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Flight into Spring
Sally Day Hammond is vivacious, tiny, coddled and Southern; Charles Horne is silent, tall, unbending and Northern. The American Civil War has just ended. And a marriage is to be made between these two? When Charles brings Sally Day back to live with his strict New England family, little wonder that tensions rise to the breaking point. But Sally Day has mettle; in the desperate honesty of this young couple's conflict, both young hearts may yet stretch and truly meld. In a setting of historical depth, skilled novelist Bianca Bradbury brings all the resources of a heartsearching realism to the predicaments of young married love. A book written for older youth.
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Bianca Bradbury
63 books6 followersBianca Bradbury lived in Connecticut, and as a young wife, her writing took the form of verse, articles and short stories, which found their way into such magazines as Family Circle and McCall’s. Once she had two children, she began writing, first picture books, and then longer books. Later, when her two sons had grown up and left home, Mrs. Bradbury’s fiction focused mostly on contemporary issues for young adults. Besides a love for animals, which is most evident in her books for younger readers, her novels reveal her deep interest in honestly dealing with the realities of life. She was never afraid of tackling controversial subjects, desiring to do so with integrity and hope.
Her sons recall the life-long discipline she exhibited in her writing craft and her happy zest for life, both important attributes in writers for the young. She wrote 46 books over a span of 40 years. Mrs. Bradbury died in 1982
Her sons recall the life-long discipline she exhibited in her writing craft and her happy zest for life, both important attributes in writers for the young. She wrote 46 books over a span of 40 years. Mrs. Bradbury died in 1982
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 3, 2012
I've been wanting to read this book forever and ever since I saw it on the Bethlehem Books website because I've adored every single sweet, wholesome book from their site that I've read. So when I received this from a friend for Christmas, my joy knew no bounds.
Literally.
My first impression was that it reminded me incredibly of another favorite Bethlehem book: They Loved To Laugh by Kathryn Worth and Brooklyn Rose by Ann Rinaldi. If you've ever read either of these and then read this book, you'll probably agree.
Summary:
Opposites: Sally Day Hammond is vivacious, tiny, coddled and Southern; Charles Horne is silent, tall, unbending and Northern. The American Civil War has just ended. And a marriage is to be made between these two? When Charles brings Sally Day back to live with his strict New England family, little wonder that tensions rise to the breaking point. But Sally Day has mettle and Charles has determination; in the desperate honesty of this young couple’s conflict, both young hearts may yet stretch and truly meld. (Back-cover synopsis)
Plot: This book doesn't exactly have much of a plot, per say. When I think plot, I think mystery, intrigue and suspense - something that drives a book along. This book is a story. It doesn't have any real resolution. It simply tells the story of a young married couple.
I know that probably sounds incredibly boring, but it's not. There is tension, romance (of the good, sweet, innocent kind), and good characters; it's just not Agatha Christie or Dee Henderson.
I started this book rather late one night and kept telling myself "after this chapter, I'll put it down and go to bed". I'm sure you all relate with that decision - and know how it generally turns out.
I'd reach the end of the chapter and there would be something in it that would make me just have to read the next one.
So I would.
I eventually did put it down when I was about halfway through and then yesterday night I finished it off in one gulp.
I suppose the ending could be called cliche, but then who really cares about that stuff? If it works, it works and that's all I'm going to say.
Characters:
Sally Day Horne nee Hammond: I liked her. She definitely lived up to her back-cover claim. It was fun to see how she adapted to different situations (esp. the ones where she's dealing with her tyrant of a father-in-law) and I admired her spunk and determination. She was definitely no doormat.
Charles Horne: Since the book was largely about Sally Day (and since it's actually pretty short) you never really get to know Charles very well. He's exactly how they portray him in the blurb, though. You have sort of a half-grudging admiration for him, even though you wonder what on earth he was thinking marrying Sally Day.
Ezra and Elizabeth Horne: You can't really take these characters separately, since the one is so much like the other. It's a love/hate relationship with these two pretty much all the way through the book.
Likes:
The fact that I can just curl up with this book and enjoy it. It's not nerve-wracking or anything, so you can just slowly enjoy it until the end. Sometimes, I just really love to read a book that meanders.
Sally Day's vivaciousness. She reminded me a lot of myself - except that I'm not 5 feet tall and I will never (emphasis on the never) have a fifteen inch waist.
How the give-and-take, submission, and other forgotten aspects of marriage are portrayed. "It's not always easy, but you can't give up" is one of the main messages of this book.
The wholesomeness of the story. Nothing to avoid; nothing to hide. Hallelujah!
Dislikes:
The one brief moment where it is mentioned that hell doesn't really exist. It's argued by two sides, but still the idea lingers that someone in the story believes it.
It takes this book a little while to get off the ground, but it's worth the getting through. :)
Conclusion:
Flight Into Spring was not exactly what I had expected it to be, but I enjoyed it nonetheless (is it just me or do I sound like a broken record?). I would willingly let my younger sisters read it without worrying that they would run across some age-inappropriate scene (though some aspects of the marriage may be slightly over their heads anyway).
If you can find this book anywhere (I've discovered that Bethlehem books are generally rather difficult to track down at libraries...) I would definitely recommend giving it a try!
Literally.
My first impression was that it reminded me incredibly of another favorite Bethlehem book: They Loved To Laugh by Kathryn Worth and Brooklyn Rose by Ann Rinaldi. If you've ever read either of these and then read this book, you'll probably agree.
Summary:
Opposites: Sally Day Hammond is vivacious, tiny, coddled and Southern; Charles Horne is silent, tall, unbending and Northern. The American Civil War has just ended. And a marriage is to be made between these two? When Charles brings Sally Day back to live with his strict New England family, little wonder that tensions rise to the breaking point. But Sally Day has mettle and Charles has determination; in the desperate honesty of this young couple’s conflict, both young hearts may yet stretch and truly meld. (Back-cover synopsis)
Plot: This book doesn't exactly have much of a plot, per say. When I think plot, I think mystery, intrigue and suspense - something that drives a book along. This book is a story. It doesn't have any real resolution. It simply tells the story of a young married couple.
I know that probably sounds incredibly boring, but it's not. There is tension, romance (of the good, sweet, innocent kind), and good characters; it's just not Agatha Christie or Dee Henderson.
I started this book rather late one night and kept telling myself "after this chapter, I'll put it down and go to bed". I'm sure you all relate with that decision - and know how it generally turns out.
I'd reach the end of the chapter and there would be something in it that would make me just have to read the next one.
So I would.
I eventually did put it down when I was about halfway through and then yesterday night I finished it off in one gulp.
I suppose the ending could be called cliche, but then who really cares about that stuff? If it works, it works and that's all I'm going to say.
Characters:
Sally Day Horne nee Hammond: I liked her. She definitely lived up to her back-cover claim. It was fun to see how she adapted to different situations (esp. the ones where she's dealing with her tyrant of a father-in-law) and I admired her spunk and determination. She was definitely no doormat.
Charles Horne: Since the book was largely about Sally Day (and since it's actually pretty short) you never really get to know Charles very well. He's exactly how they portray him in the blurb, though. You have sort of a half-grudging admiration for him, even though you wonder what on earth he was thinking marrying Sally Day.
Ezra and Elizabeth Horne: You can't really take these characters separately, since the one is so much like the other. It's a love/hate relationship with these two pretty much all the way through the book.
Likes:
The fact that I can just curl up with this book and enjoy it. It's not nerve-wracking or anything, so you can just slowly enjoy it until the end. Sometimes, I just really love to read a book that meanders.
Sally Day's vivaciousness. She reminded me a lot of myself - except that I'm not 5 feet tall and I will never (emphasis on the never) have a fifteen inch waist.
How the give-and-take, submission, and other forgotten aspects of marriage are portrayed. "It's not always easy, but you can't give up" is one of the main messages of this book.
The wholesomeness of the story. Nothing to avoid; nothing to hide. Hallelujah!
Dislikes:
The one brief moment where it is mentioned that hell doesn't really exist. It's argued by two sides, but still the idea lingers that someone in the story believes it.
It takes this book a little while to get off the ground, but it's worth the getting through. :)
Conclusion:
Flight Into Spring was not exactly what I had expected it to be, but I enjoyed it nonetheless (is it just me or do I sound like a broken record?). I would willingly let my younger sisters read it without worrying that they would run across some age-inappropriate scene (though some aspects of the marriage may be slightly over their heads anyway).
If you can find this book anywhere (I've discovered that Bethlehem books are generally rather difficult to track down at libraries...) I would definitely recommend giving it a try!
April 7, 2009
Different from your typical young adult fiction book. The wedding happens towards the beginning and we get to see Charles and Sally Day as they work out their marriage in real life (as opposed to fairy tale life). Sally Day is from Maryland and has trouble adapting to the Northern ways of Charles' Connecticut family--who doesn't know quite what to make of her, either.
May 3, 2025
The writing style of this book is so well done, and historically, it is right on. You feel that you are straight out of the American Civil War along with Sally Day Hammond as she marries and moves away to from Maryland to New England, but wow, there's some big issues that can't be ignored!
Firstly, Sally Day is almost too flighty and outspoken; 3/4 of the book is about her not getting along with Mr. and Mrs. Horne, her in-laws - and even her own husband, Charles Horne - but part of her entire problem is that she fails to remember or understand their on-going grief for the youngest Horne son. After the third or so time that Sally Day makes an argument with her father in law at the dinnertable, impatience on the part of the reader is replaced by disbelief that Charles Horne ever married her.
Secondly, the author makes the sad mistake of mixing serious and frivilous issues together. Why is Mr. Horne's disapproval over cupcakes for a party proof of his ogre nature right alongside his wrath over a minister who doesn't believe in hell?! You may not like cupcakes and think parties are wrong, but those subjects are not to be treated the same; and Sally Day agreeing with the minister on this point would certainly give most of my family a start to say the least!
It is at times cripplingly funny and has some really good lines, but all in all, it can be a little disturbing when it comes to lifestyle and, occasionally, some things that are important to some people and not others.
Firstly, Sally Day is almost too flighty and outspoken; 3/4 of the book is about her not getting along with Mr. and Mrs. Horne, her in-laws - and even her own husband, Charles Horne - but part of her entire problem is that she fails to remember or understand their on-going grief for the youngest Horne son. After the third or so time that Sally Day makes an argument with her father in law at the dinnertable, impatience on the part of the reader is replaced by disbelief that Charles Horne ever married her.
Secondly, the author makes the sad mistake of mixing serious and frivilous issues together. Why is Mr. Horne's disapproval over cupcakes for a party proof of his ogre nature right alongside his wrath over a minister who doesn't believe in hell?! You may not like cupcakes and think parties are wrong, but those subjects are not to be treated the same; and Sally Day agreeing with the minister on this point would certainly give most of my family a start to say the least!
It is at times cripplingly funny and has some really good lines, but all in all, it can be a little disturbing when it comes to lifestyle and, occasionally, some things that are important to some people and not others.
June 9, 2021
*3.5 stars*
Hmm, how to stay awake during a 10-hour work shift while the daycare kids are sleeping? This is another book from the Historical Young Adult bookshelf from Bethlehem Books that I finally read in four hours while the kids napped. It probably wasn't the best choice to help me stay awake, as it doesn't have fast moving action.
This books tells the story of Sarah Day and Charles Horne as they begin their married life together. However, problems arise when Sarah must move in with the Charles' parents and live on a farm. The Maryland city life is where Sarah is comfortable. Sarah feels no love from her in laws and tries to escape from what she thinks is harsh, but eventually works it out with Charles. This was a nice, sweet read that showed real life challenges of the married life. Courage and determination are shown throughout the story, while keeping the marriage together through communication.
I was going to give this a 4.5 star rating, but there is mentioning of the minister preaching that Hell doesn't exist. Additionally, Charles' father believes that candles do not belong in church. Other than that, it was a wonderful read!
Hmm, how to stay awake during a 10-hour work shift while the daycare kids are sleeping? This is another book from the Historical Young Adult bookshelf from Bethlehem Books that I finally read in four hours while the kids napped. It probably wasn't the best choice to help me stay awake, as it doesn't have fast moving action.
This books tells the story of Sarah Day and Charles Horne as they begin their married life together. However, problems arise when Sarah must move in with the Charles' parents and live on a farm. The Maryland city life is where Sarah is comfortable. Sarah feels no love from her in laws and tries to escape from what she thinks is harsh, but eventually works it out with Charles. This was a nice, sweet read that showed real life challenges of the married life. Courage and determination are shown throughout the story, while keeping the marriage together through communication.
I was going to give this a 4.5 star rating, but there is mentioning of the minister preaching that Hell doesn't exist. Additionally, Charles' father believes that candles do not belong in church. Other than that, it was a wonderful read!
February 28, 2022
In the spirit of Young Pioneers, we follow Sally and her new husband, as they spend their first year in marriage-right after the Civil War. Very well done, sweet, story that shows characters undergoing a lot of growth and change.
One thing that made me snicker, was how she kept getting labeled as a "Southerner" by her Connecticut in-laws. And she had lived in the East all her life.
One thing that made me snicker, was how she kept getting labeled as a "Southerner" by her Connecticut in-laws. And she had lived in the East all her life.
October 29, 2012
Even though Sally Day had just consented to become his wife, Charles left for the North the next day.
At sixteen years old, Sally Day Hammon, a vivacious and incorrigible southern-belle, marries Charles Horne, a stoic and quite Yankee soldier from Connecticut. When she moves to New England with her husband, Sally Day finds that her new life is much different from her old life. Her free-spirited ways clash with the more repressed Northern lifestyle. Can Sally Day adjust to her new family and new surroundings?
This was a fun read with a slightly frivolous feel. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but I was unsatisfied with the main character, Sally Day. She doesn't fill the Biblical role of submissive help-meet very well! That said, it's a clean read with some interesting historical elements. If you can borrow it, I'd say go ahead and read it. If you're looking for a book to buy, I recommend spending your money elsewhere .
At sixteen years old, Sally Day Hammon, a vivacious and incorrigible southern-belle, marries Charles Horne, a stoic and quite Yankee soldier from Connecticut. When she moves to New England with her husband, Sally Day finds that her new life is much different from her old life. Her free-spirited ways clash with the more repressed Northern lifestyle. Can Sally Day adjust to her new family and new surroundings?
This was a fun read with a slightly frivolous feel. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but I was unsatisfied with the main character, Sally Day. She doesn't fill the Biblical role of submissive help-meet very well! That said, it's a clean read with some interesting historical elements. If you can borrow it, I'd say go ahead and read it. If you're looking for a book to buy, I recommend spending your money elsewhere .
December 23, 2016
I read this book quite a few times when I was younger and reread it a few years ago. I loved the time period, characters, and story.
August 19, 2012
At the end of the American Civil War, a man and a woman are engaged to be married. A story of growth and love. Age appropriate for 12ish+.
October 1, 2013
Not a book I would usually read. The plot isnt very exciting.
May 20, 2017
I found this book really over the top. The only reason I gave it one star was because it made me laugh. Hahaha. ( :
September 20, 2018
Elkton, Md. Interesting, but not enough.
February 13, 2024
A sweet story of a girl adapting to the life on a farm in New Hampshire, with her new husband and in-laws. If it has a Living History stamp, it's a good book. <3
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews