely loved the description of Emily's trip to the Michigan State Fair.
The period of time this book is set in was a volatile time in American history. I liked the fact that the book is written from the perspective of a fourteen year old privileged white girl. I have read many books set during this era and this is the first time I have read a book written from this point of view, and I found it extremely well done.
The author has done a commendable job of describing the conflicting emotions that Emily goes through and I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
Narrator Fred Wolinsky has a very expressive voice. Initially the simpering, whiny voice he used for Emily grated on my nerves and I thought it was a bit overdone. However, as I learned more about Emily's spoiled and indulged childhood and her superior attitude I realized that the voice perfectly matched her character. I also have to give the narrator kudos for being able to perform multiple accents including both Yankee and Southern ways of talking. He also does a great job of using different accents for Zeke (the elderly black slave) and Julia and Malachi (free blacks living in Michigan).
I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐
Divided Decade Series - Book One
Author: Michele Isenhoff
Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged
Narrator: Fred Wolinsky
Length: 4 hours, 32 minutes
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 30, 2015
Publisher: Michele Isenhoff
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Fourteen year old Emily Preston has grown up on a plantation in the South. Her family is wealthy and they own over 200 slaves.
She is a wild and willful child and her parent's decide to try to curb her behavior by sending her to live with her Uncle who owns a hotel in Detroit, Michigan.
Being raised by slave owners in the lap of luxury and never having to do anything for herself, Emily is in for a huge dose of culture-shock when she arrives in Michigan.
Emily meets Malachi who is a black boy that is almost the same age as Emily. Never having met a free black person, she is shocked to discover that not only can Malachi read, but he also attends school.
Emily had always been told that black people were not capable of learning the way white people can.
As she spends more and more time in the company of her uncle as well as Malachi and a terrific cast of characters who work in the hotel, Emily starts to question everything she has ever been taught about black people.
But, being so young, what good will her changing attitudes be? Does it even matter?
This book is thoroughly researched and I absolutely loved the description of Emily's trip to the Michigan State Fair.
The period of time this book is set in was a volatile time in American history. I liked the fact that the book is written from the perspective of a fourteen year old privileged white girl. I have read many books set during this era and this is the first time I have read a book written from this point of view, and I found it extremely well done.
The author has done a commendable job of describing the conflicting emotions that Emily goes through and I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
Narrator Fred Wolinsky has a very expressive voice. Initially the simpering, whiny voice he used for Emily grated on my nerves and I thought it was a bit overdone. However, as I learned more about Emily's spoiled and indulged childhood and her superior attitude I realized that the voice perfectly matched her character. I also have to give the narrator kudos for being able to perform multiple accents including both Yankee and Southern ways of talking. He also does a great job of using different accents for Zeke (the elderly black slave) and Julia and Malachi (free blacks living in Michigan).
I rate this audiobook as 4 out of 5 stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 10, 2014
I was very impressed by the beginning of this book. What a relief to see bratty heroines described honestly by the author as brats---instead of being promoted as cute little beauties who deserve a good romance. ;) The author has a lot of ability. Her description of sets is light and casual---a rare thing in historical work--and her dialogue quite natural and individualized to each character.
The plot concerns a spoiled fourteen year old whose rich plantation owner parents send her to Detroit to live with her uncle--hoping that he can succeed where they failed, namely, in teaching her to be a decent person. While in Detroit, the heroine goes to public school, learns how to work, is punished for naughty behavior, and becomes friends with an African American boy of her own age. Many times it reminded me of The Secret Garden--and that's a compliment from me. :D
It's a good story and the heroine's moral development felt real--not too sappy. The only reason I gave it a 4 star--and not a 5--was the book was clearly aimed at a very young audience, and so a lot of the relationships between the adults and the plot twists involving the heroine strained credibility. It was worth it to see her get down on her knees and rake manure--she certainly deserved it! :P--but it was odd her uncle would make her do that kind of job. It was worth it to see her disappointed when her uncle persists in marrying the Irish maid instead of the rich neighbor lady--serves the little snob right. :)--but the maid wanting to marry him was never explained and their engagement consequently looked a bit unbelievable. And it was worth it to see her shown up and embarrassed when caught making disgusting remarks about the intelligence of blacks---but the black characters were remarkably unreserved with her, to a degree that would have been reckless in that place and time.
So my point is this...it's a well written book with good characters, and the racist dialogue on the part of Southern characters was well handled, and the humbling of the bratty little heroine was beautifully done. :D But sometimes it's a bit too obvious the story is an instructive one, meant to edify the reader as well as the heroine, and that makes the overall flavor a bit juvenile. It started out like The Secret Garden and ended up like one of the better episodes of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.
I recommend this to anyone who appreciated a good book about American history.
The plot concerns a spoiled fourteen year old whose rich plantation owner parents send her to Detroit to live with her uncle--hoping that he can succeed where they failed, namely, in teaching her to be a decent person. While in Detroit, the heroine goes to public school, learns how to work, is punished for naughty behavior, and becomes friends with an African American boy of her own age. Many times it reminded me of The Secret Garden--and that's a compliment from me. :D
It's a good story and the heroine's moral development felt real--not too sappy. The only reason I gave it a 4 star--and not a 5--was the book was clearly aimed at a very young audience, and so a lot of the relationships between the adults and the plot twists involving the heroine strained credibility. It was worth it to see her get down on her knees and rake manure--she certainly deserved it! :P--but it was odd her uncle would make her do that kind of job. It was worth it to see her disappointed when her uncle persists in marrying the Irish maid instead of the rich neighbor lady--serves the little snob right. :)--but the maid wanting to marry him was never explained and their engagement consequently looked a bit unbelievable. And it was worth it to see her shown up and embarrassed when caught making disgusting remarks about the intelligence of blacks---but the black characters were remarkably unreserved with her, to a degree that would have been reckless in that place and time.
So my point is this...it's a well written book with good characters, and the racist dialogue on the part of Southern characters was well handled, and the humbling of the bratty little heroine was beautifully done. :D But sometimes it's a bit too obvious the story is an instructive one, meant to edify the reader as well as the heroine, and that makes the overall flavor a bit juvenile. It started out like The Secret Garden and ended up like one of the better episodes of Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.
