Small Acts of Amazing Courage

Rosalind of the Raj #1

by Gloria Whelan, Mandy Williams (Narrator)

Book by Gloria Whelan (Author), Mandy Williams (Narrator)

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

Audio CD

First published February 19, 2011

About the author

Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Fruitlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on This Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.

Reviews

[Jeanette (Ms. Feisty) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little story about Rosalind's awakening to her own capacity for compassion. It's a good way to introduce young readers to the lives of children of the British Raj. They were strictly required to always think of England as "home," and were often shuttled back and forth between India and England to satisfy British notions of propriety. But their real love, the home of their hearts, was always India.

It's 1919, and Rosalind is lucky. She's fifteen and has managed to avoid being shipped off to school in England. Things take a turn when she becomes aware of her ability to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. She saves an Indian baby from a terrible fate, then attends a gathering to hear Gandhi speak. Her new activities involve associating with "inferior" people. She's also in danger of being considered disloyal to Mother England. Father ships Rosalind off to her aunts in London, but even this doesn't stop her from following her conscience and working for social change.

The book is meant for middle-grade readers, but middle-aged readers can enjoy it too. It touches on a lot of important themes, most notably Gandhi's teachings on nonviolence to counteract the prejudice and hypocrisy of colonialism. My only wish was for a little more of everything. There were parts that felt a little rushed. The passages containing rich detail were so captivating. It would have been worth reading a longer book to get more of that depth. Of course, that's my adult perspective. I do think the level of detail is age appropriate. The story can be a wonderful jumping-off point for young readers to explore further in other books. As a youngster I would have been thrilled just to be swept away to India by a book like this.

There's a nice little glossary in the back, and also an interesting Author's Note, which I recommend reading before plunging into the story.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary little book that draws you to its warm-hearted characters and introduces you to a part of history that called for great changes, which were achieved through 'small acts of amazing courage'. It is a delight and an eye-opener at the same time.

It settles you with a colonial family living in India in 1919, immediately after World War I, at the time when Ghandi was beginning his peaceful demonstrations to free Indians from British rule.

Rosalind is the fifteen year old daughter of a British Army General and his wife who have been stationed in India her whole life. Rosalind loves the people, the colour and the excitement of her adoptive country, and though her father would have her properly educated in British ways she can't help but absorb India's vibrancy.

The young Lieutenant Max Nelson was studying at Cambridge when he joined the war and served under Rosalind's father. Max's parents live in India: his father runs a jute plantation and his mother is described as 'unconventional' for running an orphanage for abandoned Indian children. Max and Rosalind meet one day at 'The Club', and he immediately draws Rosalind's interest by talking to her about Ghandi and his dream of freeing India from England's rule.

There is so much to praise in this book which is suited to mature readers 12 and up. From Rosalind's courage to help those in need in spite of her family's efforts to 'protect' her, to Ghandi's assertion that non-violence is the weapon of the brave, to her aunt's assurance that though we all die "what doesn't die is the love we give to others", to the early signs of a romance based on friendship and shared ideals, it offers readers a banquet of ideas to savour and explore.

It is a beautiful blend of a warm coming-of-age story of a young girl who learns to make her own 'small acts of amazing courage', as well as a personal insight into the India which inspired and finally saw to victory Ghandi's great ideals. I'm so happy to have discovered it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Rosalind was born in India to British parents. Unlike most British children in early 20th century India, she was not sent home to England to be educated, because her older brother died while at school in England and her mother couldn't bear to send another child away after that. Rosalind has had a lot of freedom the past couple of years, because her father, an army officer, was away fighting in World War I, and her mother has health problems and couldn't pay much attention to her. So she has been free to spend time with her best friend, Isha, who is Indian, and visit the bazaar in town.

