Behind the Masks: The Diary of Angeline Reddy, Bodie, California, 1880

Dear America

by Susan Patron

Newbery Award-winning author Susan Patron brings her talents to the beloved Dear America series in this exciting story of a girl growing up in the Wild West, in a California gold mining town.

Growing up in the wild gold-mining town of Bodie, California, in the 1880s, Angeline Reddy has seen it all -- saloons, brawls, and a whole lot of desperation. When her father, Bodie's greatest lawyer, is declared murdered, Angie knows deep in her heart that he isn't dead and decides it is up to her to solve the mystery of what happened to him. But when her mother takes ill and a mysterious ghost appears, putting together the puzzle pieces seems impossible. Not to mention, a gang of vigilantes, the 601, is raging out of control, running folks out of town, and nobody seems safe.
Will Angie, with the help of her friends Ellie and Ling Loi, and the mysterious and tragically handsome Antoine, be able to uncover the secret of her father's disappearance?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Mystery, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Susan Patron specialized in Children's Services for 35 years at the Los Angeles Public Library before retiring in 2007, the same year her novel The Higher Power of Lucky was awarded the John Newbery Medal. As the library's Juvenile Materials Collection Development Manager, she trained and mentored children's librarians in 72 branches. Patron has served on many book award committees, including the Caldecott and Laura Ingalls Wilder Committees of the American Library Association. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Patron's previous books for children include the Billy Que trilogy of picture books; Dark Cloud Strong Breeze; and a chapter book, Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe. All earned starred reviews, and the latter was named an ALA Notable book. The Listening Library audio edition of The Higher Power of Lucky is an ALA Notable Recording; the book will be translated into twelve foreign languages and has been optioned for a motion picture.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is near and dear to my heart. 💖💔

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weird book. This is the only one of the Dear America series that I've read but if I take this as an example I won't be recommending them to girls. The series sells itself as historical fiction with different girls throughout American History writing in their diaries. I'm quite impressed with the American Girl books and my daughter has loved those as well as learned a lot of history by reading them so I had high hopes for this series. This particular book has a ghost story as a large part of the plot with a dead toddler creepy ghost. I suppose people can have different views on this and many people love ghost stories, but I usually put ghost stories and realistic historical fiction in different categories. The story takes place in a gold rush town in the 1880s and much of the plot revolves around the complicated financing of gold mines, the movement of gold bouillon and currency between banks and the the mine owners, and the resulting micro economy of the town and politics surrounding it. The intricacies of this plot were not well explained and are confusing for a children's story. Another major plot line has to do with brothels and dance halls and a young orphan girl facing working in them once she turns twelve. This aspect of the story isn't really explained at all, simply naming the places and indicating that it wouldn't be a good thing for the orphan, stating that proper ladies do not go near them. However, every time a prostitute is referred to she is a very sympathetic character and the women and men who indicate that these are not places for young ladies to be are shown in a negative light. A young reader who doesn't understand what a brothel or dance hall is would be very confused and wonder why the young orphan girl doesn't want to go there. Further, this topic for a story marketed for grade school girls seems odd to me.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally really like the Dear America series and have read as many as I can get my hands on. Same for the American Girls books. Granted I am not this book's target audience. But I really enjoy my young adult historical fiction.

I really didn't like the ghost story; I kept waiting to hear the real-world explanation of it, but it turns out this really was a ghost story. I'm not a fan of that mixing of "real" and "not-real." Also, if you're the parent of a toddler, that whole part is just too heart-wrenching. Wow.

With all the talk of brothels and Ling Loi's situation, yes, this book seems to be for an older audience than other Dear America books. It's definitely my personal preference, but that was one of the things I really appreciated reading other ones. In those books, as a knowledgeable adult, I can see the hints at the horrible things that happened in the these historical settings -- but overall, the worst things are not laid out so explicitly because of the younger audience, and I appreciate that. This book I felt didn't disguise them quite so much. I would save this book for an older child, absolutely.

There were other things I didn't much like either. The way this read more as a story than a diary. I didn't find the Horribles plot line all that engaging and or realistic. I wonder if perhaps the author's attempts to hold true to historical reality ended up constraining her. Compared to the other Dear America books, this one seemed to be much more based on real people - perhaps to its detriment.

[Asher · Rating 2 out of 5]

if you grew up with Dear America, you'll more than likely be disappointed.

This is much more of a fun YA mystery adventure that happens to take place historically. There's an actual ghost involved. It's silly. there's a ball for heaven's sake, and the consistency of the protagonist is lacking. much.

I feel like I need to go read that one about the girl and the lighthouse and the civil war to cleanse my brain.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not prepared for the mild paranormal element (ghosts! Actual ghosts!) - but overall, this was entertaining.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit different than the past Dear America Series books. It's not a bad change though, however I think it may be off putting to some. There is absolutely no way of describing a mining town, such as Bodie was without a little more mature description. It was a pretty rough time and not everything was picture perfect including the citizens. I thought the twist with the ghost story was well done. The ending surprised the heck out of me.

[Terryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

PATRON, Susan. Dear America: Behind the Masks. 298p. Scholastic. Jan 2012. ISBN: 978-0-545-30437-5. $12.99. F.

Gr 5-8
In the Diary of Angeline Reddy from Bodie, California, 1880, Angie is distraught when her father disappears and is declared dead by the town newspaper and coroner. Angie and her mother are sure her father is alive and enlist pals Ellie and Ling Loi to help solve the mystery. When the friends see a ghost and witness a murder by a bold gang of vigilantes called the 601s, Angie becomes ever more desperate to find her dad. In this fast paced and action packed novel Patron does not shy away from hot button topics; including prostitutes and murdering vigilantes in the cast of characters and sprinkling some realism into an historical ghost story/romance. Recommended to readers of the rest of the Dear America series.

-Terry Ann Lawler - Phoenix Public Library, AZ.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was weirdest Dear America book ever. If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't have even guessed this was a Dear America book based on the content. This is more like an Old West sort of murder mystery. The tone of the whole thing was odd, which made this feel like this wasn't actually going for describing history. It's a fairly good look at a mining town in general (and a casual glance at the discrimination the Chinese faced), but it still doesn't feel remotely real, and that's not something I want in a Dear America book.

I did like the characters however, especially smartass Ling Loi.

Basically, I didn't not like the book, but I didn't really like it either.

[Kelsey Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't care much for the newer versions of the Dear America series. What I liked about the previous books were that the girls seemed like normal girls for their time period and offered what a slice of life would be like for that particular era. This one doesn't really read like a diary. It's more like a poorly constructed mystery novel. It didn't seem particularly real or relatable. I did like the main character was a bit more on the feisty side but I found this a little underwhelming

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angeline lives with her parents in the wild western town of Bodie, California in 1880. Her father is a criminal lawyer noted for his ability to keep people out of jail. He's also dead or supposedly murdered in the saloon where he keeps his office. Angeline and her mother are convinced that Patrick/Papa is hiding out, waiting to see what happens without law and order. What happens is that the vigilante posse 601 is out riding around in masks shooting and burning and running "undesirable" people out of town. Angeline sets out to search for clues to her father's disappearance, beginning with a a message brought by a strange Chinese girl named Ling Loi. Angeline's budding friendship with the wealthy Eleanor Tucker reveals more secrets and mysteries in the form of a ghost child. As Angeline searches for clues about her missing father, she discovers the residents of Bodie are all hiding behind masks and when those masks are taken off, then her father will come home and all will be well. Despite the dangerous times, Angeline feels safe because a handsome young clerk at Wells Fargo, Antoine Duval, is looking out for her along with a group of rag-tag actors known as The Horribles. Angeline is drawn to their wit and satirical stories and longs to be a part of their world.

This book is not for the faint of heart. It features murder, vigilante justice, warnings about opium addiction, racism, and prostitution. The description of the wild western town of Bodie is very vivid and the author holds nothing back. I really appreciated that as an adult reader but I'm not sure how much the realistic, gritty details will appeal to the target reader group. The mystery of Angeline's missing father isn't much of a mystery. The truth is revealed to Angeline early on and I feel it was too early and should have been dragged out longer. The other mystery, about the ghost child is more compelling and also very true to the harsh realities of life in the 19th century. I do not feel that Angeline is a very memorable character. She doesn't leap off the page as some of the other Dear America characters do and her writing style is boring. Some of the dialogue, especially Ellie's, sounds fake. I think Ling Loi should have been the main character for her story is much more interesting. Taking into consideration all of the Dear America series, this one stands slightly above average but is not the best of the best. I would recommend it for young adults 14 and up and adults interested in a realistic portrayal of life in the Wild West.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Angeline Reddy lives in the wild mining town of Bodie, California, in 1880. Her father is a famous criminal defense lawyer who is known for having never lost a case. But when he is presumed murdered, Angie doesn't believe it, and neither does her mother. Many people could have wanted her father dead, but Angie is sure he is alive and in hiding.