I recommend this to anyone who appreciated a good book about American history.
January 14, 2015
I picked up this Young Adult novel (set back before slavery was abolished in the USA) for free when I was checking out some of the author's other books, even though I don't read historical fiction, and I'm so glad I did! I was wonderfully surprised to read such a professionally written and edited story from an indie author. It can be done, people!
The story progresses at a leisurely pace, about right for a southern belle, but the writing and characters kept me intrigued and I never once tired of it. The main character is pretty much a complete snob and white supremacist, but of course we get to see her grow as the story unfolds. It's a serious story, not surprising considering the subject matter, but there are enough lighthearted moments that it didn't cross over into 'too dark' for me. Still, I'll read a few fantasy types before I read the next in the series since I tend to get sucked down into bad moods when I read too much about slavery and other kinds of oppression and abuse.
There's mention of religion several times and I wondered where the author was coming from since it's often not shown in a positive light, not that God is put down, but that people who claim to follow him are. The slave owners of course use the bible to justify themselves, and feel good about themselves because they teach their slaves the scriptures. But then later we that the abolitionists also go to church and the free black people go to their own church, which meets in a very nice building that they built for themselves.
While I was reading I wondered about the historical accuracy of the people and events that happened, and was happy to find a note about fact and fiction at the end. Something that isn't mentioned in the notes, and something that hung me up several times was that for some reason I didn't think that black people referred to themselves as black back then (I thought the proper word back then was Negro?) but I didn't look it up so I may be wrong about that anyway. Other than that I really can't think of anything 'bad' to say about the book. If what you've read about it in the review so far sounds good I'm sure you'll love it, and if not, you probably won't.
Language: Clean.
Sexual Content: None whatsoever.
Violence: It's about slavery and racism so of course things are referred to, but no intensely violent acts are depicted with any detail. Mostly people talk about things that have happened.
Over-all plot/message: Great message about the equal worth of all God's children, and a nice plot with good character development. Suitable for young teens and up.
Read more of my thoughts and stories about my interracial family at rawhitebooksandmore.weebly.com .
The story progresses at a leisurely pace, about right for a southern belle, but the writing and characters kept me intrigued and I never once tired of it. The main character is pretty much a complete snob and white supremacist, but of course we get to see her grow as the story unfolds. It's a serious story, not surprising considering the subject matter, but there are enough lighthearted moments that it didn't cross over into 'too dark' for me. Still, I'll read a few fantasy types before I read the next in the series since I tend to get sucked down into bad moods when I read too much about slavery and other kinds of oppression and abuse.
There's mention of religion several times and I wondered where the author was coming from since it's often not shown in a positive light, not that God is put down, but that people who claim to follow him are. The slave owners of course use the bible to justify themselves, and feel good about themselves because they teach their slaves the scriptures. But then later we that the abolitionists also go to church and the free black people go to their own church, which meets in a very nice building that they built for themselves.
While I was reading I wondered about the historical accuracy of the people and events that happened, and was happy to find a note about fact and fiction at the end. Something that isn't mentioned in the notes, and something that hung me up several times was that for some reason I didn't think that black people referred to themselves as black back then (I thought the proper word back then was Negro?) but I didn't look it up so I may be wrong about that anyway. Other than that I really can't think of anything 'bad' to say about the book. If what you've read about it in the review so far sounds good I'm sure you'll love it, and if not, you probably won't.
Language: Clean.
Sexual Content: None whatsoever.
Violence: It's about slavery and racism so of course things are referred to, but no intensely violent acts are depicted with any detail. Mostly people talk about things that have happened.
Over-all plot/message: Great message about the equal worth of all God's children, and a nice plot with good character development. Suitable for young teens and up.
Read more of my thoughts and stories about my interracial family at rawhitebooksandmore.weebly.com .
May 11, 2017
4.5
This felt like a middle grade book but I really enjoyed this. A spoiled Southern belle gets sent up North to live with her uncle and finds her views on black people become radically changed. I love novels that chart change and transformation and seeing Emily's journey from a stuck up Princess to a girl who risks her life for others is truly heart-warming. This portrays the horror of the slave trade in a gentle way that makes it suitable for the middle grade market. But was Malachi too good to be true? So gracious, intelligent, and extraordinarily forgiving he is as nice as she is nasty which lifts the tone of the book and makes it an engaging enjoyable read that will also educate younger readers.
This felt like a middle grade book but I really enjoyed this. A spoiled Southern belle gets sent up North to live with her uncle and finds her views on black people become radically changed. I love novels that chart change and transformation and seeing Emily's journey from a stuck up Princess to a girl who risks her life for others is truly heart-warming. This portrays the horror of the slave trade in a gentle way that makes it suitable for the middle grade market. But was Malachi too good to be true? So gracious, intelligent, and extraordinarily forgiving he is as nice as she is nasty which lifts the tone of the book and makes it an engaging enjoyable read that will also educate younger readers.
February 7, 2013
An enlightening historical novel about a young southern girl who spends the summer with her uncle in the north and, shall we say, has the veil removed from her cherished and spoiled Southern way of life and the institutioin of slavery. She faces a delimma when she finds that her uncle is involved with "The Underground Railroad". This book is appropriate for younger people as well....perhaps upper grade school levels and beyond.
January 17, 2013
I got this book for free at podiobook.com and loved it so much I finished it in one day. I wish the other two books of this series were also on podiobooks.com. I will have to see if the library has them. Very enjoyable light read.
May 17, 2012
As I began to read, The Candle Star by Michelle Isenhoff, I was again enthralled by her magnificent talent as a wordsmith. She has a real talent for stringing together words in beautiful patterns that capture the mind and reveal the essence of the story.
My thoughts on The Candle Star: This is a historical novel set immediately prior to the Civil War in the United States. Emily is a true Southern Belle accustomed to the luxuries of wealthy plantation life as the daughter of the house. She does, however, have a very independent streak and is not at all agreeable to the typical selection of a gentleman for her to marry, settle down with, and have a family. She wants to paint, and she wants to choose her own life.
Her parents ship her North to her uncle, and she begins to learn what life is all about outside the setting of the plantation. School - in a classroom and not with a tutor. House work. Mucking out the horse stable.
