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A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick
The Revolutionary War is raging. General Wayne's soldiers are freezing, underpaid, and resentful. Whispers of mutiny abound.
A stone's throw from the restless camp, Tempe Wick wages her own battle for survival. Despite her efforts, she fears she won't be able to feed her family, care for her ailing mother, or maintain her farm for long.
As the whispers get louder, the soldiers get bolder. Mutiny is imminent. And Tempe faces a gut-wrenching Should she join the revolt?
Ann Rinaldi's dramatic story is based on the legend of America's Tempe Wick.
Reader's guide included.
A stone's throw from the restless camp, Tempe Wick wages her own battle for survival. Despite her efforts, she fears she won't be able to feed her family, care for her ailing mother, or maintain her farm for long.
As the whispers get louder, the soldiers get bolder. Mutiny is imminent. And Tempe faces a gut-wrenching Should she join the revolt?
Ann Rinaldi's dramatic story is based on the legend of America's Tempe Wick.
Reader's guide included.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
20 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Ann Rinaldi
69 books986 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 Prior to this, she wrote four unpublished books, which she has called "terrible."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 53 reviews
March 12, 2021
A Fun Ride
“A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick” by Ann Rinaldi is a fast paced and fun historical novel taking readers to an the Revolutionary War.
The writing is very descriptive, especially the descriptions of the rugged home lives of the time. Mary and Tempe are strong characters, whom I connected with easily.
The book is an smooth read, especially for YAs. Nicely paced and full of believable scenes Rinaldi does a fantastic job of grabbing the reader from the very start.
Having grown up right across the river from New Jersey, I was really familiar with a lot of the characters and places in the story. It was refreshing to see how they were played. One of my favorites is general Anthony Wayne who has a town named after him. It’s very close to where my family lives outside of Philadelphia.
A good one that I recommend.
“A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick” by Ann Rinaldi is a fast paced and fun historical novel taking readers to an the Revolutionary War.
The writing is very descriptive, especially the descriptions of the rugged home lives of the time. Mary and Tempe are strong characters, whom I connected with easily.
The book is an smooth read, especially for YAs. Nicely paced and full of believable scenes Rinaldi does a fantastic job of grabbing the reader from the very start.
Having grown up right across the river from New Jersey, I was really familiar with a lot of the characters and places in the story. It was refreshing to see how they were played. One of my favorites is general Anthony Wayne who has a town named after him. It’s very close to where my family lives outside of Philadelphia.
A good one that I recommend.
July 25, 2011
I found this book to be quite enjoyable but not one of my favorites by Rinaldi but still worth reading.
July 27, 2011
for some reason tempe wicke was not the main character...please correct me if i'm wrong, but she just wasn't
March 7, 2016
I read this so long ago and remember just loving it. I kept the book all these years, so I really must've been into it.
September 11, 2018
What girl doesn't love a good book about a beautiful horse and his courageous female owner?! I finally read this book for the sheer fact that it's been hanging around from the days that my kids were in advanced English classes and had to pick classics off a list for book reports. Plus the cover with a horse, a girl, and a sunset sucked me in. A good read! And I liked how the author has submerged herself in the war reenactments of the east coast with her family which is where she often gleans her fodder for the next book. Not to mention how she explains each of the real-life characters of this book in a section at the back. This is less about a "women empowerment" theme then you'll think at first and more about one daughter's sacrifice for her family and learning to love and trust other women in the harsh life that surrounds her. Her escape? Time on the back of her horse, wind in her hair, and dreams of a love far away.
I grew up with a gaggle of cousins, riding horses, riding motorcycles, heck we rode around on skinny log poles pretending they were horses when the horses were out to pasture. I enjoyed the conversations & reflections that this author mused between these two girl cousins. The younger being Mary come's to live with her slightly older female cousin Tempe and she muses about the awkwardness they experience as they are now older and getting reacquainted(pg. 125): "Everyone, I pondered, myself included, is just part and parcel of the whole of their life experiences. Everything we do in life, every transaction we have with another human being, is overshadowed by the events that make us what we are. We carry with us always the burdens and joys of the past, like so much baggage. Oh, if only we could perceive what baggage the other person brings into the room, how much easier it would be to figure people out!" Oh, how many times I have thought this same exact thing!
Young Mary goes even deeper and articulates for us all the disappointments in those we look up to coupled with the realization that we, in and of ourselves, are not enough either (pg. 195): "And if this is what growing up means, I told myself sitting there, then I don't like it. Not if growing up means that you see the faults of those around you and can no longer hold them above you, unattainable and worshiped from afar. For then what is there? But one's self? And in my case, I was not enough to sustain myself. I knew that, too, sitting there." Just a couple of cousins, a war, and horse. But yet so much more than that.
I grew up with a gaggle of cousins, riding horses, riding motorcycles, heck we rode around on skinny log poles pretending they were horses when the horses were out to pasture. I enjoyed the conversations & reflections that this author mused between these two girl cousins. The younger being Mary come's to live with her slightly older female cousin Tempe and she muses about the awkwardness they experience as they are now older and getting reacquainted(pg. 125): "Everyone, I pondered, myself included, is just part and parcel of the whole of their life experiences. Everything we do in life, every transaction we have with another human being, is overshadowed by the events that make us what we are. We carry with us always the burdens and joys of the past, like so much baggage. Oh, if only we could perceive what baggage the other person brings into the room, how much easier it would be to figure people out!" Oh, how many times I have thought this same exact thing!
Young Mary goes even deeper and articulates for us all the disappointments in those we look up to coupled with the realization that we, in and of ourselves, are not enough either (pg. 195): "And if this is what growing up means, I told myself sitting there, then I don't like it. Not if growing up means that you see the faults of those around you and can no longer hold them above you, unattainable and worshiped from afar. For then what is there? But one's self? And in my case, I was not enough to sustain myself. I knew that, too, sitting there." Just a couple of cousins, a war, and horse. But yet so much more than that.
October 8, 2016
When I learned about the American Revolution, I was hooked. I don't know why I'm interested it's just fascinating how Americans fought for freedom I guess. This book was taken place during the American Revolution, in New Jersey. The narrator, Mary Cooper, was sent away from her family because she was a rebel and they were Loyalists. She lived with her cousin, Tempe Wick, and her aunt Mary. Mary describes Tempe at first, as an angry young woman, since she was mean to Mary most of the time.
All is well as they help out families and American soldiers with food and sometimes shelter until mutiny is upon them. Bowzar, the leader of the soldiers, wanted to borrow Tempe's magnificent horse but Henry, her brother who pretends to be lunatic, warns her about mutiny. She then breaks her promise with Bowzar and hides with Mary inside the house with their horse too. At the end, the soldiers have abandoned their camp and all was well again. Tempe saw the courage Mary had in her and decided to become nicer and less fearful.
I gave this book three stars, because at some parts it really did bore me. The action was pretty good. I don't highly recommend it but if you want to try something new, sure go ahead.
All is well as they help out families and American soldiers with food and sometimes shelter until mutiny is upon them. Bowzar, the leader of the soldiers, wanted to borrow Tempe's magnificent horse but Henry, her brother who pretends to be lunatic, warns her about mutiny. She then breaks her promise with Bowzar and hides with Mary inside the house with their horse too. At the end, the soldiers have abandoned their camp and all was well again. Tempe saw the courage Mary had in her and decided to become nicer and less fearful.
I gave this book three stars, because at some parts it really did bore me. The action was pretty good. I don't highly recommend it but if you want to try something new, sure go ahead.
October 24, 2009
This is probably the best historical fiction book I've ever read.
I am not a historical fiction person. Generally, I think it's dumb to make up imaginary people to explain a historical event.
But this was different. Ann Rinaldi did her research, and found real people to tell the point of view of the story from. It was really interesting!
This story is told during the Revolutionary War, from the point of view of Mary Cooper, a Patriot who has been sent from her Loyalist family to live with her cousin and aunt, Mary and Temperance (Tempe) Wick. American soldiers under General Wayne have been allowed to camp for the winter on the Wick farm, and Mary is immersed in soldier life, avoiding her cousin Tempe, who has changed into a bitter young woman in the war. Life for the soldiers this winter is hard, especially for the women and children who have followed their men to camp.
People are talking of mutiny, and their leader, Billy Bowzar, wants Tempe's horse.
This book was amazing!
I am not a historical fiction person. Generally, I think it's dumb to make up imaginary people to explain a historical event.
But this was different. Ann Rinaldi did her research, and found real people to tell the point of view of the story from. It was really interesting!
This story is told during the Revolutionary War, from the point of view of Mary Cooper, a Patriot who has been sent from her Loyalist family to live with her cousin and aunt, Mary and Temperance (Tempe) Wick. American soldiers under General Wayne have been allowed to camp for the winter on the Wick farm, and Mary is immersed in soldier life, avoiding her cousin Tempe, who has changed into a bitter young woman in the war. Life for the soldiers this winter is hard, especially for the women and children who have followed their men to camp.
People are talking of mutiny, and their leader, Billy Bowzar, wants Tempe's horse.
This book was amazing!
August 27, 2008
My older sister (and I think brother) gave it too me for my b-day, it was very good. I enjoyed it alot. The ending was great!
Ok I just finished it! YEAH!! It was ok I guess, Not nearly as good as the Twilight books (DUH!! Nothing ever will be!) But it was ok I guess! It wasn't a waste of time to read it. It's one of those books that you don't really like a WHOLE lot, but you just can't put it down. Tempe was a huge jerk though. I wasn't incredible fond of Mary (Cooper, there are so many Marys in this book... Surprising how many people share the same name in that time) but I could feel where she was coming from with alot of stuff. I was worried when I first opened this book that it would be alot like those horse obsessed books but it wasn't... Well, it kinda was, but that's not what it was all about. I'd say it was worth reading it!
Ok I just finished it! YEAH!! It was ok I guess, Not nearly as good as the Twilight books (DUH!! Nothing ever will be!) But it was ok I guess! It wasn't a waste of time to read it. It's one of those books that you don't really like a WHOLE lot, but you just can't put it down. Tempe was a huge jerk though. I wasn't incredible fond of Mary (Cooper, there are so many Marys in this book... Surprising how many people share the same name in that time) but I could feel where she was coming from with alot of stuff. I was worried when I first opened this book that it would be alot like those horse obsessed books but it wasn't... Well, it kinda was, but that's not what it was all about. I'd say it was worth reading it!
February 18, 2011
Love me some good Ann Rinaldi. Her books are why I fell in love with history.
February 13, 2023
"Hearts do that sometimes, for just a beat or two. Then they start up again. But they never regain those missed beats, and nothing is ever the same afterward. Life proceeds to a different cadence, and never again as harmonious as before."
Took a second to get into this -- started it and put it down last summer, then picked it back up less than a week ago. With the current climate, you wonder if you could be as strong as these characters if you had to live during wartime.
Also, is the author wrong or was the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home wrong on the topic of where Anthony Wayne died? Because I need the truth: WERE HIS BONES BOILED AT THE BLOCKHOUSE IN ERIE, PA?!
Took a second to get into this -- started it and put it down last summer, then picked it back up less than a week ago. With the current climate, you wonder if you could be as strong as these characters if you had to live during wartime.
Also, is the author wrong or was the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home wrong on the topic of where Anthony Wayne died? Because I need the truth: WERE HIS BONES BOILED AT THE BLOCKHOUSE IN ERIE, PA?!
October 6, 2011
A Ride Into Morning is just the sort of book that I feel you would get saddled with reading in elementary school and half the class would hate it and groan about it. You would find yourself saying that you didn't like it either just to be cool, but secretly you would be thinking about how much you wish you could read the book again.
Reading A Ride Into Morning was a fun experience and for awhile I was really interested in what was going to happen. There are some allusions to budding young romance and possibly future marriage that I didn't really like, only because I loved the independence that the young women showed throughout the book and didn't think that it was needed. I thought that Mary was almost a perfect teenage girl in her feelings and attitude - I believed that she really was a teenage girl during the Revolutionary War.
Tempe - Mary's cousin, was one of the biggest brats ever. She was so hateful and rude and I would have punched that girl in the face or slapped some sense into her.
I think this book is perfect for ages 10-13 and gives strong female role models as well as some knowledge of what the Revolutionary War might have been like.
*** 1/2 = glad I read it, I enjoyed it.
Reading A Ride Into Morning was a fun experience and for awhile I was really interested in what was going to happen. There are some allusions to budding young romance and possibly future marriage that I didn't really like, only because I loved the independence that the young women showed throughout the book and didn't think that it was needed. I thought that Mary was almost a perfect teenage girl in her feelings and attitude - I believed that she really was a teenage girl during the Revolutionary War.
Tempe - Mary's cousin, was one of the biggest brats ever. She was so hateful and rude and I would have punched that girl in the face or slapped some sense into her.
I think this book is perfect for ages 10-13 and gives strong female role models as well as some knowledge of what the Revolutionary War might have been like.
*** 1/2 = glad I read it, I enjoyed it.
February 1, 2016
The story takes place in New Jersey during the revolutionary war. It centers on Mary Cooper, who is 14, and her sister. Around their farm is encamped a group of revolutionary soldiers.
Mary had been kicked out by her parents since she sides with the Rebels, and her parents were Tories. Another relative kicked her out, and she's on her third home now and has troubles there. Her sister, Tempe, always rides around on her fancy white horse, while Mary is more interested in some young friends she has in camp.
The main problem comes when it appears that the soldiers are about to mutiny (not having been paid in a year, having poor clothes, little food, etc), and there are people who are willing to use Tempe for their own purposes in this.
Mary likes the general in charge, but he regards her more as a daughter, and she wants to help him. Tempe, on the other hand, seems to be siding with those who are planning on making trouble.
In the end, the continued existence of their family as well as the country are both put in danger by the things going on in the camp. The book is another of the author's books based on factual history, and it's just as good as the others.
Mary had been kicked out by her parents since she sides with the Rebels, and her parents were Tories. Another relative kicked her out, and she's on her third home now and has troubles there. Her sister, Tempe, always rides around on her fancy white horse, while Mary is more interested in some young friends she has in camp.
The main problem comes when it appears that the soldiers are about to mutiny (not having been paid in a year, having poor clothes, little food, etc), and there are people who are willing to use Tempe for their own purposes in this.
Mary likes the general in charge, but he regards her more as a daughter, and she wants to help him. Tempe, on the other hand, seems to be siding with those who are planning on making trouble.
In the end, the continued existence of their family as well as the country are both put in danger by the things going on in the camp. The book is another of the author's books based on factual history, and it's just as good as the others.
January 3, 2020
Having visited the Wick House and Jockey Hollow in Morristown National Historic Park and listened to an abbreviated version of Tempe's legend as recited by a park volunteer dressed in colonial garb, I had to add this novel to my TBR list.
Ann Rinaldi did a fine job of researching the real-life people who once lived in Jockey hollow and suffered through the long winter encampments of George Washington's Continental Army. From her research, she extrapolated a story that may or may not be true, but has been the fodder of urban legend in NJ for over a century. She does an excellent job developing the characters in keeping with the times and what we know of historical facts.
It's a quick read and engaging and makes you realize how close we came to losing the revolution. What would the world be like today had we remained subjects of the King?
Ann Rinaldi did a fine job of researching the real-life people who once lived in Jockey hollow and suffered through the long winter encampments of George Washington's Continental Army. From her research, she extrapolated a story that may or may not be true, but has been the fodder of urban legend in NJ for over a century. She does an excellent job developing the characters in keeping with the times and what we know of historical facts.
It's a quick read and engaging and makes you realize how close we came to losing the revolution. What would the world be like today had we remained subjects of the King?
August 3, 2019
This story seemed to drag, at times. I liked the concept, I even liked where Ann Rinaldi was taking it. However, I felt I skimmed a lot. The pacing could have been a touch better. However, I love the historial worlds that the author spins. It makes learning about what happened so good. I spent so many hours reading her books as a kid. I have my favorites and while this one is written very well, I don’t love the characters as much as in her other books. Tempe is far too mean all the time and Mary acts childish and scattered in a lot of ways.
I’ve tried to read this one straight thru twice now, and both times ended up skimming. I liked reading the afterwards of the historical account that the author always puts in her books. It made it more interesting for me.
I’ve tried to read this one straight thru twice now, and both times ended up skimming. I liked reading the afterwards of the historical account that the author always puts in her books. It made it more interesting for me.
December 18, 2013
I starteed reading this book right when we had received the assignment and I stopped reading the book after 10 chapters. I was just not that into the stories plot. The story is about a girl who is trying to help these families who have no food during the Revolutionary war. I guess if you like stories that are based during any war period then you would like this book. I like some stories that are based during a war like Cast Two Shadows, but something about this book, maybe how it was flowing into the story very slowly, I just didn't like the story
Emily Marz
Emily Marz
August 24, 2015
A serviceable historical fiction that I think was marred for me by the fact that it was based on a 'legend' so I expected something big to happen involving Tempe Wick, rather than concentrating on the relationships that Rinaldi described. Rinaldi is a skilled writer of historical fiction, and I think she made her characters vivid while including all sorts of facts from history... I especially liked the narrator. But I didn't get a full sense of their experiences, so the book didn't stand out to me.
August 14, 2012
Over the past 15 years I've read many of Rinaldi's books but have to admit, I was fairly disappointed with this one. In her Aurthor's note she claimed this was her favorite book to write but the joy wasn't there for me. I felt a great deal of lack-luster with this book and found myself disappointed by it in general.
However I did enjoy the Afterword that went into detail of all the real-life counter parts of each of her characters.
However I did enjoy the Afterword that went into detail of all the real-life counter parts of each of her characters.
January 7, 2009
Covers like this don't get enough credit. Wouldn't it be lovely to be actually riding that horse and seeing that sunrise? The book was engaging though a bit flat from what I usually expect from Rinaldi. If you are looking for strong female protagonist in American history Rinaldi is your author to go to.
October 4, 2009
This was a good book, and though I read it a long time ago, I think I remember that Ann Rinaldi did a VERY good job on protraying the harsh reality of the winter that the American troops had to go though, and the way she wrote about the mutiny was very well done. But most of all, Ann Rinaldi is an EXCELLENT author!!! She has sooo much talent....if only I could write like her!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2011
I liked the story line and idea, but the beginning was really confusing -I had to reread the first chapter three times to understand it. After that the book was pleasent and enjoyable, though there were some confusing parts here and there which could have been rewritten. If you like historical fiction, horses, and war you'd probably enjoy this book.
June 12, 2011
I continue on my quest to read Ann Rinaldi's historical fiction books...and learning lots about two time periods that hold a fascination for me, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I had not even heard about Tempe Wick and the legend surrounding her and her horse until I read this book. Very interesting!
August 5, 2013
I LOVED this story! It is based off of a story from the revolutionary war. Most of the characters were real people- and I find that really interesting. I see in the other reviews that most people hate Tempe because they find her selfish. Tempe was actually my favorite character. I felt like she was selfish at times and mean- but I understood her and I admired her spirit. 5 stars!
November 20, 2013
I thought that this book was really boring. This book lacks any hooks that made me want to continue reading and didn't have any action what so ever. Also this book did a horrible job at building emotions within the reader. If you have a choice I would definitely recommend that you stay away from this book.
April 26, 2020
I thought that this book was really boring. This book lacks any hooks that made me want to continue reading and didn't have any action what so ever. Also this book did a horrible job at building emotions within the reader. If you have a choice I would definitely recommend that you stay away from this book.
January 14, 2009
Based on the historical story of Tempe Wick that could or could not be true but there was still plenty of fact from the revolutionary war in it to be very educational and a great story. This was one of my favorite Rinaldi historical novels but then I have liked all her books so far.
May 13, 2009
Wow!!!! This book was amazing! It was actually good and I really liked it... the author was good and the story line was good too. The book was based on a true story, but I bet the book was 10 times better than the actual story... you should read it!
June 17, 2009
This book has been sitting on my shelf since who knows when--probably at least 12 years--and I've never read it until now. It was a quick read, sort of interesting, but nothing special. Good for a sixth grade studying about the revolutionary war...
February 15, 2012
Some interesting Revolutionary War history here based on the story/myth of Temperance Wick who might have hidden her horse in her house to keep him from disgruntled soldiers during the worst winter* of the war. (*Jockey Hollow, not Valley Forge)
May 2, 2013
Ann Rinaldi always come through. I've been reading her books since I was little and she hasn't disappointed me yet. She is the author that got me into reading historical fiction. I do recommend her for someone who wants to learn a little history while being thoroughly entertained.
January 2, 2017
"A Ride into Morning: The Story of Tempe Wick (Great Episodes)" by Ann Rinaldi
A light entertaining book about the American Revolutionary War, about two girl cousins Temperance Wick and Mary Cooper. How they grow closer and their very important brave involvement.
A light entertaining book about the American Revolutionary War, about two girl cousins Temperance Wick and Mary Cooper. How they grow closer and their very important brave involvement.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews