One Special Year

by N.A. Perez

Chronicles the adventures of Jen and her family in turn-of-the century upstate New York.

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1985

About the author

N. A. Perez was born in Haileybury, Ontario, Canada. The idea for The Slopes of War took shape after a family visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Touched by the terrible and significant battle that had been fought there, the author felt that although much had been written about the event itself, little had ever captured what was going on in the hearts and minds of the residents when the war rumbled to their doorsteps in July 1863.

Reviews

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story begins on New Year's Eve 1900. It chronicles one year in the life of a young year old girl. Jen is growing up in a small town where her family owns the general store. Nothing spectacular happens to Jen, just her everyday life but the book is very entertaining. I enjoyed her mundane existence as Jen falls in love, learns family secrets and changes from being a child. Ella, who has been a part of their lives forever is back from Philadelphia living with them again. Jen has always looked to her as a big sister but her outlook changes as things are revealed to her. Jen's mother has issues, her father is caring but drinks a bit too much, her brother is unhappy, silent and brooding, her younger sister is extremely religious and pious. Regular family drama that Jen must learn to deal with and find her own true self. This coming of age story is well written....it will pull you into the time and era so completely.