Emily soon learns that in Michigan there is a difference in that not only is it extremely cold with snow and ice, it is totally different socially. She meets Malachi, a young free black boy who also goes to school. She has to work along side of Julia, a free black kitchen maid, in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.
Emily learns about bounty hunters and suffering, escaping slaves. The Underground Railroad is carrying cargo and the hunters are seeking to disrupt it's traffic.
Author Information: "I write for kids. In my books, you can expect adventure and substance, but I'll always respect the innocence of our children." Michelle Isenhoff's website
I previously reviewed The Color of Freedom by Michelle Isenhoff here on Chat With Vera. Please read my review of this excellent book, too.
Michelle Isenhoff provided a complimentary copy of The Candle Star in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
My thoughts on The Candle Star: This is a historical novel set immediately prior to the Civil War in the United States. Emily is a true Southern Belle accustomed to the luxuries of wealthy plantation life as the daughter of the house. She does, however, have a very independent streak and is not at all agreeable to the typical selection of a gentleman for her to marry, settle down with, and have a family. She wants to paint, and she wants to choose her own life.
Her parents ship her North to her uncle, and she begins to learn what life is all about outside the setting of the plantation. School - in a classroom and not with a tutor. House work. Mucking out the horse stable.
Emily soon learns that in Michigan there is a difference in that not only is it extremely cold with snow and ice, it is totally different socially. She meets Malachi, a young free black boy who also goes to school. She has to work along side of Julia, a free black kitchen maid, in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.
Emily learns about bounty hunters and suffering, escaping slaves. The Underground Railroad is carrying cargo and the hunters are seeking to disrupt it's traffic.
Author Information: "I write for kids. In my books, you can expect adventure and substance, but I'll always respect the innocence of our children." Michelle Isenhoff's website
I previously reviewed The Color of Freedom by Michelle Isenhoff here on Chat With Vera. Please read my review of this excellent book, too.
Michelle Isenhoff provided a complimentary copy of The Candle Star in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 19, 2013
Books about slavery always put me on edge. Our story is painful to hear and read and yet it is our history. But as I continued to read, I really began to get into the heart of the story. Emily was sent to her uncle because she was on the road to becoming incorrigible. Her Uncle Isaac, although he lost the 'family fortune' would hopefully be able to straighten her out. The story tells of her journey as a young woman and her change of heart at she stumbled upon something that challenges her way of thinking and ultimately changed her life.
August 15, 2014
A simplistic historical fiction that had some shining moments, I especially appreciated how Emily opened her heart and eyes to the inhumanity of slavery.
May 4, 2017
For the first Fourteen years of her life, Emily had been raised in a life of privilege as the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Charleston, Carolina. She was accustomed to being waited-on by slaves who tended to her every wish. But then she was sent to spend time with her uncle Isaak in Detroit where he owned a small hotel. She was accompanied by Zeke, an old family slave. This is prior to the Civil War so slavery remained legal and widespread, though many in the North did not consider it right.
Though Isaak was also brought up in Charleston, he seems to have lost his fortune and now lives a much simpler life as a modest businessman. He employs a black woman named Julia, who lives in the hotel with her son, Malachi, who was raised in the free North. Malachi is about the same age as Emily. There is also a modest young woman from a simple background who works in the hotel and is close to Isaak.
Emily looks down on her uncle and almost everyone in Detroit but she does make a connection with a Mr Barrows who occasionally stays at the hotel while he is hunting runaway slaves for bounty. Things begin to change as Emily begins to see things that do not quite match what she was brought up to believe. She always believed slaves could not learn to read and didn't want to go to school.
The writing is very good and the pace is steady. Characters are well developed and historical events and attitudes are accurately presented. The book gives a clear and believable (at least to the intended middle grade audience) account of how one girl completely changes her mind about the issue of slavery over the course of the book.
Though Isaak was also brought up in Charleston, he seems to have lost his fortune and now lives a much simpler life as a modest businessman. He employs a black woman named Julia, who lives in the hotel with her son, Malachi, who was raised in the free North. Malachi is about the same age as Emily. There is also a modest young woman from a simple background who works in the hotel and is close to Isaak.
Emily looks down on her uncle and almost everyone in Detroit but she does make a connection with a Mr Barrows who occasionally stays at the hotel while he is hunting runaway slaves for bounty. Things begin to change as Emily begins to see things that do not quite match what she was brought up to believe. She always believed slaves could not learn to read and didn't want to go to school.
The writing is very good and the pace is steady. Characters are well developed and historical events and attitudes are accurately presented. The book gives a clear and believable (at least to the intended middle grade audience) account of how one girl completely changes her mind about the issue of slavery over the course of the book.
June 18, 2017
I mainly read this book to see if I wanted to use it in my classroom.
The first part of the book was hard for me to follow due to the author's fondness for figurative language and
heavy-handed description. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. About halfway through, I was better able to focus on the plot.
I realize the story calls for the main character to seem unlikable at first. However, I had a hard time connecting with her at all. That led to me not really being invested in a possible change of heart for her. Maybe more of her background before the move to Detroit would've helped???
I appreciate the author's willingness for classroom sharing on school-owned devices, but I'm still unsure about using the novel in the classroom. I may use it for individual choice, literature circles, or paired with some primary sources for literacy centers. I'm not sold on using it as a novel study for the whole class.
3.5 stars
The first part of the book was hard for me to follow due to the author's fondness for figurative language and
heavy-handed description. It is possible to have too much of a good thing. About halfway through, I was better able to focus on the plot.
I realize the story calls for the main character to seem unlikable at first. However, I had a hard time connecting with her at all. That led to me not really being invested in a possible change of heart for her. Maybe more of her background before the move to Detroit would've helped???
I appreciate the author's willingness for classroom sharing on school-owned devices, but I'm still unsure about using the novel in the classroom. I may use it for individual choice, literature circles, or paired with some primary sources for literacy centers. I'm not sold on using it as a novel study for the whole class.
3.5 stars
January 14, 2017
Having read many books off of indie presses, I was impressed with Candle Star. This author and teacher has accomplished something I've often thought about: crafting a story about an era with local connections to her students' community. In Candle Star, she gives the reader an opportunity to view pre-Civil War years through the eyes of a pampered Southern belle and also see the role their home state od Michigan had in the years leading up to the conflict. Although the characters can be a bit stereotypical, it makes the viewpoints easier for the students to access. I look forward to reading more in the series.
December 7, 2022
Emily is a spoiled child from a southern family sent north to her uncle in Michigan about 2 years before the Civil War. Once there, she learns life is vastly different than what she lives on her plantation and she starts to learn how to work and to see the ugly parts of life. This book is the start of her coming of age and she will change as she does. Her Uncle Isaac, Shannon, Julia and Malachai all help her learn some hard truths.
September 26, 2017
A spoiled brat learns the error of her ways during the slave era. I wish the characters had been more fully developed. The story is good and the topic important to our history. To me it is a middle grade book, easy to read, flows well.
March 4, 2018
Engagingly educational!
Looking into the mind of a young southern girl and her views on slavery is difficult. Luckily she is blessed with diverse people who show her a different, yet equally daunting reality. Her emergence from the cocoon of her past is breath taking!
Looking into the mind of a young southern girl and her views on slavery is difficult. Luckily she is blessed with diverse people who show her a different, yet equally daunting reality. Her emergence from the cocoon of her past is breath taking!
April 18, 2018
A wonderful story
I look forward to reading it with my Grandkids that they understand a significant part of our history. It’s a part we must understand in order to avoid its continuation.
I look forward to reading it with my Grandkids that they understand a significant part of our history. It’s a part we must understand in order to avoid its continuation.
April 19, 2021
Went into this book blind
I didn’t like our lead Southern Belle from the start. I did see growth in her character, but she was very immature. Malachi was a remarkable young man and made the story interesting. I was very happy with ending. Although it’s a series, I will stop here.
I didn’t like our lead Southern Belle from the start. I did see growth in her character, but she was very immature. Malachi was a remarkable young man and made the story interesting. I was very happy with ending. Although it’s a series, I will stop here.
February 28, 2017
The first paragraph got me interested. Loved it. Can't wait to read the second book.
October 1, 2018
Enjoyed
December 31, 2018
Excellent story!
While we still deal with hatred and racism as a country, it's refreshing to read some historical fiction that brings hope for today!!!
While we still deal with hatred and racism as a country, it's refreshing to read some historical fiction that brings hope for today!!!
May 16, 2019
Pre-Civil War
August 2, 2015
The Candle Star by Michelle Isenhoff Set in the late 1850s, Southern Belle Emily Preston has been sent by her parents to live for a spell with her uncle Isaac Milford. She comes from a slave plantation in Carolina and she is in for some culture shock in Detroit, a land where slavery is not tolerated. Also, her uncle insists that she earn her keep and this means chores and attending school, things she did not have to do in Carolina.
This was a very interesting book. Most books I have read that are set in this time period always make slavery and slave owners out to be the big monsters of the story line. In this book, the author does a most excellent job of showing how slavery and white supremacy was handed down generation to generation and reinforced with culture and politics. Basically, it was never a simple black and white issue (no pun intended) and while I knew that from reading nonfiction history books, I had not seen an author willing to tackle that in fiction. So, big kudos to the author for showing the complexity of the times through Emily’s eyes.
While the plot itself was pretty straightforward (rich girl has to learn that other people are worthy of regard) the characters made it very engaging. Emily starts off pretty rude and conceited, but we also see right away that she is suffering from homesickness and is somewhat afraid of the unknown. After all, she has never been to Detroit or met her uncle. So right off, I am a little conflicted over her – I don’t want to like her because of many of her attitudes and yet I totally connect with the homesickness and dread of the unknown. Well played because Emily’s story arc has the most growth and by the end I was wanting to invite her into the kitchen for tea and biscuits.
Meanwhile, Isaac’s boarding house employs several free blacks and an Irish woman. They all still have to cater to whoever is willing to pay for a room, even the questionable Mr. Burrows (a slave catcher) and his crew. At first, Emily has great trouble accepting the idea of free blacks, and she initially finds the idea of blacks reading and going to school to be preposterous. But over several months, it becomes apparent that everything she has been taught about the supremacy of whites is incorrect. It’s a hard, bitter pill for her to swallow. Malachi, a black teen who is attending school, is instrumental in showing Emily a new way of thinking. Meanwhile, the old slave Ezekial who accompanies Emily on her trip, has revelations about his slave status that rock Emily’s world as well.
I appreciated that the author showed that Emily had prejudice against anyone, white or black, that she felt was beneath her family’s status. She comes to truly dislike an Irish maid at the boarding house, believing her to be beneath her uncle’s notice. It was very interesting to see that Emily came from a plantation-owning family that thought and acted very much like minor nobility. So many people of many colors and backgrounds were below their status. It made me wonder if the ‘minor nobility’ of the Deep South got a little inbred after a few generations.
The story progresses, showing us glimpses of the underground railroad that helped move slaves from the south to the northern states. Emily catches glimpses of this throughout the story but doesn’t truly grasp it until the end. And the end was nicely done too. We have some suspense that culminates in Emily’s choice concerning slavery. I was very satisfied with how this book ended and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this one. He had a very good stuck-up voice for young Emily. I also liked all his regional accents. There’s a speech by Frederick Douglas in the story and Wolinsky made it sound very epic, like a turning point in history (and for Emily it was an important moment).
This was a very interesting book. Most books I have read that are set in this time period always make slavery and slave owners out to be the big monsters of the story line. In this book, the author does a most excellent job of showing how slavery and white supremacy was handed down generation to generation and reinforced with culture and politics. Basically, it was never a simple black and white issue (no pun intended) and while I knew that from reading nonfiction history books, I had not seen an author willing to tackle that in fiction. So, big kudos to the author for showing the complexity of the times through Emily’s eyes.
While the plot itself was pretty straightforward (rich girl has to learn that other people are worthy of regard) the characters made it very engaging. Emily starts off pretty rude and conceited, but we also see right away that she is suffering from homesickness and is somewhat afraid of the unknown. After all, she has never been to Detroit or met her uncle. So right off, I am a little conflicted over her – I don’t want to like her because of many of her attitudes and yet I totally connect with the homesickness and dread of the unknown. Well played because Emily’s story arc has the most growth and by the end I was wanting to invite her into the kitchen for tea and biscuits.
Meanwhile, Isaac’s boarding house employs several free blacks and an Irish woman. They all still have to cater to whoever is willing to pay for a room, even the questionable Mr. Burrows (a slave catcher) and his crew. At first, Emily has great trouble accepting the idea of free blacks, and she initially finds the idea of blacks reading and going to school to be preposterous. But over several months, it becomes apparent that everything she has been taught about the supremacy of whites is incorrect. It’s a hard, bitter pill for her to swallow. Malachi, a black teen who is attending school, is instrumental in showing Emily a new way of thinking. Meanwhile, the old slave Ezekial who accompanies Emily on her trip, has revelations about his slave status that rock Emily’s world as well.
I appreciated that the author showed that Emily had prejudice against anyone, white or black, that she felt was beneath her family’s status. She comes to truly dislike an Irish maid at the boarding house, believing her to be beneath her uncle’s notice. It was very interesting to see that Emily came from a plantation-owning family that thought and acted very much like minor nobility. So many people of many colors and backgrounds were below their status. It made me wonder if the ‘minor nobility’ of the Deep South got a little inbred after a few generations.
The story progresses, showing us glimpses of the underground railroad that helped move slaves from the south to the northern states. Emily catches glimpses of this throughout the story but doesn’t truly grasp it until the end. And the end was nicely done too. We have some suspense that culminates in Emily’s choice concerning slavery. I was very satisfied with how this book ended and look forward to seeing what the author does next.
I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a very nice job with this one. He had a very good stuck-up voice for young Emily. I also liked all his regional accents. There’s a speech by Frederick Douglas in the story and Wolinsky made it sound very epic, like a turning point in history (and for Emily it was an important moment).
April 11, 2016
Excellent story and historical significance for classrooms
This author has made her YA historical stories available for free, as far as she can control this, just to get these stories into the hands of schools. Personally, I think all schools should make this mandatory reading for all students.
I won't go over the story itself in any detail. Others have done that already. What is important is that this is an easy, interesting and FUN story. It moves along quickly as it follows a North Carolina spoiled 14 year old girl from her unthinking and accepted belief in slavery. After all, she was raised to believe slavery as a work force was as logical as raising cattle for dinner.
Just as we accept the confinement and slaughter of millions is animals in order to have meat on the table. We mostly don't consider how the animals feel, how they are treated or what conditions they live in. Most of the slave owners, felt entitled to use the slaves as they wanted. Slaves were valuable property and undoubtedly, some owners felt they treated them very well, as they would any valuable "stock". But you also don't ask your cows if they want to be bred or if they prefer one bull over another bull. You don't ask the mother cow if she wants to feed and care for her own calf either. The calf is pulled from the mother so the farmer can take the milk for his own plans and the baby sold off, if that suits the farmers plans and needs.
This was the status of slaves to SOME people. But, this story goes into the other side of slavery. The side not often mentioned. This story shows the people who felt that all men were created equal. They risked everything they had, home, family, possessions and their very lives, to help people who were enslaved to become free and self supporting.
I think this is an extremely important aspect about slavery which needs to be shared with our children. Today's nonsense about skin color should have disappeared long ago except for the people who hang on to bitterness, vanity, and the need to either be a victim or to be better than someone else.
Perhaps these books can help heal those who look at the past to find the negative and will instead teach them the positive ways that many people in the past have worked together to help each other, just because they did care , against the accepted practices of the times, they cared for each other's needs and happiness. Perhaps, a few of those trying to continue promoting divisiveness, may come to see this forgotten aspect of slavery. One human being helping another human being. Giving of their own funds to help another get started in life and risking their lives to protect the lives of those in need.
Instead of hammering home the shame of the few who "owned" slaves, this celebrates the courage and love of those who helped to end slavery, those who ignored the superficial differences and helped their fellow humans.
This author has made her YA historical stories available for free, as far as she can control this, just to get these stories into the hands of schools. Personally, I think all schools should make this mandatory reading for all students.
I won't go over the story itself in any detail. Others have done that already. What is important is that this is an easy, interesting and FUN story. It moves along quickly as it follows a North Carolina spoiled 14 year old girl from her unthinking and accepted belief in slavery. After all, she was raised to believe slavery as a work force was as logical as raising cattle for dinner.
Just as we accept the confinement and slaughter of millions is animals in order to have meat on the table. We mostly don't consider how the animals feel, how they are treated or what conditions they live in. Most of the slave owners, felt entitled to use the slaves as they wanted. Slaves were valuable property and undoubtedly, some owners felt they treated them very well, as they would any valuable "stock". But you also don't ask your cows if they want to be bred or if they prefer one bull over another bull. You don't ask the mother cow if she wants to feed and care for her own calf either. The calf is pulled from the mother so the farmer can take the milk for his own plans and the baby sold off, if that suits the farmers plans and needs.
This was the status of slaves to SOME people. But, this story goes into the other side of slavery. The side not often mentioned. This story shows the people who felt that all men were created equal. They risked everything they had, home, family, possessions and their very lives, to help people who were enslaved to become free and self supporting.
I think this is an extremely important aspect about slavery which needs to be shared with our children. Today's nonsense about skin color should have disappeared long ago except for the people who hang on to bitterness, vanity, and the need to either be a victim or to be better than someone else.
Perhaps these books can help heal those who look at the past to find the negative and will instead teach them the positive ways that many people in the past have worked together to help each other, just because they did care , against the accepted practices of the times, they cared for each other's needs and happiness. Perhaps, a few of those trying to continue promoting divisiveness, may come to see this forgotten aspect of slavery. One human being helping another human being. Giving of their own funds to help another get started in life and risking their lives to protect the lives of those in need.
Instead of hammering home the shame of the few who "owned" slaves, this celebrates the courage and love of those who helped to end slavery, those who ignored the superficial differences and helped their fellow humans.
April 27, 2014
This is the first book in a trilogy examining the Civil War through the Underground railroad setting in Michigan in 1858. In this first volume, the protagonist is fourteen year old Emily whose petulant personality and insolent behavior has resulted in her parents’ shipping her off to stay with an uncle in Michigan. Emily has never been off the Ella Wood plantation in the Carolinas. She presumes her life will be much the same, and her faithful slave Zeke tries to make her comfortable.
Things turn out very differently. Emily will not have a tutor, she will have to walk to a school, do chores in her Uncle Issac’s inn, and learn to deal with free slaves who are her equal. Emily rebels at once, she steals a neighbor’s horse, skips school, and treats the household members as if they were “her slaves.” Her uncle refuses to give in to her; he cringes when she befriends slave bounty hunters from Virginia as her equals. Emily is curious to find out what her uncle writes in a small book hidden in a secret compartment. But gradually she must learn to respect another way of thinking, her black friend Malachi makes her realize that her way of thinking may be jaded. He encourages her to pursue her dreams of painting and not to limit her goals to become a proper Southern plantation wife.
Isenhoff has done her research. She introduces characters based on real prototypes like Frederick Douglass and George deBaptiste. Her language is smooth and polished. Take the following excerpt: “Emily looked the boy over. He had skin the color of strong tea before the cream was added, and his eyes were as dark as the midnight sky.” The reader quickly assimilates himself into the character. Only complaint I have is that the story line sometimes seems to move too slowly, but it is certainly not predictable. There are many twists and turns and lots of surprises before Emily is ready to return home to her plantation. Changes are on the horizon for the country. Will Emily be successful in acclimating herself to a changed order? What will happen to her uncle and staff at the River Inn?
I would recommend this book to children and adults age ten and up. There are lots of issues that middle grade students are facing that are addressed in the book irrespective of the difference in time period. Any reader who enjoys history, character study and good writing will enjoy this book series. Classroom teachers and librarians should consider it a good resource to a study of the pre-Civil War period from a humanistic point of view.
Things turn out very differently. Emily will not have a tutor, she will have to walk to a school, do chores in her Uncle Issac’s inn, and learn to deal with free slaves who are her equal. Emily rebels at once, she steals a neighbor’s horse, skips school, and treats the household members as if they were “her slaves.” Her uncle refuses to give in to her; he cringes when she befriends slave bounty hunters from Virginia as her equals. Emily is curious to find out what her uncle writes in a small book hidden in a secret compartment. But gradually she must learn to respect another way of thinking, her black friend Malachi makes her realize that her way of thinking may be jaded. He encourages her to pursue her dreams of painting and not to limit her goals to become a proper Southern plantation wife.
Isenhoff has done her research. She introduces characters based on real prototypes like Frederick Douglass and George deBaptiste. Her language is smooth and polished. Take the following excerpt: “Emily looked the boy over. He had skin the color of strong tea before the cream was added, and his eyes were as dark as the midnight sky.” The reader quickly assimilates himself into the character. Only complaint I have is that the story line sometimes seems to move too slowly, but it is certainly not predictable. There are many twists and turns and lots of surprises before Emily is ready to return home to her plantation. Changes are on the horizon for the country. Will Emily be successful in acclimating herself to a changed order? What will happen to her uncle and staff at the River Inn?
I would recommend this book to children and adults age ten and up. There are lots of issues that middle grade students are facing that are addressed in the book irrespective of the difference in time period. Any reader who enjoys history, character study and good writing will enjoy this book series. Classroom teachers and librarians should consider it a good resource to a study of the pre-Civil War period from a humanistic point of view.
February 2, 2012
Emily was a Southern girl who thought slaves working on he family’s plantation was how things should be. Emily LOVED living on the wonderful cotton plantation and was happy there. When her parents decide to send her to her Uncle’s place in Detroit, Michigan for a holiday, she was FURIOUS! (Actually, she got in trouble for her temper and her parents thought her Uncle Isaac would teach her to be disciplined). In Detroit, Emily not only had to WORK in her uncle’s hotel, but she had to work with freed slaves! Emily soon finds out she can’t boss the freed slaves around. She becomes friends with Malachi, the son of a freed slave. Malachi sees good in Emily and tries to show her that black and white people are the same. Emily won’t listen… at first. When Emily sees a run-away slave’s bloody leg and sees that the blood is red, just like hers, she is shocked. Emily realizes that her Uncle actually helps runaway slaves and she is torn between the way she was raised and what she has just learned. The bounty hunters are looking for the slaves! What will Emily do?!?
The Candle Star is the first book in Mrs. Isenhoff’s Divided Decade Trilogy. I already read and reviewed book 2 “Broken Ladders”. I know, I know, I read them out-of-order, but it is OK to do that!
First of all I have to tell you that I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction books and Mrs. Isenhoff has made me an even bigger fan by reading “The Candle Star”! I really liked the character of Malachi because he was trying to show Emily that black and white skinned people are the same. Malachi was calm, intelligent and persuading. Emily was also a good character. She really made me mad sometimes but other times I felt like cheering her on! I learned a bunch about slavery, racism and the Underground Railroad from the book. I could imagine myself actually in the places Mrs. Isenhoff was describing. There is also a section in the back of the book that talks about the actual historical events mentioned in the book which I thought was nice. The only thing I would change is that the story wouldn’t have ended! I am waiting for the third book in the series called “Beneath the Slashings” to be released hopefully sometime this year!
I highly recommend this book. I think the book is good for kids 8+ and adults. It is a good clean read for kids. There are some more grown-up topics like slavery in the book, but it is kid-friendly.
The Candle Star is the first book in Mrs. Isenhoff’s Divided Decade Trilogy. I already read and reviewed book 2 “Broken Ladders”. I know, I know, I read them out-of-order, but it is OK to do that!
First of all I have to tell you that I am a HUGE fan of historical fiction books and Mrs. Isenhoff has made me an even bigger fan by reading “The Candle Star”! I really liked the character of Malachi because he was trying to show Emily that black and white skinned people are the same. Malachi was calm, intelligent and persuading. Emily was also a good character. She really made me mad sometimes but other times I felt like cheering her on! I learned a bunch about slavery, racism and the Underground Railroad from the book. I could imagine myself actually in the places Mrs. Isenhoff was describing. There is also a section in the back of the book that talks about the actual historical events mentioned in the book which I thought was nice. The only thing I would change is that the story wouldn’t have ended! I am waiting for the third book in the series called “Beneath the Slashings” to be released hopefully sometime this year!
I highly recommend this book. I think the book is good for kids 8+ and adults. It is a good clean read for kids. There are some more grown-up topics like slavery in the book, but it is kid-friendly.
August 4, 2015
Here are my answers to the questions ask by Audible when I reviewed this book:
If you could sum up The Candle Star in three words, what would they be?
Thought-provoking, entertaining, well-written
Who was your favorite character and why?
Emily Preston is the main character in this book and for the first few pages you want to pull her over your knee and give her a sound whooping (note: I do not condone spanking but this girl really needs one). She is one of those characters that you just down right hate. She is spoiled, selfish, and very set in her ways. You don’t expect that she will ever change and just when you are about to give up hope on her your see another quality; Emily cares for others. She has compassion and it soon grows into something strong enough to help her change for the better.
Which character – as performed by Fred Wolinsky – was your favorite?
There were several he did a wonderful job with. I liked his impression of Emily. Her southern bell accent was spot on. I also enjoyed all the black folks. He really brought a "real" aspect to the book. His best overall voice I think was the wicked Mr. Burrows, which he did so well.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
This book really made me think and think hard. Are we all sometime like Emily Preston? Do we ignore bad things because that’s the way things have always been? Do we put ourselves above others because we feel more entitled to things? The one thing that stood out above anything else is that our prejudices are not limited to race; at least not for Emily. She not only sees the colored folks as beneath her, but those with a lower class than herself. She sees servants, white or black, as nobodies; even the people in the north because they do not see things as she. This prejudice is so extreme she is willing to destroy someone else’s happiness to see the classes don’t mix. How often do we ourselves do this? Michelle Isenhoff makes you sit back and take stock of the type of person Emily is and how to avoid becoming this way.
Any additional comments?
Overall I believe this is a book that every kid should read. I love the nods at actual things that transpired during this time in history: the mention of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the slave trade, and the underground railroad. The way these were written really show the author did her homework. I am anxious to read the rest of the books in this series.
If you could sum up The Candle Star in three words, what would they be?
Thought-provoking, entertaining, well-written
Who was your favorite character and why?
Emily Preston is the main character in this book and for the first few pages you want to pull her over your knee and give her a sound whooping (note: I do not condone spanking but this girl really needs one). She is one of those characters that you just down right hate. She is spoiled, selfish, and very set in her ways. You don’t expect that she will ever change and just when you are about to give up hope on her your see another quality; Emily cares for others. She has compassion and it soon grows into something strong enough to help her change for the better.
Which character – as performed by Fred Wolinsky – was your favorite?
There were several he did a wonderful job with. I liked his impression of Emily. Her southern bell accent was spot on. I also enjoyed all the black folks. He really brought a "real" aspect to the book. His best overall voice I think was the wicked Mr. Burrows, which he did so well.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
This book really made me think and think hard. Are we all sometime like Emily Preston? Do we ignore bad things because that’s the way things have always been? Do we put ourselves above others because we feel more entitled to things? The one thing that stood out above anything else is that our prejudices are not limited to race; at least not for Emily. She not only sees the colored folks as beneath her, but those with a lower class than herself. She sees servants, white or black, as nobodies; even the people in the north because they do not see things as she. This prejudice is so extreme she is willing to destroy someone else’s happiness to see the classes don’t mix. How often do we ourselves do this? Michelle Isenhoff makes you sit back and take stock of the type of person Emily is and how to avoid becoming this way.
Any additional comments?
Overall I believe this is a book that every kid should read. I love the nods at actual things that transpired during this time in history: the mention of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the slave trade, and the underground railroad. The way these were written really show the author did her homework. I am anxious to read the rest of the books in this series.
August 15, 2011
My daughter read and loved The Candle Star by Michelle Isenhoff. This is her review:
The Candle Star is set back in the slave days and is about a 12-year old girl, Emily Preston, who lives on a plantation in South Carolina, but whose parents send her to stay with her uncle in Detroit. Apparently, her parents think that she could use an attitude adjustment and that her uncle could maybe help with that. And her parents are right. Emily is sarcastic and self-important. When she first arrives at her uncle’s, she decides that she will be so unlikeable that her uncle will send her home.
Ms. Isenhoff writes in a very descriptive way. It is so colorful that I felt like I could really see what was happening. There were a couple of times, like when Emily was being mean to the old slave man who accompanied her on her trip, when I just felt like crying. But that’s a good thing- it was just because Ms. Isenhoff’s writing was so good. She showed Emily’s character development from the beginning, when Emily was self-absorbed to the end, when Emily had learned that there are larger things in life than herself.
I liked the Candle Star because it showed a period of time that I haven’t had a chance yet to learn much about. And Ms. Isenhoff made it come alive for me. Her characters were all so vivid that I felt like I actually knew them and I was sad when the book was over.
The only thing that was hard for me was some of the slave dialogue. It was hard for me to understand and I had to read it twice. But that wasn’t the author’s fault- it seems like it was the way they truly spoke, so she was being true to the era.
I would recommend The Candle Star to anyone. And in fact, when school starts, I’m going to recommend it to my teacher. It would be great for my class to read. The characters were likeable, the writing was vivid and interesting and the plot was complex. I give it 5/5 stars.
The Candle Star is set back in the slave days and is about a 12-year old girl, Emily Preston, who lives on a plantation in South Carolina, but whose parents send her to stay with her uncle in Detroit. Apparently, her parents think that she could use an attitude adjustment and that her uncle could maybe help with that. And her parents are right. Emily is sarcastic and self-important. When she first arrives at her uncle’s, she decides that she will be so unlikeable that her uncle will send her home.
Ms. Isenhoff writes in a very descriptive way. It is so colorful that I felt like I could really see what was happening. There were a couple of times, like when Emily was being mean to the old slave man who accompanied her on her trip, when I just felt like crying. But that’s a good thing- it was just because Ms. Isenhoff’s writing was so good. She showed Emily’s character development from the beginning, when Emily was self-absorbed to the end, when Emily had learned that there are larger things in life than herself.
I liked the Candle Star because it showed a period of time that I haven’t had a chance yet to learn much about. And Ms. Isenhoff made it come alive for me. Her characters were all so vivid that I felt like I actually knew them and I was sad when the book was over.
The only thing that was hard for me was some of the slave dialogue. It was hard for me to understand and I had to read it twice. But that wasn’t the author’s fault- it seems like it was the way they truly spoke, so she was being true to the era.
I would recommend The Candle Star to anyone. And in fact, when school starts, I’m going to recommend it to my teacher. It would be great for my class to read. The characters were likeable, the writing was vivid and interesting and the plot was complex. I give it 5/5 stars.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: Emily Preston has plans for her life; plans in direct oppostion to her parents' wishes. After a moment of high spirits - a tantrum her mother called it - she is shipped off to stay with her Uncle Isaac. But his Detroit hotel is nothing like the beautiful plantation she has always known.
In Detroit, Emily meets Malachi, a son of freed slaves who has grand schemes of his own. Their abrasive relationship gradually challenges many of the ideas Emily has grown up believing. But when she stumbles upon two run-aways hidden in her uncle’s barn, Emily must make up her own mind. Should she turn them in to the slave catchers staying in the hotel? Or help Malachi escort them to freedom?
REVIEW: This was an excellent read and I think it would be a great read-aloud for upper elementary students. Emily was such a snobbish, opinionated, prejudiced young girl when she left the south to live with her uncle in Detroit. Her prejudice against blacks, Irish, anybody who she felt was a lower class than her "southern plantation" family was voiced loudly and clearly. Soft spoken, soft hearted, but strong standing Malachi helps Emily learn to value every person as an individual and to stand strong for what she as a girl wants in life as well. The supporting characters were also well done. The author's historical detail of the underground railroad as well as the slave catchers was well done.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "The North Star is sort of like a candle that God hung up special to guid His lost children. Lots of black folks looking up at it right now, directing themselves home to freedom."
"Maybe character is being able to find a way to grow and develop into exactly what we were meant to become, even when we're crowded with limitations....Maybe it's even the limits that push us to become extraordinary."
In Detroit, Emily meets Malachi, a son of freed slaves who has grand schemes of his own. Their abrasive relationship gradually challenges many of the ideas Emily has grown up believing. But when she stumbles upon two run-aways hidden in her uncle’s barn, Emily must make up her own mind. Should she turn them in to the slave catchers staying in the hotel? Or help Malachi escort them to freedom?
REVIEW: This was an excellent read and I think it would be a great read-aloud for upper elementary students. Emily was such a snobbish, opinionated, prejudiced young girl when she left the south to live with her uncle in Detroit. Her prejudice against blacks, Irish, anybody who she felt was a lower class than her "southern plantation" family was voiced loudly and clearly. Soft spoken, soft hearted, but strong standing Malachi helps Emily learn to value every person as an individual and to stand strong for what she as a girl wants in life as well. The supporting characters were also well done. The author's historical detail of the underground railroad as well as the slave catchers was well done.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "The North Star is sort of like a candle that God hung up special to guid His lost children. Lots of black folks looking up at it right now, directing themselves home to freedom."
"Maybe character is being able to find a way to grow and develop into exactly what we were meant to become, even when we're crowded with limitations....Maybe it's even the limits that push us to become extraordinary."
Read
October 1, 2015It is 1858 and young Emily Preston is headed to Detroit. Her unpleasant behavior and poor attitude have resulted in her parents' decision to send Emily to spend time with her mother's brother, Uncle Isaac.
Used to life on the plantation in Charleston and the attention of family-owned slaves, Emily is out of her element when she arrives in Detroit. Uncle Isaac owns and operates a hotel in the city. Emily is expected to attend school and lend a hand helping around the hotel. Dealing with the idea of blacks who have their freedom is completely contrary to Emily's upbringing.
Determined to be annoying enough to give her uncle reason to send her home, Emily treats him and his employees with contempt and disrespect. Uncle Isaac rises to the challenge of dealing with the obnoxious teen and puts her in her place instead of sending her packing.
As time passes and Emily gets to know Uncle Isaac and his friends, including some of the free blacks, she begins to realize that she is not better than others. When she first arrived and met Mr. Burrows, a slave catcher, she thought his job was an honorable one. Retrieving runaway slaves was something she was raised to believe was acceptable. However, her time in Detroit and a growing friendship with a young black boy causes her to change her thinking and view the work of Mr. Burrow as unjust.
Author Michelle Isenhoff brings history alive in THE CANDLE STAR. Her characters are relatable and intriguing. Readers will be frustrated with Emily's behavior, but will come to appreciate her change and growth as she experiences life in the North. THE CANDLE STAR is book #1 in the Divided Decade Trilogy. Its fast pace and easy style is perfect for middle grade readers.
Used to life on the plantation in Charleston and the attention of family-owned slaves, Emily is out of her element when she arrives in Detroit. Uncle Isaac owns and operates a hotel in the city. Emily is expected to attend school and lend a hand helping around the hotel. Dealing with the idea of blacks who have their freedom is completely contrary to Emily's upbringing.
Determined to be annoying enough to give her uncle reason to send her home, Emily treats him and his employees with contempt and disrespect. Uncle Isaac rises to the challenge of dealing with the obnoxious teen and puts her in her place instead of sending her packing.
As time passes and Emily gets to know Uncle Isaac and his friends, including some of the free blacks, she begins to realize that she is not better than others. When she first arrived and met Mr. Burrows, a slave catcher, she thought his job was an honorable one. Retrieving runaway slaves was something she was raised to believe was acceptable. However, her time in Detroit and a growing friendship with a young black boy causes her to change her thinking and view the work of Mr. Burrow as unjust.
Author Michelle Isenhoff brings history alive in THE CANDLE STAR. Her characters are relatable and intriguing. Readers will be frustrated with Emily's behavior, but will come to appreciate her change and growth as she experiences life in the North. THE CANDLE STAR is book #1 in the Divided Decade Trilogy. Its fast pace and easy style is perfect for middle grade readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews