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Quilt Trilogy #2
Broken Days
The second page-turning installment of award-winning historical-fiction author Ann Rinaldi's QUILT TRILOGY. "A definite plus for any historical fiction collection." - VOYA
When her mother died, she told 14-year-old Walking Breeze to seek out her family-the Chelmsfords of Salem. She will find solace there.
But Ebie Chelmsford has other ideas. Ebie knows that her half-Shawnee "cousin" will take her place as grandfather's favorite. And Ebie will do anything to stop that--even trying to prove that the girl is an imposter...
Ebie thinks Walking Breeze is destroying the home Aunt Hannah has fought to keep together. But it's Ebie's actions, ultimately, that risk tearing apart the Chelmsford family, like the tattered threads of the family quilt.
When her mother died, she told 14-year-old Walking Breeze to seek out her family-the Chelmsfords of Salem. She will find solace there.
But Ebie Chelmsford has other ideas. Ebie knows that her half-Shawnee "cousin" will take her place as grandfather's favorite. And Ebie will do anything to stop that--even trying to prove that the girl is an imposter...
Ebie thinks Walking Breeze is destroying the home Aunt Hannah has fought to keep together. But it's Ebie's actions, ultimately, that risk tearing apart the Chelmsford family, like the tattered threads of the family quilt.
275 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
1 person is currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
69 books987 followersAnn Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was listed as one the best novels of the preceding twenty-five years, and later of the last one hundred years. She is the most prolific writer for the Great Episode series, a series of historical fiction novels set during the American Colonial era. She also writes for the Dear America series.
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
Rinaldi currently lives in Somerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Ron, whom she married in 1960. Her career, prior to being an author, was a newspaper columnist. She continued the column, called The Trentonian, through much of her writing career. Her first published novel, Term Paper, was written in 1979. Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible." She became a grandmother in 1991.
Rinaldi says she got her love of history from her eldest son, who brought her to reenactments. She says that she writes young adult books "because I like to write them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 22, 2010
2.5 stars
Has definite middle-book-of-trilogy-itis.
Has definite middle-book-of-trilogy-itis.
August 29, 2013
PATCHING UP FAMILY WOUNDS AND SECRETS
Ann Rinaldi takes up the story of the Chelmsford family in this 2nd novel of her QUILT trilogy. Set against the backdrop of the War of 1812 we meet a preliminary female protagonist, Half Indian Walking Breeze, in the 3rd person, before we meet the primary heroine, 14-year-old Ebie of Salem, MA. Truly a novel of historical fiction this YA book presents many historical characters and events during the presidency of James Madison. Inevitably confusing but necessary for readers' reference, is a detailed family tree which precedes the prologue, the actual narrative, epilogue, and author's note.
The family has been torn apart by decades of hurtful betrayal, harsh lack of forgiveness, social shame and malingering keeping of secrets. As Ebie learns to her sorrow, a person can make a cage for herself either from Love or from Hate. Claiming to be a long-lost relative an Indian girl named Walking Breeze arrives from the frontier with a scrap of her mother's quilt, as proof that she is whom she claims. Like her cousin Georgie--considered a lunatic by local citizens--Walking Breeze does not fit because of her Indians customs, tastes and manners of speech. These female characters are torn between two worlds, caught in a painful culture clash, mistrusted by family and strangers alike.
As war with England looms and Tecumseh leads his Federation of tribes against Americans--with England's connivance--the Chelsmford family grapples with social, political, military and personal issues. With their many private agendas Ebie's relatives agonize over family members at sea and on the frontier, retaliation by enraged Salemites--already divided by war issues--and by doubt and suspicion re Walking Breeze's failure to produce the Proof which she claims to have. Ebie confides in her best friend Mary, and writes to her childhood friend, Benjamin, at sea, but she is also dazzled by her blond, gentlemanly cousin, Jemmy with his Southern accent and charm.
Most complex to follow are the intricate family relationships--many of which are hushed up as causes of deep personal grief. Why does Ebie's grandfather treat her father, absent when the novel opens, so shabbily? This crusty, respected mill owner seems to regret having Ebie as his grand-daughter; he is Not about to accept an Indian girl as his own merely on her word.
Despite several well-meaning men urging her to befriend Walking Breeze and smooth her path, Ebie discovers a quick and easy way to cast doubt on the girl's claim: she steals and hides the scrap of quilting made by the girl's mother. Jealous of Walking Breeze's disruptive effect on the household--not to mention--her ability to earn Grandfather's grudging praise Ebie gradually engages in a private war--even to the point of outright lying.