Angie is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to her father, but it will be difficult. Bodie is wild and dangerous, and a gang of vigilantes is causing trouble in town. On top of everything else, her mother is ill, and there seems to be a ghost haunting their house. Can Angie, with the help of her friends, solve the mystery in time?

Behind the Masks is a bit different than other books in the Dear America series. It's still written in the usual diary format, but instead of being about just the daily life of a young girl from an important place or time in American history, this particular book has a strong central plot, which is Angie solving the mystery of what happened to her father. As a result, it didn't seem as much like a "real" diary, since the diary entries are really long (since it's a 300 page book set over about four weeks). I still really enjoyed the book, and recommend it to readers who love historical fiction set in the Old West, but at times it didn't seem much like a Dear America book.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the second of the newer Dear America books that I've read and disliked. The original books were much better because they gave the reader a glimpse of what life was like during a specific time period, entries weren't long, and the writer was believable as a child. These new books have really long diary entries making it read as a novel. The author didn't write the way a child wrote, at best this came off as more YA than a children's book. There are so many subplots, it is hard to keep track of them all.

I guess this book was supposed to teach kids what life was like in a gold mining town in 1880, but it really didn't, except to spend a lot of time talking about gambling and brothels, not exactly something I expect to find in a children's book. I wouldn't want to have that conversation with a 9-year old. Again, maybe for a YA book. And then there's the ghost that appears in the story and is seen by no less than 4 people. An explanation is never given. I didn't think it fit in a children's historical fiction, where the reader is supposed to be reading about history. It would, however, fit in a YA book.

So, really, this book is written for an older audience, who might not want to read it because the rest of the Dear America books are aimed at the 8-12 year old range and are found in the children's section.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember liking this when I was younger (perhaps because I had an unhealthy interest in ghosts and scary things...). Now, this story simply seems unnecessarily harsh and inexplicably not like most historical fiction novels. I'm sure other people have already mentioned this, but the creepy ghost girl was not necessary in the story and simply serves to make everything else seem rather unrealistic.

Either way, I think everyone who has read this book can agree that Behind the Masks is the strangest (by far) of the Dear America series. I myself wouldn't recommend this book anymore, but it's worth a try if you're set on reading it. :) Still, the other Dear America books are certainly worth reading.

Content warnings: Mentions of brothels, gun fights, mining accidents, dead bodies, "curves" on a woman, blood and bleeding, drowning, and the 601 vigilantes. In one scene, a tiny ghost girl is seen drowning in a puddle. Even though this serves as a plot point, the scene may be quite disturbing to younger readers. I will elaborate more on this later.

Full review to come.

[Jessica Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2012, November 12). Horn Book Guide. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#

Audience:
Gr. 5-8

Opening:
(Genre chart out on display) Begin by drawing attention to the cover of the book. Ask students to brainstorm in small groups or partners where the book could possibly fit. Discuss if the book could fit in multiple genres. Read the synopsis located on the back cover out loud to students. Brainstorm as a whole group then create a chart or fill in an existing chart on the different characteristics that the book possibly has based on the cover illustrations. Talk briefly about the time period and draw attention to how the book is set up as journal entries and not as chapters.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

THIS IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF DEAR AMERICA, so please try another if you didn’t dig this.

I think what I loved the most about the series when I read it when I was a child was that the authors took the time to not only dive into a story and create a historical fiction, but they also upheld some historical standards in research that helps the reader believe the story more. This was closer to A Great and Terrible Beauty, with its Fantastical elements within historical fiction. It also felt more like a mystery. The excessive use of the metaphor of masks to fit the title was a little obnoxious. It’s a shame, because I was really excited to see something for younger readers to read about this time and learn a bit more about California history, or at least think about it.

[Rebecca Rash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took some effort to get into. It is a very confusing book when one starts, and it wasn't until the middle of the book that I began to understand what the beginning was talking about. This one may frighten more sensitive children, as there is a slightly haunting sub-plot to it. Also, the mention of a brothel and the main characters desire to see one is mentioned. Overall, I found the book interesting, the characters well done, but I think it could have been better written. I would also up the grade-level.

[Jessica Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very weird diary book to be in this series, but it was still interesting which made me continue reading this book. My favorite part of the book was when Angeline found out her father was still alive and not murdered. Overall, in my opinion I wouldn't recommend this book to many people since this was not my favorite Dear America books I have read.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly forgot how much I enjoyed these diary stories as a kid. For my short attention span diaries always gave me a cutting off point (that was different than chapters) making it to each new date felt like an accomplishment. I also thoroughly enjoy the section where the author explains their sources and what life was actually like vs what they created to aid the story.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

"'If you raise a gun, someone will shoot you. How can you not know that?'"

I love the Dear America books, but this one wasn't great. The whole supernatural element felt forced, and I couldn't really get into it.
I would, however, really like to visit a ghost town now.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newbery-award winner Susan Patron turns to the Wild West in the newest entry in the re-launch of Scholastic's popular Dear America series. Set in the frontier town of Bodie, California, at the height of its Gold Rush boom, this novel introduces us to plucky fourteen-year-old Angeline, who doesn't believe that her father, the town's criminal lawyer, has been murdered. In fact, she's willing to sneak into the town's funeral home to take a peek in the casket just to prove it's not him. When her hunch proves right, she's the one who has to investigate the mystery this book revolves around: just where is her Papa?

But it's not easy to get to the truth in this practically lawless gold rush town; Angeline is just plain "weary of the recklessness and danger of Bodie," a settlement filled with Chinese immigrants, saloons, brothels, miners, vigilantes, and a troupe of actors known as the "Horribles." In order to find her father, she get some help from several friends, Ellie and Ling Loi, an American-born Chinese girl, Ling Loi, who's been raised in a brothel by the proverbial prostitutes with a heart of gold. There's a hint of romance, too, between Angeline and an attractive bank-clerk-detective-actor, and even a ghost story revolving around a long-dead child. The story is written in the first-person diary format of the other books in this series, but differs from other Dear America novels that I have read in that I would call it more of a mystery than traditional historical fiction. The author provides plenty of colorful historical details of life in a frontier town, from the awful realities of a trip to the dentist to the petty small-town prejudices and gossip. It's an action-packed, rip-roaring tale that should appeal to girls as well as boys and makes a good addition to school and/or public libraries.

Like all the Dear America books, this novel includes an epilogue of what happened to the characters and a section with historical notes about the town of Bodie in 1880, historical photos and maps. Back matter also includes a section on how to make a 19th century style mask from strips of muslin. An author's note from Patron explains how she became interested in the history of Bodie after visiting the town, located near Yosemite. The "ghost town," which at the height of its boom in the 1880's had 10,000 residents, is now a National Historic Site and a California State Historic Park.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by far the strangest Dear America book I have ever read! My rating might be a little unfair because the story is really interesting, but I honestly forgot what series I was reading a few times.

First, it's a little strange to me to take two real-life people from history and give them a fictional daughter to be the narrator. As far as I know, that's not something other writers of this series have done. At least this wasn't done in a malicious or harmful way, so I don't have much of a problem with this. it just seems odd to me.

Second, there's a secondary plotline involving supernatural events that are depicted as being true within the context of the story. There is an actual ghost, witnessed by at least three separate people, and this isn't seem as especially unusual or explained away as a hallucination or anything. Very, VERY strange for a historical novel! Especially for one that is supposed to be otherwise realistic.

Some of the events seemed exaggerated as well, but given the subjects involved in said events, and the setting, they are mostly forgivable, if, again, strange for this series.

The narrator seems to me to be a bit more larger than life than is typical for a Dear America novel, but maybe that's a good thing once in a while. There are, after all, girls who accomplish incredible things that nobody would expect from them, throughout history.

It's a good book, and it kept me entertained throughout, so I couldn't really ask for more. I just wonder whether it truly belongs in this series.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is that Angeline Reddy's father has been murdered on the stairs on the way back to his office. In 1880 in the gold mining town of Bodie, California, murder is not an uncommon occurrence. As a matter of fact, her father, a prominent criminal lawyer, built up his practice defending clients accused of murder and other crimes. The scales of justice in Bodie are often tilted in favor of the mine owners, and even when it isn’t, mob justice in the form of vigilantes takes over. And that’s why she doesn’t think her father is dead. She thinks he’s just gone undercover and she’s determined to find him.