But now that it is 1919, and the war is over and her father is home, he is unhappy that Rosalind was given so much freedom. He thinks she should only associate with other British people. He thinks anything else would be a bad influence on her, because he fears a rebellion now that the movement for Indian self-government is growing. Fearing that Rosalind has become too concerned with the plight of the Indian people, her father decides to send her to England where she will live with her two aunts and attend school. Rosalind doesn't want to leave India but she has no choice. How will she bear living so far away in a cold country with relatives she has never met? Will she ever be able to return to her beloved India?

Gloria Whelan has been one of my favorite writers of historical fiction for many years now. Her books always have really interesting and unique historical settings and wonderful characters. Small Acts of Amazing Courage is no exception. Rosalind was a very likable and sympathetic main character. She had a good heart and just wanted to help people, yet found herself in trouble with her strict father, who didn't understand why she would want to save an Indian baby, or hear the famous Gandhi speak, leading to her being sent away from everything she knew and loved. I highly recommend this book and others by Gloria Whelan to any reader who enjoys historical fiction.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosalind is not a normal British child living in India in 1918. The other girls her age are shipped back to England for boarding school or spend their days at the club flirting covertly with young English soldiers and swimming in the pool. Rosalind has never been to England, her mother refused to send her to boarding school because her older brother died in England while at school. Rosalind doesn’t identify with the other English girls. Instead her best friend is the daughter of one of the Indian servants and together they make illicit visits to the bazaar. When Rosalind’s father returns from World War I, he brings with him stricter rules than Rosalind has been living under. He disapproves of her friendships, forbids her going to the bazaar, and objects to her interest in Gandhi and his politics. Rosalind’s world changes just as India begins to seek its independence from the British in this fascinating historical novel.

Rosalind is a great protagonist. She is at odds with her English world, yet it is never pushed so far that her reactions and attitude loses touch with the historical setting. She is strong, vibrant and a great lens to see India through because she is a bridge between modern readers and World War I.

Whelan creates her world with tiny touches, drawing India for readers in the details. Her imagery is lovely, emphasizing the impermanence, the beauty, and the restlessness of the story. Yet the story does not drag at all. This is historical fiction that is relevant, vital and interesting. The pacing is beautifully done, offering the languid pace of an India heat wave, the time it took to travel at that time, and the desperation of a people.

I am hopeful that we will read more of Rosalind’s story in an upcoming book. I look forward to seeing where Whelan will take readers next. Perfect for middle school readers who will enjoy the engaging heroine and the touch of romance. Appropriate for readers age 10-13.

[Tom M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small Acts of Amazing Courage is the story of a 15 year old independent-minded, strong-willed girl in 1919 British-ruled India. It's a story of social mores, India through the eyes of the British, coming into one's own and standing up for one's self and the politics (family, societal and governmental) of the times.

Unfortunately, Small Acts of Amazing Courage seemed to me to be without a clear purpose. Author Gloria Whelan touches on many aspects of the culture of British-ruled India just after WWI, including the rise of Ghandhi, as well as the social caste system, those British trying to make India a better place, and the conservative British resentment of the Indian independence movement. However, Whelan never centers her book on any one topic and fails to focus enough on any of these aspect to make her story cohesive. The book read like a series of vaguely related incidents, any one of which could have made for an engaging story unto itself. Strung together, however, they were merely brief anecdotes that, for me, lacked the type of greater purpose a truly fine story needs to possess.

Whelan scores high marks from me on her descriptions of the setting to her story. Both the posh British parts of India and the native parts of the city were handled quite well, evoking sights, sounds and smells of a foreign country.

[Rod Innis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story of India and the struggle of the Indian people to be free of British rule.
I truly enjoyed it. Although a great fiction story it is historically accurate and gives a wonderful flavor to India.
"All my noble dreams and then what happened" is a very enjoyable sequel to this book. I read them out of order but
it really didn't matter.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whelan's modern bias comes through in how she creates rebellious female characters and repressive adults. Everything seems to have a whiff of indoctrination. I didn't think there was enough historical material in this. It was not enough Gandhi and too much Rosalind with her lying to and disobeying her parents, the absurd and irresponsible chaperone on the boat to England, the two aunts: one overbearing and dishonest, the other meek and subjugated, the unlikely London reunions with boys from India, etc. etc. It would be nice if we could have a more balanced perspective that would show the reasoning of the adults.

[Julie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog: http://www.knittingandsundries.com/20...

FIRST SENTENCE: How can kindness get you into so much trouble?

Set in colonial India, beginning in 1919, this is the story of 15-year-old Rosalind James. Her father is a major in the British Indian Army, and is away for months at a time. Almost all British colonials living in India sent their children back to England when they were 7 or 8 years old for school, but Edward, Rosalind's only brother, had been sent back to school when he was 7, and died of dyptheria his first year at school. In order to keep his wife happy, her father Harlan allows her to stay on in India.

But Rosalind is anything but a "proper English girl". She finds the girls at the club boring, and sneaks off to the bazaar with her Indian friend Isha as often as she can. When she meets Mrs. Nelson, an unconventional Englishwoman who thinks "ordinary" is overrated and runs an Indian orphanage, at the club, she also meets her son Max, who served under her father. Max is fascinated with Ghandi and his Congress Party that advocates Indian independence. Rosalind's friend Isha is married to man who is active in the Congress Party as well.

As Rosalind works to figure out what is right and what is wrong, and her father does what he can to make certain that she doesn't meddle in Indian affairs, the reader is pulled along, and the story of colonial India comes to life in an illuminating fashion.

This adult reader loved this book, geared towards middle readers (ages 9-12). I would also honestly recommend it for teachers, parents, and home schoolers, as it gives an understandable and compelling overview of the events that precipitated India's independence, all told from the point of view of a young girl with a good heart.

QUOTE (from a galley; may be different in final copy):

"What happened in Amritsar?" I asked, wanting to know his version, for Isha had whispered to me that in the city of Amritsar, thousands of Indians had gathered to celebrate a festival. The British Army believed the Indian people were there not to celebrate but to demonstrate against British rule. The soldiers had been ordered to shoot, and hundreds of Indians had died.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, completely engaging, and absolutely delightful.

[Abby Frey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whelan is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of many books for children and young adults. She won the National Book Award for young people’s literature for her novel Homeless Bird. She told the NBA committee that “Books saved my life. . . . I think they save the lives of lots of children.” I’ve read several of Whelan’s books and each time I’ve been caught up in the characters’ lives, the plots, the conflicts, the settings, all possible because of Whelan’s ability to create realistic, vivid worlds. In Small Acts of Courage, India and England are dramatically contrasted. The story is set in a river town in southeastern India in 1918-1920, with WWI over for six months. The protagonist, Rosalind James (ages 13-15), restless and curious, is bored with the “club” life of others in her circle. She much prefers the bazaar, with its color and vitality, smells, spices, curiosities, where her childhood friend Isha (daughter of her nursemaid) takes her.
Isha introduces Rosalind to Indian life, even though her mother and father are completely opposed to her venturing into that world. She dares to step across the line on more than one occasion, leading to “small acts of courage” which bring about big changes in her life and in the lives of others. She “buys” a baby and later takes it to an orphanage run by a British woman. She dares to attend a rally where Gandhi is speaking—and her family finds out. She is sent to England to stay with her aunts—and there encourages one aunt to speak up for herself—and she eventually does—and her life changes (Aunt Ethyl: law, rigidity, coldness; Aunt Louise: grace, love, warmth).
Whelan “weaves a captivating story of love and family, secrets and sisterhood, and most of all identity.”
From Whelan’s note about the story--
More than a million Indian men fought alongside the British during WWI. Rosalind’s father led a battalion of Indian soldiers, the Gurkha Rifles. With the war over, the British in India have returned to their comfortable lives of servants and clubs. The Indian people want their independence from Great Britain, and all across India there are demonstrations for freedom led by the Indian National Congress, whose leader is Mahatma Gandhi. Freedom eventually came as a result of Gandhi’s determination and attitude about nonviolence: “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.”
During the war, children (often at very young ages) of civil servants and army officers stationed in India were sent away to school in England, where they stayed with relatives or complete strangers. They experienced loneliness, a sense of displacement, and a deep longing for home.
Whelan says that the plight of the children and the plight of India were two things that intersected and led her to write Small Acts.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011
209 pages
MG; Historical
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-ARC via Simon & Schuster's GalleyGrab in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to read this book after seeing that it was set in 1919 India and was somewhat concerned with the India independence movement because I'm taking a class about Indian history this semester. Personally I would have liked more about Gandhi but Rosalind is an engaging main character.