When will the heroine come of age by ending her time of Broken Days--an Indian expression referring to a limited amount of time in which to accomplish a difficult task? A fascinating, historically accurate read about keeping family secrets, harboring grdges, demonstrating honesty and acceptance. One can build a cage either of Hatred or of Love. Ebie finally recognizes the danger, as she must make a serious choice which will deeply impact her entire family.
(June 15, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
2 of
Ann Rinaldi takes up the story of the Chelmsford family in this 2nd novel of her QUILT trilogy. Set against the backdrop of the War of 1812 we meet a preliminary female protagonist, Half Indian Walking Breeze, in the 3rd person, before we meet the primary heroine, 14-year-old Ebie of Salem, MA. Truly a novel of historical fiction this YA book presents many historical characters and events during the presidency of James Madison. Inevitably confusing but necessary for readers' reference, is a detailed family tree which precedes the prologue, the actual narrative, epilogue, and author's note.
The family has been torn apart by decades of hurtful betrayal, harsh lack of forgiveness, social shame and malingering keeping of secrets. As Ebie learns to her sorrow, a person can make a cage for herself either from Love or from Hate. Claiming to be a long-lost relative an Indian girl named Walking Breeze arrives from the frontier with a scrap of her mother's quilt, as proof that she is whom she claims. Like her cousin Georgie--considered a lunatic by local citizens--Walking Breeze does not fit because of her Indians customs, tastes and manners of speech. These female characters are torn between two worlds, caught in a painful culture clash, mistrusted by family and strangers alike.
As war with England looms and Tecumseh leads his Federation of tribes against Americans--with England's connivance--the Chelsmford family grapples with social, political, military and personal issues. With their many private agendas Ebie's relatives agonize over family members at sea and on the frontier, retaliation by enraged Salemites--already divided by war issues--and by doubt and suspicion re Walking Breeze's failure to produce the Proof which she claims to have. Ebie confides in her best friend Mary, and writes to her childhood friend, Benjamin, at sea, but she is also dazzled by her blond, gentlemanly cousin, Jemmy with his Southern accent and charm.
Most complex to follow are the intricate family relationships--many of which are hushed up as causes of deep personal grief. Why does Ebie's grandfather treat her father, absent when the novel opens, so shabbily? This crusty, respected mill owner seems to regret having Ebie as his grand-daughter; he is Not about to accept an Indian girl as his own merely on her word.
Despite several well-meaning men urging her to befriend Walking Breeze and smooth her path, Ebie discovers a quick and easy way to cast doubt on the girl's claim: she steals and hides the scrap of quilting made by the girl's mother. Jealous of Walking Breeze's disruptive effect on the household--not to mention--her ability to earn Grandfather's grudging praise Ebie gradually engages in a private war--even to the point of outright lying.
When will the heroine come of age by ending her time of Broken Days--an Indian expression referring to a limited amount of time in which to accomplish a difficult task? A fascinating, historically accurate read about keeping family secrets, harboring grdges, demonstrating honesty and acceptance. One can build a cage either of Hatred or of Love. Ebie finally recognizes the danger, as she must make a serious choice which will deeply impact her entire family.
(June 15, 2011. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
2 of
June 25, 2010
The second book in the Quilt Trilogy by Ann Rinaldi, takes us to the next generation. The characters we met in the first book are grow, married and with children.
Cabot's only daughter Ebie, the main character was a lot of fun to read about. She was young, head strong and knew what she wanted and how to get it. Though I thought how she treated Walking Breeze was sad and not very nice, I also had sympathy for her. All she wanted was to be loved by her Grandfather, like any young girl. When she realizes that Walking Breeze is the daughter of Grandfather's favorite child, Thankful, Ebie is afraid that Grandfather will no longer love her. So begins the story of trust, yet again the main point in this book as it was in the first one.
The other characters are rich and wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading about them all. I was shocked to hear that after twenty years, Hannah had yet to marry Richard. It was also sad to hear that Mattie and Lawrence did not have any children. And Cabot. His wife left him because he was "supposedly" lost at sea, so he had to raise Ebi with the help of his sister. Georgie, Louis' daughter from the first book, was grown up and quiet a nuisance.