This is a meticulously researched historical novel and a the same time an excellent adventure story with a plot as intricate as an Agatha Christie novel cumulating in a grand dénouement worthy of Christie, with a bonus ghost story and a touch of romance thrown in. Patron has captured the prose style and sensibilities of 19th century fiction marvelously while telling a story that speaks to the concerns of her 21st century readers.
Campbell does a very good job of vocal characterizations. While the accents of her Irish-American characters are the best, all others are good and well suited to the tale.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit worried that the latest addition to Scholastic's Dear America series would fall to the stereotypes of the "Wild West," but Behind the Masks generally managed, as with the rest of the series, to rise above what is expected. Like the rest of the excellent series, it provides a tale rich in historical detail - albeit this time with a touch of mystery and ghostliness.

Having been a fan of Dear America since early elementary school, I found Behind the Masks to match the historical accuracy of the earlier books, bringing to life the time period and the characters for readers. Being a more discerning reader than I was in elementary school, I also found parts - mostly the mystery ones - to seem a little rushed and confusing. Other than that, however, the author presents a lifelike young voice from the time period. I learned quite a lot about California frontier life, especially its socio-political aspects, from reading this! I also appreciated that Angeline is not the all-perfect character; her "sidekicks" are as every bit as important to the uncovering of the Bodie mystery as is she. Behind the Masks is certainly a welcome and satisfactory addition to the series!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newbery Award-winning author Susan Patron brings her talents to the beloved Dear America series in this exciting story of a girl growing up in the Wild West, in a California gold mining town.

Growing up in the wild gold-mining town of Bodie, California, in the 1880s, Angeline Reddy has seen it all -- saloons, brawls, and a whole lot of desperation. When her father, Bodie's greatest lawyer, is declared murdered, Angie knows deep in her heart that he isn't dead and decides it is up to her to solve the mystery of what happened to him. But when her mother takes ill and a mysterious ghost appears, putting together the puzzle pieces seems impossible. Not to mention, a gang of vigilantes, the 601, is raging out of control, running folks out of town, and nobody seems safe.
Will Angie, with the help of her friends Ellie and Ling Loi, and the mysterious and tragically handsome Antoine, be able to uncover the secret of her father's disappearance?

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angeline Reddy's beloved Papa has been killed by a knife stab to the back in the 1880 gold-mining town of Bodie, California. As Angie and her mother struggle with the death, other events in this wild frontier impact their lives. Using the gothic-like language of the 19th century, Angie and her friend Ling Loi Wing solve a mystery, witness an armed standoff, and see an unmasking, an election, and heroism. The author weaves historical facts about Bodie with fictional characters to create a vivid portrait of characters often used viewed as stereotypes -- soiled doves, respectable women, law enforcement, robbers, miners, and Chinese laborers. Period photographs of Bodie round out this fast-moving novel.

[Drucilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked that the author stuck very close to history. She did a lot of research and incorporated so much into the book. Some might say too much historical detail. (I don't need nor want to know how settlers kept moths from eating their carpets.) For the most part, it sticks to the spirit of the Dear America series. Key phrase: "For the most part." The author adds a ghost story, something the original series never had, and it sticks out like a sore thumb. The author also doesn't know how to write in diary format. It feels like she wrote the story, then broke it up and put dates at the top. It doesn't feel natural.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was once again surprised with the number of negative reviews for this book. Most that I saw commented that the writer's style of writing was the fault. Now I haven't read other books by this writer, so I'm not sure if she writes in the same style, but I think she wrote this in the most time period authentic style of any I've read in the series so far. I think people forget how different life was in the time periods described. The way people thought was vastly different too, and I think the author did a good job with capturing that here. I like how many real people she represented. And it came across as a great old time mystery story. I highly recommend this book!

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good California Historical fiction! Lovers of the Dear America series will enjoy this latest entry, as well those who enjoy Gold Rush era historical fiction. Angie refuses to believe that her father is dead, enven though the town holds a funeral for him. Together, she and her new friends Ellie and Ling Loi work on solving that mystery, as well as protecting their town from a gang of vigilantes who step in too far when the corrupt sheriff won't. Everyone wears some kind of mask -- how can you learn what is behind it?

[Molly]

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. While it was told in diary style, it didn't really feel like a diary, it felt like a full-blown first-person narrative. They are not specific about what happens in the dancing ladies house, so I think that'd kind of go over most kids' heads (but they'd get that it makes the ladies disreputable to the respectable ladies), but I think they do say "whore" at one point, making this a book you'd have to know the parents to feel like you can give it to the kids.