She and her mother have lived in India while her father served in WWI. Upon his return, he is disappointed with the freedom Rosy has enjoyed while her mother battled various illnesses. He wants Rosy to be a proper English girl who spends her time at the club instead of traveling through the bazaar or listening to treasonous statements. To that end, he has her sent to England to be with her two aunts who will have her brought up properly.

Throughout the book, Rosalind performs "small acts of amazing courage" from saving a little boy from poverty to nursing during a cholera epidemic to empowering her aunt. This is not a big, flashy story but instead a sweet coming-of-age story. Rosalind learns more about herself and about the world and I think she might be destined for big things.

There's also a cute boy in the person of Max Nelson, who served under her father in WWI and has one more year at Cambridge. While he does not play a large role, it is fun to speculate how his India independence sympathies will be used to help in the future.

Cover: Very pretty and the design is continued inside the book.

[Caroline B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of Small Acts of Amazing Courage is to be true to yourself and to put yourself out there. The story takes place in the colorful and bright country, India, in 1919. The story is told by Rosalind, who is a curious young girl who wants to understand everything. Her aunt, Louise, is sweet, caring, and daring, whereas her aunt, Ethyl, is strict, dull, and boring. After Rosalind's father returns, he quickly learns that Rosalind has been going to the bazaar and is taking care of an indian's child. Rosalind is then sent off to England, where her brother, Edward died; to meet up with her aunts. Rosalind has dreaded going to London all her life but now she has to face her fears, and keep on going.

I thought that the book was exciting and that it kept me wondering what would happen next. Aunt Louise has always been ruled by Ethyl and can not do anything with out Ethyl's permission. with the presence of Rosalind, Louise then has the idea of breaking away from Ethyl to join Rosalind in India. Louise must then be true to herself and be responsible for her own money and freedom. I could relate Louise because she wanted to have some liberty and I feel the same way. A strength of the book was the plot. The plot was easy to follow but was still very interesting. Another strength was how easily I could relate to the characters. A weakness of this book was how it was a little unrealistic. When Rosalind was trapped in storage on the ship to London, she attended to sick patients without getting sick. I would recommend this book to a friend because it was well written and was very interesting.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I'm a big fan of many of Gloria Whelan's books, I didn't originally plan on reading this, as the subject matter just didn't sound that interesting to me. Thanks to the recommendation of a member of a book list I'm part of, I decided to give it a try anyway. I'm so glad I did!

There was so much I loved about this. The writing was fresh and engaging, at turns informational and humorous. It flowed very well and the book breezed by almost before I realized it. Even minor characters—such as the solicitor or the cook—were memorable.

I thought the information about the Indian culture and the movement for independence was really interesting. I also loved many of the themes in this book: that of following your conscience, helping others, nonviolence, etc.

There were a few things that seemed a little too convenient to be realistic, such as the fact that the main character just happened to run into two friends (one that she meet in India and one that she meet on the boat over) within walking distance of her lodging in London. Also, how on earth did Rosalind and Mrs. Blodget not catch cholera?

I highly recommend the audio version of this. The narration by Mandy Williams is excellent.

I also have to mention how much I love both the title and the cover design on this.

I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, I wanted to love this one. I really did. I loved Listening for Lions. And have actually convinced several students to read that one and enjoy it. (I have the WORST time getting kids at my school to read historical fic ... I really do. And I can't figure out why because I really do try to get some of the best and booktalk them and hey, they listen to me when I'm recommending mystery or fantasy ... but I digress.)

Really, maybe, as an adult read four stars. Because it really is quite good. I think maybe the intended audience is a little off. Kids (most of them, anyway) are not going to "get" this book. They will miss the beauty in all of the small acts of amazing courage. They will probably not have heard of Ghandi. They won't know where India is or what it meant that Britain held control for so long.

I jotted down a couple of beautiful lines but as they are from the ARC so I suppose I'd better wait to post them.

Worth reading, definitely. Just know that if you are a teacher it may need to be a read aloud and you may need to spend some time building of background knowledge beforehand.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloria Whelan used a great, tried and true writing style that you just don't see anymore with Small Acts of Amazing Courage. It [the 1st person point of view] wasn't overtly me-me-me like most newly written fiction, or outrageously over descriptive. It was honest and intriguing.

What I appreciated about this book is that I didn't have to agree with the Hindu religion to get through the book. It is described and talked about, but not forced on you.
I also was very glad that even though Rosalind's dad was sometimes harsh, he wasn't made out to be the villain. He just was what he was. Many times authors write the strong adult characters as being only over-dominant with children and not adults, but you see later on in the book when her father is talking to Aunt Louise that he is just that way with everybody. Still, you see little bits of kind things from him. Many of the characters are subtly layered, adding a nice depth.

I am shocked to say that I think this is a great book, not only for the history aspect but for the storytelling and incredible writing skill. On top of that, the cover is just gorgeous. I'll definitely read this again.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and charming read for children 9 and up. Our heroine is Rosalind, an English teenager living in India in the year 1918. She and her mother are awaiting the return of her father, who is away at war. Rosalind is an adventurer at heart, and soon learns of Gandhi's peaceful movement to free India from British rule. Her parents cannot understand Rosalind's desire to get involved and help the people of India, but Rosalind is a girl who knows her own mind and she tries to help in as many ways as she can.

What (or who!) makes this story is Rosalind--she is fierce, true to herself, and tenderhearted. I loved her voice as the narrator, and her adventures in India were captivating. The story stumbled a bit for me at the end, with many loose ends left dangling after the last page. I wanted more story than the 209 pages of the book contained--perhaps Whelan was leaving room for a sequel? I still think girls (and maybe boys too!) 9 and up who like reading historical fiction, would likely enjoy this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, quick read. I love India and I love Ghandi and I think it is very interesting learning about that time period in India from a British child growing up there. It was a story about making the right choices even when it is is really hard or scary. Aside from purchasing a baby at the bazzar, most of Rosy's acts were small, yet they took courage. It just came natural to her to follow her conscience and do what was right. I enjoyed reading it, but I felt like it ended kind of abruptly. It was too short. It needed to be wrapped up and tied together before ending. It needed even just a couple more paragraphs tying it all together, a more pronounced "moral of the story" kind of ending.The name of the book made me look for these small acts of courage as I read, but I also wished for a little more acknowledgment of "those who rest in unvisited tombs" ( a Middlemarch reference to ordinary people who live day to day influencing people for the better, without any fame or glory).

Rating: PG
Actual Star Rating: 3.5

[Blythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is an English girl born and raised in India because her father is in the military. She steps around rules she sees as foolish, like not talking to her Indian friend, Isha, or being fobidden from going to the bazaar. She secretly agrees with the cause of India's Congress Party—those in India who want freedom from Britain. When her father comes home and finds out some of the things she's doing, he sends her away to England to go to school and live with her two aunts. She learns about kindness, taking chances, and deciding things for herself.

I originally started then stopped reading this book, because the beginning just didn't spark my interest as much as the title and summary did. Then I gave it another chance and was pleasantly surprised how the story evolved into something better. It's interesting, but a rather light read. I think the intended audience is middle school age girls.

So, if you need something light but with an uplifting overall message, this book is the one for you.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only gave three stars for a try to show were courage and kindness could lead you. Other than that, a book left me quite disappointed - there are about ten moments when you feel like a new story is sparked and something interested is waiting for you, but all of them ended awkwardly fast and without any surprise or explanation why that part was important. All of those parts didn't connect at the end aswell - the author finished the book as if she couldn't have been bothered to come up with anything new. I found it lacking of details aswell, as some sentences were jumping from one to another without connection. Characters were quite boring and you could expect absolutely everything they'd done. However, I would still recommend this book for someone who would like to have an easy read and maybe learn something about India.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another winner from the amazing Gloria Whelan. Her depiction of India brings the country immediately into my mind though I know very little about it. She incorporates the language and the history seamlessly into the plot. Rosalind is such an appealing character. She's on the cusp of womanhood and treated like a child, much like India. As she grows and learns, she is able to make sense of what she's been told and figure out what she wants. I really admire her courage. This is a fabulous coming-of-age story that anyone 10 and over would enjoy!

[Virginia Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1918 in India, and teenage Rosalind is more at home in the bazaars than at the British country club where her parents think she should spend her days. The novel chronicles her growing awareness of the harsh living conditions of most ordinary Indians and her growing sympathy for the nonviolent independence movement that Gandhi is beginning to organize. The themes are serious, but there is also humor and romance as Rosalind finds her own voice and her own independence.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria Whelan seems to have carved a niche in juvenile fiction with glimpses of lives in a different time in exotic places -- this one in India just after WWI. Beautifully written with characters that draw you in.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye-opening novel of an English teenage girl, living in India in the post-World War I era. While Indians seek to follow the example of Gandhi, Rosalind uses her natural courage and sense of justice to help others.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical YA fiction, set in colonial India--fascinating characters, well written

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in colonial India... don't know if the kids will appreciate all the small acts of courage that adults can identify in these characters...

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

High 2/low 3. I was hoping to like this book more than I did, but the story did not live up to the title of "amazing courage." This short book tells the story of a British teenage girl living in British-occupied post WWI India, who is eventually sent back to England to live with her aunts because she was showing sympathy for the Indian independence cause, and generally not being the "proper" (aka boring) girl her father wants her to be. There are themes in here about standing up for yourself, but it is mainly in the context of standing up to one's parents/authority figures, all of whom were very exaggerated sticks-in-the-mud. I could see this appealing to tweens who are annoyed with their parents' boundaries, but I was hoping for something more about standing up for a just society with a title espousing AMAZING courage. The main character attending two pro-India independence rallies does not live up to that high billing.

[Challice · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all Gloria Whelan books, I really enjoy how she brings culture into her stories without dulling the reader. What I think was most interesting is that despite my assertion that I dislike first-person retellings, I found this one to be done very well. I actually stopped at one point and realized I was reading in the first person. I have a vague recollection of observing that when I first began but it slipped my mind as I got deeper into the plot. I did think the story ended a little bit off a cliff, I had many questions and then I saw that there was a sequel.

Like with all Whelan books, you have the harsh family and the softer family and the one caught in the middle. This particular book made me think of a mixture of Secret Garden and Little Princess-- the Indian girl caught up in what she knows and where she has gone and who she is becoming.

Really enjoyed it.

[Becca Nanako · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! I enjoyed the depth of the characters as well as the various dynamics between Rosalind and her family. The way Whelan depicts Rosalind's world amidst 1918 India is both beautiful and enticing, and she touches upon social and political issues just enough to inform her younger audience but not overwhelm. As an adult reading this book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Rosalind's journey but wished for a much more intricate novel in order to find out more about the characters and setting. I definitely recommend this book as well as its sequel, ALL MY NOBLE DREAMS AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS. I hope there will be more books to come!

[Tacocatreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I personally did not like this book. There was absolutely no character development. The only person that really changes is Aunt Louise.
I thought it was kind of dumb that Rosalind went to England and a month later she came back. She didn't even go to school!
I'm also not a huge fan of this genre so maybe that's part of the reason I didn't like this book.