I'm not going to spoil the book further, so I'll stop by saying that the plot was very, very well written and researched to a great extent. Not only was she able to put in the life of the people in Salem at the time, Rinaldi was able to capture the hearts and experience of Native Americans at the time as well. This was not a disappointing read since I read it in one hour tops and began book #3, right afterwards. One though though was the fact the Ebie falls in love with Jemmy.Her cousin. Like literally, her cousin! Again, I got a taste of what life like then was like.
Cabot's only daughter Ebie, the main character was a lot of fun to read about. She was young, head strong and knew what she wanted and how to get it. Though I thought how she treated Walking Breeze was sad and not very nice, I also had sympathy for her. All she wanted was to be loved by her Grandfather, like any young girl. When she realizes that Walking Breeze is the daughter of Grandfather's favorite child, Thankful, Ebie is afraid that Grandfather will no longer love her. So begins the story of trust, yet again the main point in this book as it was in the first one.
The other characters are rich and wonderfully written and I enjoyed reading about them all. I was shocked to hear that after twenty years, Hannah had yet to marry Richard. It was also sad to hear that Mattie and Lawrence did not have any children. And Cabot. His wife left him because he was "supposedly" lost at sea, so he had to raise Ebi with the help of his sister. Georgie, Louis' daughter from the first book, was grown up and quiet a nuisance.
I'm not going to spoil the book further, so I'll stop by saying that the plot was very, very well written and researched to a great extent. Not only was she able to put in the life of the people in Salem at the time, Rinaldi was able to capture the hearts and experience of Native Americans at the time as well. This was not a disappointing read since I read it in one hour tops and began book #3, right afterwards. One though though was the fact the Ebie falls in love with Jemmy.Her cousin. Like literally, her cousin! Again, I got a taste of what life like then was like.
January 3, 2019
I think this one's going in the next cull.
I don't like the "me Indian, me speak funny" trope that Rinaldi employs. Walking Breeze learned English alongside Shawnee, much as I learned German alongside English. Both her English and my German should therefore have the accents of our teachers, even if they're not our primary languages. I sound just like the rest of my family -- Walking Breeze should sound like a Salem native. My speech patterns are no different except for a few NSFW idioms (give me a break, I was a kid when we left).
Out of necessity for the story, no Shawnee word that Walking Breeze uses can't be translated. So... why translate them at all? Or why use them? Talking about her friend Cat Pouncing, there's an opportunity later than the prologue to translate his name, a perfectly natural one. There are places where characters can ask what she means by X. But she wouldn't feel the need, having learned the word for that concept already in English! She'd just use the word and be done with it!
"But Lana, you don't always use the English." Yeah, because between Lyme and anorexia, my brain is complete spoo. I forget words in various of the languages and variants I've learned. This would happen even if all I had was English. I'd just go blank. Walking Breeze is healthy. There is no damage to excuse her suddenly not having the words. She should be fine in the language department. That she isn't, that's a lazy way of giving her a voice separate from the other characters'.
I don't like the "me Indian, me speak funny" trope that Rinaldi employs. Walking Breeze learned English alongside Shawnee, much as I learned German alongside English. Both her English and my German should therefore have the accents of our teachers, even if they're not our primary languages. I sound just like the rest of my family -- Walking Breeze should sound like a Salem native. My speech patterns are no different except for a few NSFW idioms (give me a break, I was a kid when we left).
Out of necessity for the story, no Shawnee word that Walking Breeze uses can't be translated. So... why translate them at all? Or why use them? Talking about her friend Cat Pouncing, there's an opportunity later than the prologue to translate his name, a perfectly natural one. There are places where characters can ask what she means by X. But she wouldn't feel the need, having learned the word for that concept already in English! She'd just use the word and be done with it!
"But Lana, you don't always use the English." Yeah, because between Lyme and anorexia, my brain is complete spoo. I forget words in various of the languages and variants I've learned. This would happen even if all I had was English. I'd just go blank. Walking Breeze is healthy. There is no damage to excuse her suddenly not having the words. She should be fine in the language department. That she isn't, that's a lazy way of giving her a voice separate from the other characters'.
May 8, 2020
I have read these books more than once since purchasing them for our daughters in the 1990's. They are complex enough for adults and do not contain swearing or sex although there is romance.
July 10, 2011
Broken Days has a great plot and historical setup. Rinaldi really made me feel as if I was living during that time period. However, I just didn't like Ebie, the main character. I mean, I could understand why she acted the way she did, but that doesn't mean that she should. In this book, Walking Breeze has set out to find her white family, but Ebie doesn't want to compete for the title of Most Loved Grandchild. She is rude and hateful to Walking Breeze, shunning her and trying to keep her out of the family. But Walking Breeze doesn't give up. She is an Indian, and proud of it. She knows how to wait. In Broken Days, Ebie learns more about herself and discovers life lessons. She realizes that everybody deserves to be part of a loving family, even if hers isn't perfect. This was a great sequel to the first one, and continues the story of the Chelmsfords, but with the next generation. And, as the title of the trilogy suggests, the quilt also has it's own important role. Rinaldi has written another great tale of family set in America's rich history.
February 12, 2010
Meh. The protagonist in this book really got on my nerves with her unending self-centeredness and immaturity. Her predictable change of heart didn't come until the last two chapters. Disappointing... especially since the setting - 1812 Salem, Massachusetts with indians, Brits, sailors, and classy New England women - could have been fascinating.
April 20, 2010
Liked, not loved. Again, like the first book - too much going on. Enjoyed the history. Good discussion of White Americans vs. Native Americans. I enjoy the descriptions of influences in protaganist's life. Didn't find all characters like-able or interesting, but a good setting and I enjoy reading about the main family.
May 18, 2010
A lot of wisdom and treasures of truth are found in this book, but in the desire for this book to be Juvenile Historical Fiction, many things are skimmed. Yes, this is set in an era and much history is referred to, it is rather skimpy in details. I'm reading this trilogy because of the 'quilt' reference, but even that is skimpy. But the wisdom of 'Broken days' is endearing.
July 20, 2012
I felt a little awkward and out of sorts because it's been so long since I read the first book. Did I read the first book? Or did I just always want to but never get around to it? The books are set so far apart that I don't think it really matters, but still. The biggest thing I took away from it was disappointment that it never went back to the Shawnee girl's perspective.
Read
December 3, 2008"A Stitch in Time" was the first installment of "The Quilt Trilogy", so I'll probably be reading this one and those again since I read them back in the '80s and don't remember much about them now. I do remember that it had some history in it that I enjoyed though.
July 8, 2009
This was a great story set during the time of the War of 1812. It really plays on the idea of who was the bad guys: Indian or White-Americans? I love that the answer is still unresolved even though I persoanlly know which characters I like best. Ann Rinaldi never fails to impress me!
August 6, 2010
How much selfishness and deceit can one family inflict on each other...generation after generation? Oddly enough, as much as I enjoy Rinaldi's historical fiction, this is one trilogy I will not finish.
September 26, 2011
The Chelmsford trilogy continues. When the discovery is made that one of the sisters captured by Indians has a child by her Indian husband, the family is set against each other and the people in town as this child comes to live with her white family.
April 26, 2008
This was a easy read. There was some history in there, which I loved. Good second book in a trilogy.
December 18, 2008
still reading
May 30, 2011
This is one of the only books I've ever read in which I despised the main character, it was interesting.
April 6, 2010
re read
Read
May 10, 2010F RIN quilt bk.2
September 29, 2012
Not my favorite, the last one is better. It isn't really historical either, at least not as much as her other books.
November 6, 2010
Not as good as the first one, but still interesting.
December 18, 2010
depressing
December 27, 2010
sequel to February 19, 1996-good conflicts
March 8, 2011
After reading the first book I came to love the characters, and got to see them in a whole new light with this book and it made me feel that they where more realistic in this second book.
May 1, 2011
I read this trilogy years and years ago. I went through a phase of reading a LOT of Ann Rinaldi. I remember enjoying them but they weren't all-time favorites.
August 20, 2011
Each of the titles in the trilogy is set during a different period in history. Broken Days takes place during the War of 1812.
August 21, 2013
I will be honest, I really didn't like the book that much. At the beginning, it became interesting, but it became dull afterwards to me. It appears that I am not a fan of this trilogy.
October 29, 2013
I liked the character of Walking Breeze and the way she handled the family dynamics. It wasn't a great read for me, but I did enjoy it.
Read
September 25, 2016Not an author that always gives a happy ending; which is both a good and bad thing. :)
August 21, 2018
Rinaldi has such a gift of blending fact and fiction into one gripping story! I was a bit confused at the start of this one, but I'm glad I kept reading. Think I have a new favorite author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews